Gazette-17 by Durham Freemasons

published by the freemasons of the province of durham

ISSUE 17 – WINTER 2015

‘REFLECTIONS’

WHAT’S INSIDE Almost There Page 5

A Tyler’s Tale Page 7

Durham Remembered Page 14-15 THE PROVINCIAL GAZETTE ISSUE 17

Mentoring from a Different Angle 1 Page 19 WINTER 2015

EDITOR’S NOTES

WHAT’S INSIDE

4 6

Well, there is never a dull moment within the Province of Durham and the last three months have been no exception. Before the festive season arrived and the eggnog started flowing, we managed to cram in one or two activities. A wonderful show of remembrance for our fallen servicemen and women in every corner of the Province; an almost completed Cathedral Floor Appeal; brand new Deputy and Assistant Provincial Grand Masters appointed, invested and installed; a restructured Communications Team; Team Visits; Long Service Certificate presentations and a brand new Mentoring Team. And did I mention a £500,000 cheque presentation to the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys? And then pause to breathe!! A busy 12 weeks indeed but a massive reminder of what

a vibrant, forward thinking and innovative Province we all belong to. And all of this activity gives us plenty of food for thought as we go into the next quarter.

With the determination and commitment that is usually shown by the members of this Province, coupled with the recently launched initiatives, I am quite sure that the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham and its members will go from strength to strength in 2015, and that we will all have lots of fun along the way. After all, our Provincial Grand Master constantly reminds us to “Continue to Enjoy your Freemasonry!”

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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SLIM PICKINGS On Wednesday 26th October, Chief Executive of Butterwick Hospice Care, Graham Leggatt-Chidgey, met with charity champion, Gordon Finch, to receive a donation of more than £500. This was raised from Gordon’s outstanding ‘Slimathon’ and completed a trilogy of donations to charities close to his heart, the others being Macmillan Nurses and Tynesight, a charity which supports eye care patients at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

Ron, David and Gordon on their tour of the facility Gordon, David Campbell and the Provincial Chaplain, Ron Black, were met by Graham, a member of Lodge of Philanthropy and Barnard Lodge, who has a wealth of experience in the field of charity and was appointed as a Masonic Samaritan Fund Trustee in 2013. Gordon explained to him that he had chosen the Hospice because he particularly wanted to assist a charitable organisation within the Province, specifically caring for children.

remain for seven to ten days for pain relief and symptom control. The unit also provides end-of-life care and respite care.

Butterwick provides both day care and inpatient services, offering a wide range of support for people suffering from life-limiting illnesses. They also offer parallel care and support to patients’ families. The hospice accommodates up to 20 people within its Day Care Unit, with the ten-bed Inpatient unit providing 24 hour care, where patients

Butterwick House Children’s Hospice serves an area approximately equating with the Province of Durham and, each year, freely cares for some seventy-five children, at a cost approaching £1 million. Gordon’s support, and indeed that of those who sponsored him, will therefore directly benefit local families. Graham later said:

During an extensive tour of the facilities, which proved to be a very humbling experience, Graham gave the group an inspiring insight into the daily operation of the hospice, proudly showing off their magnificent facilities. This included equipment donated by Lifelites, another masonic charity.

“I would like to congratulate Gordon on losing 56lb and thank him for capitalising on this by turning his slimming regime into such a successful fundraising initiative. We are indebted to Gordon for this support of our work, which again highlights the generosity and centrality of charity among freemasons.”

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A wonderful afternoon was finally capped when the party noticed a memorial bench within the peaceful courtyard garden. This had been presented by Durham freemasons in Memory of Steven Packman who, on further investigation, was found to have been a member of Stranton and Harbour of Refuge Craft Lodges, and Fawcett Royal Arch Chapter, all meeting at Raby Road, Hartlepool. After saying their goodbyes and taking a supply of popup moneyboxes to distribute amongst the lodges, the return journey was undertaken with a massive feeling of gratitude for the splendid work being undertaken by the staff at Butterwick Hospice every day of the year.

ISSUE 17

WINTER 2015

ONYX GOES FROM

STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

Neil and George at the Onyx Headquarters

South Tyneside Freemason and businessman, Neil Stephenson of St Lawrence Lodge, had plenty to smile about this New Year after his company sealed a £10m takeover deal. Neil, the chief executive officer of the Onyx Group, one of the UK’s top technology solutions providers, has revealed that his business has acquired Washington-based Knowledge IT. The takeover of the ICT solutions and Support Company means Neil’s business now has more than £30m in revenues, and he believes its expansion is also good news for the region’s economy. This latest move is part of a dynamic and successful growth strategy for Onyx, which has offices on Tyneside and Teesside. Since 2000, the group has completed five major acquisitions and exceeded a turnover of £20m in 2014, a 13 per cent increase on the previous year.

