To R.W. Bro. IAN KINGSBURY JP Provincial Grand Master this
Devonshire Freemasons’ Reference Year Book
for the year 2022 Is most respectfully and fraternally dedicated
This booklet has been put together for the purposes of an
-
and is owned by The Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire
IT SHOULD NOT BE DISTRIBUTED COPIED TO ANOTHER WEBSITE POSTED ON ANY SOCIAL MEDIA OR SENT TO A 3RD PARTY
Without the permission of:
PROVINCIAL GRAND SECRETARY
7, HARRIER COURT EXETER AIRPORT CLYST HONITON EXETER EX5 2DR
To send an email Enquiry to the Provincial Grand Secretary - go to:
https://www.devonshirefreemasons.org.uk/contact website: www.devonshirefreemasons.org.uk
facebook: www.facebook.com/devonshirefreemasons
twitter: @DevonMasons - https://twitter.com/devonshirefreemasons
Craft Cover Page
Inside Cover - Introduction Page
Index - Craft Annual Reference Year Book / 2023 Festival Wine Glass
UGLE / Pro Grand Master’s Address
Photographs of Executive
History of Executive Appointments 1775 - 2022
MCF 2023 Festival - Contacts
Brethren in Devonshire holding Grand Rank
History of Provincial Wardens 1950 - 2022
Minutes - Provincial Grand Lodge 2022
Provincial Grand Rank Appointments / Promotions 2022
Provincial Grand Master’s Certificate of Service to Masonry
Provincial By-Laws
Model By-Laws & Notes - Updated 2022
Provincial Grand Master’s Address April 2022
Provincial Grand Secretary’s Annual Report February 2022
Provincial Grand Almoner’s Annual Report February 2022
Provincial Grand Charity Steward’s Annual Report January 2022
Provincial Grand Lodge Benevolent Fund Report January 2022
Provincial Grand Lodge Annual Membership Report December 2021
Provincial Grand Lodge Annual Mentor’s Report January 2022
Provincial Grand Lodge Festival Chairman’s Report 2022
Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Report & Message 2022
Provincial Grand Lodge ‘Parallel Lines’ Update 2022
MCF - Masonic Charitable Foundation Information
Teddies for Loving Care
Province of Devonshire Benevolent Fund
Devon Masonic Widows Association
The Association of Friends of Cadogan Court
Devonshire Fraternity of London Grand Rank
Devon Masonic Shooting Association
Devon Masonic Bowling Association
Craft Masonic Lodges - Alphabetical
Craft Masonic Lodges - by Lodge Number
Monthly Planner Link - Plan your Lodge Visits - All Orders
A Miscellany of Masonic Mirth - Advert - Proceeds to MCF 2023 Festival
Toast List (December 2022)
Back Page - Editorial Information and Contacts
Grand Master: M.W.Bro. His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent KG, GCMG, GCVO, ADC.
Pro Grand Master: M.W.Bro. Peter GeoffreyLowndes
Deputy Grand Master: R.W.Bro. Jonathan Spence
Assistant Grand Master: R.W.Bro. Sir David Hugh Wootton
Grand Secretary: V.W.Bro. Dr D.R. Staples Freemasons’ Hall, 60 Great Queen Street, LONDON WC2B 5AZ
for more info...
www.ugle.org.uk
www.facebook.com/UnitedGrandLodgeofEngland
https://twitter.com/UGLE_GrandLodge - @UGLE_GrandLodge
Grand Lodge meets at Freemasons’ Hall on the Second Wednesday in March, June, September and December. The Annual Investiture takes place on the last Wednesday in April.
Grand Lodge Library and Museum including the permanent exhibition on the history of English Freemasonry are open to the public on weekdays from 10am to 5pm. Saturday from 10am to 1pm but not on Sundays or Public Holidays (including Saturdays preceding Public Holidays).
When the Grand Temple is not in use there are up to five tours per day, Monday to Friday (inclusive). Tours commence at 11am, 12noon, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm, and the starting point for all tours is in the Library and Museum of Freemasonry.
Please note: Visitors may be required to showphotographicIDbefore the tour commences. Pre-booking is required for all group tours, and for any tours on Saturdays.
Further information isavailable on the Libraryand Museum website www.ugle.org.uk
The UnitedGrand Lodgeof Englandcurrently hasover200,000 membersmeetingin 6,800Lodges,which are grouped as follows: Lodges meeting in London (an area generally within a 10-mile radius of Freemasons’ Hall), are administered by the Metropolitan Grand Lodge of London, which is headed by the Metropolitan Grand Master.
Lodges meeting outside London, and within England, Wales, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, are grouped into 47 Provinces, whose boundaries often correspond to those of the Old Counties, with each headed by a Provincial Grand Master. Lodges that meet outside England, Wales, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are grouped into 33 Districts, with each headed by a District Grand Master, five Groups (ie: currently too small to make up a District), with each headed by a Grand Inspector, and 12 Lodges abroad which are directly administered by Freemasons’ Hall.
The United Grand Lodge of England publishes a Masonic Year Book annually which lists all committees and boards, details for all of its administrative groupings, and all Grand Officers and senior Provincial and District Officers. It also publishes triennially the Directory of Lodges and Chapters, which lists all lodges and their meeting dates and places. Both publications can be purchased from Freemasons’ Hall.
The Book of Constitutions (rule book) has been in the public domain since the first edition was published in 1723 and can also be purchased from Freemasons’ Hall.
Brethren, as you will have gathered from the Presentation and Panel Discussion led by the Grand Secretary it has been something of a journey for the Strategy Working Group in formulating and designing the Strategy for Freemasonry, 2022 and beyond. Its purpose is clear: to ensure that Freemasonry under the United Grand Lodge of England continues to thrive and to strengthen it for the future.
This journey has not been one undertaken by the Strategy Working Group in isolation. There have been presentations to all Metropolitan, District and Provincial Grand Masters and Grand Superintendents and we have benefitted from their advice and recommendations, many of which have been incorporated into the strategy being launched today.
The Grand Master has already expressed his thanks for the commitment and enthusiasm shown by Metropolitan, Provincial and District Rulers thus far to which I would like to add my own personal thanks. Without their support we would not have made as much progress as we have but this is only the start, there is a lot more progress still to come.
A strategy needs to articulate plainly the challenges an organisation is trying to address, it needs to set out clearly how it intends to address those challenges, and it also needs to demonstrate how it will know if it has been successful in doing so. I believe, Brethren, the Strategy for Freemasonry, 2022 and beyond does just this, clearly, succinctly, and unambiguously.
There are several matters I should like to emphasise today with respect to the strategy for the benefit of all our members, in addition to what has already been said.
