Freemasonry Today - Spring 2017 - Issue 37

The Official Journal of the United Grand Lodge of England

Number 37 - Spring 2017

ADVISING BUT NEVER INTERFERING

WHEN TO FLOAT A NEW IDEA

INSIDE THE WARTIME FRATERNITY

Grand Chancellor profile, p20

Sailing lodge launch, p32

Values on the front line, p62

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WELCOME

FROM THE GRAND SECRETARY y the time you receive this issue, our Tercentenary year will be well under way and our Rulers will have already attended overseas events in Denmark, Mumbai, India, and Zakynthos, Greece, at our unattached Star of the East Lodge, No. 880. His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent has also attended a church service at Canterbury Cathedral for the Provinces of East and West Kent, Sussex and Surrey. We now await the broadcast in April of the long-anticipated Sky TV documentary Inside The Freemasons.

It is an exciting year as we build towards our showpiece event at the end of October.

So far, it is likely that we will welcome around 160 Grand Lodges from around the world to celebrate with us at the Royal Albert Hall and look forward to our next 300 years. We now need to build on our successes and use this year to show ourselves as the vibrant and relevant organisation which is Freemasonry.

Looking forward to the Tercentenary in this issue of Freemasonry Today, Keith Gilbert highlights the planning and organisation of celebratory events taking place across not just the UK but the entire world. As Pro Grand Master Peter Lowndes notes in his Senior Insights column, these are exciting times, so we should celebrate in style by showing our pride in being Freemasons.

When it comes to showing the best in Freemasonry, Spinnaker Lodge in the Province of Hampshire & Isle of Wight is a shining

beacon. We find out how its members are encouraging younger Freemasons into the Craft with a shared interest in all things sailing.

The sixth specialist lodge in the Province to be consecrated in the past four years, Spinnaker will be visiting new marinas and hosting social events at sailing clubs to raise both its own profile and that of Freemasonry in 2017.

BEST FOOT FORWARD In the north-west of England, we meet a 54-strong group of Freemasons, their families and friends who trekked across Morecambe Bay.Cumberland & Westmorland Provincial Grand Master Norman Thompson and his intrepid travellers not only raised money to help victims of the Cumbria floods, but also showed how Freemasonry is connecting with local communities. The team joined some 1,000 walkers at Arnside Promenade to brave the wet and puddled sands for a memorable day that is now an annual event in the Provincial calendar.

The opportunities for Freemasonry are not just in the face we show the world, but are also in our governance, our leadership, our retention and our management of masonic halls. The Chairman of the Improvement Delivery Group, David Wootton, reports on how he and his team are leading the implementation and delivery of our agreed strategy for Freemasonry to 2020. As David notes, there is much to do but also much to enjoy.

Willie Shackell Grand Secretary

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BE PART OF THE CELEBRATION UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND TERCENTENARY JEWEL

(1717-2017) The UGLE Connne1norativeJewel, authorised in crn~unction with the Tercentenary, 1nay be won1 by all Free1nasons who at any ti1ne between 24thJune 2016 and 31 st Decen1ber 2017 are 1ne1nbers of Lodges under UGLE. The jewel is also available for purchase by n1e1nbers of other Constitutions recognised byUGLE.

TI1e MW The Grand Master has approved it as a pennanent jewel and it may therefore be won1 in perpetuity by qualified Brethren.

Grand Officers will be encouraged to wear it during the period to the end of 2017 and may continue to do so thereafter.

TERCENTENARY METAL GILT JEWEL The gilt metal and enamel jewel has been manufactured to the highest standards for appearance and durability.

The price of each jewel is £25 .00 (inclusive of VAT with an additional cost of £20.00 for engraving) Postage and Packing w ithin the United Kingdom is fl.50.

For overseas shipping please see webs ite for details.

TERCENTENARY SILVER GILT AND GOLD JEWELS Each precious metal jewel which is available exclusively through Toye, Kenning & Spencer is vitreous enamelled, hand finished to achieve a first class finish and comes in a padded case.

The price of the jewels (inclusive of VAT and United Kingdom "Signed For" insured delivery) is:

Silver Gilt: £200.00 with an additional cost of £20 .00 for engraving

THE NEW CRAFT TIE

(Subject to silver price at time of order)

This alternative tie is available in silk at £18.50 or polyester at £9.50.

For the full range of Tercentenary items please see our website.

9ct Gold: price on application 18ct Gold: price on application

Tercentenary Master's Collar On1ament The ornament will be availablefrom the beginning of May to be worn from the TercentenaryAnniversaryof 24th June.

Thishandsomesilvergilt jewel may be stitchedor pinned to the WorshipfulMaster'sCollar.

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SilverGilt: £300.00

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CONTENTS

FREEMAS@NRY The Board of Grand Lodge Publications Ray Reed, Robin Furber, Graham Rudd Publishing Director John Hamill Editorial Panel Karen Haigh, Susan Henderson, John Jackson, Rachel Jones Editor Luke Turton Published by August Media Ltd for The United Grand Lodge of England, Freemasons' Hall, Great Queen Street, London WC28 5AZ Editorial Freemasonry Today, Freemasons' Hall, Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ editor@ugle.org.uk Advertising contact Square? Media Ltd, 3 More London Riverside, London SE1 2RE Mark Toland 020 3283 4056 mark@square7media.co.uk Circulation 020 7395 9392 fmt@ugle.org.uk Masonic enquiries editor@ugle.org.uk www.ugle.org.uk 020 7831 9811

GRAND SECRETARY

3

IDEASINTOACTION

6

David Wootton from the Improvement Delivery Group explains the collaborative process under way

Willie Shackell welcomes you to the spring issue

NEWS AND VIEWS

42

Masonic news from the Provinces and Districts

A CHANCE TO SHINE

Printed by Wyndeham Roche

GRAND MASTER'S MESSAGE

Š Grand Lodge

HRH The Duke of Kent looks forward to a landmark

People with profound learning difficulties are taking part in a Special Olympics initiative thanks to masonic support

Publications Ltd 2017.

The opinions herein are those of the authors or persons interviewed only and do not reflect the views of Grand Lodge Publications Ltd, the United Grand Lodge of England or August Media Ltd.

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year when Freemasonry can celebrate its past and future

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

20

WALKING PROUD

is to differentiate between the regular and the irregular

Why a group ofFreemasons and their families came together to make the trip across Morecambe Bay

SENIOR INSIGHTS

27

Pro Grand Master Peter Lowndes expects positive results for Freemasonry in 2017

WORLD IN CELEBRATION

28

across the globe to mark the Tercentenary

CREW MATES

32

With a passion for sailing. Spinnaker Lodge is welcoming

37

John Pagella urges anyone responsible for masonic halls

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MAKING CONTACT

56

58

Tea parties across the country are bringing comfort to older people living in isolation, writes Steven Short

WARTIME CONNECTIONS

62

Diane Clements looks at the important links formed between Grand Lodges during W odd War I

CHARITY UPDATE

65

How Freemasons are helping out around the UK

new masons on board, writes Matthew Bowen

BUILDING WITH VALUE

51

The life oflacemaker and Freemason, Louis Oram Trivett

Grand Chancellor Derek Dinsmore explains why his role

Keith Gilbert reports on the events being planned

PHOTOGRAPHY Cover: Chris Allerton This page: Glen Burrows.

Gemma Day. Getty Images.

Stephanie O"Callaghan.

Jack Terry

THE ORCHID KING

44

LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

to check their rating assessment and take advice

LETTERS

FARM HANDS

Your opinions on the world of Freemasonry

38

Matt Timms discovers how a city farm in Bristol is giving young, disadvantaged people new confidence in their lives

73

When the Prince of Wales became a glass painting

REFLECTION

74 82

John Hamill on the origins of Grand Stewards Lodge

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NEWS AND VIEWS

NEWS AND VIEWS

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The iconic London red bus was on show at the NEC, Birmingham

Double-decker display The Masonic Classic Vehicle Club hosted show-stopping vehicles at the Classic Motor Show at the NEC in Birmingham in November, with a 1952 AEC Regent 111 doubledecker bus dominating the stand.

Delivered to London Transport in January 1952, the bus was selected as one of three similar vehicles to

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represent London Transport on a tour of the US and Canada to promote travel to Britain and the purchase of British products.

At the show, the club launched a major series of classic vehicle runs - Classic 300 - which will take place throughout England and Wales this year to commemorate 300 years of Freemasonry.

NEWS AND VIEWS

Inside The Freemasons to air in April

Classic display for new Bucks branding

Inside The Freemasons, a new five-part

documentary, will begin airing on Monday, 17 April at 8pm on Sky 1.

Emma Read, managing director of Emporium Productions, commented: 'Inside The Freemasons is an observational documentary series about Freemasonry, told through the stories of masons themselves. It has been a fascinating journey for all of us at Emporium. We have been given a privileged guided tour of the lives and masonic experiences of a number of men from all backgrounds and all ranks.

'It has taken over a year of intensive filming to produce the series and we have covered the Craft from all angles: the values and purpose of Freemasonry, brotherhood, charity, tradition and the deep meaning that Freemasonry holds for every member. The camaraderie has been perhaps the most eye-opening revelation; who outside Freemasonry would have guessed its vital supportive role for men in 2lst-century Britain?'

Any changes to the date of transmission will be announced on UGLE's social media

The Kop Hill Climb's beautiful setting, historical significance and family-fun day out has made it a major fixture on the historic motorsport calendar - and the venue was chosen to launch the new Buckinghamshire branding.

Widows Sons remember the fallen Thousands of bikers from across the UK made a special journey to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire to pay tribute to their fallen colleagues.

Members of the South West Chapter of the Widows Sons Masonic Bikers Association represented by Matthew Crook (Lodge of the Chisel, No. 9398), Ian Wyle (Excester Lodge, No. 6228) and Michael 'Gunny' O'Meara (Vale of Haldon Lodge, No. 7949) laid a wreath at the Freemasons' memorial to commemorate fallen brethren.

Around 70 of the Widows Sons were in attendance and an Entered Apprentice chain was formed in respect, as part of the memorial ceremony.

APGMJohn Clark led a group of Bucks masons, who displayed a selection of classic and modern cars and motorbikes. Most of the vehicles belonged to members of the recently formed Buckinghamshire Motorcycle Lodge, No. 9926, and the Bucks Classic Car Lodge, which is to be consecrated in May 2017.

Refresh for Ripen Cathedral Ripon Cathedral has received two grants totalling £12,500 from the Province of Yorkshire, West Riding, which will help to pay for the renewal of ancient flagstones.

'That's what we're really trying to do, trying to promote regular Freemasonry' The role of Grand Chancellor. Page 20

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The Dean ofRipon John Dobson received the two grants - one for £7,500 from West Riding Masonic Charities Limited, and a second of £5,000 from the Masonic Charitable Foundation. These were presented by David Pratt, PGM; Jack Pigott, Chairman of West Riding Masonic Charities; and Paul Clarke, APGM.

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NEWS AND VIEWS

Devon consecrates Grand Stewards' Chapter Devonshire Provincial Grand Stewards' Chapter, No. 3924, has been consecrated at the Langstone Cliff Hotel in Dawlish Warren, led by Grand Superintendent Simon Rowe.

South Africa Tercentenary support for the blind The District Grand Lodge of South Africa, Western Division has selected a partnership with the Cape Town Society of the Blind (CTSB) as its Tercentenary Community Project, with an initial fundraising target of one million rand.

The CTSB is an innovative, nonprofit, community-based service

organisation with a dedicated and talented team working to support blind and visually impaired people in society. The organisation equips them with the skills they need to become economically independent and socially integrated, and provides training and development services to enable them to become selfsufficient in all areas of life.

Among more than 220 guests present were the Grand Superintendents of 11 Provinces, who witnessed Brian Meldon installed as First Principal, Tony Moore as Second Principal and Jeff Bailey as Third Principal.

In memory ...

Breaksea Lodge, No. 8358, presented

Beaminster raises the roof A group of local volunteer craftsmen came together to repair Beaminster Masonic Hall in Dorset, which was bought by local Freemasons in 1926 for ÂŁ1,250.

The building has served masons and the community ever since, and was

freemasonrytoday.com

requisitioned for military use during World War II. Members embarked on an ambitious programme of repair and restoration, which included works on the roof and external structure, as well as renovation and redecoration inside the building, making it ready for another 90 years of use.

a donation of ÂŁ1,630 to the Barry Dock RNLI in memory of lodge members Dai Sam Davies, Doc Stephens and Ted Powell who sadly passed away last year. Ted had received an MBE for his services to the RNLI.

The lodge has historical maritime connections, having been named after the Breaksea Light Ship. The donation was raised at a social event at the Seashore Grill and Bar, Sully, attended by many friends and Freemasons, as well as Beryl Davies, wife of Dai Sam.

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NEWS AND VIEWS

Memorial wood marks Tercentenary Leicestershire & Rutland PGM David Hagger and the trustees of the Bradgate Park Trust marked the commencement of the first tree clearance for the reflection area of the memorial wood at Bradgate Park, Leicestershire.

The memorial wood, located opposite the Cropston Reservoir, is being funded by the Province and the United Grand Lodge of England to enhance a small woodland at the park to create a tranquil and reflective space. It is one of a number of Provincial projects to mark the 300th anniversary of the formation of English Freemasonry in 1717.It will be officially opened on 5 October by Pro Grand Master Peter Lowndes.

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Tribute to the Gurkhas At a Ladies Night in Studley, on the Worcestershire/Warwickshire border, members of Lodge of Hospitality, No. 8325, presented a cheque for ÂŁ1,000 to Major Rob Cross, who is a representative of the Gurkha Welfare Trust.

In addition to a welfare pension, the trust provides a range of

support services to Gurkha veterans, including an extensive medical programme in Nepal, offering free primary healthcare and funded treatment at national hospitals. Mobile teams also visit housebound pensioners in their isolated homes and provide medication that can be expensive in Nepal.

A tie for all occasions If there were ever a doubt that the new Provincial ties are suitable for any occasion, Steve Ralph from the Leigh Group, West Lancashire, wore his on a visit to Buckingham Palace.

