New Provincial Grand Master for Derbyshire

In April the Pro Grand Master, Lord Northampton, installed John Graham Russell Rudd, DL, as the Provincial Grand Master for Derbyshire at the Assembly Rooms in Derby. The event was attended by some 700 Derbyshire Freemasons and 66 distinguished visitors including 12 Provincial Grand Masters and 4 Past Provincial Grand Masters.
    In his address to mark the occasion, the new Provincial Grand Master firstly paid tribute to Lord Northampton and his efforts to ‘both modernise and improve the general public’s perception of our Craft.’ Continuing with this theme he added that, ‘Whilst I do not believe in changing things for changes sake I do have one or two ideas to freshen up our activities. In recent years Grand Lodge officers have done an excellent job in representing the Province at Installation Meetings but I believe it is now opportune for my senior team, including myself, to attend personally on what are special occasions for each lodge.’
    He also mentioned his concerns about ‘how many new members drift away after their first year or two in the Craft,’ and signalled his intention to widen the remit of the recruitment committee to look into this specific issue to see what new initiatives might be done to retain members. He also mentioned his desire to improve the effectiveness of the Lodge Liaison Scheme.
    This scheme is an initiative begun in Derbyshire about 5 years ago: every Lodge is assigned a Liaison officer whose task is to help with any problems which might arise in the Lodge such as disputes, confusions or differences of opinion over aspects of ritual or regulation, or other problems; private difficulties which a member may not wish to bring to the attention of the Almoner or financial problems which may be embarrassing. The Liaison Officer also has regular contact with Provincial Grand Lodge and gives annual reports on the health of the lodges under his jurisdiction and advice over promotions.
    This has been a very popular scheme within Lodges and its success has encouraged another Province to start its own Liaison scheme.

MASONIC BIOGRAPHY
    John Graham Russell Rudd
    1971   Intiated Tyrian Lodge, No. 253.
    1982   Installed as Master of Tyrian Lodge.
    1983   Joined Derbyshire Lodge of Installed Masters, No. 8509.
    1984   Founder of Lodge of Fellowship, No. 9123.
    1984   Exalted, Royal Arch Chapter of Justice, No. 253.
    1989   Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer.
    1991   Installed, Peveril Knights Templar Preceptory, No. 159.
    1993   Perfected, St. Mary’s Rose Croix Chapter, No. 63.
    1994   Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden.
    1995   Provincial Junior Grand Warden.
    1997   Past Junior Grand Deacon.
    1997   Assistant Provincial Grand Master.
    1999   Installed, First Principal, Royal Arch Chapter of Justice.
    2003   Installed, Preceptor, Knights Templar Preceptory, No. 159.
    2004   Installed, Master of Derbyshire Lodge of Installed Masters.

Brothers and Sisters, Knights and Nobles

Are you descended from a Phoenix? Were your ancestors Foresters, or are you related to a Buffalo? If any of your family ever joined a trades union or a benefit club, then you may be.
    This year’s Summer Exhibition, Brothers and Sisters, Knights and Nobles: from Clubs to Class Identity at the Library and Museum at Freemasons’ Hall in London unlocks the hidden history of the Sisters of the Phoenix, the Ancient Order of Foresters, the Free Gardeners and the Oddfellows, just some of the amazingly diverse and colourful friendly societies and fraternal associations to which millions of people once belonged. Their flamboyant aprons and badges, mottoes and commemorative objects were once familiar in every town and city in the country.
    In any car boot fair, collectors shop and on Ebay you will find sashes, medals or ribbon collars marked with mysterious images or abbreviations such as KOM, Primo or PCN. These are reminders of the friendly and fraternal societies that provided moral leadership, health benefits and sociability for their members of all ages, men and women alike, from the 1700s. Many are still with us today as part of a family of voluntary associations that include co-operatives, trades unions and building societies.
    Using the objects, costumes, documents and literature, the exhibition will explore the growth and development of these organisations, their impact on their local society and their legacy today.
    The Exhibition runs from Monday 27 June to Friday 30 September (Mondays to Fridays only) from 11am to 5pm. Admission free.