Royal Masonic Variety Show A Big Hit

Continuing the tradition, last year's Royal Masonic Variety Show took place on Remembrance Sunday at a packed Prince of Wales Theatre at London’s Leicester Square. Nearly 100 cast and crew took over the famous West End theatre for an extravaganza, which included over 20 acts from the world of stage and screen supported by over 40 dancers and the 13-piece Trevor Brown Orchestra.
     Congratulations must go to producers Bonnie Lythgoe and Chris Woods who began work on the script in April, and Director Jonathan Kiley for pulling it all together on one manic Sunday. The show was in aid of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution, Abandoned and Destitute Children's Appeal Fund and Children with Cerebral Palsy. All the artistes taking part gave their services free. The organising committee were Lord Northampton, David Calderhead, Charles Firth and Greg Lunnon. Chairman David Calderhead said: ‘This year’s Show was a triumph on many levels with variety entertainment on this scale rarely seen today and in technical terms some of the best production, sound and lighting I have ever seen. It was a wonderful social event for freemasons and their partners and a substantial amount has been raised for charity. It will be a hard act to follow.’

Andrew John Montgomery 1952 - 2008

We were all saddened to hear that our Deputy Editor, Andrew Montgomery, (Monty) died suddenly early November.
     Monty was the author of our very popular series detailing the wayward life and masonic times of the worthy and worshipful Brother Lightfoote, who, according to a very early story, was responsible for the deep gash across the brow of the carved head of the apprentice in Rosslyn Chapel when he stumbled and inadvertently discharged his pistol. Monty received his education at the Royal Masonic School for Boys and gained an early love of Freemasonry. He was initiated into Old Masonians Lodge, No. 2700 and after taking his three Craft Degrees moved on to join Royal Arch, Mark, Royal Ark Mariners and Knights Templar.
     Monty attended the Bournemouth College of Technology graduating in 1974 when he obtained a post with the BBC in Television production. Two years later he left the BBC and worked freelance beginning as an assistant director in the commercial film industry. He moved up through the production grades to end as a producer. During this period he spent time in Thailand, Brazil, Austria, Germany, the United States and Pakistan working on film projects. He stayed for some months in the same hotel in Peshawar as Osama bin Laden and had a number of conversations with him. At the same time journalists were reporting how difficult it was travelling far into the mountains to interview this supposedly elusive fighter. During the filming of an Arthurian epic, the Irish horsemen were unhappy about the long hours and what they considered to be low pay. Monty solved the situation by adding a risk payment: any riders who fell off their horses into the water during filming received an extra daily payment. Thereafter all the riders contrived to fall into the water at least once a day. Writing was one of Monty’s many talents and he scripted Porterhouse Blue and Demob for British television among other projects. At the time of his death he had just finished working on a new film project in Paris and Portugal.
     Monty loved music and played well. He also loved classic cars. He wrote a coffee-table book on great American cars and the definitive book on General Motors’ iconic sports-car designed by the great Harley Earl, the Chevrolet Corvette. He also loved photography, especially purchasing old cameras and film on the internet and then using them to produce powerful and often emotional images. But his old Leica IIIf remained a favourite.
     In 1989, while both were working on a Television series, Monty met his wife Fleur and she continues in the film industry as a leading art director.
     Above all Monty loved life and always saw the humorous side. He held a compassionate view of humanity. He followed a spiritually informed and creative journey with great optimism and enjoyment. He is much missed.

Hereford Support Riding For The Disabled

Rodney Smallwood, Provincial Grand Master for Herefordshire, has presented a further £1,900 to the Riding for the Disabled Centre at Holme Lacy on behalf of the Hereford Masonic Charity Association.
     Currently sponsoring ‘Gypsy’, freemasons have supported the Centre for the past nine years. Celia Baker, Centre manager and chief instructor, said: ‘I was very excited about the generous and continued sponsorship from Herefordshire Masons in these troubled times - which disabled people often don't understand.’
     ‘Gypsy will continue to have the best of care and attention in order for her to provide a very worthwhile therapy for many disabled riders in Herefordshire.’
     There are currently 12 horses and ponies, 75 voluntary helpers, three instructors and a specially trained physiotherapist at the Centre.

