Issue 27 Provincial Gazette

ISSUE 27 – AUTUMN 2017

THE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE PUBLISHED BY THE FREEMASONS OF THE PROVINCE OF DURHAM

FREEMASONS

300 YEARS AND BEYOND

What’s inside this issue...

P5

P6

P10-11

P18

Cycle 300

AGM

Open Halls

A Great Man Remembered

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EDITOR’S NOTES Since our last issue we have witnessed a successful Annual General Meeting and the C2C Cycle 300 Ride, an event that set the bar high and personified what Freemasonry is all about, forging bonds of friendship, and cementing ties with our neighbouring Provinces.

Saturday 24th June saw the Province of Durham in all its glory, as many Masonic Halls opened their doors to the public, providing an insight into Freemasonry and our place within the community.

We now look forward to the Tercentenary Service of Dedication on Thursday 7th September which will see one of the biggest gatherings in many of Masons in full regalia as we celebrate within the world heritage site that is Durham Cathedral.

Saturday 10th September sees the staging of the iconic annual Great North Run, where we urge you to support our runners representing the Province raising funds towards the 2021 Festival.

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WHAT’S INSIDE

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9 16 17

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Our Tercentenary year to date has been a prolific success as the brethren of Durham certainly ‘Continue to enjoy our Freemasonry’.

The Communications Team relies heavily upon your editorial contributions, so please continue to report matters of interest; events both within your lodges and the local community.

To ensure your area of the Province is covered in future issues please email news@news.pgldurham.org

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

Paul O’Doherty Editor

@PGLDurham

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PGLDurham

THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA Jill Routledge was born with aniridia, a rare congenital eye condition, and was registered blind at the age of 13, leaving her dependant on assistance from others ever since. The two things Jill found most difficult to come to terms with and accept were losing the ability and confidence to be independently mobile and the ability to read text, which included the simplest of things such as checking a receipt, but the ability to read to her children as they grew up had been particularly devastating to Jill.

Today a proud grandmother, Jill again was unable to read bedtime stories to granddaughter Emily, in fact Emily would read to ‘Nana Jill’, as she affectionately calls her, because she can’t see.

However, in March of this year after attending a meeting at Sunderland Blind Centre, Jill posted on Social Media…… ‘’Well, I think my brain is about to explode! Today I was shown some glasses which would fill a

massive void in my life and mean that I would not have to rely on my friends and family nearly as much.

These glasses read text out!

Durham Freemasons immediately contacted Jill and offered advice about contacting the Masonic Charitable Foundation who then agreed to support Jill in purchasing ‘MyEye’ spectacles that allow the user to hear any text, appearing on any surface, and recognize the faces of people in their life.

The 8th of June became an extremely special day for Jill, when she was able to post on Social Media: ‘’I have just received my new spectacles and have started using them to read letters, mobile phone, food tins and packets. I then went to see Ken, my husband, at the shop and we walked round Seaham, where I was able to read shop names, goods which were displayed in shop windows and even some menus! They now already ‘face recognise’ Ken, as well as my Mam and Dad! I am so

excited to be able to read for myself with such ease.

I can’t thank everyone enough for the support I have received.”

Jill is not only able to read again ... she will also have so much independence back in her life. For the future Jill is planning to give talks on how these “spectacles” function along with other phone and computer software that may benefit other visually impaired people.

However ‘Nana Jill’ has got some catching up to do on those bedtime stories she’s reading to her grandchildren Matthew and Emily.

Matthew leads the way

My turn to read

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(Left to Right) Kevin Wise, Colin Bell and Tom Huscroft greeting attendees at the AGM

DURHAM BRANCH OF THE MASONIC FISHING CHARITY June saw the official launch of the Durham Branch of the Masonic Fishing Charity at the Provincial Annual General Meeting in Dunston.

Earlier this year, the Provincial Grand Master, Norman Eric Heaviside, was approached by the Charity’s head office in London which wanted to encourage him to form a Durham Branch of the Masonic Fishing Charity. This charity organises fishing days for handicapped children, and is an excellent scheme which can give enormous enjoyment to children who are both physically challenged and generally are unable to enjoy a day’s fishing.

David Grey has been appointed to lead this initiative and has gathered together a committee consisting of keen fishermen from around the Province with the inaugural event planned to take place on the 23rd of September at Aldin Grange Fishing Lakes in Durham.

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Eric really showed his enthusiasm, promoting the launch in both his address and at the festive board. It certainly worked; along with the presentation cheque from Durham Benevolence for £1000, a collection of ‘loose change’ was arranged by Brian Hodgson (a committee member) which raised the magnificent, additional, sum of £900, helping to kick-start the charity.

To cap it all, on the day there were at least six new volunteers, some offerings of old fishing gear, numerous expressions of interest from businesses, and a donation from a tackle shop..

If any of you are fishermen, and would like to become involved in this new activity, please get in touch with Colin Bell at fishingbell@aol.com or Maurice Errington at mourice@btinternet.com.

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3RD GATESHEAD BOYS BRIGADE Edwin Jeffrey (left) and Jim Wilson meet the children.

