QUARTERLY PUBLICATION PROVINCE OF DURHAM FREEMASONS
What’s inside
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Durham Foodbank Covenant Signing Everyday Freemason Teddies and Chocolate
www.durhamfreemasons.org WINTER 2021 | ISSUE 40
Covenant Signing 1 www.durhamfreemasons.org
Editor’s Notes
What’s Inside Page 4
With the festive period upon us and most Masonic activity
£64,000 Grant for Brook
within the Province having resumed to an almost normal level of activity, albeit with some COVID precautions still in place, there is cautious optimism that the New Year will see us all back to normality. The charitable work and fundraising has however continued regardless as you will see in the following pages. Please enjoy this special time of year with your family and friends and spare a thought for
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Durham Foodbank
those not as fortunate as ourselves.
I would like to thank all who have contributed and assisted in the production of this issue and hope that in the very near future Lodges will again start submitting stories and events to be considered for publication. To ensure your area of the Province is covered in future issues, please email news@durhamfreemasons.org
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Enter CIC
The editorial team are always on the lookout for volunteers who would enjoy reporting on interesting events within their area by submitting short stories and photos. If this sounds like it is something you would enjoy, why not get in touch with us.
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Editor
Everyday Freemason
Michael Graham
If you know of anyone who might prefer or benefit from an audio version of this Gazette then email: news@durhamfreemasons.org to order a copy for them now!
Solomon QR @PGLDurham
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PGLDurham
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“Deputies-in-Charge” Christmas Message
As we move into the festive season, we must acknowledge that 2021 has been another difficult year for everyone due to the continuing pandemic. We have all adapted to changes in our lifestyle and Freemasonry is adapting too. However, 2021 has also been a year in which we can recognise some wonderful achievements. We continue to be deeply touched by the acts of kindness and the generosity shown by Freemasons towards fellow brethren and towards the community at large which reminds us that we all need to be mindful to support and care for our brethren. The magnificent sum of almost £3.5m raised for the 2021 Festival is down to the hard work and generosity of all the brethren of the Province. We recognise that many of our members have not yet felt sufficiently comfortable to return to their lodges and chapters. We must respect their decision and be prepared to welcome them back to our meetings when they feel the time is right. We are very encouraged by the upsurge in the number of membership enquiries, which will hopefully develop into an influx of new members during the year ahead. We are confident that these new members will be well-looked after by their lodges and that the new brethren will enjoy their Freemasonry for many years to come. We, the “deputies-in-charge”, hope that you and your families have a wonderful Christmas and that we can all look forward to a happier and healthy 2022.
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£64,000 Grant for Brook
Photo (L to R) Rebecca Shutt, Head of Education, Michael Shaw, Durham Freemasons and Joanne Henderson, Education Coordinator for Co Durham
Around 500 young people aged 16-25 with special and educational needs (SEND) will be given much needed advice and information on sexual health and relationships thanks to a grant of £64,278 from Durham Freemasons to the young people’s charity, Brook. Many SEND young people have little or no knowledge of sex, human anatomy or healthy relationships. According to the NSPCC, they are three times more likely to have nonconsensual sexual experiences. Brook have developed the ‘My Life’ County Durham project. It provides free support through focus groups and one-to-one sessions on topics like anatomy, consent, sexuality and more.
The project also helps parents and carers to navigate difficult conversations with young people around sex and sexual health.
community settings, with sessions in the daytime and the evenings to fit the schedules of young people, working parents and professionals.
“We want to remove the barriers that young people with SEND face, as we believe everyone has the right to lead a healthy life and have healthy relationships.”
A 2020 study by Brook revealed that 80 per cent of professionals couldn’t find accessible resources to educate SEND young people about sexual health, and 50 per cent lacked training.
The grant from Durham Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families, and friends, across England and Wales. Rebecca Shutt, Head of Education at Brook Young People said:
Michael Shaw from Durham Freemasons said:
This project will also provide resources and training for professionals from schools, colleges, and pastoral youth workplaces to allow them to properly support SEND young people. Training will be delivered in colleges or
“We’re really grateful to Durham Freemasons for their generous grant, which is allowing us to educate and inform young people about important topics around sexual health.
