Freemasonry Today - Summer 2021 - Issue 54

Issue 54 ~ Summer 2021

Freemasonry Today

The interview

Grand Secretary Dr David Staples is championing a bold new era for UGLE

The Savage Club Chapter Issue 54 ~ Summer 2021

One of the last remaining Bohemian clubs

Serve & protect

How the brotherhood is bolstering the UK’s vaccination drive

L AW A N D ORDERS

Norwell Roberts QPM, the Met’s first black police officer, on blazing a trail for future recruits

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Welcome

From the Deputy Grand Master It was with a degree of trepidation that I accepted the invitation to guest edit the Grand Secretary & Grand Scribe E’s opening column in FMT. It is quite an established custom for the Grand Secretary to set the tone for the magazine with reflections on recent events, detailing forthcoming developments and engaging with the readership. I was told, ‘You have a blank canvas – over to you.’

The last 15 months, from the run-up to the first lockdown, have been some of the most challenging for our country and society that most of us can remember.

The tragedies experienced by families throughout the land will be with us for many years to come and will leave their scars. There have been periods when familiar aspects of our lives, such as spending time with our extended families or seeing our friends at lodge meetings, were no longer available to us.

I have heard it said many times during the pandemic that Freemasonry has gone into abeyance – this is certainly true for our physical lodge meetings.

Zoom, WhatsApp and even old-fashioned telephone calls have all been helpful for staying in touch, but are no substitute for personal contact. In another sense, so many of our members have remained active in demonstrating the values and ideals of Freemasonry. They have engaged wholeheartedly in our communities and contributed to our society in so many

‘I received a message from a friend and brother: he had just visited his local clinic on a Sunday to be vaccinated, and was delighted to say all the volunteers supporting the medical staff were members of a local lodge’

practical ways, as well as through the joint efforts of UGLE, the Provinces and the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF, the Freemasons’ charity) in supporting local charities.

The Grand Master granted 258 Certificates of Commendation to members throughout England and Wales ‘for their outstanding contribution to Freemasonry’s role in our nation’s fight against COVID-19’. This emphasises something the Grand Master has made clear on numerous occasions: it is the engagement with our communities in practical ways, with our members using their many and varied skills, which is one of the key traditions of being a Freemason.

These practical efforts have not slackened, even as we saw the hoped-for end of the pandemic come into view. In late March, as the vaccination programme was in full swing and almost 30 million people had been given their first jab, I received a message from a friend and brother. He had just visited his local clinic on a Sunday to be vaccinated, and was delighted to say all the volunteers supporting the medical staff were members of a local lodge. To all who have contributed to these efforts, thank you.

As you will be aware from the annual report published in April, the Pro Grand Master asked me to chair a small working party to consider the future strategy for UGLE. We benefited with ideas from a number of the other working parties looking at membership and communications, as well as comments from updates provided by Provincial Grand Masters and Grand Superintendents on what they felt should be addressed in 2022 and beyond.

One of the key considerations was how best to articulate clearly both our purpose and the tangible effect of being a Freemason today. There is a much greater awareness in society of the need for organisations to state their values and FMT Summer 2021

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to live up to them. Those that do will hold the commitment and engagement of members old and new. The conclusion was a mission statement, published with the annual report, that presents what Freemasonry is and what its members do.

This can be shared with our families and is a good basis to talk about Freemasonry with those who are not Freemasons.

Within the mission statement, there is a challenge for us all. We must ensure that Freemasonry under UGLE enhances its ‘reputation as a thriving organisation that people aspire to join and broaden our membership across all age groups’.

This is something to which we can all contribute, both as individuals and within our respective lodges. Without your support we cannot succeed.

This is not something that can be done

by UGLE, the Metropolitan, Provincial and District Grand Lodges alone. All lodges and members have a crucial role to play. It is as important to engage and enthuse our current members as it is to attract potential new ones. Your enthusiasm is the best advertisement for potential future Freemasons.

I very much hope, brethren and companions, that by the time you read this, the Government will have been successful in following its roadmap out of the pandemic and that lodge and chapter meetings will have resumed in a way that we can all thoroughly enjoy again.

Jonathan Spence Deputy Grand Master Cambridge, Easter 2021

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Contents

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The official journal of the United Grand Lodge of England Issue 54 – Summer 2021

Editor Donna Hardie Editorial Panel Michelle Worvell, Shaun Butler, Guy Roberts, Barry Hughes, Julian Perry (Culture editor)

Cover image: Alun Callender. FMT took all COVID-19 social distancing, PPE and safety precautions for this shoot

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 4055 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 Deputy Grand Master

Jonathan Spence guest edits the Grand Secretary & Grand Scribe E’s column and welcomes you to the summer issue

Out and about 6 In memory: HRH The Prince Philip A brotherly tribute to the Queen’s Consort

12 News and views from the Provinces

editor@freemasonrytoday.com

@freemasonry2day @ugle_grandlodge @grandchapter FreemasonryToday UnitedGrandLodgeofEngland SupremeGrandChapter @unitedgrandlodgeofengland @freemasonrytoday @freemasonshall

UGLE’s jabs army and charity success

Stories

The Royal Arch

22 Top of the cops

48 The Savage Club Chapter

Norwell Roberts QPM on his pioneering 30-year career in policing

Reviving a time-honoured ritual

26 60 seconds with...

Chris Clark on his years as Deputy Metropolitan Grand Superintendent

Gareth Jones OBE, PGM of South Wales and Third Grand Principal

28 Light Blues Brigade

30 The interview: Dr David Staples

The Grand Secretary on modernising Freemasonry while preserving traditions

A daily advancement 36 QC writes

Dr Ric Berman on John Montagu

Grand Lodge 40 Quarterly Communication

54 Essential reading

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

Pro Grand Master Peter Lowndes

74 Your tweets

Onboarding with Solomon

The fascinating and unusual

42 Learnings online

FMT Summer 2021

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44 Museum of Freemasonry

Beneficent dentist and brother Bartholomew Ruspini

The New and Young Masons Club on offering engagement and learning

Contact us

48

82 Thēsauros

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In memoriam

HRH The Prince Philip: Philanthropist and Freemason Not only did the late Duke of Edinburgh share our charitable values, he was also a fellow Freemason. We celebrate a life well lived and share your memories of HRH The Prince Philip

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he Duke of Edinburgh became a Freemason in 1952, at the age of 31. He was initiated into Navy Lodge, No 2612, on 5 December.

On 6 March 1953, HRH The Prince Philip progressed to the Second Degree of Freemasonry, before advancing to the Third Degree on 4 May 1953. United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) issued his Grand Lodge Certificate on 7 May that same year and he remained a member throughout his life.

The Duke of Edinburgh was born on Corfu on 10 June 1921, the only son of Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark and Princess Alice of Battenberg. He therefore held the title Prince of Greece and Denmark.

In 1939, Prince Philip joined the Royal Navy as a cadet, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Prince Louis, who was Admiral of the Fleet and First Sea Lord. He had a long and successful career and rose to the rank of Commander.

Prince Philip was also a qualified pilot and was the first member of the Royal Family ever to fly out of Buckingham Palace in a helicopter.

As a Freemason, Philip was known to drop into meetings at his Freemasons Lodge almost unannounced. Navy Lodge has a storied past and an amazing roster of luminaries appears upon its membership roll. The lodge prides itself on being the premier naval lodge in the world, with an unparalleled history that includes four monarchs as past members – King Edward VII, King Edward VIII, King George VI and King George II of the Hellenes.

Freemasons can count other members of the Royal Family among their number, including HRH The Duke of Kent, the longest-serving Grand Master of UGLE. As well as members of the Royal Family, Navy Lodge can proudly name three winners of the Victoria Cross among its past and present members; numerous admirals, generals, vice-admirals and senior officers; as well as other notable names such as Sir Ernest Shackleton, Robert Scott – known as Scott of the Antarctic – and many more.

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There is also a Duke of Edinburgh Lodge, No 1182, Liverpool, which was issued a warrant on 2 July 1867 and was consecrated on 1 August 1867. The lodge was named after Prince Alfred Ernest Albert, who was then Duke of Edinburgh and the son of Queen Victoria.

In addition, there is a Duke of Edinburgh Lodge in London, No 1259, which was consecrated on 4 May 1869. The lodge was also named after Prince Alfred Ernest Albert, who became Duke of Edinburgh in 1866. On 9 April this year, Freemasons came together to pay their respects in a special edition of Time to Toast, led by The Pro Grand Master Peter Lowndes.

Freemasons have also launched a campaign inviting their 200,000 members to raise funds for charities that the Prince supported. Throughout his life, he was patron, president or honorary member of some 992 organisations, with special interests in issues from technological research to conservation.

Dr David Staples, chief executive of United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), said: ‘Prince Philip was well known for his charity work, having been involved with numerous organisations. He was devoted to philanthropy, and therefore the best way to celebrate his life is by supporting the charities that the Prince himself supported.

‘For us, this was an easy decision as Freemasonry’s core values are charity, integrity, respect and friendship. The Freemasons have been quietly getting on with making society and the lives of those less fortunate better for more than three centuries.’

Turn over the page to read fond memories of Prince Philip shared by fellow Freemasons.

The Duke of Edinburgh became a Freemason in 1952 at the age of 31

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Prince Philip remembered

In response to our call-out, we received a fascinating range of stories from Freemasons sharing their fond memories of the Duke of Edinburgh

I was the chief photographer of the Windsor Observer for 25 years until January 2020. I took numerous pictures of him and I really will miss him. He had a reputation as a man that was impatient with the media, but I often shrugged my shoulders and pulled away while other photographers got in his and Her Majesty’s face. Over the years they both made a point of looking straight into my camera and waving when on duty in Berkshire, so I always got a great picture. I wasn't the only one, but no one that ever got in their faces ever got ‘the look’.

I am honoured to have photographed HRH for so many years and at such close quarters. Above is one of my images from over the years.

Mike Swift, Secretary, Berries Lodge No. 2928, PGL Berkshire It was a very long time ago now, in the late 60s when I was a lowly leading seaman in Her Majesty’s Royal Navy based at HMS Vernon in Portsmouth, awaiting my aircrew course. A pipe was made for the duty coxswain (me) and crew to report to the guardroom. On arrival, I was told that I was to take some dignitaries in the Admiral’s Barge to Cowes on the Isle of Wight as it was the Cowes Festival.

Despite my protestations that I’d never driven the thing before and only had a very vague idea where Cowes was, I was told to 8

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get on with it by the officer of the day.

Anyway three of us, myself plus the bow and stern men, changed from working rig into sailor suits for the trip. It was glorious flat, calm weather and when the passengers arrived one of them was the unmistakable figure of the Duke of Edinburgh, who never failed to attend Cowes week as a competitor. We got underway with impressive boathook drill and due caution by me, and on leaving the harbour the Duke looked at me and jerked his head in the direction of the island as if to say ‘get a move on’. Slamming the throttles of the twin Gardner engines forward made those passengers standing sit down heavily and the rest to cling on for dear life to whatever they could. This was indeed a speedboat. Oh yes!

Smug in the knowledge that I was flying a White Ensign and an Admirals Pennant, I could do no wrong; I weaved in and out of a Cowes flotilla, their crews waving nicely. With my sailor’s collar streaming behind me like a Hells Angel’s bandana and wearing a maniacal grin, I had the thought that I’d do a bit of showboating, approaching the jetty at speed and coming to a stop at exactly the right place whilst gracefully accepting the undoubted applause of the reception committee.

The first part of the plan went well. The second saw the boat sliding under the jetty in clouds of diesel smoke from overrevving engines in reverse. Unfortunately, Prince Philip lost his hat in the process which was retrieved by my quick-thinking stern man and swung with all the grace of a fisherman landing a tuna back to the Duke.

Normally a passenger would turn to the coxswain and thank him. I simply withered under a direct narrow-eyed glare. I was not asked to return for him, but was told later that HMS Vernon had been contacted and that ‘blathering idiot’ was probably the mildest imprecation directed at me. RIP to a great man.

W Bro Richard Godley PPGSwdB Province of Yorkshire N&E Ridings

This is me giving a presentation to Prince Philip, who was Colonelin-Chief of REME. Taken at Electronics Branch, Malvern, HRH was visiting the unit and the equipment on show was the Clansman ATE (automatic test equipment).

Clansman was the radio communication system for the Army. I remember him asking some searching questions. This was in 1984 and the only previous knowledge I had of Freemasonry was hearing singing at a masonic dinner that my grandmother catered for in King’s Lynn: ‘Worshipful Master we will take wine with you.’ I think I was around 10 or 11. In February 1991, I was initiated into Gateway Lodge No. 8474.

Robert Castle I met the Duke of Edinburgh when he accompanied the Queen on an overseas engagement at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting held in Malta in November 2015.

Prince Philip hosted a lunch for local sponsors of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which my wife Jaqui and I attended in the grand surroundings of The Casino Maltese in Valletta.

When we were introduced, he asked what we were doing in Malta. I explained that we were ex-pats, when he interrupted me with a twinkle in his eye to ask, ‘what are you running away from?’ The weather, I replied. He laughed heartily. He and the Queen had arrived in Malta during the worst November weather we had experienced on the island in some years.

He gave a speech at the lunch. Given his age, we were expecting that the audience might need to be understanding if there was a little hesitancy in his delivery.

Not a bit of it. He spoke with fluency and without notes. He struck us as a man of charisma, with a real sense of humour, but who was also consummately competent in his role.

VW Bro Dr Lawrence Porter PGInsp (Malta)

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My first introduction to Prince Philip was as Second Officer of the Guard for a full Royal Guard, marking a visit by the Duke to the Royal Naval Air Station at Culdrose. This was some eight years before I was initiated into Navy Lodge, his lodge.

David Swain, Metropolitan Grand Secretary During the 1990s, I was a police motorcyclist in Bristol. One Friday evening I was tasked with meeting Prince Philip’s car at our force border and escorting him and his party to a private music recital at a venue in Bristol. The concert started at 7pm and was due to conclude at 10pm. Having arrived at the venue, the Duke thanked me for my help, then went inside. I stayed with the Prince’s driver and during the course of the evening he told me that they were going back to Windsor following the concert. However, because they would miss dinner, the staff had prepared some hampers for them to eat on the way back. At the end of the concert, the Prince spent longer than expected talking to his fellow guests so didn’t return to his car until 10.45pm.

He apologised for being late then asked if I had eaten that evening. When I told him I hadn’t he asked his driver to open the hampers and we then spent 20 minutes stood at the back of his car sharing a selection of sandwiches, pork pies and fruit. He told me how he had loved riding motorcycles when he was younger and asked about my career and family.

He was a thoroughly pleasant man with a genuine interest in people.

It was an evening I’ll never forget.

Richard Villis, Almoner, Safeguard Lodge 9566 In 1994, Prince Philip flew to Bermuda to present Duke of Edinburgh Gold Awards to students at Bermuda Government House. He spoke with each of the awardees and I remember answering a number of questions about my studies and extracurricular activities.

He was quite the character too. At the end of our conversation, he asked my father, ‘Where do you think the governor keeps his good whisky?’ They then conducted a search of Government House for the good stuff. Even though it was almost 30 years ago, meeting Prince Philip remains one of my best memories.

Michael W Branco

A memory I have of Prince Philip happened on 11 July 1980 during the commissioning of HMS Invincible when I was 11 years old, that he attended alongside Her Majesty The Queen. My father was a chief petty officer in charge of the Sea Dart missile system and an ex-submariner. Hence, during the celebrations he was wearing his submariner’s dolphins on his No. 1 suit.

Prince Philip noticed these and came across to ask my father if he was on the ‘wrong ship’ – pointing to his dolphins.

My father assured him he wasn’t and they laughed. He then looked at me and asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up.

I replied, ‘I want to be like me dad.’ At which point my father grimaced at my incorrect grammar – just as a photographer took our picture. Somewhere in my files I have a picture of me meeting Price Philip with him laughing and my father grimacing.

As fate would have it, I did indeed join the Royal Navy in 1989 and served on submarines. I then became a chief petty officer and my final draft was onboard HMS Invincible – wearing my dolphins – on one of her last tours before she was decommissioned. Hence a chief Fell served on her at the very start and at the very end of her service!

Nick Fell

From 2004 until my recent early retirement, I worked as the locomotive engineer accompanying members of the Royal Family during many journeys around the UK on the Royal Train.

