QUARTERLY PUBLICATION PROVINCE OF DURHAM FREEMASONS
What’s inside
04 05 09 15
100 Not Out Heel and Toe David Hay Award Santa to the Aid
www.durhamfreemasons.org WINTER 2020 | ISSUE 38
A Year to Remember! 1 www.durhamfreemasons.org
Editor’s Notes
What’s Inside Page 4
I hope this edition of the Provincial Gazette finds you well in this extended period of lockdown and tiered restrictions, necessary to help contain the Coronavirus in our midst. While most freemasonry has been suspended and we are unable to visit each other, that has not stopped our Brethren from engaging with each other by the many means available in this day and age. Social media including Facebook and Twitter, Facetime phone calls, Zoom meetings and a good old fashioned phone call are all methods of making sure that we
Bob Brown 100 Not Out
Page 6
Not Quite Paris! In normal circumstances the “Comms team” would cover all news items including taking the photographs and putting together the stories, but this year has not been a normal year. Every endeavour has been made to include the best quality photos available but in lots of circumstances this year mobile phone images have had to be used where sending a photographer has not been safe. Some photos are stock photos and were taken before COVID-19 restrictions, hence no social distancing. Many thanks to all who have assisted in contributing to this edition of the Gazette.
Page 15
The Communications arm of the Province of Durham is still working hard reporting on all of the up to date news and with many of our Brethren and their families assisting the NHS and Care Homes in any way they can, with volunteer work and the provision of equipment, please let us know how you are doing.
Santa to the Aid
To ensure your area of the Province is covered in future issues, please email news@durhamfreemasons.org 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.
Page 17
Pickle Palace Delight
Editor
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
2
PGLDurham
www.durhamfreemasons.org
Season’s Greetings
from the Provincial Grand Master / Grand Superintendent (behind the mask). I do not doubt that most of you will have been affected in some way by Covid-19 during 2020 and you will be aware of the disastrous effect it has had on Freemasonry and society in general. As we are rapidly approaching the Festive Season, I want to try and encourage a different mood.
This year we have seen remarkable selfless acts of kindness, right across the board, by individuals, charities, front line workers and carers. We have been bombarded by events that have created National Pride. We have witnessed many examples of tremendous commitment, effort and hard work, as well as excellent teamwork and lots of smiling friendly faces (sometimes behind the mask). Everyone will have become more aware of how much of our society really depends on the basic values we all hold dear. My own perceptions of true commitment, perseverance, personal bravery,
generosity of spirit, dignity and honour, have also been challenged and you will find in this issue of our quarterly magazine many more examples of what has been achieved. I am sure I am not alone in feeling humbled when I see magnificent examples of the best things humanity can achieve, especially when there is enough love and support around. The next time I am inclined to feel sorry for myself, I hope I can remember just how fortunate I am compared to many others. The acts of endurance in adversity which we have witnessed recently should,
hopefully, help us all to value what we have. If the examples we have seen during 2020 teach us anything, it is that the values we admire such as commitment, perseverance, loyalty, honesty, charity, mutual support and love are just as important as they have ever been. As Freemasons, these values are part of what we are about. Maybe we should concentrate on having just one aim in view “…. to unite with others in the grand design of being happy and communicating happiness”. Joan and I would like to take this opportunity to send all of you and yours, our best wishes for the Festive Season and (as
we appear to be seeing early signs of light at the end of the tunnel) our hope that you all have a happy and healthy 2021 and beyond. Finally, I would like to challenge everyone to join in the “Make 5 Happy” Challenge. The idea is that we all commit to contact at least five people who we would not normally contact directly, before the end of the Festive Season. Please join in using any format that suits you; telephone, write, email or use other social media. If you pass on the message to others you may wish to suggest they also roll out the Challenge.
“…. to unite with others in the grand design of being happy and communicating happiness” www.durhamfreemasons.org
3
Bob Brown 100, Not Out! John Robert Brown, (Bob to his friends) beat the lockdown and celebrated his 100th Birthday at the start of 2020 at a surprise party held at Stocktonon-Tees Masonic Hall.
“For you Tommy, the war is over”
4
He was presented with a framed certificate from the Provincial Grand Master marking his 100 years, and his service to Freemasonry. He also displayed his birthday greeting from the Queen. Bob was initiated into the Lodge of Philanthropy in 1977 where he twice served as their Master. As a young man Bob joined the Royal Volunteer Air Force Reserve, and learned to handle many aircraft from Tiger Moths to twin-engine Avro Ansons. He said he felt destined for some kind of bomber service. On March 12, 1941, while returning from a bombing mision, his wartime experience took a very different turn when his Wellington was shot down by a Messerschmitt 110.