The first is the integrated nature of the strategy. It covers both the Craft and the Royal Arch. It applies every bit as much to Royal Arch Chapters as it does to Craft Lodges. This is to ensure that all members of the United Grand Lodge of England understand the unique place of this Grand Lodge in the world. In particular, that pure Antient Freemasonry comprises three degrees and no more, viz those of the Entered
Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch. I will say no more now as I have already covered this in more detail in my recent address to Supreme Grand Chapter in November, but this is something on which we will build.
The enjoyment and engagement of all our members is a key feature of the strategy. This applies equally to those members of longer standing as it does to those who have recently been made Masons. We all have a responsibility to ensure that our Lodges and Chapter meetings are always occasions when everyone enjoys the whole evening with good ceremonies, the essential camaraderie on which we thrive, and we all leave looking forward to the next meeting.
It is also the responsibility of all members of a Lodge or Chapter, not just that of the Membership Officer, Mentor or Almoner, to support their members: it is a team effort, and we are all responsible (not least the Proposer and Seconder of the Brotheror Companion- concerned). When someone is not seen for a time, please contact them to ascertain they are not in difficulty and to understand why they have not been able to attend and what can be done to help keep them involved. This may be as simple as just offering them a lift to the next meeting. This support and just offering them the hand of friendship might just help to address the issue of resignations or, what is worse, Cessations and Exclusions where members just quietly drift away, often unnoticed. Attracting new members is important but as you heard earlier retaining the active engagement and enjoyment of our existing members will be just as much the key to our success.
Across the Constitution we must adopt a “yes if” attitude at all levels and be an organisation which learns lessons from trying alternative ways of doing things. For too long the standard answer in considering adapting things, without losing the essence of Freemasonry or being a freemason, has been “no because…”. The usual corollary to this is that inevitable phrase “we have always done it that way”. We all know this really means what can be remembered of the practice in any particular Lodge over the last twenty or thirty years. It is not just in freemasonry, Brethren, where this happens as it also happens in other member organisations, but it is a feature in too many Lodges and Chapters.
A “yes if” approach transforms the discussion into something positive. When something new is tried in a Lodge or Chapter be it a later start time, a double or a triple ceremony, a strict rule of the meeting lasting no more than ninety minutes, or the dinner ending by a set time, we need to consider has it achieved what was hoped. We need to reflect on what lessons can be learned to make it better and did the members enjoy it. We all know Brethren, if we go to a Lodge which has a buzz, we all enjoy it and feel more engaged with Freemasonry. It only takes two or three members in a Lodge to take the lead and encourage others to establish that essential atmosphere for a Lodge to thrive.
Con’t
We will also be making certain there are only a few initiatives which we introduce at any one time from Grand Lodge. We will ensure they are done consistently well and are effective before moving on to further initiatives. A good example of this is the revised Members’ Pathway: this is essential for the delivery of the strategy and securing our future. It needs to be adopted and implemented consistently across the Metropolitan Area and all Provinces. The Rulers, both Craft and Royal Arch, will be working closely with Provincial Rulers on this.
For any strategy to be successful it requires all parts of an organisation to support it actively and implement it consistently and effectively. It also needs to be adapted to local needs and priorities. Provincial and District Rulers have been asked to confirm how they will adjust their Provincial and District strategies to align their local approach with the overarching Strategy for Freemasonry, 2022 and beyond. This is integral to being a coherent organisation.
As with all strategies, the Strategy for Freemasonry 2022 and beyond will continue to evolve and improve as we engage with our membership and learn what has gone well and what needs to improve further. We will also check regularly how we are progressing.
Brethren, our challenge is clear. We cannot and must not assume we can just carry on as before. But there is no silver bullet….we will make progress through small, incremental changes in many areas. By being willing to innovate and try new approaches, to learn what works and to share this knowledge. We all have a part to play. It is a team game at all levels of Freemasonry under this Grand Lodge to ensure all our meetings are enjoyable and all members are engaged.
I know the Metropolitan, District and Provincial Rulers and their teams are ready to play their part fully in implementing the strategy. I know Brethren if we are all willing to adopt “yes, if” and are willing to innovate and learn, then I am confident with your support and full engagement we can and will succeed.
Thank you, Brethren.
Jonathan Spence
V.W.Bro. NICHOLAS A. BALL, PGSwdB
Date of Patent
1775 Sir Charles Warwick Bampfylde, Bt, MP
1819 Hugh, 2nd Earl Fortescue, KG, (Viscount Ebrington)
1866 The Reverend John Huyshe
Years Served
1879 Hugh, Viscount Ebrington, (later 4th Earl Fortescue, KCB)
1896 Hugh Stafford, Lord Northcote, GCMG, GCIE, CB
1903 Major George Christopher Davie