These often took place overnight, stabling at some heavily guarded remote location before the final drop at the destination – within 15 seconds either way of the allocated time (the most punctual train on the network).

It was often at these final destinations that we were subject to the Duke’s acerbic wit. On many occasions, walking past the locomotive cab as myself and the driver were stood to attention, he would comment, ‘You managed to find it, then?’ accompanied by a wry smile. On one such occasion, I was brave enough to retort with, ‘Yes, Sir, we have had a sat-nav installed in the cab.’ He laughed, gave me the pointed finger, and moved on.

A few months later, as there were probably only around 15 to 20 trips per year, again he followed Her Majesty The Queen past the cab. I bowed my head, and was surprised to find the Duke had FMT Summer 2021

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stopped right in front of me. I was quite taken aback, but the Duke smiled, and said, ‘Sat-nav still working, I see.’ ‘Oh yes, Sir,’ I sheepishly replied, knowing full well, such was the Duke’s knowledge, that we both knew there was no sat-nav. He laughed, winked and moved on. There are many other stories, of a similar nature, that I remember, and I have very happy memories of my time spent in the company of a truly great man.

Bro Wayne Millard, Lodge of Saint Blaise No. 6113, Warwickshire.

In the early 1990s, I was working on an exhibition stand at the NEC for a home improvements company. On the stand was my colleague, Colin Deans MBE. We knew that Prince Philip was visiting the exhibition that morning and Colin said to me, ‘When he comes this way, I am going to speak to him.’ I had no idea what he had in mind, but in due course along our aisle came the Duke and his entourage. As he approached our stand, Colin walked straight up to the Duke and said, ‘Good morning, Sir, can I interest you in some double glazing?’ I flinched, but then watched, amazed, as Colin and the Duke got into a deep and animated discussion lasting three or four minutes.

When Colin returned to the stand, I asked him what they had been discussing.

He explained that he knew the Duke from meetings that he’d had with him during his active rugby playing days. Colin Deans MBE was a former captain of the Scottish rugby team, and an outstanding hooker, rated by some at that time as the best they had ever seen.

Martin Hugh Tarran-Jones, St Edmund Lodge No. 6451 In 1951 at the Festival of Britain, myself and two school friends were standing on a small bridge looking at something in the water when suddenly a voice boomed out, ‘Come on boys, bugger off, you are in the bloody way.’

Prince Philip, bless him, still makes me smile so many years later.

What a loss to us all!

Arnie Mason PAGStdB, Eldon Lodge No. 1755 I was involved in the security of VIPs when they visited Lancashire.

Prince Philip had chosen to visit his shirt-maker, a company based in Bispham just north of Blackpool. He decided to 9

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drive himself from Blackpool Airport, in a plain, unliveried Range Rover, across the busy town centre and into the venue.

I managed specialists in security escort, driving and riding motorcycles, and they practiced their trade regularly. However, on this occasion the Duke tested them to their limits with his desire to drive at speed. The team had great difficulty keeping up with him and expressed the view that they had never experienced anything quite like it before. They acknowledged that the Duke was a very skilful driver.

Mike PAGDC / PGStB – APGP Province of West Lancashire During my feckless youth in the late 1950s and 1960s, I lived in Barbados for seven years – long before it became the playground of the rich it is now. During my time there, Prince Philip was making an official tour of the

of the maintenance team. When Charles gained his pilot’s licence in August 1971, he laid on a barrel of beer for the members of the Queen’s Flight at RAF Benson, at which The Duke of Edinburgh was in attendance.

Sgt John Collins and a few of us helped in collecting VIP’s ties on visits to the flight, so, on that day, we approached Sir Archie Whinskill, Equerry to the Queen, to ask if we could have the Duke’s tie. During the beer call, Prince Philip came to our small group and, after a chat, said, ‘I believe you chaps would like my tie’, and started to take it off. However, John said to Prince Philip, ‘Sorry, Sir, not like that, like this’, and then cut his tie below the knot with a pair of scissors, to add to our collection.

He took it with good humour, and asked about our collection. John replied: ‘Sir, you are in good company, along with Sir Douglas Bader’.

Bro Norman Shanks MBE, Charity Steward, Sodbury Vale Lodge

I had the pleasure of meeting Prince Philip on three occasions, serving on the Queen’s Flight 1969-1973.

At that time, Prince Charles was learning to fly in a Bassett aircraft, of which I was part

My father, then Petty Officer Lawrence Crabtree, served in the Royal Navy during World War II on various ships including HMS Whelp where he served as a gunnery officer alongside Prince Philip in 1944. Over the years following the war, he spoke many times of his time in the Navy, but what he recalled most was the time spent with Prince Philip.

During his later years, my father had mentioned to one of his golfing colleagues that it would be nice to see Prince Philip once again. His colleague, unbeknown to my father, wrote to the Duke of Edinburgh in February 1997 and on 10 April 1997 my father received a letter from Buckingham Palace, sent by Captain the Hon James Geddes, GREN GDS which read: ‘Mr Hollas, a friend of yours, wrote to the Duke of Edinburgh in February with the hope that you may once again meet His Royal Highness as you once served together on HMS Whelp during the war.

His Royal Highness remembers you from that time and has asked me to enquire whether you would like to attend one of the Royal Garden Parties this summer and meet Prince Philip again.’

My father promptly replied that he would look forward to meeting Prince Philip at the Royal Garden Party on 24 July at Buckingham Palace. My father and I received our official invitations from Her Majesty The Queen on 13 June. At the Garden Party, when we were presented to Prince Philip, he turned to me and said,

Caribbean with the Western Atlantic flotilla. He was to visit Barbados and open the new Queen Elizabeth hospital, and also open Parliament.

We, a bunch of ex-pats, had just founded a rugby club and challenged the Royal Navy to a match at the Garrison, the local horse track just outside Bridgetown. The match was played in the cool of the early morning and Prince Philip came to watch.

The Navy narrowly beat us and we all repaired to the polo hut, which we used as our changing facility, for a glass of the local lager. Our charming and delightful visitor asked if we would like to come back to the Royal Yacht for some English bitter, but we would have to make it a quick visit as his official duties were due to begin mid-morning. We did not need to be asked twice! There was no time to change and, still in our kit, we piled into assorted vehicles and set off on the short drive to the Deep Water Harbour and boarded the Royal Yacht Britannia. We had our beer and waved the Prince off dressed in his very smart Admiral of the Fleet uniform and had more beer at the insistence of the extremely hospitable crew.

I don't remember the rest.

Mr Michael Francis Jackson-Croker, Bishop Auckland, County Durham

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‘When your father first joined the Whelp, I told him, jokingly, I wasn’t sure whether I should let him on board as he had already been sunk twice.’ (My father had survived a sinking in the North Atlantic in 1941 and also a sinking off Bougie, Algeria in 1942).

They both reminisced about the time they shared in the Royal Navy and it was clear by the stories my father and Prince Philip shared that they had a strong camaraderie.

As the day drew to a close and we left the Palace, my father said he always remembered what the Prince told him when he left the ship. ‘He said we would be shipmates somewhere, sometime’ – which meant we would meet again, and he made it happen. My father sadly passed away nine years later, contentedly.

W Bro Alan Crabtree, Lodge of Peace No. 322, Provincial Senior Grand Deacon I had the great honour of being presented with my Long Service and Good Conduct Medal personally

by HRH Prince Philip. A very proud day for me and my family.

Pete Crimmins

I encountered Prince Philip in the early 1970s when he was taking part in a carriage driving competition at Lowther Park near Penrith. As a member of the then Royal Army Pay Corps – Territorial Army and Volunteer Reserve – attached to B Company of the Northumbrian Volunteers based in Kendal, I was part of a group from the company tasked to provide communications cover for the event – which was taking place over a sizeable area of the estate. I and a couple of colleagues were manning the base station situated in the centre of the course in an elevated position in the grounds of the estate.

As we were checking the equipment on the Saturday morning before the event started, one of the course marshals came to check on progress. While we were chatting to him, he pointed out a dark

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coloured Range Rover, with a distinctive registration, pulling up at a chicane obstacle, which was below our base station position, and remarked that it was the Duke’s vehicle.

A few minutes later, the vehicle climbed the hill and His Royal Highness got out and came over to talk to us, asking who we were and what we were doing. As the NCO in charge of the party, it fell to me to salute him and explain our role.

He was very interested and spoke quite informally to everybody, expressing the wish that everything would go well for the competition, and our small part in it.

The exchange only lasted for a brief time but the marshal commented to me afterwards that, the previous evening, the Duke had attended a briefing for all the drivers involved and had just taken his seat quietly and listened to the instructions for the event, without fuss or ceremony.

It made a lasting memory, of which the key factor for me was that I had had the opportunity to salute him personally, face to face, and to have that salute acknowledged.

W Bro John L Dixon PPrDepGd Reg, Johnstonian Lodge No.9301, Province of Durham

My experience took place many years ago in Sheffield when Prince Philip opened a sewage works there. After performing the opening, he turned to his audience and with a huge grin on his face, he went on as follows: ‘My family are very good at openings. We open all manner of things, hospitals, bridges, public buildings, for instance. There are so many openings that we have a rota for these duties so that we all take our turn. Now, I don't know who is responsible for drawing up that rota, but I can guarantee, strangely enough, that whenever there is a sewage works to open, my name is always at the top of the rota.’ This produced hoots of appreciative laughter from his audience. Prince Philip wished us all well and went on his way – still grinning.

Bro David Moore PPrJGD, Albric Festival Lodge No. 9576, Province of Shropshire Between 2002 and 2006, I ran a small craft brewery in the West Highlands of Scotland.

In the summer of 2005, Her Majesty The Queen and HRH The Prince Philip paid a visit to the village where I had my

business – to visit the brewery, and the neighbouring ice wall and climbing centre.

Both of our royal guests, and Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Inverness, were, of course, charming, engaging and an absolute pleasure to host. But my young brewers were nervous at the arrival of our guests. Prince Philip clearly recognised this, left the rest of the party, came up to them and started cracking jokes, asking them if they really drank our beer or preferred ‘supermarket lager’, and put them at their ease.

The Duke was on his hands and knees underneath the bar with one of my young colleagues, asking how the casks and the hand pumps and the dispense system all worked. I think he – and they – loved it.

Neill Cotton, Apollo University Lodge No. 357. Lodge of Assistance No. 2773.

Tivoli Libris Lodge No.2150 (PM) My memory of Prince Philip is from the opening of a building in Plymouth many years ago. It was pouring with rain, everyone was getting wet and it was his turn to speak. He just said, ‘I am now supposed to give a speech. You are all getting wet, so I will not bother you with my speech. Let's all go inside and eat the grub that has been provided.’

Richard Howard, Lodge 5496 In 1969/70 when I was manager at Stornoway Airfield, I met Prince Philip when he was passing through to the USA. It was an awful day and he didn’t want to leave the aircraft. He asked me what I was doing and I said I was due to pick up my wife and newborn daughter from the hospital. His retort was, ‘Good God man, she’s more important than me.

Go and pick her up.’ A year later, he was passing through again and his first words were, ‘How’s your wife and daughter?’ I couldn’t believe it. When you think of all the people he would have met.

John Fox FMT Summer 2021

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I was at the Holker Hall in the Lake District in about 1978 for their annual country fair, with all manner of country stalls as well as carriage driving competitions. It was a bitterly cold day with a really stiff breeze and occasional drizzle falling.

I had taken refuge in the beer tent with my wife and two young children, and had just ordered (and had to instruct the barman in the making of) hot toddies.

As I was sipping the steaming glass, I heard a voice over my shoulder, ‘That looks inviting. What have you got there young man?’

I thought I slightly recognised the voice, but couldn't place it, and turned, half expecting to see an old golfing friend.

You can imagine my surprise when I turned around to see his Royal Highness, dressed in a long, light-coloured macintosh and a bowler hat, looking inquisitively at my glass. Words nearly failed me, but I blurted out, ‘Err, a hot toddy, Sir.’ ‘Ooh, that sounds good,’ he said, turning to the bar. ‘We’ll have a few of those,’ he suggested, with flunkies almost fighting with each other to get to the bar.

He turned to me and winked and made my day. Mainly as I now had a story I could relate for the rest of my life.

David F Thompson, PPrGrSuptofWorks, Acacia Lodge No. 4512, Liverpool Masonic Hall I was on duty as a police civilian security officer at the Palace of Westminster in the early 1990s when Prince Philip was due to give a talk to a small number of people in the Cholmondeley Room. This was not an official meeting. He drove into the Royal Court in an early version of an electric car, accompanied by his protection officer and followed by an unmarked police vehicle.

In he went. Some 45 minutes later he came out alone, passed me, gave me a wave, and got in his car and drove off.

Some few minutes later, three police officers came running out and stared at the empty space.

I couldn't help it. I said, ‘he went that way’, pointing my finger. I never saw any other car leave the Royal Court at such speed in the rest of my career as then. I had to smile.

David Sharman, Eastgate Lodge No. 6694, Halsey Masonic Hall, Cheshunt, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire 11

14/05/2021 13:19

Out & about Helping hands

Freemasons are coming together to help the NHS get the UK vaccinated

JOIN THE JABS ARMY

We’re inviting all Freemasons to volunteer for our vaccination drive. Could you help out in your local community?

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Helping hands Out & about

U

nited Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) is encouraging its 200,000 members to roll up their sleeves and volunteer to assist in vaccinating the population.

To help protect all UK citizens during this time, Freemasons have also offered their lodges to aid in administering the vital jabs, and many buildings are being used as COVID-19 vaccination centres.

In Hertfordshire, Halsey Hall is being used as a vaccination centre and supporting three local GP surgeries.

The centre has been operational since January and, once fully scaled, there will be up to 1,000 vaccinations given each day.

NHS frontline staff members are also administering the jabs at the masonic building in Essex. Meanwhile, Freemasons in south Wales opened the doors of Barry Masonic Hall to local medical practices from 21 January.

In addition, two halls are being used as vaccination centres in west Kent. At the Westwood Masonic Centre in Welling, more than 2,000 people were vaccinated on 9 and 10 January, while the Tunbridge Wells Masonic Centre was a welcome venue for vaccinations on 14 January.

UGLE is also encouraging Freemasons to donate their time to help fight the virus. However, it emphasised that any volunteers should not participate if they are in an at-risk group.

Freemason Alec Hurley is a retired RAF senior medical officer and a self-employed medical examiner for the Civil Aviation Authority. During these difficult times, he is back on duty working 12-hour shifts three times a week for clinical COVID-19 assessment, and as a clinical supervisor at the Stevenage super hub for vaccinations.

Freemasons are volunteering across many Provinces. They are assisting at vaccination sites in Devon, Lincolnshire, Leicester and Wiltshire. In Dorset, they are driving ambulances and working as volunteer vaccinators.

More than 100 Freemasons from Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire have volunteered with St John Ambulance to help the NHS vaccination team.

The charity is providing training for the volunteers, while the Freemasons have made their buildings available to the St John logistics team.

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Over in Cheshire, Freemasons are working with the Clinical Commissioning Group to provide the local Masonic Hall as a vaccination hub to protect patients.

The UGLE campaign is being carried out through its monthly email to members and official social media channels. The idea is to reach as many members as possible, to encourage them to help immunise the population.

Dr David Staples, Chief Executive of UGLE, said, ‘In 2018, more than 18.5 million hours of volunteer work were undertaken by Freemasons. Now that we have the vaccine in the UK, it is crucial that we help in every way we can to protect the population. If the NHS needs people, then we are happy to encourage and emphasise the importance of this to our members.

‘We want to support the NHS and show our gratitude for its people’s efforts and the amazing job they have done during the pandemic. Freemasons always stand behind our core values of friendship, integrity, charity and respect – and we are proud to help so many people.'

According to the NHS, more than six million people had received a vaccine by 28 January. Britain has ordered 140 million vaccine doses – enough to protect the entire population. But the NHS faces a race against time to protect everyone before a possible new wave.

More than ever, efforts to vaccinate those most at risk from serious illness are now paramount, and there is a need to ensure that the NHS has as many volunteers as possible. To help the NHS in the vaccination campaign, volunteers should sign up at: www.nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk Volunteers will then receive an email with login details to sign up online and be asked to download the GoodSAM app, which will match them to their area.

