Suffolk Provincial Grand Master Installed

Barry Ross was installed and invested recently as Provincial Grand Master for Suffolk by the Pro Grand Master Lord Northampton. The ceremony took place at the Royal Hospital School in Holbrook. Ian Barry James Ross was born in New Zealand in 1938 and emigrated to England in 1957. He has wide experience of management in industry, having worked for Shell for 36 years. In his inaugural address, speaking of retention of new members, he said ‘I am sure many of you have witnessed relatively new members departing after just a few years chiefly because of a lack of involvement. We must examine this area far more closely. Is there scope in your lodge for appointing ‘mentors’ for new members, thereby hopefully encouraging greater lodge involvement, particularly for those who have just become Master Masons? Through a long period of seeming inactivity they may understandably start to lose interest, something we must guard against happening. There are always opportunities for them to be more actively involved, for example offering them the challenge of some not too onerous ritual work, such as explanations of the working tools in the various degrees.’ In his speech at the Festive Board afterwards, the Pro Grand Master echoed some of the Provincial Grand Master’s thoughts. ‘The time has come when we need to reinterpret [our Craft rituals] for young men in the 21st century in a way which makes them truly relevant. How else are we going to regenerate the Order and inspire young men to join us?’

MASONIC BIOGRAPHY
Ian Barry James Ross
1975 Initiated Royal Colonial Institute Lodge No 3556
1990 Master Royal Colonial Lodge No 3556
1992 Exalted Royal Alexandra Royal Arch Chapter No 959
1993 Founder Caduceus Lodge No 9536
1996 Lodge Faith No 2438
1997 Provincial Grand Secretary
1998 Master Caduceus Lodge No 9536
1998 Suffolk Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge No 9215
1998 Royal Order of Scotland for the Province of East Anglia
2000 Suffolk Installed Masters Lodge No 3913
2003 Assistant Provincial Grand Master
2004 Past Senior Grand Deacon
2004 Rose Croix Victoria Chapter No 22


New Provincial Grand Master for Worcestershire

The Assistant Grand Master, David Williamson, in addition to investing Richard Price as Provincial Grand Superintendent, recently invested Richard George Goddard as Provincial Grand Master for Worcestershire at the Three Counties Showground at Malvern. There were present over 650 Brethren from as far afield as South Wales, Derbyshire and Berkshire, and in total fifteen other Provinces were represented. During the investiture, the organist played many pieces by Edward Elgar, who was a Worcester man, and who is the Provincial Grand Master’s favourite composer. In his inaugural address, Richard Goddard paid tribute to his predecessor Barrie Cooper. He went on ‘I pledge that I will serve you and lead this fine Province of ours to the best of my ability.’ We must, he continued, listen to the voices of the younger generation, to adapt to the changing circumstances of modern society, without being afraid of demonstrating to others in every walk of life the principles we had been taught. He also pledged to continue the support of the £5 million appeal for Worcester Cathedral and the annual family service in July, a highlight of the Provincial calendar, would provide an opportunity to continue that support.

MASONIC BIOGRAPHY
Richard George H Goddard MA
1971 Initiated Fort Royal Lodge No 4565
1978 Master Fort Royal Lodge
1974 Exalted Saint Wulstan’s Royal Arch Chapter No 280
1983 Provincial Junior Grand Warden
1984 Joined Worcestershire Installed Masters Lodge No 6889
1986 Joined Worcestershire Installed First Principals Chapter No 6889
1986 First Principal Saint Wulstan’s Royal Arch Chapter No 280
1989 Founder Custos Lodge No 9320
1989 Provincial Grand Scribe N Royal Arch
1990 Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies
1994 Past Senior Grand Deacon
1996 Past Grand Standard Bearer Royal Arch
2002 Deputy Provincial Grand Master
2002 Past Grand Sword Bearer


Library Awarded Second Grant

The Library and Museum at Great Queen Street, London, has been awarded a second grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The grant of £46,000 is for a project called Hall and Tavern in which over 450 documents covering the history of Freemasons’ Hall will be catalogued and conserved. In 1775 the premier Grand Lodge purchased a house fronting the street. A competition was held for the design of a Grand Hall, of which the front house was to be the Freemasons' Tavern, the back house for offices and meeting rooms. The winning design was by Thomas Sandby.
    The period covered by the project will be from 1768, when plans for the first Hall were put forward, to 1868 when a major expansion of the site was completed. The catalogue will be available by June 2005 on the Free Access to Archives (A2A) searchable website (www.a2a.org.uk) as part of the National Archives Network, and on the Library and Museum’s own web site. The material is both of considerable masonic interest and also touches on the history of many other organisations and individuals. Freemasons’ Hall was an important venue for public meetings, events and concerts during this period. The Academy of Ancient Music transferred its concerts there in 1784 and there were benefits for the Middlesex Hospital and the Royal Humane Society in the 1790s. The Royal Geological Society was formed at the Freemasons’ Tavern in 1807. The French composer Hector Berlioz was attending a dinner at the Tavern when the 1848 French revolution broke out in Paris, delaying his return, and in 1867 a banquet was held there in honour of Charles Dickens prior to his departure for America.