“I’m very pleased we’ve been able to help Brook with their excellent support service. Sex and relationships are taboo subjects for many people, and it can be even more difficult for those with SEND. This is a vital project and I’m proud that Freemasons are able to support it.”
“The project also helps parents and carers to navigate difficult conversations” 4
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Foodbank Support Durham Benevolence have made a substantial donation, to the tune of £10,000, to the Sunderland and County Durham Foodbank. Although a lot of food is donated there can be a shortfall in essential items and the money will be used to purchase the produce required to complete food parcels that provide a sustainable diet for the whole family. The Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) have generously match funded this donation, making the total donation an incredible £20,000.
The Sunderland and Co.Durham Foodbank is based at the Drum Industrial Estate, just Northwest of Chester le Street. Their many volunteers are kept extremely busy, supplying 35 foodbank distribution centres spread around the Province. Over the last 12 months they have supplied emergency food and toiletries to 24,000 people in financial crisis across our region, including over 5000 children. Durham Benevolence surprised the Foodbank by
adding 150 large teddies to the donation. These will be given to children to help them enjoy Christmas as they would hope to. The whole Foodbank operation is manned by hard working volunteers and these have included Freemasons from the Province including Jonathan Stapley, Andrew Thompson, Tom Foster and
John Thompson. Peter MacLellan the Chief Executive of the Durham Christian Partnership, the parent company which looks after the Foodbank, expressed his thanks to the Durham Freemasons and the MCF for their tremendous support, which will benefit many families throughout the Province.
“The money will be used to purchase the produce required to complete food parcels”
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Forget Me Not Coffee Mornings
“Supporting people suffering from loneliness and isolation”
One of our younger brethren, Trevor Howard of Clarence Lodge 2462 has recently received a Certificate of Commendation from the Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Kent, for his outstanding contribution to his local community throughout the Covid Pandemic. Trevor and his staff, along with community volunteers, are working in partnership with General Practice, Social Prescribers and other voluntary groups, supporting people suffering from loneliness and isolation by providing a safe nonclinical meeting place and a nice coffee. They are allowing Doctors to prescribe a coffee and a chat rather than an antidepressant.
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Trevor’s latest venture is his newly established FORGET ME NOT coffee morning, which meets every Wednesday at Lilyannes Café on Victoria Rd, Hartlepool. Already hosting a small veterans group and a freemasons group, as well as members of the general public, the café provides a safe and welcoming environment, a chat and good coffee, for people who may feel anxious about coming back into public spaces. The group is run by community volunteer Brian Footitt ably supported by Angela the cafes manager and her staff.
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DS43 Community Defibrillators “Cardiac arrest doesn’t discriminate and nor do we” Our Hartlepool community group was set up in memory of Danny Shurmer who died suddenly at the age of 43 from a Cardiac Arrest. Having access to a defibrillator in such an event massively increases the chances of survival. For every minute that someone is in cardiac arrest without receiving CPR or having a defibrillator used on them, their chance of survival decreases by 10% We looked at the availability of Public Access Defibrillators in our town and it was clear that much of the population were not within the recommended 500m of one. We set about mapping the town and found that a minimum of an additional 29 defibrillators were needed to ensure adequate coverage. To date we have been able to purchase 16 defibrillators and cabinets and we continue to work hard to reach our target of 29. We have set up an organisational account with “The Circuit”, the British Heart Foundations national register, to www.durhamfreemasons.org
ensure that the local Ambulance Service are aware that our defibrillators are available for deployment. Every defibrillator has an appointed guardian which ensures they are checked regularly and are available 24/7. Not only do we continue to raise funds for new units, we also need the resources to maintain all of the defibrillators. Each will require new pads after each use at a cost of £50 and replacement batteries after 5 years at a cost of £300 per battery. This effort is for everyone in our town. Cardiac arrest doesn’t discriminate and nor do we. The £3500 Community Support Grant awarded to us by the Durham Freemasons is tremendous and enables us to buy a further 3 defibrillators to help keep our community safe. A massive thank you from all of us.