(Left to Right) Ray Noble, Jackie Johnson, and Martin Rankin

The 3rd Gateshead Boys Brigade which meets in Wrekenton Methodist Church in Gateshead received a £600 grant from Durham Benevolence. The cheque was presented by to them by Martin Rankin during the recent Tercentenary Celebrations.

Group Captain Jackie Johnson, on receiving the cheque, said that he “was very grateful to Durham Benevolence for the donation which would be used for

the training of their members and would also assist in providing much needed new equipment”.

The 3rd Gateshead Boys Brigade was founded in 1958 and runs three sections: the Anchor Boys, Junior Section and Company Section. The Company is also involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme with many of its members having received the Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards.

CYCLE 300

HILLS, DETOURS, BREAKDOWNS, CAMARADERIE, FUNDRAISING - AND MORE HILLS!

When talk turned to Festival fundraising events and celebrating our Tercentenary, a sponsored cycle ride was quickly suggested. The Coast to Coast route was selected and work began on the logistical arrangements. The places were advertised, the team and support crew came together and training began.

At 10am, on 2nd June 2017, after an early start from Durham Services, 28 riders lined up in Whitehaven, dipped their wheels in the Irish Sea and were set off by Norman Thompson, the PGM for Cumberland & Westmorland, and our own Deputy PGM.

The first puncture occurred at 2.5 miles, followed by the first minor fall. 11 riders then took a 10 mile wrong turn. By 2pm, however, all had reached Keswick Masonic Hall, where soup and sandwiches were served by the local PGM and Brethren. Back on their way, there was a hilly detour out of Keswick and another to Great Strickland where accommodation and evening meals had been booked. The team covered between 55 and 65 miles that day (dependent on detours!)

On Day 2, after two early mechanical issues, the riders eventually breached Hartside Pass, spurred on by our PGM, on hand to offer his encouragement. The afternoon saw them struggling up the mountainous slopes of Garrigill and Nenthead in the blazing sun. Eventually, after around 40 miles of riding, the team reached their overnight

Look who’s in the frame

It was then all downhill to the finish. After one last puncture the team rode around the headland at Roker together and were cheered over the finish line by friends, family and Brethren, again including our PGM and, after dipping their wheels into the North Sea, were delighted to be able to present Eric with a cheque for £25,000, representing the sponsorship raised.

stop and enjoyed a couple of well-deserved drinks and a sumptuous meal at the Allenheads Inn. The final day started with a climb out of Allenheads.

The team then split into two, climbing the rough path to Stanhope Moor or riding up Crawleyside Bank. Congregating again at Pathhead they rode to Consett Masonic Hall where the local Brethren laid on a wonderful lunch.

Many thanks for all of the support.

The full ride blog is available at http://c2c2017.weebly.com

Well done Dad I’ll be there next

time Guys

VENIMUS VIDIMUS VICIMUS

It should be all downhill from here…

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A GLORIOUS DAY IN JUNE 2017 AGM

What most consider to be the highlight of the Provincial Calendar must be the Annual Provincial Meeting, and this year was no exception as hundreds of Masons from far and wide descended on the Lancastrian Suite in Dunston for this year’s occasion.

It is hard to pinpoint what exactly makes this meeting so special and we are sure many different people enjoy it for many different reasons. Some are there to support the outgoing Provincial Officers on their last day in office and to congratulate the newly-appointed officers after their investiture.

Some are there for the pomp and ceremony which always accompanies this event - and rightly so. Some are here just to catch up with old friends, as this is sometimes the only time they get to meet. We, however, are there for all the above and we don’t think we are alone in our thinking.

With Provincial Grand Lodge opened in due form and the Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Norman Eric Heaviside presiding, the Brethren took a moment to remember those who had sadly passed to the ‘Grand Lodge Above’ since the last regular meeting.

After the usual business of apologies, roll-call of officers, various reports and elections, the

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Provincial Grand Master then proceeded to appoint and invest the Provincial Grand Officers for the ensuing year.

With everyone back in their places and the newly appointed officers now bearing extremely large grins the Provincial Grand Master addressed the meeting.

In his address, he congratulated those he had appointed, as well as those Brethren who had the honour of receiving Grand Rank back in April. He also talked about our new Masonic Fishing Charity, the Tercentenary, the September QC, 2021 Festival and Membership scheme.

After taking a collection in aid of the 2021 Festival - which raised the magnificent sum of £4,330 including Gift Aid - Provincial Grand Lodge was duly closed with nothing left to do but belt out to the rafters the first verse of the National Anthem before the processions of chains, gold braid and shades of masonic blue trooped out in a similar fashion to their entrance.

This left the Brethren to chat over a sociable drink whilst congratulating those who had received Provincial Honours. At the same time, the extremely hard-working Provincial Grand Stewards, along with the Lancastrian Suite staff, got to work

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in turning the meeting room into a banquet hall; something they do so quickly and efficiently.

The brethren were then treated to a magnificent festive board to complement the day and, although service for the nearly 500 brethren who were dining was a little slow, the food was well worth the wait.

