Gazette-16 by Durham Freemasons

published by the freemasons of the province of durham

ISSUE 16 – AUTUMN 2014

‘EVERYTHING THEY HAD, THEY GAVE’

WHAT’S INSIDE The Mystic Tie Page 4

Taking it Cruse easy Bereavement Page 5 THE PROVINCIAL GAZETTE Page 13- ISSUE 16

What’s in a name? Page 14-15 1 AUTUMN 2014

EDITOR’S NOTES

WHAT’S INSIDE

Well, another three months have passed, a pleasant recess has been enjoyed by most, and we now begin the new ‘Masonic Year’ refreshed, infused and ready for the challenges that lie ahead.

With an extremely successful trip to United Grand Lodge under their belts, the North East Corner really is up and running, with more events and activities planned for later in the year. The launch of the 2021 Festival is fast approaching and the Provincial Grand Master has announced that John Paul Thompson will be the Festival Director. In future issues of the Gazette, John will be reporting with news, tips and strategies to help us all raise as much money as we possibly can, and with as much enjoyment as possible. In amongst our busy Masonic lives, Issue 16 takes time out

to remember the fallen, with the 100-year anniversary of the Great War almost upon us. We remember those who laid down their lives, making the ultimate sacrifice, so we can live as we do today in a free world. In our centre pages we remember some of those lost in this tragic conflict and show some of the memorials to their heroism.

With Christmas fast approaching, don’t forget that the News Team will still be working hard over the festive period to produce Issue 17 of this publication. Let’s make their job a little easier by sending them plenty of material!

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If you know of anyone who might prefer or benefit from an audio version of this Gazette then email news@news.pgldurham.org to order his or her copy now! @PGLDurham

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BAND OF BROTHERS On 9th February, 2014, Stephen Stewart, a former sea cadet from Hebburn and now residing in Dublin, whilst looking through some old cadet photos, decided to set up a TS Kelly Facebook group. He was soon joined by a number of ex-cadets, three of whom had become Durham Freemasons, namely: David Berry and Kenny Dodds, both of Heabrym Lodge, Colin Bone of Palmer Lodge and George Sanger who practices his Freemasonry in the Province of Northumberland as a member of Swinburne Lodge. As youngsters, all of the Brethren had been proud members of the 6th Hebburn Sea Cadets between 1965 and 1977. It was not long before the group began posting and sharing old photos, most of which were about the Drum and Bugle Band that had won many competitions. The Cadets’ Chairman, when planning the 80th Anniversary of the unit, called upon Davy Hanson to muster a band and perform at the event. Davy, having been the Band Master during the 60s and 70s, had fond memories of his young charges winning many tournaments. At band practice, he began to impress on the young cadets that: “His old lads listened and took notice” and “His old lads could play in time”, etc, etc. This

led to one young cadet piping up: “If you’re old lads were that good, get them together and we’ll have a competition at the 80th anniversary”. The gauntlet having been thrown down, Davy took up the challenge, responding with: “It’s a deal, young man!”, whilst rushing to inform his partner, Gillian, and immediately making contact with the lads on the Facebook group. Many phone calls and knocking on doors took place and, one by one, the “Veterans Band” was reformed, taking shape only 3 months before the Anniversary was due. Many of the members had left the area and had to commute considerable distances to attend rehearsals at the TS Kelly Unit, located on the south side of the River Tyne. The “Band of Brothers”, under the direction of Davy Hanson, began to hone their musical talents and, after 10 lengthy rehearsals, were finally ready for the big day. Hard work came to fruition on the 10th of August, when young and old cadet band members

The Young Pretenders ready for action

were joined by their families to commemorate the 80 years of TS Kelly. The event was a great success, with 200 visitors attending, raising considerable funds for the Unit. At the sound of a bugle, the crowd encircled the parade area to observe the greatly anticipated competition between young and old; the rivalry was intense! The “Young Pretenders Band” took to the parade area first, giving a tremendous display and racking up the pressure on the old guard to perform well. To rapturous applause, the “Veterans” paraded in, immaculately dressed in Polo

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Shirts, Caps and smelling of Old Spice, performing the drills they had worked so hard to perfect. On completion of an equally polished presentation, the judges retired to consider both performances, as the families waited in anticipation for the winning band to be announced. After much deliberation an honourable draw was declared! The “Veterans Band” enjoyed the reunion so much that they now meet once a month to rehearse and have been requested by the Royal British Legion to attend Civic commemorations at Hebburn and Jarrow Cenotaphs, including the Armistice Day parade.

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AUTUMN 2014

THE ‘MYSTIC TIE’ The ‘Mystic Tie’ is that special bond of friendship amongst Masons, exemplified by a Durham Mason’s experience and with a remarkable outcome. Tom Gittins, a Stockton Mason, received an unexpected phone call one morning from his sister, informing him that his brotherin-law, Bob, had been taken ill on board a cruise ship in the Caribbean. Bob was admitted to hospital on the Island of Tortola for further tests and it soon became clear that he was seriously ill with an aggressive form of cancer. The prognosis clearly was not at all good. An email was sent by Tom to the ‘UK Masons List’ to see if any Brother could assist a ‘Brother in Need’. Within a half-hour of posting the distress message, email replies flooded in from Brethren in England, Scotland, France, South America and as far distant as Hong Kong. The request had been quite simple: ‘Brother in distress – please assist’. Having intercepted the message, Mike Martin from The Grand Charity was soon in touch and United Grand Lodge contacted the Caribbean Islands, with messages being passed from Barbados to St. Lucia, and contact being made with the Secretary of St Ursula’s Lodge No8952 on Tortola.

home, which was a terrible shock to the family and to the Brethren of Tortola. Flowers and kind words were sent, which were much appreciated by the family. The day before

Port Authority Director. His hosts gave Tom a grand tour of their Masonic Hall and the impressive Lodge room, and a rum-filled day followed.

The lessons of this particular set of events were many, not least ‘The Mystic Tie’, which binds us all, that special bond which Freemasonry gives. Tom in the Master’s Chair

St Ursula’s Lodge No8952 is situated in the British Virgin Islands.

Bob died, he was able to say how much he appreciated the Masonic visits and support so far away from home. The Brethren had reached out to him and he had experienced truly Masonic principles for what turned out to be the final time.

