5 minute read
From the Past Grand Secretary and Grand Scribe E
‘Be humble’ and ‘seize the day’ were painted on two small decorative rocks given to me by my predecessor, RW Bro Willie Shackell, when I took over from him as Grand Secretary five years ago. Unbelievably, the time has flown by and this shall be my last Grand Secretary’s (and Grand Scribe E’s) welcome column having retired gracefully to the back benches. I hope I have lived up to his expectations in both respects. Not for the faint-hearted is a role that combines so many different facets and demands, and as I hand on to my successor, I wish him and the staff at Freemasons’ Hall the best of luck and my most sincere good wishes for the future.
Considering, for a moment, how Freemasonry has evolved over the past five years, I wish to extend my thanks to all those who have given so much of themselves to improve the perception of the Craft, and its administration, and am delighted with the public profile we now enjoy. It’s extraordinary to think of how we were portrayed and represented in the media such a short time ago, and how far we have come.
Often, so many who contribute to the day-to-day running of the Craft, from members of the board, working parties, the staff and, of course, members in our Provinces and Districts overseas, do so without thanks or recognition from the wider membership. Freemasonry would be much the poorer without their hard work and I pay tribute to their efforts on your behalf, without which we would be a much more modest organisation. In May, I was fortunate enough to travel overseas on my final trip as Grand Secretary. It is a constant source of jealousy with my NHS colleagues that my role enabled me to travel and meet so many wonderful people who I might never otherwise have known.
Africa was my destination on this occasion – Orange Free State and Zambia. A whistle-stop tour of both Districts and a wonderfully warm welcome reminded me that UGLE is a truly global organisation. Remember our international presence and brethren when you are travelling abroad, and if you are able to slip away for an evening, it is always well worth a visit. So rarely is one able to discover a local take on the places we visit, but our Districts provide a fabulous wealth of knowledge.
Another passion of mine has been the high ceremonial that I have been lucky enough to witness and be a part of. No other Grand Lodge in the world manages ceremonial like UGLE and again, as I disappear out the door, I thank, on your behalf, the Grand Director of Ceremonies and his team for all that they do at home and abroad to maintain the very high standards for which we are renowned. Despite how easy they make it look, we all know the hard work and time it takes to develop and exhibit such polish, without which we would, again, be the poorer.
September marks a very special time in the history of UGLE. How the new Pro Grand Master, RW Bro Jonathan Spence, chooses to represent the MW Grand Master and lead the Craft, and the decisions he makes now will have wide-reaching effects not only for English Freemasonry, but for the whole Craft across the world. I wish him wisdom and patience in the discharge of his important Trust, knowing he will conduct himself with skill and integrity.
The installation of a new Pro Grand Master marks another chapter in a more than 300-year history of a truly unique institution and from what I have been privileged to see, especially with regard to the new strategy, this fresh chapter promises to be a fabulously exciting time. Such opportunities are few and far between, and while UGLE will always be there to offer advice and guidance, it is up to you, our members, to carry forward who we are and what we do to the world – and, most importantly, why you enjoy Freemasonry.
So, be proud of your Freemasonry, as I am. Be thoughtful of members who need our help and continue to look after the communities from which we are drawn, as we did so well during the pandemic. May your God go with you in your daily lives, be beside you in times of trouble and hardship, may he look kindly upon your efforts at home and at work, and may he continue to preserve the Queen and the Craft.
Dr David Staples
Past Grand Secretary and Grand Scribe E
40
Issue 59 – Autumn 2022
Editor Donna Hardie Editorial Panel Michelle Worvell, Shaun Butler, Guy Roberts, Martin Cherry, Julian Perry (Culture editor)
Published by Sunday, 207 Union Street, London SE1 0LN, www.wearesunday.com for the United Grand Lodge of England, Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ Editorial Manager Shaun Butler editor@freemasonrytoday.com Freemasonry Today, Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ Advertising contact Gaynor Garton gaynor@square7media.co.uk 020 3283 4056 Square7 Media Ltd, 3 More London Riverside, London SE1 2RE Circulation fmt@freemasonrytoday.com 020 7395 9392
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© United Grand Lodge of England 2022. The opinions herein are those of the authors or persons interviewed only and do not reflect the views of the United Grand Lodge of England or Sunday.
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Welcome
Dr David Staples welcomes you to the autumn issue
Out & About
6 Provincial and District news
The 1723 Constitutions, plus Bedfordshire’s new Scout hut and the Peter Lowndes golf day in Cyprus
Stories
40 The interview
As he prepares to take over as Pro Grand Master of UGLE, Jonathan Spence talks of his hopes for Freemasonry
44 Driving force
Cumberland and Westmorland Freemasons take aid to Ukraine
48 Beacons and brotherhood
Lighting the Platinum Jubilee beacon at Freemasons’ Hall
A daily advancement
52 Inventing the future
Museum of Freemasonry’s new exhibition
54 Brothers past
The life of librarian Henry Sadler
Grand Lodge
58 Quarterly Communication
Pro Grand Master Peter Lowndes looks back at 50 years of Freemasonry
60 Solomon
New module Welcome Companion
44
6
The Royal Arch
66 The Supreme Grand Chapter
The new Royal Arch Membership and Communications Working Party
Culture
68 Books, reviewed by you In the community
71 Charity and the Craft
How the MCF and Freemasons support members and their families nationwide
Fraternal world
77 Home and abroad
UGLE Lodges around the world
80 Your tweets
82 Thēsauros
The fascinating and unusual
