Provincial Grand Master for Berkshire Installed

John Michael Hooton was recently installed and invested as Provincial Grand Master for Berkshire. The Ceremony was conducted by the Assistant Grand Master David Williamson at the Berkshire Masonic Centre, Sindlesham. In attendance were 12 Provincial Grand Masters and a further 4 Provinces were represented. In all there were 450 Brethren who witnessed the occasion. Mike Hooton succeeds Digby Woods, who has been Provincial Grand Master for Berkshire for the past nine years.
    In his inaugural address, the new Provincial Grand Master praised the work that had been done in the community by the Province, and laid stress on the importance of mentoring of new candidates.
    At the Festive Board, following the announcement by the new Provincial Grand Master to launch ‘Teddies for Loving Care’, a project to relieve the trauma of children admitted to the Accident and Emergency Departments in Berkshire Hospitals, three large Teddy Bears sang a re-working of the Teddy Bears Picnic. There was a strong suspicion that the 3 bears were in fact members of the Berkshire executive.

     MASONIC BIOGRAPHY
      John Michael Hooton
      1968 Initiated Kendrick Lodge No. 2043
      1969 Wellesley Chapter No. 1899
      1976 Founder Sons of Kendrick Lodge No. 8362
      1979 First Principal Wellesley Chapter
      1982/3 Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies
      1988 Master Kendrick Lodge
      1989 Provincial Senior Grand Warden
      1990/4 Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies
      1991 Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies
      1995 Past Senior Grand Deacon
      1996 Deputy Provincial Grand Master
      1997 Past Grand Sword Bearer
      1998 Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Mark Master Masons
      2002 Master Berkshire Masters Lodge No. 3684


Installation of Provincial Grand Master for Bristol

Four hundred Freemasons from fifteen Provinces assisted at the installation of Michael John Flynn last year as the seventeenth Provincial Grand Master for Bristol. The Deputy Grand Master, Iain Ross Bryce, performed the ceremony, after first installing Michael Flynn as Grand Superintendent in and over the Royal Arch Province of Bristol. In his inaugural address, the new Provincial Grand Master praised his predecessor, Dennis Fox, saying how, in his thirteen years as Provincial Grand Master he had promoted openness and encouraged social events, which included admitting ladies to Freemasons’ Hall. Local Freemasons, he continued, were rightly proud of the Bristol working, which emanated from the city’s seafaring past, but they could not be complacent and leave the promotion of it to others. They should all endeavour to find candidates to share it with them, he said, but never to substitute numbers for quality. He said that while Masonry had to be taken seriously, it was also there to be enjoyed, and as Provincial Grand Master, he would continue to foster the social side.

     MASONIC BIOGRAPHY
      Michael John Flynn
      1963 Initiated Lodge of Virtue and Industry No. 4701
      1970 Beaufort Chapter No. 103
      1973 Master Lodge of Virtue and Industry
      1980 First Principal Beaufort Chapter
      1981 Provincial Grand Registrar
      1982 Provincial Grand Registrar
      1988 Third Provincial Grand Principal
      1989 Baldwyn Commandery and Preceptory Baldwyn Chapter
      1990 Provincial Junior Grand Warden
            Goodwin Lodge No. 1563 Mark Master Masons
      1991 Harris Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners
      1992 Past Grand Standard Bearer RA
      1993 Provincial Senior Grand Warden
            Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies
      1995 Royal Order of Scotland
            King Richard Tabernacle of Knight Templar Priests No. 158
      1997 Founder Bristol Installed First Principals’ Chapter No. 8168
            Master Goodwin Lodge Mark Master Masons
      1998 Master Bristol Installed Masters Lodge No. 8168
      1999 Most Wise Sovereign Baldwyn Rose Croix Chapter
            Provincial Grand Sword Bearer Mark Master Masons
      2000 Deputy Provincial Grand Master
            Eminent Commander and Preceptor Baldwyn Commandery and Preceptory and 30th degree (Rose Croix)
      2001 Deputy Grand Sword Bearer
            Second Provincial Grand Principal
            Provincial Senior Grand Warden Mark Master Masons
      2002 Past Grand Sword Bearer
            First Principal Bristol Installed First Principals Chapter
      2003 Master Bristol Installed Mark Masters Lodge No. 1717


History Made on Isle of Man

The Province of the Isle of Man held unique Investitures in September 2003. For the first time in the Province’s history four positions were filled simultaneously - George Peake was installed as Provincial Grand Master and Grand Superintendent, R.K. Dalrymple became Deputy Provincial Grand Master and Deputy Grand Superintendent. The installations were performed by the Assistant Grand Master David Williamson and his team.
    On a bright sunny morning the visitors were ‘bussed’ to the west of the island where the solemn Chapter Installation was being held at picturesque Peel in the shadow of Peel Castle and next to the harbour with its fishing and Viking style boats. After lunch the party returned to Douglas for the afternoon’s Craft Installation. Many senior Freemasons from mainland Provinces were present, as well as Brethren from Ireland.
    In his address, the new Provincial Grand Master said it was only when the moment of installation arrived that he appreciated the true meaning of the post he had undertaken to fill. The words of his obligation would not be forgotten as he strove to emulate the example of his illustrious predecessors.