The current Master with the Lodge Banner

Tom was able to add to this series of events during a later holiday in the Caribbean, and made sure a visit was scheduled to the Island Of Tortola. Members of the Lodge met the visiting party and they were welcomed at the port side by a Mason who was the The party at the impressive entrance to the Lodge

Within a day, a visit had been made to Bob and all his personal needs had swiftly been attended to. Email and contact numbers of relevant Lodge members were supplied and reported back to England. Every assistance was given, leading to an eventual repatriation by air ambulance to the UK. Sadly, Bob passed away three weeks after returning

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TAKING IT EASY IN RETIREMENT When most people plan their retirement, they look forward to some well-earned relaxation, more time spent in the garden, walks in the country, or perhaps take up a small hobby to fill some of those free hours. In other words, to a more relaxed pace of life. When Michael Graham, a Grand Officer from Jarrow, entered retirement, his only thought was to get back to his previous passion….skydiving! Michael did his first jump at Sunderland airfield back in 1980, when his wife tricked him (after a drink or two) into putting his name down for a static line jump for charity. After his first jump, although terrified, he had caught the bug and this saw the start of more than a decade of dedication to the sport. This period saw Michael progress to become a skydiving instructor, buy an equal share in Border Parachute Centre in Embleton, Northumberland, skydive in locations all over the world and introduce his entire family to the sport. His wife undertook several jumps, his youngest son one and his eldest several hundred whilst serving with the RAF.

After leaving the partnership in 1992, Michael decided to retire from the sport, having achieved just about everything there was to achieve. With his equipment sold, he redirected all his efforts to his love of Freemasonry and Golf, both of which had taken a backseat while he skydived. However, the lure of jumping again had never left him and last year, at the tender age of 66 years, his urges could no longer be ignored and he contacted the relevant authorities to prepare for his return to the skies. Peterlee Parachute Centre, or the Skydive Academy as it is known, reassured him that his age was not an issue due to his previous vast experience; persuading his family, however, was another story! After the relevant medial checks, equipment familiarisation course and general safety briefs, Michael

took to the skies on the 28th September 2013 and continues to this day to be a regular at the airfield. True to his nature, Michael has literally thrown himself headlong back in to the sport and gained his ‘Formation Skydiving Coach’ certificate. This enables him to pass on his many years of experience to younger, up-and-coming skydivers.

“I will continue to skydive whilst I am still fit enough and, to me, my age is not relevant,” Michael comments.

“My family, whilst not endorsing what I do, are at least coming to terms with it!” To find out how you can get involved with skydiving, or to enquire about a charity jump, contact Chief Instructor and owner of the Jump Centre, Ian Rosenvigor on info@skydiveacademy.org.uk or visit www.skydiveacademy.org.uk It could be a great way to make your contribution to the 2021 Festival!

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AUTUMN 2014

The Brethren presenting the trust with the first installment

PRESERVING THE PAST Durham Freemasons have helped to preserve a piece of Hartlepool history by partfunding an apprentice shipwright for HMS Trincomalee. The plan to create the job started 13 months ago when the Grand Secretary, Nigel Brown, together with the Provincial Grand Master, Norman Eric Heaviside, his executive and other Durham Freemasons visited the renowned international tourist attraction as part of the Grand Secretary’s visit to our Province. It was thought that, firstly, it would provide a job for a local youngster in an area of high unemployment. Secondly, it

the ship to her former glory. She is now a multi–award winner whose honours include World Ship Trust International Maritime Heritage Award 2001 and the North East England Large Visitor Attraction of the Year, 2009.

would help to preserve skills, which could easily be lost. Finally, it would help to support a superb local charitable trust and, in some small measure, help to preserve HMS Trincomalee for posterity. The link-up was marked when a number of Hartlepool Freemasons, accompanied the Provincial Grand Master to present HMS Trincomalee with a cheque for £2,500, as the first instalment towards the cost of the project. Built in Bombay, India in 1817, the Trincomalee was brought to Hartlepool in 1987, where it took more than ten years to restore

ROLL OF HONOUR

Craft 50-Year Certificates: Peter Kendall

Avalon No7647

Royal Arch 60-Year Certificates: Joseph Randle Oliver

Presentations of certificates to mark long service to Freemasonry were made to the following Brethren:

Royal Arch 50-Year Certificates: Derick Hewitson Herbert Rhodes Thomas Edmund Jenkins Harry Headley Alan Billinghurst

Craft 60-Year Certificates: Matthew Lewins Colin McKay

St Hilda No240 Kepier Lodge No8308

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Williamson No949

Tow Law No3349 Harte No4217 Clarence No2462 Tristram No2415 St John and Ashburne No80

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NORTH EAST CORNER

On Wednesday, 10th September 2014, the quarterly meeting of United Grand Lodge of England was held at its extremely impressive headquarters in Great Queen Street, London.

The Group gathered outside the iconic building

This meeting was to be a special one for the Brethren of Durham, especially the newly formed ‘North East Corner’ who had decided to visit en masse to help put young and younger-minded Freemasonry in our Province well and truly on the map. Over forty members of the NEC met up at various train stations throughout the Province in the early hours of a rather dull and damp September morning and, by the time East Coast from Newcastle and Grand Central from Sunderland had picked up along the way and pulled in to Kings Cross, the contingent, along with the Provincial Executive, were at Great Queen Street flying the flag high and proud for the Province of Durham. For the members who had not been to UGLE before, this was a jaw-dropping experience. The spectacle of ‘The Grand Hall’ alone is enough to make the trip worthwhile, even for Brethren returning after numerous visits.

It leaves a big smile on every face. The meeting on this occasion was ‘called off’ to receive Simone Enefer-Doy, Chief Executive of Lifelites, a Masonic Charity supporting children’s hospices throughout the Country. Mike Woodcock, President of the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys, and Simone then delivered a talk to the meeting, detailing the tremendous work that Lifelites does, helping children across England and Wales make the most of what time they have left in this world, sometimes heartbreakingly short.

‘Enjoying Their Freemasonry’. After some words of encouragement from the Provincial Grand Master and a vote of thanks to everyone who had attended proposed by the NEC Chairman, Phil Johnson, the Brethren headed for their respective trains home, together with the occasional stop for light refreshment along the way.

All the Brethren in attendance, having had a truly tremendous Masonic day, are already talking about next year’s visit, which is sure to be oversubscribed. For more information about the North East Corner, why not visit their website: www.northeastcorner.org.uk or email secretary@northeastcorner.org.uk

With the meeting closed, the members of the NEC, accompanied by the Provincial Executive, gathered in the Freemasons Arms across the road. They had hired the upstairs room, where an excellent meal was enjoyed. The chatter was very positive and it was clear for all to see that these were people really

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ISSUE 16

AUTUMN 2014

DIED REGRETTED

BUT NEVER FORGOTTON We were recently contacted by Adam Lamb, the Provincial Archivist, who informed us that a Founders’ Jewel had recently been bequeathed to the museum and is now displayed along with several others at the Esplanade, Sunderland. Although items are often given to the museum, this particular one came with a rather interesting story. The Jewel was kindly donated by Roger Vaughan, who had purchased it after being advised of its availability by a friend and dealer in Masonic regalia. In fact, the item turned out to be a Past Master’s Jewel and is inscribed on the back: “Presented by the brethren of Saint Edmund’s Lodge to Robinson Taylor Walker, Master 1962/1963”. Roger knew Robinson very well and he had sadly ‘passed to the Grand Lodge above’ earlier this year, only three months short of his 100th birthday. He therefore presented it to the lodge on Monday, 8th September, whereupon it was unanimously agreed that it should join the Founders’ Jewels already in the museum, looked after by Adam Lamb. Robinson Taylor Walker, was born on 18th September, 1914; He was initiated into Saint Edmund’s Lodge in Gateshead on the 12th December, 1955, becoming a most dedicated Freemason and member of his Lodge. He had been proposed at the consecration meeting of the Lodge and was the third Initiate and the first candidate to become an officer.