‘We want to support the NHS and show our gratitude for its people’s efforts and the amazing job they have done during the pandemic’ 13

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Out & about

communications at Loughton Masonic Centre, where Elaine’s own OWF Lodge Diligence No. 179 meets.

The Deputy Provincial Grand Master In-Charge Paul Reeves said he was more than happy for her lodge to get involved. To coordinate, Peter Low, the Provincial Communications Officer asked Ian Graham to be the linkman and he arranged for Lodge Diligence to support his Chafford Lodge No. 5510 Shoebox 500 Team.

1 SUSSEX

Search & rescue

Lives may be saved at sea thanks to a donation of 33 Fire tablet devices by Sussex Freemasons.

The tablets will be distributed among the eight RNLI lifeboat stations across the county.

Together with 12 devices supplied earlier in the year to the two RNLI stations in Eastbourne, the 33 tablets are for the use of the crews based at the RNLI lifeboat stations at Rye Harbour, Hastings, Eastbourne, Newhaven, Brighton, Shoreham, Littlehampton and Selsey. The tablets will help crew members with remote online training and to practice their core skills.

Lewis Arnold, coxswain/mechanic of the Newhaven-based all-weather Severn Class lifeboat, whose crews have been awarded 19 medals for gallantry, said, ‘On behalf of all the lifeboat stations in Sussex, I would like to say thank you to Sussex Freemasons. COVID-19 cancelled all of our physical training sessions. The gift of the 33 tablets lets us keep training online, running rescue scenarios based on historic calls that we have attended and keeping our core skills at a high level, ensuring we are as ready as possible to keep saving lives at sea.’

Sussex Masonic Charitable Foundation Chairman Michael Harris said, ‘As Sussex Freemasons we are proud to be able to support the work of the RNLI at each of the eight lifeboat stations along the beautiful Sussex coast. It’s so important that crew members can stay connected and practice the vital skills that preserve lives at sea. We hope that these tablets will play a part in assisting them in their selfless work.’

2 ESSEX

Come together

When W Bro Elaine Malone, Deputy Grand Secretary of the Order of Women’s Freemasons (OWF), saw an Essex Provincial tweet about their Shoebox 500 Challenge, she contacted Chris Hicks of Thomas Ralling Lodge No. 2508 to see if they could also raise funds to help the homeless. Chris is responsible for events, PR and

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The lady members of Lodge Diligence raised £150 which Elaine used to buy drinks, shampoos, body lotion, deodorant, tissues, wet wipes and female hygiene products. Another member, Eileen Colls, also in Lodge Diligence, Margaret Gibson, a Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies and the lady member of her two lodges also joined in. Colchester Priory No. 155 collected a range of items and Obedience No. 346, raised £90 to add to those that had been put together.

Lodge Diligence No. 179 supports events at Loughton Masonic Centre and the OWF supports county shows, Freshers’ Fairs and had a stand at the Open House event at UGLE. ‘It’s all about getting involved,’ said Elaine, who also works to encourage new and young members to join the OWF, stating, ‘They are the future of Freemasonry.’

3 SHROPSHIRE

Small comforts

In Shropshire, as elsewhere, Easter isn’t an easy time for many young people, such as those in hospital, a refuge or temporary accommodation. Children forced to leave abusive homes have to move quickly, sometimes far from home, school and friends.

For them, as for children in hospital or with life-limiting illnesses, a little joy can go a long way.

Thanks to the support of Morrisons, Shropshire libraries and many individual members, Shropshire Freemasons have made a difference. They responded to a call from Provincial Grand Master Roger Pemberton to raise funds for those in need. Morrisons supplied Easter eggs at a huge discount, while Shropshire libraries provided age-appropriate books.

As a result, 245 Easter goody bags were delivered by the PGM and his wife – along with David Purslow, Shropshire's Provincial Education Officer – to Shropshire Council’s Temporary Accommodation

Easter goody bags were delivered to Shropshire's children in need

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Out & about

office, the Stay project in Oakengates (supporting homeless young people in Telford), the Telford and Wrekin Council Domestic Abuse Support Unit, the PRH children’s ward at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital and Hope House Children’s Hospice in Oswestry.

Roger Pemberton said, ‘This is the first time we have given away Easter eggs and books to help make some lives a little better. We can make it a regular event.’

The Pantry in Staffordshire provides food to local families

4 SU FFOLK

On the scent

The Province of Suffolk is donating funds to the charity Medical Detection Dogs. The charity’s dogs are specially trained to detect the odour of human disease, with the aim of developing faster, more efficient and less invasive diagnostics.

Rick Orme, the Provincial Grand Charity Steward for the Province of Suffolk, said, ‘I’m delighted that we are able to offer some support to this fantastic charity following the presentation by Norma Howell at our Almoners’ Conference. I understand that the charity is also conducting research into whether the detection dogs can assist with the COVID-19 pandemic. I wish them continued success and I am delighted to be able to offer some support for their cause.’

The charity is at the forefront of research into the fight against cancer and other life-threatening diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease and bacterial infections.

6 S TA F F O R D S H I R E

Making connections

A local community group that serves Etruria and Shelton in Stoke-on-Trent is celebrating after securing £2,500 of funding from The National Lottery’s Local Connections programme. The Celebration Generation Project will help to break down barriers between younger and older generations by helping them to connect through traditional methods, such as penpal letter-writing packs, while also providing opportunities for young people to buddy up with older residents and help them to embrace new technologies.

Etruria Matters was born out of an old residents’ association serving Etruria and Shelton. Over the past year, the community group has become well known for the support it offers to residents across all areas of the multiethnic and diverse community it serves.

During the COVID crisis, many people approached the group because they were struggling to afford to buy food for their families. Matt Crompton from the group secured an agreement with a local Co-op store to collect food that would otherwise go to waste and share it with a few families. And so the Pantry was born.

Claire Bryan, the manager of Freemasons’ Hall in Shelton, heard about Etruria Matters towards the end of 2020 and contacted the group. She then approached the Freemasons who meet at Shelton. They have, so far, donated £1,400 to the Pantry, and Claire now delivers food weekly to Etruria Matters. The community group is encouraging more residents to get involved.

5 CAM BRIDGESHIRE

Digital donations

Following the funding donation from Cambridgeshire Freemasons for more than 120 Raspberry Pi computers during February, they have now stepped up their support of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Digital Drive campaign by donating more than 40 laptops to the Cambridgeshire youth panel.

This is the second appeal to be initiated by Provincial Grand Master Bill Dastur this year. He challenged members to pass on any unused laptops so that they could be used by young people in the local community.

This part of the appeal is being coordinated by Cambridgeshire Freemason Clive Webber, a member of a lodge that meets in Ely. Clive has been collecting the laptops and arranging for them to be processed, so they can be used by young people with little or no access to technology.

In Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, more than 8,000 children and young people do not have laptops or personal computers to access lessons, online resources, receive support from their teachers or interact with their classmates. Digital Drive is working in partnership with Cambridgeshire County Council, Peterborough City Council, the Cambs Youth Panel, Cambridge Digital Partnership, and Cambridge 2030 to make sure that every child across the county can access their schoolwork at home. Donations can be made online at: http://gf.me/u/zfuj78

7 LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND

Help at hand

Two thousand children and young people with type 1 diabetes will receive support from an innovative new app that can help manage their condition. This is thanks to a grant of £42,000 from Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons to the Leicester Hospitals Charity.

The new mobile education app, known as DEAPP, has been developed by the Children’s Research Centre, and aims to educate patients and families through 12 creative and engaging learning sessions that can be played through a smartphone, tablet or PC. The app provides instant access to online information whenever required, without needing to wait for medical appointments. It is already in use FMT Summer 2021

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Richard Edwards, chief executive of Huggard, said, ‘As part of the service that Huggard offers, we transport our clients to appointments they need to attend and, before the COVID-19 restrictions, to organised events.

Our clients rely heavily on us for this, as most struggle to use public transport because of the cost. It’s a situation that has worsened during the pandemic. Our current vehicle has certainly seen better days and has needed to be replaced for a while now. Sadly, we just couldn’t afford to do it.

‘We’re very grateful to the South Wales Freemasons for their generous grant. A new vehicle will make an enormous difference to us as well as to our services, and it means we can offer so much more to clients.’

in 28 hospitals across England and Wales, and there are plans to roll it out to every hospital in England and Wales by 2022.

The Freemasons’ grant will allow the app to be adapted to help patients and families from black and ethnic minorities, where English is not the main language, or for families of patients with learning disabilities. This will be achieved by adding additional modules and components to DEAPP to provide relevant information, ensuring that all children and young people diagnosed can have equal access to high-quality education about type 1 diabetes.

The aim is to translate the app into Welsh, Somali, Punjabi and Urdu. Beyond that, DEAPP will be developed to focus on resources for over-16s, specifically in terms of health and wellbeing, dealing with mental health, risk-taking behaviour and how this impacts on a young person’s diabetes.

9 NORTHANTS AND HUNTS

Stepping up

St John Ambulance is seeking volunteers to join the NHS COVID-19 vaccine team, and we are delighted to report that Freemasons have more than 100 volunteers now on standby to assist.

The NHS has begun what will be the largest vaccination programme in its history, and Freemasonry has been asked to be part of the team that helps to protect millions of people. St John Ambulance is providing full training and the initial commitment is for volunteers to be available for at least two eighthour shifts each month.

In addition, many of the local masonic centres around the Province have made their buildings available to the St John logistics team and further news in this respect is expected shortly. Assistant Provincial Grand Master Mark Constant said, ‘We are incredibly excited about playing our part in the national fight back against COVID-19 and in creating a healthier, safer and more resilient future.’

10 NORTHUMBERLAND

Radio stars 8 S O U T H WA L E S

Mobile support

South Wales Freemasons have donated £25,000 to Huggard, Wales’s leading centre for people who are sleeping rough in Cardiff. The money will be used to replace the charity’s 15-year-old vehicle.

Huggard remains open around the clock. For more than 30 years, it has given people who are homeless and vulnerable the specialist support they need to rebuild their lives for the future. The charity has worked with nearly 900 homeless people since the first of the COVID-19 lockdowns in March 2020, and it fully expects this number to continue rising over the next 12 to 18 months as the number of people in the city facing homelessness increases.

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South Wales homeless charity Huggard can now replace their 15-year-old car

Northumberland Freemasons now have their own radio show. The monthly show, called Sound Level, is hosted by volunteers at community radio station Radio Northumberland as part of their commitment to connecting as many diverse groups across the county as possible during lockdown.

Presented by Tom Stewart from Widdrington Station and produced by Keith Newman from Ulgham, the show looks at the personal stories of Northumberland Freemasons, gives practical information and highlights their charitable work throughout Northumberland, Newcastle and North Tyneside.

The 90-minute February show featured an interview with the former guitarist of Hebburnbased 80s band, The News, explored the history of the 100-year-old Cramlington Lodge, examined the impact of COVID-19 on farming and reported on some of the good causes that were the recipients of almost £200,000 in donations in 2020.

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Out & about

1 1 D E R BYS H I R E

Pass the mic

In a twist on the modern travelling gavel concept, Amadeus Lodge No. 9539 is hosting a meeting at which your lodge can claim The Travelling Headset.

To win it, your lodge has to have the largest number of visitors at the meeting. And when you hold another meeting, another lodge has the chance to win it.

Andy Glaves and Steve Williams came up with the idea in April 2020 to encourage members to visit other lodge’s Zoom meetings, and to encourage them to start hosting their own.

In the 10 months the headset has been travelling around the Province, it has moved between lodges 12 times, and has been claimed by nine different lodges across seven masonic centres within Derbyshire.

The Zoom meetings have evolved into events – everything from talks on cave rescue and the blood bike service, to a lecture on lodge history, a jazz piano performance and even a pantomime.

Photograph: Fiji Times, Suva

Stuart Cairns, Provincial Grand Secretary of Northumberland Freemasons said, ‘The radio show will be for Freemasons, by Freemasons, but it is hoped that the general public will listen in and enjoy the content. The format will be a mixture of interviews, topics of interest and music. It will provide an opportunity for Freemasons in Northumberland to share their hobbies with others, and discuss those topics and other issues of interest.’

Tom Stewart added, ‘COVID-19 has isolated a lot of people including Freemasons, many of whom are old and vulnerable. We are hoping that this new show will reconnect them with familiar people who have shared interests through the internet wavebands.’

The show airs on Radio Northumberland, Mondays at 1pm, Tuesdays at 4pm, Thursdays at 6pm and Saturdays at 5pm. You can tune in by asking your smartspeaker to ‘play Radio Northumberland’ or search for Radio Northumberland on: www.tunein.com or www.internetradiouk.com

G R O U P O F LO D G E S : S O U T H W E S T PAC I F I C

Hurricane relief

The Lodge of Fiji recently donated school supplies valued at around £5,000. The contribution consisted of uniforms, sandals, exercise books and school accessories, and were received by 284 children from nine schools in the remote islands of Southern Lau, part of the Fiji group of islands.

The schools were devastated by Tropical Cyclone Harold in February 2020, with buildings destroyed and students losing all their schooling needs.

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Because of their remoteness (some islands are around 500 nautical miles from the capital Suva and closer to the Tongan Island Group), and with the ravages to Fiji by Tropical Cyclone Yasa in December 2020, it has taken all this time to get the assistance to the schools so that they were ready for the 2021 school year.

The students and head teacher travelled all the way from their islands to attend the handover event in Suva with Lodge of Fiji brethren.

Left to right: W Bro Sitiveni Yaqona, VW Bro Ross McDonald, WM W Bro Krishna Raju, and school head teacher from Lau

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Stories

Contents Stories

People, places, history and more

22 Brother on the beat Norwell Roberts QPM on overcoming racism in the force

26 Getting to know you An audience with PGM of South Wales Gareth Jones OBE

28 The Light Blues brigade Learning and engagement with The New and Young Masons Clubs

30 Dr David Staples interview UGLE’s Grand Secretary on taking Freemasonry from the margins to the mainstream

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Stories Top of the cops

As the first black officer in the Met, Norwell Roberts QPM played a pioneering role in policing

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Top of the cops Stories

FORCE FOR CHANGE

As London’s first black police constable in 1967, Freemason Norwell Roberts QPM defied racists to rise to the rank of detective sergeant. Peter Watts discovers how he blazed a trail for future officers W O R D S P E T E R WAT T S P O R T R A I T S A L U N C A L L E N D E R

O

n Norwell Roberts’ first day as Metropolitan Police PC590 C Division, he walked into Bow Street police station to meet his reporting sergeant. It was 1967, and Norwell had just become the Met’s first black police officer. What should have been a moment of great pride was defined by what happened next.

‘The sergeant told me, “Look you n*****, I’ll see to it that you never pass your probation,”’ recalls Norwell, now long retired from the Met and an active Freemason. ‘I was a 21-year-old, straight out of training school. I’d been working at a university with people from all over the world. So having that said to me on the first day was an eye-opener.’

The reporting sergeant couldn’t stop Norwell from passing his probation, but he did help make his life hell for years. And he wasn’t the only one.

Now living in north-west London, Norwell relates a litany of daily indignities inflicted on him by fellow officers. He was spat on, tea was thrown at him and buttons were torn off his uniform.

Matchsticks were stuffed in the keyhole of his car. Racial epithets were used frequently. Once, he was patrolling Covent Garden on foot when officers hurled racial abuse at him from a passing patrol car in front of members of the public.

The most shocking moment came in 1971.

Michael Ince had become the Met’s second black male police officer in 1970, but tragically died in a car crash in February 1971 while responding to an emergency call. ‘A bloke in Bow Street was waving a newspaper around shouting, “One down, two to go,”’ says Norwell. ‘That was the way it was.’

Norwell joined the police force almost on a whim, applying in response to a newspaper advert in 1965 and then again in 1966 after the initial application was dismissed without explanation. Once accepted, he took it seriously and enjoyed training in Hendon, north London, where there was no inkling of what lay ahead.

Like any black Briton of the era, Norwell had experienced racism. He’d moved to England from Anguilla when he was nine years old to live with his mother in Bromley in south London. Here he encountered older children who dropped him on his head to see the colour of his blood, and a headmistress who wouldn’t let him to go to grammar school after he passed his 11+ as he needed to learn ‘English ways’.