PGM David Hagger (front, centre) and some of the clearance team

Steve, who is an acting Provincial Grand Steward, was attending the palace to receive his award as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of The British Empire (MBE). It was a special day for Steve, who received the award in the Birthday Honours list for his long service to the Scouting movement.

Steve proudly displays his new Provincial tie ... and his MBE!

Masters of the mountain A team of intrepid climbers from the Province of Nottinghamshire reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, climbing to Uhuru Peak, which, at 19,341 feet (5,895m), is the highest point in Africa.

Raising funds for the 2018 Festival for the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys, the team suffered some effects of altitude sickness, yet took only six days to reach the summit with a further two days to descend.

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NEWS AND VIEWS

Food for thought in Exeter Olivia Bailey, the daughter of an Exeter Freemason, asked her father if he and his brethren could help a volunteer group who had recently set up the local branch of national charity Food Cycle.

There are now 29 groups of volunteers in many major cities giving help to the homeless and those in social isolation. Olivia's father, Steven Bailey, ofExcester Lodge, No. 6228, approached Devon PGM Ian Kingsbury, who agreed to a ÂŁ500 donation.

QBE for James Newman

Sanctuary for good causes

James Newman, Deputy

the freehold of their present building.

President and Chairman of the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF), as well as a member of the Three Counties (No. 9278) and Old Wellingburian (No. 5570) lodges in the Province of Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire, has been

With membership increasing in Tavistock,

named in the New Year's Honours list, having been appointed an Officer of the

the current lodge members decided to sell the building

Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE).

When Sanctuary Lodge, No. 5358, was formed in Moretonhampstead on Dartmoor in 1932 the members also purchased

and move into town. Now, charities and groups - both masonic and non-masonic, local and from around Devon - are benefiting by ÂŁ65,000 from the proceeds of the sale.

The lodge took its name from the refuge offered to French prisoners during the Napoleonic wars who had managed to escape from Dartmoor prison and reach the market town.

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Devon lodge fills the cavern Miles Coverdale Lodge, No. 5069, which meets at Paignton, celebrated its 700th meeting in the spectacular underground setting of Torquay's prehistoric caves at Kents Cavern.

The site is run by lodge Master Nick Powe, whose family have been custodians of the cavern since 1880. The meeting was attended by Devon PGM Ian Kingsbury and afterwards the brethren were given a guided tour of the caves, led by Nick and Alan Salsbury, Secretary of Quest Lodge, No. 7883.

The citation reads: 'For services to Business, the Economy and Charity in Yorkshire.' James, a chartered accountant by profession, said, 'Naturally, I am absolutely delighted to be honoured in this way and particularly pleased with the "charity" part as it reflects my work at the RMBI [Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution] and will assist in my work for the MCF going forward.'

NEWS AND VIEWS

Football tour for Derbyshire children The Derbyshire Provincial Grand Charity provided a happy day for children with special educational needs and disabilities at the Pride Park Stadium, the home of Derby County Football Club.

There were three stadium tours during the day, with access to all

areas including the home and away dressing rooms. Club mascot Rammie made a guest appearance as did club chairman Mel Morris, who donated a scarf to all who attended. The Freemasons also provided coaches to safely transport the children to and from St Andrews school at Breadsall.

Young artists to commemorate Tercentenary

Liberia masons on the march Photographer Conor Beary spent a month shooting in various parts of Liberia while visiting his girlfriend's parents back in their home country:

to the masonic ceremony the next

'I was at a pool party one evening

through the streets of Monrovia in

and was invited by a family friend

morning suits and top hats.

day. I showed up to the temple the next morning, without any real idea of what to expect.' Locals in the area looked on as the masons marched

The United Grand Lodge of England, in partnership with the Library and Museum, will host an exhibition of emerging artists' work in June to mark this year's Tercentenary celebrations.

All artwork will be created on site at Freemasons' Hall, with artists granted unprecedented access to the building and organisation to capture contemporary masonic life.

The initiative will be led by UGLE's first officially appointed artist in residence, South African artist Jacques Viljoen, 28, who has a background in both classical painting and contemporary art. Up to 10 young artists from diverse backgrounds are being invited to join Viljoen at Freemasons' Hall from February to May, culminating in an exhibition in June. Masons with a talent or interest in art are also being approached.

The artworks will capture key initiatives taking place in 2017 and bring different views of Freemasonry to life through a variety of artistic mediums. The Director of the Library and Museum, Diane Clements, said: 'The residency is a unique and exciting initiative to mark this milestone year and open up the world of Freemasonry in an educational and creative way to young people and the wider public.'

FIND OUT MORE For more details about the initiative please email libmus@freemasonry.london.museum

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NEWS AND VIEWS

Beside the seaside Disadvantaged children at Birchen Coppice Primary School, Worcestershire, who had never seen the sea were given trips to the seaside thanks to Kidderminster Freemasons.

Many of the children, aged from four to 12, are from broken homes and during school holidays may be left unsupervised.

Martin Lawrence, Chairman of Kidderminster

Masonic Temple

Association, told headteacher Kay Butler that to support the school was 'at the very heart of Freemasonry'. The funds were

Pitch perfect thanks to Tadcaster pump

raised by several local Orders, plus donations from the Province and a substantial sum from the Red Cross of Constantine's Grand Sovereign's Care for Children Fund, arranged by Colin Young, West Midlands Division Intendant-General.

One of two Freemason-funded emergency pumps, purchased for a North Yorkshire town badly affected by the devastating floods in December 2015, has swung into action.

Shown (I tor): Worcestershire PGM Robert Vaughan, Kay Butler, Martin Lawrence, school events and fundraising organiser Charlotte Jeynes, and Colin Young

Tadcaster Flood Action Group's 'west pump' - which, together with its twin, 'east pump', cost £28,741 - stopped Tadcaster Albion AFC's pitch flooding after a storm drain began to backfill following heavy rainfall. Thanks to the high-powered pump, the pitch was dry within an hour. Local Freemasons raised more than £10,500 for the Flood Action Group in addition to £1,000 for the football club, to help rebuild its clubhouse which was damaged by the floodwater. The money was raised by the West Riding Masonic Charities Limited, West Yorkshire Mark Master Masons, North & East Yorkshire Mark Master Masons and Calcaria Lodge, No. 2677, which meets at Wetherby.

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NEWS AND VIEWS

Celebrating a charity milestone As they approach UGLE's 300th anniversary in 2017, Freemasons in Leicestershire & Rutland have donated to more than 400 charities to the sum of ÂŁ800,000.

Just under one-third of the funds went to healthcare charities, while those supporting children and youth received a quarter. Other charities supported included those focusing on social welfare,

education, disability, the elderly, culture, sport, religion, homelessness and animals.

The figure includes donations from the Leicestershire & Rutland Masonic Charity Association, the Royal Arch Masons and Mark Master Masons. PGM David Hagger said: 'The money is raised by the members themselves through such events as Ladies Nights and other social occasions.'

Mancunians go to Romania Members of Old Mancunians Lodge, No. 3140, visited lnvictus Lodge, No. 15, in the National Grand Lodge of Romania for the installation of Rezwan Iqbal, who was initiated into the East Lancashire lodge in 2009. lnvictus is an English-speaking

lodge in

Bucharest that works the Scottish Rite, but installation ceremonies take place in Romanian. The installation, led by the

The Master is joined by lodge members and Manchester colleagues

Assistant Grand Master of the National Grand Lodge of Romania, Alexandru Lupu, took place in a royal palace.

First time for full regalia in 103 years Provincial Grand Master Mike Wilks led a parade of Hampshire & Isle of Wight masons through the streets of Newport. From marching bands to the military, from the Freemasons to the Brownies and from Isle of Wight councillors to carnival queens, there was something for everybody.

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1:1reen

Supporting the L

Teddies scheme launched in South Wales A special launch event for the Province of South Wales Teddies for Loving Care (TLC) initiative has taken place at the Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales in Cardiff.

South Wales Freemasons aim to raise funds to deliver 20,000 toys annually to A&E units in Cardiff's University

The parade was the first time in 103 years that the Province's Freemasons had worn full regalia in a public procession. The last occasion was in September 1913 when East Medina Lodge, No. 175, celebrated its centenary and its members proceeded from Ryde Town Hall to All Saints Church.

16

Hospital of Wales, Bridgend's Princess of Wales Hospital, Swansea's Morriston Hospital and Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales. Dr Zoe Roberts, consultant at the University Hospital of Wales, said, 'Giving a child a teddy PGM Mike Wilks leads the Provincial contingent

as a distraction

is a great idea, as it will

help to calm them down.'

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Message from the Grand Master

Brethren, 2017 is without doubt a landmark year in the history of our great organisation. It provides a wonderful opportunity both to celebrate past achievements and to 'lay schemes and draw designs' to ensure its future.

I am very conscious that we are already three months into the year and that a number of celebratory events have already taken place.

I was particularly pleased to be able to attend the service at Canterbury Cathedral on 18 February, which was a marvellous celebration of our achievements, and I look forward to taking part in other events during the year.

I am impressed by the number and variety of events that are taking place in the Metropolitan area and our Provinces and Districts. I know how you have all worked and are working tirelessly to ensure that our Tercentenary year is both memorable and enjoyable.

I wish you every success in 2017 and, above all, strength and stability in the future.

Grand Master

freemasonrytoday.com

19

20

FIRST PERSON

THE GUARDIAN OF REGULARITY Treading a fine line between advice and interference, Derek Dinsmore's position as Grand Chancellor is akin to that of Foreign Secretary when it comes to working with Grand Lodges around the world

When did you become a Freemason?

I was initiated in 1970 in the Midlands at Chevron Lodge, No. 6029, where I was also involved with rugby. I played for a club up there and the president of the Worcestershire and Herefordshire Rugby Union proposed me into his lodge. I was in the fashion business and had to come back to London, where I was starting my own business, and I was then asked to go through the Chair. I had control of my own diary, so I was able to go up to their meetings on a Friday.

My wife was from Birmingham, so it matched up with weekends when she would go back to see her mother.

In London, I joined the Rose Croix in 1980 and was Grand Director of Ceremonies for 10 years. By that time, I was working with a German company, looking after the promotion of their products in the UK and Ireland. I retired when I was 58 and started to focus more on my Freemasonry. I was then offered the position of Grand Chancellor at Grand Lodge, taking over from Alan Englefield, who was my predecessor, in 2012.

~ 0

~

Why was the position of Grand Chancellor created in 2007?

The relationship between our Provinces, Districts and all the overseas Grand Lodges that we recognise used to come under the responsibility of the Grand Secretary. However, with things like the break-up of

~ the Eastern Bloc in the 1990s, the Grand Secretary ~

had to spend an increasing amount of time dealing

;:l with urgent external relations as more Grand Lodges CJ

5 sought recognition,

sometimes to the detriment of

il: other matters under his care.

freemasonrytoday.com

The Rulers and the Board of General Purposes therefore decided to relieve the Grand Secretary of the pressure of external relations and created the office of Grand Chancellor in 2007. I'm responsible for overseas relations, not our Districts, and with Grand Lodge now recognising 197 Grand Lodges around the world, there is a lot to deal with.

Of course, I always knew through my days in Rose Croix at Duke Street [in London] of the regard in which the United Grand Lodge of England was held. However, it wasn't until I started doing this job that I realised quite how high a position we have in the world as the 'Mother Grand Lodge'. Each Grand Lodge is sovereign, but we do get asked for advice a lot and we have to be very careful in the way that we conduct ourselves.

On the whole, everybody wants to be on side and wants to keep it that way. Generally, that's the role of the Grand Chancellor - to be seen, to be spoken to, to give advice when asked, and to promote regular Freemasonry worldwide. The biggest problem we've got is not regular Freemasonry but irregular Freemasonry. That's becoming more and more of an issue with things like the internet. With so many voices on the web, people don't know the difference between regular and irregular Freemasonry.

So is your role to make sure Grand Lodges stick to the rules?

There are principles in our Book of Constitutions that we would call 'regularity'. If somebody asks me why does UGLE recognise another Grand Lodge the answer would be because we are happy with

~

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its regularity and that we would be content for our members to inter-visit with their members. However, there are lots of Grand Lodges, or bodies calling themselves Grand Lodges, around the world that don't comply with our rules of regularity. They might have mixed lodges, not believe in the great architect of the universe, get involved in politics or religion things that we would call 'irregular'.

I'm convinced that the reason that we are going to celebrate our Tercentenary this year is because we've not got involved in politics and religion over time; otherwise I think it would have been the end of English Freemasonry. So we have to be careful, and that's what we're really trying to do, trying to promote regular Freemasonry. If there is more than one Grand Lodge in a jurisdiction that applies to us for recognition then, provided that the two agree to share the territory or jurisdiction, we would consider recognising them as regular bodies.

How do you approach your role?

The best bit of advice I was ever given when I first started travelling for Duke Street, around 16 years ago, was that once you'd flown over the Isle of Wight, forget what goes on in English Freemasonry. It's not about implementing or taking a set of working practices out to other Grand Lodges. Every single one is entirely sovereign and nobody can tell it what to do.

'Itwas always a question of when, rather than if, we would re-recognise the Grand LogeNationale Franc;,aise' freemasonrytoday.com

After every trip as Grand Chancellor I make a report. There is also a group of people behind me, I'm not pushed out there on my own. I report to the External Relations Committee, which is a subcommittee of the Board of General Purposes, and I'm also on the Board of General Purposes itself.

Ifwe consider that a Grand Lodge's practices are irregular, then we've only really got two courses of action. One is to suspend relations and the other is, as a last resort, to withdraw recognition. Because of the respect and recognition that UGLE has, just being able to do that does give it power, which is why there is a fine line between advice and interference - you've got to tread a fairly careful road.

What happened in France in 2009?

The Grand Loge Nationale Frarn;:aise(GLNF) was formed more than a 100 years ago, and we never considered its members or lodges to be irregular. It was only the behaviour of the then Grand Master that we felt was bringing Freemasonry into disrepute. We made representations, but nothing changed. We then suspended relations, so members of lodges under UGLE and lodges under GLNF could go to their own lodges but there wouldn't be any inter-visitation.

