Royal tour of care home

The Grand Master His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, KG visited a Berkshire care home named after the late Prince Philip to mark its official opening ceremony

Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh Court, the newly opened RMBI Care Co. home in Wokingham, welcomed a long-awaited guest when The Grand Master His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, KG visited. The home provides residential care, nursing and residential dementia support, and the visit marked its official opening.

His Royal Highness enjoyed a tour of the facilities with Home Manager Abigail Cranston, RMBI Care Co. Managing Director Mark Lloyd and the Chairman of RMBI Care Co. John Boyington CBE.

Residents and staff at the Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh Court had the opportunity to meet The Duke of Kent, who was pleased to greet them all.

Afterwards, The Duke of Kent unveiled an engraved stone plaque to commemorate the official opening of the care home. He met with the teams involved in its construction, including RMBI Care Co. directors and the architects. He also met representatives of the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF, the Freemasons' charity), led by President James Long and Chairman Sir Paul Williams.

The care home is run by RMBI Care Co., part of the MCF, and has been rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission. For more information, visit rmbi.org.uk

RMBI Care Co. was honoured to have The Grand Master His Royal Highness

The Duke of Kent, KG officially open the home

Treasures for the Tercentenary

In this special anniversary year of The 1723 Constitutions, the Province of Berkshire marks its significance with the commissioning of the Berkshire Hart Egg by Theo Fabergé

As part of its Tercentenary celebrations, the Province of Berkshire worked hard to provide a new home for its significant treasures, judiciously accumulated over a number of years. Using a significant bequest to its Library and Museum, the refurbishment project was completed in May 2019 and opened by the then Assistant Grand Master Sir David Wootton.

The Library and Museum, a registered charity, started life in 1896 at the Masonic Hall, Reading. It was created by members of the Grey Friars Lodge, with help from members of other Reading Lodges.

Following its move to the Berkshire Masonic Centre, Sindlesham, in 1969, the contents of the collections were put into storage until a room could be allocated to house the Library and Museum.

The museum collections contain some 3,500 items of ceramics, glassware, regalia, jewels and similar memorabilia – some of which are more than 200 years old. The library houses more than 20,000 books on Freemasonry, including many rare editions, making the collection one of the largest in England. There are also more than 3,000 certificates, prints, postcards, photographs and other archival items, as well as a reference database holding more than 90,000 records. These collections continue to increase in size and provide a valuable resource for reference and research by Freemasons and non-Freemasons alike. Naturally, one of its key exhibits is an original copy of Anderson’s The 1723 Constitutions, the centrepiece in this 300th celebration year.

While it is rewarding to trace our progress over the past 300 years, there is a need to ensure that modern Freemasonry also records its current practices and peculiarities for future generations. It is with this in mind that – as part of the Berkshire 2023 Festival run for the benefit of the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF, the Freemasons’ charity) – we thought about commissioning our own special legacy creation. The concept of the Berkshire Hart Egg and Pendant was born.

Under the personal direction of Philip Birkenstein, Chairman of the St Petersburg Collection, these unique English hallmarked limited editions were commissioned at no financial risk to the Province. Nothing similar has ever been created for Freemasonry or for the Masonic Charitable Foundation.

For many years a collector of fine decorative antiques, in 1984, Birkenstein started his association with British craftsman Theo Fabergé, grandson of Carl Fabergé, jeweller to the Tsars of Russia. They became firm friends and, 18 months later, their company was created, the result of a unique combination of the design and production skills of Fabergé and Birkenstein’s marketing expertise.

The Berkshire Hart Egg, which is on permanent display at the Berkshire Museum Sindlesham, is a limited edition of just 33, reflecting an association with the Antient and Accepted Rite. Created in Bristol blue crystal, it is based on Theo Fabergé’s Egg of the Covenant The specially designed decorations are sterling silver and hard gold plated with 18-carat gold and set with rubies.

The first amazing reveal is a work of exquisite craftsmanship, reflecting an intricate depiction of the Berkshire hart and oak tree located between celestial and terrestrial globes mounted on pillars. The significance of the globes is well known to Freemasons, depicting Masonry Universal. The first reveal is indented on the edge with Freemasonry’s core values of ‘Integrity, Respect, Friendship and Charity’ (often known as Brotherly Love,

Relief and Truth) and display the hallmark for sterling silver, including Theo Fabergé’s personal mark.

The exceptional second reveal depicts an interpretation of a rough and smooth ashlar, indented with gold placed on a red velvet locator. The locator and the red inserts found within the imperial crown itself allude to the indissoluble link between Craft and Royal Arch Freemasonry. The gold indented triangle on the ashlar reflects the Mark Master’s mark of approval of the work as being fitted for its place within the intended structure. In essence, since Freemasons strive for perfection of conduct, it symbolically marks our transition through life, one that is shaped by education, cultivation and brotherly love.

The complementary Berkshire Hart Pendant, a limited edition of just 100, coincides with Theo Fabergé’s centenary and has been conceived from the Dragon’s Passion – the first of his Fantasy Collection, launched in 1991.

The inside of the pendant bears on one side the Berkshire hart and oak tree, with the hallmark and edition number on the other. The pendant is made from sterling silver and enamel with a brilliant cut diamond to the front.