‘That was just a way of saying, “Your boy is black, there’s no way we are going to send him to a grammar school as it will look as if he’s

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Stories Top of the cops

cleverer than a white boy – that ain’t going to happen,”’ says Norwell.

Improvements came at secondary school, by which time he had moved to north London.

He left school at 15 and earned his City & Guilds while working as a laboratory technician at University College London’s Westfield College.

That’s when he applied to join the Met. Once in the force, he was determined to stick it out despite the prejudice, and moved steadily up the ranks to detective sergeant.

He relished the public side of policing, finding the public often treated him far better than his colleagues. But night after night, he would return to his lodgings at the police section house, and cry.

Did he ever complain or confront his tormentors?

‘Who do I confront? I was on my own. There were 27,000 police officers and I was the only black one,’ he says. The one time he did approach a superior officer, it was dismissed. ‘I thought, I’ve lost,’ he says. ‘I’d let them get to me. I wasn’t going to do

that again. I left the office and went back about my business. I cried about that. Crying was the only way I could relieve it.’ Only one officer from that era has apologised directly for their role in the bullying.

Norwell joined Freemasonry in much the same cavalier spirit as he had the Met, almost as a lark, with little notion of what he was getting into.

He soon found himself deeply committed to the Craft, loving the ceremony and the friendly, welcoming atmosphere. That was in 1985 and he is now the Provincial Grand Almoner, as well as the holder of various offices in the Craft, Grand

‘I was the first black police officer and the first black man to do 30 years in the force.

I did it all at the sharp end’ Rank in the Mark Degree, The Royal Ark Mariners, Grand Rank in the Royal Arch and the Royal and Select Master. Before lockdown, he found himself attending as many as six meetings a week.

‘During COVID (when it was at its height) I made 15-20 phone calls every day. I still make at least 10 a day to support those who are elderly or scared.’

It’s clear that Freemasonry appeals to that discipline (Norwell sleeps for just three hours a night, rising at 3.30am) and love of public service that made him such an effective copper.

He acknowledges the parallels. Even ritual has some similarities with his old life.

‘I used to enjoy going to court when I was in the police force, and it’s like that,’ he says. ‘It’s like being a thespian. You can put so much into it.’

For his pioneering role in British policing, Norwell has received the Queen’s Police Medal, 24

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which was presented to him by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace in 1996. When a new police museum opens on the site of his old police station in Bow Street, the story of Norwell Roberts will feature prominently. He is rightfully proud of his accomplishments and still appears in recruitment campaigns by the Met. And he has no regrets about that off-the-cuff decision to become a policeman more than 50 years ago. Somebody had to go through what he experienced if the barrier was to be broken.

‘I’d do it all again,’ he says. ‘They were never going to beat me. They were never going to win.

I needed those tests to see what I was made of.

It was a test of character and I believed I passed.

I am proud of lots of things I achieved. I was the first black police officer and I was the first black man to do 30 years in the force. I got the Queen’s Police Medal, I have the Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. And I did it all at the sharp end.’

Norwell’s 30 years of policing have seen him defy racism and be awarded the Queen’s Police Medal

N O R W E L L’ S D I S T I N C T I O N S A Worshipful Brother lmoner in six A other Orders First black man to get the Queen’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service First black man to serve for 30 years in the Met

training room is A named in Norwell’s honour at Hendon Training School Legend Award from the Afro and Caribbean descendants in the UK for selfless and long dedication

to the safety of the community as a whole Legend Award from BBC Radio London

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Top of the cops Stories

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Stories 60 seconds with...

Roll of honour

Meet Gareth Jones, lifelong civil servant, PGM of South Wales, Third Grand Principal and proud recipient of an OBE Apart from a year as a tennis coach, Gareth Jones has been a member of Her Majesty’s civil service for the whole of his working life. ‘I started as a computer programmer when computers could easily have taken up half a five-a-side football pitch,’ he says. ‘I’ve worked as private secretary to a cabinet minister in the Margaret Thatcher government. I’ve been registrar of companies for the UK. And I finally retired as director general for natural resources in the Welsh government. I now chair the board of a professional representative body.

Now PGM of South Wales and Third Grand Principal, Gareth’s interest in Freemasonry began in the early 1980s when he was playing rugby for Cardiff High School Old Boys RFC. ‘Quite a few of the members were also in the Old Boys’ Lodge, Harlequins No, 5793 in Cardiff, and they were people I liked and respected.

So after some discussion, my brother (Peter – now W Bro Peter Jones PJGD) and I approached one of our friends who was pleased to tell us a bit about it. In February 1984, Peter and I were initiated together, and we were subsequently passed, raised and exalted together too, with Peter (as the older sibling) installing me into the chairs of the lodge and chapter some years later.’

What inspires you about Freemasonry?

In my early days in Freemasonry, I was inspired by more senior members, some of whom were pretty good role models.

More recently, I have been – and continue to be – inspired by young men, particularly those in our New and Young Masons’ Clubs. These members with their new, fresh ideas and refreshing attitudes towards the Craft and the Royal Arch are a reminder that we must constantly change to keep up with society, while at the same time holding dear those basic principles and values that encouraged us to join.

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Has Freemasonry improved your life?

Apart from the natural improvements that stem from an understanding of what our beautiful ritual has to teach us, Freemasonry has provided a wide circle of friends for my wife and me. It has given us great opportunities to meet new people and enjoy the social aspects of the Craft. In my current roles as Third Grand Principal and PGM for South Wales, Freemasonry has also provided some much-needed structure since I retired from work full-time.

What do you enjoy most about being Third Grand Principal and PGM? While I still enjoy our ceremonial, I especially like meeting our members across Provinces and further afield. I enjoy listening to their views, responding to concerns, making presentations at annual meetings and generally playing a small part in spreading good practice when and wherever I can.

How has the pandemic presented challenges for Freemasonry?

This last year has been like no other.

Our inability to meet and to enjoy the organisations we love so much has been heartbreaking, frustrating and downright horrid. Freemasonry has, however, continued; we don’t suddenly become non-masons simply because we cannot meet. We must all have been heartened to learn about the wonderful work our members have done to help and support members and wider communities in their times of need. Freemasonry will continue stronger and better in the months and years to come.

Tell us about receiving your OBE...

I was honoured to receive my OBE in 2003 from HRH The Prince of Wales as a result of when I was Operations Director for

Wales during the foot and mouth crisis. The day at the palace was a lovely experience for my family and me. We got to meet Sir Mick Jagger, who was receiving his knighthood, and Gerry Marsden, who was receiving his MBE. Hopes for the future of Freemasonry?

I am a bit of a traditionalist, so my hopes for the future are pretty modest. I hope and trust we will never compromise on our underlying values and principles, and that our ceremonies will continue to teach us lessons that have stood the test of time over 300 years. Of course, we must adapt our practices to suit society around us if we are to remain relevant. But those adaptations must be done via evolution rather than revolution if we are to keep our older members engaged and supportive.

After all, they are the ones who have acted as stewards of Freemasonry before our time, and we must be sensitive to their needs always. On a more personal note, I have a son who is a new Master Mason (and who probably thinks it is perfectly normal for the Deputy Grand Master, Second Grand Principal and Past Assistant Grand Master to attend one’s initiation) and is about to be exalted into the Royal Arch. I look forward to seeing his progress.

Best bit of advice you’ve been given?

Rule one: There is always a solution to any problem. Rule two: If you can’t find the solution, refer to Rule one.

What are your favourite ways to relax?

My wife and I love holidays, especially our annual skiing trip. Since lockdown, I have restarted my interest in playing chess and play once or twice a day against opponents across the globe. And as restaurants open again, my love of fine dining and good wines can once again be satisfied.

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Stories New and Young Masons Club

The New and Young Masons Club (NYMC) explains how they offer younger members masonic learning and engagement with the Craft

LIGHT BLUES B R I GAD E Dedicated to offering advice on the running and setup of new and young masons, both in the UK and internationally, The New and Young Masons Club (NYMC) acts as a conduit between these clubs and the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE). Each year, the NYMC hosts a conference organised by a different club in their own Province.

Here, a network of committee members 28

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from groups far and wide gather to discuss the important issues within their organisations. The sharing of ideas on best practice, learnings to enhance retention and engagement with the wider membership is always on the agenda.

The NYMC has successfully supported five conferences with different clubs hosting each time. These events have attracted rulers of the Craft as keynote

speakers, providing interesting insight into UGLE and its future.

Last year’s conference was cancelled due to the pandemic, but the Fleet House Light Blues Club of Hertfordshire is hoping to host one in October 2021. The theme of their conference is ‘Engaging your membership’, where they will showcase speakers from the marketing industry. This will be a fantastic opportunity for clubs to meet and discuss their successes and challenges throughout the pandemic and beyond.

Most Provinces and Districts now have a New and Young Masons Club. These increase involvement with Freemasonry and help engage members of the Craft.

Although each club is different, most will offer opportunities for masonic learning, visitation and social events. The key to their success is that members can connect with the wider fraternity, sharing experiences with those who are typically at a similar stage of their masonic journey.

The need for New and Young Masons Clubs has become clear, and in the

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New and Young Masons Club Stories

The NYMC’s social opportunities include pub meets, visits to local masonic attractions and trips to other Provinces

last 10 years we have seen a surge in club inaugurations. Many New and Young Masons Clubs provide a platform for potential members to ask questions before joining. There is also the opportunity to invite wives, partners, family and friends to specific events, which helps build Freemasonry within each community.

Formed in 2016, the NYMC has helped many Provinces start groups and provided

support where needed. W Bro Mitchell Merrick-Thirlway was the founder of the NYMC and had singlehandedly run the organisation until recently.

In 2021, the NYMC working group was formed. This is made up of six members from different clubs, each taking an area of responsibility. The working party’s aim is to continue uniting all clubs under the same banner and support them with FMT Summer 2021

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conferences and initiatives. Each one is sovereign and often supported by their provincial executive, so the NYMC acts to provide guidance on best practice, recommended models and constitutions.

Feeding back information to UGLE is an important part of the NYMC role.

Having been invited, two members gave a presentation at the European Grand Secretaries meeting this year, hosted virtually from London.

RW Bro Gareth Jones is the UGLE Liaison for the NYMC. He said, ‘I have been delighted to act as the senior UGLE liaison point with the growing number of New and Young Masons Clubs across England and Wales and, recently in some of our Districts abroad. Working with newer Freemasons in their conferences, meetings and other discussions has been a real inspiration and has taught me a great deal about how Freemasonry is perceived by less experienced members.

New and Young Masons Clubs are clearly an important network of like-minded members who can bolster enjoyment of the Craft, contribute positively to efforts to retain members and help to attract new young men to our lodges, ensuring the successful sustainability of the Craft for the future.’

This network of clubs plays an important role in helping Freemasons connect with each other. The social media scene has been alive during the pandemic, with many clubs sharing pictures and videos. In turn, the NYMC has provided a number of online talks and mini conferences. Topics were varied to appeal to a wide audience of Freemasons keen to learn more. The criteria for joining a club differ in each Province – a full list of clubs is available at www.nymc.org.uk

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The interview Dr David Staples

LEADING LIGHT W O R D S P E T E R WAT T S P O R T R A I T S J O O N E Y W O O D WA R D

In his first four years as Grand Secretary, Dr David Staples’ passion for the Craft has set him on a quest to modernise Freemasonry while cherishing its core traditions

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Dr David Staples The interview

T

he Sliding Doors moment for Dr David Staples came as he was changing into his robes for his very first meeting as a Freemason.

Staples was in his first year at Oxford University, having joined Magdalen College from humble roots in south-east London, and found himself swept into the Apollo Lodge by an enthusiastic housemate. Despite his best efforts, he still didn’t have a good idea about what Freemasonry was actually about and he began to wonder what he was doing.

‘I remember I was getting changed and started thinking, “Do I really want to do this?”’ he recalls almost 30 years later. ‘I was in half a mind to go home. It’s amazing how these little decisions affect your life. I had no idea then what an impact it would have on my life.’

That’s an understatement. Dr Staples, now 46, soon became absorbed in the Craft, developing parallel careers in the NHS and Freemasonry as he moved around the country, from Oxford to Bath to Nottingham and then Peterborough, with a year in Australia. In the medical world, he became a clinical director, while in Freemasonry he made it to Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies. Then, at a dinner in London, he received a tap on the shoulder. ‘Somebody said to me, “What about Grand Secretary?” My reply was “Well, I don’t know him terribly well but he seems like a nice chap.”’

It soon became clear that Dr Staples was being invited to apply for the role. In 2017, following a rigorous nine-month interview process, he was appointed both Grand Secretary and the UGLE’s first Chief Executive.

This was a new role designed to help modernise the processes of Freemasonry without impacting its history. It’s an approach that seems to sit well

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The interview Dr David Staples

‘This is an organisation that has a purpose in modern society, which no other organisation really fulfils’

with Dr Staples’ ability to combine tradition with modernity. The hallway of his Victorian home features contemporary art alongside hunting scenes, while the landscaped garden contains a section of solar panels. Dr Staples is a music lover, and one room boasts a baby grand piano, a Victorian pump organ and a curious eight-horned trumpet he bought as a joke for his wife. He is an occasional lodge organist and one perk of his job is that when everybody else has gone home, he can have a quick play of the organ in Grand Temple at Freemasons’ Hall.

In the dining room at home sits a completed 750-piece jigsaw depicting Bernard Picart’s Masonic Lodge board at Freemasons’ Hall, which is a sign 32

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of how some members of the household have spent their lockdown. It’s doubtful whether Dr Staples himself has found the time, so vigorously has he set about transforming UGLE while working occasional shifts at his local hospital and assisting with the odd bout of home schooling.

He set himself two targets when he took the job.

One was to modernise processes to reduce formfilling, something that will be completed with the roll out of Hermes. The other was to rehabilitate the image of Freemasonry among the public. Although he had never hidden his own love of Freemasonry from colleagues, he was frustrated that negative messages and conspiracy theories continued to circulate widely. When The Guardian published

Dr Staples’ vision is to modenise Freemasonry while respecting its history and traditions

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Dr David Staples The interview

an article revealing the existence of secret lodges in Westminster packed with MPs and journalists, he launched Operation Enough Is Enough.

‘The reality was that both these lodges had been mentioned in the newspapers when they opened, had no active MPs or journalists and met in Camden,’ he says. ‘That gave us the ability to lodge a formal complaint. We took out full-page adverts in newspapers and I did 26 interviews in one day. That was the line in the sand.

‘The membership knew we were standing up for them after they had been kicked around and misrepresented. It was partly about galvanising them, saying you can’t speak nonsense about Freemasonry, and we were giving fair warning to the press that Freemasons were not an easy touch.’

Aware that such an approach could only be used sparingly before losing impact, UGLE’s campaign then took a different line, arguing for greater transparency to remove suspicion while promoting masonic contributions to charities and good causes.

This accelerated during the pandemic, when Freemasons raised hundreds of thousands of pounds, earning widespread praise. ‘We are now in a transitional period where we get an awful lot of good press, but the first sentence is always a caveat,’ says Dr Staples. ‘In 18 months, I think that will change and the past will be the past.’

Recent polling shows impressive results, with Freemasonry increasing 25 points in net favourability over the past two years, and scoring particular gains in the under 50s. Dr Staples feels this can increase and he makes a passionate case for Freemasonry’s place in the modern world.

‘This is an organisation that has a purpose in modern society, which no other organisation really fulfils,’ he says. ‘Traditional spirituality is on the decline, but we teach important principles while allowing you to have a really good time.

‘We have been doing ecumenical, multiracial, multireligion, multibackground stuff for centuries.

Freemasonry was the first organisation ever to have one man, one vote. We were one of the first organisations to provide free healthcare for the public. The fundamental principles of the European enlightenment spread through Freemasonry from country to country, Grand Lodge to Grand Lodge.

These were revolutionary social principles that are now entirely absorbed within democracy.’

For Dr Staples, the pleasures of Freemasonry became clear when he left Oxford and was invited to join Middlesex Lodge, No. 143 in London, his home lodge. Here, he encountered Freemasons of diverse age and occupation, whose knowledge and life experiences he could absorb. As time went on, new faces became old friends, providing a reassuring sense of familiarity. A lodge meeting became a place where he could forget about the operating room or the latest NHS restructuring.

His love of Freemasonry runs deep and connects

with his own character. He speaks eloquently and succinctly about the core philosophical messages of Freemasonry, the three lessons imparted through ritual that he feels cannot be contested by anybody.

