Launch of New Masonic Research Centre

The new Douglas Knoop Centre for Research into Freemasonry, part of Sheffield University’s Institute for Humanities Research, held a one-day inaugural conference recently entitled The Scope and Method of Masonic History, attended by around sixty delegates. The Centre was initially based at the University’s arts tower but following a recent donation made by an anonymous benefactor, they have now moved into a specially extended Victorian building in Sheffield’s Gell Street, complete with its own conference facilities and garden. The morning began with introductory presentations by Professor David Shepherd, Sheffield University’s Director of Arts and Humanities Division, and Professor Robert Boucher, Vice Chancellor of the University. Professor Prescott then spoke about how the new Centre had been named in honour of the late Professor Douglas Knoop (1883–1948), who was Sheffield University’s researcher into Freemasonry before the Second World War. Professor Prescott explained how Knoop, together with fellow historians, Professors Gwilym Peredur Jones and Douglas Hamer, produced many seminal texts on the history of early Freemasonry, many of which remain indispensable for the serious historian wishing to examine the association’s history today. Delegates were then treated to presentations from Richard Crane, MA, a member of Quatuor Coronati Research Lodge No. 2076, Professor Tom Van de Sande, holder of Leiden University’s Chair for the study of Freemasonry, Emeritus Professor David Stevenson, author of several works on early modern Freemasonry in Scotland, and Professor Margaret Jacob from the University of California, who has written extensively on the rise of early modern science, as well as Freemasonry and sociability in the Enlightenment

Association of Atholl Lodges Celebrates

This year marks the 250th anniversary of the publication, in 1756, of the major work Laurence Dermott, Ahiman Rezon, a book of Constitutions of the Antients. The Association of Atholl Lodges will devote its events this year to remembering Dermott and recognising his achievements. An illustrated book has been printed to mark the occasion.
    Lodges that operate under Antients warrants are by history limited to those which are extant and were warranted between the years 1751 and 1813. In today’s era there remain only 124 such lodges.
    It is said that in 1751 a group of masons, mainly Irish, met in the Turks Head Tavern in London as a committee, and shortly thereafter formed the Grand Lodge according to the Antients Institutions, thereafter ever to be known as ‘The Antients’
    There were many enigmas that surrounded Laurence and none more so than why his Constitutions should have been entitled ‘Ahiman Rezon’.
    The Lion and Lamb Lodge, No. 192, will host a celebration at Freemasons’ Hall, London, on Saturday 22 July at 10 am. There will be a major exhibition in the Museum, historical reviews in the Grand Temple and lunch at the New Connaught Rooms. The Assistant Grand Master will be present. Tickets £35, Temple only £5. Non-masons welcome. email: christine@hernandco.uk.com www.antients.com

The Hall in the Garden at the Library and Museum of Freemasonry

The history of one of the most recognisable buildings in the centre of London and its links with its local area will be revealed by a new exhibition opening this summer. The Hall in the Garden exhibition at the Library and Museum of Freemasonry in Covent Garden will trace the 230-year history of the Freemasons’ Hall site. The exhibition runs from 13 July to 20 October and is free of charge to all visitors.
    The result of five years of work on the large archive held at Freemasons’ Hall, the exhibition examines the involvement of such architects as Sir John Soane and Sir Edwin Lutyens; the original selection of the Covent Garden site; the three different Halls which have occupied the site; the fire which destroyed the Hall in 1883 and the current Art Deco masterpiece.
    Diane Clements, Director of the Library and Museum of Freemasonry, said ‘So many people who live and work in London will recognise Freemasons’ Hall, without ever knowing why the Hall stands where it does. The exhibition will throw light on the building for people who may be intrigued by it and want to see inside. Our exhibition will tell the full story of the Hall, its history, design and the people who made and used it.’

London Harewood Group Initiates Actor

Harewood Group of London Lodges and Chapters, one of the 10 Group Chairmen responsible for all London masons, launched a novel project to raise money for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution. He proposed that an ‘Auction’ should be held among the 150 Lodges within the Group, to bid for the opportunity of hosting an initiation ceremony, to be conducted by senior Brethren in the Metropolitan Grand Lodge of London. Amajor element to ensure success of the project was to have the Deputy Metropolitan Grand Master, Russell Race, acting as the Junior Deacon, conducting the candidate. This was an idea borrowed from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Surrey, whose Provincial Grand Master Denis Phipps had acted as Junior Deacon at such a ceremony.
    Each Lodge in the Group was invited to make a sealed bid, and at the closing date the successful bid was received from Westminster City Council Lodge, No.2882. Westminster City Council Lodge had received two applications for membership, and for some time the identity of the candidate was not revealed, other than that it was someone from the field of entertainment. Later it transpired that it would be Simon Gregson of the television programme ‘Coronation Street.’
    David Jeffery acted as Master, and in addition to Russell Race as Junior Deacon and Rex Thorne, Past Metropolitan Grand Master as Senior Warden, all the offices were filled by senior Brethren in London. The meeting was initially to be held in Temple No. 10, Freemasons’ Hall London, but large numbers meant that the meeting was held in the Grand Temple instead. Accordingly 400 Brethren attended the Ceremony, which was faultless.
    Funds are still being received, and the total so far is approximately £40,000, with £7,230 being raised by Westminster City Council and £3,220 having been collected from the charity collection and Raffle at the meeting.