In his maiden speech as Provincial Senior Grand Warden, David Green proposed the toast to the Provincial Grand Master, at the conclusion of which he presented him with a cricket bat signed by the full Durham County Cricket team. He had wanted to present him with something relating to his beloved SAFC but thought it would be unfair to depress him on such a marvellous occasion.

In his response, the Provincial Grand Master thanked David for the terms of his toast whilst commenting that the cricket bat may come in useful as he was chairing a Provincial Executive meeting on Monday evening and it might help things along with such a long agenda.

The PGM also took the opportunity to thank the Brethren for the second collection that had made its way around the Festive Board in aid of the brand new Durham Branch of the Masonic

Fishing Charity. More than £900 was raised - to which he added a further £1,000 on behalf of Durham Benevolence - and he presented it to their Chairman, David Gray, and wished them luck in their quest to provide a day’s fishing for disadvantaged and disabled children.

Before the PGM finished his reply he announced a rather special birthday in the room, none other than the Provincial Grand Secretary, Tom Gittins, who he presented with a cake before the Brethren serenaded him with the traditional ‘Happy Birthday to you’.

The toast to the newly appointed Provincial Officers was then given by the outgoing Junior Grand Warden, Peter Thomas, who delivered it in the excellent manner we have become accustomed to over the past 12 months, and the newly appointed Junior Grand Warden, Michael Wilkinson replied.

There was just time for the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, John Arthur, to propose a toast to the Distinguished Guests before the Provincial Tyler brought official proceedings to an end. The Brethren then started to drift off home after another thoroughly enjoyable Masonic day out.

Until next year Brethren… cheers!

Stewards ready for action

NEW PROVINCIAL

GRAND STEWARDS

(From left) David, Eric and Michael

NEW PROVINCIAL

WARDENS Provincial Senior Grand Warden

David John Green

This year’s newly appointed Provincial Grand Stewards step into the limelight not only during our 2021 Festival in aid of the RMTGB but also the Tercentenary year of Freemasonry.

On receiving their First Provincial Appointments, having in most cases only recently vacated their respective chairs as Worshipful Master, they line up resplendent in their distinctive crimson regalia.

There is no doubt that the Provincial Grand Master, in congratulating each on his appointment, would equally be reminding them of the privileged position they have attained and and the responsibility they have individually to maintain and uphold the high standards of their predecessors.

David is an Air Traffic Controller and Senior Examiner at Durham Tees Valley Airport! (Yes, they still do have flights!); he is married to Sue and, between them have four children.

Initiated into Freemasonry in a neighbouring Province in 1999, David became a joining member of Clarence Lodge in Hartlepool in 2006 and was their WM in 2010. He was a joining member of Nevill Lodge of Installed Masters also in 2010.

In 2011 he was promoted to PPGStwd during which time he was part of the Director of Ceremonies Team and was instrumental in the design and publication of the new-look Year Book, a task he still relishes to this day. In 2015 he was appointed Worshipful Master, a 2-year appointment, which led to his becoming Senior Warden of the Province.

In his spare time David has a love of watching most sport, especially cricket, and follows the trials and tribulations of Middlesbrough FC.

Provincial Junior Grand Warden

Michael James Wilkinson A former Police Officer in Durham Constabulary retiring in 2000, Michael became a lecturer in Law & Management with Darlington College prior to forming his own training company in 2003 specialising in Health & Social Care Apprenticeships.

Residing in Darlington with his partner Anita, between them they have three children and seven grandchildren. He was Initiated in 1990 into Surtees Lodge in Shildon and served as Worshipful Master in 2000 and, in 2004, he took the office of Lodge Secretary; he is also a member of Nevill Lodge of Installed Masters. Michael’s first Provincial appointment in 2007 saw him receive the rank of Past Provincial Junior Grand Deacon and he was further promoted to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 2016.

In 2010 Michael became part of newlyformed Provincial Communications Team covering the west of the Province, and continues to contribute in that role and as part of the Provincial Media Display Team. Between Freemasonry and business commitments he enjoys sport, following the changing fortunes of Darlington and Sunderland football teams. As Chairman of Darlington Rugby Football Club he was instrumental in negotiating the return of Darlington FC to the town under a ground-share agreement which became a reality in December 2016.

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(From Left) Kelly Best, Christine & Phil Heaviside

A TEAM EFFORT RESULTS IN DEFIBRILLATOR

FOR CHESTER LE STREET

Two years ago, whilst in the checkout queue at Makro Washington, Phil Heaviside, a Chester le Street Freemason, was fortunately on hand to carry out CPR to a heart attack victim for 14 exhausting minutes, whilst waiting for an ambulance to arrive. As a 20-year Royal Navy veteran he was well trained in first aid and luckily he was on hand that day!

The store didn’t have a defibrillator at the time and this made Phil think; if only….?

As a member of the Management Committee at Chester-le-Street Masonic Centre, Phil receives an honorarium, however he donates the payment to assist with the upkeep of the Masonic Hall, and saw the purchase of

a defibrillator as a priority for Chester le Street and, with a Community Grant of £1350 from Durham Benevolence, acquired the defibrillator from North East Hearts with Goals.

