Nottinghamshire Mason Edition 3 by Kevin Rolling

mason 1

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE DIGITAL

EDITION 003 NOVEMBER 2014

Canal Towpath Walk PAGE 4

2018 Festival Update PAGE 6

New Man at Royal Arch PAGE 9

999 To Go...... PAGE 18

KNOWLEDGE BITE PAGE 30

CONTENTS COVER STORIES

04 06 09 18

Canal Towpath Walk 2018 Festival Update New Appointment at Royal Arch 999 To Go ...... EVENT NEWS

08 10 11 11 12 14 16 16 17 20 22 22 23 31 33 34 35 35 36 38

The Holy Royal Arch

ARTICLE

21 24 27 28 33 37 37

Old Meeting House Restoration Native American Ritual & Freemasonry Two Chairs Two Brothers Loubob’s Legacy - Brain Tumour Research Remembrance Service Expansion of Mansfield Masonic Hall Amy’s Fund

1940 Festive Board Scalextric Race Night

ADVERTISMENTS

Murder Mystery Dinner The Old Worksopian Lodge Mark Master Masons Pub Games Olympics Headway Donation Temple Charity Ride Newstead Abbey Church Service Red Cross of Constantine Knights Templar

20 21 30 32 34 39 43 46

GTA Electrics Masonic Greeting Cards Utility Warehouse Corinthian Restaurant Masonic Mugs & Glassware Nottinghamshire Funeral Service Sunday Lunch at West Bridgford MH Holiday in the Lakes 2015

Three Peaks Challenge M A S O N I C A S S O C I AT I O N S

Austria 2014 Support for Air Ambulance Special Fair for Special Children Macmillan / Palliative Care Breast Cancer fund raiser Outdoor Charity Swimming TINS at West Bridgford (SNFC)

41 42 43 44 45

Six Counties Golf 2015 Fishing Association Bowling Association Caravanning Association Association Contact Information

KNOWLEDGE BITE

Honesty, the best policy ? 5 0 Y E A R C E R T I F I C AT E

W.Bro. Peter Moss Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed within this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or opinion of the Editor or the Province of Nottinghamshire.

EDITOR’S NOTE

EDITOR: WBro. Kevin Rolling

EMAIL: editor@nottsmasonmagazine.co.uk

Welcome to the third edition of the digital Nottinghamshire Mason magazine. A few changes as to the content - forth coming events are not now mentioned as they are published every two weeks via the Provincial Newsletter. I am grateful to WBro Roger Allton for supplying the cover photo and many other en route images of the PGM’s Towpath walk. I’d like to thank all those who have contributed articles and items of interest which, once again add up to a varied and interesting read for all. I do hope you agree :)

MAGAZINE TEAM Editor -

WBro. Kevin Rolling e: editor@nottsmasonmagazine.co.uk

Articles for the magazine Please send articles as Word docs. or similar to: editor@nottsmasonmagazine.co.uk Please send photos separately and not embedded in an article.

Articles or events for inclusion in the Magazine, Newsletter or the Provincial Website Please send to: publicise@nottinghamshiremasons.co.uk

Magazine Advertisments: Please contact the Editor To subscribe to the magazine email the Editor To unsubscribe - www.bit.ly/StopMag

Provincial Grand Master’s Canal Towpath Walk PGM and His Team Complete Incredible Journey Provincial Grand Master, Robin Wilson and his team of Nottinghamshire Masons, joined by their friends from across the county, completed an incredible journey on Sunday 28th July and have so far raised £50,000 for the Nottinghamshire 2018 Festival. Starting from Freemasons Hall, Great Queen Street, London, the party walked 179 miles along the towpaths of the Grand Union Canal to the Nottinghamshire Masons’ Provincial Headquarters at Goldsmith Street Nottingham. The journey took over 60 hours of walking over 12 very hot days during the summer. For the final leg of the journey, where the Nottingham Canal is crossed by Wilford Street, the walkers wore Masonic Regalia and were escorted to Goldsmith Street by “The Widows Sons” Masonic Bikers Association. During the journey the group were delighted to welcome friends, family members and masons from other provinces who joined them for a day’s walking. The group was also honoured by visits from each Provincial Grand Master for the counties which the walkers passed through. Indeed, many Provinces provided a truly masonic welcome to the team and support crews. The walk, and canoe paddle, was completed without serious incident. Blister plaster sales rocketed during the two weeks of the event and foot cream was in evidence at most stopping points. The three ladies and eight gents that completed the challenge had an average age of 64 with the

oldest walker being 79 years young! The walkers assembled from across all corners of the Province and, led by Robin Wilson, they were Roger Allton, Les Boyington, Richard Cantrill, Yvonne Davenport, Cliff Holmes, Lynn Leivers, James Pinder, Sue Skillington, Mike Sycamore and ace canoeist Anthony Wilson. Over the two weeks, the walkers were transported, fed and watered by support teams including Mrs Margaret Wilson, Peter and Helen Gregory, Peter and Karen Roberts, David Craddock, Tony Davenport and David Eades. Every walker completed the full journey, including Mike Sycamore who showed incredible dedication to complete the walk. Mike had to leave the walk with only two days remaining to fulfil existing family commitments – those final two days he completed over the August Bank Holiday weekend (in considerably different weather conditions). The walkers are delighted at the support that they have received from friends, families and Freemasons from across England. In summing up the mood Robin said “I am so pleased at what started as a light hearted challenge and which I was never expected to take seriously has captured the imagination of so many people. It will provide a major boost to our Festival Appeal and so help many benefiting recipients of our charity. Thank you all so very much” The walk was in aid of our 2018 Festival Appeal and has provided a great boost to our steadily growing total. The Festival aims to raise up to £3,000,000 to support the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys and is one of the four central masonic charities. Please remember that it is still possible to donate via your lodge Festival Steward or through the web at - www.virginmoneygiving.com/robinwilson3 Peter Roberts, Marketing Director, 2018 Festival

2018 Festival Update

Festival Director Peter Gregory Bro ………you will remember that peculiar moment when you were admitted into Freemasonry, poor and penniless and cheerfully embraced the opportunity of practising that virtue you have professed to admire. Brethren, since the launch of our current Festival, we have heard all manner of views and opinions expressed. At the beginning we have seen those Brethren who still hold fresh the words of the North East Corner and readily and immediately gave according to their ability. As the festival has progressed, we have met those Brethren who had some reservations and quite rightly asked pertinent questions to gain a full and correct understanding of both the Festival system and the RMTGB and who then gave readily and willingly according to their ability.

could even be achieved by placing a 20 pence coin, each day, into a collection box. We have the boxes - please ask for one. and… it is not at all necessary to pay this over just five years. Take as long as you want! We already have a large number of standing orders set up which will expire in 8 or 9 years. You can start a gift aid at any time during our Festival and the whole pledged amount plus interest will be credited to you and your Lodge irrespective of the end date.

Have you anything to give in the cause of Charity? No Were you deprived of everything valuable previously to entering the Lodge? Yes Had you not been so deprived would you give freely?

We are now left with a group of people, some of which we know simply cannot afford to give. We genuinely understand this so the rest of this article does not address that group. For the remainder, it is clear from our recent Festival Stewards seminar that those who are yet to give cite many reasons, making their task very difficult indeed. Reasons given are:“I can’t afford it.” To achieve a Festival Steward honorific by paying monthly payments over 5 years would only cost 1/3 of the national weekly average of a child’s pocket money. This is less than £2 per week and

“I do not want to set up a Direct Debit.” No problem - use the Gift Aid envelopes (if you are a tax payer). Your Festival Steward can process cash payments quite easily. If you are not a tax payer you could still make a regular or even annual cash donation to your Festival Steward. “I prefer to support one of the other Central Masonic Charities.” At the same time that we are in Festival for the RMTGB so there are three other Provinces in Festival supporting those other Masonic Charities. “We send money to London and get nothing back.” Every year, whether in Festival or not, Nottinghamshire has continually received substantial support from all four central Masonic Charities in support of our qualifying beneficiaries. From the 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2013 Nottinghamshire has received from the RMTGB, Grand Charity, RMBI and the Masonic Samaritan Fund a total of £167,253 supporting 47 beneficiaries. The amount spent on each beneficiary in Nottin-

7 hamshire is the fourth highest in the country! These people have received funds as a result of Brethren supporting their Festival in their turn. It is now our turn to offer our support. “I prefer to support local charities.” This is a very noble and valid argument but I would ask you to consider that when in Festival to give a larger percentage of your charitable donations to the focussed charity, and when not in Festival, redress the balance, and support local causes wholeheartedly. Are you aware that Grand Charity has and will support all of Nottinghamshire Hospices and Air Ambulances and gives immediate aid for crises both at home, such as the flooding of the Somerset levels, and internationally, such as the last Philippine disaster?

Stewards are still somewhat reluctant to approach Brethren (particularly those of you in dark blue). So please make their job easier and approach your Steward yourself, and cheerfully embrace the opportunity you now have, to relieve the distress of our Brethren’s children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews or wards. Remember not to overlook the newly initiated, allow them to contribute at a level that is comfortable to them, they should feel included in all our activities. For those yet to see the Howard Mace video, a Nottinghamshire Mason, please do so now by clicking on this link: http://www.notts2018festival.co.uk/howards-story

Together we can achieve our target of £3m. We have well over 50% of our goal with the current level of support.

Through their Stepping Stones subsidiary the RMTGB supports many other charities who strive to remove barriers to education caused by poverty. Specifically, Skillforce in Nottinghamshire last year received a staggering £30,000 supporting our local children. At our now established Provincial Charity day in November the Festival receives only 10% of the total giving with the balance going to local causes.