However, at £10m, the purchase of Knowledge IT is the biggest acquisition so far, increasing the firm’s head count to 170.

IT team has a great reputation for delivering these services and this deal will make the propositions stronger for both sets of customers.”

Neil said, “Increasingly over the past two years, customers have been asking us to manage their entire IT infrastructure, as well as providing resilient solutions to complex cloud and hosting requirements. The Knowledge

George Sanger, managing director of Knowledge IT, who is also the recently appointed Communications Officer for the Provincial Grand Lodge of Northumberland, added,

HAS SOMEONE IN YOUR LODGE OR MASONIC HALL ACHIEVED GREAT THINGS, IN OR OUT OF FREEMASONRY?

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“Onyx Group, like Knowledge IT, has an established reputation for providing outstanding customer support. We welcome the opportunity to share our expertise to help Onyx build on their achievements and grow the enlarged business.” Fantastic news for Neil and the team and the best of luck to everyone involved for the future!

Why not let us know and we can share it with all of our members. Email news@news.pgldurham.org and the next issue could well feature someone that you know.”

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WE’RE ALMOST THERE! BUT THERE’S STILL TIME TO MAKE INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS AND PURCHASE A STONE!!

When the Provincial Grand Master initially had talks with the Dean of Durham Cathedral, he pledged that the brethren of the Province of Durham would raise £100,000 in two years towards the Cathedral’s Open Treasures Appeal. Since launching the project in February 2014, the support from lodges, chapters, other orders and brethren in general, has surpassed anything we could have imagined. The donations so far are well in excess of £90,000! The pledged contribution from Grand Lodge and the income donated by the Provincial Benevolent Committee from the sale of the Christmas cards, will take us beyond the £100,000. But we know that there are lodges, chapters and brethren who will still want to donate. To enable those who have not yet made their donations, the Provincial Grand Master, at the Promotions Meeting in November, announced that the appeal would remain open

until the end of March 2015, with donations being accepted up to the end of February. The £100,000 will be used to lay the stone floor in the Great Kitchen which, after the restoration, will be the centrepiece of the state-ofthe-art exhibition, in which the Treasures of St Cuthbert, and other treasures not yet seen in public, such as the Cathedral’s copy of the Magna Carta, will be on display. For a £100 donation, individual members can purchase a stone, in either their own name or in memory of someone else. A special certificate will be issued, acknowledging the donation and indicating on a separate plan of the floor which stone they have purchased.

the Way’. It can also be downloaded from the website.

THERE IS STILL TIME TO MAKE INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS AND PURCHASE A STONE!! To do so, simply contact either your lodge Charity Steward and ask for a Durham Cathedral Project form (and Gift Aid it if you can), or contact one of the Ambassadors listed on the Provincial Lodge website under ‘Paving

Durham Freemasons have supported the Cathedral since 1772, when Prebends Bridge was rebuilt and, over the centuries, have continued their support. This appeal is proving that Charity is still a distinguishing characteristic of a Freemason’s heart!

PURCHASE A PERSONALISED STONE! If you still wish to purchase a personal stone then please send a cheque for £100, payable to ‘Freemasons Grand Charity’ The Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham, 8 The Esplanade, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear SR2 7BH and don’t forget to include a covering note letting us know in whose name you would like the stone to be issued.

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ISSUE 17

WINTER 2015

A SMILE TO TEMPT A LOVER 2014 ended on an upbeat note for Assistant Provincial Grand Master, David Hay, when his second novel, ‘A Smile to Tempt a Lover’, was published. From the title, people could be forgiven for thinking the novel resembles the infamous ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’, but that’s certainly not the case! ‘A Smile to Tempt a Lover’ is a line taken from the well-known song, ‘Mona Lisa’, originally sung by Nat King Cole (who was, incidentally, a Freemason). The book has its basis on the theft of the Mona Lisa in 1911 and covers a period from that time to the present day. Speaking to the Gazette, David said, ‘Being an APGM is a most rewarding and enjoyable privilege but it is also quite time-consuming and can be all-absorbing. My writing provides me with another interest, which I think is very important.

Describing the process from ‘pen to print’, he went on, ‘It is extremely difficult for new authors of fiction to get a book out there into the bookshops these days, as most publishers seem to be only interested in established writers or celebrities. But, this time, I managed to find a publisher who was willing to encourage new authors.’

achieved limited sales, he describes being ‘elated’ to have succeeded in fulfilling a personal ambition. He learned a great deal from the experience, including, amongst other things, improving his writing and technique, following advice from friends and other contacts. His second book is now widely available from Amazon and bookshops as a paperback and an eBook, and readers will be interested to note that his third book is well underway!