This charity was started by sisters-in-law Christine Stephenson and Kelly Best in 2013 for both personal and common sense reasons. Kelly’s

ROLL OF HONOUR 60 Years Craft: Gordon Toft Leslie Gibson

Hugh de Pudsey No4490 Rowlands Gill No4694

50 Years Craft: John G Spoor William C Stewart Thomas L Boyd Ian E Dawson John W Walton

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Eslington No4623 Lambton No375 Milbanke No7486 Vulcan No5757 Hedworth No2418

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husband and Christine’s brother Neil died suddenly in 2003 at the age of 32 and, ten years later, Kelly’s son was diagnosed with ARVC, a potentially fatal heart condition that could put him at risk of cardiac arrest.

After researching the best way to help and be pro-active it was decided to start placing life-saving defibrillators within

the community and now, four years later, the charity has placed almost 300 defibrillators around the North East and arranged training to use them.

To celebrate the Tercentenary weekend Phil had the enormous pleasure of handing over the defibrillator to Christine Stephenson and Kelly Best from North East Hearts with Goals.

The following brethren qualified to receive certificates to mark long service to Freemasonry.

Henry N Brisbane John W Harle John W Warren Alfred Wood Joseph Wilkins Brian T Sutton William A Charlton Arthur Pringle

Sancroft No4347 St Bede No1119 Cestria No4493 Hetton Lyon No6533 Penshaw No3194 St Helen’s No531 County No6678 Hammurabi No9606

50 Years Royal Arch: Thomas Robinson Simmons

Tow Law No3349

No keeping the change here, Sir

AGRICOLA TAKE NO CHANCES For those unaware of the Miners’ Gala it is an event first held in Wharton Park in 1871 and these days involves a large gathering on the second Saturday in July marching with banners and brass bands to the old Racecourse, where political speeches are delivered.

Many see this as a great day out, but Agricola, assisted by some other Durham City Masons, see this as an opportunity to do what

they do best: raise thousands of pounds for charity.

For the past six years, the members have sold cans of ale at the door of the Masonic Hall and inside they have a sandwich bar selling a variety of hot sandwiches, chips and hot beverages. This proves extremely popular throughout the day but not quite as popular as their other charity venture which involved this year Les Dean and Doug

A Gala day for Durham

For the last six years, the Brethren of Agricola Lodge have opened Durham Masonic Hall on the day of the Durham Miners’ Gala with an extremely cunning plan.

Barkess on toilet duty.

The only thing bigger than the queue for the hot butties, it would appear, is the queue for the toilets to which the Brethren armed with a bucket for donations to ‘spend a penny’ with the bucket this year raising over £400!

sure it was deposited in a place of safety at the end of the day. The Durham Brethren managed to recruit as they always do, none other than our Provincial Grand Master for the task but, judging by our photograph, we think there may be some ‘trust issues’ there!

Obviously, a venture of this size needed a competent and trustworthy accountant to count all the charity cash and make

A community service provided and thousands of pounds raised in the name of charity, well done everyone involved!

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THE PROVINCE OPENS ITS DOORS

Saturday 24th June saw the 300th anniversary of the first ever Grand Lodge and the beginning of Freemasonry as we know it today celebrated, and here in the Province of Durham we like to celebrate in style.

Masonic Halls the length and breadth of our Province threw open their doors and welcomed the local community in to see what we are all about and the effort displayed Province-wide was clear for everyone to see.

The day started with a bang as dozens of motorbikes carrying members of the Durham Chapter of the Masonic

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Widows Sons thundered up the famous cobbles. Not Coronation Street, those other famous cobbles of Beamish Museum, the bikers arriving in full regalia to have a sneak peek at the fantastic Masonic exhibition on display in the Masonic Hall there. The bikers then left with the same roar as they arrived to take up residence on the display field where they spent the day entertaining the visitors with their impressive machines. The Masonic Hall, meanwhile, hosted frequent shows by Brian Denton and the Northumberland Masonic Demonstration Team - this was incredibly popular as could be seen all day!

City, Hartlepool, Stockton, Darlington, Tow Law, Stanhope, Staindrop, Wolsingham, Crook and Shildon, to name but a few, hosted a variety of Teddy Bears Picnics, Lodge Room Tours, Regalia Exhibitions, Community Support Grant Presentations, fun, games, stilt walkers, face painting, people being wet sponged in pillories, welly tossing and even a beer festival‌‌.phew!

Throughout the day, Masonic Halls in Queen Street in Sunderland, in South Shields, Burnopfield, Stanley, Consett, Chester-Le-Street, Seaham, Durham

Take a bow everyone who got involved, you are what Freemasonry is all about!

www.durhamfreemasons.org

Once again, the brethren of our wonderful Province stepped up to the plate and provided fun and games and a little sneak peek into Freemasonry in our local Communities.