“The RMTGB is a posh school for posh kids.” The old boy’s school at Bushey was sold in the 1970’s and no longer exists. The girl’s school at Rickmansworth, though still known as the Royal Masonic School for Girls, only uses Masonic in its title by way of an endowment. It is a full fee paying private school. There are some beneficiaries of the trust funded by the RMTGB 15 pupils out of 900, this is less than 2% of the total number of pupils. These are just a few of the misconceptions perpetuated by some Brethren in this Province. I hope that this article has corrected this, if not and you have any further concerns or wish to discuss the RMTGB or the Festival system please email me at p.greg@live.co.uk For all the training we offer, some of the Festival

Case Study For obvious reasons I will not use names. A Brother and his wife at home one evening began to have a domestic row. Tragically this escalated to the inexplicable and unfathomable nightmare of the Brother battering his wife to death and then putting a shotgun to himself.

The bodies were discovered by their 5 year old daughter. We cannot possibly imagine the sight that befell that poor girl and the effect this may have, nor can we put right the wrong. What we can do is wrap our Masonic arms around her and ensure whatever her requirements through education are she can achieve her full potential and become a useful and valued member of society. We thank those most sincerely who have already supported the Festival and look forward to receiving support soon from those Brethren, who are able to and have yet to contribute. Your donation could be the one that gets us there! Peter Gregory 2018 Festival Director

T H E H O LY R O YA L A R C H Royal Arch Companions in Nottinghamshire individually or as a collective from our Chapters. support for the 2018 Festival.

he Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, Excellent Companion Richard Gutteridge, is absolutely delighted at the enthusiastic way the Royal Arch Chapters and Companions are showing their support for the 2018 Festival. At 31st October 2014 the magnificent total of £21,431 had already been donated or pledged – with 32 of the 37 Chapters in the Province playing their part – Castle, Ashfield, Spalding, Dukeries & Ravenshead Chapters leading the way. This is a marvellous effort by the 1040 Royal Arch Companions in Nottinghamshire, donating, so far an average of £20.60 each. But, to coin a phrase, “We don’t want to give you that ….” There is much more that we, as members of the Royal Arch in Nottinghamshire, can do, either

New Guide for Chapter DCs .........Essential reading for all Companions All companions are encouraged to read the new Guide for Chapter DCs, available by

clicking here. It contains sections on general points, signs, the exaltation and installation ceremonies, the layout of the Chapter and the festive board. Provincial Grand Chapter has no wish or authority to request private Chapters to alter their own particular working, especially if there are a number of traditions that members wish to continue, but the guide may help to address mistakes that have been perpetuated over the years and are now called a tradition! E. Comp. Julian Townsend 3rd. Provincial Grand Principal

Do you have monies sitting in your Chapter Charity Accounts gathering dust? Now would be an appropriate time to blow away the cobwebs and make a donation. Do you use the Gift Aid Envelopes? This is an easy and painless method of getting “More for your Money” as London will process the Gift Aid Donations, claim back Tax and credit your Chapter with the Total. Gift Aid envelopes are available from the Provincial Office and the Grand Superintendent strongly encourages their use, especially at your Installation Meetings. A further method of supporting the Festival is for you to make a Regular Donation, usually on a monthly basis for a period of years, the total plus Tax Credited is then applied, in your name and in favour of your Chapter, to the Festival Total. A Donation of £4 per month over the next 4 years would mean £240 (incl. GiftAid) to the Festival. A Donation Form can be downloaded by CLICKING HERE If you require any further information, please contact, your Chapter Charity Steward, or E. Comp. Ken Lawmon the Provincial Grand Charity Steward - kenneth.lawmon@ntlworld.com E Comp Steve Bradford, PPrGReg Provincial Chapter Information Officer

Notts First Principals Chapter Are you an Installed First Principal?

If so why not come and join the Chapter. We meet twice a year May and July. I would be pleased to process your application. Further details please email me. Many thanks Scribe E Comp David Scully scribee@ottinghamshiremasons.co.uk

T H E H O LY R O YA L A R C H New Appointment - Information Officer

he Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, Excellent Companion Richard Gutteridge, is pleased to announce the Appointment of Excellent Companion Steve Bradford as Information Officer for the Provincial Chapter of Nottinghamshire. E. Companion Steve was initiated into Freemasonry in 1986 and Exalted into the Harlequin Chapter, No. 8004, in 1989 and, except for a brief break to serve as Z, has been Scribe E since 1995. He is an active Mason in The Mark, Royal Ark Mariners, Rose Croix, Red Cross of Constantine and the Royal and Select Masters, holding office in Lodges and Orders both in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. The role of Provincial Information Officer has been introduced to manage and develop the procurement, supply and distribution of information for Royal Arch Masons in Nottinghamshire, so as to support the Provincial Principals and Chapters in the recruitment, retention and retrieval of members. If anyone has articles of interest or back ground information, E. Companion Steve can be contacted by email at steve.bradford51@ntlworld.com

Woodthorpe Chapter – the Light Continues to Shine

ince becoming a Daylight Chapter, the Woodthorpe Chapter has gone from strength to strength.

There is now an active membership of 29, meeting at Goldsmith Street at 10:30am on the changed days of the First Fridays in October and April [Installation] and the Second Friday in January. These meeting times obviously appeal to those with flexible working patterns or those having family commitments in an evening and to those who don’t wish to venture out at night, especially in the dark winter months. If you’ve not yet been Exalted into the Order of the Holy Royal Arch, a step that is strongly encouraged for all Craft Masons or if you feel that a Daylight Chapter will meet your personal circumstances, please contact E. Comp. Derek Easty - dgeasty@btinternet.com the Chapter Scribe E or E. Comp. David Scully, the Provincial Scribe E - scribee@nottinghamshiremasons.co.uk

E. Comp. Steve Bradford, PPrGReg Provincial Chapter Information Officer

1940 Festive Board

inston Spencer-Churchill became Prime Minister, for the first time, on 10th of May 1940, and in recognition and in celebration of that Harlequin & Thoresby Lodges held a joint festive Board on the 8th of October, 2014.

The primary organisers were Bro’s Steve Eustace, Graham Buxton and me from Harlequin Lodge, and Bro Gavin Patton SW of Thoresby. The room was decorated with bunting & beer –spitfire naturally- as well as flags and period memorabilia and artefacts courtesy of Trident Lodge. The night was enjoyed by several non-Masonic guests as well as around a dozen Masonic visitors with over 50 sitting down to a selected menu. There was a successful raffle as well as a free prize draw, based on the ID cards issued to each diner, plus a demonstration by the Living History lads who provided a plethora of U.S. equipment, clothing, material and history from the United States involvement in World War II. In between course there were WW II songs and extracts from three of WSC’s speeches, namely; Blood, Toil, Tears & Sweat on becoming PM; The Few; and VE Day –two days before the fifth anniversary of his appointment as PM. It was a fantastic event, in my view, and I understand that a number of the Harlequin members are planning at least one Themed Festive Board for the 2015 Season; after all, we cannot let to 210th Anniversary of Trafalgar go unacknowledged can we? Jim Langford Harlequin Lodge

Radcliffe Lodge Scalextric Race Night

n Saturday 11th October, Radcliffe Lodge held a Scalextric Race night at Chilwell Masonic Hall for members, family and friends. The attendees also included 5 members from Bramcote Lodge. The racing was provided by The Racing Room who provided 2 circuits â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a complex 6 car track and a very fast Nascar type circuit for 4 racers at a time. 2 rounds of racing took place and a pie and chips supper was also very much enjoyed by all. Medals and cups were given for the best child and best adult racers across both circuits.

Murder Mystery Dinner

n Saturday September 20th guests of Lord Elpus settled down to a four course meal in the Belgrave Suite at Goldsmith Street. Pre-dinner conversation was dominated by the discovery of a skeleton in the kitchen garden, was it the Lord's former FiancĂŠe? Who was responsible for the dastardly deed? Barely had the first course been dispatched than another twist was revealed. 'MURDER', Soddit the Gardener [fine actor] had received a fatal blow to the chest from a gardening implement. More intrigue was to follow as the tale played out over the main course and Dessert, guests having the opportunity to interrogate the characters before finally the whole terrible truth was revealed in the final act of the evening, following Coffee and mints. The Murder Mystery Dinner proved to be a most enjoyable evening with many of those attending dressing in period costume and taking advantage of the opportunity to be photographed in various flapper, gangster and Charleston style guises. The winning table in true Miss Fisher style correctly deducing the identity of the perpetrator and the reasons for their actions thereby receiving a suitable prize and a certificate of achievement, it should also be recorded that one table deduced that the whole thing was an elaborate suicide, Inspector Clouseu would be proud of them.

Brethren, having survived the perils of Lord Elpus's hospitality this year you are cordially invited to attend an all new Murder Mystery Dinner on Saturday 19th September 2015. This will again be a 1920's themed evening with another chance to figure out the identity of the guilty party whilst trying to avoid the ignominy of being labelled inept detectives. My thanks to all who came along and contributed to make it such a success and in the due course helping to raise funds for the RMTGB. Keep 'em peeled. Mike Sycamore

THE OLD WORKSOPIAN LODGE – No 6963

ne of the more obscure Masonic offshoots is ‘The Federation of School Lodges’, representing some 190 ‘old school’ Masonic Lodges over the length and breadth of the country. The Old Worksopian Lodge has been a member for 60 years, but has had only minimal involvement during that time. Each year the FSL holds an annual Festival, hosted by one of its members. The nominated Lodge for 2014 pulling out, in 2011 we received a request to take it on! The Headmaster of that time giving us the go-ahead to use the College facilities, a small committee started planning, the aim being ‘to preserve all that was good in the past and to add modest innovation’.