1928 Henry, Lord Roborough, DL
1938 Rt. Reverend William Frederick Surtees, Bishop of Crediton..
1955 Sir Arthur Conrad Reed
1961 Cyril Henry Crews
1970 William Alexander Kneel
1984 Archibald John Huxtable
1992 Kenneth John Alford
1994 Edward Joseph Holman
1999 Robin Osborn Osborn
2007 Michael Thomas Penny
2013 Ian Kingsbury JP
DEPUTY PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTERS
1775John Codrington
1793 Thomas Okes
1799 The Rev. Henry Shortridge Cruwys
1802 John Burridge Cholick
1820 George Warwick Bampfylde
1830 The Rev. William Carwithen
1850 The Rev. John Huyshe
1865 William Denis Moore
1867 The Rev. Lorenso Pastor Metham
1879 Walter Goddard Rogers
1895 George Christopher Davie
1904 Francis Beer Westlake
1908 John Stocker
1940 Lovell R. Dunstan
1944Maj. Gen. FrederickWilmotBarron
1961 William Alexander Kneel
1970 Cecil Reed Browne
1973 Robert William Lavers
1983 James Joseph Latham Gore
1987 Frank Banfill Prout
1990 Kenneth John Alford
1992 Edward Joseph Holman
1994 Robin Osborn Osborn
1999 John Frank Annear
2001 Michael Tomas Penny
2007 Peter Richard Galt
2010 Colin Charles Turner
2012 Ian Kingsbury JP
2013 Nicholas Andrew Ball
1st ASSISTANT PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTERS
1920 James William Sleigh Godding
1931 Henry Harcourt Gilbert New
1948 Sir Arthur Conrad reed
1961 Dr. FrederickWilliamArbuthnotWatt
1971 Robert William Lavers
1973 Dr. Richard Howarth
1975 James Joseph Latham Gore
1983 Frank Banfill Prout
1987 Kenneth John Alford
1990 Edward Joseph Holman
1994 John Frank Annear
1955 Cyril Henry Crews
1992 Robin Osborn Osborn
1999 Matthew Peter Haigh
2000 Gerald PercivalRooke
2001 Peter Richard Galt
2007 Colin Charles Turner
2010 Maurice William Eglinton
2011 Derek George Webber
2012 Nicholas Andrew Ball
2013 Peter John Mark Keaty
2nd ASSISTANT PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTERS
1956 William Alexander Kneel
1963 Cecil Reed Browne
1970 Robert William Lavers
1971 Dr. Richard Howarth
1973 James Joseph Latham Gore
1975 Frank Banfill Prout
1983 Archibald John Huxtable
1984 Michael Charles Tempest Reilly
1985 Kenneth John Alford
2nd ASSISTANT PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTERS con
1987 Edward Joseph Holman
1990 Raymond Douglas Mawson Penny
1992 John Frank Annear
1994 Matthew Peter Haigh
1999 Gerald Percival Rooke
2000 Micheal Thomas Penny
2001 Philip Jolyon Huxtable
2002 Jeffery Lawrence Attwood
2004 Colin Sidney Davies
2007 Rev. Phillip Louis Baycock
2010 Derek George Webber
2011 Nicholas Andrew Ball
2012 Peter John Mark Keaty
2013 Colin Charles Gale (Retired Dec 2021)
2021 Charles Reginald Yelland (December)
3rd ASSISTANT PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTERS
1981 Archibald John Huxtable
1983 Michael Charles Tempest Reilly
1994 Gerald Percival Rooke
1992 Matthew Peter Haigh
1984 Kenneth John Alford
1986 Edward Joseph Holman
1987 Raymond Douglas Mawson Penny
1990 Robin Osborn Osborn
1999 Michael Thomas Penny
2000 Peter Richard Galt
2001 Jeffery Lawrence Attwood
2002 Colin Sydney Davies
2004 Colin Charles Turner
2007 Maurice William Eglinton
2010 Nicholas Andrew Ball
2011 Ian Kingsbury JP
2012 Colin Charles Gale
2013 Richard Arthur Peter Speed
2014 George Ernest Rogers
2015 Christopher Yard
2019 Charles Reginald Yelland (September)
2021 Craig Cox (December)
4th ASSISTANT PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTERS
2005 Rev. Philip Louis Baycock
2007 Derek George Webber
2010 Ian Kingsbury JP
2011 Peter John Mark Keaty
2011 Colin Charles Gale
2012 Richard Arthur Peter Speed
2013 George Ernest Rodgers
2014 Christopher Yard
2015 Charles Reginald Yelland
2019 Craig Cox (September)
2022 Andrew Vodden MBE (February)
PROVINCIAL GRAND SECRETARIES
1777 John Drake (Union)
1793 Beavis Wood (All Souls)
1820 James Terrell (St. George’s)
1823 John Chubb (St. George’s)
1825 James Terrell (St. George’s)
1828 John Daw (St. George’s)
1830 William Dennis Moore (St. George’s)
1862 Thomas Hunt Edmonds
1863 William Dennis Moore (St. George’s)
1864 Walter Goddard Rogers (St. George’s)
1865 William Dennis Moore (St. George’s)
1866 Walter Goddard Rogers (St. George’s)
1868 Isaac Latimer (Sincerity)
1869 Walter Goddard Rogers (St. George’s)
1873 Charles Leigh (Metham)
1874 William Goddard Rogers (St. George’s)
1879 John Brewer (Loyal)
1887 George Christopher Davie (Loyal)
1895 John Brewer (Loyal)
1896 John Stocker (St. John the Baptist)
1908 Henry Stocker (St. John the Baptist)
1929 Charles Back (St. John the Baptist)
1962 Doric Harold Hawkeswood (Lopes)
1969 Montague Frederick Whidden Phillips,
SB St J, (St. Peter in Exeter)
1983 Edward Joseph Holman (Pleiades)
1986 Thomas James Martin (Harmony)
1989 Edward John Fay (All Souls)
1996 Peter Richard Galt (Old Helean)
2000 Colin Charles Turner (Perserverance)
2004 David John Purnell (Sir Joshua Reynolds)
2009 David John Lyne (St. Andrews)
2013 Christopher Yard (Brent Lodge)
2015 Dr. Richard Ebrey (Lodge of St. Peter)
2021 Tony Jordan (Brent Lodge 1284)
Chairman -
W.Bro. Peter Keaty petekeaty@gmail.com
Treasurer -
W.Bro. Peter Bartlett pmab14@gmail.com
Secretary -
W.Bro. Walker Lapthorne walker.ludbrook@gmail.com
Charity Steward -
W.Bro. Reuben Ayres reubenayres@btinternet.com
Festival Events -
W.Bro. Keith Williams Keithw.events@pgldevonshire.org.uk
Events Manager -
W.Bro. John Pritchard Johnp.events@pgldevonshire.org.uk
Chairman Festival Friends -
W.Bro. Andrew Yelland ayellandfrcs@gmail.com
Festival Beer -
W.Bro. Alan Gill alig44@talktalk.net.
Area Manager South -
W.Bro. Lee Williams leejameswilliams@hotmail.com
Area Manager North -
W.Bro. Julian Turner Turner.julian@yahoo.co.uk
Area Manager East -
W.Bro. Grahame Symons grahamesimons13@aol.com
Area Manager Plymouth -
W.Bro. Paul Adnams p.j.adnams@talktalk.net
Please support the Devonshire 2023 Masonic Charitable Foundation Festival in all that it does and will do for masonic and non-masonic causes