Sheffield Masons Remember Comrades

A donation from the Cathedral Lodge of Sheffield, No. 6995, is helping to ensure that a corner of a French field remains forever Sheffield. A cheque for £500 was recently presented to Colonel I G Norton of the York and Lancaster Regimental Association, to help to pay for repairs to the crumbling Memorial to the Sheffield City Pals Battalion in Serre in France.
    The Regiment is raising money to rebuild the monument erected in France after the First World War to the members of the 12th Battalion, known as the Sheffield Pals, who gave their lives on the Somme. The target is £30,000 of which the regiment has now raised £21,000 thanks mainly to the kind generosity of organisations such as the Freemasons.
    The villagers of Serre donated land for the erection of a monument and this was dedicated in March 1923. The Sheffield Memorial Park was opened in 1936 on the site of the British lines below Serre.
    The Regimental Association is hoping to re-dedicate the monument in July this year to mark the 90th anniversary of the start of the battle. The Bishop of Sheffield will lead the service, in the presence of the Lord Lieutenant, the Lord Mayor of Sheffield and the Mayor of Barnsley.

Metropolitan Grand Stewards Lodge Consecrated

In October 2003 the Grand Master His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent constituted the Metropolitan Grand Lodge of London at the Royal Albert Hall, and this newest Grand Lodge has been developing fast. Last year, the Metropolitan Grand Master Lord Millett PC, assisted by the Deputy Metropolitan Grand Master Russell Race consecrated the Metropolitan Grand Stewards’ Lodge No. 9812.
    The consecration took place in the Grand Temple in Freemasons’ Hall in London in the presence of the Past Metropolitan Grand Master, Rex Thorne OBE. Also present at this historical and unique event were a number of high-ranking Grand Lodge Officers, including Brian Bellinger, Provincial Grand Master for the Province of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Robert Tile, Past Provincial Grand Master for the Province of Suffolk.
    The new lodge has stated that its two main purposes are to increase the masonic education and broaden the masonic experience of its members and the Craft in general.

Beneficiaries of Trust for Girls and Boys Have Their Say

As President of the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys Andrew Stebbing said recently: ‘The Trust is one of the great success stories of the Craft. For over 200 years the Trust and its predecessor charities have been providing support for the the children of deceased or distressed Freemasons.’ It is not often that the beneficiaries have their say about their experiences of the Trust, and below we print a selection of letters.

‘I am writing to say thank you for all the help during my school and college life. I have just finished college in joinery and I got a C1 Joinery Distinction. Now I have to get a job. Your help has made life so much better, not just for me but for Mum as well. I am so grateful for the once in a lifetime trip I had in America, I will never forget it. I would like to be a mason one day to give people the help you gave me. I know people who will help me when I’m older. Thanks once again, I really do appreciate it.’

‘This morning my dad gave me a letter from the trust. Thank you very much. I do try hard and I want to do the right things all the time. Dad has said if it was not for the trust we would not have the things we have or be able to do the things we do. Last year you gave me the money so I could go to France. I had a great time. I am not sure who really helps my dad and my sister, but dad says it is all the people I see when I go down to his lodge when I play snooker. Can you tell every body who has done this for me and dad – thanks.’

‘I would like to thank the Trust for their wonderful help given to my sons during the difficult times we went through following my divorce from their father. Without the Trust’s help, Simon would not have been able to attend University College London, where he obtained a BSc in Biology. He then worked hard the following summer to enable him to do some travelling before going to Sandhurst, gaining his commission in December 2002. He has been to Germany and Iraq with the Military Police, trained recruits in Winchester, and is now off to Bosnia and afterwards to a parachute course in Colchester. Without the financial help from the Trust this would not have been possible, and I will be forever grateful.’

‘I want to thank the trust for the many years of help and support, which has made a vast difference to my life and the lives of my children. The kindness and generosity of your members has enabled my children to attend school always dressed in the correct full uniform, with PE kit and any other needs, which has meant that they were never singled out because of their circumstances, so they have all been able to lead a happy school life. The work that you do actually changes people’s lives for the better, and we all appreciate all that you have done for us.’