So as somebody who believes passionately in doing his part to make the world a better place, he leapt at the chance to lead UGLE. Many might consider being a doctor in the NHS close to the pinnacle of public service, but Dr Staples felt like a moth in a monolith. As Grand Secretary, he could create positive change on a larger scale.

‘As a doctor, I am not convinced that I was making a lot of difference, whereas working for an organisation that is values-based and rehabilitates that in the public mind – that really does make a difference,’ he says. ‘Just look at the COVID-19 initiatives. These are big projects that make a difference to tens of thousands of lives. That is something that Freemasonry has been doing under the radar for a very long time.’

His time is occupied with helping draft the UGLE’s strategy for the next five years, starting in 2022, which will continue to build on progress made since 2017, elevating Freemasonry from the margins into the mainstream. ‘I am working every hour God sends but I enjoy it,’ he says. ‘It feels important, which is in line with the message at the masonic core – doing something for the right reasons.’

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Elevating Freemasonry from the margins into the mainstream is the focus for the next five years

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A daily advancement Extending knowledge of Freemasonry

36 Exponent of the Craft Dr Ric Berman on the life of first noble Grand Master John Montagu

Such was Montagu’s popularity, the Grand Feast was moved from The Goose and Gridiron to Stationers’ Hall in 1721

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A daily advancement QC writes

ADVANCING THE CRAFT Dr Ric Berman details the life of John Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montagu, on the Tercentenary of his appointment as the first noble Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England

T

he nomination and installation of John Montagu (1690-1749), the first nobleman to become Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England, marked the beginning of Freemasonry’s ascent to the heights of 18th-century English (as well as European and American) society. It was a testament to Montagu’s prestige that significant numbers of aristocrats followed him into Freemasonry. And the more middling followed in their tens of thousands as the century progressed.

Montagu’s nomination as Grand Master in March 1721 was a turning point in Freemasonry’s public persona. It underpinned Grand Lodge’s authority over the growing number of lodges in London and provincial England, and elsewhere, including Britain’s growing American colonies.

Before 1721 the annual ‘Grand Feast’ was on a sufficiently small scale to have taken place in the long room above a London tavern. But in June that year, with Montagu about to be installed at the head of the Society of Freemasons, the event was moved from the Goose and Gridiron in St Paul’s Churchyard to the nearby Stationers’ Hall, in order to accommodate the many hundreds who now wished to attend. The 1723 Constitutions recorded the occasion, James Anderson noting that: Noblemen and Gentlemen of the best rank, with Clergymen and learned scholars of most professions and denominations, [have] joined and submitted to take the charges and to wear the badges of a Free and Accepted Mason, under our present worthy Grand Master, the most noble Prince, John, Duke of Montagu.

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Montagu’s decision to accept the role of Grand Master not only validated Freemasonry, but also added to its appeal. It suggested that the Craft was morally and politically sound, fashionable and fun. With Montagu on board, the installation and feast also received widespread publicity, with press reports in many of London’s newspapers, and in the provincial and overseas press.

Montagu was an excellent choice as Grand Master. Intelligent, wealthy and exceptionally well-connected, he was the only surviving son of Ralph Montagu, the 1st Duke, and Elizabeth Wriothesley, the daughter of the 4th Earl of Southampton, a former Lord High Treasurer.

Ralph Montagu had been England’s ambassador to France, where he had witnessed the persecution of the Huguenots – French Protestants – at first hand. The experience affected him deeply and he became ‘a great supporter of the French and other Protestants [driven] to England by the tyranny of their princes, [and] an admirer of learning and learned men’. His son, John, shared a similar outlook. Not only had he been surrounded by Huguenot friends and family at Broughton Hall, the family home, but his maternal grandmother, Rachel de Massue, had been a Huguenot aristocrat.

Henri de Massue, 2nd Marquis de Ruvigny (1648-1720), later the Earl of Galway, another leading Huguenot and one of William III’s principal military commanders, was his second cousin.

That several leading Huguenots – not least the Rev Dr Jean Theophilus Desaguliers – were at the helm of the new Grand Lodge was no coincidence.

Montagu’s installation as Grand Master validated Freemasonry as morally and politcally sound, fashionable and fun

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QC writes A daily advancement

‘Montagu was an excellent choice as Grand Master.

Intelligent, wealthy and exceptionally well-connected’

Igniendu santusam, omnia comnim dolorumque sequodit quasperae sim id quodit ommod evelect aecepuda dolecumet a

Montagu made an ideal figurehead for Freemasonry and his Court connections, interest in the sciences (he was a Fellow of the Royal Society and the Royal College of Physicians, among others), and military titles acted as a beacon to attract others from those circles.

He was also a celebrity figure. Montagu’s day-to-day activities featured regularly in the press with stories ranging from the reportage of major events, such as his loyal address to George I and his role as chief mourner at the funeral of his father-inlaw, the Duke of Marlborough, to the offer of a large reward for the return of his wife’s lost pet dog. He was also one of the wealthiest men in England,

A large reward was offered for the return of his wife’s pet dog

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with an annual income of some £20,000 (around £4.5 million in today’s money) from property rents alone. He financed the settlement of St Lucia and St Vincent in the West Indies, the islands having been granted to him in January 1722. And the dowry for his youngest daughter, Mary, on her marriage to Lord Brudenel was said to be £25,000.

Montagu had a close association with the royal family throughout his life and was an avid supporter of George I and the Hanoverian line. He succeeded his father as Master of the Great Wardrobe, a sinecure that paid more than £3,000 a year; officiated as Lord High Constable at George I’s 1714 coronation; and carried the sceptre at George II’s coronation in 1727. His loyalty was rewarded in 1718 with the Order of the Garter (then, as now, the highest honour in England), and with his appointment in 1725 as Grand Master of the newly revived Order of the Bath. He was raised to the Privy Council in 1736.

Montagu was also a prominent military figure and held positions that were not merely honorific or a consequence of his position as the Duke of Marlborough’s son-in-law. He lobbied actively to be appointed to active posts and raised and financed his own regiments of Horse and Foot.

He was captain and colonel of His Majesty’s Own Troop of Horse Guards, the 1st Life Guards – the army’s premier cavalry regiment – and was promoted Major General in 1735, Lieutenant General in 1739, and Master-General of the Ordnance in 1740, a Cabinet position with responsibility for the artillery.

The 1723 Constitutions – the underpinning of modern Freemasonry – was produced under Montagu’s auspices and is dedicated to him.

He appears on the frontispiece of the book in ducal regalia presenting the Roll of Constitutions and a set of compasses to Philip, Duke of Wharton, his successor as Grand Master.

At the end of his term, The London Journal (30 June 1722) commented that membership of the society had risen to some 4,000, an astonishing achievement if accurate and a testament to the impact made by Montagu in just a year.

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18/05/2021 11:45

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23/04/2021 13:57

Grand Lodge News from Great Queen Street

40 Quarterly Communication The wonderful work of Freemasons in their communities

44 Word of mouth

42 The Solomon sessions A four-week series of webinars and online resources

Generous Dentist: Bartholomew Ruspini at Freemasons’ Hall

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Grand Lodge Quarterly Communication

‘Perhaps our masonic thoughts can turn to meeting again in some form of meaningful way’

The future is bright In his spring message, Pro Grand Master Peter Lowndes celebrates the wonderful work that Freemasons are doing in their communities

T

he early months of the year are behind us and I suspect that we all are delighted about that. Spring usually brings some hope in our gardens and thoughts turn to getting the lawnmower out. I hope I also detect rather more optimism in the fight against COVID and, perhaps, our masonic thoughts can turn to meeting again in some form of meaningful way.

We have to put up with the inevitable doommongers who will talk about nothing except a third wave. I am not naive enough to consider that we have the virus beaten, but I do believe we have found a way to live with and have some measure of control of it, which will enable us to get back to a rather more normal way of life.

That can include our Freemasonry, which has an important part to play in so many of our lives.

Of course, it is well documented that Freemasons have had an important part to play in the lives of so many fellow Freemasons and non-masons alike 40

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over the past year. This has been enhanced by the generally positive coverage we have received both nationally and locally for all the wonderful work that our members have done. And this is by no means limited to financial donations. There are far too many instances to even begin to mention and, as Freemasons, we are more interested in carrying out this work than craving credit for it.

However, it does make a huge difference when we do get some positive press.

If we have learned nothing else during this pandemic, we have vastly improved our method of communication both within the organisation, member to member, lodge to lodge as well as externally. This has not only been extremely noticeable at the centre here in Freemasons’ Hall, but also in our Provinces and Districts, which have all embraced the importance of this aspect. I would add that this process had started well before the pandemic arrived, but the trials and tribulations of the past year have made it all the more evident.

Brethren, for the second year in a row, there was no Investiture Meeting at the end of April. This means that the Grand Officers of the Year who were invested by letter last April will have had no opportunity to act in their office. Not surprisingly, The Grand Master decided that it was right that those who wished to continue in office for the coming year should be allowed to do so. The majority have taken up that offer. I am confident that during the next year they will get a chance to ‘don their chains’ and process into Grand Lodge. It may have to be done differently to normal, certainly at first, but let’s all be positive and look forward to the Grand Temple being used again in all its glory.

I am going to tempt fate by saying that I very much hope to be able address a reasonable gathering at some point in June.

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Grand Lodge Solomon

LEARNINGS ONLINE

The Learning and Development Team’s W Bro Nick Brown describes Solomon Fellowcraft Onboarding – a series of sessions for Fellowcrafts to discuss, debate and speculate

What is onboarding? A four-week series of webinars and interactive resources to encourage Fellowcraft Freemasons to learn about the lessons of the second degree and reflect on what the teachings mean to them.

We are all on a journey as we strive to learn and develop in our beloved Craft. We know that often we learn best with the support and encouragement of others, in a community we call lodges.

This can be even better when there are opportunities to be more involved and ask questions.

The onboarding course was put together with those areas in mind and the following programme of events has been created: THE PROGRAMME Week 1 Setting the scene Week 2 Webinar Week 3 Discussion panel Week 4 Reflection and participant empowerment

At every Freemason’s initiation, a commitment is made to try and make a daily advancement in masonic knowledge, and perhaps learn something about the history of the Fraternity or indeed develop confidence. Solomon is a tool for every Freemason to do just this.

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Solomon Grand Lodge

PROOF POSITIVE While I was very disappointed that the virus prevented me from being raised last April, the onboarding has been invaluable in making me focus on this degree that otherwise I’d have probably rushed through to get to the next stage. By going through the details and extra materials and discussions, it’s meant more and provided extra understanding that I believe will stand us in good stead for the future. Thanks to all the team for the hard work putting it together and delivering it so well.

I’ve enjoyed the Fellowcraft Onboarding.

I like the structure, the progression, and how it encouraged readings and contemplations that I probably would not have otherwise engaged in to this depth. Given that the second degree is normally not paid much attention, it made me ask myself if perhaps lodges should encourage or require craftsmen to make some form of presentation on their researches and insights into the degree, before progressing to the third. It could be a short reflection in lodge or at the Festive Board, written or oral – just something to gently encourage some reflection on it to appreciate the degree.

While being unable to join the live webinars due to attempting to negotiate bedtime for a three- and oneyear-old, I have very much enjoyed the learning afforded by this course. I do wish a similar course was available as an entered apprentice and am delighted to hear that is in the works. I would go as far as to suggest that, to enhance new initiates’ engagement with Freemasonry at an early stage, an onboarding course on Solomon should be encouraged. Thank you W Bro Nick Brown and team for the time and effort put in to this course.

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H OW T O R E G I S T E R You can register by scanning this QR code with your smartphone or copying solomon.ugle.org.uk in the browser address bar.

You will not be able to find Solomon by searching for it on Google or the search line of your browser. Solomon is not registered on search

engines and is only accessible directly from the address: solomon.ugle.org.uk On the front page, there is Getting Started with Solomon, a module that is open to everyone and provides details of how to use the system as well as help videos, quick-start guides, and a link to create an account on Solomon that will take you through the simple process

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of registration. Fill in your details, and once you have received the confirmation email, log in, select your first module and enrol.

If you are using a smartphone, you may want to download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader app first, as this will ensure that the PDFs used on Solomon retain their format.

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12/05/2021 12:16

Grand Lodge Museum of Freemasonry

Bartholomew Ruspini leading schoolchildren, Freemasons’ Hall, 1802

The beneficent brother Archivist and Records Manager Susan Snell celebrates the life of Bartholomew Ruspini – Freemasonry’s generous dentist and the subject of the Museum of Freemasonry’s new exhibition

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12/05/2021 12:18

Museum of Freemasonry Grand Lodge

E

veryone at the Museum of Freemasonry is looking forward to welcoming you back with an exciting new exhibition celebrating the groundbreaking Freemason, dentist and philanthropist Bartholomew Ruspini.

Born in 1730 in Italy, Ruspini joined Freemasonry in Bristol and went on to make friends at all levels of society. After settling in London, where he established a successful dental practice in the 1760s, Ruspini joined several lodges and chapters, helping to form the Lodge of the Nine Muses and the Prince of Wales’ Lodge. He transformed 18th-century dental care, providing free tooth powder and mouthwash to poor Londoners. He also gave out a styptic to stop the bleeding often caused by backstreet dentistry.

Ruspini then established a charity to help the families of Freemasons who were out of work through unemployment or illness. It remains active more than 200 years after his death. His contribution to society was recognised by the Pope, who made him a knight, or Chevalier, in 1789.

While caring for the Masonic Charitable Foundation’s (MCF, the Freemasons’ charity) records, I wanted to celebrate the personality and achievements of this family man, whose legacy continues to influence Freemasonry. An enthusiastic Freemason, Ruspini founded a school for the daughters of members, known today as the Royal Masonic School for Girls.

He also set up an annual fundraising event, the origins of the present-day charity festival scheme.

Minute books from the Prince of Wales’ Lodge, Grand Master’s Lodge and Chapter of St James reveal Ruspini’s interest in Freemasonry. He helped others from his homeland to settle in London.

In recognition of these acts and following him being made a Chevalier by the Pope, local newspapers nicknamed him ‘the Duke of Tuscany’. Ruspini encouraged musicians, artists and sculptors to join the Lodge of the Nine Muses. At his Pall Mall home, Ruspini entertained lavishly and was painted by several contemporary artists, including John Russell.

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1. Ruspini dental practice business card, c1790s 2. Ruspini silver toothpaste box, c1790s 3. Ruspini toothbrush, c1790s 4. Hall medal, 1780

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After his ‘extraordinary balsamic styptic’ stopped a violent nose bleed, and thereby saving the Grand Master’s life, Ruspini was appointed Surgeon-Dentist to the Prince of Wales in 1786. Now moving in elevated circles, Ruspini’s A Treatise on the Teeth revolutionised dental care and treatment, as he was the first author in Britain to mention children’s teething problems, the effect of venereal diseases and sugar causing abscesses.

A Treatise on the Teeth is one of the fascinating items loaned for this exhibition, which also features a fine mahogany travelling case with Ruspini’s coat of arms from the Surgeons’ Hall Museums, Edinburgh. This luxurious item is one of only two examples known to survive, and includes bottles that once contained Ruspini’s mouth wash, toothpowder and styptic.

Other unique items on display include a minute book on loan from Bath’s Royal Cumberland Lodge, which Ruspini attempted but failed to join in 1761. There is also correspondence from the Museum’s archives; a letter from the Royal Academy’s archives written by Mrs Elizabeth Ruspini suggesting the artist, Ozias Humphry, could buy the styptic in India; and an early toothbrush made for patients.

After Ruspini’s death in 1813, James Bladen Ruspini inherited the Chevalier title and secret styptic recipe, but little money due to his father’s generosity.

In an ironic twist, James Bladen was declared bankrupt in the late 1820s, with his daughters attending the Freemasons’ school founded by their grandfather.

Today, Bartholomew Ruspini’s legacy is commemorated by a memorial plaque in St James’s Church, Piccadilly; Ruspini Mark Lodge, No. 363; accommodation for young people studying or working in London and Ruspini House, a pre-school at the School’s Rickmansworth site, which opened in 2010.

Generous Dentist: Bartholomew Ruspini, until February 2022. Book your free ticket at www.museumfreemasonry.org.uk.