We hoped that this suspension would fire a warning shot across the bows, but after 12 months we had to withdraw recognition. This meant that those members who belonged to lodges under the GLNF and UGLE had to resign from one or the other.

There was a lot of movement within Europe trying to create a confederation within France, and some were trying to open Districts within France.

We said to everyone, 'Look, stand away, it's a problem for the GLNF's members. It's for them to resolve, and outsiders should not get involved.' For us, it was always a question of when, rather than if, we would re-recognise the GLNF. A new Grand Master ~

23

FIRST PERSON

7'vebeen in Freemasonry for 46 years and I'll never be able to put back in as much as I'vegot out of it'

was elected by the French brethren, a new executive appointed, and peace and harmony returned. After a period of about two years recognition was restored.

How do you interact with other Grand Lodges?

We have open invitations to our sister Grand Lodges to come to our Quarterly Communication meetings.

We just ask them to give us four weeks' notice, and we restrict the visitations to three senior members because of space. There's a dinner the night before for the visiting Grand Masters, usually in Freemasons' Hall, where we can talk about any issues, although we try and keep it social rather than business-led.

I also go to annual meetings at overseas Grand Lodges. It gives you the opportunity to talk to everybody and we can resolve most of the issues that come up through face-to-face meetings.

In my business life working for a German company, the common language was English, but sometimes I would be talking at a board meeting and they'd be saying 'yes', but when I looked at them I knew they hadn't understood what I'd said. So I'd go another way to try to get the information across. That's very important for my role, where I am talking to people whose first language isn't English. It's about face-toface contact and getting a feeling about people.

What does Freemasonry mean to you?

I've been in Freemasonry for 46 years and I'll never be able to put back in as much as I've got out of it. I believe very much in the principles of Freemasonry and I'm happy to promote them. They are as relevant today as they ever were, particularly to younger people.

Freemasonry is a personal journey for the individual and we hope that the lessons he learns will affect his public and private life. But for different people it means different things. I've met plenty of

24

Freemasons who've become quite esoteric and spiritual but on the other hand you also get those people who meet four times a year with the same group, have dinner afterwards, go home and that's that. There's nothing wrong with either approach, it just depends on what the individual wants to get out of it - after all, it is a fraternal organisation.

For me, it's been about being introduced to some great people who I would never otherwise have had the opportunity to meet. The nice thing about Freemasonry is that, irrespective of who you meet, we've all gone through the same process: we've all been initiated, we've all been passed, we've all been raised, and we've all gone through the rituals. That gives you a level and such a strong base.

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SENIOR INSIGHTS

A YEAR TO BE PROUD OF From fundraising to the formation of new masons clubs, Pro Grand Master Peter Lowndes reflects on the reasons to celebrate Freemasonry in 2017 have received a copy of the Report of the New and Young Masons Clubs' Conference and was delighted to learn just how well the clubs are progressing with more than 30 established across London and the Provinces. This is a fantastic achievement and I would encourage those new Freemasons in Provinces without such a club to consider setting one up. You would have our full support and I am sure you would be greatly encouraged by your Provincial hierarchy.

I have asked Gareth Jones, Provincial Grand Master for South Wales and Third Grand Principal, to act as the focal point for the movement. It really is a splendid initiative and I congratulate all those involved.

SHARED ACHIEVEMENT I have frequently said how proud we should be of all our charities, and not just the big four. They all do tremendous work. The astonishing sum of £14.5 million was raised through the hard work of our brethren. The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Festival total of nearly £7.75 million is the highest total ever achieved.

Across the board, the money raised per capita by all four Provinces in Festival during 2016 was extraordinary and of a similar level. Your generosity is not taken for granted and is greatly appreciated.

The Masonic Charitable Foundation has launched a scheme to give £3 million to your local charities next year in recognition of both its own formation and, of course, our Tercentenary. This not only shows your generosity but is also aimed at promoting our involvement in the community.

CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION I know that some of you have become frustrated at not being able to get hold of a Tercentenary Jewel. Please be assured that there are now plenty available in Letchworth's Shop.

Unfortunately, initial demand far outstripped supply. In spite of your frustration, may I ask you to beware of cheap imitations.

Sadly, they do exist and are being offered at a very reduced price, but they are unauthorised and unlawful copies. We are working closely with the Provinces to get them all removed.

The forthcoming Sky documentary entitled Inside The Freemasonsgives us a great opportunity to capitalise on the publicity being generated, and we anticipate that other highprofile events throughout the year will keep us in the public eye and produce some really positive results.

These are exciting times; let us celebrate in style by showing our pride in and talking about our membership. I am absolutely certain that we will all enjoy a splendid year in 2017.

'Yourgenerosity is not takenfor granted and is greatly appreciated' freemasonrytoday.com

27

2017 TERCENTENARY

â&#x20AC;˘TIME TO LOOK FORWARD Celebrations for Freemasonry's 300th year are gathering momentum across the country and overseas, as Co-ordinator of Tercentenary Planning Keith Gilbert explains

T

here are 150-plus Grand Masters from the sovereign lodges recognised by UGLE who have accepted an invitation to attend various events over the three-day period from 29 October 2017.But many others from across the world are also choosing to make the journey to help celebrate the Tercentenary.

Flights from Australia, Peru, Greece and France have already been booked, among others, even though it is known that there are no spare seats for the Royal Albert Hall or Battersea Evolution events. These brethren are taking advantage of the live streaming of the celebration at Freemasons' Hall, followed by a dinner at the Grand Connaught Rooms. Bookings for these can be made through Bookitbee - details will be circulated in due course.

One such traveller will be Geoffrey Davey (pictured right) who, at the age of 19, was initiated on 1 August 1947 in Ivanhoe Grammarians Lodge, No. 584, Victoria, Australia. Still active and holding office in the lodge as Choir Master, he has decided to celebrate his 70 years in Freemasonry by travelling to London. We very much look forward to welcoming this Past Junior Grand Warden in Freemasons' Hall to celebrate this important milestone.

28

Although the event at the Royal Albert Hall will be enjoyed by 4,000plus brethren, London is of course not the only English or Welsh city hosting celebrations. The calendar of events is increasing on a weekly basis. The Provincial and District teams are to be congratulated for the innovative programme of activities that they have organised over the next six months (see the following pages for details).

THE STAGE IS SET There are variety shows at the London Palladium, the Margate Winter Gardens and the West Road Concert Hall in Cambridge, as well as an Essex Prom in Freemasons' Hall, London. Classic cars will be criss-crossing England and Wales starting in Windsor Great Park in May, finishing at the Brooklands circuit in October. Cyclists will participate in coast-to-coast and 300-mile rides, with inter-Provincial gatherings for golf, fly-fishing, clay

pigeon shooting, running and quiz nights also being held.

The enterprising St Helens and Prescot Group of Lodges and Chapters has prepared a timeline pageant, taking a slice of masonic history spanning the often turbulent period from 1646 to 1813. Dressed in period costume, each of the performers will assume the personae of characters such as Elias Ashmole, Anthony Sayer and James Anderson.

Already their performance has been requested by groups oflodges across Lancashire and further afield.

It has been agreed that an 'ornament' to the Worshipful Master's collar will be available for purchase now, distributed from the beginning of May onwards, but not worn until 24 June. It is being called an ornament to distinguish it from the breast jewel. It is suggested that this handsome adornment to the collar will be placed above the 250th anniversary button and will replace the 275th jewel, which in many instances is showing signs of wear. The silver gilt ornament is advertised elsewhere in this edition of FreemasonryToday.

If your lodge is planning a special event to celebrate the Tercentenary, please send details to kgilbert.tpc@ugle.org.uk

2017 TERCENTENARY

Tercentenary events calendar: March-August 2017 CONTACT

PROVINCE/DISTRICT

EVENT

Hampshire & Isle of Wight

Service of Thanksgiving - Winchester Cathedral

Northamptonshire Huntingdonshire

Hosted visit and tour of FMH with wives, followed by a Degree Ceremony

William Diggins unclewillys1956@aol.com

Cambridgeshire

Variety show - West Road Concert Hall

Tony Just the_justs@hotmail.com

Devonshire

Tercentenary launch

AndyVodden andyjane1@blueyonder.co.uk

Staffordshire

National Memorial Arboretum Garden opening

UGLE

Victoria Cross Paving Stones unveiled

Malta

Gala lunch at Villa Arrigo

Dorset

Blandford Masonic Centre open day

Dorset

Blandford Masonic Centre open day, linked to the town's Georgian Fayre

East Kent

Variety show - Margate Winter Gardens

Geoffrey Dearing ggdearing@btinternet.com

Norfolk

Exhibition of 300 Years of Freemasonry at the Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell

Mike Spalding mike6623@btinternet.com

Dorset

Procession from the Lodge Room in Blandford to the Town Hall for an Initiation Ceremony

Somerset

Provincial Ball

AndyVodden andyjane1@blueyonder.co.uk

Hong Kong & the Far East

Musical Gala Dinner - Hong Kong Club

Robert Bull robertwbull@gmail.com

Jersey

Service at St Peter's Parish Church

Guernsey & Alderney

Parade and church service (town church), followed by lunch

Andrew Innes andrew.j.innes@hotmail.co.uk

Monmouthshire

Provincial Dinner Dance

Richard Davies rgd.mas@hotmail.co.uk

Start of the Classic 300 Car Rally, Windsor Great Park

www.classic300.org.uk

Jamaica

Jamaica and Cayman Islands meeting

Bob Forbes fmaj@cwjamaica.com

South Wales

Service at Llandaff Cathedral

Kevin Hearne trystings@icloud.com

Leicestershire & Rutland

Lodge of Research, No. 2429, symposium

Andy Green dr_andy_green@me.com

Monmouthshire

Charles Lyne (Installed Masters) Lodge, No. 2964, meeting and celebration

Richard Davies rgd.mas@hotmail.co.uk

Devonshire

Celebratory dinner aboard HMS Drake

AndyVodden andyjane1@blueyonder.co.uk

Kuala Lumpur

Grand Charity Dinner and opening of the Masonic Museum

Dato Raj raj@mustapharaj.com

Leicestershire & Rutland

300-mile bike ride for the Masonic Charitable Foundation and Rainbows

www.pglleics.org.uk/ website/2017tercentenary

Nigeria

Tercentenary celebrations, Abuja

Lucky Nwachuku lucky8784@yahoo.com

Cheshire

Service at Chester Cathedral

Arthur Birch arthur12birch@tiscali.co.uk

East Lancashire

Tercentenary Dinner, Macron Stadium

Martin Roche martinroche@eastlancsmasons.org.uk

Parade to Peterborough followed by a service

William Diggins unclewillys1956@aol.com

Northamptonshire Huntingdonshire Herefordshire

&

&

Masonic

Cathedral,

Service at Hereford Cathedral

Nigel Hester secretary@pglstaffordshire.co.uk

Robert Vaughan qs@robertvaughan.co.uk

Continued overleaf

freemasonrytoday.com

~

29

2017 TERCENTENARY

Tercentenary events calendar: March-August 2017

Provincial church service at St Paul's Church, Bedford Bedfordshire

Tour of 'The Taverns'

