ROYAL VISITOR TO CAMBRIDGE

It was a rare honour for Cambridge Freemasons when the Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Kent, came to Freemasons’ Hall in Bateman Street. The Hall is the meeting place for all the City and University Lodges, and is also the Provincial headquarters. The last visit to Cambridge by a Grand Master was in 1961 when the Earl of Scarbrough attended the Isaac Newton University Lodge at their Masonic Hall in Corn Exchange Street, some years before the redevelopment of the site.
    The Grand Master was received at the Hall by Colin Hutchinson, the Provincial Grand Master. After a brief tour of the premises, the Grand Master met other members of the Province informally during a reception. The Grand Master saw something of the ‘TLC Teddies’ scheme, which has now been running in Cambridgeshire hospitals for two years, and enquired specifically about other local charitable work. He was impressed by the efforts made by the City and University of Cambridge Masonic Charitable Trust, which distributes approximately £20,000 locally each year. He was particularly pleased to learn that the facilities of the Hall, whenever possible, were made available for local or national charities to hold fund raising events. After being entertained to dinner at the Hall, the Grand Master expressed his thanks for mementoes of the occasion, presented to him by the Provincial Grand Master.
    Colin Hutchinson said ‘It was a real landmark for us to have the Grand Master visit us. It will be a highlight of my ten years as Provincial Grand Master and a great encouragement to our members to continue their efforts to be a positive force for good in their communities.’

CAICOS ISLANDS LODGE MAKES MASONIC HISTORY

Members of Caicos Islands Lodge, No. 9661, joined with visiting Brethren from Grand Turk and The Bahamas, in laying the cornerstone of the new masonic temple for Providenciales, which was carried out by the Pro Grand Master The Marquess of Northampton. James Bain, the District Grand Master of the District of Bahamas & Turks, said that this was the most high-level visit ever to the District by an officer of the United Grand Lodge of England. The Pro Grand Master remarked that this was the first cornerstone laying ceremony conducted by a United Grand Lodge of England officer in 35 years, thus making the Providenciales Masonic temple the newest in the world.
    The Providenciales based Caicos Islands Lodge, consecrated in 1997, currently consists of some 30 members, many of whom are prominent figures in society. Lodge meetings are held four times a year in the Graceway Sports Centre. Officers and members are confident however to have the new Masonic Temple completed by early 2007.
    Having spent the past year focusing on its organizational structure and growing membership, the Providenciales Lodge hopes to be actively supporting charities within the next year, following in the footsteps of masonic lodges around the globe.

ONE-DAY CLASSES IN NEW YORK

Freemasonry Today is keen to further explore the question of one-day classes in New York. Under the previous Grand Master, a one-day class was held in 2003, at which about 2,100 men were initiated, passed and raised. Since then, there has been a change of Grand Master, and it is not clear whether the practice will be repeated. In an attempt to gauge opinion, a Freemasonry Today reporter went to New York earlier this year to speak with Brethren across the whole spectrum of opinions. None of the Brethren he spoke with in private lodges seemed to be in favour of the idea, and he sought out members of the Grand Lodge to speak to. One appointment to interview a senior Grand Lodge Officer was subsequently cancelled without reason. Another contact he made, with the Deputy Grand Master, proved to be equally fruitless. Freemasonry Today, in common with all Freemasons this side of the Atlantic, remains bemused by this reticence of the New York Grand Lodge to explain their views on the matter. We can only hope that sooner or later, a representative of the Grand Lodge will agree to let us have their point of view.

