Art and Fraternity at the Library in London

The summer exhibition at the Library and Museum of Freemasonry celebrates the creativity of ordinary people who chose to mark their membership of local and national groups and societies by the creation and display of objects signifying that membership. ‘History,’ says Diane Clements, Director of the Library and Museum at Freemasons’ Hall, London, ‘is written by those who have the power to do it, but it is created by all of us.’
     Millions of people once belonged to trades unions, benefit societies and fraternal organisations, such as the Sisters of the Phoenix, the Ancient Order of Foresters and the Oddfellows and other societies and groups. The minute books that record their meetings are often illustrated with intricate patterns by anonymous scribes. Members’ homes were decorated with colourful framed certificates, lustrewarepots, scrimshaw and wall plaques.
     Everyday objects such as flat iron stands and bed warming pans were decorated with the emblems of the various associations. Objects often used suitable materials. St George’s Lodge, failing to find dragon skin, bound its photo album in crocodile as a substitute Ad Astra Lodge, whose name mirrored the motto of the RAF, made its gavels from aeroplanes of the first world war. The ceremonial costumes of these organisations and their banners are all rich in imagery interpreted in domestically made pieces.
     This exhibition will run from Monday 2 July until Friday 28 September, Mondays to Fridays. Admission free.
     www.freemasonry.london.museum

Metropolitan Grand Lodge of London Looks Ahead

The recent reorganisation of Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Chapter of London, including the creation of the new role of Metropolitan Grand Inspector, will give far more attention to the needs of the individual lodges and chapters, by organising responsibility for them into manageable teams. The future involvement of many holders of SLGR and SLGCR as Visiting Officers will do much to improve the regularity of contact and the levels of support given to lodges and chapters.
     The aim is to encourage London masons to feel that they belong to one coherent family, rather than a loose federation of some 2,200 lodges and chapters, many of whom have up to now had limited interest in the wider masonic community beyond the doors of their own lodge or chapter. This is not a short term task. Shared aims are one way in which this common identity can be fostered, and the growing success of the London Appeal for the RMBI – with nearly £2m raised already – is a good example of London masons pulling together for a common purpose.
     The need to attract and retain high calibre candidates is a theme common to the whole of English Freemasonry. There is undoubtedly a growing level of interest in masonry being shown by thinking men of all ages, and London lodges need to be sensitive to the needs of these new members, particularly in such areas as starting times and duration of meetings and festive boards.
     ‘The future of masonry in London brings many challenges,’ said Deputy Metropolitan Grand Master, Russell Race, ‘some unique to the Metropolis. It should be our pleasure, as well as our duty, to pass on the torch to future generations. We enjoy our masonry – let’s ensure that others have the opportunity of sharing the companionship and enlightenment from which we have all benefited.’

Grand Master at the Investiture

At the annual investiture in the Grand Temple recently, the Grand Master HRH The Duke of Kent KG said that with today’s rapidly changing society, Freemasonry was more relevant than at any other time. He also highlighted the fact that the four main masonic charities, the Grand Charity, the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys, the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution and the Masonic Samaritan Fund would shortly all be under one roof at Freemasons’ Hall. ‘This move,’ he said, ‘will bring enormous benefits. I have in mind increased liaison between the Charities themselves and between them and the United Grand Lodge of England, as well as shared resources’. The Grand Master went on to talk about other Orders in Freemasonry beyond the Craft and the Royal Arch. ‘Since many members of the Craft are members of these Orders,’ he said, ‘I am pleased to acknowledge formally their existence and regularity, and in particular their sovereignty and independence. The best known of these orders are: Mark, Ancient and Accepted Rite, Knights Templar, Royal and Select Masters, Royal Ark Mariner, Red Cross of Constantine, Allied Masonic Degrees, Order of the Secret Monitor and Knight Templar Priests. I also accept the valuable role they play in providing additional scope for Brethren to extend their masonic research in interesting and enjoyable ways.’

Grand Charity directly supporting in Darfur

The President of the Grand Charity has approved an emergency grant of £50,000 to the British Red Cross, as an initial contribution to a new £2 million appeal to support the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross/Crescent (ICRC) in Sudan. The crisis in Darfur has been going on for a number of years but the situation has significantly worsened over the last few months.
     The President strongly believes that the practical work of the Red Cross fully deserves the support of the Grand Charity to assist in a situation where there is such deprivation for innocent women and children.
     Increased attacks on humanitarian workers in the region are threatening the health and welfare of civilians by forcing aid agencies to withdraw staff and suspend their work. The ICRC is one of the few organisations that is able to cross the front lines of Darfur’s conflict to reach and assist people in need from every affected community. The conflict has resulted in millions of displaced people.
     The ICRC, supported by the British Red Cross, is now providing all basic services in Gereida Camp, one of the world’s largest displaced persons camps where over 120,000 people are stranded. The situation is deteriorating and eight times as many people are now seeking refuge in the Camp compared to when it opened in 2004.
     The Charity’s grant will go towards providing food, shelter, health clinics, clean water supplies and sanitation facilities for children and families in the Camp.