Police Freemasons Under Scrutiny

In its last issue, Freemasonry Today reported the case of an Italian Judge whose human rights had been violated by disciplinary action brought against him by the Italian Judiciary for being a Freemason. In Northern Ireland, following legislation pursuant to the Good Friday Agreement and the Patten Report, the Chief Constable issued an order late last year requiring Freemasons in the Police Service of Northern Ireland to register their membership of Freemasonry. Under the Chief Constable’s order, serving officers would be required to notify membership, if ‘ ... membership of the organisation in question might reasonably be regarded as affecting the officer’s ability to discharge his duties ... ’ The order also covered such organisations as the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Orange Order and the Knights of Saint Columba.
    The Deputy Speaker at the Stormont Parliament said: ‘ ... while Freemasonry should not bar people from the [police] partnership, many feel that membership of any exclusive secret society could create a conflict of interest.’ Policing Partnership Board member Adrian Watson wears his Freemason ring with pride. ‘I’m a proud member of the Masonic Lodge of Ireland – not that it’s any of his business,’ said the former member of the Police Authority. ‘I find his claims both astounding and offensive in roughly equal measure. Membership of the Masonic Order has nothing to do with membership of the Policing Partnership. This is a sad attempt to blacken the name of a distinguished order.’
    Subsequent to the order, on 9 June this year, the High Court in Belfast granted leave to the Grand Lodge of Ireland and three serving police officers who are Freemasons to apply for a judicial review of the order. A lawyer for PSNI officers Michael Walker and Martin Whittle said ‘This [order] is putting a black spot on the heads of officers.’
    As a result of the High Court decision, police chiefs on 30 June suspended the scheme forcing all officers to declare membership of Freemasonry and other organisations, to allow Chief Constable Hugh Orde to amend his guidelines. A spokesman said: ‘When the necessary amendments have been made, the process will re-start mid September.’

New Minibus for RMBI Home

Albert Edward Prince of Wales Court in Porthcawl was given a brand new minibus by its Association of Friends recently. The Home is for older Freemasons and their dependants, and is one of 17 care Homes throughout England and Wales managed by the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
    The Volkswagen LT minibus cost more than £28,000, and was presented by Peter Frost, Chairman of the Home’s Association of Friends, to RMBI Chairman, Chris Caine. Also present were Kevin Harris, RMBI Executive Director of Care Operations, and Home Manager Lorna Hasan. Staff and residents of the Home witnessed the occasion, the culmination of more than 2 years’ fundraising by the Association of Friends.
    The minibus, which can accommodate up to eight passengers, or three wheelchairs, will be used to take the Home’s residents on days out, shopping trips and hospital and doctor visits, and will go a long way towards making life better and easier for them.
    RMBI Director of Fundraising and Events, Roger Friend said: ‘This is a truly magnificent gesture on the part of the Friends, and will make a massive difference to the lives of our residents in Porthcawl. As a charity we are hugely dependent on donations such as these, and we are truly grateful’.
    The RMBI is a registered charity which established its first Home in 1850 and now provides a comprehensive range of services to older Freemasons and their dependants, including care in its Homes and Sheltered Accommodation, as well as practical support to those who wish to remain in their own homes.
    For further information on the RMBI contact Mark Leach, Marketing & PR Manager on 020 7596 2405.