GRAND CHARITY SPEEDY RESPONSE TO TSUNAMI DISASTER

On 29 December in the immediate aftermath of the Tsunami disaster, the Grand Charity swung into action. On that day, a President’s Emergency Grant of £100,000 was made to the British Red Cross, providing funding for the initial flight of relief supplies. This grant was used by the Red Cross towards the initial flight carrying emergency relief items to the worst affected areas. These supplies included clothes, medical kits, cooking equipment and emergency shelters.
    Emergency grants are made by the Grand Charity to provide assistance in cases of natural disasters worldwide. Recent grants have included support for the victims of the floods in the Philippines, the Caribbean, Cornwall, South Asia and for the earthquake in Bam, Iran.
    The British Red Cross recognises the Grand Charity as one of its staunchest supporters. Sir Nicholas Young, Chief Executive, said: ‘The British Red Cross is enormously grateful to the Freemasons’ Grand Charity for supporting the Emergency Appeal to help those devastated by the earthquake and consequent flooding in Asia. The rapid response of the Grand Charity means that we can begin sending essential supplies to the worst affected areas thereby reducing suffering and saving lives.’
    Raymond Lye, the President of the Grand Charity, said, ‘The Charity is pleased to support the efforts of the Red Cross in bringing speedy relief to those affected by this horrific disaster. The Charity recognises that further long-term help will be needed and this will be reviewed when a more comprehensive assessment of requirements has been made.’
    The Grand Charity grant was acknowledged in several national dailies, including The Times, The Independent, the Daily Mirror, as well as the London Evening Standard. Grand Charity President Raymond Lye also authorised two further Emergency Grants of £10,000 to the District Grand Lodge of Madras and £25,000 to the District Grand Lodge of Sri Lanka, to assist the Districts in their charitable efforts to help the victims of the disaster.
    In response to requests from a number of Provinces and to co-ordinate the efforts of the Craft, the Grand Charity immediately established a designated Asian Tsunami 2004 Floods Relief Chest (No. E0091) to receive contributions from lodges and individual Freemasons. At the close of business on 31 January, the Tsunami Relief Chest contained £245,000, a truly remarkable response from the Craft.
    At a meeting of the Grand Charity Council held on 26 January 2005 it was resolved that, apart from the initial Emergency Grants set out above, all future funding will be directed towards long term assistance to support the children orphaned or otherwise affected by the disaster. Accordingly The Council has recommended at the Annual General Meeting, that £300,000 be allocated from the Grand Charity’s general funds towards the provision of this long-term support for the children. The Council will also recommend that in addition, all sums from time to time held in the above mentioned Tsunami Relief Chest account will also be applied to this project.
    The Grand Charity is entering into discussions with a number of specialist international charities who are operating in the affected areas to identify suitable projects or purposes. The Tsunami Relief Chest will remain open indefinitely, to receive any further contributions that the Craft wishes to provide towards these long term plans. Freemasons are responding in the most generous way to this horrific disaster.
    The Grand Charity is the central grantmaking charity of all Freemasons in England and Wales. It was founded in 1981 to carry on a tradition of charitable support for both Freemasons and the wider community, which has been maintained since 1727.
    For further information contact:
Raymond Lye, President of the Grand CharityTelephone 01608 683440 Laura Chapman, Chief Executive of the Grand Charity Telephone: 020 7794-4729 www.grandcharity.co.uk

DURHAM SETS TARGET OF £3.25 MILLION

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham has launched its 2010 Festival for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution. Some 450 masons representing 90% of the lodges in the Province of Durham attended the launch in the conference centre of Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham.
    The Chairman of the Festival Committee, Assistant Provincial Grand Master Kenneth Howe, welcomed the Deputy Grand Master Peter Lowndes, the President of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution, John Moore, and Head of External Affairs Peter Williams.
    The Festival Chairman has appointed Festival Ambassadors whom he introduced. Those Ambassadors sit on Area Committees and will be responsible to assist Lodges to whom they are responsible in the administration of the Festival and to the Charity Stewards to give encouragement and support.
    The Brethren were advised on how their targets could be achieved. Contributions by Gift Aid were encouraged, in view of the fact that nearly one third of the donation is added to from the recovery of income tax. Rather than accumulate funds to hand over at the end of the Festival, the Province will hand over each £10,000 collected; this will help the Institution in their cash flow. The Deputy Grand Master rounded off the Launch Presentation by giving a very amusing and encouraging address. He emphasised that the Province should ‘Make this Festival Fun’.

EMAIL SCAM AFFECTING FREEMASONS

Recently, in the United States and England, Freemasons and non-masons have been receiving an email purporting to come from either ‘The Freemason Society of Bournemouth’ or ‘The Freemasonry Society of Winchester’ and offering access to funds. It has all the hall marks of the well-known scams which require the recipient to pay for access to the promised funds. We have received them at Freemasonry Today and Tony Digweed, Provincial Grand Secretary for Hampshire and Isle of Wight, who has had a number passed on to him, has alerted the police, who are investigating.
    The email reads as follows:

‘Subject 2005 GRANT, VERY URGENT
The Freemason society of Bournemouth [or Winchester] under the jurisdiction of the all Seeing Eye, Master Nicholas Brenner has after series of secret deliberations selected you to be a beneficiary of our 2005 foundation laying grants and also an optional opening at the round table of the Freemason society.
‘These grants are issued every year around the world in accordance with the objective of the Freemasons as stated by Thomas Paine in 1810 which is to ensure the continuous freedom of man and to enhance mans living conditions.
‘We will also advice that these funds which amount to USD2.5million be used to better the lot of man through your own initiative and also we will go further to inform that the open slot to become a Freemason is optional, you can decline the offer.
‘In order to claim your grant, contact the Grand Lodge Office secretary David P. Owen.
‘Paul Landy, PRO Freemason Society of Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth.’