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Spoilt for choice

CHESTER-LE-STREET MASONIC CENTRE BEER FESTIVAL Real ale has experienced something of a renaissance over the last few years, thanks mainly to the support of a new generation of younger drinkers seeking out a more artisanal local product, but also the explosion in local micro-breweries has seen the number of beer brands rise from 300 to more than 11,000.

With this in mind at the monthly Charity Stewards’ meeting of the combined seven lodges in Chester-le-Street, Stephen Willis the Festival Hall Ambassador and his fellow Charity Stewards came up with the idea of the first Chester-le-Street Masonic Beer Festival, open to the public.

The event would be manned by volunteers from the seven lodges in the hall over the Tercentenary weekend.

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Now ... what will we have?

The Masonic Hall already has a great reputation for its beers and it features in the current Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) Good Beer Guide.

With 21 beers and 7 ciders, locally sourced from inside a 30-mile radius, offering a smorgasbord of tastes ranging from “Red Dust” from the Consett Ale Works to the “Gluten Free IPA” from Allendale Breweries.

Dawn shows her pulling power

Stuart Atkinson, with the help of his wife Judith, created a special menu for the weekend which was greatly appreciated by the thirsty and hungry drinkers.

All being well, with the success of the inaugural event, the Beer Festival should become an annual event.

www.durhamfreemasons.org

Bottoms Up

COWANS BEWARE!!

Simon Trenholm from Stockton is a member of Indaba Lodge in Darlington. He is well known to be very physically active, enjoying scouting and other outdoor activities. However, members of the lodge never knew he liked kettlebells until 2016 when he became the English champion in his category. They have closely followed his progress ever since and this year Simon was crowned overall English Silver Medallist by the sport’s world body, the International Union of Kettlebell Lifting.

Simon’s specialism is the biathlon which consists of two exercises (Jerk and Snatch), a competition discipline for men.

He competes at national and international level in the amateur class, on the biathlon event, lifting 24kg bells as part of the 78kg weight category. This requires the athletes to raise the bells above their heads repetitively in two separate ten-minute events, the snatch lifting one bell and the jerk lifting both bells. Simon’s silver medal performance consisted of jerking both bells over his head 101 times in 10 minutes and snatching one bell 176 times.

Simon has been using bells since 2012 and has just returned from competing in the European Championships in Latvia. He represented England and came in a very creditable 5th in his class. Training for the championships is held at the Tu Nova kettlebell facility in Darlington, and takes place seven days a week.

Time out in the gym

How on earth did he become involved with kettlebells you might ask? Simon, being a keen climber, was looking for a strength exercise to help him in his hobby.

Manipulating the awkward weights was excellent exercise to strengthen his wrists, hands and upper body. Once he got started he was hooked.

Simon’s prowess has been noted by the Worshipful Master of his lodge, and so he is soon likely to have a role guarding the door. Cowans Beware!!

Simon in Action

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BROWSING THROUGH THE PROVINCIAL MUSEUM ARCHIVES (1818 – 1917) 1818 Durham John George Lambton (Afterwards first Earl of Durham) Installed as Provincial Grand Master of Durham.

1844 Penshaw The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Zetland, K.G., MW Grand Master, laid the Foundation Stone of the Durham Monument (known locally as Penshaw Monument) a Memorial to John George Lambton, the 1st Earl of Durham

1819 Singapore Freemason Sir Stamford Raffles acquired the Island of Singapore for the East India Company.

1823 Durham Bro John Fawcett was appointed Junior Warden of the Marquis of Granby Lodge, Durham, and on June 23rd, in the same year, he was elected Master.

1830 Sunderland The Master, Wardens and Brethren of the Sea Captains’ Lodge, No. 153 (Now Palatine 97), attended a performance at the Theatre in Sunderland, for the benefit of Bro Kemble to witness “Secrets worth Knowing” Featuring Miss Kemble in her first and only performance.

1831 London King William IV appointed Grand Patron of the Order after his accession to the Throne.

1834 Durham A Provincial Grand Lodge and Masonic Festival was held at Lambton Castle. The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Durham, Deputy Grand Master of The UGLE and Provincial Grand Master of Durham, invited all the Brethren of the Province to a Banquet at the Castle. Where they presented him with a magnificent Provincial Grand Masters Jewel, which has also subsequently been worn by many PGMs on very special occasions.

1839 Sunderland Laying of the Foundation Stone of the Athenaeum Buildings in Sunderland by HRH the Duke of Sussex, Grand Master of England.

1841 Durham Sir Hedworth Williamson 7th Bart Installed as Provincial Grand Master for Durham.

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1845 Stockton Tees Lodge was constituted on 10th November at the Black Lion Hotel, by WBro T I Proctor, Provincial Grand Secretary. Bro Benjamin Murray was installed as the first Master and some 21 brethren were present on this occasion.

1845 Swalwell The Lodge of Industry met for the last time at Swalwell and met for the first time at the Half Moon Inn Gateshead.

Before leaving Swalwell for Gateshead, it was an annual custom for the lodge to parade and march from Swalwell to Whickham, decorated with their regalia and preceded by a Band of Music, to attend a Church Service when the Rector of Whickham preached a special sermon for the occasion.