John E Morrow provsec@pglbeds.org

Nottinghamshire

Community

Philip Marshall marshallspa@virginmedia.com

Singapore

Opening of the Masonic Museum

Ahmalu Rajah Rajagopal dgs.dglea@gmail.com

Bedfordshire

Teddy Bears' Picnic and masonic parade

John E Morrow provsec@pglbeds.org

Cornwall

Songs of Praise at Truro Cathedral, with civic parade

Peter Roberts peterjmr@icloud.com

Hertfordshire

Service at St Albans

Paul Gower pgower@pgower.plus.com

Fun Day

Unveiling of Time Immemorial Lodges Plaque - Freemasons' Hall

30

Oxfordshire

Tercentenary celebration weekend, Witney

South Wales

Gala Dinner at Cardiff City Hall

Kevin Hearne trystings@icloud.com

Cambridgeshire

Family Fun Day and Teddy Bears' Picnic, Whittlesey

Tony Just the_justs@hotmail.com

Bristol

Evensong at Bristol Cathedral, followed by drinks reception and dinner

Arthur Grannan a_grannan@hotmail.com

Leicestershire & Rutland

Tercentenary Grand Summer Ball at Athena, Leicester

www.pglleics.org.uk/ website/2017tercentenary

Metropolitan

Freemasons' Hall open house

Michael Palmer michael.palmer@mpowertraining.com

Yorkshire North & East Ridings

Masonic centres open to the public

Paul Clarke paulmolar@aol.com

Suffolk

Ladies' event at the Masonic Centre, Bury St Edmunds

Brian Simpson brian@physioclinic.net

Cumberland & Westmorland

Summer Ball, including 1717ceremony

William Bewley william.bewley@btinternet.com

Devonshire

Service of Thanksgiving - Exeter Cathedral

AndyVodden andyjane1@blueyonder.co.uk

Surrey

Opening of the Surrey Travelling Exhibition of Freemasonry - Woking

Chris Wheeler chaw@blueyonder.co.uk

Norfolk

The 300th anniversary celebration service - Norwich Cathedral

Mike Spalding mike6623@btinternet.com

Hampshire & Isle of Wight

Family Fun Day at Marwell Zoo

www.hampshirefreemasonry.com

Middlesex

Celebration presentation and banquet

Michael Le Gray michael.legray@btconnect.com

Brazil

Sao Paulo - Tercentenary Festival

Nick Bosanquet n.bosanquet@btinternet.com

Shrops/Staffs/Warwicks/ Worcs

MFest 300 - Family Fun Weekend, Weston Park

www.mfest300.org

Somerset

Service at Wells Cathedral

AndyVodden andyjane1@blueyonder.co.uk

Essex

Service at Chelmsford Cathedral

www.essex2017ter.org

Hong Kong & Far East

Service of Thanksgiving - St John's Cathedral

Robert Bull robertwbull@gmail.com

Dorset

Procession from Sherbourne Lodge Room to the Abbey, followed by a service

Steve James stephen.james55@gmail.com

MetGL

Sunday Night at the London Palladium

Tony Hawley tonyhawley@stylee.com

MetGL

Banquet at Guildhall

www.porchway.org/craft/ tercentenary-2017/banquet

Masonic Charity

2017 TERCENTENARY

The Big Party at Queen Elizabeth Court, Llandudno

1st-2nd

16th-17th

21st-25th

Monmouthshire

Installed Mark Masters' Lodge

Richard Davies rgd.mas@hotmail.co.uk

Suffolk

Ladies' event at the Masonic Centre, Great Yarmouth

Brian Simpson brian@physioclinic.net

East Lancashire

Teddy Bears' Picnic - Hewlett Court, Bury

Martin Roche martinroche@eastlancsmasons.org.uk

Norfolk

Masonic Fun Weekend

Mike Spalding mike6623@btinternet.com

West Wales

Service at St David's Cathedral

David J Eisley sec@wwmason.com

Berks/Bucks/Oxon

Celebration at Windsor Racecourse

www.300yearsoffreemasonry.co.uk

Dorset

Raft building in Poole Park

Steve James stephen.james55@gmail.com

Devonshire

Teddy Bears' Picnic and Charity Garden Party at Ugbrooke House

Ian Kingsbury kingsburydairy@tiscali.co.uk

Warwickshire

'Desk and Chair' event at Shakespeare's New Place

Ian Slesser pco@warwickshirepgl.org

Hampshire& Isle of Wight

Celebrations

Ian Preece ianpreece7262@btinternet.com

Cornwall

Family Fun Day - St Columb Major

Peter Roberts peterjmr@icloud.com

Essex

Proms at Freemasons' Hall, London

www.essexgala300.com

MetGL

2017 Garden Party

www.porchway.org/craft/sportsand-social/metgl-garden-party

Northumberland

Tercentenary Dinner, St James

Brian Rudd brianr28@blueyonder.co.uk

Dorset

Receive G9 banner from Wiltshire, followed by lunch

Steve James stephen.james55@gmail.com

South Africa North

An evening of masonic music - Johannesburg

Northumberland

Northern loop of the Tercentenary Rally

Brian Rudd brianr28@blueyonder.co.uk

Bedfordshire

Teddy Bears' Picnic for young children at The Cross Keys, Pulloxhill

John E Morrow provsec@pglbeds.org

Monmouthshire

Service at Abergavenny

Richard Davies rgd.mas@hotmail.co.uk

Essex

Garden Fete and Teddy Bears' Picnic at Prince Edward Duke of Kent Court, Stisted

Chris Hicks chris@hicks.mosbach.co.uk

Metropolitan Masonic Charity

Freemasons' Hall open house

Tony Hawley tonyhawley@stylee.com

Bristol/Monmouthshire/ Somerset/Gloucs

Classic Car Show at Tyntesfield Estate, Wraxall

Richard G Davies rgd.mas@hotmail.co.uk

Middlesex/Hertfordshire

Family Fete and Fun Day - Royal Masonic School for Girls, Rickmansworth

Jim Mitchell wjmitchell.home@btinternet.com

MetGL

Tercentenary Charity Quiz

Tony Hawley tonyhawley@stylee.com

Derbyshire

Civic dinner and awards evening

Edward Foulds pgsec@derbyshiremason.org

Hereford/G loucs/Worcs

Three Choirs Festival and Worcester Guildhall public exhibition

Robert Vaughan qs@robertvaughan.co.uk

MetGL

Tercentenary Charity Quiz

Tony Hawley tonyhawley@stylee.com

Devonshire

Family Fun Evening at Dingles Fairground

Ian Kingsbury kingsburydairy@tiscali.co.uk

South West Provinces

Handover of the South West Provinces Tercentenary banner from Dorset to Somerset

Steve James stephen.james55@gmail.com

Somerset/Devonshire

Banner parade

AndyVodden andyjane1@blueyonder.co.uk

Dorset

Jurassic Coast Youth Adventure

Nigel Leonard dpgm@dorsetfreemasonry.info

freemasonrytoday.com

31

SPECIAL INTEREST LODGES

With a passion for sailing, the members of Spinnaker Lodge want to help younger Freemasons navigate their way through the Craft, as Matthew Bowen discovers

t's not often that you hear the words 'pontoon party' and 'Freemasonry' together. Formal suits aren't exactly de rigueur at the marina and aprons tend not to mix well with high winds. But the members of a new lodge see sailing and Freemasonry as perfect crew mates.

In November 2016, Spinnaker Lodge, No. 9932, became the sixth specialist lodge in the Province of Hampshire & Isle of Wight to be consecrated in the past four years under the leadership of Provincial Grand Master Mike Wilks. Like other specialist lodges, such as Football Lodge and Chequered Flag Lodge, Spinnaker centres its proceedings around a common interest; charitable giving will focus on supporting boating charities - and members will travel to meetings by boat.

So how to go about creating a specialist lodge? The first step, according to the lodge's inaugural Master, Frank Milner, was to see how many of the Province's 9,000 members were interested in sailing. As the proud owner of a Moody 27 yacht himself, Frank tested the water by issuing a circular, CallingAll Yachtsmen.

One of the first to respond to Frank's invitation was Adam Harvey, who is now the Junior Warden at Spinnaker Lodge. 'I've been sailing since I was 12 or 13,' he says, 'so when ~ I saw the invitation I couldn't turn it down.

¡'

SPECIAL INTEREST LODGES

SPECIAL INTEREST LODGES

It struck me as a good thing to have something else to bond over in addition to being brothers.'

Frank's original intention had been to start a sailing club, rather than a masonic lodge, but encouraged by a 25-strong crew of the keenest boatmen in the Province, he decided to push his idea further. Together they took on the challenge of founding the new lodge.

'It's been a learning curve,' says Frank. 'If you join an established lodge, the traditions are already in place, but when you find yourself making on-the-spot decisions about how to run a double initiation ceremony, for example, you realise you have a task on your hands.'

Some of the decisions were easy to make: naturally, all members must have an interest in boating (though owning a boat is not a requirement) and they must all be prepared to learn the words to the official lodge song, What Shall We Do with a Drunken Sailor.

NAVIGATING NEW WATERS Deciding how to appeal to new, younger members, however, has proven to be a trickier affair. 'We are working hard to bridge the gap between young, trendy sailing guys and our traditional formalities by developing our meetings to meet their expectations,' says Frank, determinedly. In the face of declining membership, he believes that appealing to the younger generation is crucial for Freemasonry, and his greatest hope for the new lodge is to see younger masons coming up through the ranks.

To make ritualistic masonic life appeal to millennial males, Frank is aware that he must be flexible with the rules. As well as applying the principles of brevity, the lodge will operate in a somewhat nomadic fashion as it casts its net wider in the search for new members.

Meetings at the lodge's official headquarters, the Royal Naval and Royal Albert Yacht Club in Southsea, will be limited to twice a year, with three more taking place at other masonic centres along the coast, where members will cast anchor for the weekend. By visiting new

Adrian Cleightonhills, Frank Milner and Adam Harvey hope that the opportunity to advance sailing skills will attract would-be and existing Freemasons to join Spinnaker Lodge

'We are working hard to bridge the gap between young, trendy sailing guys and our traditional formalities by developing our meetings to meet their expectations' Frank Milner

34

marinas and hosting social events at sailing clubs, it is hoped that the profile of Spinnaker Lodge will rise among those who could potentially make perfect new members.

Given that the modern man is likely to be time poor, what would convince him to join Spinnaker Lodge? 'Aside from the personal development opportunities, younger members will be able to tap into the knowledge of more experienced sailors,' says Frank. By joining older brethren on their boats, younger sailors will be shown the ropes on different crafts.

SMOOTH SAILING As far as Adam is concerned, special interest lodges are the way forward for Freemasonry, enhancing the appeal of joining as well as creating greater enthusiasm among masons.

And when it comes to getting greater commitment from existing members, the founding members of Spinnaker Lodge know there's nothing more powerful than family.

By holding lodge meetings at weekends, and setting up temporary bases in marinas within easy distance of a masonic hall, Spinnaker Lodge offers family members the chance to meet and socialise. Senior Warden Adrian Cleightonhills, who sails a Southerly 32, says, Tm keen that Freemasonry shouldn't just be for the man of the house. It can take a fair amount of his time and I feel that it should be done with the encouragement, and involvement, of his family.'

SPECIAL INTEREST LODGES

Women and non-masonic members of the family won't take part in lodge meetings, but they'll keep the party going while the meetings take place, which is proving to be a popular notion. 'When we've spoken to potential new members, this is the thing they show most interest in alongside the sailing,' says Adrian.

ANCHORED IN TRADITION But Spinnaker Lodge will not only apply itself to appealing to new members; moral and spiritual values will not be compromised, and the lodge will remain dedicated to being a force for good in the community. Spinnaker will choose a sailing charity to support each year this year it's the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust - and the personal progression of members will be enhanced by developing them as sailors as well as men. And while the lodge would like its membership to double over the next five years, it's not its biggest priority and won't be achieved at any cost.

At the lodge's first meeting in January this year, Spinnaker initiated two new members, both in their 20s and both keen boatmen.

They are the future of the lodge, and their success within it will ultimately reflect the lodge's success as a whole. The winds of change are certainly blowing in Spinnaker's sails and, as Frank says, 'it's all up for grabs'.

FIND OUT MORE Contact Spinnaker Lodge at secretary@spinnaker9932.com

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BUILDING ADVICE

ALARMING RATE With a new Rating List coming into effect in 2017, Grand Superintendent of Works John Pagella explains why masonic centres and halls could end up paying more

T

he financial pages of the popular papers may not be everyone's idea of bedtime reading, but you will have been hard pressed not to have noticed articles predicting the consequences that might follow the recent revaluation of commercial properties for business rates.

In the public mind, businesses occupying property with a high value are assumed to be better able to make a greater contribution to the total tax take than those whose business is run from more modest premises. The logic behind this is difficult to challenge, provided that revaluations are accurate and are carried out regularly. This will mean that changes in relative value between different areas of the country and property types are picked up as changes in value occur.

Unfortunately, that continuous process of revaluation has not happened. Business rates payable in the current fiscal year are based on the 2010 Rating List, which was prepared by the Valuation Office Agency based on values on 1 April 2008. Many changes have taken place since then. It should not therefore come as a surprise that, in many cases, substantial increases in rateable value will form the basis for the payment of business rates from 1 April 2017 when the new Rating List comes into effect.

RELIEF PLANS The Government's position is that the total revenue raised under the new list will not increase as a direct result of the revaluation, and those facing a steep rise in business rates payable will be helped through transitional relief. The options being considered for transitional relief include capping the year-on-year increase for 'large properties' at between 33 per cent and 45 per cent, rather than 12.5 per cent in real terms under previous Rating Lists.

As the definition of 'large properties' is likely to be those with a value in excess of ÂŁ100,000, the majority of masonic centres and halls may not be affected. However, for those that are, a steep increase in business rates could become payable in 2017, with little opportunity for forward planning.

What does this mean for masonic centres and halls generally?

They are classed as 'business premises' and all will therefore have

been included in the revaluation. While it is always dangerous to generalise, it is highly likely that many will face an increase in assessment that will carry though to an increase in business rates payable.

Faced with this unwelcome prospect, the first step is to check the new entry in the Rating List, take specialist advice in relation to the valuation and then ascertain whether the Small Business Rate Relief or other similar scheme might apply.

I cannot emphasise too strongly that rating valuation and practise is a specialist area of expertise. Challenging the Valuation Officer's assessment and investigating possible reliefs requires knowledge and experience of property valuation, as well as the complex legal implications.

THE CHALLENGE AHEAD While there will be many firms offering to help on a no win, no fee basis, it is important to bear in mind that those offering this service are likely to be interested in the straightforward cases that can be challenged quickly and easily. Retail shops and offices, as an example, are let on a day-to-day basis. Evidence of value is easy to obtain, and the valuation process for rating purposes for these types of property is not unlike market practise.

Valuing masonic centres and halls is, however, more complicated.

Open market transactions occur infrequently, and to cope with this the methods of valuation adopted can be complex. By way of example, particularly difficult cases could well involve a valuation approach that aggregates land value and the cost of rebuilding adjusted for age and obsolescence, before decapitalising to arrive at an annual rent.

If this all sounds confusing, you will understand why I am encouraging those responsible for managing masonic centres and halls to check their rating assessment and take advice. Don't delay. Although there is no time limit at the moment for challenging valuations, if a saving can be made, the sooner the process is started the sooner overpayments will be returned.

Finally, do use the Improvement Delivery Group at Grand Lodge as a point of contact to put appointed surveyors in touch with each other to share knowledge and experience.

'Valuing masonic centres is complicated. Open market transactions occur infrequently, and to cope with this the methods of valuation adopted can be complex'

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37

S

t Werburghs in Bristol was almost totally overrun with crime in the 1980s after floods forced residents to vacate their homes. Locals recall how the fields became a dumping ground and once-prize allotments grew wild and untamed. Determined to regain some semblance of togetherness, they put a request in to the council for the land. But it wasn't until sheep were introduced that the community started to properly re-energise.

St Werburghs City Farm has now been improving prospects for people living in the area for 30 years. The two-acre smallholding, oneacre community garden, two-and-a-half-acre conservation site and 13 acres of allotments have become the beating heart of the community. A place that once looked beyond help is thriving and a ÂŁ38,125 grant awarded by the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) will allow the surrounding communities to grow still further.

URBAN RETREAT Situated in the Bristol ward of Ashley, alongside four others that are among the 10 per cent most disadvantaged in the UK, St Werburghs City Farm provides practical, outdoor and therapeutic opportunities for permanently excluded and disengaged young people.

'Each year, we support hundreds of causes, including those that provide employment opportunities for young people who are not in education, employment or training,' says Katrina Baker, Head of Charity Grants at the MCF. 'We decided to support St Werburghs City Farm because it engages, equips and empowers young people with the confidence and capacity to transform their lives.'