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Joseph Miller Cup
ROLL OF HONOUR The following Brethren qualified to receive certificates to mark long service to Freemasonry.
60 YEARS CRAFT:
The Joseph Miller Cup is the annual Golf Match played between Durham and Northumberland. This year it was played on Friday 10th September at Sharpley Springs Golf Club, Seaham, County Durham. Having won the previous two years matches Durham Freemasons were keen to complete the hat-trick over Northumberland and keep the Joseph Miller Cup in Durham. The day started well with coffee and bacon butties all round. After some last-minute rearranging the teams were set at 8 a side. Unfortunately, shortly after the players teed off the heavens opened. Brollies and waterproofs were the order of the day. The sun then decided to make an appearance and play continued as the golfers dried out. After a few hours in the sunshine the heavy rain returned and most players called it a day, trudging off the course
“Shortly after the players teed off the heavens opened” 8
dripping wet. One brave group did however continue playing and completed the full 18 holes. Once the intrepid group joined the rest of the players in the clubhouse, and began to dry out, the participants partook in an enjoyable meal and after the scores were counted Martin Rankin, the Durham Captain, reluctantly presented the Cup to Euan Duff, the Northumberland Captain. The final scores were Durham 203, Northumberland 213. After and enjoyable if somewhat damp day the added benefit was the £184 that was raised and donated to the Great North Air Ambulance Service. Congratulations to the Northumberland team on their victory, and commiserations to the Durham team, who will certainly be back next year, all guns blazing, trying to regain the trophy.
Alfred Charlton Earl of Durham L1274 Ian S Sproates County L6678 Brian W Pickering Vedra L3137 Ronald Croysdale Beaconfield L7768 William A Day Lumley L5807
50 YEARS CRAFT: Fred Richardson Aclet L5880 David J Wheeler Indaba L9454 Geoffrey J Million St Aidan L4080 Ronald A Forsyth Lodge of Industry L48 Thomas R Clark Tyne Dock L4218 Brain Bailey Perseverance L1643 Thomas I Williams St Helen’s L531 George K Gibson Saint Peter’s L8953 Eric H Draper Stanhope L3520 Anthony Stewart Tower L7292 John D Smith Trinity L4751 Anthony N Taylor Rowlandson L3360 George Addison Vale of Tees L5016
50 YEARS ROYAL ARCH:
William Chrystal Chapter of Concord C124 John K Harrison Norman C1334 Alan W Lillington Chapter of Strict Benevolence C97
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Remembrance The Freemasons of Durham throughout the Province turned out in numbers to attend the many organised parades and ceremonies on Remembrance Sunday. Wreaths were laid as a mark of respect and gratitude to all of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in 2 World Wars and many conflicts throughout the world. “Lest we Forget”
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The Armed Forces Covenant “Those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, will be treated fairly”
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, will be treated fairly. The Grand Master HRH The Duke of Kent KG signed the Armed Forces Covenant on behalf of the United Grand Lodge of England on October the 20th in a formal ceremony in London. Each Province since, under the direction of their Provincial
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Grand Master has signed their own Covenant. On Tuesday 7th December Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Clinton Leeks OBE, signed the Covenant on behalf of the Provincial Grand Master, John Arthur and the Freemasons of Durham. The custom of the Craft Provincial Grand Master being supported by one of the rulers in the Royal Arch was maintained with Paul Hopper joining Clinton on this prestigious occasion.