Despite a year’s delay as a consequence of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, an imperial dinner held at Sindlesham Court on 18 September 2021 celebrated the world launch of the spectacular Berkshire Hart Egg and Berkshire Hart Pendant. In the presence of Sir Paul Williams, Deputy President and Chairman of the Masonic Charitable Foundation, 86 guests celebrated the launch and received a presentation on the history of and creations by Theo Fabergé. The sale of eggs and pendants has already secured additional donations to the Festival.

Thoughts then turned to how the Province could appropriately mark the celebration of Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and reflect on the memory of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. It came to notice that one egg (the Trafalgar Egg ) had previously been presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and is permanently housed on HMS Victory in Portsmouth. Two others (the Milestones of Flight Egg and the Diamond Battle of Britain Propellers) had also been commissioned with the enthusiastic support of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.

The presentation of a Berkshire Hart Egg appeared to be an appropriate way forward and, thanks to the generosity of two private sponsors, financially feasible. A single special commission was given based on the Berkshire Hart Egg, bearing no serial number, but with a suitable engraved golden baseplate.

Following advice from the Grand Master, an approach was made to the Master of the Royal Household to determine whether such a gift would be considered appropriate by HM The Queen. The Province was advised that The Master had spoken to Her Majesty and that she would be delighted to receive such a gift.

Given the proximity and special nature of Windsor Castle and the Great Park, arrangements were put in hand to make the presentation to the new Constable and Governor of Windsor Castle. Unfortunately, events overtook matters and the country was rocked to learn of the death of HM The Queen on 8 September 2022, when we entered a period of national mourning.

Following discussion within the Province and with the Governor, it was considered that the sentiments behind the gift were still valid and that it would be an appropriate mark of respect to present the special Berkshire Hart Egg to His Majesty King Charles III to celebrate and remember the lives and devoted service of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. Appropriately, this base has been engraved simply with the words ‘To Memories’.

On Monday 31 October at Windsor Castle, the Provincial Grand Master

Anthony Howlett-Bolton OBE and a small team of senior Berkshire Freemasons, together with Philip Birkenstein, made their exceptional presentation of a Berkshire Hart Egg to the Constable and Governor of Windsor Castle Lt Gen Phil Jones CB CBE DL.

Anthony Howlett-Bolton said, ‘We have all been saddened by the recent deaths of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, our longest serving British Sovereign, and His Royal Highness Prince Philip The Duke of Edinburgh. By making this special presentation to King Charles III, we wish to commemorate their example of service, selfless duty, reassurance and compassion, which was and remains an inspiration to us all. We will remember them with great affection.’

The following day, the Governor met with His Majesty King Charles III and mentioned the gift. The Province has been advised that he was fascinated and appreciative. The Berkshire Hart Egg is now in transit to The King’s private office. Although something of a rollercoaster ride from conception to fruition, the Province has more than fulfilled its original intention and has laid down a small legacy piece from the current era for others to muse and to delight over in the decades to come.

A limited number remain available for commission by discerning collectors. Contact Gerry Preston, Provincial Grand Charity Steward: pgcs@berkspgl.org.uk anniversary in 2018 of the Dambusters raid, Derbyshire Freemasons were honoured to receive him at a special meeting held at the Grange in Littleover, where he made generous presentations to Derbyshire Air Cadets on behalf of Derbyshire Freemasons.

The fundraising took place during a cheese and wine evening organised by Scott Walmsley and his wife Mel. Scott is a member of Trinity Lodge, No. 6730 in Kendal. They were helped by Joanne Jardine, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2022. The charity has been supporting her daughter as a young carer.

Walk this way

To raise funds for the Cheshire Festival, the Province looked at ways for all local Freemasons to take part and decided on a virtual walk along the famous Route 66. They aimed to cover 2,280 miles in August.

Despite the heatwave in the first week, the team walked 613 miles. Week two saw them complete a further 665 miles and on week three they added another 648 miles. On day 25, they surpassed their goal and reached the end of the Highway of America, Santa Monica, California.

On day 27 at 10am, a group headed by Area 2 Assistant Provincial Grand Master Steve Christian decided to finish with a flourish, walking from the Masonic Hall in Birkenhead to the Hall in City Centre Chester. That’s just over 16 miles. On 31 August, the team finished with a total of 2,740 miles under its belt – 460 miles over the target. The additional mileage saw the team take a virtual wander down Mexico way to Tijuana, back up over the border and to the outskirts of Las Vegas, Nevada. More importantly, £4,144.75 was added to the Cheshire 2027 Festival total.

Cheshire Cumbria

Take a break

Freemasons in Cumbria have raised £5,000 for charity Carer Support South Lakes to help unpaid carers in South Cumbria. Members of Trinity Lodge in Kendal organised the fundraising as a thank you to the charity for supporting the partner of one of its members, who has terminal cancer.

The event raised £3,045 and a further £1,995 was provided by charity platform Big Give, reaching an incredible £5,040.

Scott and Joanne have thanked the businesses that supported the evening with raffle prizes and generous offers.

All money goes to Carer Support South Lakes’ Give Carers a Break Appeal, which helps provide respite for unpaid carers –many of whom struggle to get any time away from their caring responsibilities.