Roger Vaughan (R) presenting Adam Lamb (L) with the jewel at Provincial Office

He progressed through the various offices of the lodge which, at that time, met at the Masonic Hall, Queens Terrace, Gateshead, and was installed Worshipful Master in 1962. He was first appointed to Provincial rank, as Past Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies, in 1971. He held that rank until he was selected by the Provincial Grand Master for a surprise promotion at the Promotions Meeting in December 2005, to the rank of Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden. In 2005, Robinson had the great honour of receiving a 50 Year Membership Certificate from the then Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Kenneth Edward Coatsworth Howe, on behalf of the Provincial Grand Master.

REMEMBRANCE

SUNDAY 9TH NOVEMBER 2014 As is now customary around the Province of Durham, Sunday 9th November 2014 will see hundreds of Masons marching in various Remembrance Day parades throughout the Province.

During the war, he served in the RAF and spent war service in Scotland, South Africa and Iraq, after which he was employed by the CWS in the bedding and furniture trade until he retired. We were delighted to record the presentation of the Founders’ Jewel to the museum when Roger travelled from Northumberland to formally present it to Adam. Sincere thanks go to Roger for his efforts in acquiring the jewel, and to the Brethren of Saint Edmund’s Lodge for their kind donation.

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This is an extremely respectful way of paying homage within our communities to those brave souls who made the ultimate sacrifice on the fields of battle in order that future generations could live in peace and freedom. With this year being 100 years since the start of the Great War there is even more reason to turn up in numbers and pause to reflect on the sacrifices made by our brave Service men and women. Parades that we know will have a Masonic contingent are Sunderland, Birtley, Bishop Auckland, Spennymoor, Seaham, Stockton, Hartlepool, Durham, South Shields and Jarrow. Lest we forget…..

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The memorial in Monkton Village

JARROW FALLEN “Their Glory Shall Not Be Blotted Out” 4th August, 1914 remains, arguably, the most significant date in the history of Europe: the commencement of The Great War. Some said it would be over in two weeks; others by Christmas. Alas, it was to last four long years, until the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th Month, 1918, when the guns fell silent.

London, where 3225 names of brethren of United Grand Lodge of England are recorded in a beautiful and ornate casket. In fact, as we are all aware, the entire building, or Masonic Peace Memorial as it was originally named, was dedicated to the fallen of this awful conflict. One Lodge, Apollo University No357, lost 58 members.

All walks of life were affected and Freemasonry was no exception. Brethren from all strata of society, throughout the country and indeed the world, answered the clarion call to enlist and bear arms.

In the Province of Durham, Lodges lost some 137 brethren. In the coming months, a Memorial will be erected in Jarrow Masonic Hall, Grange Road, to remember and pay tribute to the eight fallen brethren of St Bede Lodge No1119 and the two of St Paul Lodge No3242 who fell in the service of their King and Country

Many worthy brethren were to pay the ultimate sacrifice and, in many Lodge buildings up and down the country, can be found memorials to these gallant brethren. A particularly significant one is situated in the Grand Lodge building at Great Queen Street,

was the son of Edward Hawkes Scott and Mary Scott and born in Newcastle on Tyne. He died of wounds on 4th April 1918, aged 37. The husband of Lilian Scott, Birch Street, Jarrow, he was buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, France. In Monkton Village, Jarrow, by the roadside, a cross of Heworth stone is located. On the front is an inscription to those who died and included is one Frank Edward Scott. He is

also remembered on a brown and white marble plaque in the Memorial Garden of St Peter’s Church, York Avenue, Jarrow.

Frank Edward Scott, remembered on two memorial plaques

One brother, Frank Edward Scott, was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Garrison Artillery and Senior Warden of St Paul Lodge. He

“All they had they Gave” THE PROVINCIAL GAZETTE

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AUTUMN 2014

EDWARD COOPER VC

DURHAM FREEMASON Edward was born in Portrack, Stockton on Tees on 4th of May, 1896 and left school at the age of 13 to be an errand boy for his uncle’s butchers shop. A year later, he joined the local Co-op as an assistant on a fruit and veg cart before he was given his own cart about two years later. In 1914, at the outbreak of the war, an 18 year old Edward was unemployed because the army had commandeered all the horses, so he decided to follow them and he signed up on 7th September, 1914.

Edward joined 12th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps in the 60th Infantry Brigade, which was part of 3rd Corps when it arrived in France in July 1915. This was the first army to be formed after the ill-fated first two armies of the British Expeditionary Force. Their early time in France was mainly occupied with the reinforcement of trenches and defensive work but this was all to change on 25th September when Loos became an offensive campaign, giving Edward and the rest of his battalion a most violent awakening to the grim reality of war. Despite his division only being there in a supporting capacity, the 12th KRRC suffered the highest number of casualties, losing approximately 7% of a battalion in one day’s action. Later in the campaign, the 20th Division was detached from the Third Army and attached to the newly formed XIVth, and Edward made his first visit to Ypres, or Wipers as it was known by the British Tommy. There was no honeymoon period subsequent to this move; in fact it was a baptism of fire and the Division lost a thousand men in the first month alone. Without a personal diary from Edward it is impossible to know what actions he was involved in, as it was predominantly small

bombing sections required on an ad hoc basis for trench raids, as opposed to large scale action. It is quite clear that, as somebody who became such a young Senior NCO, he would have had his own bombing section. It is unthinkable that he would have attained that rank, had he not proved himself and put himself at the forefront of the action. Edward was based at Ypres for the first six months of 1916 but was posted to provide reinforcements for the most infamous of military blunders: the Battle of Somme. Not only was it the Somme he was posted to, but one of its most notorious battlefields, Beaumont Hamel. The first few weeks of this posting were spent improving the trenches, especially the communications trenches. Edward’s battalion got a special mention for repelling an attack on a section of trenches they were holding on the Guillemont-Montauban sector, which was attacked during a thunderstorm on 29th August. Edward remembered that: “the winter of 1916/17 was particularly severe in the Somme” and his next major engagement there was affected by this weather in a manner similar to the battle where he received his greatest recognition. He was promoted to Sergeant on 13th March 1917 and, within a fortnight,