Saturday 20th September 2014 was ‘The Big Day’. Some 230 people arrived at Worksop, to be greeted by our Worshipful Master, W.Bro Philip Dales and his wife Nikki, issued with a ‘welcome pack’ and provided with an excellent buffet lunch in the Great Hall. After the formal AGM of the Federation, 140 brethren attended a meeting of the Old Worksopian Lodge in a temporary Temple created in the Churchill Hall. Honoured by the presence of the Provincial Grand Master for Nottinghamshire RW Bro Robin Wilson and RW Bro Colin Harris, President of the Federation, restricted Lodge business was complemented with a lecture from W.Bro John Taylor outlining the fascinating story of ‘The Nine Dukes of Portland’.

The 55 Ladies we were delighted to welcome enjoyed a specially arranged alternative programme, with Judy Williams as Bess of Hardwick and the delightful Ashfield Youth Ensemble singing a variety of traditional and modern songs under the baton of their Musical Director, Mrs Elaine Guy. A short service of Evensong in the Chapel was conducted by W.Bro John Burgess, Provincial Chaplain, accompanied on the organ by W.Bro Paul Bowen, the Grand Organist. A convivial hour in the Cloisters followed, allowing old acquaintances to be renewed & new ones made and the day concluded with 220 brethren, ladies and guests enjoying a magnificent Festival Banquet in the Great Hall. The neces-

sary speeches and responses were mercifully short, with ‘Happy have we met’ rounding off a memorable Festival. Huge credit for organising the event goes to W.Bro Michael Neville and his wife Yvonne. The excellent table plan was drawn up by the Lodge Secretary W.Bro Malcolm Beecroft, other Lodge members willingly took on minor roles and full co-operation was received from the Headmaster, Gavin Horgan and College executives. In all a highly successful day … and a promise from the Lodge to repeat the exercise if ever necessary, but not before 2064! W.Bro. John Taylor PPrSGW C of M

Nottinghamshire Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons Honours’ Sunday Lunch.

he second Honours Sunday Lunch was held on 12th October, 2014 and following the enormous success of the previous year returned to the Chilwell Masonic Hall. This year, following the First Appointments and Promotions made at the Annual Meeting of Provincial Grand Mark Lodge in March, this now popular event attracted 96 Ladies and Brethren where we were warmly received by Mel and her assistant in the Reception Bar. After a very lively and cordial meeting with all our many ‘Mark’ friends, the R. W. Prov. Grand Master and his Lady led us into the resplendent Dining Room where we were seated at round tables. W. Bro Pat Westwood called on the Prov.G.S.W., W. Bro Julian Townsend, to say Grace. The Catering Officer, Dave Bramley, his daughter Donna, family and Staff did a marvellous job in preparing and serving a first-class meal. We had a choice of Pork Liver Pate, Onion Chutney with Salad Garnish, Smoked Salmon Terrine, Melon Cocktail with Raspberry Coulée’s. Main course of Roast Beef or Turkey freshly carved from the joint and served with a fine selection of freshly prepared vegetables. The sweets were selected from a choice of three cold sweets served with cream, home-made Apple Crumble or home-made Treacle Sponge with Vanilla Custard followed by Coffee or Tea. This must be one of the best Sunday Lunches in the Province for flavour, presentation and value and for a relaxed atmosphere in comfortable surroundings. Mrs Kate Ball conducted the draw for Raffle Prizes in her own now well estab-

lished brisk fashion. We offer our grateful thanks to all concerned in making this a very special day both for the Brethren who received Honours and all those Senior Mark Master Masons who continue to support these very special events in the Mark Calendar. Geoff Tindall Dep. PGM (Mark) Photos by W. Bro. Terry Marshall Prov.G.J.W.

Mansfield Manor Mark Lodge 1914 - 2014 Centenary

hat an exciting and memorable four weeks in the long history of Mansfield Manor Mark Lodge it has been between September 29th and October 29th. There was clearly a requirement to celebrate the Consecration of the Lodge which took place on 29th September 1914 and to mark the occasion a `White Table` dinner and evening entertained almost 100 members and guests. Amongst the selected guests were The Provincial Grand Master, Rt. Wor. Bro . Peter Ball and his lady Kate, The Provincial Grand Master Craft, Rt.Wor.Bro. Robin Wilson and his Lady Margaret and V.Wor. Bro Richard Davis and his Lady Helen The Worshipful Master Martin Ingram welcomed all present to this once in a lifetime event following which W. Bro. Gordon Beastall was called upon to give summary of the history of the lodge. He gave detail of the origin of the `Manor ` from which the Lodge name originated. This, from the time of Edward the Confessor ,circa 1042. when this Monarch paid in gold for arable land which became the `Manor of Mansfield` During the talk there was named, prominent members of the lodge dating from the Consecration to the present day. It was indicated that the lodge had indeed had periods of decline. During the 1980`s numbers diminished and at one meeting only 18 members and guests were present. However there was indeed a remarkable turnaround, resulting in a membership of 54 at the turn of the decade. This being the largest number of members within the lodges in the Mark Province of Nottinghamshire at that time. Following more revelations the talk concluded by saying that Mansfield Manor Mark lodge continues to be a happy lodge and promotes happiness within its circle and beyond. During the serving of a superb four course meal the gathering was entertained with a musical programme of singing from 12 young ladies repre-

senting` The Singers` who are part of a well known Mansfield choral group. The whole evening was acknowledged to have been a huge and heart warming success. On Wednesday the 29th October the 100th Installation meeting of the Lodge was held at the Masonic Hall, Mansfield. There present to mark this iconic meeting was the Assistant Grand Master of the Grand Mark Lodge of England and Wales and its Districts and Lodges Overseas Rt. Wor. Bro. Raymond John Smith . The Provincial Grand Master Rt .Wor. Bro Peter Maxwell Ball and the team of Provincial Grand Lodge Officers. Following the opening of the lodge the Provincial Grand Master occupied the chair, announced the sad death of and gave tribute to the life and Masonic work of the late Rt .W. Bro. Michael John Gutteridge, Past Provincial Grand Master of Nottinghamshire. Then followed the Installation of W.Bro Rev: John Pulman. The W. Master and the Installing Master W. Bro. Martin Ingram were congratulated on a most sincere ceremony by the Provincial Grand Master. The Assistant Grand Master Rt W. Bro Smith then assumed the chair and congratulated the Lodge on the wonderful history and being in existence for 100 years. He called upon the Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies W. Bro. Ryan Williams to read the original Warrant of the Lodge and the new Centenary Warrant. A splendid Festive Board concluded the evening with Rt W Bro Smith suggesting that the lodge must now look to the future and wished it every good fortune and success. G G Beastall

Woodthorpe Lodge 2nd Pub Games Olympics

aturday 13th September2014 saw the second Pub Games Olympics organised by Woodthorpe Lodge in aid of the 2018 festival appeal and held at The Sherwood Ranger pub in Ravenshead. The event commenced at 3.00pm with brethren and their partners, friends and families arriving from that time onwards to take on the challenge of becoming the Pub Olympic Champions in various games. The games included slightly modified versions of Shove Ha’penny, Pool, Darts, Long Alley Skittles, Cribbage and Dominoes. The menfolk had a challenge to recover their pride from the previous year when the ladies took most of the gold medals and despite serious effort on their behalf it was once again the ladies who took first place in several of the games. The men were successful in the darts and the pool knockout so perhaps that suggest a misspent youth. The attendance was slightly down on last year with

Donation to Headway

hoto of cheques totalling £1,600 being presented to Michael Tansley-Thomas of Headway (centre) by Dep PGM. Notts. Mark Masons Geoff Tindall (right) and Alan Kemp from GCRN (left). The donation was a combination of part of the profit from the ‘Mark Charity Fun Day’ held at GCRN and contributions from Mark Masons. Graham Riche

holidays intervening but nevertheless the forty odd people who came along had a most enjoyable afternoon and evening and enjoyed the hospitality of the landlord who keeps a splendid selection of ales and does a mean pub buffet. The financial outcome was a sum of almost £500 for the festival which the Lodge has agreed to match fund so that a figure of £1000 will be contributed to the festival appeal on top of brethrens’ own individual giving. The success of the first games led to the second and the success of this event looks set to lead to a further repeat next year. Watch this space. Dick Huskinson Worshipful Master

Temple Charity Ride

n Sunday 27th July four intrepid Cyclists led by the Clifton Lodges very own Master Elect Bro Eric Lovatt gathered at Goldsmith Street to attempt to circumnavigate five of the Nottinghamshire temples, Starting at Provincial HQ then visiting West Bridgford, Chilwell, Mansfield and finally Newark before returning to Nottingham. The riders joining Eric were Russ O’Keeffe, Keir Jones [bravely sporting non-regulation cycle shorts] and David Powney. These were ably supported by W Bro Mike Upton who managed not to dislodge any of the Cyclist’s in the support van. This endeavour whilst supporting the 2018 festival was a joint venture with Portland College and O’Keene builders who are raising money for the college’s new Leisure Centre. The Planned departure time of 09:30 had to be brought forward as a result of the forecast high temperatures later in the day by half an hour. Good time was made on the journey to West Bridgford and Chilwell after which a stop off was made at Portland College for some well earned breakfast [courtesy of the college] and a photo shoot. After breakfast the team continued on to Mansfield and Newark before returning to Goldsmith Street via the Magna Carta public house in Lowdham. I’m pleased to say there were no injuries and the bikes survived to tell the tale. On the financial side a total approaching £2,000 was raised and this continues to accrue. The winner of the guess the mileage competition was Alison Whitmore of The Brambles Tea Rooms in Farnsfield who was pleased to recieve her prize which was provided by W Bro MT Baines of Clifton Lodge. Bro Lovatt can also be seen in the pictures presenting a cheque for £1,346.43 to Portland College

with David Powney their Catering manager and rider in the tour. Receiving the cheque is Andrea Hudson of the Fundraising Department for the College at the launch event for the new leisure centre fund. Anyone still wishing to donate should follow the link at the end of this article. Finally Eric would like to thank W Bro Mike Baines for providing the prize, Marcus Walters for helping out in the van and Russ O’Keefe for supplying it. Brethren, having survived the treacherous roads of the province I would be delighted if you could reward this bravery by digging deep and if you have not already done so by using the following link. www.justgiving.com/cliftonCT Please do give generously if you are able. Mike Sycamore

999 TO GO.......

JOHN F MORTIMER – D767 NAMING AND DEDICATION CEREMONY

ery early in the morning of Saturday, 27 September a coach carrying Freemasons and their wives set off from Nottingham on the journey to Workington, where they were met by the Provincial Grand Master and his wife, and other members of the Province who were there to witness the naming and dedication of the inshore lifeboat financed by the generous legacy of the late John F Mortimer when he died in 2010. In all, there were close on 35 from Nottinghamshire, and they formed part of a total of almost 200 people, including another 30 Freemasons and their families from Cumberland and Westmoreland (including their own PGM), who joined in the service led by our Provincial Grand Chaplain, W Bro Rev John

Burgess, and then saw the lifeboat named by Mrs Margaret Wilson, wife of the PGM. At the request of the PGM, all the brethren from both Provinces wore their masonic regalia – despite early fears that rain would dampen the proceedings; but the dark clouds soon disappeared to produce a warm, sunny, afternoon. A brass band accompanied the congregation in “Eternal Father, strong to save”, prayers for the safety of the boat and its crew and passengers were offered, before the PGM handed the lifeboat over to the RNLI, who then delivered it into the care of the local crew.

