24 minute read
News and views from the Provinces
18
Issue 53 – Spring 2021
Editor Donna Hardie Editorial Panel Michelle Worvell, Guy Roberts, Shaun Butler, Dean Simmons, Barry Hughes, 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
Masonic enquiries editor@freemasonrytoday.com 020 7831 9811 www.ugle.org.uk Printed by Walstead Roche
© United Grand Lodge of England 2021. 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
3 From the Grand Secretary and Grand Scribe E
Dr David Staples welcomes you to the spring issue
Out and about
6 News and views from the Provinces
UGLE’s new shop and care in the crisis
Stories
18 Bravery and brotherhood
The military Freemasons united in cameraderie and charity
24 60 seconds with...
Steven Varley, Provincial Grand Master for Derbyshire and lifelong Freemason
26 Provincial profile
Focus on Bedfordshire Freemasonry
28 The Interview: Michelle Worvell
UGLE’s advocate of the Craft
A daily advancement
34 QC writes
Dr Ric Berman on masonic research
36 Brothers past
Georgian architect Nicholas Hawksmoor
38 Museum of Freemasonry
Historical summons to attend meetings
Grand Lodge
42 Quarterly Communication Pro Grand Master Peter Lowndes
44 Project Hermes
Advances in data and digitisation
6
28
48 Next level for Solomon
Creating a shared experience we all enjoy
50 Hidden gems
Some of the treasures on loan at the Museum of Freemasonry
The Royal Arch
54 Antient history
The story of trailblazer Laurence Dermott
Culture
60 Book reviews and crossword
In the community
65 Charity and the Craft
How the MCF and Freemasons nationwide are providing a much-needed lifeline
Fraternal world
69 Home and abroad
UGLE lodges around the world
72 Letters
74 Your tweets
82 Thēsauros
Fascinating and unusual views from masonic history
Out About
A roundup of what’s happening in the world of Freemasonry
The grand opening
The new UGLE shop is set in the exquisite Art Deco Drawing Room of its London HQ
The new ‘Shop at Freemasons’ Hall’ was launched in December at the Covent Garden headquarters of the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), and offers a beautiful and unique range of gifts, souvenirs and Savile Row tailoring related to Freemasonry.
The shop is located in the heart of Freemasons’ Hall and is twice the size of the previous one. Sympathetically designed by specialist design studio Lumsden which specialises in historical and protected buildings, the new-look emporium has a museum gift shop feel that respects the heritage of Freemasonry while offering an improved and generous visitor experience.
The magnificent space retains the historic feel of the old Drawing Room, featuring several pieces of the original furniture and architrave, as well as portraits of past Freemasons – all of which stayed in situ as part of the new design.
You’ll find a unique selection of new products in the store, including books, Freemasonry regalia, men’s grooming ranges, jewellery, scarves, ties, and gift collections based on the museum, library, Art Deco era and Freemasonry in general.
Dr David Staples, Chief Executive and Grand Secretary of UGLE said, ‘I am delighted to launch this project, which we planned with so much attention and dedication during the lockdown. When Freemasons’ Hall opens once again, visitors will be able to enjoy an eye-catching shop, with a wide product range for all ages.’
The expanded product range can be viewed at www.letchworthshop.co.uk, while a new website to support the redesigned shop is coming soon.
The jewel-bright regalia and gifts for sale in the old Drawing Room
1 WEST KENT
Protect & serve
Two masonic centres in the Province of West Kent are being used in the effort to vaccinate vulnerable people against COVID-19. Tunbridge Wells Masonic Centre has hosted vaccination arrangements in the local area since mid-January, while The Westwood in Welling is providing a similar service in Bexley.
Honour bound
West Kent’s Provincial Grand Master Mark Estaugh formally congratulated Freemason Dean Wilson for being awarded the MBE in the New Year’s Honours List. Dean is a member of Trismegistus Lodge, No. 9020, and was initiated on 23 November 2006.
Dean served in the London Fire Brigade for more than 30 years, retiring in July 2019. He is now proprietor of Dean Wilson Funeral Directors and served as a magistrate in Bexley and Bromley for 11 years. Dean received his MBE for Public and Voluntary Services in South East London.
2 CHESHIRE
We’ll meet again
The Grand Secretary & Grand Scribe E Dr David Staples addressed the Cheshire Masters’ and Masons’ Forum in the first week of January. With an online audience of more than 250 Freemasons, Dr Staples wished the members a happy new year, describing 2021 as ‘the year Freemasonry gets going again’.