1950 C. H. Crews
1951 A. S. Banbury
1952 P. A. Clapham
1953 G. E. Pitts
1954 A. D. Phillips
1955 Dr. C. Wroth
1956 Dr. F. W. A. Watt
1957 C. R. Browne
1958 Dr. M. Lees
1959 R. Howarth
1960 G. G. Leatherby
1961 J. W. Glanfield
1962 Dr. C. R. Croft
1963 R. H. T. Burgess
1964 H. J. Stevens
1965 P. P. MacDiarmid
1966 R. E. Jackson
1967 R. A. Skentelbery
1968 G. E. H. Creber
1969 A. J. Huxtable
1970 M. C. T. Reilly
1971 Lt. Col. W. J. Elliot, MBE
1972 D. J. Wandless
1973 C. O. Holland
1974 G. Robins
1975 G. Shattock
1976 S. A. West
1977 R. Sims
1978 F. J. W. Hodgson
1979 J. Alford
1980 R. D. M. Penny
1981 H. N. Statton
1982 R. B. Gunn
1983 Dr. J. H. Wickstead
1984 W. J. H. Brooks
1985 J. G. Higgs
1986 E. K. Tucker
1987 T. Petherick
1988 S. J. Fovargue
1989 J. F. Annear
1990 D. Egerton-Jones
1991 C. Barrett
1992 G. P. Rooke
1993 D. J. Endacott
1994 D. Mullins 1995 M. T. Penny 1996 P. J. Huxtable
C. C. Turner
R. C. Keane
L. C. Evis
W. E. Thomas
P. J. Balsom
G. Elkins
G.B. Smith
E. J. Buse 2005 M. J. Twitchin
N. A. Ball 2007 I. Kingsbury JP 2008 D. C. Purdie 2009 A. R. Cockman 2010 P. Durrant, MBE 2011 A. R. Gill
R. Selby 2013 R. S.
1950 J. G. R. Orchard
1951 W. G. Northcott
1952 H. Grant
1953 T. Holloway
1954 F. P. Cottey
1955 Eng. Rear Adml. A. K. Dibley
1956 R. Cummings
1957 P. D. Pascho
1958 A. J. Dunsford
1959 Dr. W. R. Gavin
1960 J. M. Luxmoore
1961 Lt. Col. F. J. Dean
1962 H. J. Pratt
1963 Dr. F. N. Adams
1964 E. M. Bishop
1965 F. B. Prout
1966 G. W. Williams
1967 E. Diggle
1968 J. W. Smyth
1969 W. H. Roberts
1970 W. J. Mills
1971 A. C. Metherell
1972 Maj. T. R. Corkery
1973 J. L. Cresswell
1974 L. F. Pinney
1975 H. D. Coysh-Busby
1976 B. G. Ridalls
1977 L. J. Hill
1978 D. J. Lees
1979 E. J. Holman
1980 D. H. L. Searle
1981 R. T. Discombe
1982 F. C. Ballantine, DFC.
1983 F. D. Matthews
1984 A. I. Pearse
1985 R. E. Olding, OBE
1986 R. S. C. Burch
1987 P. H. Burrows
1988 D. W. P. Grose
1989 P. Gregory
1990 P. R. Galt
1991 A. G. R. Holliss
1992 W. S. Daw
1993 R. Richards
1994 W. R. Borne
1995 Dr. J. D. Shapland
1996 J. A. White
1997 A. C. Ireland, ERD
1998 C. E. R. Dowell
1999 J. L. Attwood
2000 D. G. Webber
2001 C. Richards
2002 R. K. Maddock
2003 C. J. Spilsbury
2004 M. St. J. French
2005 F. Handscombe
2006 J. R. Leballeur
2007 C. A. James
2008 J. D. Sevieri
2009 A. W. A. Vodden,
Held at the Sandy Park, Exeter Monday 11th April 2022
Present :
R.WBro Ian Kingsbury, Provincial Grand Master
V.WBro Nicholas A Ball PGSwdB, Deputy Provincial Grand Master
W.Bro Peter JM Keaty PSGD, Assistant Provincial Grand Master
W.Bro Charles Yelland PSGD, Assistant Provincial Grand Master
W.Bro Craig Cox PSGD, Assistant Provincial Grand Master
W.Bro Andrew Vodden MBE, PAGDC, Assistant Provincial Grand Master
Together with Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge 2020-2021
(A full list of those who were also in attendance is recorded and is available upon request.)
1. Provincial Grand Lodge was opened in due form with solemn prayer.
2. The Provincial Grand Master was saluted according to his rank and ancient custom.
3. A large number of distinguished guests were welcomed to the Provincial Grand Lodge with customary ceremonial. Also present were a large number of Grand Officers, Past Provincial Grand Officers, Masters, Past Masters, Wardens of Lodges and Master Masons whose names were all duly recorded. The Right Worshipful Brethren were saluted and R.W.Bro Jonathan Davis, Provincial Grand Master for Bristol, responded accordingly.
4. In Memoriam: The Provincial Grand Master referred to the loss of 91 Brethren in the Province during the past year, amongst whom were:
The Brethren stood to Order as a mark of their respect for Departed Merit, for these and the other Brethren of the Province, while the Provincial Grand Chaplain offered a Requiem Prayer.
W.Bro Horace Stanley Nevill PJGD, Lodge of Perseverance No.164
W.Bro Frank Tonkin PAGDC, St John the Evangelist Lodge No.4405
W.Bro Colin James PAGDC, Pelican Lodge No.7878
5. The minutes of the annual meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge held at Exeter on 24th September 2021, as printed and circulated in the Devonshire Freemasons’ Yearbook, were proposed by W.Bro K Jones (1753), seconded by W.Bro M Dinham (105). Approved and confirmed.
6. To confirm the Annual Reports, as printed and circulated in the Devonshire Mason of the:
a. Provincial Grand Secretary
b. Provincial Grand Treasurer
c. Provincial Grand Charity Steward
d. Hon. Secretary’s Report of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire Benevolent
e. Provincial Grand Almoner
Proposed by W.Bro K Barnes (2725) and seconded by W.Bro R Palmer (9613) Approved and confirmed.
7. Election of Provincial Grand Treasurer: there being only one nomination, W.Bro Paul O’Connell
Provincial Grand Treasurer, of Miles Coverdale Lodge No 5069, was re-elected Provincial Grand Treasurer for the ensuing year.
8. Provincial Grand Lodge Account examiners: W.Bro G Sclater (5526) proposed and W.Bro I Langrish (1135) seconded that W.Bro C Elliot PPrAGDC of St George’s Lodge No. 112 and Bro M Leonard PPrJGD of St Margaret’s Lodge No 6128 be elected to examine the Provincial Grand Lodge Accounts for the ensuing year. Received and adopted.
9. Finance Committee of Provincial Grand Lodge: W.Bro G Auger (1125) proposed and W.Bro D HodsonWhittle (1125) seconded that the following Brethren be elected to serve on the Finance Committee of Provincial Grand Lodge for the ensuing year: W.Bro WS Daw PJGD, W.Bro PWR Hewson PJGD, W.Bro MF Elliot PPrAGDC, W.Bro PC Adnams PPrJGD and W.Bro ML Leonard (6128). Received and adopted.
10. MCF Representatives: W.Bro Adrian Garrity (6677) proposed and W.Bro G Black (3033) seconded that the MCF Representatives for Devonshire be W.Bro AWA Vodden MBE, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, PAGDC and W.Bro Dr RCS Ayres ProvGChStwd. Received and adopted.
11. Appointment of Provincial Grand Officers.
The RW Provincial Grand Master reappointed his Deputy and Assistant Provincial Grand Masters: V.W.Bro Nicholas Ball PGSwdB to Deputy PGM
W.Bro Peter JM Keaty PSGD to Assistant PGM
W.Bro Charles R Yelland PSGD to Assistant PGM W.Bro Craig Cox PSGD to Assistant PGM
W.Bro Andrew Vodden MBE PAGDC to Assistant PGM
12. The RW Provincial Grand Master appointed as Provincial Senior Grand Warden W.Bro Robert Syme of the Western District United Services Lodge No.2258 and W.Bro Kevin Jones of Lodge of Obedience No 1753 as Provincial Junior Grand Warden.
The RW Provincial Grand Master re-appointed and thanked those Brethren who were continuing in office. He then appointed and invested the Provincial Grand Officers for the ensuing year and conferred promotion to Past Rank on other Brethren.