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was in the thick of the fighting again. His involvement with the French, the subsequent defending of their positions and recovery of some of their injured may have played some part in the award of the Médaille Militaire. This is an award which can be granted for an individual act of bravery or for exceptional service over a longer period of time. One of his comrades in arms wrote in gratitude that Edward had rescued him when he had suffered a “broken leg and other wounds” during this time of heavy fighting. There are reports and some suggestion that Edward disobeyed orders when he repeatedly went into the battlefield to retrieve the wounded, which would explain why there was no award given for these brave actions. However, their efforts were ultimately successful and recognition was received from the G.O.C. of the newly formed XIX Corps, Lieutenant-General Sir H. E. Watts: “Such a counter attack after all your hard work is splendid.” In the spring of 1917, Edward and his colleagues were posted to the main western offensive of that summer. Known in the history books as Third Ypres but colloquially known as Passchendaele, it was a four month slog through mud and blood which achieved little more

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than the death of over 35,000 and the wounding of more than 250,000 British troops and about 35,000 German dead and similar numbers of wounded. Conditions were so atrocious that the order was given to ignore a fellow soldier who had fallen, as the mud would simply claim another life. As in so many other campaigns, the incompetence of the High Command was matched only by the heroism of the junior officers and men who had to carry out their orders. Over sixty VCs were won during Third Ypres and Edward was one of two to be awarded on the 16th August. Edward disembarked at Bologna in July, 1915 and was now Second-in-Command of a platoon of thirty men of the 12th King’s Royal Rifle Corps of the 60th Brigade. At 0430hours on the 16th of August, 1917, the 60th and 61st Brigades of the 20th Division crossed the Steenbeek by temporary bridges, covered with canvas to muffle their footsteps. The artillery barrage commenced at 0445 and the infantry attacked whilst the barrage “crept” forwards. They took a German strongpoint known as Au Bon Gite and, although the condition of the ground was nothing but a swampy, cratered field, they held the village and the station.

As they waded through the mud on the approaches to the shattered Belgian village of Langemarck, the advancing troops came up against a line of German pillboxes, which were almost impervious to artillery bombardment. Each block-house was equipped with two or more machine-guns and the British were caught in the interlocking fields of fire. Within minutes, half of the platoon was dead or wounded, including Edward’s Platoon Commander. Shocked and angry, Edward took control of the situation, picked up the dead officer’s revolver and dashed into the attack against the nearest pillbox, with between four and six of his men. He took them up to

about 250 yards from the German bunkers to lay down covering fire before he went on alone. Having noticed that the machine guns were limited in their arc of fire, he worked his way round to one side so that the bullets could not reach him, crept up close and fired the revolver into the bunkers. Both machine guns were damaged or destroyed. Cooper then marched around the back of the block-house and, beating on the door with his fists, he shouted “Come out, you ______, come out”. Forty-five Germans with eight machine guns emerged from the bunker. The first time they came out, Edward accidentally shot the first German who emerged and they

all ran back inside. After fixing his bayonet to his rifle, he again ordered them out. The German commanding Officer came out and started shouting at Edward, possibly for accidentally shooting the first German, so Edward gave him a thick ear and a kick in the pants. They surrendered to him in full view of their comrades, who were lining the trenches a few hundred metres away. When they realized what was going on, the German troops in the trenches opened fire, missed Edward and shot several of their own side.

He was not sent on leave until the following month and, when he left the front, he still did not know anything about any award. It was not until he was sitting in a YMCA cafe at King’s Cross railway station that he happened to see a newspaper carrying a list of the new VCs. The name of Chavasse caught his eye, Captain Noel Chavasse who had just won a Bar to his VC, one of only three men ever to do so and, sadly, he died shortly afterwards. Next in alphabetical order was Cooper.E. It was not until he had read and re-read the name and the regimental number, that he realised it was his own citation that he was reading. The diminutive sergeant said nothing but, when the train finally reached Darlington, where he had to change, Cooper was

astonished to find his father and his elder brother waiting for him. Then, to his enormous embarrassment, a civic reception awaited him at Stockton-onTees.

At the end of the first war, he was one of the most prestigious guests of honour at the unveiling of the Stockton Peace Memorial. Showing his magnanimous nature, he was also present at a memorial for a German airman after the Second War.

He later received his commission and returned to the front as a 2nd Lieutenant, a position which had an average life expectancy of just two weeks. Considering Edward’s propensity for bravery it is astonishing that he survived, especially as the final year had the highest attrition rate for the whole war and he narrowly escaped death when an artillery shell exploded nearby, which killed other officers and men. He was a Lieutenant by the end of the war and attained the rank of Major whilst serving in the Home Guard in the Second World War.

By the book, Edward did everything wrong. He should have lobbed a bomb into the

He led a modest life as manager of the fruit and veg department at the Co-op but was still conscious of his civic duty and became a Justice of the Peace in 1949. For many years, he could be seen around Thornaby, collecting for the British Legion’s Poppy Appeal, resplendent with his medals, Victoria Cross in pride of place. He carried out many of these duties until well into his eighties and was the longest surviving recipient of the Victoria Cross from World War I.

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block-house but he was a compassionate man and did not like to take life unnecessarily. When a senior officer arrived on the scene he castigated Edward for diverting from his line of advance but, eventually, his achievement was recognised. On his own, using mainly a pistol, he had taken a position which could well have resisted an attack by a whole company. He was admonished the next day for not bombing the blockhouse with his mills bombs and also for kicking the German Officer, but the Commanding officer laughed it off, suggesting that maybe the biggest shame was that the first German out of the blockhouse wasn’t the officer.

For thirty-five years, he lived in modest obscurity, until the Victoria Cross Association was formed in 1953 and someone tracked him down. Suddenly, his heroics were remembered and on the 24th July, 1985, Edward Cooper V.C. was given the Freedom of Stockton. He sadly passed away less than four weeks later on 19 August, 1985, just hours after watching a programme about his own heroism called ‘For Valour’. Edward Cooper was initiated into St John’s Lodge No 80 in 1929 and later joined the Lodge of Unity number 6003 in 1945. He became a founder member of the Lodge of Justice No 8361 in 1971, gaining Provincial Honours in 1963.

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AUTUMN 2014

WORTH THE

JOURNEY Matt and his squadron adorn a Lancaster bomber

Provincial Grand Secretary Phil Rann had a longer than usual journey on 5th August, to present a 60 year Certificate to Matthew Lewins, a South Shields Mason who now lives in Hampshire. But he was not the first from the North-East to make the journey South, as Dave King, Treasurer of St Hilda Lodge, had visited Matt a few weeks earlier to present an inscribed decanter and glasses set as a gift from the members of his mother lodge, together with a bottle of malt whisky, in order that it might be properly ‘Christened’!

the systems for the famous Lancaster bombers.