Johnson was received by Provincial Grand Master for Derbyshire Steven Varley, supported by a team of Provincial Officers and accompanied by the Dam Busters March. He spoke to everyone and was a humble man with a wonderful sense of humour. In a speech, Johnson paid tribute to those he flew with and told the cadets ‘they were the RAF’s future, and that the future was in good hands.’

Steven paid tribute to Johnson: ‘Derbyshire Freemasons have lost a much-loved friend who had visited us in 2018 and supported our initiative to help every air cadet squadron in Derbyshire. He was an inspiration to us all. His generous spirit was remarkable.’

Devonshire

Help for Ukraine

Derbyshire

End of an era

Derbyshire Freemasons have said goodbye to the last Dambuster George Leonard ‘Johnny’ Johnson MBE DFC, who died on 7 December aged 101.

Johnson was born in Lincolnshire in 1921 and joined the RAF in 1940. He was the last surviving member of the famous 617 Squadron, otherwise known as the Dambusters, having been selected in 1943 to take part in Operation Chastise at 22 years of age. He was the bomb aimer on T-Tommy, while the pilot was American Joe McCarthy. The squadron was under the command of wing commander Guy Gibson and was the first to deploy the bouncing bomb, the brainchild of Barnes Wallis, who was born in Ripley, Derbyshire.

Following his retirement from the RAF in 1962 having attained the rank of squadron leader, Johnson moved to Torquay with his wife Gwyn and became a teacher as well as a local councillor.

His relationship with Derbyshire Freemasons goes back to 2018. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the RAF, the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War and the 75th

Miles Coverdale Lodge No. 5069 has donated £500 to the Torbay-Ukraine Support Community Interest Company (CIC) – a charity that helps the Ukrainian refugee community settle in the UK through a programme of education. The CIC’s director and chair Dr David Harwood said, ‘We are most grateful for this donation from the Freemasons of Miles Coverdale Lodge. It will enable us to continue to deliver language lessons to our visitors through our education programme.

‘We hold Saturday clubs to support 46 adults by delivering both French and English language lessons.

‘Some of our Ukrainian friends are now working, so we hold four language classes a day from morning through to evening in order to accommodate those that have jobs.’

CIC’s vice chair Simon Chapman said, ‘Our aim is to remove barriers to education. The local Baptist and Catholic churches provide accommodation free of charge for our Saturday clubs and we have retired teachers providing childcare in one room while the parents and other adults learn in another.

‘We also work alongside Safe-Ways Torbay CIC to provide a safe place for our Ukrainian friends to discuss what they are going through and provide facilities to support those missing their family.’

Worshipful Master of Miles Coverdale Lodge Steve Batt said, ‘The TorbayUkraine Support CIC is doing a tremendous job and we are pleased to be able to assist in a small way to help bring some stability during this terrible time for our Ukrainian friends.’ for many years and being Master gave me the opportunity to have it as one of our charities for the year. I'd like to thank all of the members of and visitors to 1266 this year who have raised this money and also thank the amazing volunteers who help change the lives of young people and their families.’

East Kent

Small steps

Honor Oak Lodge, No. 1986 of East Kent Freemasons has announced its sponsorship of Grace, a four-year-old girl from Chatham who has been attending Step and Learn since she was only a few months old, having suffered two strokes in her first week of life.

Midwest Freemasons

Two Essex Freemasons have visited the Grand Lodge of Missouri as the culmination of 10 years of Masonic visits to the United States.

The story goes back to 2011 when a group accepted an invitation to visit Lodges in Missouri and Illinois. The arrangements were made by Jeff Bennett, a Past Provincial Grand Senior Deacon and holder of Senior London Grand Rank. The team comprises various members, with four from the Metropolitan Grand Lodge, three from the Province of Essex, one from each of the Provinces of West Kent and Cambridgeshire, and one from the Grand Lodge of Illinois, who joined the team when in the United States and took the role of the Candidate.

Dorset

Equine therapy

Andrew Ward has completed a successful year as Master of the Lodge of Honour and Friendship, No. 1266.

During his time, he has raised funds for several charities, one being Green Cottage Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA). His daughter Jessica has enjoyed riding there for a number of years. The RDA enriches the lives of disabled children through horse-riding therapy, helping them to achieve personal goals, boosting core strength, confidence and self-esteem.

Andrew’s Lodge raised £1,700, which was presented to Sue Munro, chair of the trustees of Riding for the Disabled. Andrew spoke of the impact that Green Cottage RDA has had on his family. ‘We have been supported by Green Cottage RDA for more than 10 years. Our eldest daughter Jessica has a unique chromosome rearrangement, which has resulted in global developmental delay. The physical benefits of horse riding are immense, but so too is the confidence that children get from being around animals. Our Lodge has supported Green Cottage

Step and Learn is a charity dedicated to the physical and educational improvements of children with cerebral palsy and associated motor difficulties. The service it provides is not available on the NHS, but is nonetheless provided free of charge to those that need it. Although based in Medway, there are currently 51 children benefiting from this service from across the whole of Kent, and a further six waiting to be assessed.

Honor Oak made the announcement following its annual Christmas party, which has been held in aid of Step and Learn since 2013. More than 120 people attended the party at the Howard Memorial Hall, Wigmore on 4 December, where the children and their families were guests of the Lodge.

Honor Oak donated £1,250 and a further £1,000 was provided in match funding by their friends at Lloyds Bank. The Lodge will now be sponsoring Grace’s sessions at Step and Learn on a continuing basis.