Lt Col Andy Black, 4th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters North-East opened the formal element of the signing ceremony. Lt Col Guy Balmer, Deputy Naval Regional Commander countersigned Clinton’s signature on the Covenant, with Sqn Ldr Geoff Ellis, Officer Commanding ASACS Engineering and Logistics Squadron based at RAF Boulmer and Lt Col John Henry, the current Master of the Durham Provincial Stewards
Lodge, looking on. Grateful thanks go to Squadron Leader (Rtd) Gary McLafferty – Director of Engagement and David Eccles – Asst Regional Employment Engagement Director North of England RFCA for their help with the arrangements
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Blue Plaque
On the 2nd October 2021, Wolsingham Masonic Hall, home to Hudson Lodge 2791 had the honour of being the recipient of a Blue Plaque commemorating Janet Taylor. The Masonic Hall was previously the village schoolhouse and it was here that Janet first showed academic promise, which at that time wasn’t really the done thing with girls. However, with the backing of her father who was a schoolmaster Janet started to excel.
Born in Wolsingham, County Durham on May 13th, 1804, Janet’s brilliance was perceived early, and she received a national scholarship to attend Queen Charlotte’s school in Ampthill, Bedfordshire. She married a George Taylor; Jane had eight children and lived her life near the Thames docks. By then she was an established author of nautical treatises, textbooks and established her own Nautical Academy not far from the Tower of London.
The process of the award begins with a nomination which in this case was by Wolsingham Women’s Institute.
In 1834 Janet Taylor invented the Mariner’s Calculator, a device that enabled the finding of ‘the true Time’, ‘the true
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Altitude’, ‘the true Azimuth’, ‘Latitude by double Latitudes and elapsed Time’, among many other applications. Sadly, after testing at sea, the instrument was determined to be too delicate for the ‘clumsy fingers of seamen’ noted to be like ‘sausages’ so it was not widely adopted. Still, she received gold medals of recognition for her contributions to the maritime community from the King of Prussia, the King of Holland and even by the Pope. After the death of her husband, she was put into dire financial straits, and was given a Civil List pension of £50 per year.
“And it was here that Janet first showed academic promise” 11
Everyday Freemason
Lt Col John Henry is a member of Sanctuary Lodge and the Chapter of Concord. He is currently the Master of the Stewards Lodge and the current Supreme Ruler of Dunelm Conclave of the Order of the Secret Monitor. I signed up for 6 years’ service with the British Army over 37 years ago and have served in the Falkland Islands, Northern Ireland, the Gulf War, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. The bulk of my career was in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. I moved into Personnel Recovery four years ago as Commanding Officer of a Personnel Recovery Unit and am now the Defence lead for Personnel Recovery across the three services. The Defence Recovery Capability works alongside the medical services to support those with complex conditions resulting
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from operational or other injuries. Our aim is to support a swift return to duty wherever possible or for those unable to continue serving, to successfully transition them into civilian life. At times it can be a challenging role but also one which can be incredibly rewarding. Service in the armed forces has many things in common with freemasonry. Commitment, adherence to values and standards, camaraderie, belonging and looking after each other, to name but a few. It is unsurprising therefore that many former and current service personnel join masonry. I joined around 5 years after being initially invited. I deferred to that point because the Brother who approached me wouldn’t tell me anything about it other than to say, ‘oh you’ll love it!’ The lodge I was invited to join was in London and I
couldn’t commit to travelling to London several times a year for something I knew nothing about. I now realise that he himself was new and didn’t know what he could and couldn’t say. When I was approached again sometime later, the Brother who approached me explained what it was all about without giving away anything he shouldn’t. He got it right and sold it to me in a manner which appealed to me. He also told me that I’d love it and he was right! I love meeting new people from different walks of life. I love the
fact that through our collective charitable efforts, we can make a significant difference to good causes, and I love the fact that we’re always learning through the ritual and through the masons we meet. During my service I’ve met some incredible people and been privileged to be able to serve alongside some of the finest human beings on the planet. masonry has opened up another door which has enabled me to meet fascinating people and make many more good friends who I wouldn’t otherwise have met if I had not become a freemason.