1869 Sunderland Masonic Laying of the Foundation Stone for Park Terrace Masonic Hall, which is now situated at Beamish Open Air Museum. It was opened with a Ball in 1870, by Bro. John Tilman (the Architect), Master of the Williamson Lodge, No. 949, and Miss Wade. The first Meeting in the New Hall was held by St. John’s Lodge, under the Mastership of Bro. Robert Dixon.

1862 Hartlepool The Corner Stone of the National Industrial Schools, West Hartlepool, was laid by Bro. John Sutcliffe, Master of the Harbour of Refuge Lodge, at the request of the Vicar of Stranton, The Rev. John Rudd, and special permission was granted by the Provincial Grand Master, Bro. John Fawcett, to do so with full Masonic Honours. The Master and the Brethren of the St. Helen’s Lodge, also assisted in the ceremony.

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1874 Durham Cathedral Window given by Durham Freemasons to commemorate RWBro John Fawcett, the Provincial Grand Master for Durham from 1847-1880. The window is in the Chapel of Nine Altars and is in three Panels, it depicts; 1.

Solomon building the Temple

2.

Our Lord in the midst of the Doctors, hearing them and asking questions

3.

The Angel showing St John the Heavenly Jerusalem.

The inscription reads:- “To the Glory of God, and as a Testimonial of the affectionate esteem for their Provincial Grand Master, John Fawcett Esq A.D. 1874, being the twenty-seventh year of his rule over them.”

1875 Darlington Restoration Lodge, a notice from the past regarding: The North Eastern Railway Jubilee of the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.

“From the Freemason” Although the brethren could not take part in the Public demonstration at the Jubilee, they were not behindhand in celebrating this event with their ancient custom. A monster game pie, this was but one of the many dishes which graced the table. Visitors hailed from Berwick, Newcastle, Redcar, Stockton, Middlesbrough, Richmond, Thirsk, Northallerton, Manchester and London etc, etc.

1880 County Durham The Most Noble The Marquis of Londonderry, K.P., Lord Lieutenant of the County, was installed as Provincial Grand Master for Durham.

He was also patron of the first Royal Masonic Institution for Boys festival in Durham which raised the sum of £661.

1882 South Shields Owing to the large membership roll of St. Hilda’s Lodge No. 240, the only Lodge in the Borough of South Shields at this time, it was decided to petition for a new Lodge under the name of “Hadrian.” A Warrant was duly granted and the Lodge was consecrated on the 15th September. The Consecrating Officer was the Prov. Grand Master, The Most Noble The Marquis of Londonderry, K.P., Lord Lieutenant of the County.

1890 Durham Consecration of Universities Lodge by the Prov.

Grand Master, RWBro Sir Hedworth Williamson, 8thBart. The Dean of York, Bro Dr Purey-Cust, installed Bro. The Rev Canon Tristram, DPGM, as Master.

The first Wardens were:- Bro Canon Kynaston, DD, PSGW, Gloucestershire, Bro Richard Luck, MA, PPGReg. The Membership of this Lodge was restricted to Graduates of British Universities.

1890 Seaham HRH The Prince of Wales, MW Grand Master of England visited Seaham Harbour, and was presented with an address by the Fawcett Lodge, No 661, on 1st November.

1897 Durham In commemoration of Queen Victoria’s long reign, Provincial Grand Lodge opened in the Castle, the Brethren then moved by procession to the Cathedral, where a Sermon was given

by Very Rev Arthur Percival Purey-Cust, Dean of York, and Past Grand Chaplain of England. 150 ladies were present and while PGL was in progress, they were entertained by the Officers and Brethren of the Marquis of Granby and Norman Lodges to an ‘At Home’ and tea in the College Hall, Palace Green. Each lady was presented with a beautiful rosette of Queen’s favours.

1901 Durham The Installation of Lord Barnard as Provincial Grand Master took place on 26th June at a special Provincial Grand Lodge Meeting in the Lecture Hall, Palace Green, Durham; the Ceremony was performed by the MW Pro Grand Master, the Rt. Hon. 3rd Earl Amherst.

After the Installation, the Brethren moved in procession to the Cathedral where a special Service was held to commemorate the occasion. The sermon was given by Lord Barnard’s brother, the Hon and Rev. Gilbert H. F. Vane from Shropshire, with the poignant title of “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”

1908 Durham The 1st publication of the Official Gazette.

1884 Crook Crook Lodge No. 2019 was consecrated on 5th March in the Mechanics Hall, this was to accommodate the distinguished gathering who attended. It was then the 29th lodge in the Province and was the first to be named after the town in which it was formed. At the time, the only other lodges in the area were Wear Valley at Bishop Auckland, Barnard at Barnard Castle and Rose of Raby at Staindrop. In its first year there were 26 initiations which necessitated the holding of 10 emergency lodges as well as the regular meetings. This, with 22 passings and 20 raisings, brought the membership to 50 by the end of the year.

1917 London the Bi-Centenary of Grand Lodge was celebrated on the 23rd June at the Royal Albert Hall, more the 8000 brethren were present.