19 Mrs Wilson was then presented with a bottle of champagne – already opened – from which she poured a small quantity over the bows of the boat (if she had attempted to smash the bottle over the bows she would either have punctured the inflatable or seen it bounce back and hit her!) before handing the bottle to the coxswain so that the crew could consume the remainder of the contents!

station’s all-weather lifeboat for a trip into the harbour, where the crew of D 767 demonstrated the amazing versatility of the craft, at times bouncing airborne at great speed through the wake of the larger boat (of which Mrs Wilson took the helm for a short while) and rescuing 3 crew members who had jumped into the waPlaque reads: ter to demonstrate WORKINGTON LIFEBOAT STATION how rescues are D767 THE D CLASS LIFEBOAT ‘JOHN F MORTIMER’ carried out. After this WAS FUNDED IN MEMORY OF JOHN F MORTIMER excitement, the largA NOTTINGHAMSHIRE FREEMASON er lifeboat was lifted BY JOHN MORTIMER’S LEGACY AND out of the water by A GENEROUS GIFT FROM THE NOTTINGHAMSHIRE FREEMASONS the unique hoist 2014 system found only at Workington, by which the boat is lifted from the water slung from two straps suspended from a crane on the quay. For those who attended, this was a most memorable occasion, not only because it was a day long to be remembered, but also because it brought back fond memories of a very kind and generous brother, whose legacy will save lives and demonstrate masonic principles of charity in its fullest splendour. Robin K. Wilson

Mrs Wilson next unveiled a brass plaque which will be displayed in the boathouse acknowledging the generosity of JFM in donating the legacy to fund the lifeboat, and which is surmounted by the Square and Compasses and records that JFM was a Nottinghamshire Freemason. For her next duty, Mrs Wilson was joined by the station’s newest recruit, and together they cut a beautiful cake iced with a handsome picture of the lifeboat in action, using a ceremonial sword for the occasion. After the ceremony, the PGM and his wife, accompanied by 6 of our brethren, boarded the

20 Carnarvon Lodge annual Sunday Church Service at Newstead Abbey

n Sunday the 13th July 2014 a party of Masons and family joined Carnarvon Lodge in their annual Sunday Church Service at Newstead Abbey. The Sun was shining and the Service organised by W.Bro.Martin White was taken by W.Bro.Brian Gaunt and the Organist was Bro.Malcolm Wain also from Carnarvon Lodge. Many Masonic songs were sung

all very familiar to the congregation, The readings were taken by W.Bro.Carl Burgess-Bowler Master of Carnarvon Lodge 1909, and by W.Bro.Martin G White the Carnarvon Lodge Secretary. The picture shows the group just before departing the Abbey grounds for a Sunday Lunch at the Lakeside Restaurant. Entry to the Grounds was free for those going to the Service and this saving was put into the collection box to help with the cost of keeping this very Masonic Chapel open. Martin White Secretary

21 The Old Meeting House Restoration Fund

Age Concern and Kindred Spirits. It was proposed that when completed the room would be renamed The Harrop White Room. This proposal struck a cord with Lodge members for the following reasons:1. On the 20th July 2012 Forest Lodge received a legacy from the estate of RW Bros Stewart Hill PGM in the sum Stewart's son W Bros Robert Hill - Stewart's Companion of £1000.00 with Suzy Weston - Chairman of the Old Meeting House - Mrs instructions that Ann Binch - Project Co-ordinator Mrs Pauline Smith £500.00 be donated Charity Steward of Forest Lodge W Bros Paul Hutchinson to a local charity and The Old Meeting House Minister The Rev. P Timperley. £500.00 for equipment as required by the Lodge. 2. John Harrop White was initiated into Forest Lodge at its first meeting, held on the 23rd February 1880, he died in January 1951 at the age of 95. He was a very active member of the Lodge - Town Councillor - County Councillor - Mansfield Town Clerk - Mayor and Honorary Alderman, plus many positions on Local Boards and Committees. He was also General President of the Unitarian and Free Churches 1931 -32 and a much loved and respected member of the Mansfield Old Meeting House Unitarian Chapel. 3. Stewart had a life long interest in History and See the designs on our especially local history which included the Old New Website at... Meeting House, which is a wonderful building and www.peterjamesprinting.co.uk will surprise those who take the time to visit. We felt that this would be the ideal means of fulfilling Stewart's Wishes. It is hoped that a plaque, bearing “Still the Best for Quality, Price and a Fast, Efficient Service” Stewart's name and that of other contributors, will MENU ew Designs N CARDS be placed within the Harrop White room. Personalised Place Cards, Chocolates, Fridge Magnets and more! 4. The photograph taken outside the Chapel on HISTORY BOOKLETS - BY-LAWS - INSTALLATIONS Saturday September 6th 2014 shows our cheque ALL YOUR GENERAL PRINTING REQUIREMENTS. being handed over. Ltd. Bob Jamieson Tel: 01932 244665

n the 21st February 2014 a letter was sent to the secretary of Forest Lodge 1852 from Mrs Pauline Smith, on behalf of the Old Meeting House Restoration Fund, to inquire if the Lodge would be willing to make a donation towards the cost of the improvements to the Old School Room at The Mansfield Old Meeting House Unitarian Chapel. The room is used by the chapel and other groups including

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T H E R E D C R O S S O F C O N S TA N T I N E Newark Castle Conclave No. 359

he Newark Castle Conclave was very proud to have Installed a new Knight at the recent June meeting in the person of E.Comp Jack Oliver PPrGSN and CofM aged 90 years. This was a truly wonderful occasion enjoyed by all, not least our new Worthy Knight Jack. D.I.G. V.Ill. Kt. Terry Ward

Left to right : MPS P. Kt. N.J. Parry, Seconder P.Kt. D.J. Crossley, Jack Oliver, Proposer Ill. Kt. A.E. Coppin, I.G.R. Ill. Kt. J.S.B. Mather, D.I.G. V.Ill. Kt. T.D. Ward

Trent Conclave No. 267 At the last meeting of the Trent Conclave, in June, Companion Ray Chippington was Installed as a Worthy Knight by the Most Puissant Knight Ralph Hitchen assisted by Officers of the Conclave and in the presence of other enthusiastic visitors who were delighted to welcome W.Kt. Ray who despite his incapacity was able to enjoy the Ceremony. So much so that he has already made several visits to other Conclaves, even travelling so far as Retford, so much he is enjoying his membership of this special Order in Freemasonry. He is an example and encouragement to us all. D.I.G. V.Ill. Kt. Terry Ward

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR Knights Templar Annual Muster

ur Nottinghamshire Provincial annual muster was held at Goldsmith Street on Friday 10th October. The Provincial Prior, Right Eminent Knight Andrew Rainbow welcomed 36 Distinguished Guests from all parts of the country as well as over 85 members of the eight Nottinghamshire preceptories. Our meeting was a bright spectacle as usual, and was conducted in a harmonious manner.

Eminent Knight Michael Page, Inspector General Rose Croix, was appointed Acting Chancellor for the year, the highest acting office and equivalent to Acting senior warden in the craft. Many congratulations to him. The festive board was a noisy & jovial affair and was completed before 8 p.m. to allow our visitors ample time to return home. Tony Everington Provincial Sub Prior

23 The Three Peaks Challenge is a well-

known phrase amongst the more adventurous and involves walking the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales within 24 hours including driving the 462 miles between them. The challenge doesn't end until you are down from the last mountain! But as we are not all professional climbers but rather tired and unwilling walkers we are tackling this challenge over 3 years. Snowdon was completed on Sat 28 Sep 2013, next up was Scafel Pike which was attempted on Sat 16th Aug 2014 Whilst not as high as Snowdon, its actual vertical climb is not much shorter than the Llanberis Path ascent of last September. We decided to tackle the longer, less arduous route from Wasdale Head, at around 4.5 miles long each way however, the final ascent to the summit is quite rocky and could be tricky if it rained (which, it often does in Cumbria!). On the Snowdon climb we were pretty spoilt for amenities, unfortunately Scafell is in a remote area with few hotels or B+Bs. Scafell Pike, although the smallest mountain of our challenge, is considered by some to be the toughest. The final ascent on a wet day wouldn't be anyone's idea of fun! As we started the ascent from Wasdale Head the weather was good, but steadily deteriorated as we got closer to the summit, besides the fact it's a pretty tough climb anyway, there's no real path in many places along with rock scrambles and streams to ford. The summit is just one great big boulder field, and with driving rain and sleet, very open and exposed to

the wind. Consequently we didn't stop long having reached the top in around 3 hours. Setting off back down in very poor visibility the group became separated, the conditions and vague path making it an easy mistake to make. Unfortunately this wrong turn led four walkers down the wrong side of the mountain into Eskdale valley. Not wanting to retrace the route back to the summit they continued to the valley floor and picked up a couple of lost souls on the way. This group illustrate why it is essential to take the correct gear including a map and compass as they were able to navigate safely to the Woolpack Inn at the head of the valley. Following light liquid refreshments and an hour in a taxi , the group were reunited at the Wasdale Head. Start time 10.10 am and back to camp-site and collapse into a soaking wet heap 10.20 pm!