David’s fist book, ‘The Pinnacle’, based on his father’s memoirs, was published regionally and, although it

ROLL OF HONOUR

Craft 60-Year Certificates: Alan Richardson

Craft 50-Year Certificates:

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

Trevor Forster John Murray James Peter Graham Fielder William Russell Greenfield Peter Dunlop Kay Stanley Ruecroft

Craft 70-Year Certificates: Harold Hannant

Bede College No4840

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Lord Barnard No2935

Gateshead Fell No4349 Earl of Durham No1274 St Lawrence No6042 Universities No2352 Cestria No4493 Heugh No7773 Bede College No4840

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A TYLERS TALE! When visiting South Shields Masonic Hall, many brethren are intrigued by “Tyler-to-all” Norman Dunn’s eloquent delivery of various Tyler’s Toasts, including his exceptional one to “Seafaring and Absent Brethren”. During a visit to St Lawrence Lodge, he explained to me that he was obsessed with their origins and, in particular, in finding new variations of the toast. This led to a meeting between Communications Officer for the North, Paul O’Doherty, and Norman at his allotment on a bright winter’s afternoon in December to listen to a Tyler’s Tale. After following him through the labyrinth of paths leading to his plot, and on giving the correct knocks, we entered his other love in life; his garden. When asked where it had all begun, he stated, “My interest in the role of Tyler began during my first meeting with Jim Grey, who was the Tyler when I was initiated into Caer Urfa Lodge some twenty two years ago. Jim, along with Gordon Mouter, were the Tylers for most of the lodges in South Shields for many years. Jim’s favourite trick was to deliberately mumble the visiting Master’s name and leave the Inner Guard totally confused and the brunt of many a stern look from the Director of Ceremonies for being unable to convey the correct name and rank. The lodges of the town were for many years dependent on these two brethren but, like all good things, this came to an end when, first Jim and then Gordon, passed away. By that time, I had passed through the Chair of both my lodges; Caer Urfa and Lord Barnard and, when Caer Urfa needed a Tyler, I volunteered for the position for one year. I was

my Tyler’s journey began. I was

Norman sharing his other passion

A TYLER’S TOAST BY IAN MACDONALD: The Craftsmen’s work of day is done, the brethren now must part. ‘A Tyler’s Toast,’ our Master cries, ‘to warm each faithful heart’. For though we go our separate ways, our bond is ever strong. The magic of the mystic tie will draw us back ‘ere long. Until then, think, each time you meet a brother down on luck, whose life is marked by poverty, perhaps by illness struck, that If not for the Grace of God, I might walk in his shoes, I wonder how much I can spare to help him meet his dues.

Norman on duty as Tyler then asked to stand in as Tyler, first at John Readhead Lodge and then Wrekendyke Lodge. St. Lawrence, Westoe and then Hedworth Lodges followed soon after. Sadly, two of these lodges are no longer with us, leaving me with the position of Tyler for St. Lawrence, Hedworth and Westoe Lodges. While Tyler of Caer Urfa Lodge, Geoff Hadaway showed me a very long and different Tyler’s Toast with the words “bet you can’t do this one”; a challenge that I just had to take up. My hobby from that day changed into an infatuation and that long Tyler’s Toast, still performed in St. Lawrence Lodge, is the one I am best known for when we receive visiting Brethren. Over recent years, I have been researching the Tyler’s Toast in an effort to fulfil my quest and have recently found, via the wonders of the internet, a totally different type of Tyler’s Toast which I performed at the November meeting of Hedworth Lodge. It is unique within the Province of Durham.”

And spare a wish for brethren who, through no fault their own, may find themselves in foreign lands, and labouring alone. That once the day shall come when they no longer need to roam, may each enjoy a swift and happy voyage to his home. Long may our lodges welcome Craftsmen, travelling to the east. And may our secrets guide good hearts, until each soul’s release to wing its own way heavenward, these heartfelt words ingrain, we’re happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again. To our next merry meeting! RWBro Ian Macdonald is a member of Mount Lebanon Lodge No72 in Vancouver, BC, where he has often given the Tyler’s Toast. In conclusion, Norman went on to say, “I have now held the position of Tyler for various lodges in South Shields for about eight years but quite a few more are needed to catch up with the two legends that were Gordon Mouter and Jim Grey.” Norman, at one with the environment in his secluded bolt-hole, explained that it was a perfect place to learn various ritual. A former employee of The Borough of South Tyneside Parks and Gardens Department, he set out on his own in what he says was a very low-key, one-man landscape garden business some 17 years ago. He still undertakes small projects but stated, “My days of climbing trees are over.” At 63,