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Contents The Royal Arch

The Royal Arch Thoughts from the Supreme Grand Chapter

48 The Savage Club Chapter Building on heritage and reviving a timehonoured ritual

54 Celebrating golden moments Deputy Metropolitan Grand Superintendent Chris Clark

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Royal Arch Brotherhood and bonhomie

Left to right: Theo, James, Stephen, Paul and Tom

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Brotherhood and bonhomie Royal Arch

ARTS & THE CRAFT Named after a notorious 18th-century poet, the Savage Club Chapter has revived a timehonoured ritual and is seeing a surge of interest W O R D S P E T E R WAT T S P O R T R A I T S A L U N C A L L E N D E R

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Royal Arch Brotherhood and bonhomie

hroughout the last decade, the Savage Club Chapter No. 2190 has built on its considerable heritage and grown to a vibrant active membership of around 40, most of whom are young professionals. They have their own version of the Royal Arch Ritual (known as ‘Savage Ritual’) and have had to hold extra meetings every year to manage demand from those wishing to be exalted into the Chapter. We spoke to some of the members involved to get a sense of what has helped make the Chapter such a success.

T H E H I S TO R Y Paul Grier Scribe E ‘The Savage Club Chapter is attached to the Savage Club Lodge, which was formed off the back of a private members’ club called the Savage Club.

This is named after the infamous 18th-century poet, Richard Savage, who was convicted of murder and died in prison of liver failure. The club was founded in 1857 and was famed for its star-studded charity balls at the Royal Albert Hall. It was started by gentlemen who felt that they weren’t posh enough to get into the Garrick Club, and remains one of the last Bohemian clubs with members drawn from six categories: art, drama, music, literature, law and science.

‘The Lodge was founded in the 1880s on the recommendation of the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, who was then Grand Master and a member of the club. The Chapter itself was consecrated in 1891. We have had members of some eminence over the years, such as the philanthropist Sir Henry Wellcome, who was First Principal of the Chapter in 1900 and whose Past Principal’s jewel we still possess. There is no requirement for members of the Lodge or Chapter to be members of the club – they are independent – but we try to stick to the original six categories of club membership. The Chapter now meets in the City at Bakers’ Hall, and we tend to go to the club after dinner for drinks.

‘One prominent member of the Chapter was Bernard E Jones, who was also a member of the club, and who was exalted in the Savage Club Chapter in 1913 and installed as First Principal in 1925. He wrote the Freemasons’ Book of the Royal Arch in 1957, which is still generally held to be the definitive explanation of the origin, rise and development of Royal Arch Freemasonry, and which he dedicated to the Savage Club Chapter.

‘I was exalted in the Chapter in 2004 and took over as Scribe E in 2012. It’s fair to say that the Chapter had been struggling for some time; 50

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a few of us had been fortunate to be involved in several lodge rescues – specifically the Lodge of Faithful Service and Kensington Lodge – and we were able to bring our experience of those projects to the Chapter. We changed the meeting to a more convenient day and time, transformed the overall cost and dining structure and almost immediately started attracting new candidates.’

T H E R E N E WA L Tom Milner MEZ ‘This was a dying unit. They were only getting a new member every few years and met at 11am on a Thursday as they wanted to keep evenings free in the slightly naive belief that this would attract actors and musicians who would be otherwise engaged later in the day. It was all very inconvenient for the young professionals and recent graduates who were the Chapter’s target market.

‘Paul became Scribe E and started to bring in younger people by moving meetings to a work-friendly time on Friday evening and finding a venue that made it cheaper to dine in London.

The volume of new members has accelerated so we have now added a new meeting every year and have a long waiting list.

‘We have a ritual that is unique to the Chapter.

It had been rediscovered in the Chapter archive in the mid-2000s, and had seemingly been approved for use many decades previously but had never been brought into use. We read it, and the consensus was we should move towards it. It doesn’t change anything about the underlying Royal Arch story or the message it imparts, and so after updating it to make sure it incorporated the recent changes required by Supreme Grand Chapter, we confirmed with the Committee of General Purposes that it was still okay to use.

It tells the story in a more logical, clearer way but without dumbing down. This allows you to appreciate the candidate’s involvement and his reaction because the story is so much easier to follow. It’s a shorter, more efficient and more engaging experience and we are sure it is part of what has kept people coming back.’

Haggai Stephen Henderson explains the ceremony and storytelling of the Savage Ritual

T H E R I T UA L Oliver Linch Chairman, Savage Club Chapter of Instruction ‘We’d been thinking of changing our ritual for a few years, and then in the archive we stumbled FMT Summer 2021

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Brotherhood and bonhomie Royal Arch

‘We stumbled across the Savage Club Chapter Royal Arch Ritual’

across the Savage Club Chapter Royal Arch Ritual that Reverend Stanley Conway-Lee and other members had produced in the 1970s.

The most significant difference is that in other rituals the narrative and the performance aspect are split, which means the story essentially gets run twice, whereas this version has simultaneous acting and narration. This means there is less coming and going and it creates more roles for other participants.

‘It’s shorter and more fun to participate in, but without losing any of the gravitas of the ceremony and its underlying story, and we like to think it irons out some of the creases. We hope this keeps the character of the story and that it is still clearly recognisable to anyone in the Royal Arch, but is a little more engaging.

‘The new ritual has played a role in the Chapter’s growth and people are intrigued by it, and we’d certainly like other people to use it.

We have a Chapter of Instruction and in future it would be lovely to think there are people up and down the country – and even around the world – using Savage Ritual.’

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Royal Arch Brotherhood & bonhomie

T H E P R I N C I PA L Stephen Henderson Haggai ‘Everything that takes place in Savage Ritual is the same as in the more mainstream rituals, but we like to think in a more logical order. It is about a significant discovery in a vault, and this is enacted in a dramatic form rather than just spoken about figuratively. When I came into the Royal Arch in the late 1980s, I thoroughly enjoyed the ceremony, but it was very serious and involved a rather daunting amount of ritual for relatively few participants to learn. With Savage Ritual, this has been slightly slimmed down and the events have been moved around. It is much better at telling an interesting story and captures the imagination more forcefully.

‘We are very conscious that the ceremony contains a serious message, and there are more people involved in the storytelling, which can make it even more meaningful. There is also a piece of ritual at the end in the form of an exhortation that sums up what the Chapter is about and what we hope to achieve by being members. It’s a lovely way to end the meeting because it sort of says, “this is what the Royal Arch (and indeed Freemasonry as a whole) is all about, let’s now go into the world and do the good things it tells us to do”. It’s a nice message to end the meeting on and very valuable, finishing things with a warm glow.’

T H E E X A LT E E Theo M Assistant Sojourner ‘One of the great things as an exaltee is that you are immersed in the story the ritual is telling. You are the subject of that story and it’s more than lines of ritual going back and forth. It’s almost a microtheatre production – the story is told and you act out parts with the members taking you through. It allows you to identify with the story and the ritual.

‘There’s a lot of rhetoric and not much action in some rituals, so afterwards you have to try and work out what actually happened. We try to recreate our ritual in a simple and memorable way.

‘Relative to other masonic rituals, it’s by far one of my favourites because you are so immersed in it.

As an officer in the Chapter, every time you take part you experience it in a slightly different role. You can relive the experience, giving you an opportunity to reflect on the story and the messages.’

‘Once the curtain went up, the entire focus was on delivering a beautiful, thoughtful and uplifting ceremony for candidates’

TH E FOSSI L

musical and acting world, the fun was boundless off-stage, but, once the curtain went up, the entire focus was on delivering a beautiful, thoughtful and uplifting ceremony for candidates.

The Chapter had several excellent ritualists who were passionate about the Royal Arch, and hence discussions about the new ritual, as it was being developed, were intense.

‘It makes an old member proud to see that our new and young generation of Companions have so naturally and perfectly captured the unique spirit of the Chapter in its heyday. They have devoted so much time and energy to perfecting our rediscovered Savage Ritual and to performing it – seemingly without effort. The Chapter is again restored to its place as a showcase both for the Royal Arch, in all its richness, and for the sheer joy of companionship at its quintessential, Savage best.’

James Long ADC; MEZ (1988) ‘The Savage Club Chapter was enormous fun to belong to when I was exalted in 1980. It reminded me of the quote “you don’t have to be mad to work here, but it helps”, as it had a number of members who were really quite barking. Dining (around a single oval table at St Stephen’s Club in Westminster) seemed to me then to be the pinnacle of rather eccentric, urbane companionship. As befitted a Chapter with several members from the

Russell Race Second Grand Principal ‘The Savage Club Chapter has a distinguished and long history. I have been fortunate enough to visit on several occasions and enjoyed it immensely.

I have always come away deeply impressed by the youthful enthusiasm and companionship of its members, as well as the dramatic presentation of their unique ritual.’

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TH E SU PREM E GR AN D CHAPTER

The Savage Club Chapter robes, regalia and sceptres used in the ritual

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Royal Arch Essential reading

EU R E K A MOM E NTS Looking back on his Freemasonry journey, Chris Clark reflects on the enjoyment he gets from improving the understanding of the Royal Arch... and how his best ideas come to him in the bath

A

s Archimedes demonstrated, a bath can be the perfect place to find inspiration. And this is precisely where Chris Clark, a Freemason for more than 50 years, has come up with many of the concepts that he has used to advance the cause of the Royal Arch in his role as Deputy Metropolitan Grand Superintendent in the Royal Arch and Assistant Metropolitan Grand Master in the Craft. ‘It’s a period of reflection,’ he says of his “inspirational bathing”.

‘Luxuriating in a warm bath is a good place to think about things. It was the same in my professional career in the City.

I was writing investment analysis reports, summarising complex information in a way that was interesting and readable.’

Born in 1942, Clark retired from professional life when he was 70 and has since used Freemasonry as an outlet for his skills, self-expression and enthusiasm.

Over the past 20 years, he has helped create materials aimed at improving the understanding and appreciation of Royal Arch masonry in London, much of which has been adopted by the Provinces and Districts. ‘I want to increase understanding and enjoyment for all companions,’ he says. ‘If they enjoy it they will keep coming back and invite their friends.’

This is partly motivated by Clark’s own experiences in Freemasonry. He joined

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the Craft in 1969 and then Royal Arch two years later, having been, as he describes it, ‘bundled in with no real explanation of what I was committing to’. Clark doesn’t want new exaltees to have that sort of confusing introduction to Royal Arch.

He’s aware of how difficult it can be for younger Freemasons to make the commitment required due to pressures of work and family – something he went through himself, missing meetings for about 10 years when he was helping raise four children while progressing his career.

To aid new recruits, he has set about creating a range of products that condense and explain the complexity of Royal Arch to both exaltees and potential companions. It started with a 48-page guide given to all exaltees, explaining the

With Chris Clark’s many productive years as Deputy Metropolitan Grand Superintendent at an end, he looks back with fondness on his time creating a range of products that condense and explain the complexity of Royal Arch to exaltees and companions Below left: receiving his 50-year Craft certificate from Russell Race in 2019

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Essential reading Royal Arch

‘I want to increase understanding and enjoyment for all companions. If they enjoy it they will keep coming back and invite their friends’

METROPOLITAN GRAND CHAPTER OF LONDON

LAURENCE DERMOTT – ENIGMA AND TRAILBLAZER A Biography

Clark felt that Grand Secretary of the Antients Laurence Dermott had not received enough attention, so he commissioned his biography

Metropolitan Grand Principals. Two of the Assistant Metropolitan Grand Masters/ Grand Superintendents have particular responsibility for the Royal Arch.The Royal Arch in London is administered by the Metropolitan Grand Scribe Ezra, who is also the Craft Metropolitan Grand Secretary. Chapters meet at all of the usual London Craft venues and at times and on days to suit all. Further information is available in the Royal Arch section of the Metropolitan Grand Lodge website (www.porchway.org).

Metropolitan Grand Lodge of London

Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London

REACH THE SUMMIT! THE NEXT STEP IN FREEMASONRY – INTO THE ROYAL ARCH

JUST ONE MORE STEP: INTO THE ROYAL ARCH

What are the Royal Arch Ceremonies?

Apart from the Installation, there is only one ceremony in the Royal Arch ritual, that of the ‘Exaltation’ of a new Companion. After the darkness of the Third Degree, it is a colourful, enlightening and dramatic ceremony, with profound, challenging, allegorical significance. The story told, which contains some of the most delightful lines of Masonic ritual, concerns the return to Jerusalem of a small group of Israelites after the Exile in Babylon, their excavation of the remains of Solomon’s Temple in preparation for the Second Temple, and the discovery of a hidden vault.

Thomas Harper’s Royal Arch Tracing Board, illustrated overleaf, will give you a flavour of this.

PICK UP A LEAFLET

What next?

Every Lodge should have a Royal Arch Representative named on the Summons.There will always be Brethren, including your Lodge Mentor, eager to give advice about joining the Royal Arch and make the necessary introductions. A Lodge Summons may give details of an attached Chapter, although it is not obligatory for a Brother to join the Chapter attached to his Lodge.

If you are unable to obtain an introduction to a Chapter, you should contact the Metropolitan Grand Lodge/Grand Chapter office:

OR TALK TO THE ROYAL ARCH REPRESENTATIVE IN YOUR LODGE

INITIATION TO EXALTATION COMPLETE YOUR MASONIC JOURNEY

MetGL/GC of London, P.O. Box 29055, London WC2B 5UN Tel: 020 7539 2930 Email: office@metgl.com M.A.T.S. Typesetting – mats.typo@gmail.com

D. Green Photography

February 2019

Clark’s trifold leaflet explaining the history, ritual and significance of the Royal Arch provides an introduction to the Order for Master Masons. This popular leaflet has been adapted by several Provinces

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history, ritual and significance of Royal Arch. Then he created a trifold leaflet that is distributed at lodges for those interested in joining. He got insights about what to include from talking to new exaltees and inspiration for the cover while in the bath.

Clark’s next endeavour was to stage dramatic versions of this material in the form of two 35-minute three-man playlets.

The first, Talking Heads, is performed at lodges to show the potential appeal of the Royal Arch, while In Camera is held at Royal Arch meetings to further explore and explain the order. After a demonstration performance, Provinces are given the script so they can perform it themselves.

Other projects include lapel badges that can be worn to make it easier to identify Royal Arch representatives in lodges, and a banner to be hung at Metropolitan offices featuring the three Craft aprons ascending with the Royal Arch apron at the top – another of those design concepts that come to him in the bath. Finally, he commissioned and designed a biography of Laurence Dermott, Grand Secretary of the Antients and an essential figure in early masonry. After the book was written, Clark spent nine months researching pictures to make it as attractive and interesting as possible.

With his productive period as Deputy Metropolitan Grand Superintendent now at an end, Clark is confident his work will be carried on by others in the team.

He outlines his long-term hopes for Royal Arch masonry. ‘I’d like to see two things happen in the next 10 years,’ he says. ‘First, I’d like to see the average age of Royal Arch Companions come down to around 40.

Second, I’d like to see an increase in the percentage of Craft Freemasons coming into Royal Arch from 40 per cent to nearer 50 per cent. I think those two things will help each other – as more young people join to bring down the age, it will encourage yet more to join the order.’

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Culture From book reviews to crosswords

The Grand Temple at Freemasons’ Hall, featuring gilt thrones and the magnificent organ

60 Book reviews Shedding light on the Royal Arch and mastering ritual

62 Play on words Test your Craft knowledge with our masonic crossword

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Culture Book reviews

THE ENIGMA OF THE ROYAL ARCH

Published by Hamilton House Publishing Ltd www.hamiltonhousepublishing.com

W H AT N E X T ?

BY R O N S E L BY

T H E E N I G M A O F T H E R OYA L A R C H

BY DAV I D W E S T

A real joy of a book

Just what is it?

This book serves as a brief overview of the many additional degrees in Freemasonry. It is both fascinating and informative.

In Selby’s introduction, he asks the questions: ‘why now?’ and ‘why me?’ There are other books covering this subject and, as the author happily confesses, his knowledge on the subject was minimal.

The idea was ‘to produce a 21st century perspective’ with ‘lots of big pictures’, and Selby uses his initially minimal knowledge to produce an investigative book that is entertaining, insightful and extremely enlightening.

The book covers 27 additional degrees, ranging from the commonly known Holy Royal Arch and Mark, to the more esoteric, such as the Royal Order of Eri, and those that seem just plain fun – who would not want to join Ye Antient Order of Noble Corks, particularly when its mission is to raise funds for children’s charities?