1917 County Durham By this date there had been some 77 lodges consecrated in the Province of Durham and 13 lodges had been erased.

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GOING FOR GOLD The group works with young people aged between14-19 years old and offers all the three levels. To achieve these awards a young person has to complete a personal programme of activities in four sections (five sections if completing Gold Award).

These include volunteering, physical ability skill, completing an expedition and partaking in a residential activity.

This is a fantastic opportunity for young people to take part in a national award and to develop and enhance their personal skills. Also, completing the

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Paul (far right) with members from Lumley Duke of Edinburgh group

The Lumley Duke of Edinburgh group headed by David Hardy has been running for 29 years helping and supporting young people to achieve the Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. It meets at Chester-leStreet One Point Hub on Thursday evenings from 7pm-9pm.

Duke of Edinburgh Award can further help young people from all backgrounds to potentially gain access into university and employment.

This year, Lumley has a number of young people working towards Bronze, as well as six going for Silver and ten trying to achieve their Gold Awards.

Most of these young people take part in voluntary work in their local community working with Scout groups, charity shops, nursing homes and peer-to-peer education.

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To remove any barriers which may prevent young people from completing the award, Lumley Duke of Edinburgh group provides the venue, expedition kits, staff, electronic equipment and internet access.

It also provides further funding for transport and paying for assessment fees.

Due to the withdrawal of funding

by Durham County Council the the club has, since April this year, run on a voluntary basis with no paid staff. To combat this they are using a variety of methods; these include grants and fundraising for

each young person to complete their awards successfully. On average a Bronze award costs £200, Silver, £270 and Gold, £450 per person.

It was a welcome boost when Paul Debenham from Durham Benevolence went along to one of their Thursday meetings to present a grant for the sum of £500 to David Hardy and a group of Silver and Gold potential achievers.

Good luck on your expedition!

All aboard the Sir Cecil A. Cochrane

FULL STEAM AHEAD AT TANFIELD CAR RALLY Tanfield Railway Museum proved a fantastic venue to host the Masonic 300 Classic Car Rally on Saturday 22nd July 2017.

With over 60 vintage vehicles on display, from a Lagonda to a 1950s fire engine as well as a number of iconic manufacturers represented including Jaguar, Mercedes, Morris, VW and Fire and Ambulance vehicles, one could not fail to be impressed.

The cars were on display throughout the day with exhibits and stalls selling burgers, sweets, teas, a tombola etc., and a platesmashing alley manned by the six host lodges, Liberty, Marquis of Ripon, Surtees, Agricola, Johnstonian and Coronation.

The plate-smashing alley, a mock-up of a living room with plates and other crockery placed on the fireplace and walls, was

particularly busy. Young and old enjoyed throwing cricket balls at the well-placed crockery; great fun for all of the family … but the children were reminded that they shouldn’t try this at home.

The disappointing weather did deter a number of people from attending but those who did go had a thoroughly enjoyable day, including trips on the ‘World’s Oldest Railway’.

Boys have a smashing time

Lagonda Classic Car

Andrew Thompson, the Event Director wishes to thank all involved and in particular Mike Arnott for organising the Vintage Car display, sponsors Seaton Springs and the ever-present Provincial Grand Stewards.

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A GREAT MAN

PARENTS IN NEED OF SUPPORT

REMEMBERED After the sad death of our Past Provincial Grand Master in December last year Eric Heaviside takes a trip down memory lane to remember the great man I have had the great privilege of knowing Alan for over 60 years, since we started off as Choristers at St Cuthbert’s Church in Shotley Bridge.

Alan had a very distinguished career in Freemasonry, which started when he was Initiated into St Aidan Lodge in 1958, which was his father’s lodge. Later on, living in Newcastle and needing to find a lodge a little closer to home, he became a member of Minerva Lodge, which at that time met in Gateshead and in which there were many doctors and members of the clergy. Minerva was his great love, and he was always so proud to extol the virtues of that lodge and its members. He was Master of Minerva in 1972 and he was later appointed, by Lord Barnard, to the very senior position of Junior Grand Warden of the Province in 1981.

It was in 1986 that he was appointed an Assistant Provincial Grand Master, and from thereon he was a major enthusiast for everything that took place in our Province. His greatest achievement was of course when he was appointed as our Provincial Grand Master in 1998, following the retirement of his predecessor, the Lord Barnard. During his eight years in that role, he was responsible for many initiatives, the most notable one being the Beamish Project.

It was early in his role as PGM that the possibility of transferring an old Masonic Hall in Sunderland to Beamish Open Air Museum became a reality. One day, whilst sitting in Alan Hall’s Office at the Esplanade, this possibility was outlined to him, so they decided to go and have a look at the old building, which was only half a mile way. They went to the site, where in fact the demolition contractors had started pulling down the rear of the building. Walking onto the site, Alan Davison introduced himself to the supervisor and said that he wanted to buy the front of the building and have it transported, stone by stone, to Beamish Museum. The Supervisor said that he would have to speak to his father, who owned the demolition business. By sheer coincidence the name of the contractor was Alan Davison. It was his son who was the supervisor and Alan said that he would like to talk to his father. The supervisor said “well that might be rather difficult, because he is currently in prison”.