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Norman now contents himself by producing beautiful hanging baskets, which he sells, donating a percentage from each to masonic charities. During their discussion, they were interrupted by a request for Norman to cut fence posts for a former member of one of the Shields lodges, which led them to discuss other brethren who either arrive for his produce or also have allotments. So, when summer arrives, whether in the north, east, south or west, popping in to see Norman could leave you with a bag of vegetables, logs for the fire or a top quality hanging basket, all of course coming with a complimentary Tyler’s Tale.

ISSUE 17

WINTER 2015

ZIP WORLD

The cheque being presented from the APGM

Brian before his epic Zip Ride

For those who regularly visit the Provincial Website, www.durhamfreemasons.org, you may remember an article about a brother who was to complete a one mile zip ride, reaching speeds of 80mph, to mark his 70th birthday and at the same time raising much needed money for the Teesside Hospice Foundation.

In August 2014, Brian Footitt OBE, a Past Master of Haven of Rest Lodge in Hartlepool, travelled to ‘Zip World’ in Snowdonia and completed the challenge, to the delight of his family and friends.

generous donation from his Lodge, Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master and Durham Benevolence Chairman, John Lockhart Webster, was able to present Mrs Maureen Thompson, a representative of Teesside Hospice Trust, with a cheque for £3,500.

As a result of the support Brian received whilst fundraising before the event, a grant from Durham Benevolence and a

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Brian is extremely grateful to all those who supported him, both

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on the day and through donations to his cause, and we congratulate him on an admirable effort and achievement. For information on how you can experience the longest zip wire in the Northern Hemisphere, why not visit www.zipworld.co.uk. It could be a fun way to reach your target for the 2021 Festival.

THIS KAYAK NEEDS WHEELS A bright winter’s afternoon in December saw John David Watts, Vice Chairman of Durham Benevolence, visit the Barnes Institute, Whitburn, to present a non-masonic grant to ‘THE KAYAKS’ (Kids-AndYoung-Adults-Klub- Special Needs Support Group) on the occasion of their Christmas Party.

spirit. They also offer support for parents, carers, siblings and friends of those young people with special educational needs and disabilities, and offer guidance, advice, advocacy, help with filling forms, representation and referral to other appropriate organisations that work with them.

The Group, based at Mortimer Road School in South Shields, were awarded “Community Group of the Year” in the “The Pride of South Tyneside” awards, held in June 2014. The support group’s objectives are to provide opportunities for children to develop their full potential through a range of social, recreational and leisure activities, whilst promoting wider educational opportunities, environmental awareness and community

Such activities are of great benefit to children, especially those with autism. They have the concurrent problems of dyspraxia and motor-skill difficulties, often appearing clumsy. The equipment helps children improve balance, co-ordination, muscle strength and confidence and they are able to use the equipment in a safe and secure environment with adult support. KAYAKS wished to enhance their equipment with the purchase of four pedal trikes, at a total cost of £1,000, to replace those which have, through time, deteriorated

and come to the end of their serviceable lives. The trikes would enable the range of activities to be extended and provide stimulating exercise for the children. Ian Reeves, a member of Hadrian Lodge in South Shields, whose grandson was a service user at KAYAKS, had originally applied for a grant a number of years ago, which unfortunately had to be withdrawn because the group was not then a registered charity (a requirement of any grant). Sadly, Ian passed to the Grand Lodge Above in June of 2013, aged only 67, at which time he was First Principal of St Hilda Chapter. Charitable status having been attained in 2014, the application was resubmitted by Trevor Lewis, Director of Ceremonies of Hadrian Lodge, with the support of their Benevolent Representative, John Watkins. In organising the presentation, Malcolm

Osborne, a Northumberland Freemason of Reserve Forces Lodge, and an official of the charity, agreed that Cheryl Reeves and Suzanne Jackson, Ian’s wife and daughter, should accept the cheque on their behalf. In presenting the donation to Cheryl and Suzanne, John said, “It is always a delight to support local good causes and, on this occasion, we acknowledge that this grant emanated from Ian Reeves, who was a valued member of Hadrian Lodge and St Hilda Chapter”. Cheryl and Suzanne were delighted to accept the cheque, and thanked Durham Freemasons for the £1,000 grant and, at the same time, commemorated Ian Reeves, a loving husband, and father and grandfather to Josh and Nathan.

