6 minute read
From the Grand Secretary and Grand Scribe E
FROM THE GRAND SECRETARY & GRAND SCRIBE E
As I write this, it has been an almost indescribably strange couple of weeks for me. My excitement at meeting our Most Worshipful Grand Master on 7 September, and the pride and honour I felt when he asked me to accept the position of Grand Secretary, was tragically more than off set with the deep sorrow I felt the following day when the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was announced.
Like most active Freemasons today, I had only ever toasted the Queen, and very few of us had any experience of anyone other than Queen Elizabeth II as our monarch. She has symbolised service in a way that seems impossible for anyone to replicate. I was, therefore, grateful to have the opportunity to stand in solemn remembrance in our Grand Temple on the occasion of the September Quarterly Communication, when all brethren present refl ected on the contribution Her Majesty had made to our great nation.
It was extremely moving to hear more than 2,000 voices singing the National Anthem, with the words God save the King resounding around the Grand Temple. We also witnessed the Past Pro Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Peter Lowndes, install Jonathan Spence as Pro Grand Master who, in turn, installed Sir David Wootton as Deputy Grand Master and David Medlock as Assistant Grand Master.
In just seven days there had been some tremendous changes for our nation, the Craft and for me personally.
I have greatly appreciated the kind words I have received from many brethren on the announcement of my appointment. I hope that it was clear that, while I have communicated my retirement from the position as chief fi nancial offi cer of DS Smith plc, I will remain an executive director and continue to serve on the board until my successor is in position.
I have been extremely fortunate to have held senior positions in a number of large businesses and I intend to bring this experience to bear as Grand Secretary. I am lucky to have a great team at UGLE, and, in particular, our Deputy Grand Secretary Graham Redman, to whom I have already apologised in advance for how much I will be leaning on him over the coming months. I have set myself the target of visiting a Lodge in every Province during my time in offi ce, but this will take a while until my retirement from corporate life can begin in earnest, so please be patient with me.
I have been asked a few times why I agreed to be Grand Secretary rather than become a gentleman of leisure, not least by my wife Sheilagh. I had the chance over the past few years, as a member of the Board of General Purposes, to gain a good understanding of UGLE and have always enjoyed contributing to the work of its President, Geoff rey Dearing. I was likewise excited by the vision and ambition of our new Pro Grand Master, Jonathan Spence, and more than anything wanted to contribute. The role of Grand Secretary uniquely enables me to do this and that is a far better prospect than a quiet retirement.
The challenges we face as a membership organisation, to continue to thrive and grow, are well documented – as are the challenges we all face as the cost-of-living crisis takes hold. We have shown through the recent pandemic how we can make positive contributions to the communities we live in and, as we came out of the pandemic, how important it is to be able to meet and enjoy each other’s company.
Over the coming months, we will hear a clear and compelling strategy that we will all be able to contribute to, not only to ensure we survive but also thrive.
Each day when I walk my dogs, I have the privilege to view the magnifi cent buildings and grounds of the Royal Masonic School For Girls, and it always makes me think of our proud traditions and the ambition and tenacity of our forefathers to create such lasting legacies for the communities they lived in. I truly hope we can leave similar lasting tributes.
I was attracted to become a Freemason by my then future father-in-law, Peter Vidler, who was the long-serving Secretary of Strong Man Lodge, No 45. I was regaled by his stories of Lodge members and his constant fraternal happiness. He would spend all of his spare time ensuring that the experience his fellow brethren would have was as good as it possibly could be. This varied from the usual duties of Lodge Secretary to making tracing boards for the Lodge of Instruction in his workshop, engraving fi ring glasses for every member, researching ancient minutes and generally being all things to all members.
I am, of course, very aware that most Lodges and Chapters have their versions of Peter, and I am always very admiring of their eff orts and service. I am extremely conscious of the debt of gratitude we owe to all our Secretaries and Scribes E, without whom none of us would be able to enjoy our Freemasonry. I therefore conclude my fi rst column with a salute to all of our Secretaries and Scribes E: you make Freemasonry what it is!
Adrian Marsh
Grand Secretary & Grand Scribe E
Issue 60 – Winter 2022
Editor Donna Hardie Editorial Panel Michelle Worvell, Shaun Butler, Guy Roberts, Martin Cherry, Julian Perry (Culture editor)
Published by Sunday, 207 Union Street, London SE1 0LN, www.wearesunday.com for the United Grand Lodge of England, Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ Editorial Manager Shaun Butler editor@freemasonrytoday.com Freemasonry Today, Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ Advertising contact Ethan Hall ethan@square7media.co.uk 020 3832 2879 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 Acorn Web Offset Ltd
© United Grand Lodge of England 2022. The opinions herein are those of the authors or persons interviewed only and do not reflect the views of the United Grand Lodge of England or Sunday.
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Welcome
3 From the Grand Secretary and Grand Scribe E
Adrian Marsh welcomes you to the winter issue
Out & About
6 Provincial and District news
In memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II plus Quarterly Communication, UGLE’s seven-year strategy and the 1723 Constitutions
Stories
36 Inside knowledge
Freemasons’ Hall opens its doors to the public during Open House London
38 Further education
Alumni of the The Open University form Omnium Lodge
A daily advancement
46 The origins of African Lodge
Dr Ric Berman on Prince Hall Freemasonry
48 Charity & Freemasonry
The common thread that binds us
36 48
50 Royal gifts
The Museum of Freemasonry’s collection
Grand Lodge
56 Tried and trusted
Four Provinces on their experience of the Members’ Pathway 2.0
The Royal Arch
64 Q&A: Jonathan Spence
On the Royal Arch
Culture
66 Books, reviewed by you
In the community
69 Charity and the Craft
How the MCF and Freemasons support members and their families nationwide
Fraternal world
75 Home and abroad
UGLE Lodges around the world
78 Your letters and tweets
82 Thēsauros
The fascinating and unusual