     MASONIC BIOGRAPHY
      George Peak
      1964 Initiated Lord Raglan Lodge No. 3685
      1967 Lord Raglan Chapter
      1976 Master Lord Raglan Lodge
      1985 Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies
      1986 Provincial Grand Treasurer
            Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Royal Arch
      1989 Peveril Lodge No. 323 Mark Master Masons
      1992 Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies
      1997 Past Deputy Grand Sword Bearer
            Assistant Grand Sojourner Royal Arch
      2001 Master Peveril Lodge No. 323 Mark Master Masons
      2002 Past Grand Sword Bearer


Recognition of Foreign Grand Lodges by Great Queen Street

In December 2003 the United Grand Lodge of England extended recognition to six Grand Lodges not formerly recognised. They are the Prince Hall Grand Lodges of The Bahamas, The Caribbean and Jurisdiction, and Maryland, and in Europe the Grand Lodges of Andorra, Latvia and Lithuania.
    The Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the Caribbean came into being on 21 April 1993 when seven lodges then forming a part of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of New York formed themselves into a Grand Lodge. Since the formation of the Grand Lodge, four new Lodges have been formed under the obedience of the Grand Lodge of the Caribbean and Jurisdiction. Presently active Lodges are located in Antigua, Barbados, Guyana, Martinique (French West Indies), St. Lucia and Netherland Antilles. Lionel Greenidge, the current Grand Master, is the fourth Grand Master since formation of the Grand Lodge. He is a graduate of University College, and a member of the Bar in London.
    In 1947 the The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Maryland was born out of two earlier Grand Lodges, the fourth Grand Lodge for men of colour chartered in the United States of America. Today, there are 102 constituent lodges in Maryland and its jurisdictions, 70 within the State of Maryland, 22 in Germany, 6 in England, 3 in Italy and one in Belgium.
    In Latvia, the oldest Lodge ‘Zum Nordstern’, into which the philosopher J.G.Herder was initiated in 1766, was founded in 1750. After the restoration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the Craft has been revived gradually in Latvia. The first Brethren were admitted to Freemasonry in 1993, and the Lodge ‘Januguns’ was reactivated in May 1996. The Grand Lodge of Latvia was founded by the United Grand Lodges of Germany in the Palace of Mezotne on 8 March 2003.

Monmouth: Small Province Big, Heart

More than 750 Monmouthshire Freemasons and their wives and guests recently attended a highly successful Festival held at the Celtic Manor Hotel in Newport. The evening was hosted by the Provincial Grand Master John Hughes and Mrs. Jean Hughes, whose principal guests were the Pro Grand Master, Lord Northampton, and Lady Northampton. Also present were Norman Lloyd Edwards, President of the New Masonic Samaritan Fund, as well as Mr K. Turner, Chief Constable of Gwent Constabulary.
    The Provincial Grand Master as President of the Festival thanked everyone for supporting the function, and praised the efforts of all those who had been involved in organising it. One thousand Brethren had qualified to attend the Festival, but limitations of space meant that only 750 could attend. The President of the Festival, in the absence of those who could not attend, thanked them most sincerely for their individual contribution, which had made the unique occasion in the calendar of the Province such a success. A total of £1,441,469 had been raised, which was outstanding for such a small Province of 1,700 members. Although this is a record for the Province, in previous years sums of £1m. have been raised.

Festival Raising Money for Breast Cancer

The Public Schools Lodges Council Festival has usually been hosted by one of the Public Schools Lodges and held at one of the great Public Schools. However a break with tradition occurred last year when the Public Schools Installed Masters Lodge No. 9077, under the leadership of their Master, Jervis Kay, hosted the 70th Public Schools Lodges Council Festival at Freemasons’ Hall Great Queen Street last year.
    These Festivals are also the occasion of making donations to charity. On this occasion, some £4,000 was raised part of which was donated to Breakthrough Breast Cancer, a charity chosen at the suggestion of the Worshipful Master’s wife, Henrietta Kay. It is a charity launched in 1991 which is committed to fighting breast cancer through research and awareness. In 1999 the charity’s Patron, HRH The Prince of Wales, opened the Toby Robins Breast Cancer Research Centre at the Institute of Cancer Research which, in association with the Royal Marsden, now has 85 world class scientists and clinicians working in a co-ordinated effort to find a cure for breast cancer. This was made possible by the raising of over £15 million through the efforts of the trust and its supporters. The charity is supported by a number of voluntary groups throughout the United Kingdom which raise money for the charity through balls, walks and other sponsored events.
    The presentation of the cheque was made to Linda Grave and Sally Balch, joint chair ladies of the Suffolk Branch of Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Sally Balch is a former pupil of the Royal Masonic School for Girls at Rickmansworth.