A festive John Watts presenting the cheque to Cheryl and Suzanne

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WINTER 2015

NO BLACK FRIDAYS AT RAINTON On 28th November, when it seemed that the entire world had jumped on the ‘Black Friday’ bandwagon, normal order and regularity prevailed in West Rainton, as freemasons from every corner of the Province gathered for the highly anticipated Christmas Party that is our Annual Promotions meeting.

The event was a great success, with well over 500 brethren in attendance and nearly 400 remaining after the meeting for the festive banquet. All who attended could not but be impressed with the professionalism of the many people who played a part in bringing the occasion together; and there was plenty to organise, with a full agenda. As well as the usual business associated with such meetings, there was the installation of a brand new Deputy Provincial Grand Master and Assistant Provincial Grand Master, as both John Arthur and Craig Simon Steele were appointed to those respective Offices. This was followed by the Provincial Officers who, through their continued hard work for their lodges and masonic halls, were receiving promotions on the day. The Provincial Grand Master, Norman Eric Heaviside, then addressed the brethren. The subjects covered included an update on the Cathedral Project and the announcement that Norman Alderson was to be the new Provincial Mentor. The PGM then touched on declining membership; improving the Visiting Grand Lodge Officer scheme; the new Provincial Support Group; the 2021 Festival and the 2016 Raby Gala, as well as a vote of thanks to everyone for the hard work that had gone into organising and running the meeting.

As if this were not enough, Eric then introduced the representatives of the RMTGB, who had travelled from London to the meeting, and presented them with a cheque for a staggering £500,000 (separate article on the opposite page). After enquiring if there was any other business, the PGM asked the Director of Ceremonies to escort Tom Whitfield to the dais. Eric then gave the brethren a potted history of the octogenarian, complimenting him on his very valuable work within freemasonry and on his outstanding voice. He then promoted Tom to Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden, to the joy of the brethren present. Another great occasion and one for the diaries next year. To read the full report on the evening, the PGM’s speech and a full list of people who received promotions, visit the Provincial Website, www.durhamfreemasons.org .

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Les Hutchinson and Mike Woodcock being presented with the memorable cheque from the PGM

A GREAT START At the recent Promotions Meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge, the assembly was delighted to receive two very special guests, namely Mike Woodcock, President and Les Hutchinson, Chief Executive, of the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys, who had travelled from the capital to attend. The reason for the invitation was to present the RMTGB with a cheque for ÂŁ500,000, as a first payment towards our 2021 Festival, which starts in 2016. This significant payment was raised by the Continuous Giving scheme and is a tremendous achievement by the brethren of Durham. After the Provincial Grand Master had delivered his address, he presented the cheque to the two representatives of the Charity and invited them to take the stage. Mike thanked the brethren for the wonderful cheque and talked very fondly of our Province,

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having spent time here in his early management years with the Co-op. He knew first-hand of the generosity of the brethren within the Province of Durham and, before handing over to Les Hutchinson, he thanked the brethren again from the bottom of his heart. Les then gave a brief talk to the members, explaining exactly what the RMTGB does, and how vital it is to continue this work. The talk was concluded as Mike once again took to the stage and gave a history of the RMTGB, the founding of the festivals and how we can all come together in the future to ensure the continuation of this vital work.

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WINTER 2015

THE THINGS WE TAKE FOR GRANTED When a friend of Barry Tallentire, a member of Lodge of Fellowship, told him about his grandson’s wish to travel to Nicaragua with ‘Raleigh International’ to take part in a ’Safe Water’ project, he immediately thought it a worthwhile cause and took the details back to the lodge for discussion.

The volunteers with some of the locals The members of Lodge of Fellowship, a daylight lodge in South Shields, immediately agreed to make a donation to help Oliver Gordon with his very worthwhile project. Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and Gordon would be assisting the people of that country and, at the same time, gaining precious life skills. In June 2014, Gordon travelled to Managua for basic training, before going on to the community of Santa Rosa in Northern Nicaragua, close to the Honduras border.

On the day of their arrival, the whole community turned out to meet them and put on a fantastic show of local dancing and customs. The group was really bowled over by the warmth of their hospitality.

The group formed a close bond with the children of the community, educating them on improving hygiene, conducting English classes and playing sports. Prior to leaving, with the community’s help, they organized an election for positions on a safe water committee. This committee is supported by the Nicaraguan government and will help to ensure a good future water supply for the people of Santa Rosa.

Their main project was the construction of a communal shower block, with suitable filters to ensure waste water was returned to the water table in a safe and clean state. Other objectives included raising the community’s awareness of safe water usage and better hygienic practices.