Phil was not alone for the presentation, as a number of Brethren from Matt’s Hampshire Lodge, Portsmouth Temperance, were also present to mark this milestone in his Masonic career.

The horror of this incident was made worse by the danger of flooding from a broken water main, which also impeded the work of Wardens, Rescue and Ambulance parties.

Matt’s story starts in H.S. Edward Street, South Shields, where he lived with his parents above a corner shop. He was born on 7th July, 1921 and went to school in South Shields.

Matt’s parents had, by then, moved to Cleadon but this news, as you can imagine, was distressing to anyone who had friends and family in that area.

Leaving school in 1937, aged 16, he joined a local firm as an apprentice electrician. However, World War Two interrupted his apprenticeship and, in 1940 at the age of 19, Matt found himself enlisted in the Royal Air Force. He was assigned to 106 Squadron, based at RAF Coningsby where, as a Group 1 Corporal, he put his electrical training to good use, maintaining

Matt receiving his certificate from Phil Rann

Interestingly, however, Matt had visited the Masonic hall many years earlier, at the start of his electrical apprenticeship on his 17th Birthday, when he helped to install the then “state of the art” light dimmer mechanism, which is still on the wall at Ingham Street Masonic Hall today.

While serving his country, his home town of South Shields came under sustained attack from German bombers. One report for the night of Thursday 2nd October 1941 reads: A heavy calibre bomb fell in the back lane between Lytton Street and H.S. Edwards Street, devastating twelve dwellings. Most of the occupants were dead when, with great difficulty, they were extricated by digging.

Work was to interrupt his newfound Masonic interest when, later in 1954, he moved 340 miles south to start work at the Admiralty Signals and Radar Establishment at Portsmouth, where much top secret work was carried out. By coincidence, Phil Rann’s father also worked there. Once established in Hampshire, Matt joined the Royal Arch, into the former Portsmouth Temperance Chapter No. 2068. He was exalted on 12th March, 1959 and became MEZ there in November 1983, and again in 1999. He also carried out the important role of Scribe E for many years. He joined Hants and IoW First Principals Chapter in October, 1993 and Horndean Chapter of Harmony in 2006 and was rewarded by being given the Provincial Rank of Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah.

He was apprenticed to a man called Bill Eakin who, when Matt was 33 in 1954, was instrumental in getting him to join Freemasonry, acting as his proposer. Matt’s initiation into St. Hilda Lodge No. 240 took place on 12th July, 1954. The Master at that time was Samuel George Ward and the annual lodge fees were a staggering two guineas (£2.10p)!

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Back to his Craft Masonry, he joined Portsmouth Temperance Lodge in January, 1961. He was Master there in 1979 and also acted as DC and then Lodge Secretary for many years. Matt was appointed to Craft Provincial

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Grand Rank, Past Assistant Grand Registrar, in 1987 and promoted to Past Provincial Deputy Grand Registrar in 2007. Portsmouth Temperance Lodge bestowed honorary membership on him in 2012. He also enjoyed Mark Masonry at Clanfield Lodge of MMM, Portsmouth Lodge of Mark Master Masons and also joined Clanfield Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners. Matt even managed to squeeze a personal life into his Freemasonry. He met his first wife, Lillian, while he was in the RAF and they had two children, Christine and David. Unfortunately, Lillian developed cancer and passed away but he has since met and married Mary, who had two children of her own. Between them there are now several grand and greatgrandchildren. Matt also still has time for a hobby - model making - and his garage is well stocked with lathes, pillar drills and associated tooling, with a miniature steam engine under construction. In presenting Matt with his 60 Year Certificate from his Mother Province of Durham, Phil passed on the PGM’s best wishes for many more happy Masonic years in the future.

CRUSE BEREAVMENT The generosity of Durham Freemasons in the North East has helped families on a £30,000 fundraising mission to smash the £7,000 barrier - in less than two months. Representatives from the Cruse Crew, based in South Tyneside, were invited to the Masonic Hall in Grange Road, Jarrow on Wednesday 24th September, where they were met by Assistant Provincial Grand Master, John Watts and representatives from both Jarrow and Hebburn Masonic Halls.

On the level, John Watts with two of the children who would benefit from this fantastic cause

The group, made up of families from South Tyneside who have recently suffered a bereavement, was launched after parents, Davy Carr and Emma Robertson, both struggled to find support for their young children in the borough following the deaths of their respective partners. They were eventually helped by Cruse Bereavement Care Tyneside, based in High Heaton, Newcastle. Now, along with the help of other families and friends, they are hoping to raise £30,000 to bring the charity’s children and young people’s bereavement support service to South Tyneside to enable it to be more accessible to those who need it. This is because they fear that some families, who don’t or cannot drive, for whatever reason, would struggle to access the vital support service. The service, running from a base in South Tyneside, will be funded by this money for a period of three years. The Cruse Crew was launched on August 4th and had already raised more than £5,000 through various events. But, thanks to the generosity of the Freemasons, they are now almost a third of the way towards reaching

their fundraising target, with 10-months to go, following the presentation to the Cruse Crew of a cheque for £1,000, from the Durham Masonic Benevolent Fund. However, the generosity didn’t stop there, as they were also handed two cheques for £250, one from Mark Livingstone, on behalf of the Jarrow Masonic Benevolent Association and the other from Frank Charlton, Secretary of the William Gillhespy Masonic Centre in Hebburn. Davy and Emma are joined in the Cruse Crew by parents Jean Costello, Alfie Leggett, Susan Clarkson and Laura Nisbet, who have also suffered the pain of losing a loved one in recent years and seen the effect it has had on their children. The group includes family friends Paul and Mandy Kirton, Rachel Little and Alana Vickers, former Mayor and Mayoress of South Tyneside Coun Ernest Gibson and Patricia Ridley, Lisa Nightingale and Joyce Auty. Speaking on behalf of The Cruse Crew, Lisa Nightingale said: “The generosity shown by the Freemasons to our cause is truly overwhelming. I am absolutely honoured to be working alongside such

inspirational people to enable a vital support service for children and young people suffering the loss of a loved one to be based here in South Tyneside. These kind donations mean such a lot to the families involved and helps us immensely, as we aim to reach our £30,000 target. So, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you.”

Cruse Bereavement Care is a national charity, with branches throughout the country, offering a range of bereavement support to those who need it. Cruse Bereavement Care Tyneside has provided support to grieving adults in South Tyneside for 16 years and is now, with the help of the Cruse Crew, working to extend that support to children and young people in the borough.