Each degree includes an overview, official title, the

Arguably, no other masonic order has caused such trouble and masonic debate over the years as the Royal Arch. Is Chapter a fourth degree or the completion of the third? Is it really part of pure masonry?

Why is it considered necessary?

And why is it loved by many but baffl ing to others? Come to that, what’s it really all about?

In this collection of nine essays, West seeks to tease out critically the many issues arising from the Royal Arch’s nature and its relationship with the Craft. He has done a good deal of research and there are maps, charts, graphs, a full bibliography and footnotes in abundance.

There are also some good photos – especially of Irish Chapter meeting rooms – and interesting comparisons between the attitudes to the Royal Arch in Scotland, Ireland, the USA and in UGLE. Chapter’s relationship to the Craft emerged from the desire for unity between the selfstyled Antients – who viewed the Royal Arch as an integral step – and the original Grand

Well-illustrated and highly informative

Interesting light shed on a very popular order

admission requirements, history, regalia, rituals and officers, miscellanea and contact details. It also includes a view on the likely costs involved in joining the degree, all with pictures of the accompanying ceremonial dress and jewels and an outline of the ritual.

As a reference guide, it is unlikely that this title will be read cover-to-cover, which is a shame as each degree is covered with a love, interest and humility that allows it to uncover its gems. However, for someone considering joining a degree, or looking for more information on the order that they have joined, the book certainly serves its purpose.

Light and easy to read, yet comprehensive and authoritative, What Next? is a real joy. I’m off to enquire about enlisting in Ye Antient Order of Noble Corks – anyone want to join me?

Review by Richard Watkins What Next? Ron Selby, Lewis Masonic, 90pp, £12.99

Lodge, which was ill-disposed to it, especially in the person of the Grand Master, the eccentric Duke of Sussex.

The compromise necessary for reconciliation of the two codes and unification as the United Grand Lodge was what all compromises are – a fudge – the infamous ‘Sussex Fudge’.

West identifies this as the principal problem besetting the Royal Arch and its relationship with the Craft.

West is an experienced masonic author and he is not short of a viewpoint, bordering sometimes on being rather opinionated. Some of his criticisms veer towards pedantry. Nonetheless, this is a concise but well-researched and interesting tour around Chapter, warts and all.

It should appeal, and might just answer some of the many questions raised by the enigmatic Royal Arch.

Review by Cestrian The Enigma of The Royal Arch, David West, Hamilton House Publishing, 72pp, £9.99

Books wanted for review. FMT welcomes book submissions for review. We will consider all genres, and the only requirement is that the book has a connection to Freemasonry. To submit a book for review, go to the link below and complete the form.

We will let you know if we need a physical copy of the book. The book must have an ISBN and be available for purchase by the general public (printed book, e-book, audiobook). www.freemasonrytoday.com/booksubmission

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FMT Summer 2021

12/05/2021 12:30

Book reviews Culture

(Rosicrucian Society of Freemasons)

Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia is the oldest independent ty of Rosicrucian Freemasons in the world, its members g Master Masons of Lodges recognised by the United d Lodge of England. The ‘Rosicrucian Society of and’, or ‘Brethren of the Rosy Cross’ as they were nally named, held their first meeting on the 1st June 1867 e George Hotel, Aldermanbury, in the very centre of the of London.

e that date, groups around the world have met to extend researches into the hidden mysteries of nature and ce. Each year, three members of the society are made panions of Christian Rosenkreutz in recognition of their anding researches and scholarship rendered to the ty.

book collects together for the first time many of these rs since the award’s inception in 2008. Within you will thoughts and ideas of Rosicrucians from all walks of life, ring many different areas of interest and exploring the itude of ways that Rosicrucianism can be viewed as a g tradition relevant to the modern world.

papers presented here highlight the living tradition of and Light that Rosicrucianism represents, displaying a range of expertise and knowledge of benefit to all those seek to walk the Path of Truth.

Academia Rosicruciana SRIA

COMPANIONS OF CHRISTIAN ROSENKREUTZ

Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia

C o m pa n i on s of Christian Rosenkreutz Collected Papers 2008 - 2016

United Kingdom © SRIA 1867 - 2020

C O M PA N I O N S O F C H R I S T I A N R O S E N K R E U T Z

BY VA R I O U S AU T H O R S

M A S T E R I N G M A S O N I C R I T UA L

BY J O H N B U R N A P P

A fine collection

The right perspective

Rosicrucianism – as I sketched out in a book review in the autumn 2019 issue of FMT – is a complicated phenomenon.

To most Freemasons, the most familiar manifestation of it is probably the popular Ancient and Accepted Rite, with its impressive array of 33 degrees.

There are also a good few other manifestations, not all of which come under the umbrella of Freemasonry.

The Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia most defi nitely does, however, and describes itself as the oldest independent society of Rosicrucian Freemasons in the world, having existed since 1867.

Members have to be master masons and the emphasis of the organisation is on study and research. Every year since 2008, three members are made Companions of Christian Rosenkreutz in order to recognise their exceptional research. This most interesting book is a collection of 24 of their research papers from 2008 to 2016.

The various papers are distinctly wide-ranging.

A few titles will give readers a flavour. These include: A Look Behind the True Meaning of Initiation, Thoughts on Wagner’s Parsifal, Science or Metaphysics and Wittgenstein in Newcastle.

Most of us these days would agree there is a lot more to great ritual than just knowing the words. Yet not all that long ago, it was common to hear half the people in a lodge room muttering away under their breath as you tried your very best to deliver your part of a ceremony.

Worse still were the seasoned old-timers who, like cats lying in wait, pounced instantly on any slip-up at all, so that you felt ashamed and embarrassed if you weren’t word-perfect. Delivery and feeling sometimes counted for nothing, often leaving a candidate baffled as some perfectionist monotonously droned his way through page after page of ritual.

John Burnapp’s book aims to get the delivery of our ceremonies back on track.

As he puts it, ‘many masons dutifully learn the ritual without a thought for what the ritual is all about or why we do it’. He argues that learning it by rote with no regard for its deeper meaning means not only missing out on so much, but also makes learning it so much harder.

He stresses that the main purpose of the ritual is to educate and inspire candidates, and that personal benefits, such as increasing

Wide-ranging and thought-provoking papers The papers themselves shed fascinating light on all manner of things, such as (to list just a handful) tarot mysteries, Zoroastrianism, the Invisible College, sacred geometry, the Qabalah, Afghani Hebrews, the Korean flag, and that most extraordinary 17th century story The Chemical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz.

While this book probably won’t appeal to most Freemasons, it almost certainly will to those who have any interest (other than purely superficial) in Rosicrucianism. Although decidedly arcane, the book is categorically not in any way dull. I’m no scholar, nor particularly enthralled by Rosicrucianism, but I found it pretty hard to put down.

Review by Julian Perry Companions of Christian Rosenkreutz, various authors, Lewis Masonic, 322pp, £14.99

Delivering ritual with meaning

FMT Summer 2021

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one’s confidence and gaining a sense of accomplishment, are absolutely secondary.

A very good point he makes is that even if you are nervous about delivering a part of a ceremony, always remember there is one person who is more nervous than you: the candidate.

Learning ritual is surely not about pleasing rote-learning old-timers so that one can get to the chair more quickly.

Once you realise what we do is all for a candidate’s benefit, the rest starts to slot into place.

John Burnapp’s book hits the bullseye on this.

Review by Reginald Church Mastering Masonic Ritual, John Burnapp, Lewis Masonic, 107pp, £15.00

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Culture Crossword

Cryptic crossword

by Musagetes ACROSS 1. Understood spelling inside highly sensitive area (1,4) 4. Composes directions about ceremony (6) 11. Ring back about island’s pipe tree (5) 12. British Bishop about to share neat place to vote (6,3) 13. Queen abandons volunteer, foreseeing calamity and dead frightened (9) 14. Eat away before taking overdose (5) 15. East of Paris mischievous goddess followed in car (6) 16. Controversial German is in Morecambe! (7) 19. Determine to do this for wrong answer (7) 21. Apollo has Greenpeace, say, in lather (3,3) 22. Stanley could be one to make the cut (5) 24. Sir has a curious paste (7) 27. Met panda when non-diesel vehicle lost energy but picked up acceleration (6,3) 28. Sacred syllable, say, about conclusion (5) 29. Courageous US lawyer goes to Bayreuth cycle (6) 30. Toucans’ weird natural impulse (7).

DOWN 2. Getting harder for MI6 to contain Sri Lankan love-god (9) 3. No cine representation – a rude flash from the back of the bus is extremely rare (4,2,1,4,4) 5. Ridgeback has strangely arisen about mortar carrier (9) 6. Voice disapproval after thanks are banned (5) 7. Tanner sees soccer team back in Stirling parlour (8) 8. Eastern low calorie cream (5) 9. Bind when learner comes forward in old drivel (6) 10. Pawn given to uncle? (6) 17. Monstrous sea urchin had bride’s outfit (9) 18. Friction material to slow down profligate in bachelor apartment (5,3) 20. Need old radiation unit back out of pressing necessity (6) 21. School cross about expressing hesitation in lively movement (7) 23. Italian side in Bury? (5) 25. State old German approval for wine (5) 26. Girl’s collections of anecdotes (4).

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COMPETITION

Freemasonry in focus

Do you have a photo you’d like to share with us that demonstrates what Freemasonry means to you? We’d love to see it and share it in FMT. Email your favourite Freemasonry pic to editor@freemasonrytoday.com, along with details of your name, address and lodge by 31 July 2021. The winning photo will be sent a copy of the Inside the Freemasons DVD. FMT Summer 2021

12/05/2021 11:59

Crossword Culture

Solution to Spring 2021 crossword

by Hekebolos

S T A M P S

Last issue winners:

G L A S N O S T

Geoff Silverman, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire Alan O’Brien, Mitcham, Surrey

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T U M I D The winner of last issue’s Freemasonry in focus competition is W Bro Tobias A Reece PPDepGDC, Beacon Lodge No. 4066, Yorkshire, West Riding. ‘This photo [left] is of my father and I receiving Provincial Honours at the Royal Hall Harrogate in May 2019. I was receiving my first appointment as ProvGStwd after six years of leaving the chair, and my father was receiving his promotion to PPGReg, after five years since his first appointment. This illustrates what Freemasonry means to me as it shows how Freemasonry, irrespective of order, brings my father and I together.’

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Please send your completed cryptic crossword puzzle to the Crossword Editor at crosswordeditor@crosswords.ugle.org.uk, with your contact details, including name and address. Closing date for entries is 31 July 2021. Open only to members of UGLE. Only one entry per person. Correct entries will be placed into a cryptic crossword prize draw. Winners wil be announced in a future edition of FMT and will receive a free publication from Letchworth’s, the shop at Freemasons’ Hall.

For full terms and conditions, go to: www.ugle.org.uk/crossword-competition

Please use this form to receive FMT, to notify us of a change of address or to request to be deleted from the FMT database. Do include the reference number found on the wrapper in which FMT arrived, where this is known.

For a change of address, please fill in both your current and new address. Please tick the box below as appropriate: I wish to receive a free copy of FMT I wish to notify a change of address I wish to be removed from the FMT database Please state reason (resignation/not interested/ deceased/receive duplicate copies, etc):

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GL membership number

Current address Distribution reference number New address

Postcode Lodge number

FMT Winter 2019

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Postcode

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30/04/2021 10:22

SUPE RMARKET Charity

Every little helps

Simple chores like unpacking the groceries can be incredibly challenging for people with complex disabilities. Canine Partners can prove a lifeline We all know the routine:

1. Write out a shopping list for your weekly trip to the supermarket.

2. Peruse the aisles looking for that particular condiment, specific brand of coffee or the discounted bargain corner that you can never seem to fi nd.

3. Come home having bought half the shop and begin a game of Tetris trying to fit everything into the cupboards.

4. Relax with a new packet of biscuits and your favourite hot drink, feeling productive but a little tired.

For many people this weekly activity is the same and one that, pre-pandemic, we took for granted. Post-lockdown, it seems many of us now look forward to these trips, an appreciation developed from a taste of normality and the chance to stretch our legs beyond the walls of our homes.

However, this normal or part of life is one only experienced by those physically able. People with independence-limiting disabilities don’t always have the luxury of browsing the shelves or popping to the shops.

In fact, many are reliant on additional support to help them navigate through

Canine Partners’ assistance dogs offer more independence

these everyday parts of life. This can come in many different forms – young or old, big or small, human or… furry.

Canine Partners is a national charity that provides assistance dogs to meet the needs of people living with complex disabilities. These specially trained pups are carefully matched to an individual’s lifestyle, no matter how challenging, and can help carry out a variety of tasks from opening and closing doors, unloading the washing machine, stripping the bed, to – you guessed it – helping with the shopping.

One service user’s limited mobility has meant she’s always relied on the Tesco delivery driver to carry her shopping into the kitchen. However, when the pandemic

hit and social distancing measures came into force, the driver was no longer able to provide this extra step of support.

In response, her assistance dog learned to get a washing basket, place the shopping items in and drag it into the kitchen where its owner could then unpack. A simple task, made complex through disability, creatively solved by a four-legged friend.

The Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF, the Freemasons’ charity) has announced £30,000 in funding for Canine Partners to support the charity in providing assessments, training and aftercare for all its beneficiaries. This grant will ensure that the daily needs of service-users are met – from unloading the dishwasher to carrying in a Tesco delivery – because every little helps.

C A N T H E M C F H E L P YO U ?

If you are unable to work, facing redundancy, or struggling with additional household costs, the MCF may be able to help.

Contact the enquiries team today at help@mcf.org.uk or 0800 035 60 90

SUPERMARKET FOOD DELIVERY

FMT Summer 2021

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Charity

Dementia: test your knowledge It’s a condition that affects more of us than you think. Take our quiz to find out how much you know about dementia 1. How many people in the UK suffer with dementia? a. 500,000 b. 850,000 c. 1.2 million 2. The number of people living with dementia is… a. Increasing b. Decreasing c. Staying consistent 3. A cure for dementia has been found a. True b. False 4. Dementia can affect a person’s… a. Language b. Mood and emotions c. Memory d. Behaviour e. All of the above

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The answers Research shows more than 850,000 people in the UK are living with dementia, a condition that affects one in 14 adults over the age of 65, and one in six over the age of 80. As people are living longer, the number of people with dementia is increasing, and it is estimated this number will rise to more than one million by 2025.

Although a cure has not been found, an early diagnosis can help curb the progression of a dementia-related disease, such as Alzheimer’s or vascular dementia, allowing a person to maintain their full cognitive function for as long as possible.

For those living with dementia, or their loved ones who witness the full effects, the symptoms can be difficult to come to terms with. A person’s memory and understanding of the world around them can change, alongside their ability to carry out basic tasks or communicate effectively with others. For some, dementia can have a severe effect on a person’s mood, behaviour and interest in aspects of their life that previously brought happiness.

Eco-therapy Kent Wildlife Trust, a conservation charity that focuses on bringing people closer to nature, has teamed up with the NHS to deliver eco-based therapies to people living with dementia. The project will work closely with the Harmonia Village in Dover, which is the fi rst of its kind: an NHS residential village that uses a person-centred approach to dementia care.

The Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF, the Freemasons’ charity) is funding a nature and wellbeing officer who will deliver a programme of activities to village residents.

‘This scheme will help combat the loneliness that is associated with dementia and aims to improve wellbeing’

FMT Summer 2021

12/05/2021 11:52

Charity

A legacy milestone

Since the launch of the Masonic Charitable Foundation’s (MCF, the Freemasons’ charity) free will-writing service with the Goodwill Partnership, more than 500 people have used it to write their will and provide for loved ones

89%

of those who have used the service have a connection to Freemasonry – whether they’re a Freemason themselves, or a Freemason’s partner, child or grandchild

1. London is the largest geographical area of these willmakers, followed by 2. West Lancashire 3. Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire

2.

3.

11%

of those who have used the MCF’s will-writing service have no connection to Freemasonry.

The service is open to anyone and everyone.

These will include simple wildlife gardening, such as sowing seeds, pruning and planting, wildlife watching and identification, landscape painting and photography. This scheme will help combat the loneliness and isolation that is associated with dementia and aims to improve the wellbeing of each individual.