East Lancashire Hits £4 Million Plus

During the last four years East Lancashire Freemasons have raised an incredible £4,031,000, covering the shortest period of any previous Grand Charity Festival. The amount was raised by personal donations from the Brethren and by the promotion of a wide variety of events and functions held during the Festival period.
    A triathlon event organised during the National Masonic Awareness week raised more than £110,000 alone. Cycling events, sportsmans’ dinners, golf days, operatic concerts, fashion shows, a flower festival, family fun day, bowling competitions, clay pigeon shoots, Provincial balls and banquets were held throughout the Province, contributing to the magnificent overall total raised in such a short festival period.
    The Festival culminated in a banquet held at the Reebok Stadium, the home of Bolton Wanderers Football Club. Over seven hundred and fifty Festival Stewards and guests attended an occasion graced by the Pro Grand Master Lord Northampton accompanied by Lady Northampton, the President of the Grand Charity Raymond Lye, together with Mrs Lye, the High Sheriff of Lancashire and the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester. The room had been transformed with floral displays on three metre high pillars, and a hand painted banner of the Festival emblem was hung above the top table. Over thirty lodge banners adorned the balcony of the hall and special lighting effects created a festive atmosphere.
    Guests were treated to the sounds of international classical guitarist Neil Smith. The distinguished guests were greeted by a fanfare of trumpets and the processional music was provided by a nineteen-strong band.
    The climax of the evening was the announcement by Provincial Grand Master Peter Walthall of the final amount raised. This was greeted by a further fanfare of trumpets followed by a firework display.

Berkshire Freemasons Multi-Faith Initiative

The Province of Berkshire has a tradition of annual Church services, held in local Anglican Churches, but during the ‘Freemasonry in the Community’ week in 2002, it was felt that such a tradition excluded Brethren of other faiths. Accordingly, a multi-faith service of thanksgiving was held two years ago. It was the first time this had been done, so the territory was largely uncharted, but it was a great success. Building on that, the Province held a second one recently at the masonic headquarters at Sindlesham in Berkshire. There were present religious leaders from the Jewish, Sikh, Hindu and Anglican faiths. Each of the clergy presented a portion of the service and each lesson was a reading from their own faith. The congregation, which consisted of masons, wives and partners, were also encouraged to participate in each lesson. Readings were taken from Psalm 133 by the Rabbi present, the Sikh reading was ‘One universal Creator God, by the Grace of the True Guru’, the Hindu lesson was ‘Rigveda, the first of the four Vedas’, one of the most ancient scriptures in the world, and the Anglican reading was Matthew 5:1-10.
    One of the participants said afterwards ‘On each occasion, the most striking aspect of the service was the warmth of the leaders working together, giving each other support, and realising how little in principle, in a masonic context, distinguishes individual religions, when you listen to the message.’ A Hindu hymn was sung, the Jewish hymn ‘Adon Olam’ and a Christian offertory hymn. The music for the occasion was played by Philip Wharton, Grand Organist.

West Lancs Masonic Clay Pigeon Shooting

The premier shooting event of the masonic calendar was held recently, the occasion being the National Masonic Inter-Provincial Clay Pigeon Shooting Competition at Hoghton Tower in Lancashire. In all, seventeen Provinces were represented with over 170 shooters on the day. Host for the event was the West Lancashire Masonic Clay Pigeon Shooting Society.
    Colin Penty Wright, the Provincial Grand Master for West Lancashire, together with Mrs Kathryn Wright, presented a commercial exhibition trailer, purchased by West Lancashire Freemasons, to Lynda Brislin and Jackie Northover, who represented the Northwest Air Ambulance. The Air Ambulance helicopter was called away to an incident in the Lake District but returned later and stayed with the crowd for the rest of the afternoon.
    Before the shooting got under way, the Provincial Grand Master presented a number of cheques on behalf of the Society, totalling £15,700. Among the cheques presented, £3,000 went to the West Lancashire Masonic Charities Fund, £3,000 to The Grand Charity, £6,000 to Derian House Children’s Hospice in Chorley, and £1,000 each to Bryan House Children’s Hospice in Blackpool and Royal Liverpool Blind Children’s Home.
    The competition itself was hard fought and produced some close results. The Masonic High Gun Trophy was won by Nigel Hurst from the Province of Yorkshire West Riding with a score of 66 out of 75. The runner up was J McCluskey of Warwickshire with 61. The Masonic Team Trophy was also won by Yorkshire West Riding with a score of 183 out of 225 with West Lancashire second with 167 and Cambridgeshire third with 166.