The group proudly displaying the 3 cheques

The funding would enable Cruse Tyneside to: • Offer free one-to-one support • Train accredited bereavement volunteers to meet demand • Provide support on premises in South Tyneside • Establish a permanent and consistent service in South Tyneside

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ISSUE 16

AUTUMN 2014

friend was so exemplary, it became proverbial and was used to name the Province’s first ‘Daylight’ Lodge at Shiney Row. Minerva was the goddess in whom power, wisdom and justice were harmoniously blended. Vulcan Lodge meets at Blackhill, the former iron and steel-manufacturing centre, and is appropriately named after the god of fire and craftsmen, especially smithery.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Lodge names come from a wide variety of sources and most have an unusual story behind them. Some are imaginative, many are selfexplanatory and, fortunately, we have none in the Province of Durham named using the same method as Vernon Lodge, which meets in Stockport in the Province of Cheshire. The Founders, unable to agree upon a suitable title, named the Lodge after a passing coal wagon. How did Lodge names originate? The earliest English Lodges were known by the name of the Tavern or Coffee House in which they met, such as Marquis of Granby Lodge in Durham City. The first Lodge in English

records to take a name was University Lodge No54 in London, which took this name at its inception in 1730. By the 1760s, many Lodges had names, but the regulation to take a name was not made mandatory in the Book of Constitutions until as recently as 1884.

(Shildon) and Doric and Ionic, both in Spennymoor; whilst Norman Lodge reflects the magnificent Norman architecture to be found within Durham City.

Lodges without names were known simply by their number. Darlington’s Restoration Lodge, warranted in 1761, was known only by its old number of ‘263’ for twelve years. In 1773, it was named ‘Restoration’ to commemorate the anniversary of King Charles’ restoration to the English throne. Some Lodges are named after the noble orders of architecture: Corinthian

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Lodges have also been founded for the staff and old boys of schools: Old Dunelmian Lodge (Durham School); Old Barnardian Lodge (Barnard Castle School); not forgetting the Durham Colleges, Bede College Lodge and Universities Lodge.

The Cardinal Virtues have inspired other Lodge names, such as Fortitude and Justice in Stockton, and Temperance Lodge in Consett. The General Virtues inspired even more: Amity, Concord, Harmony and Loyalty at Sunderland; Benevolence, Fraternity, Philanthropy and Unity in Stockton; Fidelity in Birtley and Perseverance in Hebburn. Ancient Mythology has provided other names: Minerva, Vulcan and Achates. Following the fall of Troy, Achates’ fidelity towards his

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Darlington’s St Oswald Lodge and Blackhill’s King Oswald Lodge are named after the King and Saint who had a hilltop fortress at Bamburgh and fought his way to the Northumbrian crown by defeating the Welsh King, Caedwalla. Blackhill’s Avalon Lodge linked St Aidan and King Oswald, the Christian Saint and King from the North, with the origins of Christianity in this country. In the South, Christianity is said to have been introduced to Britain by Joseph of Aramathea. He travelled from Jerusalem and settled near Glastonbury, in the Isle of Avalon, bringing with him the Holy Grail. This Maplewood drinking vessel was used at the Last Supper and also to collect Christ’s blood when he was taken down from the cross. It restored to health the sick who drank from it and was treasured by the monks of Glastonbury until the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

Vernon Lodge, which meets in Stockport in the Province of Cheshire. The Founders, unable to agree upon a suitable title, named the Lodge after a passing coal wagon.

Darlington Masonic Hall is home to a Craft Lodge, a Royal Arch Chapter, Rose Croix Chapter, Knights Templar Preceptory and Knights Templar Priest Tabernacle, all bearing the name St Cuthbert. St Cuthbert , the Patron Saint of Durham was a Lindisfarne monk after whom over forty churches in the area have been named. Cuthbert was a monk and a missionary who gained a reputation as a worker of miracles. He moved from Melrose to Ripon before being appointed Bishop of Lindisfarne, where he died and was buried in AD687. Two hundred years later, the North East coast was laid to waste by Danish raids. The Lindisfarne monks fled with the body of St

Cuthbert and the head of the young King Oswald. After eight years, the body of St Cuthbert was enshrined at Chester-le-street, when the first Bishop of Chesterle-street was appointed; Eardulph after whom Eardulph Lodge was named. St Cuthbert’s final resting place was, of course, Durham Cathedral. Aclet is the old spelling of Bishop Auckland; Bedic after Biddick, the town with the dyke; Benfeldsyde, the Saxon name for Blackhill (the slope on the side of the hill); Caer Urfa, the ancient name for South Shields; Cestria, the Roman Camp at Chesterle-street; Gyrwy, the Anglo Saxon name for Jarrow (The

marshy place); Vedra, the Roman name for the River Wear. Hartlepool Lodge names use the abundance of local coastal features found in the area: Heortnesse is the Anglo-Saxon form of Hartlepool, with the ‘ness’ indicating a nose of headland protruding into the sea. Harte is named after the parish of Hart. Hartlepool, situated on a rocky peninsula, is joined to Hart by a narrow, sandy isthmus. Heugh means a ridge or spur of land and is the name of the headland at Hartlepool that has a lighthouse at one end and the Church of St Hilda at the other.

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Longscar is an extensive, mile-long offshore shelf or rock found to the south-west of Hartlepool breakwater, and Stranton derives from the ancient ‘strand’ or stretch of shore south of Hartlepool. And so it continues. Lodge names that are practical, Lodge names that are imaginative, Lodge names that commemorate and Lodge names that are informative. One thing is sure: every Lodge name has a story. Do you know yours? To read the full article, covering almost every Lodge in the Province, visit the Provincial Website www.durhamfreemasons.org

ISSUE 16

AUTUMN 2014

PHOTO COMPETITION

WINNER

Mark Smith, Secretary of Nautilus Lodge in Sunderland

Winner of this issue’s competition is Mark Smith, Secretary of Nautilus Lodge that meets in Queen Street East, Sunderland. His excellent photograph of Hylton Castle ensures his whisky is on its way! Same rules apply for next issue, happy snapping!

CAPTION COMPETITION

TH N O M S I H T

£25 of M&S Vouchers for the winner Thanks for the great response to issue 15’s caption competition featuring Provincial Director of Ceremonies, Andrew Foster at the Annual Provincial Chapter Convocation.

TH LAST MON

This issue’s winner is Jamie Campbell, Worshipful Master of Tees Lodge in Stockton with “What? Fetch my DC’s stick, everyone knows Broccoli has a capital B!’ Well done Jamie your prize is on its way!