Cosham Masonic Centre Holds Open Day

A successful Open Day was held at the Cosham Masonic Centre, near Portsmouth in the Province of Hampshire and IOW.
    In the morning a number of invited guests were entertained including the Mayor of Portsmouth, the Mayor of Havant, the Mayor of Fareham, Portsmouth North MP Syd Rapson, members of local Churches and Chambers of Commerce and representatives of local charities. More than £10,000 in donations from various lodges was passed on to local charities.
    Resulting from this Open Day were positive features on local radio and television and a feature in the local evening newspaper.
    The Provincial Grand Master Brian Bellinger and his wife Jenny were present, eager to get involved, play host and to help the cause. Of the questions raised by the politicians and the Churchmen the most direct was from Canon David Hopgood of the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Portsmouth who simply asked ‘for an explanation of how a ceremony is conducted’. He was given a full answer encompassing all he wanted to know, although it was explained that to reveal everything about the ceremony would negate the enjoyment of the moment which is shared by the candidate and the brethren. He was satisfied with this answer, and thanked the Brethren for being frank. The Lord Mayor was interested in the ‘bonding’ of Freemasons because, as he put it, ‘of the public misconception about Freemasonry’.

Masonic Fishing Club Entertains Kids

The Masonic Trout and Salmon Flyfishing Club was formed by flyfishermen from various lodges in different Provinces. Its aim is to take handicapped children out to enjoy the excitement of flyfishing, and they decided to hold an event at Syon Park, Brentford.
    The Middlesex Provincial Charitable Trust sponsored the day, and students from five local special-needs schools attended, Belvue, John Chilton, Batchwood, Marjory Kinnon and the Stirling Road Centre.
    The day before the event saw soldiers from the Royal Military School of Music at Kneller Hall turn up with a lorry and erect a large marquee. The weather on the day had cooled down a little and there was a light westerly breeze - nothing the expert casters couldn’t handle!
    The children burst out of the buses, kids eager to meet up with old friends and start having fun. Participants were paired off with their respective casters and by 11 o’clock everyone was in position around the lake and flies started to hit the water. It wasn’t long before yelps of glee were heard from excited children as trout succumbed to the temptation of a black buzzer or damsel nymph.
    When the fire engine from Isleworth Fire Station sounded its two tone horn, fishing rods were forgotten as everybody headed for lunch.
    After short work had been made of the food it was time for the prize giving. Peter Halls-Dickerson, Provincial Grand Master of Mark Masons in Middlesex, assisted in presenting Certificates of Achievement to each participant, and Sue Hunter, from the England Ladies flyfishing team, awarded medals to each school for best caster, best retriever and biggest fish caught on the day.
    The Club website is www.mtsfc.co.uk

Family Festival Concert in Grand Temple

The Grand Temple was the setting for the second Family Festive Concert3, and the 750 Freemasons, family and friends who attended enjoyed an exciting and entertaining evening. Andrew Parmley and Bob Corp-Reader had pulled out all the stops to ensure that the evening cracked along at a tremendous pace, with something to delight everyone.
    Frank Renton was kind enough to compere the event and, as before, the Reading Central Band of the Salvation Army soon had the audience on their feet, enthusiastically joining in much-loved, traditional carols. The Anglo-Sierra Leone Choir, ‘dedicated Masons with a passion for singing’, gave a delightful rendition of ‘Ding Dong Merrily on High’ and, together with the London Masonic Choir and the Harrodian School Choir, contributed individual pieces as well as supporting the audience. In keeping with the tradition of such occasions, there were four readings to balance the music, all on the theme of Christmas, but from very different angles. Louise Roper, Will Wadham, Russell Race and Sir Tim Rice selected and read some delightful pieces. Tim Rice is Vice-President of the Children’s Country Holiday Fund, one of the charities that benefited from the evening.
    Two soloists completed the cast; Sam Gosden on saxophone and Kerry Sampson. Sam teaches the sax at Harrodian School, and Kerry is a professional opera singer from Australia. Both of these very talented individuals made special contributions to an enchanting evening. David Adams, ‘the invisible man’, otherwise known as Grand Organist, provided the organ accompaniment throughout the evening.
    The two charities which benefited from the evening were the Richard House Children’s Hospice and the Children’s Country Holiday Fund. Both provided interesting displays of their work in the foyer.