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Dr Alan Martin Davison

However a deal was struck and Alan agreed to pay £2,000 for the deal - not of his own money I might add - and that was how the Beamish Millennium Project started.

Some two weeks later, he rang me and told me about this exciting project at Beamish, and asked if I would chair a fund-raising team to raise £300k towards the project.

Two weeks after that, Alan rang me again and said that after a further meeting with the Beamish authorities, we now needed to raise £500k.

He carried out the formal Laying of the Foundation Stone in 2000, and then presided over the Official Opening of The Beamish Masonic Hall in 2006, when the Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Kent, accompanied Alan on a horse-drawn carriage to officially open the Hall. That day must have been one of the greatest occasions in the history of our Province, with that memorable procession down the main street at Beamish, with all of the Masons in their regalia.

Alan was also responsible for introducing many other innovative ideas for our benefit, including the now well-established Annual Promotions Meeting, which he referred to as “our Christmas Party”.

He has left us a great legacy, but above all he was one of life’s real gentlemen, and I am so proud to have known him for over 60 years. He was a great help and friend to me and always gave me great encouragement and much valuable advice.

All of our members who came into contact with Alan had a tremendous respect for him, because he always had a listening ear and a very courteous manner to go with it. We are all the poorer for his passing.

DATES FOR THE DIARY SEPT

10

SUNDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER 2017 Festival Team Great North Run

OCT

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WEDNESDAY 18TH OCTOBER 2017 Vale of Tees No5016 Full team Visit

Lived Respected and Died Regretted Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham Benson, Richard Achates No9465 Scott, Albert Henry Tait Hadrian No1970

SEPT

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SEPT

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FRIDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2017 Festival Golf Day Ramside Hall

WEDNESDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER 2017 Coronation No2929 Full team Visit

NOV

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NOV

28

THURSDAY 16TH NOVEMBER 2017 Ellison Hall No7165 Full team Visit

TUESDAY 28TH NOVEMBER 2017 Chapter of Concord No124 Full team Visit

Soderman, Ernest Charles Hugh de Pudsey No4490 Patterson, Joseph Henry Beamish Temple No9815 Tallentire, Reginald Aclet No5880 Brown, Oswald Beacon No6891

Gibson, Alan Coronation No2929 Cowie, Sidney Penshaw No3194 Tweddell, Ernest Heabrym No7201

OCT

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TUESDAY 17TH OCTOBER 2017 Clarence Chapter No2462 Full team Visit

NOV

30

THURSDAY 30TH NOVEMBER 2017 Craft Promotions Meeting Lancastrian Suite, Dunston

Biott, Michael William Clarence No2462

Brethren Kneller, David Robert Vale of Tees No5016 Williams, Ronald Sancroft No4347

MCF COMMUNITY AWARDS TERCENTENARY FUND

Hartill, James Rowland Burdon No3960

Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for one of the 8 local charities nominated by Durham to share in the £79,000. Voting has now closed and results will be announced in due course.

Peacock, Robert Joseph Avalon No 7647

Across the country 300 charities will ultimately share in a staggering £3,000,000 from the Masonic Charitable Foundation marking our 300 anniversary.

Nichols, Christopher Claude Liddell No3616

Hayden, James Tyne Dock No4218 Blunt, Frederick George Bedic L5915 Clayton, Ronald Fraser Eslington No4623

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Sunderland Samba Girls in Kibera

Dance Group at Butlins

SUNDERLAND SAMBA FC

Kevin presents Community Grant

Sunderland Samba FC is a community football club in Sunderland run by John Boyd and Tunde Sobitan who provide football, volunteering, coaching, youth work and international exchange opportunities to the local community. The club was formed in 1999 from its roots in the Methodist Church in Sunderland and its membership is made up of a diverse group of nationalities and cultures, with local young men, asylum seekers and refugees from many countries, and people from many backgrounds.

Now the club has grown from strength to strength to have several different teams and a large network of players from England, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Botswana, Cameroon, Germany, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Kurdistan, Liberia, Nigeria, Palestine, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Zimbabwe, culminating this season in their 11-a-side team winning the NE Christian league.

as meals and sanitary products for the school. On their trips they organise and run workshops in the local communities discussing and working on subjects like peace and equality as well as providing football coaching to the children.

Alongside this, the school-leavers programme ensures that young girls become role models within their local communities.

As well as organising tournaments and promoting anti-racism campaigns, all while just enjoying playing football locally, they have a major international project in Kenya funding the Sunderland Samba Girls Soccer team in Kibera. This funding provides school books, pens, pencils and other art materials, as well

Kevin Carter from Durham Benevolence attended the recent AGM to present John Boyd, Tunde Sobitan and a number of the ‘champions’ team players with a Community Grant to assist them in continuing their great work.

Tunde Sobitan Training in Kenya

DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE IS 31ST OCTOBER 2017 NEWS@NEWS.PGLDURHAM.ORG

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

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