The RW Provincial Grand Master addressed the Brethren: Brethren I thank you all for attending and supporting our Provincial Grand Lodge meeting here at Sandy Park. Especially our distinguished guests who have travelled some distance to be with us today. The sudden switch of venue today made it necessary to change the procedure of our meeting, which I hope you enjoyed. Much thanks must go to our Provincial Secretary W.Bro. Tony Jordan and our Assistant Secretary
W.Bro. Richard Ebrey for the panic-stricken work that has taken place to make it possible for us to meet today. Much appreciation must also go to W.Bro. Keith Williams our Director of Ceremonies and his team who have calmly overcome the change of format of the meeting, at this venue. I once again thank W.Bro. Andy Dewis, our Provincial Tyler, and his merry band of Brothers for organising all the equipment today, not forgetting W.Bro. Charles Wray for organising the Luncheon.We are also very grateful to the Management Bev Gratton and staff of Sandy Park for accommodating us at the last minute. It was extremely difficult to find a venue to cope with our numbers. I felt very honoured on behalf of the province when the Dean of Exeter Cathedral, Very Reverend Jonathan Greener offered us the Cathedral for our meeting. We have also been invited to the Cathedral for this year’s Carol service, when Lodge banners maybe paraded in and displayed around the Cathedral.
Con’t
I cannot praise enough my executive for their staunch support for me and the Province through these difficult times. The great support, encouragement, and loyalty of my Deputy Very W.Bro. Nicky Ball is much appreciated, thank you Nicky. Likewise, the support we have received from WBros. Reuben Ayres, Chris Thomas, Andy Vodden, and Derek Webber, who have presided at Installations and presented certificates. All of us I am sure cannot praise enough W.Bro. Colin Gale PPAPGM who deserves a well-earned rest and many happy cruises with his wife Elaine. You have not only given exceptional service to this Province but have been instrumental in representing Group 9 PGMs in the re-structuring of the Pathway for Grand Lodge. You are held in the highest of esteem by the Brethren of this province the proof of which has been reflected in the number of bottles of Plymouth Gin that have ended up in your drinks cabinet, please leave them unopened until I visit.
W.Bro. Colin also relinquishes his duties overseeing the Provincial Membership Team, which will be in the capable hands of W.Bro. Charles Yelland. I am sure he agrees with me that he cannot have a finer team that is run by our Provincial Membership Officer W.Bro. Mark Lewis. A very special thanks to you Mark for the manner in which you and the team vet our candidates before they are allocated to a lodge, well done.
I think UGLE has been very supportive in keeping us informed of all the issues that we face and given us guidance through these difficult times.
I would also like to thank W.Bro. Craig Cox for keeping us informed, provincially, through the production of Parallel Lines. Craig has also managed to secure W.Bro. Rick Wakeman to entertain us at the final Festival celebration. Brethren the green shoots of recovery are pushing through as we look to a brighter future and a return to lodge meetings. I must just reflect on this awful period of time we have all been through.
I want to thank all the key Provincial Grand Officers for supporting and steering us through these difficult times. I particularly thank those leaving office:
W.Bro. Chris Thomas has done a fantastic job in progressing the standard of mentoring throughout the province. We wish W.Bro. Chris Bird every success in this role for the future.
W.Bro Graham Lea has been a most supportive Chaplain. The Executive and I much appreciate the support you have given us, as do many lodges throughout the province who have been grateful for your visits when that was possible. We wish W.Bro. Dr. Adrian Rogers well in this very important office.
What was heartening for me, and the executive was to observe all of our brethren doing their utmost to comply with all the regulations, on how we should meet, and all the restrictions and frustrations that came with that to keep us all safe. Brethren all you have done that and kept Freemasonry safe, and on a sound footing in Devonshire, I can’t thank you enough.
Many of you have and still are carrying out good deeds of volunteering your free time in assisting the vulnerable people in our community, making equipment for the NHS, and marshalling at the vaccine centres. I thank you all along with your wives and partners. Please continue to exercise great caution in the manner in which we meet and conduct our ceremonies, you are very special and very precious to Freemasonry. We are all familiar with the initiatives introduced by Grand Lodge, The Pathway, the Mentoring Schemes and Hermes. If you are not familiar with these just go onto our or Grand Lodge website and all will be explained. All of this guidance is designed to help lodges survive and not slip into decline. We have got to look after our new members and make sure they have a good future in our wonderful order. Whether a prospective member has been recommended by a brother or has made his own introduction they still require the careful scrutiny of the lodge they wish to join. The Deputy Grand Master, soon to be the Pro Grand Master, is asking us to look closely at what is known as the Membership Challenge. Which basically means the difference between normal through put of initiates and the shortfall we have all suffered over the past two years and how long will it take to catch up. It is up to all of us to look out for good men that we think will be suitable to join us.
Brethren it has never been more important for us to unite in is a special effort to raise as much as we can in the last year of our MCF Festival. I cannot praise enough the hard work that has been put in by our festival team headed up by W.Bro. Peter Keaty Festival Chairman, Walker Lapthorne Festival Secretary and W.Bro. Reuben Ayres our Provincial Grand Charity Steward, all of the committee, Managers and Team workers. A big thank you to all the brethren that have donated and continue to donate especially via the Stewards scheme and to all lodges that have contributed so generously. Once again, a big thank you to the 300 Club Boys who are working tirelessly at organising functions and raising funds for the festival, they are a great bunch of brethren who have stuck together since the Tercentenary, well done. In this last year of Festival, I appeal to those brethren that are still thinking about giving. Please donate only what you can afford and make a last push to show what Devonshire can do to pay back some of generosity that we have received from the MCF, especially during this covid period.
I hope all the newly appointed active Provincial Officers will be able to travel the province and experience the wonderful variety of Lodge buildings and ceremonies that this province offers. Many congratulations to all those that I have appointed to past rank and those brethren promoted in rank, all well-deserved for your service to our order. All of you would also be most welcome to visit the Lodges throughout our province. Attendance at meetings has understandably fallen over the past two years and a small party of visitors would always be most welcome.
Let’s take this opportunity to congratulate our Brethren that have been appointed to Grand Rank at the annual Investiture on the 27 April this year, W.Bros Alan Gill, Tim Golder, and Colin Spilsbury, all Past Assistant Grand Directors of Ceremonies.
• W.Bro. Chris Roach - Past Deputy Grand Sword Bearer
• W.Bro. Andy Vodden - Past Senior Grand Deacon
Please join with me in wishing them all a very happy day in London and an enjoyable future as Grand officers. Brethren, I have said many times what a pleasure and privilege it is to serve you as your Provincial Grand Master, it has all gone too quickly my term of office will be complete in 2023. I want to express my appreciation to my executive, the secretariat, my long serving Provincial Officers and to all of you Brethren in the Province for all the support, kindness, and loyalty that you have given me and my wife Toni over the years I have held office.