He said, “It packed an awful wallop and as I looked outside, the whole of the starboard engine was disappearing. The aircraft was unmanageable and I had to bail out.” Landing in a field, he remembers looking up and seeing his aircraft blow up. Sadly only one other crew member survived. Bob was challenged by a group of German soldiers who told him “For you Tommy, the war is over.” His POW experience included spells in a number of different camps but in typically understated fashion, Bob says it was a largely a ‘boring’ experience. “We didn’t eat an awful lot, so the food parcels we received were invaluable - and the coinage we used was cigarettes! We tried to keep ourselves fit and clean.” He found the weekly Nazi propaganda films showing German ‘successes’ compulsive. “The most difficult time was the later part, when Germany started losing the war. We didn’t know that, of course, but
supplies became shorter and shorter. At Konigsberg in 1944, I remember a crowd running out of the kitchen shouting ‘it’s on, it’s on’ - the invasion, of course. We expected to be home by Christmas.” Frustratingly it was much later the following year that freedom finally came. Bob, by then a non-flying warrant officer, said: “We were told to walk to the east - stick together, don’t wander and don’t carry arms.” He recalls coming across ‘Yanks in tanks’ and receiving from them such luxuries as oranges, and a toothbrush! Eventually a Lancaster bomber flew him and colleagues home. Post war, Bob re-trained as a teacher ending up at Norton Board School, now Norton Primary, before retiring in 1984. The school invited him back 36 years later to celebrate his 100th birthday and proudly tell the young children stories of his wartime exploits.
www.durhamfreemasons.org
Heel And Toe Kept On Their Feet
“With your help these children will continue to improve.”
Heel and Toe were delighted to receive a Grant of £10,000 from Durham Freemasons Covid Support Grants, especially as the award was match funded by the Masonic Charitable Foundation, (MCF), giving a total of £20.000. These grants will allow them deliver desperately needed support to those most in need. The charity supports children and young people with profound physical and neurological disabilities in the North East, from birth to the age of 25. Their fundraising attempts have been hit hard by the pandemic and effectively stopped the provision of free conductive education and other therapies. Some 200 children are supported each week by the charity improving their quality of life and future independence, however, the onset of the Covid -19 had meant a £360,000 shortfall since fundraising events and activities immediately came to a grinding halt, leaving them facing the prospect of possible closure. Fortunately, however, they had formed a close bond with Durham Freemasons,
who have assisted the charity over many years. A spokesperson for Heel and Toe told us, “We are so incredibly grateful to Durham Freemasons for awarding us a grant of £10,000 and were delighted when we heard the Masonic Charitable Foundation were also going to match-fund this amount. This huge sum of money will enable us to fully open our centres and allow all children to return to their weekly therapy sessions. Many of these children have had no interaction with us for six months, and have shown a regression in their abilities. So, it was vital that we opened back up, and continue their therapy treatment once more. With your help these children will continue to improve their mobility and movement, in turn increasing their confidence and independence to give them a better quality of life. We are extremely grateful to the Durham Freemasons, and the MCF, for their generosity and continued support.”
Masons continue to give vital aid to Hospice during Lockdown Freemason Allan Midcalf, a member of Hugh de Pudsey Lodge Darlington was ensuring that the correct social distancing was upheld when presenting a cheque from Durham Benevolence to St Teresa’s Hospice Darlington today. Lynne Wright, the General Office Manager was delighted to receive this most welcome donation especially at a time when many charities are struggling with funding. St Teresa’s Hospice is a registered
www.durhamfreemasons.org
charity and the focus of their work is entirely on enhancing the quality of life and helping people to live with their illness, as comfortably as possible. The highly skilled palliative care team, including a Consultant in Palliative Medicine and Specialist Nurses, enables them to provide a rapid response, round-the-clock service which provides palliative and end of life care and support to residents of South Durham & North Yorkshire and their Carers.
“Delighted to receive this most welcome donation” 5
Not Quite Paris ! The Pandemic prevented our planned 2020 London to Paris cycle event from taking place but this did not stop our intrepid cyclists. They turned their thoughts on how they could still raise money, within Covid restrictions, and thus the 100 mile challenge was born. Back in August, the team of fourteen cyclists took the train to Berwick, their bikes being taken by van. Despite a late train, their support team Paul Quinn and Harry Prince had the bikes lined up and ready for a swift departure. Organisers, Gavin Rowell and Steve Piercy, had precirculated the route to all riders and despite getting lost trying to get out of Berwick, they were soon on National Cycle Route 1, the ‘Coast & Castles’ route which they had followed two years previously. This time however they were trying to cover the route that had previously taken two days, in just one!
“Clearly they were not going to make it back before nightfall”
6
Travelling south to Spittal, crossing the busy A1 near Belford they then navigated some rough sheep tracks where ‘accident-prone’ Phil Twizell had the first of his minor falls. Thankfully only his pride was bruised.