A positive and proactive approach is adopted by Step and Learn. It encourages a child to say, ‘I can’ rather than ‘I can’t’. The charity respects and values parental contributions and puts them at the forefront of their child’s development, helping them to adopt the programmes for use in the home, turning the skills learned into a meaningful array of abilities that will help in their everyday life.

In April 2012, the English Third Degree was demonstrated in the Tuscan Lodge Temple, St Louis in association with St Louis Lodge No. 1. Their host was Ty G. Treutelaar. The Temple was full of Freemasons from Missouri and adjacent states, as well as many Prince Hall Lodges.

Since then, they have remained in contact with Freemasons in Missouri and in particular with Ty Treutelaar, who was appointed and installed as Grand Master of Missouri in 2021. The Essex Freemasons were invited to his Installation, but the Covid pandemic prevented it. The invite was extended to October last year and the Installation of Right Worshipful Brother, Richard W Kaeser as Grand Master. The trip was made possible by the generosity of the Grand Lodge of Missouri.

At the Convocation meeting, the Essex Freemasons presented three historic books to the Grand Librarian, as well as handmade personalised gavels to Ty Treutelaar and Richard Kaeser. They were delighted to demonstrate friendship in Freemasonry between countries.

Gloucestershire

Framing a memory

A special occasion has been captured in a painting presented to Freemason Norman Weeks, Past Master of Tyndall Lodge and later, Lodge of St Christopher.

The moment goes back to 2016, when Gloucestershire Freemasons travelled to the Royal National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas for the unveiling of the Gulf War Memorial. Norman was one of those attending, particularly poignant as his son, squadron leader Kevin Weeks, who was also a Tyndall Lodge member, had tragically lost his life.

Fellow Freemasons Paul Willmott and Geoff Cave led the fundraising that made it possible for all the veterans and families of the fallen to be able to visit and lay a wreath or just have a quiet period of reflection.

‘I remember the day so clearly,’ said Andy Down, Past Master of Kendleshire Lodge. ‘Having served in that conflict, it was an honour to be at the very front of a crowd of some 5,000 or more veterans and families. I will always be grateful to the Old Codger, as he is affectionately known.

‘I recounted this tale to my good friend, Captain George Harrill, who is a military artist. He immediately offered to put something on canvas, purely for the cost of the materials. After a few months, it was ready. The picture has the memorial in its centre, surrounded by a wreath of 47 poppies representing each of the souls we lost in the campaign. With respect to the Old Codger, we placed a further single poppy on the tail fin of the RAF Tornado –the very aircraft in which Kevin perished. We can also see armoured vehicles, a Challenger tank, a 432 ambulance to represent my own Royal Army Medical Corp, and a Royal Navy Lynx helicopter.

The picture (above), held here by Brad Seaman, Past Master of Filton Lodge of Fortitude, was presented to Norman at Tyndall Lodge’s installation meeting, on the instruction of the incoming Master, Phill Robinson.

HAMPSHIRE & ISLE OF WIGHT

Hitting the right note

The Lodge of Brevity in the Province of Hampshire & Isle of Wight put on a white table event before Christmas and were entertained by the Portsmouth Military Wives Choir.

A full house at the meeting held in the Masonic centre in Chandler’s Ford enjoyed a repertoire of carols and other songs. The choir is one of many Military Wives choirs across the country that were created in 2012 and have charitable status.

Social club

The Lodge of Brevity was consecrated in 2015 as one of many specialist Lodges in the Province. It was specifically designed for working men who didn’t have the time to attend meetings with typical early start times. Meetings are short – as are the after-proceedings.

At the end of the event, Worshipful Master Nasser Drees presented the choir with £500 on behalf of the Lodge and the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF, the Freemasons’ charity).

The money will enable the choir to continue to entertain people in the area and bring them a great deal of joy. Nasser said, ‘The choir were brilliant; they sounded sensational. It was a pleasure to present them with a cheque that they weren’t expecting.’

High hopes

The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance received an uplifting donation from the Southern Chapter of the Widows Sons Masonic Bikers Association. This means the bikers have donated more than £32,000. Without donations, the helicopter would not be able to fly and save lives –it costs more than £3,000 for each take-off.

Provincial Grand Master Jon Whitaker, who volunteers for St John Ambulance, said, ‘It was lovely to hear that the Chapter is one of the Air Ambulance’s most loyal fundraising partners. The Air Ambulance service is a life saver.'

In 2019, a group of avid tweeters discussed the possibility of forming a Special Interest Lodge aimed at those who use social media platforms. With Freemasons from all over the country and beyond showing an interest, London was chosen as a central point to begin looking at how the dream could become a reality. A local Lodge that was struggling with numbers was identified and a plan put in place to transform the future of the Lodge to a special interest social media one. The Lodge of Faith & Friendship, No.7326 was chosen, and a small team worked through the logistics of changing the fortunes and direction of the Lodge. With many interested in joining, all was going to plan. Then the pandemic hit. Zoom meetings, phone calls and tweets kept the interest in the new Lodge going until the first meeting of the new members was due to be held.

The Lodge meets just three times a year – twice in London, with the third meeting in the Province of the Master. In 2021, this was held in the Province of Dorset, with the then Master, Mark Burstow. The next Master, Leicester’s Provincial Grand Communications Officer Richard Barnett, was to host the Lodge in the Province.