Oliver cannot thank the lodge enough for its generous donation, which went a long way towards enabling his participation in the program. As part of the team, his efforts both benefitted the people of Nicaragua and gave him a lifeexperience like no other. Oliver is at present studying for a Masters Degree in Building Services Engineering at Northumbria University and his ultimate aim is to join the Royal Navy as a fast jet pilot, for which he has already passed his main suitability assessment.

The Building of the shower block and teaching English - just two of the activities involved

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A MAN NEVER STANDS AS TALL AS WHEN HE KNEELS TO HELP A CHILD Welcome to what will become a regular feature in our Gazette, intended to keep you up to date with the 2021 Festival in and around our Province. We are now only 12 months from the launch, in February 2016, so this will be a busy year for the Festival Team, to ensure we are fully prepared.

My ambition for this Festival is to make it inclusive and to involve all our lodges, our members and their families. I know it seems a long way off but I want the lodges, and especially the Charity Stewards, to start thinking about the Festival and how, together with their members, they can support the Festival Team and ensure we give as much support as we can to the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys (RMTGB). Appointment to key roles in the 2021 Festival Committee include Paul Quinn as Secretary and Edwin Jeffrey as Treasurer; the four area Directors are Ian Turnbull (North), Keith Schaible (South), David Hanson (East) and Bill Hobson (West). These Area Directors will be forming local regional teams to support the lodges within their respective areas. Further appointments are Jamie Campbell Creative/website Manager, Phil Grieveson - Communications and Andrew Thompson - Events. The Master and members of

the Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge will also support the team, as they did during the previous Festival. As Gala Festival Director, I am delighted to have Andrew Foster on board. Andrew knows first-hand the important work of the RMTGB and has already started preparations for our next Raby Gala, to be held on 2nd July 2016.

NEW ASSISTANT PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER As you have heard in an earlier article, the Provincial Grand Master was pleased to appoint a new Assistant Provincial Grand Master at the recent promotions meeting, Simon Craig Steele, or Craig as he is known, was absolutely delighted to accept this appointment. When asked about how he felt to have been invested as APGM Craig told us â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was surprised but delighted to have been considered for this appointment especially considering the quality and commitment of those who have gone before me. I am fully aware that my office comes with many roles and responsibilities and I will endeavor to perform all my duties to the best of my abilities and sincerely hope that the faith that has been placed in me will not be misplaced.â&#x20AC;? We wish Craig all the very best as he looks after the East of our Province.

During the coming months, lodge Secretaries and Charity Stewards will be receiving a regular newsletter to read out in open lodge to keep you informed of our progress. If you have any suggestions, please use the website www.durham2021.org and submit your ideas.

Festival Director John Paul Thompson

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WINTER 2015

DURHAM REMEMBERED Sunday, 9th November 2014, saw the nation stop and reflect upon the ultimate sacrifice paid by our servicemen and women, in a remarkable display of remembrance. This took the form of thousands of remembrance parades across the length and breadth of the country, as representatives of our armed forces, community organisations and individuals, all marched together to local Cenotaphs to pay their respects to the fallen. This year was even more poignant, as it marked the 100year anniversary of the Great War, and Durham freemasons proudly played their part in these acts of reverence and respect.

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Many parades across the Province included official masonic representation and, to mark the occasion, one member from each Lodge was this year given permission to wear his collar of office by the Provincial Grand Master. It was an impressive sight to see our brethren marching in public with the community, as indeed it always used to be on special occasions. A glimpse of the past brought to life on November 11th. Congratulations to the hundreds of brethren who took the time to pay their respects and represent our fraternity in this solemn but fulfilling occasion.

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ISSUE 17

WINTER 2015

PHOTO COMPETITION

WINNER

George Gibson, of Northbourne Lodge in Gateshead

Winner of this issue’s competition is George Gibson, Steward of Northbourne Lodge which meets in Gateshead who sent us this picture of the Angel of the North, well done George, this issues whisky is on its way! We are taking a break from the photo competition next issue but still feel free to send us your pictures and we may feature some of the best.

CAPTION COMPETITION

TH N O M S I H T

£25 of M&S Vouchers for the winner As always a fantastic response to Issue 16’s caption competition, which featured the Provincial Grand Master taking his ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’.

TH LAST MON

This issue’s winner is Merrick Hamilton, Past Master of Clarence Lodge in Hartlepool with “The word is CHARITY and is usually depicted by a PGM near to a fall of water!” Well done Merrick your prize is on its way!