The special event, organised by Michael Shiels, Chairman of the Cheshire Masters’ and Masons’ Forum, was framed around a series of questions put forward by the attendees. They were addressed by Provincial Grand Master of Cheshire Stephen Blank, who congratulated Brian Mayoh on reaching 50 years in Freemasonry that evening.
Dr Staples told the assembly that a key priority for Freemasonry in 2021 will be to ensure an even greater level of transparency between the fraternity and the public, in order to put an end to the often talked about misconceptions surrounding the organisation.
He was also able to shed light on some of the valid fears about the manner in which Freemasons meetings will be held in a post-vaccination world, saying that medical guidance is at the forefront of UGLE’s decision. The work done by masonic halls across the country was applauded, with a special mention for Cheshire View which is being used as a vaccination station (see below).
Following a series of questions discussing the use of online meeting platforms such as Zoom, Dr Staples indicated that modernisation of the organisation will inevitably take place, but will be proportionate. He assured members that such new measures would not dilute the significance of actual lodge meetings. However, new forms of communication such as the successful First Rising newsletter will continue after the pandemic is over, with Dr Staples recognising the importance of communication and its relationship with membership retention.
Working together
Cheshire Freemasons have been supporting their community in the fight against COVID-19, with the entire ground floor of the masonic hall at Cheshire View being used as a major vaccination hub. A team of doctors and nurses from six large rural GP practices has been based at the hall, along with experienced medics and nurses recalled from retirement, recently retrained vaccinators and a crew of willing volunteers.
Andy Tong, COVID-19 Safety Officer and Finance Director for Cheshire View, said, ‘I am proud of the hard work and focus of the team at the hall during these difficult times. Their commitment to our masonic principles has enabled us to find a way to continue to serve our entire local community, working towards unlocking 2021 with every visit and with every vaccination.’
Above left: Cheshire’s masonic hall is at the heart of the Province’s vaccination drive
3 YORKSHIRE WR
Captains of industry
Masonic documents dating back 167 years are lifting the lid on a Bradford Masonic Order’s Germanic roots. The now closed Chapter of Sincerity was consecrated in 1854 and it initially met at The Literary Institute on Darley Street. Among the items found were regalia, aprons, robes, banners, collars, certificates, detailed minute books and financial ledgers.
The records reveal that a good number of those who founded the chapter were German, or from Germanic descent, who came to Bradford to work in the city’s burgeoning cloth and textiles industry. The founder and First Principal was Joseph Arnold Unna, who is recorded as taking a great interest in local trade and charitable organisations. Born in Hamburg in 1800, he came to Leeds in 1836, before moving to Bradford in 1844, to take charge of the local branch of a Manchester merchanting house, Messrs SL Behrens & Co.
Following on from its consecration, the chapter met at various locations in addition to The Literary Institute. These were the Connaught Rooms, Spring Bank Place off Manningham Lane and finally, from December 2015 until its closure last October, Pudsey Masonic Hall.
John Watson, who joined the Chapter of Sincerity in 1997, said, ‘The chapter minute books give a fascinating insight into its first meetings and the Freemasons who helped found it back in 1854. While it’s a great pity the Chapter of Sincerity is no more, Bradford still has a strong masonic community, with members drawn from across the community who are keen to be part of our fraternal organisation.
‘My hope is that these records, and those from masonic lodges and chapters across our Province, are digitised and made accessible to the general public.’
4 EAST KENT
Driving force
The Salvation Army got together with the emergency services to provide welfare support for lorry drivers caught up in severe traffic delays at Dover. Drivers found themselves stuck in Kent when France closed its border to the UK, and they were stranded for a number of days unable to get food or water. As the
Right: Freemason Rich Precious played a part in saving a man’s life using CPR situation unfolded, and with many lorry drivers unable to return to their loved ones for the festive season, the Freemasons of East Kent supplied an early Christmas present of £1,000. This was donated to the Salvation Army South East team who had already been providing food boxes to the stranded drivers.
Aware of local Freemasons’ concern for the drivers, Stephen Salisbury, head of Group 7 for the Dover area, was quick to react to support the Salvation Army in their work of delivering food.
‘The money is part of a relief fund provided by the Cornwallis East Kent Freemasons’ Charity, said Stephen. ‘In these difficult times, we are only too pleased to be able to help and support our local communities and, of course, people who find themselves in need.’
5 LINCOLNSHIRE
Recovery position
Lincolnshire Freemason Rich Precious of Astral Lodge in Grimsby delivered a Christmas miracle for a Louth family by being on hand to perform CPR on a man who had collapsed in the street. With the help of a passing doctor, ambulance crew and Grimsby hospital cardiologists, Rich played a part in saving the man’s life, but modestly claims that anyone would have done the same in that situation.