On then towards Bamburgh, and Seahouses before a lunch stop in Amble. There they were joined by Provincial Grand Master, John Arthur, and Festival Director, John Thompson. Restrictions made it impossible to arrange a meal for such a large group so they enjoyed a picnic by the harbour. Heading South, to Blyth and Tynemouth, fatigue started to set in with some reporting cramp issues. Clearly they were not going to make it back before nightfall. Sporting bike lights and bright MCF cycle shirts, they continued inland through the Tyne Pedestrian Tunnel, to the finish at Chester-le-Street Masonic Hall. Friends and family cheered them over the finish line and they enjoyed a wellearned drink or two. With Gift Aid, the Team have raised over £5000 with sponsorship still coming in. Well done to all. Let’s hope the 2021 London to Paris ride will now be permitted.
www.durhamfreemasons.org
Chaplaincy Message 2020 Brethren all, 2020 has been a very different year. We have all spent a lot of time adapting our lives to cope with something quite unprecedented. Many have suffered, many have died. There have been great changes to our economy. Although there have been very few Masonic gatherings it’s evident that there is still much going on. People are keeping in touch, supporting each other. There has been a great widening use of technology, even by those who are not experts in that field. God gave humanity the power to think and reason, to find ways to deal with any crisis. Those who are scientists have been working tirelessly in the background and are now coming up with vaccines. However, it will all take time and vigilance is still paramount. Underlying everything is ‘hope’, an optimistic state of mind based on an expectation of positive outcomes with respect
to events and circumstances. Along with our faiths and belief in God, the Great Architect, hope is a powerful stimulus that keeps us going and thinking positively. When crisis looms, it opens us to new creative possibilities. Hope in us is like a little engine that keeps telling us, “I think I can, I know I can,” bearing fruit when based on a realistic sense of optimism.
concerned with caste or creed or race, so at this joyous time of Christmas we ask that the Great Architect of the Universe may pour out His blessings on us, our families and loved ones. May peace, joy, love and hope be with us all and the New Year bring a time of health and happiness keeping us in mind of those less fortunate than ourselves. So mote it be.
I’m sure that God didn’t send Covid 19 as a punishment, because it’s the less fortunate that suffer most and there are many bible passages relating God’s care for the disadvantaged. Wherever Covid 19 came from, with our faiths and trust in the Great Architect, along with hope we will eventually gather again in fellowship, building further on a much-strengthened foundation into infinity.
W. Bro. Canon Ron Black
“Underlying everything is ‘hope’
The paths to God are more in number than we can imagine. Love and hope are not
Flying Tribute to NHS Workers A Spitfire made a huge impact as it took to the skies above Teesside, Sunderland, County Durham, and Northumberland on 22nd September.
Air Traffic controller on the day was our own Dave Green, who is also used to controlling the odd Lodge or two in his spare time.
It was all eyes to the sky for the eagerly-awaited sight of a Spitfire and the unmistakable sound of its Merlin engine, as it conducted a fly-past over local hospitals throughout the region, in an eye-catching tribute to the NHS.
The aircraft took off from Teesside International Airport early in the afternoon, from where it flew south to the James Cook Hospital, in Middlesbrough, before heading back north, to overfly Hospitals in Hartlepool, Peterlee, Durham, and Lanchester Road. Then it
www.durhamfreemasons.org
flew east to Chester-le-Street Hospital, Sunderland Children’s Hospital, Sunderland Royal Hospital, and finally off to Newcastle, where it soared above the Royal Victoria Infirmary and Freeman Hospitals, en-route to Northumberland to continue its tour raising money for NHS charities. Branded with the words ‘Thank U NHS’, the plane was also covered with the names of people who have carried
out good deeds during the pandemic, and who had been nominated for inclusion by members of the public, in return for a donation. The fly-past in the North East had been due to take place a week earlier but was called off due to unexpected cloud and the rescheduled date which saw far better viewing conditions.
7
ROLL OF HONOUR The following brethren qualified to receive certificates to mark long service to Freemasonry.
