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Letters to the Editor

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

Sirs, The brethren of the Royal Sovereign Light Lodge No. 6630 would like to congratulate WBro Jim Ashton on his distinguished Masonic career (FMT Autumn issue). As a closing remark in the article the question is posed ‘can anyone beat that?’.

May we introduce you to WBro Harry Waddingham. Harry, a retired teacher and former matelot – he was sunk twice during the war – was initiated into the Archbishop Tenison’s Lodge (London) No. 5163 in 1954, taking the Master’s chair of the Lodge at least twice and ultimately achieving London Grand Rank. On moving to Bexhill-on-Sea in 1994, he joined the Royal Sovereign Light Lodge. While not quite matching Jim’s length of service, in 2016, shortly after his 100th birthday, we had the greatest pleasure installing him into the chair of our Lodge. To mark this momentous achievement, present at the ceremony were the Provincial Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master and Assistant Grand Master of Sussex together with other members of the Provincial team. In recognition of this achievement Harry was granted a field promotion at the meeting to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden in the Province of Sussex and on completion of his year in office was made an Honorary Member of the Lodge.

Now, at the age of 106 years, Harry is still active, in good health and can be seen on YouTube giving thoughts for the day on behalf of his church. We were wondering whether Harry, this remarkable man, is our oldest living and active Freemason?

Bill Smith, Almoner, Royal Sovereign Light Lodge 6630.

Sirs, I was truly amazed at reading Lynn Dunne’s article in this summer’s edition of FMT on bowel cancer, and her own experience of it, as it was a carbon copy of my own situation.

I turned 60 last year, and was sent the NHS test kit that my wife nagged me senseless to complete – which I duly did for a quiet life.

Exactly the same happened – I was invited to have a colonoscopy but the letter said it is normally not cancer. It was, and I have been on two courses of chemotherapy and am now on a cancer suppressant called Panitumumab.

I have had more scans, consultations and treatment than you can shake a stick at, and all done incredibly urgently.

I would like to offer my praise to all the nurses and staff at the Sir William Rous cancer unit at Kingston on Thames hospital – but unfortunately I do not have sufficient vocabulary to express my feelings and extreme gratitude.

I would also like to express my sincerest gratitude to my Lodge, Strong Man Lodge No. 45, for putting me forward for LGR last year, for which I was approved. It was a huge morale booster for me at the beginning of my first bout of treatment. And finally, well done Lynn for your fantastic achievements – long may they continue. Kindest regards

Chris Broad, Strong Man Lodge No. 45

Sirs, I’d like to share the oration delivered at the 70th Installation Ceremony of Granville Lodge No. 7212 EC of Jabez Bunting Rogers-Wright (Jnr).

When I heard about the selection of Jabez Bunting Rogers-Wright as Master Elect it came as no surprise that the brethren of Granville Lodge found him suitable and capable.

Jabez is a founder member of African Diaspora, which is to be consecrated in the Province of Middlesex, England. As a special-interest group, our founder members all reside in diaspora and share their love for African cuisine, music and art. The group’s members are from six African countries spanning four of the five regions of Africa.

As coordinator of the group, I have come to know Jabez as culturally astute with a passion for humanity. Jabez is extremely well travelled and his understanding of so many different cultures is a gift to the group. He is also well versed in Freemasonry and leads a virtuous and socially oriented life.

From my interaction with Jabez, I have come to know him as a man of integrity who is respectful, charitable and friendly. I have no doubt that Jabez’s reign will be peaceful and prosperous and that in years to come, the brethren of Granville Lodge will look back and cherish every moment spent with him.

Here is wishing Bro Jabez and brethren of Granville Lodge good health, happiness and prosperity.

Anthony Ijeh, Enugu Lodge No. 5440 EC, Nigeria

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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18 August

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@GibFreemasonry Teddies for Loving Care (TLC) is 21 this year! To celebrate, they’re sending out their Head

Teddy (‘Red’ to his friends) to visit many of the Provinces and Districts that run TLC as well as the busy hospitals they help.

23 August

@DerbysFreemasons Terrifi c collaboration by #Derbyshire #Freemasons, The @Masonic_Charity and The Derbyshire Mark @DerbysMarkPGL Benevolent Fund in supporting Derbyshire Blood Bikes with a combined grant of £5,000. @DerbyshireBB

8 September

@UGLE_GrandLodge Thank you for your service Ma’am. #Freemasons

10 September

@UGLE_GrandLodge We cannot wait to see you for Open House London 2022! All attendees are invited to visit Freemasons’ Hall this Saturday and Sunday between 10am-5pm. The event will refl ect the solemn tone of the nation. #OpenHouseLondon #Freemasons #OpenHouseFestival #ArtDeco

12 September

@dglofmadras Brethren of The Anchor of Hope Lodge No. 1093 distributed food & snacks for Children at Udhavi Centre for Children with Special Needs. Estd. in 1991, Udhavi Trust is committed to the needs of children with special needs in the region. #freemasons #dglofmadras @UGLE_GrandLodge

16 September

@UGLE_GrandLodge At Wednesday’s QC, ‘God Save the King’ was sung in the Grand Temple for the fi rst time in 70 years. The last time, the Monarch was King George VI, appointed as Past Grand Master of UGLE in 1937 and elected Grand Master Mason of the Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1936. #Freemasons

21 September

@UGLE_GrandLodge UGLE has won a bronze award at the Digital Communications Awards 2022 for outstanding

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22 September

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24 September

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20 October

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26 October

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@PGLSomerset The Province of Somerset is pleased to announce the installation of our new Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Ray Guthrie. The Assistant Grand Master of @UGLE_GrandLodge was present in a momentous occasion for the Province. Good luck and congrats Ray.