Everyone deserves a big pat on the back and can be rightly proud of themselves for keeping it together. So, who's coming to Ben Nevis next August? Brethren, having survived the perils of Scafel and all it could throw at them we would be delighted if you could reward this bravery by digging deep if you have not already done so by using the following link. https://www.justgiving.com/CliftonScafel Please do give generously if you are able. Mike Sycamore

NATIVE AMERICAN RITUAL & FREEMASONRY

t this time of year many pagans will be celebrating their beliefs by invoking various deities and by employing occult symbolism drawn from the teachings of the ancients. In recent years Shamanism in its various guises has attained increasing popularity particularly for its apparent departure from traditional expressions of spirituality in the form of churches and Judeo-Christian ritual. Freemasonry, although accepting of all faiths, does tend to lean towards the Abrahamic faiths (Christianity, Judaism and Islam) in its symbolism such that pagan brethren may at some time or other find themselves having to compromise some attachment to their beliefs in their efforts to further the brotherhood of Freemasons. However, it is worth remembering that there exists among Native American tradition a wealth of symbolism that can readily be employed by the pagan brother in his pursuit of masonic enlightenment. This brief article will examine Native American symbolism and its synchronisation with our thrice blessed system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols. Native American belief systems are difficult to define conclusively because they are, for the most part, not written down but rather remembered and handed on by word of mouth only (“I further promise that I will not write those secrets, indite, carve, mark, engrave, or otherwise them delineate…on anything movable or immovable”). What we do know about some Native American traditions however points tantalisingly to a common body of knowledge from a common past (authors exploring the history of Rosslyn Chapel and its links with the Templars have asserted that representations of maize among the carvings hint at a Knights Templar colony among the native peoples of the Americas long before Columbus). The Great Architect of the Universe Although Native American belief systems refer to many deities there exists a common belief in a supreme father spirit or deity who is responsible for all created things; the Iroquois called the Great Spirit YOWAH (strikingly similar to YAHWEH). The famous Sioux tribe, or to give them their

proper name: the Lakota, still refer to this supreme being as Wakan Tanka, or Great Spirit. Blackfoot medicine men would pay tribute to Natose, “the old man who sends the winds” by arranging stones on open ground in the shape of a cross symbolising the four directions of North, South, East and West. The Dakota taught the fatherhood of the Supreme God and the brotherhood of man in all their lodges. The Moqui Indians inscribed a prayer to Omaia, the Supreme Deity, on the East wall of their “estufa” or lodge rooms with black and white stripes symbolising rain and lightning. The State of Death & Resurrection During the 1850s, as the white men’s migration tore deep into the Native American’s sacred heartlands, a Ghost Dance ritual was initiated among the tribes of the Cheyenne, the Arapaho, the Shoshoni, Paiute, Caddo and Pawnee to chase away the encroaching darkness. The ceremony was a deeply moving and bares many similarities to our 3rd Degree Ceremony. The Number Four and The Journey from West to East Native American belief is replete with references to the sacredness of circles. Native American Medicine Men believed that a circle was sacred because it was made from the FOUR directional points, FOUR directions or FOUR winds: North, South, East and West (“What is a square? An angle of 90 degrees or the fourth part of a circle”). The FOUR winds were also thought as forming the Tree of Life or Ghost Tree (for the Egyptians this was represented by the Lotus and is embraced by Masons as the Acacia). This Tree of Life was further symbolised by Native American culture in the brutal initiation ceremony of the Sun Dance of the Plains Indians by a pole from which the warrior hung himself by two cords attached to skewers pushed through the skin covering his pectoral muscles; the warrior walked clockwise around the pole leaning back periodically to generate the excruciating pain that would induce delirium and hopefully a vision of the warrior’s life purpose (a poniard doesn’t seem quite so bad now although it is noteworthy that again the chest is being tested for proof of gender among aspiring brethren). The Ojibwa tribe (in particular the Mide-wiwin

25 clan) expected every warrior seeking true enlightenment to complete his initiation into the brotherhood through the exploration of a further degree, the fourth degree. In each degree the warrior painted a different coloured band or stripe on his face to indicate his completion of each of the four degrees. Chippewa Medicine Men initiated a candidate into “Meda” (which they translate as the craft) by housing him in a lodge of FOUR poles, with FOUR stones set before the fire for FOUR days during which he would sit at FOUR feasts (Festive Boards?). Imagine getting a pair of trousers to fit if that tradition were in play today! Creek Indian initiates were required in the Busk ceremony to sit at the centre of a square of stones and gaze upon a sacred fire (“…a sacred symbol… where is it situated…in the centre of the building…”). That sacred fire would have been newly made, to symbolise atonement for one’s prior rude or imperfect state and a cleansing transformation into a new state of existence. The Moqui tribe in their peace pipe ceremonies utilised four colours to highlight both the four degrees and the four cardinal virtues of every participating brother, these were: RED - Respect for the Supreme Being (The Great Architect) BLACK - Respect for Mother Earth (Nature but also Natural Law in the form of justice which Masons honour in the person of Her Majesty the Queen) YELLOW - Respect for brethren (For all brethren and those exemplifying the higher principles of masonry as opposed to those seeking rank for its own sake) WHITE - Respect for Personal Freedom (Avoiding states of being “at variance” by avoiding all discussions that brings or that might bring disharmony to the peace of the Lodge) The Navajo used corn beans pumpkin tobacco to symbolise the four directions or four arrows (of earth, water, fire and wind) that they believed reflected the proper journey of the warrior from darkness to wisdom, thus: NORTH - teaches us that wisdom came from embarking on a path of learning; some tribes believed that the Spirit of Death dwelt in this direction, where there existed a continuous state of darkness; and

SOUTH - teaches us acceptance of the knowledge and wisdom of our elder brethren; and WEST - teaches us the need for introspective or speculative examination of our values; and EAST - the direction of far sight is where all wisdom lies and where we shall, if worthy, pass from death to life. The Dakota believed that the EAST symbolised life in recognition of which they laid their dead east and west in the track of the sun, that they might be raised again. On the eve of battle, the Cherokee Shaman or Medicine Man would invoke the protection of the Great Spirit by situating the warriors at the edge of a stream (a fall of water?) facing EAST. Rank and Office For the Iroquois, as with the freemasonry of yesteryear, advancement was not granted by age but by examination and proofs. Their ceremonies involved nine men walking the candidate for advancement around the lodge, nine times, following the sun’s passing, until they stopped in the east. In the east end of the lodge sat the three wisest men or chiefs (the Worshipful Master and the Junior and Senior Warden?). Each time the candidate was brought before the chiefs he was asked questions to which acceptable answers had to be given if the candidate was to be raised. The Holy Lodge Society of the Dakota deemed a white horse and blanket to be symbols of innocence and purity. Their ceremonies were held in secret in the hills, the path to which was guarded by a warrior on a white horse wearing a white blanket (the Tyler/ Outer Guard?). Brethren among the Dakota were known to place a hand on their hearts to symbolise the fraternity and fidelity that existed within their lodge and to salute the elected leader of the lodge as Oh-ho, Ahta, Shonta “Revered Father who makes the heart glad” (Worshipful Master). Medicine Men of the Southern Texas tribe of the Karankawai wore circular sun disks, with a circle and triangle at the centre to represent the tent of the faithful erected in the sun (King Solomon’s Temple?); whereas the Ojibway of Lake Superior wore a small cloth badge over the chest, touching the skin, adorned with Wampum and fringed with

26 eagle feathers the face of which depicted a finger pointing along a path (Jacob’s ladder?). The Assiniboine used working tools (the bow, later the gun; the skin of a Rattlesnake and a Bear’s claw) to exhort their members to the highest standards of conduct and to warn them against the penalties for their failure to exhibit those standards: “If my declarations to Wahkon (God) be false, may my bow/gun fire and kill me, may the serpent bite and poison me, and may the bears tear and devour my flesh so that I am overwhelmed with misery…” And finally….. As we have seen, and somewhat disturbingly, a culture with little obvious connection to our own has been playing out an interpretation of the ancient mysteries that we cannot only recognise but appreciate, whatever our individual impression of the Great Architect might be.

scalp. Later, a lone wolf came upon Red Hand’s mutilated corpse and howled so mournfully that all the animals of the forest came forth. Each animal gave a part of their flesh to reform Red Hand’s scalp which they placed reverently upon his head. The animals then surrounded the fallen hero (who was starting to exhibit signs of life) and they chanted for the Great Spirit to come to their aid. Red Hand, semi – conscious is interrogated by a voice as follows:

