From 1983 to 1999 , I served on the Board of General Purposes of the United Grand Lodge of England; during the latter years I was Chairman of its Information Committee. That Committee was set up in the 1980s in an early attempt to promote the public relations of the Craft, at a time when, despite the Grand Master’s call for openness, that concept was still unfashionable and a majority of Lodge members were nervous about countenancing it.
    The first Chairman of the Information Committee was Jim Davis and I was a founder member. One of our first projects was to commission the making of a Video about the Craft and, after massive opposition and scepticism from the majority of members of the Board, a budget was set and we were given the go ahead. The result, in 1987, was The Freemasons, which broke new ground in openness, turned in a financial profit and, despite its now rather hackneyed look, was well received by the Craft (including most members of the then Board!). I am pleased to say that the production of masonic videos, and other publicity material, has continued apace.
    About six years ago, in my capacity of Chairman of the Information Committee, I was approached by Bill Hanbury-Bateman and Geoffrey Baber, with the germ of an idea to publish an independent magazine for Freemasonry and to covenant any profits to masonic charity. For the second time during my time on the Information Committee, I put forward what looked like an impossible idea, with a request to the Board for funding to take the project forward. Again, there was considerable opposition but, after lengthy negotiation, the Board voted a sum for the production of a ‘flyer’, to elicit subscriptions to a new magazine, which would be independent of United Grand Lodge of England, but which would carry news of national and international masonic interest, as well as thought provoking articles. At this point, I had no idea whether the response would be 1,000 or 100,000, but it had been calculated that a minimum of 25,000 initial subscriptions would be needed to make the project viable.
    In the event, about 23,000 initial subscriptions were received , a Publishing Company (of which I have been Chairman from the outset) was formed and the decision to proceed with Freemasonry Today was taken. The first issue was published in the Summer of 1997 and was well received. Further money was obtained from the Board for a follow up marketing campaign and, today, the circulation stands at a little over 27,000; all money advanced by the Board has been repaid.
    Despite ongoing initiatives, the circulation seems to have reached a plateau, at which figure there is very little profit to benefit masonic charity, even though the Directors give their time, without remuneration.
    The relationship between Freemasonry Today and the Board of General Purposes has, sadly, been a disappointing one. Whereas the Board has not openly opposed Freemasonry Today, it has certainly been cautious and (apart from initial pump priming finance and the good offices of John Hamill) sparing, in its support. On the other hand, the Rulers of the Craft have given great encouragement.
    When the concept of a masonic magazine (to be circulated free of charge to all freemasons) was being discussed, Freemasonry Today approached the Board to see whether there was scope to “roll” that concept into Freemasonry Today. This would have given an opportunity to provide a magazine, containing essential masonic information, coupled with the more interesting articles and comments, which had become the hallmark of Freemasonry Today. It would have increased the circulation to some 300,000, attracted more profitable advertising and further promoted the openness which is essential for the good of the masonic movement. Unfortunately, no dialogue ensued and, as all freemasons will know, United Grand Lodge of England’s own magazine, MQ, was launched in Spring 2002. From a purely personal point of view (and I would not be in the least biased, would I?!), I do not want a “lifestyle” magazine, containing an element of masonic reporting, but padded out with articles which have scant relevance to my masonic membership.
    Over the past six years, my charitable involvement, outside freemasonry, has increased considerably and any masonic influence, which I may have had, has been diminished by the dissolution of the former Board of General Purposes and the elimination (without notice or thanks) of the Information Committee. Accordingly, at the last Freemasonry Today Board Meeting, I stood down as Chairman (and as a Director) of the Publishing Company and I am delighted that I have been succeeded, as Chairman, by Geoffrey Baber, who is well positioned to take forward the success of Freemasonry Today. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the helm – it has been a stimulating and worthwhile venture, carried forward by a small and dedicated team, to whom I pass my sincere thanks.
    If I have one retiring hope, it is that a way can be found of amalgamating Freemasonry Today with MQ, whilst retaining the editorial freedom of the former, and thereby providing all members of the Craft with a “good masonic read”, as well as communicating all the requisite masonic information emanating from United Grand Lodge of England,

Anthony West is a Past Grand Sword Bearer and former member of the Board of General Purposes