For more on how the MCF is combating loneliness and social isolation, go to: www. mcf.org.uk/FMTSummer2021/LaterLife

Harmonia Village in Dover is the first NHS residential village of its kind, offering naturebased dementia therapies such as landscape painting, photography and wildlife watching

The youngest will-maker is 25 years old.

The oldest is 90

Whatever your age or your circumstances, it is important to make a will to ensure your wishes are carried out after you die, and your loved ones are provided for. One third of UK adults die without having written a will – also known as dying intestate – and this can cause huge emotional, practical and financial consequences at an already difficult time.

If you have yet to make a will and would like guidance on the process, visit www.mcf.org.uk/FMTSummer2021/Legacy, where you can download or order the MCF’s ‘Making a Will Guide’ and find out more about the MCF’s free will-writing

FMT Summer 2021

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Charity

Supporting children’s mental health Last year, Freemasons across England and Wales rose to the challenge of raising £1 million for the Freemasons’ COVID-19 Community Fund, as a response to the unfolding pandemic After just 16 weeks, the target had not only been met but exceeded, and the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF, the Freemasons’ charity) delivered on its promise of matching every pound, taking the fund to more than £2 million.

Since then, the MCF has been working in partnership with United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) and Provinces to identify vulnerable communities that have been worst hit by the crisis. As a result, the Freemasons’ COVID-19 Community Fund has focused on supporting three core areas of society: the homeless and vulnerably-housed community, unpaid carers, and, most recently announced, children and young people struggling with their mental health.

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What is mental health?

Good mental health is a person’s ability to think, feel and react in ways that are needed to live a stable and balanced lifestyle. Poor mental health sees an individual experience difficult thoughts, feelings and reactions that may leave them unable to cope. These can be just as hard to manage as physical illnesses.

Impact of COVI D -19 on young people’s mental health

A December 2020 report by Public Health England showed that there had been significant changes in mental health and wellbeing, with stress, depression and anxiety peaking for adults in April 2020.

For some children and young people, social distancing and the stay at home instruction appears to have increased emotional, behavioural and restlessness or attention difficulties, as well as anxiety and depression.

In April 2020 almost half of 16-24 year olds surveyed showed new symptoms of psychological distress and reported an increase in anxiety over the summer months, when this emotion in surveyed adults appeared to reduce.

Only 27 per cent of children and young people had had a one-to-one session with a teacher in which they were asked about their wellbeing, while almost a quarter of respondents – 23 per cent – said there was less mental health support from their school in comparison to before the pandemic.

Freemasonry’s response

The third round of funding from the Freemasons’ COVID-19 Community Fund will support charities tackling poor mental health in young people, with the aim of helping them recover from a difficult year.

Applications have now closed and the MCF is reviewing every application.

Interested in hearing more? Sign up to the MCF’s email updates to stay in the loop with developments: www.mcf.org.uk/ FMTSummer2021/SignUp

FMT Summer 2021

12/05/2021 11:52

UGLE Provinces Fraternal world

Fraternal World The UGLE globe at a glance Key

Metropolitan Grand Lodge

Provincial Grand Lodges

Hertfordshire 188 lodges

Buckinghamshire 116 lodges Berkshire 98 lodges Surrey 253 lodges

Middlesex 195 lodges Northumberland 138 lodges Cumberland & Westmorland 77 lodges

Durham 178 lodges Yorkshire, West Riding 198 lodges

Isle of Man 19 lodges

Yorkshire, North & East Ridings 98 lodges

East Lancashire 198 lodges West Lancashire 342 lodges Cheshire 173 lodges

Derbyshire 75 lodges

North Wales 106 lodges

Worcestershire 116 lodges West Wales 27 lodges Monmouthshire 29 lodges

Somerset 89 lodges

Cornwall 80 lodges

Bedfordshire 55 lodges Nottinghamshire 86 lodges

Leicestershire & Rutland 80 lodges

Staffordshire 96 lodges

Norfolk 76 lodges

Cambridgeshire 30 lodges Suffolk 68 lodges

Oxfordshire 55 lodges

Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire 93 lodges

Bristol 37 lodges

East Kent 181 lodges

South Wales 161 lodges Sussex 161 lodges

Devonshire 131 lodges

Herefordshire 15 lodges

Dorset 49 lodges

Guernsey & Alderney 11 lodges

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Lincolnshire 74 lodges Warwickshire 156 lodges

Shropshire 36 lodges

Gloucestershire 82 lodges

West Kent 178 lodges

London 1,252 lodges

Hampshire & Isle of Wight 255 lodges

Essex 307 lodges

Wiltshire 44 lodges

Jersey 11 lodges

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Fraternal world UGLE Districts and Groups

1 5

2

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Across the globe

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Each international Grand Lodge is sovereign and independent

George Georgetown Town Bridgetown Halifax

Montreal

Antigua Kingston Willemstad Port of Spain

Hamilton

Cascais

São Paulo

Nassau Santiago Jamestown

Buenos Aires

Zakynthos

Rio de Janeiro Lagos

Montevideo

Gibraltar Vilamoura

1. CANADA Montreal/Halifax The Group of Lodges in Montreal & Halifax (3 lodges)

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2. CARIBBEAN Kingston/George Town District Grand Lodge of Jamaica & the Cayman Islands (24 lodges) Willemstad Igualdad Lodge, No. 653 Port of Spain District Grand Lodge of Trinidad & Tobago (8 lodges) Bridgetown District Grand Lodge of Barbados & The Eastern Caribbean (21 lodges) Georgetown District Grand Lodge of Guyana (15 lodges)

3. ATLANTIC Nassau District Grand Lodge of Bahamas & Turks (12 lodges) Hamilton District Grand Lodge of Bermuda (5 lodges) Jamestown St Helena Lodge, No. 488

4. SOUTH AMERICA São Paulo/ Rio de Janeiro District Grand Lodge of South America, Northern Division (17 lodges) Buenos Aires/ Santiago/Montevideo District Grand Lodge of South America, Southern Division (11 lodges)

Valleta

5. EUROPE Portugal The Group of Lodges in Portugal (4 lodges) Gibraltar District Grand Lodge of Gibraltar (9 lodges) Valleta The Group of Lodges in Malta (2 lodges) Limassol District Grand Lodge of Cyprus (17 lodges) Zakynthos Star of the East Lodge, No. 880

FMT Summer 2021

12/05/2021 11:38

UGLE Districts and Groups Fraternal world

Ndola Johannesburg Windhoek

Lilongwe Harare

Kimberley Bloemfontein

New Delhi Kolkata

Gladstone Mumbai

Albany

Durban

Chennai

Cape Town Port Elizabeth

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Kampala

Banjul

Dar es Salaam

Accra Nairobi

Freetown

Lagos

6. WEST AFRICA Freetown/Banjul District Grand Lodge of Sierra Leone & The Gambia (21 lodges) Accra District Grand Lodge of Ghana (58 lodges) Lagos District Grand Lodge of Nigeria (42 lodges)

Seychelles

7. EAST AFRICA Nairobi District Grand Lodge of East Africa (48 lodges)

8. SOUTHERN AFRICA Johannesburg District Grand Lodge of South Africa, North (101 lodges) Kimberley District Grand Lodge of South Africa, Central Division (8 lodges) Windhoek District Grand Lodge of Namibia (4 lodges) Cape Town District Grand Lodge of South Africa, Western Division (30 lodges) Ndola District Grand Lodge of Zambia (11 lodges) Harare/Lilongwe District Grand Lodge of Zimbabwe & Malawi (12 lodges) Durban District Grand Lodge of Kwazulu-Natal (26 lodges) Bloemfontein District Grand Lodge of Orange Free State (7 lodges) Port Elizabeth District Grand Lodge of South Africa, Eastern Division (28 lodges)

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Tully

Melbourne

Colombo

9. THE SUBCONTINENT Mumbai District Grand Lodge of Bombay (23 lodges) New Delhi District Grand Lodge of Northern India (5 lodges) Kolkata District Grand Lodge of Bengal (23 lodges) Chennai District Grand Lodge of Madras (18 lodges) Colombo District Grand Lodge of Sri Lanka (10 lodges)

11. AUSTRALIA Albany Plantagenet Lodge, No. 1454 Melbourne Combermere Lodge, No. 752 Tully Geraldton Lodge, No. 3544 Gladstone Port Curtis Lodge, No. 2235

Hong Kong Thailand

Kobe

Auckland

Kuala Lumpur Singapore

Rabaul

Christchurch

Vanuatu Fiji

10. THE FAR EAST Kuala Lumpur/ Singapore/Thailand District Grand Lodge of Eastern Archipelago (40 lodges) Hong Kong/Kobe District Grand Lodge of Hong Kong & The Far East (20 lodges) Vanuatu/Fiji The Group of Lodges in the South West Pacific (3 lodges) Rabaul Rabaul Lodge, No. 4468

12. NEW ZEALAND Christchurch District Grand Lodge of South Island, New Zealand (13 lodges) Auckland District Grand Lodge of North Island, New Zealand (24 lodges)

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Fraternal world Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor Write to: The Editor, FMT, Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ Email: editor@freemasonrytoday.com

Eulogy for Bro Ejikeme Sir, I am fortunate to have known Bro Ejikeme for the last 14 months. We met for the first time at the installation meeting of Enugu Lodge No. 5440 in October 2019.

Bro Ejikeme was incumbent secretary of Enugu Lodge No. 5440 EC. Before the installation I had sent an email to Bro Ejikeme asking him to add my name to brethren attending the festive board. He refused to do so, citing the deadline for doing so as having passed. Bro Ejikeme was a time-conscious Freemason.

On the day of the installation, I arrived early to socialise with brethren before business. I sighted Bro Ejikeme, dressed up in his officer’s regalia and waiting in the lodge, which was adjacent to the cloakroom where I was. He looked relaxed and was waiting for brethren to take their seats. I approached him to introduce myself and on sighting me he smiled as if he had seen an old friend.

We exchanged pleasantries and spoke of how we both knew the Master Elect and the history of Enugu Lodge No. 5440 EC, which is legendary. Bro Ejikeme was a devoted Freemason.

After the installation, we continued to discuss Freemasonry and the formation of Nigeria Heritage Lodge, proposed to be consecrated under the Provincial Grand Lodge of Surrey. Bro Ejikeme was full of optimism about the potential the lodge had as a tool for doing good in the wider society. Bro Ejikeme was a night owl and

would call me after midnight to exchange ideas and discuss matters affecting formation of Nigeria Heritage Lodge.

Bro Ejikeme was a proactive Freemason.

My last conversation with Bro Ejikeme reassures me that he is in a good place.

His sincerity is why I will miss him the most. It was a privilege to have known him and it was a sincere honour to call him my friend and brother.

Anthony Ijeh, Enugu Lodge No. 5440 EC, Nigeria Sir, In the Spring edition of FMT, Companion Nigel Blore suggested that, ‘There remain two distinct views on Royal Arch...’, and referred to Jim Daniel’s article that ‘the 1813 Settlement was indeed a fudge...’

As in most things, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I cannot let these comments pass without a response.

I believe that the Royal Arch has very broad shoulders and any constructive criticism or commentary should be welcomed and considered, but I would challenge the contention that there are ‘two distinct views on Royal Arch’.

Whereas I do not disagree with Nigel Blore, I would suggest that there are many other points of view ranging from the academic and historical perspective to those who just enjoy the ceremonies.

The 2004 revisions were entirely appropriate as they addressed certain ritualistic elements that required adjustment and tried to make the language more comprehensible by removing arcane and unnecessarily complex symbolic imagery.

It is my understanding that individual companions are encouraged to form their own opinion of the Royal Arch and its relevance to their lives, as opposed to the more prescriptive approach to the Craft where a great deal of information is available.

The Royal Arch may be considered the ‘thinking man’s order’, as it initially presents itself in a very colourful and solemn ceremony, with beautiful ritual and prayers, but on further examination there are many fascinating symbolic concepts hidden beneath.

The problem with this discovery is that it must rightly be driven by the individual’s curiosity and to seek out the covert or hidden meanings that he finds relevant to himself. This of course requires some effort, but once that journey has begun, each discovery leads to another, and what at first appears to be just spoken ritual leads to a far deeper understanding of not only the Royal Arch but the Craft as well.

This is alluded to in the phrase ‘the connection of the whole system and relative dependence of its several parts...’

I believe that rather than be diverted by a factual examination of the structure of the Royal Arch, though it is useful to have an understanding of the historical framework, our focus should be on what the ritual and the ceremonies are trying to tell us and in so doing yield a greater satisfaction from our (eventual) attendance.

Jeffrey Monnickendam, Friars’ Hiram Chapter No. 1349 Clarification In the Spring edition of FMT we printed a letter from W Bro Willmouth that said that Bro Johnstone, whose letter was published in the Winter edition, wanted to remove or water down the ritual. Bro Johnstone has asked us to clarify that he did not say that he wished to remove or water down the ritual but rather use modern technology to assist participants during the ritual. He has also asked us to reiterate that his views are personal and not those of his lodges. We apologise to Bro Johnstone for any upset caused.

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.

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Fraternal world Social media

e-masons @freemasonry2day @ugle_grandlodge @grandchapter

Tell us what’s on your mind

FreemasonryToday UnitedGrandLodgeofEngland SupremeGrandChapter

29 March @wiltspgl Thanks to @BBCWiltshire @marieklenon for inviting the Comms Team to talk about the wonderful work being done by Wiltshire Freemasons at Covid

@unitedgrandlodgeofengland @freemasonrytoday @freemasonshall

Follow Dr David Staples, UGLE’s Chief Executive & Grand Secretary @UGLE_DrDStaples

incredible heights – among the highest in Europe!

22 March @pgl_york Congratulations to David Oakes, a member of @Peirse2610 @pgl_york #Bedale #Freemasons for his outstanding contribution to the community during these difficult times. @UGLE_GrandLodge @GrandChapter #COVID19 @lincsmasonic

14 April 8 April vaccination centres; with Swindon Domestic Support Services and in supporting the NHS. Charity, it’s in a Freemason’s DNA @UGLE_GrandLodge

@SKL9752 The SKL9752 Master with his two Wardens for 2021: WM WBro David Clarke, SW Bro Robin and JW Bro Henry Leipold.

@UGLE_GrandLodge #RamadanMubarak to all those who have started the holy month of fasting, from all of us at the United Grand Lodge of England. #Freemasons

17 April 9 April

23 March @lincsmasonic Motorcycling #Freemasons gear up for consecration of a new specialist lodge in Lincolnshire: bit.ly/3rcxBY7

26 March @pgldevonshire Due to the success of our facecovering initiative, which has raised over £1,500 for the @Masonic_Charity Devonshire @Festival2023, there are now only three face masks & 10 snoods left in stock, so to avoid disappointment, order now before they’ve all gone – pgldev.uk/36MSGAi

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31 March @UGLE_DrDStaples Back on the wards again – what a difference from last time I was here – much calmer and much less Covid!

1 April @LondonMasons London Masons have funded the purchase of two super-aerial platforms for the London Fire Brigade. The platforms can reach utterly

@NavyLodge2612 Navy Lodge mourns the passing of our beloved Brother, HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, subscribing member of this lodge for the last 68 years. Our sincerest condolences to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. @UGLE_GrandLodge To Brother HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Tonight, Freemasons from around the world came together to pay respects to our dearly departed Brother. You can view the Toast here – bit.ly/TimetoToast #Freemasons

@UGLE_GrandLodge Today we remember His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Our thoughts and sincerest condolences continue to be with Her Majesty The Queen and The Royal Family. #Freemasons

28 April @UGLE_GrandLodge CEO of UGLE, @UGLE_ DrDStaples was LIVE on @SkyNews with @IanKingSky discussing our first ever Annual Report. See the full interview at youtu.be/6CrHFlc4dzA #Freemasons

FMT Summer 2021

12/05/2021 11:34

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thēsauros

FMT’s pick of the unusual, striking or just plain fascinating

This is a page from The Pictorial World, an illustrated weekly newspaper, on 22 August 1874.

It features HRH Albert Edward, Prince of Wales opening New Guildhall, Plymouth, the year he was made Grand Master, as well as a ‘grand procession’ of Freemasons.

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Image: Museum of Freemasonry

A Grand Procession of Freemasons, The Pictorial World, 22 August 1874

FMT Summer 2021

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