This Issue’s offering features the ‘Provincial Grand Ice Bucket Bearer’, Neil Brooks as he delivers the Provincial Grand Master’s Ice Bucket Challenge!

winner - Jamie Campbell, Worshipful Master of Tees Lodge in Stockton

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£25 of M&S Vouchers for the winner news@news.pgldurham.org

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NEW IMPROVEMENTS RECEIVE 100 PERCENT ‘AND A BIT’ Peter Stracey House is a four-floor residential complex situated near Seaburn, Sunderland, which currently houses some forty eight residents. It was built almost 25 years ago and, during those years, it has proudly served the needs of those who have lived there. As with any building, constant maintenance is required to ensure the safety, comfort and needs of residents, both now and in the future, and be kept to the highest standard. The complex is managed on behalf of the Province of Durham by ‘Nest Egg Housing’. The Durham Benevolent Committee formed the Provincial Estates SubCommittee that has overseen the refurbishment project at Peter Stracey House. That work started some four years ago and is verging on completion. On 23rd September, all the residents gathered in the newly decorated and refurbished lounge as part of their weekly coffee morning. They were joined by members of the Estates sub-committee, which included their Chairman, John Webster and his deputy, John Watts, together with Edwin Jeffrey, Paul Debenham and Richard Tucker, the Estates Committee Manager. Their joint purpose was clear as John Webster confirmed that all the planned work had been completed, and extended the appreciation of his committee to all those who had contributed, including the residents. For their part, each and every one present echoed the sentiments of Jennie Morton, who is only ‘101 and a bit’ years of age: ‘the place looks wonderful!’ A tour of the premises then provided first hand evidence of how the investment of approximately £250,000 has made Peter Stracey House, not just a place to live in, but a home for the future.

John Webster commended those responsible for their foresight in identifying the required tasks; these included: new sealed windows throughout, electrical rewiring - including the installation of energy-efficient lighting - as well as a central heating system. All floors have been carpeted, and walls decorated, to a high standard. New furniture adorns the lounge and conservatory, while a former utility room has been converted to house residents’ mobility scooters, complete with access to individual re-charging sockets and additional storage. A very impressive list, which is not exhaustive, as the rooms of the former resident manager are to be converted into two additional apartments, making a total of 39 places of residence within the complex.

The pictures show members of the committee meeting with the residents at one of their coffee mornings

We would not argue with the view of a resident such as Jennie Morton, when she added: ‘I love it!’ What do you think? We thought her ‘101 and a bit’ years’ experience of life made her a good judge of what makes a house a good home. Her fellow residents seemed to agree. There is a saying that ‘seeing is believing’, so please remember that you are always welcome to visit Peter Stracey House and see for yourself. We recommend attending one of their weekly coffee mornings. You won’t be disappointed.

For more information regarding Peter Stracey House email Richard Tucker at rht727@yahoo.co.uk

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ISSUE 16

AUTUMN 2014

A MAGNIFICENT PIECE

OF MASONIC RESEARCH Following in the footsteps of acclaimed Durham Masonic historians, William Waples and Sinclair Bruce, and after 10 years of dedicated research, Conrad Culkin of Mowbray Lodge and Palatine Lodge, both meeting in Sunderland, has published the results of his work in his book: “The Durham Harodim, the Birth of Solomonic Freemasonry”. Now beautifully illustrated and presented, this follows publication of his paper: “The Durham Harodim and the Hiramic Legend” in ARS QUATUOR CORONATORUM in November, 2011. The mysteries of the Harodim degree have eluded Masonic scholars for many years but, after writing the histories of Chapter of Strict Benevolence

No 97 and of Palatine/ Sea Captains’ Lodge No 97, noting mention of the Harodim degree in their ancient records, Con found himself uniquely qualified to undertake research into this mysterious degree.

Of particular interest to Freemasons in Sunderland, Winlaton and Swalwell, and any with the Ambrose Crowley link, this book is available for £15 plus £2.50 P&P from: Roy Neville, 113 Queen Alexandra Road, Sunderland, SR2 9HN

By investigating a myriad of Masonic and outside sources going back to 1682, and the arrival of the industrialist, Ambrose Crowley, in Sunderland, Con has been able to join the links leading to some startling conclusions regarding the Harodim degree, the very origins of the Craft ritual we use today (particularly in respect of King Solomon and the building of the temple) and all in the context of Sunderland and the Province of Durham.

All Masonic Halls in the Province were sent an invitation to a meeting held at the end of September to discuss the proposal. Kenneth Kent, who chaired this meeting, said ”I am delighted so many halls were represented and expressed an interest in the proposal, enabling us to move forward”.

Because of the volumes involved, it will enable the collective to obtain greater discounts and generate more profit for those halls committed to the initiative.

Kenneth commented “increased profit from our bar sales will enable all of the Masonic Halls to make a greater contribution

Kenneth Norman PARK Marquess of Ripon Lodge No1379 Thomas Wilson CREIGHTON Sunderland Lodge No4114 William Nichols FLEMING Universities Lodge No2352 Rev. John Robert MARSDEN Old Dunelmian Lodge No8100 Worshipful Brother Conrad Henry Mackel Culkin PPJGW Sadly passed away on 16th September 2014 He will be greatly missed

to the overheads/running costs of their respective halls, and in this way we can all benefit”. For more information or to become part of the purchasing group contact Robin Mackay robin@exporttraining.com or Kenneth Kent essenkay@btinternet.com

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Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham Derreck AYRE Tow Law Lodge No3349 Hiram BRASS Connaught Lodge No2981 Alan BURNS Quest Lodge No7102 Conrad Henry Mackel CULKIN Mowbray Lodge No5373 Derrick EARNSHAW Bernard Gilpin Lodge No3076 Ramsay HALL Agricola Lodge No7741 Harold LAWSON Heugh Lodge No7773 Robert PENTLAND Crowley Lodge No6901 Thomas Joseph SCORER St Helen’s Lodge No531 Duncan SCOTT Ernest Dixon Lodge No7856 Robert SMITH Nevill Lodge of Installed Masters No9441 Peter Nelson STOKES Indaba Lodge No9454

The next stage is to establish the current usage and prices that interested halls currently pay, collate them and approach suppliers with the idea of negotiating better discounts by a central purchase agreement. This is being headed up by Robin Mackay and supported by representatives from Chester le Street and Darlington Masonic Halls.

Lived respected and died Regretted Officers of the United Grand Lodge of England

COMMON SENSE In June of this year Durham Masonic Hall Bar Committee thought it would be a good idea to involve other Masonic Halls in the Durham Province, and form a co-operative for the purchase of Beers, Spirits and Wines.