VOICE: “Have you cleansed yourself of all human guilt and impurity?” RED HAND: “ I have”. VOICE: “Are you at variance with any of your fellow creatures?” RED HAND: “I am not”. I shall end this article with an extract from a cerVOICE: “Will you trust and obey us and keep youremony performed by the Iroquois, a tribe made self ever chaste and valorous?” famous by James Fenimore Cooper’s apocryphal RED HAND: “I will”. work: VOICE: “Will you share the knowledge we have The Last of the Mohicans. given you with your worthy brethren only?” Among the Iroquois (comprising the SENECA, RED HAND: “I will”. CAYUGA, ONONDAGA, ONEIDA, or MOHAWK) there VOICE: “Will you endure all including death or toris a ceremony performed that relates the story of a ture to defend its cause?” noble martyr known as Red Hand. RED HAND: “I will”. VOICE: ”Will you swear never to reveal this secret The ceremony begins with an alarm in the form of until the hour of your death?” 4 raps at the door of the lodge (it is worth pointing RED HAND: “I will”. out that the Woodland Indians such as the Iroquois, VOICE: “Your death hour will be revealed to you; Mohican and Huron lived in settled huts known as you shall choose your own successor, and at the lodges to most historians and anthropologists). end of your journey you will be rewarded for your trust and obedience.” The candidate is admitted and has recited to him the saga of Red Hand, a noble leader from the old The animals in the circle drew closer as the Bear times in which he will assume and does assume brother touched the breast of Red Hand. the role of the titular hero. Nothing happened. The story is told as follows: The animals cried out in alarm at the failure. The Great Spirit had given the young chief Red As they stood, erect and nervous, the Bear brother Hand, a noble leader beloved by his people, secret grasped the hand of the young Chief in a secret wisdom expounding the mysteries of creation and grip and pulled Red Hand to his feet. of life everlasting. Red Hand was alive, remade anew. During a battle with a rival tribe, Red Hand was wounded by his enemy’s arrow and as he lay dying his enemy demanded that Red Hand reveal to him the secrets imparted to him by the Great Spirit. Red Hand refused and his enemy took Red Hand’s

The animals rejoiced and sang...... (Prosper the Lodge????) Bro. Fred Parkinson Forest Lodge 1852.

Two Chairs Two Brothers

eporting on a successful visit by members of Castle Lodge to the Installation of the new Worshipful Master of The Round Table Lodge of Lincolnshire [8240], which was held at the Masonic Hall in Horncastle on the 10th of September. The ceremony was really well organised and presented it was followed by a Festive Board of traditional fare of the highest quality which you would expect from that part of Lincolnshire. It represented all that was to be expected of rural food cooked and presented to the highest culinary standards. What may be described as a return fixture followed. A group of brethren from Horncasle, made a visit to the Installation of the new Worshipful Master of Castle Lodge, Bro. Kevin Hyland. A splendid evening was enjoyed by all. At the Festive Board the response to the “Toast to our visitors” was given by W. Bro, Jez Hyland, elder brother to the aforementioned Kevin. He recounted what a privilege it had been to receive the brethren from Castle Lodge at his Installation a couple of weeks before, and what a pleasure it was to be a guest at the West Bridgford Masonic Hall, which he described as a splendid place with exquisite food. W. Bro Jez told the brethren assembled that he and Kevin had been brought up as part of a large family in Arnold, two girls and four boys. Although he could not described himself as a particularly competitive man, he did take to opportunity of pointing out to the assembly, that he was older, better looking, had a sharper suit, and played to a better golf handicap that his younger brother!! I am looking forward to witnessing Kevin’s reply when next we visit the Round Table Lodge of Lincolnshire at a future date! W.Bro Ron Nuttall

28 Loubob's Legacy - set up by the family and friends of Louis Charles Kenney to raise vital funds for Brain Tumour Research.

however, when at the end of September 2013 Louis was given the all clear from cancer as the transplant was five years in and his body had accepted it. Such fantastic news! My boy was free and we could enjoy a normal life with a new baby on the way. n 2004 when Louis was just four years old he was Two weeks later we were dealt another devastatdiagnosed with leukaemia. We had noticed unex- ing blow. Louis was diagnosed with secondary plained bruising and his skin often appeared quite cancer – a brain tumour. He had been suffering yellow, but the GP had reassured us he was proba- with headaches and was now experiencing light bly slightly jaundiced. Then Louis collapsed and at sensitivity and couldn’t eat or drink. I took him home and gave him paracetamol and plenty of A&E they discovered he had leukaemia. fluids, as advised by the GP. Louis became proLouis endured several kinds of treatment, smiling gressively worse and by the third day he couldn’t all the way through. After two and a half years get out of bed. He was taken he was in remission for a to A&E and, the first thing couple of months and we On 15th November, they checked was whether thought he had beaten the he had a brain tumour. I was Bro Jonathan Ball disease. Then, in 2007, we at home, heavily pregnant were hit with the devasMM and Steward of and feeling quite ill, when I tating news that Louis had Duchess of Portland Lodge received the terrible news suffered a relapse. He went over the phone that Louis on to have a bone-marrow raised money for now had a brain tumour. transplant the following Loubob’s Legacy for Brain Louis had a biopsy and we year, suffering graft-versuswere told that he had a host disease (GVH) when Tumour Research by taking glioblastoma multiforme the body rejects part of the on the longest zip wire in grade IV. We were completetransplant. He was put on ly oblivious to what that penicillin which we were Europe at meant, but the doctors were told he would have to take very bleak about it and it ‘Zip World’ in Snowdonia. for the rest of his life. was apparent that they had In 2010, two days before written Louis off straight starting a new school, Louis away. It was absolutely was involved in an accident. heart-breaking. Louis had just turned 13 and had He was on his bike on the pavement waiting to spent most of his life in hospital – to him hospicross the road when an HGV lorry came around the corner and mounted the kerb, dragging Louis tal was a safe haven, a sanctuary. We had always under the wheel. His leg was severely crushed and been honest with him so now we told him that he by this time we really thought Louis had had more had a cancer in his head but that we were going to stop this one as we had done before. Louis than his share of bad luck. accepted it just like he had accepted everything in In 2011, along came Gavin, a new man in my life, the past. who Louis adored. We really thought life was We had no help, however, from the doctors who turning around as we wed in 2012. Louis was in charge of the wedding rings and felt so important. told us that the median survival was a year. I had to fight and kick up a fuss to get him any treatHe continued to have amazing contact with his ment at all – all they could offer was radiotherapy father Dean. Sadly my Grandad, passed away two and temozolamide. He was refused a clinical trial weeks before the wedding. Then the following of Avastin because he did not meet the criteria, March we lost another special person – my Nan. We were struggling with the reality until we found as they wanted patients newly diagnosed with cancer. I challenged everything and wanted to get out we were expecting. Louis was over the moon him on a trial for Avastin. After much discussion he was going to be a big brother. He came to the scans and midwife appointments with me. He was the hospital then decided to trial it themselves for us. so excited. I was desperate to save Louis so decided that the Our roller-coaster of emotions was to continue, only option was to pay for Louis to have a second

29 opinion privately and to work with alternative had it a while. The doctors said that this was potherapies and treatments that might give him a tentially the end. I wouldn’t let the nurses care for better prognosis and ensure a better quality of him we did everything for Louis. Louis lost faith life. in the hospitals and the only people he would He was supposed to be starting a trial at Great trust were Dean, Gavin and me. We became his Ormond Street Hospital and had to give a tupersonal carers, his support and his belief system. mour sample before it began. I made a decision We worked 24/7 to do all we could. to have the baby induced early so that Louis and Louis then had a general anaesthetic to have he could meet as soon as possible, hoping also a portacath fitted (an inverted Hickman Line) that his arrival would be Louis's focus to stay but this led to sepsis which in turn led to his strong. Also my body could no longer cope with bone marrow failing and a call put out for bone the stress. marrow stem cells. My mother went to London After the biopsy, Jesse was born and Louis was because I had discovered a Chinese treatment still in hospital. He fought with the doctors to which might help to boost his natural killer (or come home and meet his NK) cells and potentially brother. They were so surstimulate what little cells he Jonathan would be grateful of had left. The doctor was in prised by his strength and determination; he came support of us doing this. sponsorship via ...... home to meet his brother All the time, Louis continued www.justgiving.com/J-Ball and then had to go back to to fight, even though his the hospital. Two days later You can also donate via text.... body was giving up. Incredon 11th November 2013, ibly, he was laughing and Simply text LBLJ84 plus the due to a remarkable recovjoking right up until the last ery, Louis was discharged. 48 hours when he was too amount £1, £5 or £10 - to He got to hold Jesse and drugged on his medication. 70070 fall in love with his brothNot long before the end I er, even getting up in the remember lying on the bed Or cash to Jonathan or night with me for feeds. with him seeing his eyes myself when you see us Louis had been sent home open while he was convulsAll gratefully received and with steroids after the ing. I pressed the emergensurgery, but after the final cy button and they pumped faithfully applied ! dose, he started to slur him full of midazolam to his speech and then he stop him from fitting. He WBro. Peter Ball couldn't move. He suffered finally calmed down, but a stroke and Louis became within minutes he had gone. incontinent and had to rely on us to go to the toi- His Dad, his step-Dad and I were all there togethlet. The most tragic thing for Louis was he could er, holding him. no longer hold his brother properly. Louis’s funeral was amazing. We had a Harry PotWe were also still waiting for radiotherapy to ter theme and everyone dressed up – friends and commence, but the doctors kept stalling. We family alike. We had a crowd of well over 350 peotook Louis back to Nottingham for an appointple and Louis arrived on Hagrid's motorbike. We ment with his consultant, but the consultant did celebrated the life of someone who was totally not show up. We ended up with another doctor unique. Louis had kept us strong, rather than us who told us we needed to start chemo straight keeping him strong. away and said she would push to get a start date Jesse now keeps me focused and grounded. He as soon as possible for radiotherapy. looks a lot like his brother and is such a blessing. It was so difficult and we were so tired having It’s like he’s meant to be here. I can’t wait to tell to carry and lift Louis who by now was suffering him about his amazing big brother. And for us with chest pain and having to take medication the fight still continues as we try to raise as much for fits too. funds for research as possible and help other On Christmas Day, Louis was screaming in pain families get the help and knowledge they dewith his chest in Leicester Royal Infirmary, he had serve. lots of scans, but we were told nothing, apart from that he had pneumonia. I suspect he had

KNOWLEDGE BITE ‘Honesty, the best policy?’

woman went to the local supermarket to buy food for a dinner party. She stopped at the meat counter and asked the butcher for a large chicken. He went to the cold store at the back and took out the last chicken he had, returned, and placed it on the scale. ‘This one weighs four pounds madam,’ he said. Pausing for a moment the woman said, ‘Well I am not sure that will be big enough, so do you have any that are bigger?’ The butcher took the chicken off the scale, turned around, and placed it back in the cold store. He then pretended to search for another one and then brought out the same bird and placed it on the scale discreetly applying some finger pressure. ‘Ah,’ he said with a smile, ‘This one weighs six pounds.’ ‘Well I’m not too sure,’ said the woman with a frown, ‘I’ll tell you what, wrap them up for me, I’ll take them both.’ Honesty is the hinge on which our relationships with others hangs. It is not merely honesty in action but honesty in intention. It is about being fair and truthful with others. The foundation for a successful life is built on being honest and trustworthy in our personal relationships and in our working life. It requires and demands much less effort to go through life each day as someone who is truthful than one who is deceitful. We can go far in life with personal integrity and nowhere without it. In our masonic ritual we have heard the words, ‘To your neighbour by acting with him on the square…….. and by doing to him as in similar cases you would wish he would do unto you’. As masons we strive to become better people; being honest and acting on the square marks us out as men to be respected and trusted.