This issue features, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, John Watts and Miss Tyne and Wear who were pictured at the recent benevolence grant presentation to KAYAK in South Shields.

winner - Merrick Hamilton, Past Master of Clarence Lodge in Hartlepool

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

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COMMUNICATIONS RESTRUCTURED With the world of communications advancing at a whirlwind speed, keeping pace with its expansion is becoming quite a task. Social media has taken such a prominent place in many people’s lives and, there is no getting away from it, love it or loathe it, it is here to stay. Harnessing its power is such an important task. With all this in mind, it was decided that a revamp of our Communications Team was necessary in order to keep ourselves on the front foot with regard to our internal and, indeed, external communications. The Area Communications Officers are doubled in number and are ‘buddying up’, to include all Craft and Royal Arch matters under their umbrella.

The north of the Province is now covered by Jim Latimer, Northbourne and Industry lodges, both in Gateshead, and Mark Livingstone, St Bede and Jarrow Grange lodges, both in Jarrow. As a result of this, Paul O’Doherty will become the Social Media Manager for the Province. In the south of the Province, we welcome Phil Johnson, Longscar Lodge in Hartlepool, who will join forces with Tom Gittins. The west will see Michael Wilkinson retire after five years of valuable service to the coms team, and he will be replaced by Tom Bradley, Hudson Lodge in Wolsingham, and John Hattle, Marquis of Granby in Durham City.

At the time of writing this article, we are still looking for someone to join the team to cover the east of the Province. If you think you have the skills and the commitment to fill the post, then it could well be you! Also joining the team are Peter Taylor of Cestria Lodge in Chesterle-street, who will take on the role of Logistics Coordinator, Jamie Campbell of Tees Lodge in Stockton, who will lead Creative Publishing and David Dorward of Lodge of Concord in Sunderland, who will be Coms Officer for Durham Benevolence.

We welcome all the new members on board and will be circulating their contact details to Lodge Secretaries as well as adding them into the ‘Communications Officer’ section of the website. We are always looking to add experience and skill sets to the team, so if you think you have something you can add, then why not get in touch at news@news.pgldurham.org

Do you have a story which may be of interest to the Coms Team? Have you got an event happening in your lodge that needs publicity? Let your Area Coms Officer help to maximse coverage of your special events. Drop us an email news@news.pgldurham.org and let our network help your plans.

THE PROVINCIAL GAZETTE

ISSUE 17

WINTER 2015

BENEVOLENCE

MADE VISIBLE

A picture paints a thousand words and that is what the recent rebranding exercise was all about. It had been felt for some time that Durham Benevolence, whilst not separate from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham, was in desperate need of an identity of its own to help promote its goals and make it more visible and easily identifiable to the membership. David Dorward, who recently joined the GP Committee was set the task of finding the perfect logo. Setting off, armed with his CSE in Art and a HB pencil, he searched desperately, and in vain, for the perfect design. Luckily, and thankfully, as he had snapped the point of his pencil, he was soon introduced to Jamie Campbell, Past Master of Tees Lodge in Stockton, a young and enthusiastic Mason who had the talent to convert the brief, as given, into reality. Several beautifully designed logos were created, but the one selected stood out from

all of them. The ethos behind the design was beautiful in its concept and fitted perfectly the aims of Durham Benevolence. Look carefully at the new logo and you will see four hearts within a circle. The symbol of the heart is identified with the definition of charity and is the design used on the Charity Steward’s jewel in our lodges. It therefore makes a perfect basis for a symbol for Durham Benevolence. The four heart shapes, which meet at their points, also emphasise the coming together of the four corners of the Province in order to support the organisation. There are also,

at the moment, four masonic charities and the four quarters, joined at the centre, could be said to be representative of them. The whole shape gives a feeling of unbreakable strength and solidarity. The Logo is already in use by Durham Benevolence. Enclosed is a Leaflet (shown in the picture below) about leaving a legacy, so please think of the message contained in it. Remember, this is your charity and it exists to look after you and your dependants in time of need. David and the rest of the Committee look forward to your support.