Con surrounded by his research

Christopher SUTHERLAND Ernest Dixon Lodge No7856 Norman THOMPSON Darlington Lodge No6158

Brethren Dennis JONES Lodge of Loyalty No8635 Gary MADDISON Sancroft Lodge No4347

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WHAT IS CHAPLAINCY? Firstly, what is Chaplaincy? The dictionary definition doesn’t, I feel, go deep enough. St. Martin of Tours had a coat, part of which remained in Paris, SteChapelle. All priests who served the military in Roman times were called cappellani. The French translation is chapelains, from which the English word chaplain is derived. It’s also the title of clergy and trained lay people attached to various organisations, or industry. A chaplain in the 21st century is a theologically trained person, lay or ordained, male or female, representing the Church in places of work. There, of course, are chaplains from other faiths: Hindu, Islam, Judaism and more, all placed to be ready to help, support and respond to the spiritual needs of their fellows. My journey into the world of chaplaincy began, I reckon, when I was called to Reader Ministry in the Church of England. This is a vocational calling, undergoing the same level of training as ordinands. Reader Ministry is very much a mission ministry, an office going back to pre-Christian times, almost Rabbinic in some ways. As well as reading scriptures and expounding them, it also provides a link between the Church and the wider world. The Bishops of the Church of England decided in 1866 to reform and strengthen this ministry and bring all that experience to the pulpit, hopefully creating better understanding in all ways. Readers work with ordained clergy, bringing God’s message of love and compassion to places never reached before; those dark satanic places Blake visualised in his writings. It’s not about hitting people about the head with leather-bound Bibles; it’s more

about being there when needed, responding to spiritual needs at the appropriate time. My fellow chaplains, John Fisher and George Reed, are men of the Church; John a Methodist minister and George, like me, an Anglican Reader. We have all been, and still are, involved in chaplaincy work in many ways. During my thirty five years of Reader Ministry, I became attached to Northumbria Industrial Mission and served as chaplain to a large ASDA supermarket, have been part of the chaplaincy team at the Metro Centre and chaplain with the Nexus Metro Rail System, looking after the control centre at Gosforth, the main offices and maintenance workshops. John has been a chaplain to Liverpool John Moores University and Warden of University Hall. He then served seventeen years as the Senior Chaplain to the Scunthorpe and Goole Hospitals, as well as serving twenty two years as a Methodist Circuit Minister. George is at present a chaplain in Durham Cathedral. He previously served as a prison and hospices chaplain. His Reader Ministry began in 1997 and he serves his ministry at St. Helen’s Church in Kelloe. Each of our ministries has its own very different wrinkles and the variety of people we encounter is infinite, as is the range of their problems and needs. Not only are there people of many different Christian denominations, but also a wide variety of other faiths: Muslim, Judaism, and Hinduism, amongst others. John and George can, I am sure, confirm that the conversations are not only interesting but also quite challenging. One of the important factors is to know when to direct people to

Ron Black taking part in one of his other passions, walking

a route that will help them and you. You very quickly develop the technique of knowing that, if you don’t have the answer, you do know someone who does. I still have many of my contacts in other faiths, should I need them. All this contributes to a strengthening of one’s faith in a challenging way, as did both of my visits to the Holy Land some years ago. I’m now on the chaplaincy team at the Cathedral Church of St. Nicholas in Newcastle and that has opened up a whole new chapter in my life as a minister. Some years ago, I became chaplain in my Lodge as well as taking up the office of Almoner. It’s surprising how the two offices blend. The very important job of Almoner, responding to the financial needs of people, opens up a door on all the trauma that can bring. This is the point where, I feel, the Almoner and the Chaplain need to work together in providing a complete response that takes in the spiritual needs of people as well. Being a chaplain is not just about saying prayers publicly. In my private devotions and meditations, I offer to God the needs of all those I meet. That’s quite Jewish. Does God reply? Yes he does, in the most unexpected of ways. Just think: the last time you prayed to God for a solution to a knotty problem, where did the answer come from? There’s always the need to be aware and open, for

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God’s ways are infinite and not always what we expect. In this modern age, this 21st century, where are we going with Freemasonry? What is the future? I don’t know but what I do hope is that this great order of enlightenment will never disappear. There is always the need for humanity to search for what life is all about. That, I believe, is the basis of our order: Craft and all the accompanying degrees, learning, gaining knowledge and, most importantly, enhancing and strengthening our faith as we begin to understand the complexities of ritual and tradition. The problems facing Freemasonry: falling numbers, aging members, trying to run buildings which are past their best with too little money, need to be tackled wisely and firmly. Decisions that are not easy, intransigence, all have to be dealt with and brought to heel. Only then can we get back to the disciplines, the learning, esoteric and otherwise, that makes Freemasonry so worthwhile, using our energies to take us into another dimension. That’s where Chaplaincy in all its forms comes into its own and plays the part for which it is intended. Cannon Ronald Calderwood Black, Provincial Grand Chaplain

ISSUE 16

AUTUMN 2014

‘LEST WE FORGET’ DATES FOR THE DIARY

Sneak Peek Inside the next Issue:

PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED EXTRA AGENDA ITEMS, THIS YEARS PROVINCIAL PROMOTIONS MEETING ON THE 28TH NOVEMBER 2014 WILL NOW BEGIN AT 5.30PM (BRETHREN SEATED FOR 5.00PM).

4 NOVEMBER

6 NOVEMBER

20 NOVEMBER

22 NOVEMBER

24 NOVEMBER

TUESDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2014 Williamson Chapter No949 Area Group Visit THURSDAY 6TH NOVEMBER 2014 Thornhill Chapter No3216 Area Group Visit THURSDAY 20TH NOVEMBER 2014 Darlington Chapter No1379 Full Team Visit SATURDAY 22ND NOVEMBER 2014 Lumley Lodge No5807 75th Anniversary MONDAY 24TH NOVEMBER 2014 Lodge of Industry No48 Full Team Visit

25 NOVEMBER

28 NOVEMBER

3 DECEMBER

9 DECEMBER

11 DECEMBER

TUESDAY 25TH NOVEMBER 2014 75th Anniversary of Corinthian Lodge No5808 - Full Team Visit FRIDAY 28TH NOVEMBER 2014 Craft Promotions Meeting Rainton Meadows, Arena WEDNESDAY 3RD DECEMBER 2014 Universities Chapter No2352 Full Team Visit TUESDAY 9TH DECEMBER 2014 Harbour of Refuge Lodge No764 - Full Team Visit THURSDAY 11TH DECEMBER 2014 St Lawrence Lodge No6042 ProvGM presenting 50 Year Cert

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• Promotions Meeting 2014 • Communications Restructured • Cathedral Update • Plus all of the latest from around the Province Deadline for the next edition is 31st December 2014 news@news.pgldurham.org

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Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham • 8 The Esplanade • Sunderland • SR2 7BH • T: (0191) 5675365 • www.durhamfreemasons.org