The date was set for 29 November 2022 at Freemasons’ Hall, Leicester and members made their way there from far-flung corners of the UK. There was a fascinating talk by Leicestershire & Rutland’s David Hughes, and the Assistant Provincial Grand Master was on hand with his camera. The Lodge members and guests then made their way over the road to enjoy a superb meal at the Mumbai Inn restaurant.

The next action for the Lodge is a name change, with Sialia, The Social Media Lodge set to become the new name. It will have the fitting Lodge motto of ‘Faith & Friendship Around the World’ as a tribute to its former title.

LINCOLNSHIRE Coasting back to health

On New Year’s Day, Lincolnshire Freemason Chris Jones set off on an 18-month challenge to walk the entire coastline of Great Britain.

The purpose of his 7,000-mile trek is to clear his mind of mental health issues and to raise money for the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF, the Freemasons’ charity), which he is convinced saved his life as he struggled through a mental health crisis. He hopes to raise £100,000 to give to the MCF through the Lincs 2025 Festival. The money will come from donations and from sales of a book he hopes to write about his journey.

As part of his coastal trek, Chris intends to visit as many Masonic centres

Comfort in a crisis

Thousands of Ukrainian refugees across England and Wales will be receiving practical support thanks to a grant of £500,000 raised by Monmouthshire and other Provinces, in partnership with UK Community Foundations.

The grant follows a similar £500,000 grant in April 2022 to the British Red Cross, UNICEF and other organisations working with Ukrainian refugees in Ukraine, Poland, Romania and Moldova. A separate donation of £50,000 was made shortly after the Russian invasion. This latest grant means that Freemasons have given more than £1 million to Ukrainian refugees since the war began.

The new programme of grants will see 10 community foundations supporting local charities and community organisations that are providing immediate support for refugees arriving from Ukraine, as well as those who are developing longer-term support for the integration of Ukrainians already here.

as possible. He’ll return home for visits in March, May and October and for important events, such as installing his successor as Master of the Free Wheelers Motorcycle Lodge.

‘I’m very open about my struggle with mental health and this is the main focus of the challenge,’ explained Chris.

‘Back in 2020, I was at my lowest and my wife Michelle eventually convinced me to seek help. I contacted the NHS and started a counselling programme, but it was hopeless. The mental health team was overworked and counselling sessions were often cancelled or moved at the last minute.

‘I can’t remember why I was looking at the MCF website, but I noticed a link to a Mental Health Support programme. I called the number and 35 minutes later received a call back from a mental health specialist. We talked for more than an hour. She set me up on a counselling programme and I have no doubt that her persistence, understanding and thoroughness saved my life.’

For more details and to offer help, contact Chris on cjones@fwlodge.org

Rosemary Macdonald, CEO of UK Community Foundations, said, ‘We’re very grateful to the Freemasons’ charity for its generous grant that will provide a major boost to local charities that are doing so much to welcome Ukrainians into their communities.’

Richard G Davies from Monmouthshire Freemasons said, ‘I’m pleased we’ve been able to provide substantial assistance to Ukrainians in need across the country. There has been an unprecedented wave of support for Ukrainians from the British public, but there is a great deal more that needs to be done. These are people who have left everything behind in a country that is suffering the effects of a devastating war. I’m proud of the help Monmouthshire Freemasons have provided in pushing the total amount raised to more than one million pounds.’

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE & HUNTINGDONSHIRE

Charged up

The Masonic Centre in Eaton Socon, St Neots has made great strides in the battle against increasing utility bills with a solar solution now in place.

In 2009, the Operative Grand Master Masons, utilising the Footing Corner Stone Fund, purchased the building at

166 Great North Road from Euston Lodge. The premises are also used as the HQ for the Operative Order, so any building improvements are only undertaken with their approval and support.

Several building works had been identified, including replacing the asbestos roof, the under croft brought into proper use and the building electrics refurbished, with all the lighting being replaced with LED alternatives. That project was carried out between April and November 2022 and gave a window of opportunity for the Centre Rooms Committee and Euston Lodge, in particular, working with the owners to consider the addition of a solar solution on the roof.

In August 2022, Euston Lodge confirmed an investment of £35,000 in a 17.5kW photovoltaic solar array on the south-facing elevation of the roof of the Masonic Centre building. Additionally, a 22kW battery solution was added to capture excess solar energy and provide power when there is lots of cloud cover.

Mick Marks MBE, who oversaw the project works, said, ‘The forecast return on the investment is six years and the life of the equipment is expected to be more than 25 years. The estimated yearly carbon reduction will be 5,148kg – that’s equivalent to the carbon reduction of 236 trees. The installation took less than five days to complete and commission. The Lodge building is now predominantly off grid for much of its energy usage.’

Chair of the Euston Rooms Committee, Jim Clement, Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden, said, ‘It’s early days, but first indications suggest that we will be pleased with the investment that has been made by the Trustees of Euston Lodge in this installation. Our thanks go to the Grand Master Masons (GMM) as owners of the building and, in particular, Mick Marks, who has acted on behalf of the GMMs as project manager, without whose support, this scheme may not have evolved.’