70 YEARS CRAFT: Eric Oliver Vulcan 5757
60 YEARS CRAFT:
Terence Lewis Haven of Rest 4350 Keith Etherington Carodoc 4749 George Wade Wrekendike 6401 Henry Rivers Beacon 4551 Thomas Turnbull Penshaw 3194 Everett Dobbie Bedic 5915 John Ridley Darlington 6158 George Morrell Stranton 1862 John McCarthy Rowlands Gill 4694 Joseph Hart Lodge of Fortitude 7188 Leonard Gatoff Tyne Dock 4218 Ray Dinning Lumley 5807
50 YEARS CRAFT:
Clive Dunbar St Thomas 5420 (N/land) Gordon Robson Phoenix 94 Kelvin Ferries St Hilda 240 Neil Snowdon Agricola 7741 John Billington Vale of Beck 6283 Alan Brown Tower 7292 Peter Young Vedra 3137 Colin Barnes Ryton St Marys 6550 George Coulson Restoration 111 Robert Parsons Palatine 97 Charles Penk Agricola 7741 Ray Taffurelli Eccleston 1624 (London)
8
John Skipper Belvedere 6558 (N/land) Conrad Blythe Hugh de Pudsey 4490 Geoff Whiteman Bernard Gilpin 3076 Kenneth Scott Strathearn 4965 Martin Urwin St Hida 240 Alan Bell Vulcan 5757 Thomas Armstrong Crowley 6901 David Coppillie Elvet 5631 Iain MacRae Vedra 3137 Ivan Jewell Benfeldsyde 7807 Alastair Cuthbertson Elevation 4185 Terence Harbottle Lumley 5807 John Stableford County 6678 John Kelly Bedic 5915 Colin Bell Benfeldsyde 7807 Mathew Hudson Corinthian (N/land) Paul Heatherington St Aidan 4080 Kenneth Embleton Norman 1334 Francis Proctor Yoden 5684 Adrian Hird Lodge of Concord 6723 (N/land) Lawrence Welsh Hedworth 2418 Paul Pearson Saltwell 3000 George Parkinson Eslington 4623 Eric Brodie Quest 7102 Lawrence Ridley Darlington 6158 John Graves St Andrews 6217 Simon Cowley Lambton 375 David Brown Eanred 7478
John Wright St Johns 80 Alan Bell Haven of Rest 4350 John Davison Lord Barnard 2935 John Chapman King Oswald 7344 Michael Dickinson Northbourne 3241 Douglas Barkess Sincerity 6036 Maurice White St Botolphs 599 (Lincs) Ben Reed Saltsar 5173 (York N&ER) John Beercroft Hedworth 2418 Edwin Stanger Derwent 4250
50 YEARS ROYAL ARCH: Mark Woolfe Harte 4217 Alan Hall Constance 2135 Gerald Lang Hebburn 1643 David Youngson John Page 3619 (N/land) Alan Greenfield Crook 2109 Jeremiah Clish Penshaw 3194 Davison William De Burghi 424 Brian Allen Hebburn 1643 George Currie Chapter of Vigilance 111 John Ravenscroft Chapter of Industry 48 Roy Stewart Tow Law3349 Albert Thomas Rowland Burdon 3960 John Craig St Bede 1119 Graham Fielder City 3568 Ronald Thornhill Universities 2352
www.durhamfreemasons.org
Prestigious Award for David which was based on the novel by French author, Gabriel Chevalier. The series, which depicted the uproarious public commotion caused by a smallscale event viz the erection of a gentleman’s urinal in a remote village, was very successful. David said, “Living in a village myself, I could easily imagine how such small events can escalate into major crises.” As the retired head of the North East Regional Resilience Team, and former Chief Emergency Planning Officer for Cleveland, David is well versed in the world of crises and major emergencies, though his novel deals with a crisis of a ‘gentler’ nature.
“These writing awards encourage new and aspiring writers”
David Hay found himself with plenty of time on his hands when he retired from his role as Assistant Provincial Grand Master in 2017, particularly during this recent difficult period of lockdowns and social restrictions. Happily, it seems he has used his time wisely. On October 20th, David was announced as the winner of the Page Turner ebook Awards Fiction Award, for his contemporary and humorous novel, The Wisdom of the Wise. These prestigious awards attract published and unpublished fiction and nonfiction writers of all genres, where their work is discovered by high-profile, carefully selected agents and judges from the literary world. The Wisdom of the Wise is a feelgood story of intrigue and scandal in a northern village, told with gentle humour. It was inspired by the 1970’s BBC comedy series ‘Clochemerle’
www.durhamfreemasons.org
David added, “These writing awards encourage new and aspiring writers to develop their skills in a most enjoyable and non-threatening manner. Winning is the icing on the cake.” News of the award quickly spread and David was delighted to be invited as a guest interviewee on BBC Radio Tees. “It’s always gratifying to receive recognition and I’m thrilled by the positive reviews that my book has received.” Encouraged by the response, David has now published his book as a paperback and followed it up with another novel A Suit of Black, a wartime adventure story, set in 1943 and written in a much different style which should appeal to readers of all ages. David concluded, “These are early days but I hope it will be well received. As long as I continue to improve and develop my writing skills, then I’ll continue.” Both books are available on Amazon UK.
