If you were told that a non-mason probably knew more about the history of Freemasonry than most Freemasons, what do you think? Well Professor Andrew Prescott probably does!
    Professor Andrew Prescott is Director of research into Freemasonry and yet he’s not a mason. The Centre for Research into Freemasonry is the first such centre to be established in a British university. His initial remit was to focus his researches onto the history of Freemasonry during the period 1789-1832, but having heard him talk recently, I feel that the borders will be expanded as this huge task inevitably dictates. Andrew has written some fascinating papers already, Freemasonry and its Inheritance and The Spirit of Association: Freemasonry and Early Trade Unions to name but two.
    After hearing him talk at the recent Worcestershire Installed Masters Lodge, I think that the majority of his audience had just one question…. ‘Why aren’t you a mason?’ Maybe we thought he had been asked that one before!
    If you want to find out more about Andrew’s work or the research project in general, visit freemasonry.dept.shef.ac.uk
    Still on the theme of research, there is a website which will amaze you. The picture shown on the home page shows the state of the art building of the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory. This is a non-profit corporation founded by the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York and is dedicated to the study of cardiac arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death and cardiovascular disease. Go to www.mmrl.edu check out the huge sign on the building which shows that this is a masonically supported project.
    Finally I would like to return to one established and one relatively new website. The established one is www.cornerstonesociety.com which is a particular favourite of mine. It still looks brilliant when you visit and navigates really well. The new one is the Worcestershire Provincial Grand Lodge website, which has been driven by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Bob Vaughan. You know the old adage…’Behind every good man…..’ Well our Deputy’s wife is quickly becoming quite skilled in the art of web content management. This site was mentioned when it was first re-launched last year. Take a look now that it is quickly becoming established by visiting www.worcestershirepgl.org.uk where Worcestershire proudly announces, in its ever growing news section, the appointment of Granville Angell as the Prestonian Lecturer for 2006.
    If you know of any other fraternal sites we should take a look at email us at sites@thefreemason.com

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