Do you have a ‘Knowledge Bite’ you wish to share? If so please send it to the Provincial Orator graham.riche@concourse.uk.com No more than 500 words please.

31 Austria 2014

ith a party of 40 intrepid travellers we travelled to Sol in the Austrian Tyrrol. My daughter on seeing the view behind her said this must be what Heaven is like. Stunning views, excellent food and accommodation made it. Huffstein and the Castle Organ played to the whole town, spectacular weather and excellent Company again made the day. Sol by night was as great as by day, bars food and of course the company made it most enjoyable. And finally the mountains, travelling to the highest peaks by coach and by Gondola, eating & drinking at the top of the Mountains was fantastic. We also managed to see the Swarovski Crystal Museum and Innsbruck, both well worth a visit. We will definitely go back and 14 have in fact now booked to fly there next year in August. Martin White, 1909

33 Mansfield Lodge 7094 - supporting Air Ambulance

resentation of a cheque for ÂŁ1000 to the pilot and crew of Notts / Links Air Ambulance at their base at R A F Waddington Lincs last May. The Lodge was issued with a very nice certificate as confirmation of the funds received. Left to right: The Pilot, Cameron Jamieson who was Master Elect at the time, myself who was Past Master (the cheque was donated by me as it had been my preferred choice of charity whilst I was Master) and two of the members of the ambulance crew who gave us a very informative tour and showed us around the helicopter. Phil Handley

Remembrance Service

his photo was taken at Mansfield Woodhouse and shows me along with my Son (and future Lewis) Adam, by kind permission of W.Bro Roger Garrett - who was the official representative of Nottinghamshire Province - we laid the wreath at the Memorial Garden. It was a very proud moment for me, my wife Jo and for Adam. Alan Scott Asst. Sec. - Clumber Lodge # 8199

Special Fair 4 Special Children

hildren love the fun and excitement that a Fairground brings, however, not all of them get the chance to experience that fun and excitement.

Just the looks on the little kid’s faces makes it all worthwhile.” The rides are set up to run at much slower speeds than normal and some of the dancing lights are toned down. The children also get to enjoy the usual hot dogs, beef burgers, candy floss and ice cream.

For physically challenged and special needs children the amount of enjoyment they receive The two Nottinghamshire Lodges involved, Edfrom a day at the fair is just the same as for other walton and St Giles, fund-raise throughout the children but the opportunities to experience that year to cover the cost of running the event and enjoyment are very limited. However, thanks to then give generously of their time on the day to the generosity of Freemasons in Nottingham and make sure it is a safe and enjoyable event for all. Showmen who are members of the Showman’s The Masonic Charity ‘Teddies for Loving Care [TLC] Lodge in Loughborough about 250 such children Nottinghamshire’ were able to enjoy also supports the all the fun of the day by ensuring that fair, at least for half each special needs a day, on Wedneschild leaves clutchday 20th August ing their very own 2014, at Bramcote teddy. Parents and Hills Park. Michael children alike all said McKean who how much they had runs McKean’s enjoyed the day and Fairground and were already lookis also a member ing forward to next of the Showman’s year. Lodge said: “For several years now By Frank Noonan we have been very pleased to offer Three willing helpers ready to give out teddies as the our time and use special needs children depart. of the fairground.

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Macmillan / Palliative Care

presentation made on the 19th September of £2000.00 to the local Macmillan / Palliative Care nurses at the Sir John Eastwood Hospice Mansfield. The money was raised at the Committee`s annual Swimathon held at the Mansfield Watermeadows swimming baths earlier this year.

Left to right: W.Bro M A Bull (Committee Chairman). Melanie Revill (Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist) Denise Cooper (Clinical Team Leader), and W.Bro. Ken Purslow (The main Swimathon Organiser).

Carl Smith and his team at Nottingham & District Gun Club held a fund-raising night for : CoppaFeel Breast Cancer Awareness Charity

he night was a huge success with money raised from cake sales, tombola and a charity photo booth. £430 was raised on the night. Carl was the first to volunteer for the photo booth and looked fantastic in his outfit. The ground has also been raising money for the Help for Heroes charity and from events over the last couple of years a fantastic £3800 has been raised.

CENSORED ;)

OUTDOOR CHARITY SWIMMING

hat do you do if you find you have a few months between jobs? W. Bro Philip Walter of Nottingham University Lodge found himself in this position and decided to turn it to both his and others benefit. After 17 years with his previous company his waist line had suffered so in an attempt to get fit he turned to the sport he had always enjoyed, but had let slip for many years, swimming. Day one in the pool was a shock in every sense, after a few lengths it was evident that he was no longer the swimmer of his former years! So in order to give himself a goal he entered a 10 kilometre (6.25mile) open water swim in the River Dart. To put this in perspective the “rule of thumb” is to multiply a swimming distance by 4 to give its running equivalent – so 40Km running ,in other words a marathon! Having secured one of the 800 places in the swim he naturally thought of using it to raise money for charity. Having used his year in the Chair to raise money for Children’s Brain Tumour Research at Nottingham University it was an easy choice.

So, after many months of pool swimming and a few swims in Colwick lake and the River Trent, 10.00 AM on the morning of Sunday 14th September found Phil on the bank of the River Dart at Totnes with 700 others looking at a very uninspiring dirty brown brackish river. The first 4km were fine, the river was relatively narrow and conditions were flat, after a swift drink

and a few jelly babies at a mid-river feeding station it was on again for the next 3km. The river started to widen and the breeze was picking up. Another quick drink at the 7Km pontoon and it was push on for the last 3km. The river widened out even further (over a kilometre wide) and the breeze was making conditions very choppy, after 2hr 30min an elated and somewhat wobbly Phil emerged from the Dart at Dittisham. Not content with this two weeks later Phil swam across the Humber, a shorter swim of only 2 miles, to raise money for the Humber Rescue. The first challenge of 2015 is already in the diary with the “Bridge to Bridge” swim in the River Thames a 14Km swim from Henley to Marlow! So far Phil has raised nearly £2000 and if you want to contribute you can at: https://www.justgiving.com/Philip-Walter

Expansion of Mansfield Masonic Hall

ansfield Masonic Hall has undergone significant expansion in order to secure future Masonic and commercial business. A new multipurpose room, known as The Executive Rooms, has been constructed on the upper floor of the Oakham Suite, which can act as both a second temple and be transformed in to an alternative function suite. The room was officially opened on Saturday 11th October by Provincial Grand Master RK Wilson along with a dedication by the Provincial Grand Chaplain Rev JM Burgess before an audience of invited guests from the Lodges meeting at Mansfield. The new room will enable Mansfield to hold more than one Masonic meeting (or rehearsal) at one time, or to expand their commercial activities with the general public whilst Masonic events are held.

Amy’s Fund

Charity Lunch was held in September in aid of Amy’s Fund.

Amy, a young girl of 23 years sadly died in the Adult Intensive Care Unit (AICU) at the City Hospital in 2013. Amy’s mother, Sharon Duffield, was so impressed with the tremendous effort by that Unit to save her daughters life, that as a permanent memorial and reminder of the superb work that goes on there has set up a Charity to purchase specialist equipment for the AICU, and to further increase their already high life saving capability. This is the second of two such lunches, both of which were attended by some members of Woodthorpe Lodge and Woodthorpe Chapter . These and other initiatives have now raised over £80,000.

Submitted by David Eades and John Haskew Elliott Lodge 8569

These Sunday lunches were co-organised by Sharon and WBro. Phil Hudson, PM of Woodthorpe Lodge and it’s Treasurer, and also Past Z of Woodthorpe Chapter. The second lunch raised a further £2,400 to add to the fund. A Phillips Spaq Ultrasound Machine has already been purchased at a cost of £62 K, staff trained to use it ,and will shortly be operational. However, ‘Amy’s Fund’ is an ongoing fund raising effort to buy yet more specialist equipment for the AICU. Any Lodges looking for a local Charity to support please contact WBro Phil Hudson, or myself . For contact details, we are both in the Year Book. Colin Mackie Secretary Woodthorpe Lodge

SNFC

South Notts Freemasons for Charity

W area.

e are once again organising the collection of tins of food for the benefit of the homeless within the Rushcliffe

Brethren may have noticed our green wheely bin situated within the entrance of Welbeck Hall, West Bridgford. We would ask any of the Lodge members or visitors to spare us a thought and empty their cupboards at home and bring a goodly quantity of food tins to fill the bin. We hope for a repeat of the superb support we received last year for this worthy cause and are already off to a flying start - the first load of 220 tins already delivered ! Kevin Rolling Chairman SNFC

Our fist delivery of 2014 to the Friary Drop-in Centre, Musters Rd. West Bridgford - thanks to the sterling efforts of our man W.Bro Roger Pegg ever armed with car and camera !