‘I was in the right place at the right time, and played a part of what was a real team effort,’ he said. ‘After more than 20 years as a police officer, instinct took over, and we were able to do as much as we could for him until help arrived. I’m humbled to think I’ve made a difference.’
But that’s not how it’s seen by the family of Jess Hill, the man who collapsed in Louth’s Newmarket. His son Tom told the Louth Leader, ‘I am so grateful to PC Precious and all of the people who helped to save his life, and those who continue to provide care in hospital. Our family life would be very different without dad, and the selfless actions of everyone means he is still with us. I can’t say thank you enough.’
Jess’s wife Pauline told the Leader, ‘Thank you so much for your help this morning. You saved his life and I for one will be eternally grateful, there are no words. We owe you, thank you again so much.’
Mr Hill is now back at home continuing his recovery.
6 EAST LANCS
What do I bid?
Manchester Level Club, the group for young and new Freemasons in East Lancashire, recently held a charity auction and raised £4,000 for a cause close to the hearts of all Manchester Freemasons – children’s charity Wood Street Mission. The Zoom event was hosted by Global Auctioneers, a company owned by Manchester Freemason and member of Friendship Lodge, Marcel Duffy.
On the night, Darren Fletcher (MLC Chairman) acted as auctioneer for the event. He was joined by Manchester District Chairmen Chris Wildman and Paul O’Carroll. Sophie Bell of Wood Street Mission also attended, and was thrilled by the sum of money that was raised for the various auction lots that had been generously donated by the masonic community. The star lot was a 1981/1982 signed Manchester City shirt which had been donated by Chris Welton and which sold for more than £300.
Sophie says, ‘The incredible amount of money raised will support the children that Wood Street Mission helps through their Family Basics project, providing day-to-day essentials like children’s clothes, toiletries, bedding, towels and baby equipment. As a completely independent charity, Wood Street Mission relies on the local community to support work that helps improve the lives of local children. This amount will enable them to fund 160 children through Family Basics for an entire year.’ started a fundraising initiative to raise enough money to provide a Christmas hamper for every youngster. Derbyshire and Staffordshire Freemasons, along with members of the community, were quick to respond. The initial target of £1,800 was surpassed and rose to a figure in excess of £9,000.
Trandeep Sethi of Lodge of Repose in Derbyshire, a business manager working in safeguarding for a local council, said, ‘Malcolm, I cannot express to you the difference you continue to make in the lives of these children. You have made them smile when they have said they have nothing to smile about, you have made them cry with happiness. The hampers will remind them that people care, they have people that they can turn to and not to give up. I would go as far as saying that some are only here because of you!’
7 DERBYSHIRE
Comfort and joy
For those of us lucky enough to spend Christmas with loved ones, it’s easy to forget that there are people less fortunate. Many spent the festive season alone with no one to share it with. Young care leavers are an example of this – the care system considers its role complete when youngsters are 16, and they’re not eligible for council housing until they’re 18.
Many of the young people in this age bracket have suffered through no fault of their own but are nevertheless deemed by the state to be able to look after themselves. Very often taken into care in the first place because of abuse, violence or abandonment, they are
Left: The £4,000 raised at auction will help the Wood Street Mission charity now sent into the world ill-equipped to deal with their circumstances and with virtually nothing available to them by way of support.
Having recognised their plight, Malcolm Prentice (Derbyshire Province’s Heritage Officer) has for the past few years been instrumental in organising a Christmas lunch for them at Freemasons’ Hall, Burton upon Trent. Working with local care teams and volunteers from Derbyshire and Staffordshire Freemasons, he has been able to provide a safe and enjoyable event where they can have a hearty meal, talk to their peers, share stories, support each other and feel valued. They also leave with a gift bag and a Christmas card with a gift voucher.
This year, of course, there could be no Christmas party, so Malcolm, along with his band of helpers,
8 WARWICKSHIRE
Those in need
Knowle Masonic Centre (KMC) hosted an initiative on 5 December 2020 to collect food, toiletries and toys for less fortunate people at Christmas.
All donated items were taken to the Renewal Church in Solihull – the main distribution centre for the Trussell Trust. All items were sorted and stored to provide emergency access to thousands of people who rely on the support of caring communities. The church made nearly 100 food drops a day to deserving people in the local Solihull area. KMC also donated £500 to them from its members in order to buy further food bank items.
The toys were originally destined for the local hospital but the pandemic put a stop to that. Instead, KMC took them all to Birmingham City Mission – an organisation that delivers toys, books and puzzles to around 3,000 children in the area.