“It is unsurprising therefore that many former and current service personnel join masonry” www.durhamfreemasons.org
Enter CIC – A project without Equal
Enter CIC are delighted to have been awarded a grant of £9,690, from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham. The grant has been provided to support their community programme in support of the elderly ‘Days of our Lives’. Specifically designed to combat social isolation, the programme has been running for a number of years, supporting hundreds of elderly residents in the County Durham region and was awarded the “Project Without Equal Award” at Durham County Council’s Area Action Partnership 10 Year Anniversary Awards. Over the years, the programme has provided a space to interact, and to enjoy high-quality, low-cost entertainment in the heart of their community including performances from West End Musical Theatre
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Performers, London Gospel Choirs, Orchestras, Brass Bands and talks from regional Historians. As one member of the programme said, “It’s a reason to get up in the morning, to dress up and to share and ease our cares and woes. It is a lifesaver for me.” The programme isn’t just about entertainment. It’s designed to provide a platform for real connections, opportunities to reminisce, to plan for the future and to enjoy the company of people with similar interests. It also offers a powerful medium for building respectful and mutually-beneficial relationships between the young and old, encouraging tolerance and a deeper level of understanding between different generations. The majority of Enter CIC’s work is in the creative, cultural and heritage sector which was hit very hard during the
pandemic and the funding from the Provincial Grand Lodge could not have come at a better time. It will mean that the company can continue its work with the elderly into the New Year. Enter CIC was established in 2010 by Andrea Flynn and Paul Flynn, who brought over twenty years’ experience of working professionally in the arts and education sectors with adults and young people. Young people from the most disadvantaged backgrounds have been nurtured by Enter
CIC to achieve their academic, career and life goals at a local, national, and international level. Participants on their creative programmes have been invited to perform on some of the biggest stages. In 2017, Enter CIC became an approved training provider and exam centre and now offers an array of academic and creative qualifications for those finding themselves outside the traditional school setting. To find out more about the Enter CIC programmes, please visit www.entercic.org
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Help for Phoenix Day Care
“They also provide respite services for carers and parents” The Phoenix Day Care Community Interest Company (CIC) was established six years ago in response to the local authority closing all day care provisions in the Barnard Castle area. Being a community interest company means that they are a not for profit organisation and all monies go back into the business. The CIC opens five days a week and provides day care services for adults aged 18+ with learning disabilities, dementia, sensory impairments, mental health issues or those who are at risk from social isolation. They also provide respite services for carers and parents, offering full day, half day and ad hoc services, ensuring that everyone’s particular needs are met.
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Services include provision of a two course freshly cooked lunch and provision of breakfast and a take home tea where required. Phoenix Day Care facilitate a wide range of activities every day, with all services including individual appropriate support to ensure that everyone can participate, regardless of their abilities. Kelly Tatt said “We are very grateful for the money that Durham Freemasons have kindly sent us. It will be used for advertising and developing the service.”
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Teddies and Chocolate Whilst over 100,000 TLC teddies have already been distributed throughout the Province, the recent COVID restrictions have made it difficult to visit the children’s wards. Despite this, Mark Davies has still managed to keep the flag flying, using full PPE throughout the restrictions, topping up supplies in all the hospitals on his list.
The latest COVID outbreak has meant some hospitals restricting entry but Kevin Carter says that “Big Ted will
be out and about dishing out selection boxes and meeting with Ambassadors at 8 hospitals including South Tyneside General , Queen Elizabeth, Durham, North Tees, Darlington, Sunderland and a couple of walk in centres, keeping our little ones smiling at A & E.”
“Recent COVID restrictions have made it difficult to visit the children’s wards”
Activity Packs to the Rescue Recently, whilst delivering our Teddies to the North Tees University Hospital, TLC Ambassador Mark Davies was informed by Nic Jones, Paediatric HCA, that due to Covid restrictions, the Children’s and Young People’s Emergency Department were no longer able to place toys in their waiting area.
This was making the children’s visits even more distressing than normal and thus making it more difficult for the medical team to carry out their duties. In order to redress this, Mark, with the support of local Freemasons, have delivered sanitized and individually
wrapped ‘Activity Packs’ to the department. These packs are designed to give each child plenty to occupy their minds whilst they are waiting for medical attention, distracting them from their distressing circumstances.