According to Alex, a 17-year-old participant in the farm's Work2Learn placement scheme, 'If anyone is in Bristol and they're having a tough time, they should come to St Werburghs.' Alex is just one of an estimated 704 people aged 14-19 - most of whom are struggling in mainstream ~

39

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

'St WerburghsCity Farm engages,equips and empowers youngpeople with the confidenceand capacity to transform their lives' Katrina Baker

education - who will benefit from the support the farm provides over the next three years thanks to the MCF grant. 'The people here are my second family,' he says. 'We feel equal.'

Now into his third year on the farm, Alex had considered becoming a chef, a train driver and even joining the army, but a love of the outdoors, together with his experiences at St Werburghs, opened his eyes to the joys of farming. 'Sometimes you just get the feeling you'll be good at a job,' he says. His time at St Werburghs has not only given him vital experience, it's also boosted his confidence.

The farm's youth development manager, Anna Morrow, has seen Alex and countless others change for the better as a result of the youth programme. 'When things fall apart, that one day out a week can make all the difference - enough for them to be able to cope,' she says.

PEOPLE POWER

Running a programme focused on urban youth farming is part of St Werburghs City Farm's wider vision to 'inspire and educate happy, healthy communities'

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Max, also 17,believes his time at St Werburghs has helped him in life: 'Being here has shown me about teamwork. There will be some people you get on with, some you don't, but that's life and you have to accept that.' For Max, interacting with people on the farm has exposed him to a world outside mainstream education and given him opportunities he otherwise might not have had. His mother has noticed a marked improvement in Max's moods, and firmly believes he has benefited socially from having other adults to talk to.

Morrow recalls a 14-year-old young carer who used his placement to overcome problems at school, mostly to do with aggression. 'He was doing everything at home: cooking, cleaning, taking the parent role,' she says. 'All that was taking its toll.' Starting at just one morning a week, his experience at St Werburghs made such a difference that he ended up helping out three days a week and eventually went on to gain an apprenticeship in farming.

For young people living on the perimeters of society, schools are limited in how they can address complex personal issues, so having a place like the city farm can be a lifeline. 'It's all about relationships,' says Beth Silvey, a youth worker at the farm. 'Participants get to do things they'd never get to do anywhere else.

And I think that builds trust. It's a nurturing environment and they are very much part of the team. It's a group activity that isn't intense, so they talk to us. It's like a family here.'

GROWING A COMMUNITY Personal development, self-esteem and support networks aside, an equally important aspect of the farm's work is improved community cohesion, particularly in an area where so many young people live below the poverty line. More than half of children are living in income-deprived households in three areas within walking distance of the farm.

The thinking behind the project is clear: if you catch anxieties at an early stage then you're able to address issues before they balloon out of control. 'It's really important,' says Silvey, 'it can tip the balance at a crucial time. And we wouldn't be able to do that without the money from the Masonic Charitable Foundation.'

Thanks to the MCF grant and a new building, the farm has been able to extend all its work placements and start a new enterprise project.

With the continued support of the MCF and the proud members of the community, St Werburghs City Farm has become an invaluable asset in bettering the situation facing young people in the area.

'People come here because they're accepted,' says Max, who has himself been witness to some extraordinary stories. 'The people are just nice; no one is bothered by difference.' And in an area that continues to suffer from poverty, having a place that is very much loved and embraced by the community is crucial.

41

FUTURE OF FREEMASONRY

DOWN TOWORI< At the start of a momentous period, Chairman of the Improvement Delivery Group David Wootton reports on the initiative that is propelling Freemasonry forward

T

he Improvement Delivery Group (IDG) was set up last summer to take forward the initiatives begun by the Membership Focus Group (MFG), most capably chaired and led by Ray Reed, which held its final meeting in August. The IDG will develop new initiatives as well as lead the implementation and delivery of our strategy for Freemasonry to 2020.

Politicians like to say that 'the time for talking is over, now is the time for action'. Of course, the time for talking is never really over - you can only achieve things by talking to people. But the time for just talking is over and I want to tell you what we've done in the IDG and what we will be doing.

Communication is key. We will only succeed if members know and agree with what we're doing, and follow the leads we take. The IDG reports to the Grand Master's Council (GMC), and we will not only do that annually in September but also whenever else is appropriate. We

will make a progress report to Grand Lodge at Quarterly Communication in September this year.

The IDG will also make recommendations to and seek agreement from the Board of General Purposes (BGP) and the Committee of General Purposes (CGP) on matters within their respective management remits for the Craft and Royal Arch.

But we will be doing much more than this. We will send short newsletter updates to Provincial Grand Masters and to Grand Superintendents for distribution within their Provinces.

This will likely be on a quarterly basis and whenever else there's something significant we want people to know.

Individual members of the IDG will also be taking every opportunity to spread the word and convey the message at regional, Provincial and lodge meetings. So, if you would like someone to come to you to talk about what is being done, do ask.

Alongside the core IDG team - see 'Who are we?' for details - we are very ably supported by Ray Reed,

'Wewant to show that both Craft and Royal Arch, and all parts of the country,matter' 42

MFG Chairman and Past Deputy President of the BGP; Willie Shackell, Grand Secretary; and Shawn Christie, Assistant Grand Secretary, and his Executive Assistant, Alexandra Fuller.

With co-ordination and joined-up thinking key, we have also invited the President of the BGP, Anthony Wilson, or his Deputy, James Long, and the President of the CGP, Malcolm Aish, to join us at meetings, or send a nominee.

Completing the line-up is Mike Baker, Director of Communications. In assembling a strong team, we want to show that both Craft and Royal Arch, and all parts of the country, matter.

Individual members of the IDG will communicate to the Regional Communications Groups (RCGs), gatherings of Provincial Grand Masters and Grand Superintendents in the same area, and through them to individual lodges and members. This is because messages exchanged between people who know each other are much more effective than those coming down from the top. This is not about giving orders; it is a collective effort to develop better ways of doing things.

In terms of what we seek to achieve, we keep in our minds the 2020 Strategic Objectives: â&#x20AC;˘ Effective governance at all levels; a Leadership Development programme; reviewing and revising

FUTURE OF FREEMASONRY

the governance arrangements of Grand Lodge.

• Improved attraction and retention of members, so that membership remains above 200,000; resignations before receipt of Grand Lodge certificate to reduce from 20 per cent to less than 10 per cent; and local media coverage to have incremental year-on-year growth of more than 20 per cent.

• Developing the financial sustainability of our masonic halls.

With this in mind, the IDG has formed six working groups, namely Governance, Leadership, Membership, Education, Masonic Halls and Image.

The Governance Group The Governance Group, chaired by Gareth Jones, looks at how the various parts of Freemasonry work within themselves and with each other, so that everyone knows what they are doing and not doing. We have already put into circulation a written statement of the roles and responsibilities of Provincial Grand Masters and Grand Superintendents.

expectation? The Membership Group will have custody of membership surveys already carried out and will commission new ones, as well as managing and applying all the information we have already gathered.

In particular, the group will manage the Pathway project, a series of guides to best practice in all the steps in the masonic journey, currently being piloted in a number of Provinces.

The Education Group The Education Group, which Stuart Hadler chairs, has a programme for education, learning and personal development, and will produce a central repository oflearning materials for brethren who wish to develop a greater understanding and appreciation of masonic ritual, history and tradition.

The Masonic Halls Group The Masonic Halls Group, chaired by Jeff Gillyon, has produced a substantial guide to all aspects of the management and development of masonic halls, critical to the future of Freemasonry, which is being circulated to PGMs and Grand Superintendents via the RCGs and will be introduced in the spring.

The Leadership Group The Leadership Group, which Michael Ward chairs, helps office holders learn how to do the job and what it entails. Michael has already organised two successful workshops for Provincial Grand Masters and Grand Superintendents, and one for Deputy PGMs. At our last IDG meeting we approved recommendations to devote more resources, human and financial, to training programmes for a wide range of other officers, from Registrars to Treasurers to Membership Officers, so that those new to these roles know what is expected and those with experience can refresh their knowledge.

The Membership Group The Membership Group, chaired

by Peter Taylor, brings together recruitment and retention of members.

Why do some members stay and progress and others leave? What is our members' experience? Does their experience differ from their

freemasonrytoday.com

The Image Group The Image Group, chaired by Gordon Robertson, tucks in behind the BGP's Communications Committee, chaired

by James Long. Its brief is to look at ways of enhancing the image of Freemasonry, both to masons and to non-masons.

Our image of Freemasonry is key to our enjoyment of it and our willingness to recruit the right people to join us. The group will work in close conjunction with the Communications Committee.

WHO ARE WE? I am the Chairman of the IDG and the Deputy Chairman is Gareth Jones, Third Grand Principal and Provincial Grand Master in the Craft for South Wales. Gareth and I work very closely together. We are joined

by Michael Ward, one of the three Deputy Metropolitan Grand Masters. Then we have one member from each of the geographical areas of England and Wales: • Jeff Gillyon, PGM and Grand Superintendent, Yorkshire, North & East Ridings • Stephen Blank, PGM and Grand Superintendent, Cheshire • Peter Taylor, PGM and Grand Superintendent, Shropshire • Tim Henderson-Ross, PGM, Gloucestershire • Gordon Robertson, PGM, Buckinghamshire • Charles Cunnington, Grand Superintendent, Derbyshire • Ian Yeldham, PGM Suffolk • Mark Estaugh, PGM and Grand Superintendent, West Kent • Stuart Hadler, PGM, Somerset

The IDG will be actively pushing forward the work of these groups. We'll look at better ways of communicating with members, make better use of the membership information we have, and collect the information we don't. We'll also look at ways of supporting those who might benefit from 'central help' the rapidly developing new and young masons clubs spring to mind. In this Tercentenary year, there's lots to do, but we'll enjoy doing it.

43

YSUPPORT

CHARITY SUPPORT

PHYSICAL IMPACT A Special Olympics initiative is offering people with profound learning difficulties the chance to take part in sporting activities.

Peter Watts finds out how Freemasons are supporting the scheme

iamh-Elizabeth Reilly recalls a particular moment from the training programme she organises for people with profound and multiple learning difficulties when a mother of one of the participants had become very emotional at an end-of-course Challenge Day. 'The mother said her son was 33 years old and that she'd never had the chance to see him participate in anything, to achieve anything before,' says Reilly.'She was overwhelmed by the support from the crowd, with everybody cheering him on and seeing how he relished that. He was doing something she didn't know he was capable of - a grip-and-release ball task she'd never seen him do before. That's the impact [the programme] can have.'

The Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) hopes to encourage more such moments through its award of a ÂŁ60,000 grant to ~

45

CHARITY SUPPORT

Charity Grants Committee. 'Physical exercise makes us feel confident, healthier and more resilient, and this programme is for a group who would otherwise not have access to these benefits.'

What makes MATP unique is that it is open to adults and children who tend to have little involvement in any physical activity due to the huge levels of support their learning difficulties demand. 'There is a great difficulty in communication and often there are associated health needs such as diabetes or epilepsy that are complex,' says Reilly.

Taking place in centres and schools that already have the required equipment - toilets, hoists, changing beds - the training is geared towards improving motor skills, using sportsrelated activity as a lever towards gaining greater control of the body.

LIFE SKILLS Special Olympics GB to expand the Motor Activity Training Programme (MATP), funding additional resources and training so it can reach several thousand people rather than a few hundred. The 12-week course is directed at adults and children who are unable to participate in regular Special Olympics sessions as their disabilities are so complex.

'The course is targeted at people with profound and multiple learning difficulties,' says Andrew Ross, Chairman of the MCF

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN The Special Olympics movement was founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of John F Kennedy. 'The Kennedys had a sister with an intellectual disability and Eunice set up the charity in their back garden, as a summer camp,' says Niamh-Elizabeth Reilly. 'It's now international and has helped millions of people with intellectual disabilities.'

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Children at West Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre (West SILC) in Leeds take part in the Motor Activity Training Programme

Reece Wallace, a 16-year-old with gross global developmental delay and epilepsy, who is visually impaired and unable to walk or communicate verbally, has been taking part in MATP courses since he was 11.

His mother, Melinda, explains how it helps: 'The programme breaks down all the key skills in terms of standing, stepping in a walker, gripping, releasing. Reece is currently focused on pushing a disc down a slide to knock skittles over and this teaches him to place it on the slide and then let go with intention rather than just flinging it. These are life skills; they can benefit other things.'

Each course addresses upper body skills, lower body skills, greater motor skills and fine motor skills. Sessions are inspired by sports - from swimming to badminton - and adapted for the capability of the participant.

Walking or wheelchair events can take place on a track or in water, while others encourage kicking, hitting or throwing balls, or striking pucks and shuttlecocks. Collectively, the activities can improve health and wellbeing, motor skills, social skills, physical fitness and functional ability.

The sessions not only help the participants, they also benefit parents, carers and society as a whole by allowing people with profound disabilities to engage with the outside world.

'It's a win-win situation,' says Reilly. 'It is about introducing people to the idea that there are people with complex needs out there. We are trying to provide meaningful opportunity and engagement for everybody.'

As life expectancy has improved, Reilly says that there are now more children with ~

47

CHARITY SUPPORT

profound disabilities in Special Educational Needs schools. 'There can be some discomfort and fear towards disability, and the best way to combat that is by engagement, so people learn that just because there is no verbal communication that doesn't mean you can't communicate in other ways.'

The MATP sessions have been running for several years and there is now a long waiting list. But the support from the MCF means that the number of adults and children benefiting from the programme over the next three years will rise from a few hundred to around 4,500.

The grant will be used to develop resources and train additional coaches, and help to create 60 new MATP groups in schools and community clubs and eight Youth Sport Trust schools, as well as Come and Try sessions.

'We are creating resource cards so that teachers have all the information they need for the different elements of the course,' says Reilly. 'It's a resource we will be able to use again and again. We will also be training more tutors - individuals who have experience of people with these conditions so they understand the complexity and are able to communicate with the participants, parents and carers.'

BIG SMILES For the participants, progress can be slow but the benefits are enormous. Each course ends with a Challenge Day, which is a fully branded Special Olympics event. 'These individuals aren't just improving their motor skills, they are also getting the chance to be Special Olympic athletes and showcase their skills at Challenge Days, complete with opening and closing ceremonies,' says Reilly.