Bearing in mind the situation, KMC wants to express its gratitude for the generosity of its members, lodges, chapters and other units. KMC particularly extends its appreciation to Junior Chamber and Grosvenor Lodges for their commendable cash donations. The sum of £1,000 received by KMC’s community funds account has been shared equally between the Trust and the Mission so that more food and toys could be provided to help members of the community.
9 SOUTH WALES
Safety first
South Wales Freemasons have come to the aid of a Cardiff scout group, with a £425 donation to purchase PPE. Over the spring and summer of 2020,
Left: thanks to the South Wales Freemasons, Cardiff scouts can meet again the 3rd Rhiwbina Scout Group in Cardiff met over Zoom. But when group activity was once again allowed in Wales following the national lockdown, it wanted their beavers, cubs and scouts to resume their normal meetings, albeit outside to start with. For this to happen, the scout group needed enough PPE to ensure the safety of the children and the leaders. So it approached the Freemasons for financial help.
The group funds its activities through subscriptions and income from the Cardiff and Vale Christmas Scout Post. However, this year income has dried up, mainly because the 2020 Scout Post was cancelled because of safety concerns. Meanwhile, outgoings have not reduced, and this has caused a problem for scout groups all over Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.
Following the request, the South Wales Freemasons donated £425 for the purchase of PPE, enabling the group to meet safely again.
10 CAMBRIDGESHIRE
Take a seat
The education and meeting facilities at Arthur Rank Hospice will be able to accommodate more people during the COVID-19 restrictions, thanks to new furniture provided by a £2,500 grant from Cambridgeshire Freemasons.
Until the rule of six commenced, government guidelines about maintaining a two-metre distance meant the hospice was restricted to meetings with a maximum of 15 people. Now, thanks to the donation of new chairs, that number can be increased to 20 as soon as restrictions are lifted. This will enable training sessions, meetings, events and fundraising activities to take place much more easily and efficiently.
As well as accommodating its own activites, the Hospice’s Education & Conference Centre – which can host up to 90 delegates – is also available for hire. This provides another important income stream, contributing to the £4.27 million that needs to be raised for the charity annually to supplement the NHS contribution.
Kay Hardwick, head of education and practice development at Arthur Rank, said, ‘We’re so grateful to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cambridgeshire and the Masonic Charitable Foundation [MCF, the Freemasons’ charity], for this support. They will help us to provide our specialist education to medical and healthcare professionals while keeping everyone safe.’
11 CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND
Supply and demand
The Freemasons of Cumberland and Westmorland were busy supporting the Cumbrian community with donations and voluntary activity during 2020. The Province made donations of more than £87,600, supporting five local hospices and five food banks which provided and delivered much-needed supplies to local families that were in severe need.
Among the donations was one of £15,000 presented to LifeLites, a children’s charity that has been a great supporter of the Jigsaw Children’s Hospice in Carlisle for many years.
Westmorland Youth Orchestra, Scarbrough Court RMBI home and 18 smaller charities also received donations from the Provincial Grand Masters’ Charity Initiative, enabling them to carry on their community work during lockdowns and other restrictions.
Cleator Moor Civic Hall and Masonic Centre has played a huge part in providing a base for food banks and community services in West Cumbria. For example, voluntary community sewing group Scrub Hub has relied on the centre to co-ordinate its production of more than 3,000 handmade scrubs for NHS staff across the county. Material was measured, cut, sewn together, packed and distributed from the Masonic Centre.
And at the end of 2020, Freemasons were able to celebrate the delivery of the 50,000th teddy bear to A&E departments across Cumbrian hospitals as part of the TLC bears programme.
12 NORTH WALES
Sunday service
North Wales Freemasons have delivered 8,271 free Sunday lunches to people living in Bangor and Anglesey. The initiative was funded by a £4,000
North Wales Freemasons have delivered more than 8,000 free Sunday lunches donation from the North Wales Freemasons’ Charity, together with a further £2,000 from A&M Catering and £3,600 from individuals and lodges in Groups 1 & 2.
Member of Royal Leek Lodge Martin Wynne Jones, together with a team of volunteers, delivered the free lunches during the first lockdown. Deliveries were sent out over 14 weeks to places far and wide: from Llanberis to Holyhead and from Penygroes to Penmaenmawr.
Pete Williams from Telford said, ‘Many thanks to North Wales Freemasons for firstly thinking about and including my 95-year-old grandmother, Megan, in this very generous endeavour. And secondly, for delivering the Sunday lunch to her door. She was truly grateful.’