DEVON MASONS IN CHARACTER

In 2001 a small number of Brethren in the Province of Devonshire formed a demonstration team acting out life in an eighteenth century lodge. They made their debut on the stage of the Davie Masonic Hall, Plymouth, and performed a re-enactment of a typical lodge in September 1759.
    The cast came from various lodges in the Province, and no two Brethren came from the same lodge. Writing the script and rehearsing took over a year. Then began the hunt for costumes, leggings, jackets, tricorn hats, and stage props in the form of swords, pistols, quill pens, clay pipes, and tankards.
    The story line is as authentic as the authors can make it. The various items of news arriving at lodge, local, national and international, are correct for the period. The lodge they represent is deliberately allied to Marine Lodge, No. 237, whose warrant was issued in January 1759. Among the events of interest mentioned during the reenactment is that of Thomas Dunckerley, the natural son of King George II, being at that time on board HMS Vanguard at the siege of Quebec, and this causes a lot of concern among our personae dramatis.
    The Tudor Lodge, No. 1792 in Birmingham was the most recent host to these thespians. The lodge has a reputation for hosting masonic events of unusual interest, and raising good sums of money for charity in the process; last year, they raised over £6,500.
For information regarding the group, contact Keith Vallance at kavallance@blueyonder.co.uk

VICTORIA LODGE MASONATHON

Victoria Lodge, No. 2669 in the Province of Yorkshire West Riding is currently experiencing unprecedented growth, with many new members. As a result they have decided to hold a Masonathon. This will be a whole day devoted to masonic degree ceremonies, including ceremonies of initiation, a double passing and a raising ceremony.
    The lodge moved to a newly equipped lodge room in the Midland Hotel in Bradford in 2002. In the two years at its new venue, twelve new members have been initiated and interviews with many new candidates have now been set up. All the new members are very enthusiastic, seeking to learn more about Freemasonry, and taking an active part. This level of interest has created difficulties. Simon Blakeley explains: ‘Initially we overcame this by double passings, which alleviated the problem for a short while. Still our members have not been able to progress and we decided to look at other ways of advancing our candidates.’
    And so the Masonathon will become a reality in April. The special day will also help to raise money for charities. The Temple will be set up in the hotel ballroom which can accommodate 250. All lodges in the Province have received details.

EALING DOES IT FOR CHARITY

An hour before their recent regular Lodge meeting the Hanwell Lodge, No. 4676 meeting at the West London Masonic Centre in Ealing invited representatives of nine local charities to receive cheques totalling £7,500 from the Charity Chest on behalf of Hanwell Lodge. The charities were the Meadow House Hospice, Ealing Hospital; the Mulberry Centre, West Middlesex Hospital; the Shooting Star Children’s Hospice, Hampton; Chalfont Heights Scout Camp; Greenford and District Scouts; St. Davids Nursing Home for ex-service men and women, Ealing; Hanwell Homeless Concern; Childline; the Mencap Enterprise Lodge at Perivale.
The Ealing Gazette sent a photographer to record the event, and the local MP for Ealing North, Steve Pound, was invited. He has connections with many of the charities, particularly the scouting ones.

WEST LANCASHIRE MONEY FOR CANCER

In 2003 the Northern Group launched an appeal to raise £15,000 to sponsor an isolation room in the new cancer unit at Furness General Hospital. Isolation rooms are needed for those patients requiring protective isolation whilst undergoing treatment.
    The appeal was the brainchild of Derek Jackson of Hartington Lodge, No. 1021, who had been receiving treatment for cancer at Furness General Hospital. Sadly Derek did not see the cheque presented because he died at the end of April, but his widow Audrey was present when the cheque was presented.
    When the Provincial Grand Master was made aware of this appeal, he agreed to donate £5,000 from the Community fund to the £10,000 raised by the Group. When the total raised exceeded £15,000 he agreed to increase the Provincial donation proportionately to £7,500. This will be used to purchase two IVAC machines for the unit of which eight will be required. The Group intends to purchase further IVAC units with any future donations. It is hoped that the final total will be £30,000.