For children like Reece and their parents, these events are unique and unforgettable.

'It's lovely to get the children together in this great encouraging atmosphere, to see all these big smiles on their faces,' says Reece's mother Melinda, enthusiastically. 'Everybody is clapping and cheering while they achieve their goals. There's nothing else like that for them or for us.'

'Th.erecan be some discomfort and fear towards disability, and the best way to combat that is by engagement' Niamh-Elizabeth Reilly

48

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12 days I MS Fram

16 days

Enjoy amazing Arctic experiences in the Disco Bay area. Greenland"s natural beauty, wildlife and spectacular landscapes are unmatched anywhere.

Experience the genuine Greenlandic atmosphere in the towns and villages we visit along the way, and meet the welcoming people of this remote nation.

This 16-day expedition encompasses the Chilean fjords and southern Patagonian coast, Cape Horn and deserted Antarctic islands. Prepare to be amazed by the thriving wildlife ashore, and take part in our enriching lecture programme and activities with the Expedition Team on board MS Midnatsol.

FULL BOARD Departures: 3othjun; VOYAGE10th & 20th iu12018

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MS Midnatsol

FULL BOARD ~~t':"; 017 VOYAGE

~ Svalbard Expedition

18 days I MS Roald Amundsen

12 days I MS Spitsbergen

Travel in harmony with the elements to the White Continent. En route, you will experience the wild natural wonders of the Chilean fjords. Once in Antarctica, the sight of mighty glaciers calving into the ocean, flocks of penguins and whales in the icy seas will create indelible memories.

This epic voyage circumnavigates Spitsbergen - kingdom of the Polar Bear.

Explore glaciers, mountains and fjords in the west, and the barren High Arctic wilderness in the eastern part of Svalbard. Enjoy expedition landings, hikes, kayaking and other activities in the largest Arctic wilderness in Europe.

Departures: FULL BOARD 9th & 25th Nov¡

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& 271h De~ 2018

~

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To bookcall Northumbria Travel on 01670 829922

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Visit www.northumbriatravel.com or email us at info@northumbriatravel.com 82 Front Street East, Bedlington, Northumberland NE22 5AB Pricesare per person based on voyage only. Flights from both Londonand regional departure airports available on request.

Hurtigruten terms and conditions apply to all of the advertised voyages.Please contact us for further details.

All pricesand availabilitycorrectat time of goingto press.Offersare combinablewith Ambassadorsdiscounts.

FULL BOARD Departures: 16th& VOYAGE26th Jut 2018

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MASONS IN HISTORY

FND NG THE THREAD

Rarely to be seen without an orchid in his buttonhole, lacemaker Louis Oram Trivett embraced the core values of Freemasonry and the Scout Movement, as Philippa Faulks discovers

freemasonrytoday.com

visit to the present-day Lace Market in Nottingham not only offers you the chance of some fine shopping and eating in a bustling heritage centre, it also plunges you straight back into the glorious past of one of the greatest industries of the British Empire era. In this quarter of the city, the streets are still resplendent with former warehouses and merchant houses of the famous Nottingham lace industry.

One building in particular catches the eye. With its prominent tower forming a local landmark, Trivett Square is named after one of the most prolific philanthropists of the era - Louis Oram Trivett. Born in Mansfield on 26 August 1864, he was destined to be a hard worker. At the age

A

51

MASONS IN HISTORY

of nine-and-a-half, he was already earning a few shillings a week working on a news-stand owned

by Messrs WH Smith and Sons.

Trivett was educated at the High Pavement School in Nottingham, beginning work in the employ of Simon, May & Co lace manufacturers, followed by a rapid rise through the ranks at a succession of companies. By the time he was 26, he had gained enough experience to start his own small company in Woolpack Lane.

Louis Oram Trivett - 'The Orchid King'

RAPID GROWTH The business grew rapidly and new premises were sought, with the final location in the lacemaking district of Short Hill, where the factory, with its tower, was constructed. The firm became a limited liability company and Trivett appointed himself as chairman and company director. 'LO Trivett, Ltd, lace, net, hosiery and veiling manufacturers and shippers' had been born.

In later years, Trivett partnered with Fred Randall in patenting a new and improved version of the chenille-spotting machine. The apparatus 'spots' fabrics such as laces and veilings with chenille, which is a type of tufted yarn. The invention was approved by the UK Patent Office in 1901 and subsequently by the US office.

During World War II bombing raids, the Lace Market and Trivett's building were badly damaged but the area was sympathetically restored and is now one of Nottingham's most fashionable parts.

Aside from his business interests, Trivett was also a pillar of society. Serving as a magistrate in

52

1910, he also held positions on various committees including chairman of the Committee of the Care of the Mentally Deficient; a role he held until his death. He was also a member of the education, finance and public assistance committees of Nottingham. Trivett's work for Nottinghamshire County Council was rewarded in 1926, when he was elevated to the role of alderman.

Trivett was a keen philatelist. His obituary in the West Bridgford Times (13 January 1933) stated that: 'L Trivett was the first Vice-President of Notts Philatelic Society and went on to hold the office of President on five occasions ... Some years before his death, Mr Trivett, who was a fellow of the Royal Philatelic Society, disposed of a large part of his collection of foreign stamps for several thousands of pounds. However, he retained some rare specimens ofJamaica and Gibraltar, which were claimed to be the finest collection in the world.

He wrote two brochures on philately entitled The Inception of Penny Postage and Evolution to the Adhesive Postage Stamp, a copy of which the King was pleased to accept, and Philately - a National Asset as World Trainingfor Growing Boys.'

CORE VALUES

Lace stalls in Nottingham's Great Market Place in 1900

Stamps aside, Trivett's chief interests in his life were Freemasonry and the Scout Movement.

Trivett was a close friend of Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Boy Scouts Association. While Baden-Powell never joined the fraternity, although his brother was a member, its core values and discipline drew his admiration.

Trivett was appointed assistant county commissioner of the Boy Scouts Association and was more than a mere figurehead, becoming a hero among the boys and encouraging many of them to engage in his passions of stamp collecting and social awareness. He attended the first World Scout Jamboree at Olympia in 1920 and had the honour of conducting Princess Mary and other members of the Royal Family around the philatelic display, which included many of his own specimens.

With a masonic career that spanned most of his adult life, Trivett was one of the oldest members of Southwell Lodge, No. 1405, passing through the chair in 1901. He was present at the dedication ceremony of the new masonic hall in West Bridgford on Tuesday, 19 April 1910, which was also the date of the consecration of Bentinck Lodge, No. 3416, and the new hall became the new lodge's meeting place. In 1914, while Past

MASONS IN HISTORY

Patented Sept.23, 1902.

.No. 709,587 .

L.

o: TRIVETT &. F. RANDALL.

CHENILLE SPOTTING MACHINE. (No:)!lodel.)

(Application ~led Oct. 24, 1900.)

Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works in the Provincial Grand Lodge, he became a founder member ofRushcliffe Lodge, No. 3658, also in Nottingham.

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BLOOMING SUCCESS

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'Jnthe Scout Movement, Trivett became a hero among the boys and encouraged many of them to engagein his passion of stamp collecting' freemasonrytoday.com

Louis Oram Trivett and Fred Randall's US patent for their chenille-spotting machine, dated September 1902

Apart from his philanthropy and commitments to society, Trivett had several more relaxing leisuretime pursuits. As a member of the Trent Fishery Board, he became a keen angler, but his other passion, executed with his same customary thoroughness, was the cultivation of orchids.

The Orchid Review notes in October 1923: '[At] Grafton House, West Bridgford, the residence of LO Trivett, Esq, an ardent collector of orchids, is to be found an exceedingly wellselected assemblage of these plants. Containing over 600 plants, the collection is accommodated in one three-quarter span house divided into three sections.' Trivett was given the moniker 'The Orchid King', for he was rarely to be seen without an exquisite bloom in his buttonhole.

Trivett's tireless role in his community, his position within Freemasonry and congenial nature ensured that he was always held in great esteem. According to a report in the West Bridgford Times, 13 January 1933: 'His funeral was, despite indisposition and fog... the largest seen in Nottingham for many years, representatives from the many organisations with which Mr Trivett was identified being present.'

Five boys from the 1st (West Bridgford) Scouts flanked the entrance to Nottingham Church Cemetery and members of Trivett's masonic lodges came to bid him farewell as he ascended to the Grand Lodge above. Married twice and with two children by his second wife, he was a fine man who would be much lamented in his passing.

The day after Trivett's death, LieutenantColonel P R Clifton addressed the county court as the presiding magistrate, and summed up the feelings of the community at large: 'Alderman Trivett was well known to you ... but I have had singular opportunities of being associated with him in the Boy Scout Movement, to which he gave, as he did with everything he pursued, the whole of his heart, mind and intelligence. I do not think there was anything connected with the welfare of his fellow citizens to which he did not give the whole of his mind.

I am sure it will be the opinion of all of us that this county and this court are the poorer by his death.'

53

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When a group of Freemasons came together to make their way across Morecambe Bay, they not only enjoyed the stunning Cumbria views but also raised money for good causes on the way

_

......

--...-:-: ...- . ... ~

-_~-

....

n a warm clear day last year, a group of 54 people, made up of Freemasons, their families and friends, trekked across Morecambe Bay. The intrepid team, which included Cumberland & Westmorland Provincial Grand Master, Norman Thompson, and Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, Ian D'Arcy, joined 1,000 walkers at Arnside Promenade, where Cedric Robinson MBE, the Queen's Guide to the Sands of Morecambe Bay, took charge.

Robinson led the group on to the beach following one of the most beautiful coastlines in Britain, cutting through Silverdale and out across the sands, heading down the bay towards Heysham. Many walkers, some barefoot, braved the wet and puddled sands as the expeditionary group followed the receding tide down the bay, taking in the glorious views across to Lancaster, the Lake District fells and Furness Peninsula.

Two hours into the journey, walkers gathered in the middle of the bay alongside the River Kent.

On Robinson's command, a race commenced across the thigh-deep water to the other side. Fortunately, it was not too cold and, once everyone had safely crossed, the group changed direction, heading back up the bay towards Kents Bank, negotiating the wetlands and gullies along the way as they approached dry land at the railway station.

With gift aid, the masonic walkers and supporters raised in the region of ÂŁ2,400 for the Provincial Grand Master's charity, helping victims of the Cumbria floods, among other deserving causes.

The walk has become an annual event in the Provincial calendar, with the next one happening on Saturday, 17 June 2017 as part of the Tercentenary celebrations. Cumberland & Westmorland invites members and friends of all Provinces to come along for a thoroughly enjoyable day.

Contact Peter Gaunce at pcaunce@cumbriafreemasons.org

COMMUNITY WORK

Up and down the country, Sunday tea parties offer companionship to elderly people who might otherwise face loneliness and isolation. Steven Short discovers how the Masonic Charitable Foundation is helping

W

ho did you have dinner with last night? Your partner?

Friends? Work colleagues? Perhaps you ate dinner alone. If you did, imagine what it would be like to eat alone tonight and every night, or not to speak to another human being for weeks on end.

Sadly, this level of isolation has become normal for thousands of elderly people up and down the country. It is estimated that a third of people over the age of 70 eat alone every day, and that more than one million older people haven't spoken to anyone for weeks.

'It's so easy for an elderly person to become isolated,' says Suzan Hyland at Contact the Elderly. 'If someone can't walk to the shops for a chat, or can't get to the door quickly enough when the postman or milkman rings, they can go for days without speaking to another human being.'

To help to improve the situation, the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) awarded Contact the Elderly ÂŁ75,000 to enable it to provide more companionship to elderly and frail people aged 75 and over who live

alone, something it has already been doing for more than 50 years.

The MCF grant will fund the role of a new national support officer, who will help to co-ordinate 700 of the 10,000 volunteers needed to organise monthly Sunday afternoon tea parties across the UK. These events provide a regular and vital friendship link for small groups of older and infirm people who live in isolation.

'We currently have about 5,500 guests who we take out to a free tea every month,' says Hyland. 'But that is just the tip of the iceberg. We want to expand because we know the need is there. In most of our areas we have waiting lists of people wanting to join the groups.'

NOT ALONE The grant will allow Contact the Elderly to grow the support it provides in difficult financial times with an increasing elderly population. Hyland, currently the charity's only support officer working on a national level, highlights the reason for the heavy demand: 'There's a generation of elderly people who, because of the war and because of medical conditions ~

59

COMMUNITY WORK

associated with wartime and the period directly after, have ended up being alone.'

She explains that even if people do have family, relatives might only be able to visit two or three times a year.

But living on one's own needn't mean always being alone, which is why the charity developed its tea party model.

On one Sunday of each month, a volunteer host invites a group of elderly people (typically aged 85-95) into their home for a free tea party.

The same group meets 12 times a year - each time in a different home, with the host providing tea and refreshments from their own pocket.

GET TOGETHER The parties offer guests not just tea, but also companionship. Organised by volunteers of all ages, they bring together people who may never otherwise have met, and help to foster fulfilling relationships.

'It's a great model because the older guests get a lot of things to look forward to throughout the year,' says Hyland, who is currently responsible not just for supporting existing volunteers, but also for recruiting new ones. The model works well because each volunteer only has to host one party a year, which helps with retention - some volunteers have been with the charity for 40 years.

Erica, a volunteer from Surbiton, Surrey, says: 'It's rewarding because you get to know the older guests and talk to them about what they've been up to. Seeing how much they enjoy the parties and how much they look forward to them is wonderful.'

Summing up her first tea party, one guest said, 'It's so nice to have

The monthly tea parties can offer companionship, a space to socialise and even the chance of reconnecting with old friends

a chance to dress up and go somewhere. I can't remember when I last had such a lovely time.' For another guest, the events were a turning point: 'I felt like I'd come out of a dark tunnel and into the light. Before I joined Contact the Elderly I thought my life had ended, and now it's started again.'