God bless you all, enjoy your lunch and have a safe journey home.
13. Other business: The Provincial Grand Secretary reported that a number of apologies for absence had been received from Brethren, from both this Province and others, all of which had been duly recorded. Presentations for the MCF Festival were received from the Provincial Grand Wardens of 2020 and W.Bro P. Balsom on behalf of Devonshire Mark Masons and from V.W.Bro N Ball and the Benevolent Fund.
Provincial Grand Lodge was closed in due form and during the Closing Hymn, a collection was taken for the forthcoming MCF 2023 Festival. The first verse of the National Anthem was subsequently sung.
The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, accompanied by the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, and other distinguished guests retired in due form.
Anthony J Jordan PAGDC Provincial Grand Secretary 19th April 2022The Provincial Grand Lodge shall consist of the Brethren listed in Rule 65 of the Book of Constitutions.
The Provincial Grand Lodge shall meet annually in April on a day fixed by the Provincial Grand Master, at which meeting the election of the Provincial Grand Treasurer and appointment of Provincial Grand Officers shall take place.
At a meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge, Master Masons, not being members of Provincial Grand Lodge, providing they are subscribing members of a Lodge may, by permission of the Provincial Grand Master or his Deputy, be allowed to attend but they shall not take part in the proceedings.
The summons convening Provincial Grand Lodge shall be sent to the Secretary of every Lodge in the Province in sufficient time for a copy to be transmitted to every member of Provincial Grand Lodge, to arrive at least ten days prior to the meeting.
Every Lodge in the Province shall be represented at the meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge and every present Provincial Grand Officer shall attend unless an acceptable explanation be submitted.
Any member of Provincial Grand Lodge intending to submit a motion, or any other matter, for consideration at the Annual Meeting shall, on or before the first day of March preceding it, send to the Provincial Grand Secretary a notice in writing stating the nature of the intended motion or business, and such notice shall be inserted in the agenda for Provincial Grand Lodge, and no motion or other business shall be brought into discussion in Provincial Grand Lodge unless by special leave of the Provincial Grand Master, or his Deputy for the time being, presiding at such Provincial Grand Lodge.
The accounts of the Provincial Grand Lodge shall be made up to 31st December of each year and be audited by the Audit Committee prior to the Annual Meeting. A copy of the Annual Accounts shall be available to each member of the Provincial Grand Lodge prior to the Annual Meeting.
The Audit Committee shall consist of two members of Provincial Grand Lodge to be elected at the Annual Meeting.
The Master of every Lodge in the Province shall be responsible for compliance with Rule 146(ii) of the Book of Constitutions and for the transmission to the Provincial Grand Secretary of:
(a) A list of all persons who are, or may have been, members of the Lodge during the year ending 31st December, either by confirmation of computer lists provided or by completion of a form of Return to be supplied. The Return shall be made and the dues paid by 31st December in each year.
(b) A copy of the Grand Lodge Registration Form P within 30 days of a candidate's initiation or admission as a joining member of his Lodge.
Fees (General).
(a) The following fees shall be payable to Provincial Grand Lodge General Fund: For a Dispensation by the Provincial Grand Master - £40-00
(b) Annual Dues in respect of each subscribing member who has been on the Register of the Lodge, during any part of the year to which the Annual Return relates, or such lesser amount as Provincial Grand Lodge, at the Annual Meeting, shall from time to time decide £11-50 until 1st December 2022
Fees (Registrations).
The following Registration Fees shall be payable to the Provincial Grand Lodge General Fund:
(a) For a new Lodge - £100-00
(b) For a member for Initiation - £7-50
(c) For a member joining from another Constitution - £7-50
(d) On first appointment to Provincial Rank - £50-00
All Masonic communication to the Provincial Grand Master shall be made through the Provincial Grand Secretary.
The Secretary of each Lodge shall forward one copy of every notice convening a meeting of the Lodge, of Lodge Accounts and of every communication on Lodge business issued to members of the Lodge, to the Provincial Grand Secretary.
Nominations in writing for the office of Provincial Grand Treasurer, duly signed by the proposer and seconder, who must be members of Provincial Grand Lodge, shall be sent to the Provincial Grand Secretary to arrive on or before 1st March, each year.
There shall be a Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire Charity Fund “operating according to the rules of the Charity Commission”.
One copy of these By-Laws shall be given to each Lodge in the Province, within one month of the date of approval of the MW The Grand Master; further copies may be supplied at a cost of £2.00 each.
Except as otherwise required by Rule 83, Book of Constitutions, these By-Laws may be added to, or amended, by Provincial Grand Lodge only after written notice of motion, detailing the proposed additions or amendments, given to the Provincial Grand Secretary on or before 1st March in any year, and printed in full in the agenda for the Annual Meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge at which it is to be considered. No addition or amendment shall become effective until it has been adopted by Provincial Grand Lodge and approved by the RW Provincial Grand Master and the MW Grand Master.
By-Laws approved in Provincial Grand Lodge, 13th April 2015, incorporating all previously approved amendments.
Signed: Ian Kingsbury JP Provincial Grand MasterThe Lodge shall meet at the and shall hold regular meetings on the at such hour as the Master shall direct.
The Master and the Treasurer shall be elected by ballot at at the regular meeting in The Master Elect shall be installed at the regular meeting in
Subject to the provisions of Rule 113, Book of Constitution, the Tyle shall be elected by show of hands at the regular meeting in
The Lodge Committee shall consist of the Master, Wardens, Past Masters of (and in) the Lodge, Treasurer, Secretary and other members to be elected annually by the Lodge at a regular meeting in
This Committee shall consider and report to the Lodge on all proposals for membership and on any matters specifically referred to it by the Lodge at the regular meeting in This committee shall consider and report to the lodge on all proposals for membership and on any matters specially refered to it by the lodge Members shall form a quorum.
The Audit Committee shall consist of members of the Lodge who shall be elected annually by the Lodge at the regular meeting in
The accounts shall be made up to in each year and shall be presented to the Lodge, duly audited at the regular meeting in A copy of the accounts and the Audit Committee's Certificate that all the balances have been checked and that the accounts have been audited shall be sent to all the members with the summons convening the meeting.
The Initiation fee shall be £………………………………………….…..
The Joining fee shall be £………………………………………….…...
The Re-Joining fee shall be £……………………………………….….
Such fees to be exclusive of subscription.
(In addition to these fees the candidate shall pay to the Lodge such registration fees as are payable to Grand Lodge and if applicable *Metropolitan/ *Provincial / *District Grand Lodge together with any tax thereon and the candidate shall before becoming a member be informed of the total amount due.)
*Delete as appropriate.
The annual subscription (except for non-dining or country membership as provided for in By-Law No.7) due and payable in advance on the 1st ……………………………………………...