9
Fund List Durham Covid-19 Fund Grants
Weardale Visors for NHS Staff Various Care Homes - 10 iPads and cases Willow Burn Hospice - iPads and cases Lindisfarne Care Home - iPads and cases Willow Burn Hospice - Potting Shed St Mary’s Food Bank Darlington Singing Hinnies Keeping Connected – Province wide Moses Project Tees Valley Food Bank Alice House Hospice – 5 iPads
£1,050.00 £3,163.90 £635.23 £635.23 £2,000.00 £1,000.00 £3,170.00 £3,000.00 £2,083.68
Total £16,738.04
Community Support Grant Fund
Jigsaw Autism Support RT Projects - Mental Health Support Durham Tanfield Lea Partnership - Social and Community Activities Whinnies Community Gardens – Province Wide support for the disabled Leo’s – Premature baby support Heel to Toe Therapy, Chester le Street – Cerebal Palsy DB St James Church Burnopfield – Disabled Facilities DB STAGS Hartlepool Male Mental Health
Masonic Charitable Foundation Grants
Total £18,125.00
National Samsung Tablet Scheme – 50 units to 5 hospitals Laura Jones 3D Printing Visors South Shields and Tyneside Billingham and Stockton Foodbanks Pickle Palace Gateshead Hartlepool First Aid Foodbank Prince Bishops Hospital Radio equipment Cash For Kids North East Darlington CIO Women’s Refuge Wharton Trust Hartlepool Durham Wildlife Trust online resource’s for children during Lockdown Teesdale Care Methodist Homes Provincial MCF Allocated Grant Heel to Toe Therapy Chester Le Street (MCF Matched Funding)
£600.00 £1,000.00 £1,000.00 £425.00 £400.00 £10,000.00 £3,000.00 £1,700.00
£8,928.00 £1,000.00 £6,000.00 £8,714.00 £6,070.00 £1,400.00 £3,500.00 £840.00 £4,500.00 £3,600.00 £2,500.00 £10,000.00 £10,000.00
Total £67,052.00
Total Covid and other Related Grants from DB and MCF £101,915.04
10
www.durhamfreemasons.org
Prince Bishops Hospital Radio equipment
£1,400.00
Moses Project Tees Valley Food Bank
£3,000.00
Willow Burn Hospice ipads and cases
£635.23
Durham Wildlife Trust
online resource’s for children during Lockdown
£3,600.00 www.durhamfreemasons.org
11
New Appointments The Assistant to the Provincial
The Provincial Junior
Grand Principals
Grand Warden
- David Green -
- Steven ‘Paul’ Swansbury -
Paul, aged 47, was initiated into St. John’s Lodge, Sunderland, before joining Londonderry Lodge. When Londonderry closed, he joined Lodge of Concord, in Queen Street, and rose to become their Worshipful Master in 2012.
David is an Air Traffic Controller and senior examiner and instructor at Teesside International Airport. He is married to Sue and between them they have four children and one grandson. David was exalted in a neighbouring province in 2005 and became a joining member of the Clarence chapter in Hartlepool in 2008. Then he became their MEZ in 2012 and again in 2013. David was
12
appointed Past Provincial Grand Registrar in 2017. In 2018 he was appointed to the acting role of Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, a duty that he enjoyed with relish. In May of this year he was appointed the Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals. He is also a member of Nevill chapter of Installed First Principals. David’s hobbies include aviation, and love of cricket in all forms. He also follows Middlesbrough football club.
The following year he took on the role of Treasurer, a position he continues to hold today. He was appointed Past Provincial Grand Steward in 2013 and served as part of the Provincial Demonstration Team. Paul was Exalted into Londonderry Chapter at Wearside Masonic Hall in 1997 where he became their First Principal in 2012, a position he has occupied a further 4 times since. In 2019 he was appointed to the rank of Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer. He is also Company Secretary and Company Director of Queen Street Masonic Hall Limited, and Queen Street Heritage Trust Limited, as well as being trustee of the
Houghton-le-Spring Piping and Drumming Society. Paul’s an active member of the Provincial Asset Management Team, advising halls across the Province on facilities management matters. Paul is an Architectural Technologist by profession. He lives in Ryhope with his wife Emma and their two children, Daisy and Molly. He has worked across various fields of expertise in Architecture, Project Management and Facilities Management for the NHS at both a local and national level for over 25 years. Paul has recently moved closer to home as the Development and Commercial Works Manager for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead. As a keen drummer, in his spare time Paul is part of the Houghton Pipe Band who regularly support Masonic lodge events and festive boards across the Province, and helped us launch the 2021 Festival at the Sage Gateshead. www.durhamfreemasons.org
Durham Freemasons’ Grant Boosts Daisy Chain
Hundreds of young people with autism from across the Tees Valley will be able to get help with the impact of COVID-19 on their mental wellbeing, following a grant of £57,000 from Durham Freemasons to the Daisy Chain Project.
limitations in being able to see friends, family or visit favourite places has been linked to increased feelings of loneliness and isolation as well as low mood, anxiety and, in some cases, self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
The charity is launching a desperately-needed complex needs service to provide support for local young people aged 15-25 to help with the impact that COVID-19 is having on their mental health.
The programme will be run by a complex needs autism care worker who will provide structured and targeted support and critical interventions enabling the young person with complex needs to rebuild their self-worth, re-ignite, and raise aspirations and regain autonomy.