33% 1M+

5,500

A third of people over the age of 70 eat alone every single day

Contact the Elderly takes 5,500 guests out to a free tea every month

60

More than one million older people haven't spoken to anyone for weeks

Some guests have reconnected with people they used to know but had lost contact with. 'We've had people who went to school together who haven't seen each other for 40 or 50 years,' says Hyland. Attendees regularly phone each other, and the more mobile members meet outside their Sunday calendar dates.

COMMUNITY WORK

'BeforeI joined Contact the ElderlyI thoughtmy life had ended, and now it's started again'

will make those extra groups possible.

Instead of thinking "we could have a group here, we could have a group there", we'll have the manpower to make it happen, which is fantastic.'

PRACTICAL SUPPORT

But there is still work to do. 'It can be frustrating when there is a need.

I look at an area sometimes and see the waiting list and think, "I will get round to that..." but it just takes so long,' says Hyland. 'My basic role is supporting existing groups. Opening new ones has, sadly, had to come second. Appointing a new officer

It is estimated that the new officer will support 55 groups across the country, giving some 450 guests something to look forward to each month. The MCF grant that is making this possible is not the first instance of the masonic charity supporting Contact the Elderly - some ÂŁ100,000 has been donated since 2000.

'Freemasons have always been active in the community and loneliness and isolation in old age are issues that they are keen to help with,' says David Innes, MCF Chief Executive. 'Contact the Elderly was an obvious choice for our funding.

The MCF is delighted to support the charity with a grant to help to grow the tea parties, which do so much to bring companionship to older people's lives.'

That companionship is summed up perfectly by one happy tea party participant, who says that once a month she tells her walls, 'I can't speak to you today, I've got real people to talk to.'

The volunteer driving force Contact the Elderly not only recruits hosts for its parties but also volunteer drivers, who transport the guests on the day.

'I got involved three years ago as I wanted to do something worthwhile

with my Sunday

afternoons - and I'm particularly partial to homemade cakes,' says Thomas, who currently drives guests to tea parties in Birmingham and - like all drivers - pays for the petrol himself. 'The ladies I drive are all good fun and really appreciate our efforts, even though it's only a few hours a month.' Thomas is fascinated to hear all their stories about life in the early part of the 20th century

700

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The new support officer

Since 2000, masonic

The latest funding will

hadn't seen for years - that quick

will co-ordinate

charities have donated

benefit 450 older guests

15-minute diversion made their

700 of

and during the war. 'At Christmas I drove us into the city centre after our tea and cakes to look at the Christmas lights, which they

Contact the Elderly's

around ÂŁ100,000 to

month and it made my month

10,000 volunteers

Contact the Elderly

making theirs!'

freemasonrytoday.com

61

WORLD WAR I REMEMBERED

INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOC

T

With soldiers from across the world meeting and sharing values during World War I, Diane Clements looks at how this period shaped New Zealand's relationship with Grand Lodge

62

he armed forces of many different countries fought in World War I between 1914 and 1918,with their experiences often being pivotal in the formation of national identities. But what of the effect these nations had on each other as they fought side by side? The experiences of masons as they travelled to new countries provide an intriguing window into how the war helped to develop the links between Grand Lodges across the world.

In 1914 there were 1,700 lodges across England and Wales, with a further 1,300 spread throughout the British Empire. As British colonies had become independent from the mid-1800s, they had established their own masonic jurisdiction or Grand Lodge. The relationship between the English Grand Lodge and the overseas Grand Lodges strengthened during World War I and was marked at celebrations of the Grand Lodge's bicentenary in 1917 and of the peace in 1919.

For the soldiers, the experience of travelling to foreign countries, the

WORLD WAR I REMEMBERED

comradeship and the trauma of war were significant in their personal development. For many, informal links with Freemasons were widened and reinforced, and the bond formed between New Zealand masons and their English brethren is a prime example of how the Craft came together during wartime.

The first masonic lodge in New Zealand was formed in 1842 and each of the English, Irish and Scottish Grand Lodges all formed lodges there. In 1890, 65 lodges established the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, with Henry Thomson as the first Grand Master. A medal was produced in 1900 to mark its first 10 years. The three 'home' Grand Lodges also maintained District and Provincial Grand Lodges in New Zealand.

William Massey, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, sent a telegram on the outbreak of war in 1914,saying: 'All we are and all we have is at the disposal of the British government.' He travelled to Britain several times, both during and after the war, and attended the Paris Peace Conference in 1919,signing the Treaty of Versailles on behalf of his country. Massey was installed as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand in November 1924.

In 1914,the population of New Zealand was about 1.1 million and 100,000 New Zealanders served overseas in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF), which went first to the Middle East and fought at Gallipoli and then to the Western Front. Around 18,000 New Zealanders died in or because of the war, with more than 41,000 wounded.

among its members, with branches formed in various camps, depots and hospitals. One branch was formed in Egypt and Palestine in May 1917 by Brigadier-General William Meldrum (1865-1964), the officer commanding the mounted division. This group held a meeting in the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem in April 1918. The association's meetings included lectures and discussions and its members were encouraged to visit other local lodges.

ENGLISH TRAINING

WARTIME FRATERNITY The Library and Museum of Freemasonry collection includes a gavel with a head made from the stock of a German rifle found on the Somme battlefield in 1916 during an advance on Fiers by the NZEF. It was then taken to New Zealand where it was mounted and polished.

The NZEF Masonic Association was formed in France by Colonel George Barclay in 1917.According to an article in The Freemasonin April 1918, the association developed from an informal meeting of serving New Zealand troops near Armentieres in June 1916.

The association's original objective was to hold meetings to promote fraternity

freemasonrytoday.com

From top: 10-year medal of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand; the first Grand Master, Henry Thomson; William Massey, Prime Minister of New Zealand, 1912-25

NZEF soldiers came to England for rest, recuperation and training, with Wiltshire's Sling Camp functioning as their chief training ground, while in London, the NZEF Masonic Association organised visits to Freemasons' Hall. The association was active along the south coast of England and correspondence between Grand Lodge and Jordan Lodge, No. 1402, in Torquay from December 1917 provides a fascinating glimpse into the interaction between the troops and local lodges.

The Lodge Secretary, Stanley Lane, wrote to London about a candidate, Eric George Rhodes, a corporal in the New Zealand Paymaster's department: 'There has been a large camp of discharged New Zealanders near Torquay, this being the convalescent base before embarking for home ... several of the officers have visited Jordan Lodge many times.'

Rhodes' candidacy was supported by a letter from George Barclay himself who was then based at Boscombe.

By the end of the war the NZEF Masonic Association had about 1,500 members. Its members' jewel was in three grades: metal, silver gilt and gold.

In 1919, one of these gold jewels was presented to the Grand Lodge in London to commemorate the association's wartime work and it remains a treasure of the collection.

'New Zealand Prime Minister William Massey's telegram, on the outbreak of war in 1914, read: ''All we are and all we have is at the disposal of the British government"' 63

Woodland Grange,the perfect venue for your next Masonic Lodge or Ladies Festival Event

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Masonic CharitableFoundation

60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ Tel: 020 3146 3333 Email: info@mcf.org.uk Facebook: theMCF Twitter: Masonic_Charity www.mcf.org.uk

OUR WORK

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Court in York have all

been awarded the highest

When a mason becomes ill a wide range of support is available to help him and to protect his children's education. Freemason Robert Figgins explains what happened when he received some life-changing news: T d felt ill for months, but it wasn't until a trip to A&E last year that I was diagnosed with cancer of the bowel, stomach and liver. I was given less than a year to live.

'I was admitted to hospital for several weeks and fitted with a stoma, which meant I wouldn't be able to return to work as a painter and decorator. We have always been a month-to-month family and, being self-employed, I was immediately worried about how we would pay our bills.

'kitemark',

to care homes

Level One status -

possible

rating.

Ted Corrie, whose wife Dorothy came to live at the dementia support house at The Tithebarn 2012, said: 'Dorothy

in

has received

love, care and full attention from the staff since day one. The staff have been well trained to make each person comfortable, no matter what their needs are.'

FIND OUT MORE Read about the specialist dementia care the RMBI provides at www.rmbi.org.uk

FIND OUT MORE For support, call 0800 035 60 90 in confidence

freemasonrytoday.com

65

MASONIC CHARITABLE FOUNDATION OUR WORK

United support in Lancashire

MAKING A MARK Two national charities, Whizz-Kidz and Anthony Nolan, have recognised the significant support that the MCF has provided for their life-changing work Since 1980, the Masonic Charitable Foundation and its predecessor charities have awarded more than £130 million to charities across England and Wales, and overseas.

Last year, leading disability charity Whizz-Kidz presented one of 25 Outstanding Supporter awards to the MCF, in recognition of over £130,000 in grants that have funded mobility therapists and work placements.

Presenting the award to MCF President Richard Hone, Whizz-Kidz chief executive Ruth Owen OBE (both pictured below left) said: 'This award recognises the wonderful support we've received from Freemasons over a long period of time. Your support truly has changed the lives of thousands of young wheelchair users, as well as enabling Whizz-Kidz to pilot new and exciting projects.'

In November 2016, the MCF received a commendation in the Organisational Fundraiser of the Year category at the Anthony Nolan Supporter Awards. In 2015, the MCF awarded £92,000 to Anthony Nolan to fund a project that aims to increase the chances of survival for cancer patients. MCF Trustee Adrian Flook and Head of Strategic Development and Special Projects, John McCrohan, accepted the award (pictured above).

In November, Freemasons from the Provinces of East Lancashire and West Lancashire came together to present a £50,000 grant from the Masonic Charitable Foundation to YoungMinds, the UK's leading charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people.

The grant will fund a new Peer Advice Project for parents raising children with mental health problems in Lancashire.

Chad Northcott

and David

Winder, Assistant Provincial Grand Masters for East and West Lancashire respectively, attended a project group at Netherton

Children's Centre

to meet some of the parents who will benefit from the new support group.

Jo Hardy, parent services manager at Young Minds, said: 'Child and adolescent mental health services are a postcode lottery, and in some areas parents have to look after their children with virtually no support. This can make them feel incredibly

isolated, and

can have a damaging effect on their own health. The MCF grant means that we can now develop the idea of support groups for parents who care for children

FIND OUT MORE Visit www.youtube.com/MasonicCharitableFoundation to watch videos about the MCF's work with Whizz-Kidz and Anthony Nolan

66

with mental health problems in the north of England.'

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MASONIC CHARITABLE FOUNDATION FESTIVALS

AND

FUNDRAISING

NEW HEIGHTS FOR DURHAM APPEAL At the end of 2016, a father and son from Westoe Lodge in the Province of Durham undertook the challenge of a lifetime to raise funds for the Masonic Charitable Foundation Together, Duncan Turnbull and his son, Steven, ventured to the Himalayas, trekking three high passes and ascending three walking peaks as part of their aim to reach Mount Everest Base Camp.

Duncan and Steven funded the trip themselves and to date have raised around ÂŁ1,400 for the Durham 2021 Festival Appeal. Duncan said: 'A trek to the Himalayas had been a dream of mine for 30 years. I was pleased when my son wanted to join me and we both thought it was a tremendous idea to raise funds for the Festival in the process.'

MCF Chief Executive David Innes added: 'We are always delighted to hear about the challenges that people undertake to raise funds for us, and we were especially impressed to hear that two of our supporters trekked to 17,600 feet to support us without people like Duncan and Steven, our work would not be possible.'

FESTIVALAPPEAL BULLETIN

at the Chateau lmpney Hotel in

Following the successful launches of several Festival Appeals in 2016,

A series of smaller events were held

three more Provinces have launched their appeals in support of the Masonic Charitable Foundation.

of the following

Droitwich, attended

by Richard Hone,

MCF Chief Executive David Innes (pictured

left) and Les Hutchinson.

around the Province over the course week.

The most recent launches follow the successful commencement

of

several Festival Appeals earlier in The Province of Leicestershire &

2016 and, after the Province of West

Rutland launched its Festival Appeal

Lancashire launches its appeal in

at the Provincial Grand Lodge meeting

May, a total of six Provinces will be

in November. MCF President Richard

fundraising

for the MCF.

Several Provinces are still in Festival

Hone and Chief Operating Officer

Lodge meeting at the end of 2016,

Les Hutchinson attended to give

followed by a formal dinner held at

to the MCF's predecessor charities, and

an informative

The Kassam Stadium in February.

over the next few months the Provinces

talk about the work

of the charity.

The Province of Oxfordshire

In January, the Province of also

began its appeal at a Provincial Grand

freemasonrytoday.com

Worcestershire

held an event for

700 Freemasons and their partners

of North Wales, Sussex, Wiltshire and Yorkshire, West Riding will conclude their appeals.

69

MASONIC CHARITABLE FOUNDATION OUR PERFORMANCE

LAYING THE GROUNDWORK The launch of the Masonic Charitable Foundation one year ago was a milestone in the history of masonic charity but, as Chief Executive David Innes explains, it was just the start of a period of greater change In the 12 months since the MCF's launch, there has been a huge amount of hard work behind the scenes to build a unified, stronger staff team with a common culture, complemented by a new, more efficient grants process with a single point of contact, one application form and common eligibility criteria.

Concurrently, the office space in Freemasons' Hall has been refurbished to create a dynamic, cohesive working environment, optimised for the new charity.

Throughout this period, the fantastic staff team ensured that the service provided to Freemasons and their families remained consistent. Since April 2016, almost 5,000 members of the masonic family have been supported both financially and with advice, and £5 million has

'Throughout this period, the fantastic staff team ensured that the service provided to Freemasons and their families remained consistent'

been given to charities at home and overseas.

Looking ahead, the MCF has a dual focus for 2017:to continue the consolidation process and to play a full part in the Tercentenary celebrations.

A key element of this will be the Community Awards scheme, which will see £3 million given to 300 non-masonic charities.

The Trustees will be holding a strategy day on 4 May to discuss how the MCF evolves in the future. In particular, they will consider whether to expand the support that's available and how to reach out to more people.

As we look to the future, I am determined that the MCF will adapt to the changing needs of both the Craft and society, and provide even better support for those who need us.

/'//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////,

Community Awards update In 2017, the Masonic Charitable Foundation will give an extra £3 million to 300 charities operating locally across England and Wales to celebrate UGLE's 300th anniversary.