Northumberland

Flying start

Two years of delay finally came to an end when David Armstrong took the chance to jump out of an aircraft at 15,000 feet in aid of Teddies for Loving Care (TLC), raising more than £1,000 for the charity.

Taking place at Sky-High Skydiving based in Shotton Colliery, near Peterlee, Durham, David reached speeds of 120mph while freefalling for 9,000 feet prior to the parachute being deployed.

David, a Freemason of 26 years and the Master of Seaton Delaval Lodge, No. 4617, is an associate lecturer in nursing at Northumbria University. For many years prior to his retirement in July 2014, he was a senior lecturer in nursing. He was also a member of the army reserve for 27 years, with his penultimate role being that of commanding officer of 335 Medical Evacuation Regiment.

Teddies for Loving Care provides cuddly bears to calm children down in hospital, reward them for being brave or to demonstrate procedures. The bears distract children so nurses and doctors can get their jobs done efficiently. The work of TLC is funded through the generous donations of Freemasons, their families and supporters.

David said, ‘I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It’s an amazing feeling freefalling for 9,000 feet, but with no sensation of travelling vertically towards the earth at 120mph apart from the noise of the wind and feeling cold.

‘It was an amazing way to mark my 65th birthday, although it was two years after the event. It was so kind of my sons and their families to fund the jump and my wife to fund the photo/video package presented at my Lodge and making the effort to be at the venue and support me. My wife is still getting over it.

‘Best of all though is that their generosity, along with that of all of my sponsors, has raised more than £1,000 for Teddies for Loving Care.’

NORTH WALES

Day to remember

Provincial Grand Master John Charles Hoult consecrated Cyfrinfa Cynan, No. 10013 at Bangor Masonic Hall on Friday 20 January.

Attended by more than 100 founding members, it was a special moment in the history of North Wales Freemasons, thanks to the consecration of the first Welsh-speaking Lodge in the Province.

Wynford Owen Davies, DepPGM, who was inducted as the Founding Worshipful Master by AsstPGM Phil James, presented a donation of £1,000 on behalf of the members to the 2028 Festival.

Afterwards, guests were treated to a sumptuous lunch, with the best of North Wales hospitality providing a warm welcome.

Nottinghamshire

Bikes and brunch

A Brethren’s Big Brunch was held at the Acacia Centre Annesley Woodhouse by Clumber Lodge, No. 8199 in October. It was an opportunity for an informal meet and greet and a chance for anyone thinking of joining Freemasonry to find out a bit more.

It also seemed a good event for the Widows Sons Masonic Bikers Association (WSMBA) to go along and support. After checking with the organiser Shaun Hayfield, around 20 bikers attended. Most of the WSMBA social events are open to partners, friends and children and this really fitted in with the Big Brunch, which was a real family event.

Any bikers who are interested in getting involved with the East Midlands Chapter of the WSMBA (representing Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire) can contact president@ eastmids.wsmba.uk.

The group holds a breakfast meeting every third Sunday at Shardlow Marina where you’re welcome to drop in for a chat.

Somerset

Worldwide support

Somerset Freemason Mike Gagg and his wife Lesley’s trip to Costa Rica could so easily have ended in tragedy were it not for the kindness of Freemasons.

In March 2022, Mike and Lesley flew to Costa Rica for a two-week stay at

Tamarindo, a resort on the west coast. The day before their return on 6 April, Mike was rushed to hospital in Liberia, the provincial capital of Guanacaste. Within 48 hours, he was critically ill with bacterial pneumonia. For six weeks, Mike’s life hung in the balance.

Eventually, Mike was well enough to be flown home by air ambulance with a full medical team and transferred to Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, where he remained for a further five weeks. At the point of return to the UK, Lesley was found to be Covid positive and had to quarantine for a further week before following Mike home to the UK.

Mike reports that during the time he was in hospital in Costa Rica, Lesley was living in a basic motel nearby. Her anxiety and stress were heightened because she did not speak Spanish. His medical team was very good in trying to keep Lesley informed of his condition, but it was very difficult at first as she had no support in Costa Rica. Mike’s family in England worked hard to sort out insurance cover for the mounting costs and, together with family friends, were in constant contact, but couldn’t offer much practical help.

Mike’s home Masonic Lodges were aware of the need for local support and, with the assistance of the UGLE Grand Chancellor’s team, contacted the Grand Lodge of Costa Rica. Rudy Corrales Vega, the Grand Secretary, promptly arranged support from Dr Efren Molino, Past Grand Master, who is a doctor. He had many long discussions with Mike’s medical team to ensure that all was well with the treatment. He also spoke to Mike’s daughter in England, to ease her mind.

Most Costa Rican Masons are based in the capital city, San José, a five-hour drive from Liberia where Mike was in hospital. Nevertheless, they promised to go to the hospital any time they were needed.

Sergio Reyes, who provides support to needy brethren and their dependents, kept himself updated on proceedings and offered support to Lesley.

Somerset Freemasons have since provided more practical help. Adrian Robson, Provincial Grand Almoner, sourced a wheelchair for Mike while St Dunstan’s Lodge provided a banister rail, which was installed by Mark Acreman.

In gratitude for the help received from the Grand Lodge of Costa Rica, Mike’s Mother Lodge, Gerard Lodge, No. 8999 sent an engraved shield as a thank-you.