People with autism depend significantly on established routines and structures. Unfortunately, the pandemic has seen those routines and structures radically altered, which can lead to great distress. Social distancing and COVID-19 safety measures can pose a real challenge for many autistic people. This coupled with
www.durhamfreemasons.org
Daisy Chain provide services and support to over 2,400 families annually from their purpose-built centre in Stockton-on-Tees. They care mainly for those have or are undergoing a diagnosis of autism, or care for someone
who is autistic. Daisy Chain are the only regional charity able to provide this type of support. The grant from Durham Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families, and friends, from across England and Wales. Hayley Matthews, Head of Adult Services from Daisy Chain, said: “We’re grateful to Durham Freemasons for their generous grant, which will allow us to help young autistic people whose wellbeing has been negatively impacted by the pandemic. Loneliness, isolation and disrupted routines have taken a big toll, but with our support, they can overcome their difficulties and thrive.”
“Daisy Chain provide services and support to over 2,400 families”
13
Billingham and Stockton Foodbank Local people in crisis due to the Covid-19 lockdown in and around Billingham and Stockton, are to benefit for the next 3 months because of a £6,000 Grant from Durham Freemasons.
Each box of groceries is designed to last approximately three days and, as many of the recipients will not yet be receiving government support or Universal Credit, their need is immediate and severe.
Provincial Grand Secretary Tom Gittins presented the cheque and met their Manager, Jill Coyle.
The Group covers four foodbanks Billingham, Norton, Newtown and Hardwick, with clients being referred by the local authority and partner agencies. Those in need can collect food from one of those four centres however an ever-increasing demand for home deliveries, during the current pandemic, has led to the distribution of 7,500 emergency food parcels to those in need.
Jill stated, “Your donation will enable us to restock and will fund 133 threeday, nutritionally balanced, family food boxes. Hopefully one day there will be no need for foodbanks as everyone will have enough to meet their needs, but until then we will support those in crisis, thank you Durham Freemasons.”
“But until then we will support those in crisis”
Cash for Kids North receive £3,500 Donation Cash for Kids North East is a children’s charity, based in the North East that supports disabled and disadvantaged children within our local communities. Most are living in poverty. Due to the impact of Coronavirus, Cash for Kids launched an appeal to help the families that need it most. Many of those families, on low incomes, who are living in or on the brink of poverty are really feeling the pressure and this, in turn, will have an impact on their children.
Bobbie Chapman, North East Fundraising Executive for the Charity, appealed to Durham Freemasons for a grant from the Masonic Charitable Foundation and we are delighted to report that the application was successful. Accordingly, Cash for Kids have now received their grant which, has been faithfully applied. We hope and trust that it will make a difference to local families during this unprecedented situation.
“Supports disabled and disadvantaged children within our local communities” 14
www.durhamfreemasons.org
French Trek The end of May 2020 should have seen a Band of Brothers heading south on one of the planned Festival 2021 events the London to Paris Cycle ride. Lured in to take part, on the promise of a bucket of Moule and the chance of wearing Lycra, was our Past Provincial Grand Secretary, Phil Rann. Now for those of you who know Phil, DON’T PANIC - he was not intending to cycle on two wheels but instead was
one of the nominated support drivers who were to guide the cyclists on their route, and return them to dear old “Blighty” at the end of their mission. Sadly, the current travel and contact restrictions meant that this event has had to be postponed but Phil set himself a personal target, at the start of Lock-down, to walk the equivalent distance during his
daily exercise. Accordingly, armed with a pedometer step counter app, a holiday haircut, and a daily buttered croissant, he started to tick off the miles and has now managed to achieve his goal with over 175 miles walked so far. Hopefully the cycle ride will be rescheduled for some time in 2021 when we will all get a chance to see Phil sporting his Provincial Lycra gear!
Santa to the aid of Noah Hartlepool Freemason Peter Richardson is marking 10 years of appearances as Santa, by offering special help to a little 2 year old boy who is fighting a rare tumour. Peter (65), known to hundreds of people as Father Christmas, is showing no signs of slowing down in 2020. He is appearing as Santa at Imagination Village in Usworth Road, Hartlepool where, in recognition of his services, he will be given a donation which he plans to use to help young Noah Griffiths. Noah is having chemotherapy treatment every Friday for a year and close friends are fundraising to get Noah and
his family to Disneyland Paris. Their aim is to raise £5,000. A member of Harbour of Refuge Lodge, Peter is planning to help by donating hundreds of pounds to the cause and also hopes to deliver presents to the brave little boy in time for Christmas, with the support of the Hartlepool Masonic Benevolent Association. Peter, a dad and a granddad himself, is a carer and a former health and safety adviser. He first took to the red suit when the Val Armstrong School of Performing Arts needed someone to appear as Santa, He said, “My granddaughter danced for Val Armstrong at the time and that was the start of
it. I get a lot of satisfaction from helping not just young people but helping others in the community.” Noah’s mum Abbieleigh Griffiths said “Peter’s gesture was lovely. So many people have helped to make Noah happy.
