Clay Pigeon Shoot

Hoghton Tower, home of the de Hoghton family since William the Conqueror, was this years venue for the National Masonic Clay Pigeon Shoot hosted by the West Lancashire Masonic Clay Pigeon Shooting Society. The event was postponed last year due to the tragic foot and mouth epidemic – and Freemasonry responded nationally by donating over £300,000 to help rural farming communities.
    At this year’s shoot over 150 guns took part, representing 19 different Provinces with the National Masonic Inter-Provincial Cup going to the team from West Lancashire. The individual high gun of the day went to Tony Curtis from West Lancs. After presenting prizes, donations of over £10,000 were given to several charities including, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Riding for the Disabled, National Deaf Children’s Society, Youth and Education Countryside Trust, Hearing Dogs for the Deaf and Cottage and Rural Enterprises.

Red Arrows Team

Chris Ellis, a member of Vigilantia Lodge, No. 8021, is keen to contact any Brethren who served on the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team "Red Arrows" 1964 – 1978 in any capacity: Pilot, Engineer, Manager or Groundcrew. He is especially interested in those who were involved in the Folland Gnat years. His idea is to organise a 40th Anniversary celebration of the formation of the Team in 2004 together with arranging fraternal visits. Contact Chris at 14 Ashley Drive, Bussage, Stroud, GL6 8BY.

Masons Help Communications

Toye Hassan, aged 13, who has cerebral palsy, and Gabriella Ince, who is autistic, have been helped by money raised in the Clerkenwell Lodge of Installed Masters, No. 9628, represented by the Master, Stephen Ayres. Both youngsters will use their funds to buy computers with special software that assists them to communicate with others.

Reward for Hearing Dog

Hearing Dog "Pippa" receiving her reward from her severely deaf owner closely watched by the Inspector General for Dorset and Wiltshire, Andrew Pearmain, 33°. Hearing Dogs For Deaf People received a cheque for £3000 from members of the 14 Rose Croix Chapters of the Ancient and Accepted Rite in the District of Dorset and Wiltshire.

Canonbury Masonic Research Centre

Public lectures organised by the CMRC at the 16th century Canonbury Tower are held on Wednesdays, 7.00-9.00 pm, entry fee £6.00.
16 October: Jeremy Naydler MA, The Pattern of Initiation in Ancient Egypt.
20 November: Prof. John Algeo, Freemasonry & The Western Mystery Tradition.
11 December: Dr. Leon Schlamm, Jung as Shaman & Visionary.
CMRC Fourth International Conference, 2-3 November.
FREEMASONRY – BEYOND THE CRAFT.
From Enlightenment to Illuminism.
    An international forum of speakers from the UK, USA, Holland, France, Finland and Canada explore the history, purpose and psychology of such degrees and their legacy to the host society. Fee £68.00.
    Enquiries: Carole McGilvery 020 7226 6256. Contact mcgilvery@canonbury.ac

Centre For Research into Freemasonry
Sheffield University

The first Wednesday seminars of the academic session 2002-3 start in October. All are held at 5.15 pm, at The Old Library, Department of History, University of Sheffield, 387 Glossop Road, Sheffield S10 2HQ:
16 October: Andrew Pink (Goldsmith’s College) will speak of his research into Freemasonry and musical life in 18th century London.
11 December: Sean Creighton and Andrew Prescott will talk on the history of Friendly Societies and Freemasonry in Battersea, London.
    Check the Centre’s website: www.shef.ac.uk/~crf. To be added to the mailing list contact Ms Amy Hall, Humanities Research Institute, Floor 14, Arts Tower, University of Sheffield, S10 2TN.

The Cornerstone Society

Following the successful conference in June and in response for a request for more frequent events, The Cornerstone Society is launching a series of Master Classes to be held in London.
The first, entitled Climbing Jacob’s Ladder, will be given by Michael Baigent, Editor of Freemasonry Today, Wednesday, 6 November, 6.00 pm, in the Boardroom at Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen Street, London. Admission is for all Master Masons and above. Entry fee, £6.00 (including refreshments).
Contact: The Cornerstone Society, 68 Foxley Lane, Purley, Surrey CR8 3EE or see the Cornerstone Society website: www.workingtools.org .
The second Northern Conference, The Spirit of Freemasonry, is planned for Saturday, 9 November, at the "Cheshire View" in Christleton, Chester. Speakers will include Julian Rees, John Acaster, Revd Neville Cryer, and Richard Knox-Johnson. Tickets £15.00 (including a buffet lunch).
Contact: "Cornerstone Conference", 17 Park Avenue, Timperley, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 5AX with an SAE.

Quatuor Coronati Lodge Seminars

The seminars run by the Quatuor Coronati Education Initiative to encourage masonic research and authorship have proved very popular and oversubscribed. They will continue in the Autumn and Winter. They are held on one Monday per month from 6.15 – 8.30 pm. The dates are:
9 September: John Hamill and Yasha Beresiner.
28 October: Rebecca Coombes and Katrina Jowett.
2 December: Aubrey Newman and Peter Currie.
Contact: Seminar Co-Ordinator, Yasha Beresiner, 43 Templars Crescent, London N3 3QR. Telephone 0208 349 2207. Email: yasha@compuserve.com