Sussex Fund Safety Boat For Sea Scouts

Over the past few years, Sussex masons have been giving donations to local charities within the Province who, in general, do not receive money from national resources, through the charity ‘Sussex for Sussex’. Felpham Lodge No. 5413, which meets at Bognor Regis, became aware that the Felpham Sea Scouts were in dire need of a replacement safety boat.
     As a result, the Provincial appeal committee agreed to a donation of £11,500 and the new safety boat was officially named Artificer – ‘Tiffy’ for short. The Sea Scouts and Felpham Lodge members were there to celebrate this event, and Lodge Master Steve Campbell anointed the boat with champagne. He also presented a further cheque for £500, to enable other safety equipment to be purchased.

Grand Charity Lifeboat Grant

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) College at Poole was the venue for a £24,000 cheque from the Freemasons’ Grand Charity, the first stage of a three-year £72,000 grant to meet the cost of an introductory lifeboat crew training course each year.
     Grand Charity President Grahame Elliott, chief executive Laura Chapman, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Provincial Grand Master (PGM) Brian Bellinger and PGM-Designate for Dorset, Richard Merritt were at the presentation.
     RNLI National Campaign Manager Andy Whyte commented: ‘I am thrilled that this grant has been made to the RNLI by such a significant charitable organisation. The donation will help the charity deliver vital training for probationary lifeboat crew members, training which enables ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Last year alone, the RNLI’s lifeboat crews rescued over 7,800 people.’
     Only one in ten of the lifeboat volunteer crew members have a professional maritime occupation, and it costs £1,000 a year to train each crew member. The Grand Charity has funded 13 lifeboats.

Hinckley Backs Air Ambulance

Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance has been presented with a £2,000 cheque by a local lodge to help fund the £1.5 million annual running costs.
     The money was part of the funds raised by John Pinkstone during his year as Master of Burbach Lodge No. 8699, which meets at Hinckley in Leicestershire. Based at East Midlands Airport, the air ambulance serves an area of about 2,100 square miles with a population of more than 1.4 million. The unit uses an Agusta 109, the fastest helicopter available for civilian use.
     It can be airborne in 45 seconds and enables a rapid journey to hospitals in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham.

Help For Heroes Campaign Given A Boost

The Help for Heroes campaign has received cheques for £13,000 and £3,000 respectively from the Craft and Royal Arch in the Province of Hampshire and Isle of Wight.
     Provincial Grand Master Brian Bellinger told Mary Fagan, Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, that there was a further £5,000 in the pipeline with even more to come. Brian Bellinger said: ‘The men and women of our armed forces are daily, quite literally, in the front line. Many are making the supreme sacrifice whilst even more are returning home injured in body and mind. Help for Heroes, whilst maintaining a non-political stance, seeks to provide support and facilities not otherwise available to them.’
     The Province has close links with the armed forces, as emphasised by lodge names such as Aldershot Army and Navy, St Vincent, Royal Marine Portsmouth, Fleet Air Arm, Hermes and Pegasus Forces, to name but a few.

Fishy Business At Hampstead

Disadvantaged children from special needs schools were provided with an exciting day out at Hampstead Heath Ponds provided by the London branch of the Masonic Trout and Salmon Fishing Charity.
     Among special attractions were Nookie Bear and mason Roger de Courcey, and the youngsters received support from an experienced fishing guide, under the charity’s slogan Catching The Smile.
     Organiser Marios Stylianides said: “Young people over the age of 11 and adults are invited from day centres from within London. Many of us take a day’s fishing for granted, but for some it is a matter of wonderment and achievement.”
     If anyone is interesting in helping, or need further information, Marios can be contacted at marios@f2s.com, or at The Island, Church Street, Rickmansworth, Herts WD3 1JJ, telephone 07789 070080.