“Special help to a little 2 year old boy who is fighting a rare tumour” www.durhamfreemasons.org
15
Making a Difference
“Some of the residents haven’t seen family or friends for up to ten weeks”
Following the recent success of providing fifty Samsung tablets to hospitals, Durham Freemasons have gone further, by providing a first batch of ten iPads to care homes within the Province, to enable residents to stay in touch with their family and friends during lockdown. Tom Gittins, Provincial Secretary, said after making delivery of the iPads across the Province, ‘Some of the residents haven’t seen family or friends for up to ten weeks, so it is particularly pleasing to be able to help them and support local communities.’ Funding for iPads is provided by donations made by Local Freemasons.
Durham Freemasons on par With social distancing being a priority, Stephen Willis representing Durham Freemasons was on course for a ‘Hole in One’ when meeting up with fellow Freemasons and keen golfers, Malcolm Graham and Alan Jenkins at the Roseberry Grange Community Golf Club in Grange Villa, Chester-le-Street. They were delighted to present a Community Support Grant of £1,000 to Club Director Bill Greener, who said that, ”the grant was to be used to assist purchasing an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), to be situated in the foyer of the club.
16
Bill stated, “The club had recognised the urgent need for the defibrillator following an incident on the green where a member had taken ill and vital time had been lost while waiting for paramedics to arrive”. Durham Freemasons have assisted with awareness training and funding of defibrillators which are located not only at Masonic Centres but other institutions within the community within the community easily accessible to the general public”. L to R - Stephen Willis, Malcolm Graham, Alan Jenkins & Bill Greener
www.durhamfreemasons.org
Pickle Palace Delight “They were awarded a grant of £8,714 from Durham Freemasons” The Pickle Palace Social Enterprise Group, based in Greenside near Gateshead, was quick to expand its operations in order to further help the local community when the Covid-19 hit the North-East. In recognition of their work, and supported and assisted by the members of Derwent Lodge, they were awarded a grant of £8,714 from Durham Freemasons. Since the onset of the pandemic, they stopped all normal activities and re-
directed their food primarily to those less fortunate, whilst also making chutneys, pickles and jams. They deliver around 150 parcels each week and have made use of over 24 tonnes of food since the 23rd of March when the Covid-19 lockdown began. The firm now rescues food from major supermarkets, which would otherwise be sent to landfill due to expired ‘best before’ dates, and re-distributes it to those in need. In doing so
they are helping to reduce the food poverty gap in their area, as well as providing healthy and accessible food to those who may otherwise go without. The ‘Pickle Palace’ volunteers also make weekly visits to the Chopwell Community Centre with their produce, where food can be collected at a ‘Pay-asyou-Please’ Market.
donation. This means we can continue the work we are doing for at least a further three months”
Hannah Reay, of Pickle Palace, said “I would just like to say a huge thank you to Durham Freemasons for this incredible
Another fine example of Freemasonry in the community, making a difference.
Many communities in and around Chopwell, who are supported by the Pickle Palace, are economically deprived areas and their continued support is vital.
Remembrance 2020 Senior Freemasons ensured that our inability to participate in Remembrance Parades this year did not prevent the Province paying tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the two World Wars, and other conflicts around the globe. The Government COVID-19 Lockdown prevented many traditional Parades from taking place and a decision to have designated individuals visit Cenotaphs across the Province ensured to we as Freemasons were still able to honour the Fallen. To find out more about the role Freemasons played during periods of national war members of the public can view the online Brothers In Alms website.
www.durhamfreemasons.org
This exhibition of rare photographs spans the period from the Second Boer War through to the end of the Second World War, and features those who led and those who served on land, sea and in the air. It portrays the great landscape of the conflict across all continents and the diversity of the participants. https://brothersinalms.org.uk/
17
Membership “To attract new members, encourage and engage with them” One of the constant threads which binds together every facet of freemasonry is the issue of membership and its inexorable link with the long term sustainability of our wider organisation. Membership isn’t only about ensuring a steady stream of light blue aprons heading towards the Master’s chair, it has a much wider impact on the well-being of The Royal Arch and other Orders, plus our Masonic Centres, our levels of charitable giving and support, and on so many other aspects of our masonic lives. It’s no coincidence that the best performing centres in terms of membership are also the best performing in almost every other way. Two thirds of our members fall into the higher risk categories so we would be right in our concerns that Covid-19 could be catastrophic to freemasonry. Thankfully this hasn’t been borne out by the statistics, both locally and nationally. Our brethren must have really gone the extra mile to stay safe in 2020. On 1st January, when virus news was emerging in the UK, we had
18
4978 members in Durham. By 31st October this had dropped to 4848 - a reduction of 130 brethren. The irony is that if we’d had the same numbers of initiates and joining members as last year, we would have been looking at ending 2020 with more members than at the start, something that hasn’t happened for decades. If we all work together we can see that 2021 marks a new era of ascendancy in Durham. The attraction of new members, and the retention of those we already have, must now more than ever be our number one priority and when we return to normality we will be able to implement the changes that UGLE have recently made to help us achieve this. The introduction of the official office of Lodge Membership Officer shows the significance and commitment now attached to this issue. The holder of this pivotal office will work closely with his Lodge Mentor to implement the steps of the Members’ ‘Pathway,’ and develop each Lodge’s strategy to attract new members, encourage and engage with
them, and make sure that they’re still with us in ten years time. These two offices will be the most important ones in every Lodge and great care must be taken to choose the right people to drive the membership agenda forward. When we return to our Lodges in 2021 there will be a package of training for Membership Officers and Mentors on the members Pathway, which has been reviewed and simplified. In the meantime please visit https://b.ugle.org.uk/ membership where you can find a wealth of membership information. There have also been some helpful changes to the Book of Constitutions. The minimum age to join a Lodge is now 18 years old, subject to having left school or compulsory training before initiation. There has also been a change in the confusing situation regarding unattached members visiting a Lodge prior to re-joining. The new rule states that an unattached member can visit a Lodge three times whilst in the process of re-joining which is far more realistic.