Mike and his family also give thanks to the United Grand Lodge of England for arranging contact with Freemasons in Costa Rica and to their many Masonic friends who were so supportive. These are, in particular, Robert O’Malley White, Somerset’s Mark Provincial Almoner and Stuart Hadler, Past Provincial Grand Master for Somerset, who is the Almoner for Gerard Lodge, both of whom actively supported the family throughout.

The £30,000 grant from Freemasons will support Newlife’s equipment grants service, often not available on the NHS. Each application is supported by a medical professional and the equipment can be used to help keep a child safe, reduce pain, aid development or mobility or help them achieve their full potential. The grant comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF, the Freemasons’ charity).

Selwyn Burton, Staffordshire Freemasons Communications Officer, said, ‘I’m very pleased we’ve been able to help Newlife with its important work. Without it, thousands of disabled children would be living in pain, unable to do the things that we all take for granted and denied the opportunity to reach their potential.’

Sarah Sylvester, Newlife’s head of philanthropy, said, ‘We’re very grateful to Staffordshire Freemasons for their generous grant that will allow us to provide specialist equipment to 20 children and their families. Whether it’s a wheelchair or a car seat to help them get around, a communication aid or some other vital piece of equipment, our work makes a real difference to disabled children’s quality of life.”

Staffordshire Freemasons were represented by Dr John Skellern, the Charity Steward, Reg Sargeant, this year’s Junior Grand Warden, and Selwyn Burton, Communications Officer.

Fully equipped

Thanks to a £30,000 grant from Staffordshire Freemasons to charity Newlife, 20 children and young people with disabilities and their families will be able to access potentially life-changing specialist equipment.

Newlife is the largest charity provider of specialist equipment for children with disabilities or terminal illness across the UK. It supports families to access wheelchairs, specialist beds, car seats, walking and standing frames and communication aids.

As well as an equipment grants service, Newlife provides an emergency equipment loan service, a play therapy pod service and a nurse-led helpline that supports families across a range of different subjects.

Children across the UK can be supported by Newlife up to their 19th birthday and each child can be helped multiple times.

Surrey

Saving lives

Rajinder Tumber MBE of Covenham Lodge, No. 4212 organised a charity gala black-tie ball in November to raise vital funds for their ongoing work with the Spencer’s Legacy: Nobody Left Behind campaign. Founder Steve Dayman and his wife Gloria were among the guests at the event to mark the 40th anniversary of their son Spencer’s death from meningitis and the start of the meningitis movement in the UK. The charity aims to raise £320,000 to fund research into a new vaccine and is already halfway to reaching that target.

Rajinder himself contracted meningitis 12 years ago at the age of 27, so knows only too well the devastating effects of the disease.

‘In my fight against meningitis in 2010, wisdom taught me that charitable endeavour forms life’s keystone,’ said Rajinder. ‘This keystone needs support and what better support than Freemasonry’s three core principles: Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. I wanted my year as Worshipful Master to truly embody these principles. With the Coveham Charity Gala, I brought this embodiment to fruition. As a result, peoples’ lives are being saved.’

The Big Handshake

Guildford Rugby Football Club will see more than 2,000 people take part in an attempt to create the longest ever relay handshake on 3 June. This is being done in partnership with Surrey Scouts and Guildford Rugby Club to help raise funds for new Surrey Scouts facilities. There will also be stalls and music, but to make the relay handshake challenge work, they need as many people registering and taking part as possible. Can you put a group together to join the challenge?

Go to: www.bighandshake.org.uk

On the high seas

Newly initiated Sussex Freemasons Matt Garman, Neil Furminger and Steve Woolley took on the gruelling Talisker Whisky Atlantic challenge in December, sailing from the Canary Islands to Antigua. The team of three dads called their team Ocean Dadventure in a bid to show that life begins at 40 (or 50). Between them, they’ve competed in CrossFit games, climbed mountains, finished taking visitors on a city tour and giving an insight into its history and culture.

Ironman challenges and competed in endurance swimming events.

This was their biggest challenge yet, but all the more worthy as the team was raising money for both the Wolo Foundation and Prostate Cancer UK –charities close to their hearts.

They completed the first 1,000 miles in 18 days, having spent Christmas aboard with a unique Christmas lunch of reindeer stew. Around 15 days later on 14 January, they hit the 2,000-mile mark.

This gruelling feat of physical and mental strength tested the trio to their limits. But regular check-ins with family, and a camaraderie that can only be found under the most challenging of conditions, gave them the drive, resilience and tenacity to push through.

By the time they reached English Harbour in Antigua, the trio had rowed well over 3,000 miles, raising more than £16,000 for their chosen charities.

The members of the Lodge were perfect hosts, but most kindly asked not to be photographed or referred to personally in any publicity, apart from the Worshipful Master. This is quite common in Eastern Europe. It appears that attitudes in Lithuania are not as liberal towards Freemasonry as they are in the UK, and their wishes were rigorously adhered to.

Freemasonry in Lithuania dates to 1776 and by 1781 there were three Lodges operating in Vilnius. During the Russian occupation, it was banned and didn’t return until independence in 1990. It was in 2002 that the Grand Lodge of Lithuania was formed, which is now recognised and in amity with UGLE.

On the day of the Lodge meeting in a hall outside the centre of Kaunas, a plaque on the wall greeted visitors, which read: ‘Brother Mason, if you have come from anywhere in the world, this is your home.’