Martin Wynne Jones, Manager at Bangor Masonic Hall, said, ‘It typifies the spirit of North Wales Freemasons to help our local community. I would like to thank everyone who supported this initiative, giving their time on Sundays to deliver more than 8,000 meals to those vulnerable and in need within our community.’
Comfort food
Through the COVID-19 Response Group, North Wales Freemasons have donated £9,500 to support Nightingale House Hospice’s new mobile food service Meals Matter. Meals Matter is an innovative food service by the award-winning team and chefs at the hospice’s Caffi Cwtch. The programme helped some of the most vulnerable people in the Wrexham area by delivering meals to their homes during lockdown.
‘We have already received excellent feedback on the Meals Matter service and the speedy delivery,’ said Steve Parry, chief executive of Nightingale House. ‘We have also found the phone calls have been a good chance to speak to those who are self-isolating and may be feeling lonely. I would like to offer my sincere thanks to North Wales Freemasons for their generous support at this most difficult time for our community.’
John Charles Hoult, Provincial Grand Master, said, ‘I visited Nightingale House Hospice before the COVID-19 crisis and was impressed by their first-class facilities. The warmth of the welcome from all the staff and volunteers highlighted why this is clearly a special place within the community. I am delighted to see our significant support for this vital project and wish everyone at the hospice well with their new Meals Matter initiative.’
For more information on Caffi Cwtch and fundraising for Nightingale House Hospice, visit
www.nightingalehouse.co.uk
Street force
Thanks to the work of UGLE’s Covid Response Team, the homeless will receive more than £850,000 in donations to protect them this winter
Having donated £1 million between April and July to help those impacted by COVID-19, Freemasons are now focusing on protecting the homeless with a new series of donations across England and Wales.
The homeless crisis has been exacerbated by the pandemic, with many people losing their jobs and finding themselves either living on the streets or in unsuitable living conditions. In 2019, Shelter estimated that 280,000 people were homeless in England, while the Greater London Authority reported 4,227 people sleeping rough in London
between April and June 2020. Of those, 2,680 were sleeping on the streets for the first time.
The funds raised will help provide safe living conditions, healthcare, meals and employment opportunities, as well as protecting homeless people from the winter weather, which kills hundreds every year. In addition, Freemasons will be volunteering their time at 26 homeless support organisations.
Dr David Staples, Chief Executive of the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), said, ‘We are expecting a harsh winter so it’s essential to protect and support the homeless. Hundreds die every year on our streets during these months, which is a shocking statistic. And due to the pandemic, many vulnerable people have found themselves on the streets for the first time.
‘In this second phase of donations, following our initial contributions during the COVID-19 crisis, we have donated the largest part of the funding towards helping the homeless. We hope this will provide those in need with somewhere safe to stay during the winter, but also offer them more long-term help to get off the streets and into secure accommodation.’
Among the organisations being prioritised by UGLE is homeless charity Emmaus. The money is being distributed to Emmaus centres in Surrey, Yorkshire, Kent, Oxford, Bedfordshire, Lancashire, Hampshire, Suffolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Middlesex.
In London, Freemasons are supporting Only a Pavement Away – a charity that provides employment for the homeless within the hospitality industry. The donation will fund courses in the charity’s life skills programme for homeless people, helping them to live independently.
The Freemasons’ donations will also fund an in-home starter kit containing a cookery book, cooking utensils, and an essential ingredients box. This is in addition to the provision of key items of kitchen equipment, such as a cooker, microwave and fridge. Participants will be supported after the course finishes with access to the Employment Pathways support service.
In Wales, Brenda Fogg started Hope Restored in 2010 to distribute food and blankets to the homeless community, having been homeless herself for a time. The Freemasons are now supporting the project.
Brenda said, ‘Each and every person who comes through our doors is met with a smile and a warm welcome. Our relaxed friendly atmosphere provides a welcome respite from the harsh realities of their lives, if only for a few hours. I want to thank the Freemasons for their generous support.’
For the past few years, Freemasons in Northumberland have donated both their time and Christmas gifts to the residents of homeless veterans’ charity Launchpad, and they returned to visit on 23 December to deliver fresh fruit and festive presents.
These initiatives are just the start of phase two of the Freemasons’ donations, and UGLE will announce the next round of funding packages and charitable initiatives in due course.
In 2019, Shelter estimated that 280,000 people were homeless in England
WAYS IN WHICH FREEMASONS WILL BE SUPPORTING PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY
More than 40,000 homeless people will be provided with essentials, transport and support, as well as help to access services such as counselling, healthcare and benefits.
Almost 197,000 meals will be provided to homeless people.
Approximately 600 people are being given employment and training opportunities.
Nearly 1,400 individuals are being provided with accommodation and support.