Lived respected and died Regretted Officers of the United Grand Lodge of England David Fairweather McFARLANE Beacon Lodge No6891

Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham Derick Alan BAILEY Aycliffe Lodge No8800 Arnold BOWMAN Lodge of Unity No6003 Donald Dyson BRITTEN Milbanke Lodge No7486 John CLARK Cardoc Lodge No4749 Frank DICKINSON Temperance Lodge No4115 Michael DODDS (N’Land) Darlington Lodge No6158 William DOUGLASS Rowland Burdon Lodge No3960 Robert William ELLIS Derwent Lodge No4250 Robert Graeme HYDEN Lodge of Harmony No4224 David Fairweather McFARLANE Beacon Lodge No6891 Sidney MILL Palatine Lodge No97 Peter NEATH Cestria Lodge No4493 Ian NICHOLSON Saint Peter’s Lodge No8953 Lewis Streatfield PAINE Lodge of Benevolence No6457 Patrick PARTRIDGE North Pennine Lodge No9713 Keith RODGERS Ellison Hall Lodge No7165 Norman ROSE Ryton St Mary’s Lodge No6550 Alan ROUNDING Winlaton Lodge No4546 Ronald ROWE Roger De Fery Lodge No5879 Kenneth William THOMPSON Tees Lodge No509

Brethren Alan DIXON Tristram Lodge No2415 Barry HUTCHINSON Thornhill Lodge No3216 James Brian JONES Dunelm Lodge No4079 Henry GARBUTT St George’s Lodge No5720 Austin William MAY Earlo of Durham Lodge No1274 Edwin SANDERSON St Aidan Lodge No4080 John Harold SINAR County Lodge No6678 Nicholas Nigel STOTHARD Civic Lodge No5841 Newton Cowie STURT Sincerity Lodge No6036

PUBLISHED BY THE FREEMASONS OF THE PROVINCE OF DURHAM

www.durhamfreemasons.org

Norman Alderson The Newly Appointed Provincial Grand Mentor

MENTORING FROM A DIFFERENT ANGLE I was absolutely delighted and honoured to have been invested as the Provincial Mentor at the Provincial meeting in December. As a Funeral Director, my work revolves around caring for the bereaved but, previously, I was in the teaching profession. I trust that my skills in caring for people, and those of imparting knowledge, will assist me to fulfil my role, which I see as one of ensuring that our new brethren are made welcome,

cared for and given instruction in the meaning of our ceremonies and the principles of our order. I also believe that the mentor should be available to give encouragement and support to all members of the lodge at various stages of their masonic careers. I look forward to meeting and working with the Lodge Mentors and I will offer my full support. A few months ago, I was asked by the Provincial Grand Master to

chair a small committee, tasked with reviewing our mentoring process. Jeff Rowe and Nigel Fallow were also invited onto the committee and we have met several times to look at providing a fresh approach to mentoring within the Province. We have looked at models from other Provinces and agreed on a process which we believe will help, not only to retain our newly-made brethren, but also to provide support to all

within our lodges. The main aspects of the process will be to promote a sense of belonging, understanding and involvement in the lodge, both in the ritual and socially. We are now busy looking at the content and devising the support booklets for both mentor and mentee and I would like to thank Jeff and Nigel for their invaluable input and support.

Can you think of a feature that you would like to see included in this Gazette, a Competition? Letters page? Points of View? What do you think would work? If you do have an idea why not let us know - weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all ears! news@news.pgldurham.org

THE PROVINCIAL GAZETTE

ISSUE 17

WINTER 2015

DATES FOR THE DIARY 11 FEBRUARY

12 MARCH

19 MARCH

23 MARCH

8 APRIL

16 APRIL

WEDNESDAY 11TH FEBRUARY 2015 Derwent Chapter No4250 Full Team Visit

THURSDAY 12TH MARCH 2015 Tees Chapter No509 Full Team Visit

THURSDAY 19TH MARCH 2015 Universities Lodge No2352 12th Anniversary - Team Visit

APRIL

13 MAY

MONDAY 23RD MARCH 2015 Lodge of Unity No6003 Full Team Visit

WEDNESDAY 8TH APRIL 2015 Perseverance Lodge No1643 PGM presenting 60yr Cert

MAY

Sneak Peek Inside the next Issue:

THURSDAY 16TH APRIL 2015 Amity Lodge No3193 PGM presenting 70yr Cert THURSDAY 16TH APRIL 2015 City Chapter No3568 Full Team Visit SATURDAY 25TH APRIL 2015 Old Barnardian Lodge No9358 25th Anniversary – Team Visit WEDNESDAY 13TH MAY 2015 Finchale Priory Lodge No7059 Full Team Visit TUESDAY 19TH MAY 2015 St John & Ashburne Chapter No80 Full Team Visit WEDNESDAY 27TH MAY 2015 Chapter Annual Convocation Rainton Meadows Arena

PUBLISHED BY THE FREEMASONS OF THE PROVINCE OF DURHAM

• Five is the Magic Number • Inner Workings • I never knew that • Plus all the latest from around the Province Deadline for the next edition is 31st March 2015 news@news.pgldurham.org

www.durhamfreemasons.org

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