Warwickshire Freemasons Walk to Church

Warwickshire Freemasons have a long history of processing through the highways and byways of the Province in full regalia. Processions have often centred on the laying of foundation stones – Bishop Ryder’s Church in Birmingham in 1837, the Queen’s Hospital Birmingham in 1840 and the ‘Middle Class Idiot Asylum’ at Knowle in 1872.
    When the Province celebrated its 200th Anniversary in 1928, the Pro Grand Master, Lord Ampthill, walked with other Freemasons a short distance to St Mary’s Church Warwick and heard the sermon preached by Rt Rev C L Carr, Bishop of Coventry and Provincial Grand Chaplain. The pulpit, presented by Warwickshire Freemasons in 1897, is carved with many masonic symbols.
    In 2002 the Province was honoured at its service by the Pro Grand Master Lord Northampton, who joined in the procession to St Mary’s Church, and the Province processed there again in 2003 to celebrate their 275th Anniversary.
    In June this year about 60 Warwickshire Freemasons again walked in public procession nearly half a mile in full regalia to St Mary’s Church from the Masonic Rooms in the High Street of Warwick. The theme of the service was ‘Behold the Lord passed by’ and the sermon was preached by Provincial Grand Chaplain Rev Canon Dr Denis Claringbull. The lessons were read by Deputy Provincial Grand Master Victor Keene and Provincial Grand Master Michael Price.
    The masonic links with the church go back to the early part of the 18th century. Records show that when a lodge was constituted in the town on 22 April 1728 the first Master was the Reverend Greenwood, the Vicar of the Church.

Charitable Hampshire

The Provincial Grand Master of Hampshire and Isle of Wight, Brian Bellinger, together with his wife and the Deputy Mayor of Bournemouth, Anne Rey, the Mayor of Christchurch, Sue Spittle, together with representatives from 30 local charities met recently with Freemasons from Bournemouth and Christchurch, at the Bournemouth Masonic Centre when over £17,000 was presented. This brought the total donated to non-masonic charities by Bournemouth Group of Lodges in the past year to £28,000.
    Among the charities benefitting, the Victoria Education Centre took pride of place, with the School Principal, Christina Davies, receiving a cheque for £3,000.
    The Victoria Education Centre is run by the Shaftesbury Society, a national Christian charity, and provides education for children with physical disabilities.
    Every year, in the Spring, the School receives an invitation to send their 11-year-old group on a week-long adventure holiday to Green Island in Poole Harbour. Green Island is privately owned, uninhabited, and set up as a charitable trust to accommodate holidays for the disabled. Residents stay in a log cabin, specially designed for people with physical disabilities. It is an idyllic place, the sort of place any 11-year old would dream about for a holiday.
    During their week’s stay, the children were able to watch the island wildlife, at close quarters. Their itinerary included a trip up the river to Wareham, and a visit to Green Island from the Poole Lifeboat. In the middle of the week three of the organising committee joined the children on the island for a barbecue.
    The Provincial Grand Master addressed the guests on the charitable aspects of Freemasonry and explained that the money being donated came from the pockets of individual Freemasons. The event provided many of the charity representatives with the unique opportunity to meet each other in convivial surroundings, and see for themselves the work which Freemasons do to help the wider community.

Rochester Cathedral Masonic Fresco

The new Rochester Cathedral Fresco was dedicated recently at a service as part of the Cathedral’s 1400th anniversary celebrations.
    The packed congregation was led by the Provincial Grand Master for East Kent, John Bonomy, and the Provincial Grand Master for West Kent, Bill Bryen.
    Painted directly onto a special mix of wet plaster by renowned Russian iconographer Sergei Fyodorov, it is the first Fresco to be painted in an English Cathedral for over eight centuries.
    The Provincial Grand Master for East Kent said ‘Kent Freemasons have enjoyed a long and happy association with Rochester Cathedral for over one hundred and fifty years. The decision to fund the Fresco is a fitting and significant way to mark that friendship.’
    The Provincial Grand Master for West Kent added ‘Freemasons in England have always been supportive of the established Church and over the years have made very significant contributions to beautify and adorn its buildings.’

Freemasons Run for Crisis

A team of 148 Freemasons including Deputy Metropolitan Grand Master, Russell Race, joined a 1,660 strong contingent of people running through the City of London, raising money in support of Crisis, the homelessness charity. The Crisis Square Mile Run, which is sponsored by Threadneedle Investments, is a three-mile scenic fun run through the City of London and along the banks of the river Thames.
    BBC Breakfast Presenter and star of Strictly Come Dancing, Natasha Kaplinsky hosted the 12th annual Square Mile Run recently.
    The money raised by the Freemasons team so far totals £12,179. This accounts for 10% of the money raised so far by Crisis. But a number of Freemasons have yet to send in their sponsorship money, so on the basis of the money so far submitted, the final figure should be of the order of £30,000.
    This will be in addition to the £110,000 which they have already raised over the last two years. The run has raised over £1,000,000 since it began in 1993, helping to rebuild and change the lives of thousands of homeless. The Crisis Charity relies on fundraising events such as this to fund their year-round work.
    The importance of Freemasons raising money for charity in such a public way cannot be overstated. Assistant Grand Master David Williamson said ‘Charitable giving is at the heart of Freemasonry. We are delighted that so many members are participating to raise money for such a worthwhile cause.’