Shall be such amount as the Lodge shall from time to time decide by resolution after notice on the summons at the previous regular meeting.
[The Secretary’s services shall be deemed equivalent to payment of subscription.]
[The visitor’s fee at dinners shall be such amount as the Lodge shall from time to time determine by resolution after notice on the summons.]
[The Master shall have the privilege of inviting ___ guest(s) to each dinner free of the visitor’s fee.]
[Any member whose subscription is unpaid for ___ months shall be liable to be excluded from the Lodge, after due notice, in accordance with Rule 181, Book of Constitutions.]
Any member who, for reasons acceptable to the Lodge, is not in a position to enjoy the privileges of the Lodge regularly may on written application to the Secretary and by resolution of the Lodge be considered a non-dining or country member and shall pay a subscription annually in advance on 1st ___________________ of such less amount than that provided for in By-Law No. 6 as the Lodge shall from time to time decide by resolution after notice on the summons at the previous regular meeting.
When attending the Lodge and dining such member shall pay the current visitor’s fee.
The admission of candidates for initiation and joining shall be regulated by the provisions of Rule 157-166, Book of Constitution. On the ballot for a candidate for initiation or joining black……….. ball(s) shall exclude.
Any member desirous of terminating his membership of the Lodge shall tender his resignation in writing to the Secretary, or orally in open Lodge, in accordance with Rule 183, Book of Constitution and he shall be entitled to the Certificate mentioned in Rule 175, Book of Constitution, stating the circumstance in which he left the Lodge. Should he at any future time wish to rejoin he shall be subject to the rules relating to joining members.
Payment on any sum exceeding £…………………or if other than ordinary purposes may be made only by resolution of the Lodge, of which notice has been given on the summons, except in a case of emergency when such payment may be authorised by the Master and reported to the Lodge at the next regular meeting.
See Note 15
11. Amendments of By-Laws
Except as required by Rule 141, Book of Constitution, amendment of these By-Laws or of any of them may be made only in the following manner:-
A) Notice of motion in writing stating the precise amendments shall be proposed in open Lodge at a regular meeting.
B) The motion shall be set out on the summons for the next regular meeting or for an Emergency meeting summoned for the purpose and shall at such meeting be put to Lodge.
C) A resolution for amendment, of which notice shall have been given as aforesaid, shall be carried if the majority of the members voting shall vote in favour of it shall not be effective until approved by the Provincial Grand Master/ Grand Master.
Should there be any objection to the introduction of a Candidate for Initiation or Brother for Joining. It is recommended that such objection be mentioned privately to the Master or Secretary who may communicate with the Proposer and give him the opportunity of withdrawing his Candidate.
N.B. - The numbers of the Rules in the Book of Constitutions above are those in the 2016 edition.
A set of By-Laws following the wording overleaf (varied in accordance with the notes below, if applicable) will conform to the Model for the purposes of Rule 135, Book of Constitutions, so that the Metropolitan, Provincial or District Grand Master or Grand Inspector will be authorised to approve such By-Laws on behalf of the Grand Master. In all other cases the By-Laws must be submitted for the approval of the Grand Master. No By-Law can override an express provision of the Book of Constitutions.
A Lodge may have only a single meeting place specified in its Warrant and its By-Laws.
The Election meeting must be the regular meeting immediately preceding the Installation Meeting.
A Lodge may, by annual resolution, resolve that a subscribing member shall by Tyler without emolument, but this must not be embodied as a requirement in its By-Laws.
Forming a Committee is a domestic matter and, while the principle officers are obviously necessary (and other Officers than those named below are permissible), the words ‘Past Masters of’ or ‘Past Masters of and in’ the Lodge may be omitted or their number restricted, e.g. two ‘of’ and one ‘in’. Other members should only be included if the Lodge considers them essential. The most effective Committee is often small. The same applies to the quorum and it is advantageous if it is an odd number.
It is strongly recommended that the Audit Committee be small, say two or three members.
The audited accounts must be presented no later than the third meeting after the date to which the accounts are made up.
A fee, unlike a subscription, is a single ‘one-off’ payment and, again unlike a subscription, must be of an amount specified in the By-Laws. Though a relatively nominal amount for a joining or re-joining fee may be appropriate, a nil amount will not be approved.
It is strongly recommended that the words contained within the square brackets, though optional, be incorporated into the By-Laws, as that will obviate the need for regular increases in fees. See Rule 163 (j), Book of Constitutions. If used, the words must be included in their entirety.
The subscription due date must be the first day of a calendar month. If the subscription is exclusive of dining fees the reference to non-dining should be deleted from By-Laws 6 and 7. The paragraph should then read:-
‘The annual subscription due payable in advance on 1st and exclusive of dining fees, shall be of such amount as the Lodge shall from time to time decide by resolution after notice on the summons at the previous regular meeting. The fees for members and visitors at dinners shall be such amounts as the Lodge shall from time to time decide from time to time decide by resolution after notice on the summons at the previous regular meeting.’ As an alternative to the last sentence above, and if appropriate, the wording may be amended to:‘The fees for members and visitors for dining shall be ‘at cost’. The members can be informed of the dining fee by a separate not included with the summons for each meeting.
While Rule 104(c), Book of Constitutions, allows for the Secretary’s services to be equivalent to payment of subscription, this is an option for the Lodge to adopt, as is the provision for the Master’s privilege to invite guests at the Lodge’s expense.
The minimum time period for excluding a member from the Lodge for non-payment of subscription that will receive approval is three months. See Rules 145 and 181, Book of Constitutions. There will be no advantage to the Lodge if the period stated is one calendar year or more.
If By-Law 6 is amended as shown in Note 9 above the last sentence of By-Law 7 should refer to the ‘current dining fee’.
Not more than three. See Rule 165, Book of Constitutions.
It is suggested that the amount be high enough to be realistic, but not so high as to allow undue latitude. A recommended figure would be in the range of £100 to £250.
The words in square brackets must be omitted in the case (but only in the case) of an unattached Lodge.
The Committee of General Purposes President
R.W.Bro. Ian Kingsbury JP, Provincial Grand Master
Past Presidents
R.W.Bro M.T. Penny Past Provincial Grand Master Chairman
V.W.Bro. N.A. Ball PGSwdB, Deputy Provincial Grand Master
Vice-Chairman
W.Bro. P.J.M. Keaty, PSGD, Assistant Provincial Grand Master
W.Bro. C.C. Gale, PSGD, Assistant Provincial Grand Master
W.Bro. C Yard, PSGD, Assistant Provincial Grand Master
W.Bro. C. Yelland PJGD, Assistant Provincial Grand Master
Hon. Secretary
W.Bro. B.R. Adams, PAGStdB
The Committee consists of the Right Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master, any Past Provincial Grand Master of the Province. the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, the Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, the Provincial Grand Treasurer, the Provincial Grand Secretary, the Provincial Grand Almoner. the Provincial Grand Charity Steward, the Provincial Financial Committee, the Provincial Auditors, the Secretary of the Committee, the Chairman, Treasurers and the Secretary of the Provincial Benevolent Fund, and/or of anybody or Committee which may take over any of the functions of the above Fund; and one Representative from each Lodge in the Province.