All Provinces were asked to nominate a number of local charities to be considered for a Community Award grant of up to £25,000. MCF staff are now in the process of ensuring these charities meet the necessary criteria and are charities we would

70

be proud to support. We will then ask the public to vote on the shortlisted charities in their area.

The vote will open in June, and it will be the first time that the public have been asked how they would like the masonic community to support people in need where they live.

FIND OUT MORE To find out more and

to register to vote, visit www.mcf.org.uk/ communityawards

BETTER LIVES MAGAZINE The new Masonic Charitable Foundation newsletter magazine Better Lives is now available. To view the latest issue or to request copies, visit www.mcf.org.uk/ better-lives-firstissue-now-available

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PAINTING IN THE REVERSE The acquisition of a painting of the Prince of Wales by the Library and Museum reveals the Chinese art of glass painting

T

he Library and Museum's collection is extensive, but just occasionally there is an opportunity to add more objects or books to its world-class displays. One such occasion occurred in November 2016 when Library and Museum staff noticed that a painting of the Prince of Wales (who would become King George IV) was being sold at auction. And unusually, this was a painting on glass.

Library and Museum of Freemasonry Freemasons' Hall, 60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ Open Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm

freemasonrytoday.com

The Chinese practice of reverseglass painting dates back to the early 1700s. In Europe the fashion for such pieces became popular in the 1750s but, given their fragile nature, few examples survive.

In this case, the glass artist copied a portrait of the Prince of Wales in masonic regalia with the breast star of the Order of the Garter, seated on the Grand Master's throne. The Prince was Grand Master of the Modems

www.freemasonry.london.museum Tel: 020 7395 9257 Email: libmus@freemasonry.london.museum Shop: www.letchworthshop.co.uk

Grand Lodge from 1790 to 1813.

The glass painting is now on display at the Library and Museum.

The original painting, circa 1802, is by Edmund Scott (1758-1815) and is held in the collections of the Brighton and Hove Museums and Art Galleries - but Scott also drew and engraved a print of the portrait, a copy of which (pictured above left) was already held by the Library and Museum.

ACCREDITED

MUSEUM

73

LETTERS

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

MOBILITY MATTERS Sir, I read with interest your article in the winter issue of Freemasonry Today about buggies for children with movement disabilities, in particular the Wizzybug, a fun motorised wheelchair for under-fives, and the Masonic Charitable Foundation grant of £38,250 to Designability - an admirable organisation, if I may say so.

We of the South Cheshire Masonic Golf Society have for 40 years been engaged in the fundraising and purchase of our variant of this machine: a sporting, strippeddown version, at a cost of £3,800.

In June this year we celebrate the handover of our 50th powerchair at a nearby golf club. To celebrate the handover during the celebration of 300 years of Grand Lodge, our Provincial Grand Master, Stephen Blank, and his team will attend a presentation at the golf club.

74

Write to: The Editor, Freemasonry Today, Freemasons' Hall, Great Queen Street, London WC2B SAZ Email: editor@ugle.org.uk The opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Grand Lodge of England. All UGLE members' letters printed are appended with the contributor's name, his mother lodge name and number, the town where that lodge meets, and the Province; please include these details at the foot of your letter. Please enclose an SAE for any items sent by mail that you wish to have returned.

As your account states, when children are first installed in these chairs and realise what can make them 'go', the delight on their faces is a great pleasure to witness - there is no dry eye in the house.

We recently made great strides in membership increases, raising our society membership number from 35 to 109, and we now include nonmasons as associate members, which can increase funds raised and introduce people to Freemasonry.

Our powerchairs are a very strippeddown version, yet comfortable for children to sit in. They are adjustable as the child grows older and need an increase in chair size. This, together with a regular service programme, makes a bargain out of £3,800.

Our society was started by a Chester businessman back in the 1970s when he saw an article in a magazine about the Peter Alliss Masters organisation, which Alliss had set up with similar aims as ourselves: a summer day's fun on the golf course and something for the community at the same time (enquiries welcome).

hierarchy although, thankfully and clearly, not experienced by Alex.

When I have the privilege of presenting a Grand Lodge Certificate to a relatively new brother, I sometimes ask, 'What is the colour of your apron?' and the reply is always 'light blue'.

I then ask the colour of my apron which is invariably given as 'dark blue'.

I then assure him that my questions were not to embarrass him and say, 'The answer to both questions is white.'

I explain that the different shades of blue and other embellishments serve only to distinguish the different stages of progress brethren have made in the Craft, so be he an Entered Apprentice on the evening of his initiation or the Grand Master - and all levels in between - we all wear a white apron, the badge of innocence, and in this context we are all equal. Do I hear, 'Yes, but some are more equal than others'? I hope not.

Michael Weeden, Windsor Castle Lodge, No. 771, Windsor, Berkshire

Gil Auckland, Loyal City Lodge, No. 4839, Chester, Cheshire

KIND OF BLUE Sir, I enjoyed Peter Watts's article in the last issue and in particular, Alex Rhys's comment, 'I can sit next to a judge or a student and we are all on the same level.' I'd like to think this is the experience of all our brethren, but I doubt whether it is always so. In my view, there is still in some instances too much emphasis placed on our

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HIDDEN EXTRAS Sir, I was interested to read in 'The Title Deeds of the Craft' by John Hamill (winter issue) that the Old Charges were, at one time, read as part of the ceremony of making a mason.

My lodge, together with many others in Plymouth, uses a ritual known as 'A Common Sense Working of the Ceremonies of Craft Masonry', also known as 'The Plymouth Working'.

Immediately before the candidate for initiation advances to the pedestal to take his obligation, he is addressed by the Worshipful Master with the words of section one of The Charges of a Freemason, beginning 'A mason is obliged, by his tenure .. .' This address is included in ritual books going back as far as the sixth edition in 1921 and must be presumed to have existed well before this date; in fact, there is mention of the Plymouth Working as far back as 1832.

I would be interested to know if this is unique or if this address, or any other form of address based on the Ancient Charges, occurs in other rituals used in lodges under the umbrella of the United Grand Lodge of England.

Antony Ireland, St John the Evangelist Lodge, No. 4405, Plymouth,

:

.

I've always found that it is the little differences between lodges and different customs that keeps Freemasonry interesting. The more engaged our new members feel, the more they will want to learn, get more involved and want to remain in our great institution.

Steve Adams, Kendrick Lodge, No. 2043, Sindlesham, Berkshire

Devonshire

Sir, It is interesting to read how other lodges are presenting their initiates with extra useful items to make them feel welcome as they begin their journey in Freemasonry.

In my own lodge, when the candidate is handed the Book of Constitutions and lodge by-laws, we also give him a pocket-sized card with the questions and answers for the passing ceremony, and another that has the words for the opening and closing odes, as well as for the Festive Board grace. The latter would be useful to many a brother who hasn't been told that there is no 'and'!

When we are at the Festive Board, we read out a poem called 'His Initiation', which is about the ceremony they have just completed. A personalised framed version is then presented to them as a reminder that 'the best event in a mason's life is his initiation'.

freemasonrytoday.com

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Sir, On 25 January, brother Allan Harley, Master of Knole Lodge, No. 8996, accompanied by brother Alan Davies, visited the Bournemouth Foodbank in St Leonard's Road, Charminster to present a gift of ÂŁ500 as part of his lodge's support oflocal charities.

The foodbank is staffed by a team of volunteers and forms part of UK-wide charity The Trussell Trust. On arrival Allan was met by Mrs Rebecca Lent, office manager, who gave him a briefing on the many activities undertaken by the staff, which include, in addition to emergency food aid, debt counselling, budgeting and everyday cooking skills.

This was followed by a tour of the facilities, during which Allan remarked on the enormous variety of the food stocks and other household items that had been donated by the public.

Mrs Lent said that the Bournemouth

Foodbank is all about helping those who are in need - it's the passion that drives them. She pointed out that in August and September alone Bournemouth Foodbank helped almost 600 people. She thanked the brethren of Knole Lodge for their generosity and said that this money would be used in fostering the activities of the charity.

Allan and Alan thanked Mrs Lent for giving them a most interesting insight into the workings of The Trussell Trust foodbank charity and assured her of more masonic support.

John Harper, Knole Lodge, No. 8996, Bournemouth, Hampshire & Isle of Wight

WHO'S COUNTING? Sir, How many other readers spotted the lodge numbers of your correspondents on page 73 of the autumn 2016 edition of Freemasonry Today? Alan R Farrar is a member of Strathmore Lodge, No. 6229, Barnard Castle, Durham, and Ralph E Gray is a member of Excester Lodge, No. 6228, Exeter, Devon. I suspect it will be many years before this happens again. Perhaps they could arrange to visit each other's lodges and compare notes.

Peter R Reeve, Granville Lodge, No. 3405, Bude, Cornwall

75

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Using a tablet gn be easy... once you've been shown how properly.

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Calling all iPad or Android Tablet owners If you everfind your tabletfrustrating, aren't quite sure how to do things or just think you might not be getting all you shouldfrom it, readon...

T

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Director of Special Projects John Hamill explores the history behind the Grand Stewards, the lodge without a number

L

ike many membership organisations, Freemasonry relies on volunteers to run smoothly. One of the longest-serving groups of volunteers is the Grand Stewards, whose members, because of their privilege of wearing crimson collars and edging to their aprons, can cause confusion when they visit outside London.

The Grand Stewards' prime function is to organise the Grand Festival, which immediately follows the annual investiture of Grand Officers on the last Wednesday in April each year. That has its origins in the famous meeting that took place on 24 June 1717 when the first Grand Lodge was formed. Indeed, for the first few years the annual feast and election of the new Grand Master appears to have been all that Grand Lodge did.

As the 1720s advanced and the number oflodges and members increased, organising the Grand Feast became more complex, so a number of individuals volunteered as stewards for the event.

GLITTERING SUCCESS In 1728, to formalise the arrangement, Grand Lodge invited 12 individuals to form a team to take on the preparations. This proved successful and the stewards became Grand Stewards, with their own jewel of office to be suspended from a crimson ribbon and the privilege of having their aprons lined and edged in the same colour. The original jewel was said to have been designed by William Hogarth, himself a Grand Steward in 1735.

The Grand Stewards received a further privilege in the same year when they were given a warrant as the Stewards Lodge.

Originally they also carried a number but, in 1792, the Grand Stewards Lodge was formed, which was permitted to meet 'without number, but first on the list of regular lodges'. Like the three time immemorial lodges, which formed the original 1717 Grand Lodge, the Grand Stewards Lodge meets without a warrant.

The Grand Stewards grew into a powerful body, with 12 representatives of the lodge entitled to attend and vote in Grand Lodge (usually only the Master and Wardens represented

a lodge). The Grand Officers, for much of the 18th century, were chosen from among their number. Both these practices were lost after the Union of the two Grand Lodges in 1813, although the Grand Stewards retained the right to occupy the front rows on the north and south areas of the Grand Temple.

Up until the Union, the outgoing Grand Stewards had the right of nominating their successors, which naturally led to the office becoming associated with a small group of London lodges.

Although the Antients Grand Lodge used stewards occasionally and had a Stewards Lodge (in effect, their Committee of Charity), they did not have a similar system of Grand Stewards.

After the Union in 1813, the Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Sussex, began to formalise many of the pre-Union practices.

In 1815, 18 London lodges were given the privilege of each year nominating one of their members for appointment by the Grand Master as a Grand Steward. Many of these lodges had previously provided Grand Stewards for the premier Grand Lodge.

The Grand Stewards were to assist at great ceremonials and the Quarterly Communication. In addition to organising the Grand Festival, they were to bear its cost. This later proved to be problematic and the present system was evolved, whereby Grand Lodge sets the ticket price for the Grand Festival and the Board of Grand Stewards makes its plans in the full knowledge that any costs exceeding those funds will fall on the board itself.

In making the new arrangements in 1815, the Duke of Sussex set up a curious anomaly. During their year of office, the Grand Stewards are Grand Officers. At the end of their year they become Past Grand Stewards and retain the right to wear their distinctive regalia but cease being Grand Officers - unless they are promoted or already hold Grand Rank.

On a number of occasions, I have seen consternation cross the brow of a lodge Director of Ceremonies when a Past Grand Steward visits his lodge. He does not fit into any of the conventional groups, so where does he go in the procession?

Is he saluted? And where does he fit in on the toast list ... ?

'APast Grand Steward does notfit into any of the conventionalgroups, so where does he go in the procession?'

82

LADIES FESTIVAL WEEKEND PACKAGES We pride ourselves in delivering fantastic and successful masonic lodge events at our three Hallmark Hotels in Bournemouth.

With award winning chefs and wide variety of beautiful function suites, you can relax knowing that everything's taken care of.

Our three hotels in Bournemouth are perfectly placed for a ladies festival weekend by the sea .......

Dog friendly and within 5 miles of award winning golf clubs, why stay anywhere else.

OUR HOTELS Hallmark Hotels offer a fantastic collection of 28 individual and authentic hotels around the UK, offering the best in British hospitality and where you're sure of a warm welcome.

At Hallmark Hotels we do our utmost to make you feel relaxed - a place where you belong. You're amongst friends here. And you're welcome to make it your home for as long as you choose to be with us.

WHY CHOOSE US FOR YOUR LADIES FESTIVAL WEEKEND? • Flexible terms and conditions • Complimentary overnight stay and show round • Complimentary sea view bedroom upgrade for the Master and Lodge Secretary.

• Dedicated co-ordinator who will be present at times throughout your weekend to support you and ensure it is a success.

If you wish to make a booking or discuss your upcoming event please contact our Events Team.

T. 0330 028 3411 E. carlton.conference@hallmarkhotels.co.uk

Hallmark Hotel Bouremouth Carlton• East Overcliff Drive, Bournemouth, BH1 3DN Hallmark Hotel Bournemouth West Cliff• Durley Chine Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 SJS Hallmark Hotel Bournemouth East Cliff• East Overcliff Drive, Bournemouth, BH1 3AN

www.hallmarkhotels.co.uk

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INSURANCE AWARDS 2015 FINALIST