5 0 Y E A R C E R T I F I C AT E WBro Peter Moss, PPrJGW

n 8 October 2014 Asst PrGrM Philip Marshall presented a certificate to WBro Peter Moss, PPrJGW, to mark his 50 years membership of Freemasonry and the Robin Hood Lodge No. 1493. WBro Peter was born in 1926 in Beeston, Nottingham but very shortly afterwards the family moved to the Annesley area where Peter has remained until the present day. He attended Nuncargate Primary School and then Annesley School, leaving there in 1940, at the age of 14 to take up a 7 year apprenticeship with Rolls Royce at Hucknall. He initially worked in the fitting shop and his first job was assisting in the repair of Hurricane fighters brought to Hucknall for that purpose. He recalls that some of these were quite wrecked and that it was necessary to use parts from severely damaged aircraft to repair others. He also worked on a Lancaster bomber, refitting and repairing it after it had flown more than 100 sorties over Germany. Peter was called up into the RAF quite late in the war and after basic training was sent on a catering course in London – clearly the RAF had not quite gathered that an experienced aircraft fitter could be better employed! He was subsequently posted to RAF Greenham Common which, even then, was a joint UK/US base and there he found himself guarding German prisoners of war. After the war Peter returned to Rolls Royce at Hucknall and went into aircraft development and was actually involved in fitting the first jet engines into aircraft. Later going on to work on fire detection and sprayer development in aircraft, Peter finally retired from Rolls Royce in 1983.

He and his wife Vera were married in 1951 and have celebrated 63 years of marriage. Peter was initiated into Robin Hood Lodge on 13 May 1964 by his own father, was passed to the degree of a Fellow Craft on 8 February 1965 and made a Master Mason on 12 October 1966, becoming Master of the Lodge in April 1977. He served the Lodge as Chaplain for many years and was always known for his sense of humour. He was first honoured with rank of Provincial Grand Steward and subsequently further honoured as PPrJGD, then PPrGS of W and attained his current rank of PPrJGW in 1997. Peter is also a member of Rufford Chapter Rose Croix No. 689 and was MWS in 1992 and has attained the 30° in that order. Peter was for many years a member of Hucknall Hiking Club but has sadly had to discontinue that pastime due to his health. Peter’s close friend WBro J Allcock was present at the presentation; they worked at Rolls Royce together for many years, retired on the same day and have remained friends ever since. WBro Peter was further honoured at the Festive Board by the gift of a cut-glass bowl.

M A S O N I C A S S O C I AT I O N S 6th Masonic Fishing Competition - 3rd August 2014 – Hacketts, Nottingham. Dear fishing friend,

ay I firstly thank everyone who entered the above competition. Numbers were down on previous years because many of the usual participants were fishing other matches. A lesson learnt definitely no more matches on the 1st Sunday of the month. 14 anglers competed on a pleasant but for some a very windy day. Over half the anglers fished in sheltered conditions whilst others had to battle a fierce cross winds, which made float fishing extremely difficult if not impossible. I would personally like to thank John Welsh of De Sutton Lodge No. 7067, who provided scales and help on the day during a difficult time for me due to family bereavements. Heaviest weight was recorded by John Welsh’s guest , Mr Colin Hunt with 38lb 6oz, Martin Beals of Nuthall Temple Lodge No. 6011, was 2nd and was also the highest placed Mason with 36lb, 3rd was a guest Mr Ian Coates with 24lb 4oz, with another Nuthall Temple Lodge member Andrew Jackson gaining a credible 4th with 20lb 15oz. Due to the generosity of Martin Beals who returned his prize money, donations of £20 and £5 from anglers who could not fish, the grand total of £101.80 was raised on the day. This sum will be passed via Thoresby Lodge No. 3106 to:

The Army of Angels UK Forces Charity We are committed to helping our heroes, and making a real difference in their lives. The Army of Angels UK Forces Charity provides direct and indirect support to serving and Veterans in the British Armed Forces who have been injured mentally or physically while serving in conflicts, including veterans of the wars in Europe, the Far East, the Falklands and the Gulf.

We also support their families and codependents

We wish to help any UK soldier who has been injured in any UK conflict, if they require it now or in the future. Stephen Valentine (Founder) Next year’s competition will be held at Portland waters near Newark. Information relating to this will be circulated shortly and nearer the date placed on the Provincial website. May I thank everyone for attending and making this an enjoyable day out. Peter Olko

M A S O N I C A S S O C I AT I O N S The Nottinghamshire Masonic Bowling Association Hargrove Shield Bowls competition

This Masonic pairs competition is now in its 89th year and played for under English Bowls Federation rules - the first to gain 21 shots being the victors. It is played for by any two members of the same lodge, chapter or order - with the winning finalists having the honour of their lodge/order being presented with the shield as its custodian for the he Hargrove Shield was won this year by the following twelve months. Royal Arch. The annual Hargrove Shield comOn a cold but fine morning last Wednesday, a hard petition was decided fought game, over 25 at the Lady Bay Bowls ends, was eventually Club, West Bridgford, won by the Royal Arch on the morning of pairing of Dring & Wednesday, 17th SepHopewell, who tember 2014, when W. defeated last year’s Bros. Dennis Dring and winners, Buckley & Tony Hopewell, county Sansom, by 21 shots to bowlers representing 15. the Notts. First PrinciThe shield will be pal’s Chapter, No.3595, presented to the competed against W. Notts.1st Principal’s Bro. Keith Buckley and Chapter at their next Bro. Roger Sansom, regular meeting, in May who bowl at national 2015 - the first time it level for the Fire and The Hargrove Shield and President of the Notts. has been won by this Police Services, repreMasonic Bowling Association, Brian Binks, Chapter. senting Forest Lodge, with Dennis Dring and Tony Hopewell (Left) and No. 1752. Roger Sansom & Keith Buckley (Right).

WHY COOK SUNDAY LUNCH? Why cook Sunday lunch when you can have it all done for you. You can enjoy good food in what is becoming one of the premier Banqueting venues in the city with a huge free car park. Or you could park on the Embankment and stroll over the river via the foot bridge next to the hall. You can be sure of a warm welcome. The cost is £12 a head for three courses with coffee and a mint. The wine is £8 a litre and other drinks are available at the bar. You will not be disappointed. If you have not been to West Bridgford Masonic Hall for some time you will find it now doubles up as the Registry Office and has been refurbished with new curtains, carpets and decoration. Please ask to be put on the e-mailing list for future events. All profits go to the Welbeck Hall Building Fund. Roy Brown email: roybrown1900@yahoo.co.uk

M A S O N I C A S S O C I AT I O N S Nottinghamshire Masonic Caravanning Association

he brilliant summer weather assisted in enabling caravanning to be at it`s best in 2014, visiting 9 sites over a six month period. An average of 8 units per rally enabled brethren and partners to have many enjoyable weekends. Perhaps the highlight of the year was at a rally near Swadlingcote in Derbyshire. The place was Sealwood Cottage Vineyard and some 12 Caravans were present. We were treated by the owner to a talk and tour of the vineyard which was most interesting. Ever more interesting was a wine tasting session which followed the tour!! The years rallies culminated at the end of September. This rally at Car Colston had the usual fish and chips supper and the wine flowed freely on Friday

opening the Chairman announce the retirement of the Secretary W Bro Denis Baker. In a glowing tribute he thanked Denis for his service over the past 10 years and also to his lady and very able assistant Elaine. Much effort had taken place to ensure satisfactory locations followed of course by acting as Marshals` on almost all rallies over the years. Denis and Elaine were then presented with a suitably engraved Flower vase as a token of the gratitude and appreciation of members. The Chairman W Bro Gordon Beastall then outlined one significant change in rally operations in 2015 in that a number of members were to share the duties of Rally Marshal. The Treasurer W Bro Michael Riley then outlined the Lodge Accounts to date which were accepted. A small raffle took place with the proceeds to enrich the sum already held pending distibution to a local charity. Then followed the election and appointment of Officers for the season 2015: Chairman and Rally coordinator - W Bro G G Beastall Vice Chairman - W Bro T Pendleton Treasurer / General Secretary - W Bro M Riley Committee Member W Bro R Barringham

evening and a dinner at the local hostelry on Saturday catered for 22 caravannerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Sundayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farewells were preceded by the Annual General Meeting of the Association. Previous to the

The usual coffee and snacks followed before farewells and dispersal. Gordon Beastall

M A S O N I C A S S O C I AT I O N S

ASSOCIATION CO N TAC T S Nottinghamshire Masonic Golfing Association Contact - Match secretary - Richard Marvin - e: rchrdmarvin@yahoo.co.uk - t: 0115 925 9961 Nottingham Masonic Bowls Association Contact- Gordon Beastall - e: gordon.beastall@ntlworld.com Nottinghamshire Masonic Caravannerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Association Contact- Gordon Beastall - e: gordon.beastall@ntlworld.com The Nottingham Masonic Ladies Luncheon Club Contact - Zean Brenni - e: raymond.brenni@ntlworld.com Mansfield Masonic Ladies Luncheon Club Contact - Trish Cree - t: 01623 794 485 Nottinghamshire Masonic Ladies Association Contact- Penny Sanders - e: m.ks44@hotmail.co.uk North Nottinghamshire Masonic Walking Association Contact - Tony Davenport - t: 01623 656 034 Nottinghamshire Masonic Music Association Contact - Bill Robbins - e: w.a.robbins@ntlworld.com Provincial Fishing Competition Contact - Peter Olko - t: 01623 759 589 - e: peter.olko@btclick.com Widows Sons - Masonic Bikers Association Contact - Kevin Nuttall - t: 01623 641 858 - e: kev_nuttall@yahoo.co.uk