Oklahoma Indian Freemasons Visit England

The South Fylde Group of the Province of West Lancashire hosted the first ever visit outside the United States of America of the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma Masonic Indian Degree Team. Over fifty years ago a number of Oklahoma Indians formed a team to practise the ‘The Making of a Master Mason’. Wherever the three-and-a-half hour ceremony is conducted they always do it for real with a genuine candidate for raising, wearing their regalia of bright coloured fabrics, beads and feathers.
    The thirteen strong team arrived in Manchester accompanied by the Grand Master of Oklahoma, Ronald Savoy Coppedge. They delivered a splendid demonstration of their work to 125 South Fylde Brethren. During the two-week visit they conducted demonstrations in West Lancashire, Surrey and Yorkshire West Riding. On all occasions lodge rooms were packed, with 1,000 Brethren in total witnessing this once in a lifetime display. The programme of visits was planned by Keith Jackson in South Fylde and Mel Green in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Years ago both Brethren were visitors to an Oklahoma lodge, saw the quality work of the Indians, and decided to bring this team to England. Support was given by local Brethren in the form of hotel accommodation and a 45 seater coach. Keith and Mel managed to raise the £8,000 to cover all expenses whilst in England.
    The team provided entertainment at two Hospices, one Junior School and three dance and music gatherings, with presentations of their war dance, hoop dance and other examples.

Freddie Smyth Awarded Order of Service to Masonry

At United Grand Lodge’s Quarterly Communication on 10 December 2003 the Deputy Grand Master, Iain Ross Bryce, invested Frederick Henry Smyth (Freddie Smyth to the many who know him) with the Order of Service to Masonry.
    Freddie Smyth, born in 1919, was initiated in 1943 at the age of 23 into Lodge Devon No. 1999 in Jalandhar, India. Due to war service and other factors it was only in 1966 that he came to be installed in the Chair of King Solomon, in Lodge Hazara No. 4159, which had moved to London from the Punjab. While with the Association of British Freemasons in Germany from 1950-1953, he rehearsed the Craft degree ceremonies in the English, Scottish and Irish workings. In 1974 he was invited to join Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076 in London and was Master in 1979. He was appointed Prestonian Lecturer in 1990 and Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in 1992. In the Royal Arch, he was exalted in 1943, was First Principal of Connaught Army and Navy Chapter No. 4323 in 1973, and was appointed Past Grand Standard Bearer in 1991. In Mark Masonry he was advanced, again in India, in 1943, was Master of Connaught Army and Navy Lodge No. 748 in 1970, and appointed Past Grand Master Overseer in 1995. He was elevated in the Royal Ark Mariner Degree in Connaught Army and Navy Lodge No. 748 in 1962, was Commander in 1971 and was appointed to Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank in 1979. In the Ancient and Accepted Rite he was perfected in 1944 and appointed to 32° in 1976. He is a member of other Orders too numerous to mention. He is a member of a number of masonic research bodies around the world, and is the author of a number of works including The Master Mason at Arms (the 1990 Prestonian Lecture) and A Reference Book for Freemasons. As the Order of Service to Masonry citation said ‘Brother Smyth can justly claim to be one of the foremost authorities on Freemasonry and its history, and has the satisfaction of knowing that he has contributed so extensively to the passing on of masonic knowledge’.

Our Brothers Bed at Trinity Hospice

The association between Trinity Hospice on Clapham Common, and the Freemasons dates back to the very origins of the Hospice. According to the official history, Trinity Hospice: A History of Care 1891 –1991 ‘…. most generous over the years were the Freemasons. Over 250 lodges sent contributions in 1894, from ten guineas from a London lodge to one shilling from a Freemason in Jamaica, as well as endowing a bed – ‘Our Brother’s Bed’ in memory of the Duke of Clarence, son of the Prince of Wales and Provincial Grand Master of Berkshire’, who had died in 1892.
    Last Year 481 Lodges and Chapters gave £71,431 to symbolically re-establish ‘Our Brother’s Bed’. Each year it costs the Hospice more than £86,000 to provide one in-patient bed.
    Recently some of the many masonic supporters attended an Information Evening at Trinity. The event was a chance to hear more about the Hospice’s wide range of services, take a tour of the Hospice, and chat informally to staff and trustees.
    Patrick Hurst, Chairman of Trinity Hospice, said: ‘We are moved and impressed by the generosity of so many Lodges and Chapters to Trinity. The masonic movement has loyally supported Trinity for more than 100 years. In doing so, it has helped to make us the organisation we are today, which provides the highest quality of care to those with terminal illnesses, and to their families.’
    For further information on Trinity, or to arrange a visit to see the work at first hand, contact Jonathan Catherall on 020 7787 1085, or jonathanc@trinityhospice.org.uk, or write to him at 30 Clapham Common North Side, London SW4 0RN.