Pictured with Mark are Staff Nurse Lauren Williams, Paediatric Nurse Amanda Banks, Staff Nurse Elizabeth Webb and Staff Nurse Georgina Guthrie.
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“We really appreciate the teddy bears and packs that you bring to the Children’s and Young People’s Emergency Department. The children love them and it’s lovely to see them smile, especially when their time in our department can be so distressing” said Nic Jones.
“These packs are designed to give each child plenty to occupy their minds” 15
The Chaplain’s Message
“We can bring them hope through our concern” We have for the last 20 or so months had hope given and then taken away then given again. It has really messed around with our inner health, our mental fitness. In so many lives of those around us there are those who feel as though they have no hope. Perhaps it’s after years of studying they find themselves with no job to go, to or any prospects of finding one. Or maybe as a result of the pandemic they now have lost their business and can no longer earn a living doing something they have put their live into. Perhaps some as a result of the pressures of lockdown have been through a relationship breakdown and feel broken and feel as though their life now is lonely and devoid of
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love. Perhaps the latest tests from the hospital are not good news. Or maybe it’s the loss of a loved one to illness, disability or death. There are so many different ways that life can hold us in hopelessness, like a rabbit caught in the headlights of an oncoming vehicle. Now all of us need hope. The season of Christmas, really is a story about the hope that has been given to the world. The gift to humanity of Jesus Christ. That baby grew into a man, and told the world about the creators love for all of us. That same man was executed for preaching about that love and hope. But he rose from the tomb and with his resurrection, promised that we too, through
him will go on to heaven after our lives here on earth are over. That’s the Christians hope. The Carol “O Little Town of Bethlehem” focuses on that hope. “Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light; The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. Yes the streets of some people’s lives right now may seem very dark, cheerless and perhaps without hope. But there is hope because we are there. And especially as Freemasons we have a part to play though our works of charity and support and we continue to do that. Vitally though, we as individuals,
where it is within our power, can be “Hope Bringers” to those we know who are going through tough times. We can bring them hope through our concern, love and even with the sharing our own experiences, of going through times of trial. There is hope because of the promises of the Great Architect of all there was, and is and is to come. The creator of all life and time itself. May the Great Architect of the Universe bring us all His love, His peace in our hearts, and above all hope this Christmas and into the year ahead. The Provincial Chaplaincy Team
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The Role of the Lodge Membership Officer “Social Media is a great arena for promoting the lodge”
With an “Oh dear golly gosh” (or something similar but unprintable) the incoming Master of Hudson Lodge besides appointing me as Almoner also appointed me as the Lodge Membership Officer, which as you know, is a new role within our lodges. My initial thoughts were “where do I start”? At the beginning seemed logical and I therefore looked at the origins of the Lodge. Hudson Lodge was consecrated on 18th July 1900. Based in Wolsingham, in the South West of the Province, when the Lodge was consecrated the
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major employers in the town were farming and the iron works. Unfortunately, since the decline in farming and the closure of the iron works, we have lost these main sources of initiates. In more recent years the membership of the lodge has been helped by existing masons joining from Stanhope and a group from one of the Darlington Lodges. Whilst the Lodge is well known in Wolsingham, do we promote it enough through our local charitable work and amongst other local organisations? Should we look further afield as part of our recruitment
process? Yes, must be the answer if recruitment is to be our long term aim. Social Media is a great arena for promoting the lodge. It is a means of communication, especially with the younger generation and if used correctly can help us get the messages of freemasonry out there and can assist in bringing in new members. As a Lodge Membership Officer, working with other members of the lodge, this is exactly what we need to do. Retention of members is just as important and one of the Lodge Membership Officer’s
tasks must be to promote the lodge as a resource where members can meet to enhance the feeling of brotherhood, camaraderie and fun. Organising visits to masonic events, to lodges around the Province, to charitable events in the community, and informal social events, will certainly assist. It seems that the role of the Lodge Membership Officer, like that of the Almoner, will be essential in our Lodge moving forward. Allan Britton
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Masonic Group Break
It has been decided by the Benevolent Committee that the Province is to organise a Masonic Group Break for up to 47 Brethren and/or dependants who will benefit from a short break, particularly those who feel unable or uneasy to travel alone.
will be entertainment every night and the hotel bar, lounge and dining room look out to sea across the swimming pool and sun terrace, with views of Culver Cliff and Sandown Bay. As usual, two volunteers from the British Red Cross will be travelling with us.