After meeting the members and visiting those from other Lithuanian Lodges, an initiation ceremony took place. Although it is the intention of the Lodge to adopt Emulation ritual, it currently uses ceremony adapted from German ritual. It was a wonderful spectacle full of drama.

Culture trip

Freemasons from West Lancashire have recently returned from a Lodge trip to Vilnius, Lithuania.

The travellers of Bryn Lodge, No. 6553 have a tradition of visiting a Lodge in a different jurisdiction every year. The visits started in 2000, and only Covid caused a blip in the tradition. The plan is, where possible, to visit an Englishspeaking Lodge, and this last visit was no different. Vilnius Arch Lodge, No. 10, under the Grand Lodge of Lithuania, was identified and after following the protocols between the respective Grand Lodges, a fraternal visit was arranged.

Vilnius Arch Lodge was established in 2018 to serve members wishing to practice their Freemasonry in the English language. The visitors were looked after and entertained by the members, some of whom were founders.

They pulled out all the stops to ensure full enjoyment and experience, including

The consensus among English Masons was that it was special to witness, but unrecognisable from the structured ritual they were used to. Chris Williams, Worshipful Master of Bryn Lodge, presented the Worshipful Master of Vilnius Arch Lodge with an engraved wooden gavel as a memento of the visit.

Following the ceremony, it was time for a Festive Board. As the Lodge was due to move to Emulation, two of the Bryn members, Assistant Provincial Grand Master David Ogden and Provincial Grand Communications Officer Barry Dickinson were invited to explain its practical application in Bryn Lodge.

A new start

At least 120 local children and young people who have been victims of domestic and sexual abuse will receive the help and support they need, thanks to a grant of £57,000 from Yorkshire North & East Riding Freemasons to the EVA Women’s Aid charity. The grant will fund an additional counsellor to enable the charity to increase its capacity to help more children. The counsellor will offer sessions for as long as the child needs them and will be free of charge.

Children involved in domestic violence and sexual abuse can be withdrawn, unhappy and struggle to form relationships. They are more at risk of becoming embroiled in unhealthy relationships themselves, may have difficulty recognising and managing their emotions, struggle to express themselves and can adopt harmful coping strategies.

The impact of abuse can be devastating. For children and young people who may not easily have the language to express themselves, it takes time and patience to develop the positive working relationship with the counsellor before they are able to begin talking about the abuse they have suffered. EVA’s team of counsellors have a range of approaches, techniques and tools at their disposal to help children through their ‘cope and recovery’ journey.

EVA Women’s Aid provides specialist support to victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence throughout Redcar and Cleveland. Established in 1987, it works with more than 1,000 people every year through its services, including safe house accommodation, accredited programmes, schools workshops, family work and a counselling service for women, children and young people.

The grant from Yorkshire North & East Riding Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF, the Freemasons’ charity).

Aid package

Freemasons from the Lodge of Dawn, No. 6511 in Leeds have offered their support to Let’s Eat, a local foodbank.

It was one of the Lodge of Dawn’s newest members, Eóin Byrne, who suggested they start a monthly collection and after putting forward a proposal to the Lodge Committee, they chose to work with Let’s Eat. This is run by the Chapeltown Youth Development Centre (CFYDC), for whom the Lodge had previously secured a grant to build an all-weather sports pitch. Once contact was made with CFYDC, service manager Will Bowler sent the Lodge a shopping list of the key items they needed.

The first drop-off collection was agreed for the regular December ceremony. However, before the in-person collection was due to take place, members immediately started emailing and texting to pledge and donate cash towards the fund. Within three days of its announcement, almost £600 had been collected. Knowing that CFYDC’s final food collection of the year was the day after the proposed drop-off collection, it was decided to make sure that supplies were with them as soon as possible so they could start getting food parcels together.

Eóin shopped around to find where the Lodge could get the best value for money, and an order was placed which arrived at the end of the first week of the initiative. On Friday 16 December, before the in-Lodge collection had even begun, the first batch was delivered to CFYDC. It totalled 24 crates of food.

At the collection at the Lodge meeting on Tuesday 20 December, members arrived with even more donations. The crates that had been purchased to store the foodstuff were overflowing. The food was dropped off to CFYDC the following day so that every item could be made available before Christmas.

Eóin said, ‘It was overwhelming to see the selflessness and generosity of the brethren over the past few weeks as we started our partnership with CFYDC. It’s our plan for this to be the start of a relationship that lasts until foodbanks like this are no longer needed. In the meantime, we’ll do what we can every month to make sure that the people of Chapeltown who might fall on hard times have a little less to worry about.’

Opera in the round

Freemasons’ Hall is delighted to welcome the Regents Opera company to the Grand Temple in May. This leading fringe opera company will be performing Wagner’s Die Walküre, arranged for 18 orchestral players and performed in the round.

This is part of a large operatic collaboration between Freemasons’ Hall and Regents Opera that will culminate in two complete Ring Cycles in 2024. Conducted by Ben Woodward, Die Walküre stars Keel Watson as Wotan and Catharine Woodward as Brünnhilde. The performances take place on Sunday 21, Tuesday 23 and Saturday 27 May. Tickets are available at www.ticketsource.co.uk/regents-opera

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