As much as we all dislike change, the world has changed over the years and so has the way in which prospective new members are coming to us. We have a very effective Provincial Membership Team that has dealt with around 250 membership enquiries this year from the UGLE and Provincial websites, carrying out an initial vetting procedure, and passing potential candidates on to Lodges. Before suspension we were averaging around 30% of our enquirers being initiated which accounts for 40% of all new initiates in Durham. It’s a little alien to us to consider introducing someone we don’t know into our organisation, however if we approach this with an open mind the rewards can be great. There isn’t a set time to have known someone before you propose them but rather a confidence that they are suitable for freemasonry and that freemasonry is suitable for them. If you have any general questions on membership why not drop us an e mail at membership@ durhamfreemasons.org we’d be more than happy to assist.
www.durhamfreemasons.org
The Moses Project
A Masonic Community Support Grant of £3,000 has been made to The Moses Project in Stockton. The organisation helps men and their families in the Tees Valley area, who are over the age of 25, and in any form of life crisis. Since the Covid-19 epidemic the need for their services has rapidly increased and the requests for help have more than trebled within a few weeks. Prior to the Covid-19 epidemic, Moses Project caseworkers were working closely, on a 1:1 basis, with up to 100 clients, the majority of whom are now, or on the verge of becoming homeless. Thanks to the number of food donations they receive from most large supermarket chains, they are now delivering in excess of 500 food parcels a week to those most in need. With a rapidly increasing demand for their services, but having to limit their drop-in service as per government guidance, they have had to find a solution to fulfil this www.durhamfreemasons.org
void and continue to be able to provide a much needed service to many local people in need. CEO Brian Jones said, “The Moses Project is extremely grateful for the Durham Freemasons Grant which we received. At The Moses Project, we have had to adapt our outreach services whilst dealing with increased need which we witnessed the pandemic create. Working jointly with Stockton Borough Council’s Covid-19 team and their Rough Sleepers Coordinators, we have been ideally placed to adapt our services to provide foodbank services to ensure we are still able to reach our client base. This resulted in up to 150 food parcels a day delivered to those in crisis with many more coming to the door. Your donation enabled us to purchase items for nonperishable food donations and toiletries so that we could add these to donated goods and provide a full complete care package to those in great need.
“We are very grateful indeed for the generous donation received.” As a not-for-profit charity, we are only able to provide our service with the help we receive and we are very grateful indeed for the generous donation received.”
19
Members’ Communications Toolkit These past several months have seen considerable challenges for all of us, and not least in how we communicate with each other. This publication Toolkit from UGLE has some great practical tips and advice for both newcomers to online communications and experienced old hats. Despite the general suspension of Freemasonry being lifted in July this year by UGLE, many of us are unable to resume what we would recognise as our normal masonic activity,
and for us keeping in touch with our family, friends, and our fellow brethren is absolutely vital. The ability to be able to do this online makes it simpler and quicker, but also keeps us safe. The goal is for this “Toolkit” to assist and help those who are not conversant in the “new world” methods of communication, to stay in touch and know that they are not on their own, or alone. A printed version of the booklet is now available on request, to view and download go to: www.durhamfreemasons.org
Annual Craft Meeting COVID restrictions have caused us to delay our Annual Craft Meeting and Chapter Convocation earlier this year. Therefore we have produced a small number of copies of a document which is the business paper for both events. In April this year some Brethren and Companions were recipients of United Grand Lodge / Supreme Grand Chapter Honours. Their names are included in this document along with the many who have received Provincial Honours since our last full meeting in November last year. All those receiving honours will receive a copy of the booklet. The Province still plans to hold a separate Chapter Convocation in May 2021 and a combined Craft Annual meeting for all honours (including promotions) at the end of June 2021.
The deadline for issue 39 is 31st March 2021. NEWS@DURHAMFREEMASONS.ORG Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham, 8 The Esplanade, Sunderland, SR2 7BH. T: 0191 5675365. www.durhamfreemasons.org