Accommodation has been reserved at the Sands Hotel, Sandown, Isle of Wight from Saturday 3rd September 2022 to Saturday 10th September 2022. This is a nice family run hotel, on the sea front, with a lovely entertainments lounge and outdoor heated swimming pool, clean rooms, good food and service. There
The cost of the holiday will be £350 including the ferry crossing (Southampton - East Cowes).
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We will have the use of the whole hotel during our stay, 33 rooms in total, which will accommodate all 47 applicants. As with most hotel accommodation, single rooms
are very limited. We have therefore only been given 8 which leaves 25 rooms with a mix of twins and doubles.
Full details of the holiday along with application forms are available on the Provincial website or from the Provincial Office.
“47 Brethren and or dependants who will benefit from a short break” www.durhamfreemasons.org
Everyday Freemason I am a 47 year old ex-Royal Navy Warrant Officer, now working as a Naval Recruiter and living in Hartlepool. Originally from Runcorn, Cheshire, I met my wife in the Navy and we first lived together in Portsmouth, where our son was born. We moved to her native Hartlepool nearly 9 years ago, although I was still working away until December 2018. Apart from Freemasonry – something I had wanted to be a part of since I was a teenager – I have one other passion - Maritime History. I am a Trustee of the Oakdale
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Mersey Flat Trust, set up to save the last sea-going example of a local type of barge. I got into Freemasonry through a friend of my wife (now very much my friend too), a fellow veteran who we met at various Armed Forces events through the years. Freemasonry is a wonderful institution that appeals to me in several ways. As a history buff, I feel connected to the people of the past, learning as they did, embracing knowledge and brotherhood in exactly the same manner as
men have done for centuries. It has also given me the chance to meet people I am very lucky to call friends and brothers. But, more than that, Freemasonry is what the world of today needs; an opportunity for men of all ages and walks of life to bond over a shared desire to
do good deeds and to make charity a part of their lives. A fraternity of good people wanting to make a difference in the world and not be divided by religion or race. - Bob, a Hartlepool Freemason
“Something I had wanted to be a part of since I was a teenager”
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Members pathway In September 2021 UGLE updated the Members pathway to act as a resource to support membership to grow. It focuses on the essential Keys to attracting and growing membership. These are Lodge Planning, Attraction of new members, Engagement of the membership in their Freemasonry and Retrieval of those members whose enthusiasm may be waning. It became clear at an early stage that in Durham there was a need to bring together a Team to support Lodges with Engagement.
Rak Bhalla, 3rd Provincial Grand Principal is pulling together an Engagement team, consisting of members from Provincial Mentoring, Learning and Development from both the Province and The Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge, The Light Blues Club, Communications and Website/Social Media. At our first meeting on 20th November 2021, we worked on our vision which is; ‘As a Team we will work together to help, guide and support Masons to feel empowered and to fulfil their potential, through an engaging, stimulating and diverse journey, enabling them to enjoy their Masonry’
“It focuses on the essential Keys to attracting and growing membership”
Our aim is to develop and promote the Members Pathway throughout the Province, which will enable us to produce and sustain an active, educated, and confident Freemason within an enjoyable environment. A key element must be ensuring that we give all members, Lodges and Chapters the tools they need to grow and to enjoy their Freemasonry in a supportive way. If you would like to be involved in this exciting new initiative, then please email RBhalla@durhamfreemasons.org
The deadline for issue 41 is 31st March 2022. NEWS@DURHAMFREEMASONS.ORG Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham, 8 The Esplanade, Sunderland, SR2 7BH. T: 0191 5675365. www.durhamfreemasons.org