MASONS WORKING FOR BLIND CHILDREN

At a Lodge of Instruction Supper late last year, thirty-two members of the Old Emanuel Lodge, No. 5399 raised the sum of £800 for the charity ORBIS. This sum was raised by a raffle and an auction.
    Over half a million children go blind each year, but the skills and technology to cure and prevent blindness are concentrated in the richer countries, whilst the need is concentrated in the poorer ones. ORBIS was one of the first blindness prevention charities working in developing countries to make childhood blindness prevention and treatment a priority. The statistics are shocking - every minute another child will go blind, which means that half a million children every year who will not reach their full potential. With early diagnosis and treatment much of this blindness can be prevented.
    Leading surgeons from around the world volunteer their time on ORBIS training programmes in developing countries. Since 1982, ORBIS has trained more then 63,000 medical professionals, who have gone on to train their colleagues who have in turn restored sight to 17.5 million people.
    The ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital, a converted DC-10, has circled the globe over 10 times and has conducted 222 training programmes in 67 countries. It contains a complete ophthalmic operating suite, sub sterile room and laser room, maintaining all the standards of a regular operating suite despite being situated on an aeroplane.
The ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital will be at Stansted from 6 -10 April. Contact Graham Povey. Tel : 020 8241 1655

BRASS BANDS, CAROLS AND MINCE PIES

Following the restructure of the divisional committees in the Province of Cheshire, the Clifton Road division of lodges has been created, representing some seven hundred masons, all meeting at the Clifton Road Masonic Temple in Birkenhead.
    For the new committee’s first fund-raising event just before Christmas, it seemed appropriate to hold a Carol Concert. A local band, the Port Sunlight Lyceum Brass Band were the obvious first choice. They have helped numerous local lodges, over the years, to put on charity concerts.
    The musical director of this seventeen piece brass band is Cyril Dare and he and the other band members entertained some seventy masons, their families and friends to an evening of ‘Festive Carols and Mince pies’ in the Clifton Road Temple. The band played Christmas classics including ‘The Holly and the Ivy’, ‘Jingle Bells’, ‘The Twelve days of Christmas’ and ‘Silent Night’ to an audience of masons and nonmasons.
    While being entertained the audience all enjoyed mince pies and a glass of wine, and raised money for charity.

THE LORD MAYOR’S CITY OF LONDON MASONIC BANQUET

Michael Savory, the present Lord Mayor of London and Past Master of Prince of Wales’s Lodge, No. 259, will host a special masonic gala dinner in the surroundings of the Guildhall on Wednesday 29 June 2005. The Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Kent, has accepted an invitation to be the guest of honour and he will be supported by the Pro Grand Master and the Deputy and Assistant Grand Masters.
    The purpose of this unique occasion will be to bring together as many representatives as possible of lodges which have a connection with the Lord Mayor and the City of London and to raise money for the New Masonic Samaritan Fund and the Lord Mayor’s Appeal for the Soldiers, Sailors and Air Force Families Association.
    This Black Tie Dinner will follow the usual pattern of a City State Banquet. Members of the Lord Mayor’s historic bodyguard, the Company of Pikemen and Musketeers, will be in attendance. The reception will be preceded by a Sunset Ceremony performed by the Band of the Greenwich Royal Hospital School. The arrival of The Duke of Kent and the Lord Mayor will be announced by a fanfare by the State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry (Blues and Royals) and the dinner music will be provided by their Regimental Band. Application forms for this special event are being sent to Secretaries of Lodges which have a close connection with the City of London or the Lord Mayor during February. It is important that applications should be returned as soon as possible because of the obvious limitation on numbers.
Individuals with a specific interest can also contact the event secretary Simon Duckworth on colmb2005@yahoo.co.uk

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

The Library and Museum celebrates the work of lodges and chapters no longer in existence.
    In the early days of the Craft lodges they formed and disappeared quite regularly, but now amalgamation or erasure is an emotive and saddening time. The Library and Museum has archive folders for almost every lodge and chapter there has ever been - but they rely on them sending objects and documents to them. In some cases the folders bulge with summonses, notes on centenaries, period correspondence or sketches for jewels but others are empty. Mark Dennis the Curator said ‘For a lodge to vanish leaving only a cancelled warrant and minute books as evidence of many years and many men is very sad - we are grateful for the increasing number who see erasure or amalgamation as a time to reflect on their achievements and deposit items and documents here that ensure they are remembered.’
    This aspect of masonic life has not been shown in the museum before because the displays concentrate on the more positive aspects of masonic history, but the Library and Museum is preparing a small display to explain to visitors what happens when lodges and chapters disappear and this will focus as much on their achievements as on the process and the reasons that may lie behind it.
    Many lodge treasures are donated to other lodges to continue in use but recent donations of objects are shown.
    But it is not just lodges and chapters about to disappear that need to think of posterity. The Library and Museum is also happy to accept summonses and programmes for key events such as centenaries and banner dedications or photographs of lodge treasures and jewel designs. From these come the raw materials for future lodge historians.