Grand Secretary's Column

In November I had the opportunity to accompany the Pro Grand Master on his very successful visit to our three Districts in India: Bombay and Northern India, Bengal and Madras. This visit generally underpinned our supportive approach to the Districts under the jurisdiction of the United Grand Lodge of England as well as further strengthening our rapport and communication with our Indian Districts in particular.
     This is a clear example of the Grand Secretary’s role on overseas visits as compared with the role of Grand Chancellor. In other words I continue to work with and, as appropriate, visit all Districts under our jurisdiction.
     The core aim in each District was to hold a business meeting with the District Grand Master and his executive team, to meet as many of the Brethren as possible and, importantly, their wives. This approach was positively received and we were shown great warmth and hospitality wherever we went on our hectic schedule.
     It is of interest to note that in early January Bombay and Northern India will reform into two Districts. This will mean that the district of Bombay remains in Mumbai with Northern India being centred in New Delhi. I hasten to add that this is at the request of the District, based purely on the enormous distances between some of the Lodges.
     You will already have noticed the mix between the old and new names of Indian cities; our travels took us to Mumbai (Bombay), Kolkata (Calcutta), Chennai (Madras) and Bangalore. Those of you who have travelled to India will have the distinct memory of the bustling communities and the ‘interesting’ driving styles! In general terms we share many of the same issues confronting modern Freemasonry, including questions of how to compete for the leisure time of quality young men. The presence of the Pro Grand Master was a sign of great support to the Districts and it was a very happy trip.

This first UGLE issue of Freemasonry Today is another exciting advance in our drive for open communication. As with any new venture, I ask you to allow us time to settle into our ‘stride’. It will become a great Masonic magazine, attractive to Masons and their families and friends, as well as to non Masons who wish to learn more about us and our history.

I take this opportunity to send you fraternal greetings, from all of us at Freemasons’ Hall, for a very happy 2008.

India Visit

The Pro Grand Master, Lord Northampton accompanied by the Grand Secretary, Nigel Brown made a ten-day official visit to the District Grand Lodges of India. As in many commonwealth countries there are masonic lodges belonging to Districts which operate under Warrants from the United Grand Lodge of England as well as others which belong to the Grand Lodge of India. As always, relations between the Districts and the Grand Lodge of India work well. There are, in India, three Districts maintaining Lodges which in some cases date back to the 19th century.
     The delegation from UGLE was met at Mumbai (formerly Bombay) by Dorab Bajan, District Grand Master of Bombay and Northern India, and later that day official duties began. Most important in all three Districts were discussions of particular topics which the Districts wished to raise and these meetings all proved very fruitful. Furthermore, those at the head of the District charities took the opportunity to explain the projects that they were supporting in many different areas. The first evening saw a reception to which Freemasons from the Grand Lodge of India as well as from the District were invited.
     From Mumbai the visit moved to Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) where, among other business, there was a visit to the Masonic Montessori School. Lord Northampton and Nigel Brown then travelled to Chennai (formerly Madras) and here they managed to see the Temples of Mahabalipuram before beginning more official tasks. The next day they travelled to Bangalore where, in a short break from the business meetings, they visited the Cornwallis Masonic Homes. As Lord Northampton and Nigel Brown particularly wished to meet as many Brethren and their wives as possible, a number of buffet meals, dinners and receptions had been organised by the Districts which provided an excellent opportunity for relaxed sociable discussions. In all, great hospitality and warmth were found wherever they travelled.
     With the completion of the business discussions and the affirmation of the importance of the masonic Districts in India, this official visit must be judged a great success.

Masonic Year Book

The next edition of the Masonic Year Book 2008-2009 will be available next summer. The charge remains at £10 per copy, plus postage and packing where appropriate.
     It is not proposed to produce a new edition of the Directory of Lodges and Chapters during 2008. Copies of the current edition are available and may be ordered in the same way.
     Every Lodge will receive one copy of the Masonic Year Book free of charge. The Board emphasises that this copy should be available to all the members of private lodges and not regarded as for the exclusive use of the secretary to whom, for administrative reasons, it is dispatched.
     As in previous years, copies will be dispatched direct to secretaries of Metropolitan and Provincial Lodges. For lodges abroad, sufficient copies will be dispatched to District Grand Secretaries for distribution to lodges in the Districts. Lodges abroad not in a District will receive their copies direct.