The Provincial Grand Master shall be the President of the Committee for the period of his Office.
There shall be one ordinary meeting every year in the Spring.
Extraordinary Meetings may be called by the Chairman at his discretion, or on a requisition by six members of the Committee.
The election of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and the Secretary to take place at the Annual Meeting. In the event of a vacancy in the Office of Secretary at any time more than four weeks before the Annual Meeting, a successor to fill such vacancy may be elected at that meeting. In the event of the death or incapacity of the Secretary, the Chairman may appoint another person to act as Secretary until the next meeting.
The functions of the Committee are to receive and consider at each meeting Reports from:
(a) The Financial Committee
(b) The Provincial Grand Secretary
(c) The Provincial Grand Almoner
(d) The Provincial Grand Charity Steward
(e) Any sub-committee of this Committee or any Fund set up by this Committee
At the Annual Meeting the Committee shall recommend to the Provincial Grand Lodge the names of five Brethren to serve on the Finance Committee and five Brethren to serve on the Benevolent Fund Committee.
The Committee shalt consider any proposal, recommendation or other pertinent matter relating to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire which shall have been notified to the Secretary at least one week before the date of the Meeting. The Committee may take such action as they may deem appropriate, such matter being decided by a show of hands by a simple majority.
The Chairman, at his discretion, may allow any other matter to be considered.
Rule 104 (a), Book of Constitutions, reads as follows:
‘The regular Officers of a Lodge shall be the Master and his two Wardens, a Treasurer, a Secretary, two Deacons, an Inner Guard and a Tyler. The Master shall appoint as additional officers an Almoner and a Charity Steward, and may also appoint as additional officers a Chaplain, a Director of Ceremonies, a Mentor, an Assistant Director of Ceremonies, an Organist, an Assistant Secretary and a Steward or Stewards, but no others. No Brother can hold more than one regular office in the Lodge at one and the same time, but the Master may appoint a Brother who is holding a regular office to one additional office also. [NB Mentor now included]
Rule 104 (d) reads:
The Officers of a Lodge shall take precedence for investure and otherwise in the following order: Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Chaplain (if any), Treasurer, Secretary, Director of Ceremonies (if any), Almoner, Charity Steward, Mentor, Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, Assistant Director of Ceremonies (if any), Organist (if any), Assistant Secretary (if any), Inner Guard, Steward (if any), and Tyler.
In cases where Officers other than the regular Officers are appointed, the order of appointment shall be as follows:
Master
Senior Warden
Junior Warden
Chaplain
Treasurer
Secretary
Director of Ceremonies
Almoner
Charity Steward
Membership Officer*
Mentor
Senior Deacon
Junior Deacon
Assistant Director of Ceremonies
Organist
Assistant Secretary
Inner Guard
Stewards
Tyler
No Brother has any right to claim advancement. The appointment of all Officers except the Master, the Treasurer and (if elected) the Tyler is in the sole discretion and power of the Master.
The Immediate Past Master, as such, is not an officer of the Lodge. He holds his position and responsibilities by virtue of his Mastership, and retains that position until a succeeding Master becomes Immediate Past Master.
Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest secular fraternal societies and the following notes are intended to explain Freemasonry as it is practiced under the United Grand Lodge of England, which administers Lodges of Freemasons in England and Wales and in many places overseas.
Freemasonry is a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values. Its members are taught is precepts by a series of ritual dramas, which follow ancient forms and use stonemasons’ customs and tools as allegorical guides.
The essential qualification for admission into and continuing membership is a belief in a Supreme Being. Memberships is open to any race or religion who can fulfil this essential qualification and are of good repute.
Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. Its essential qualification opens it to men of many religions and it expects them to continue to follow their own faith. It does not allow religion to be discussed at its meetings.
For many years Freemasons have followed three great principles:
Every true Freemason will show tolerance and respect for the opinions of others and behave with kindness and under standing to his fellow creatures.
Relief
Freemasons are taught to practice charity, and to care, not only for their own, but also for the community as a whole, both by charitable giving and by voluntary efforts and works as individuals.
Truth
Freemasons strive for the truth, requiring high moral standards and aiming to achieve them in their own lives.
Freemasons believe that these principles represent a way of achieving higher standards in life.
Freemasonry demands from its members a respect for the law of the country in which a man works and lives. Its principles do not in any way conflict with its members duties as citizens, but should strengthen them in fulfiling their Public and Private responsibilities. The use by a Freemason of his membership to promote his own or anyone else’s business, professional or personal interests is condemned and is contrary to the conditions on which he seeks admission to Freemasonry. His duty as a citizen must always prevail over any obligation to other Freemasons, and any attempt to shield a Freemason who had acted dishonourably or unlawfully is contrary to this prime duty.
The Secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with its traditional modes of recognition. It is not a Secret Society since all its members are free to acknowledge their membership and will do so in response to inquiries for respectable reasons. Its constitutions and rules are available to the public. there is no secret about any of its aims ad principles. Like many other societies, it regards some of its internal affairs as private matters for its members.
Freemasonry is Non-political and the discussion of Politics at Masonic meetings is forbidden.
Freemasonry is practiced under many independent Grand Lodges with standards similar to those set by the United Grand Lodge of England.
There are some Grand Lodges and other apparently Masonic bodies which do not meet these standards, e.g., which do not require a belief in a Supreme Being or which allow or encourage their members as such to participate in political matters. These Grand Lodges and bodies are not recognised by the United Grand Lodge of England as being masonically regular and masonic contact with them is forbidden.
Conclusion. A Freemason is encouraged to do his duty to his God (by whatever name he is known) through his faith and religious practice and then, without detriment to his family and those dependent on him, to his neighbour through charity and service.
None of these ideas is exclusively Masonic, but all should be universally acceptable. Freemasons are expected to follow them.
Reprinted from the Board of General Purposes Leaflet “What is Freemasonry” published by the United Grand Lodge of England, October, 1984.
In February, 1960, a paper was given to the London rank Association by W.Bro. H. J. Crawford. In it it is suggested that before his interview a Candidate should be given, by his proposer, some idea as to what is involved. The following notes are a precise of this and other papers which should be of help.
Masonry is not a secret society but a society with some secrets, it is a brotherhood of men branded together not only to preserve the secrets, customs and ceremonials handed down over the ages but also for the purpose of mutual intellectual, social and moral improvement. The ideals are the cultivation of brotherly love, relief and truth, not only amongst themselves but to the World at large.
To be a Freemason it is essential that the Candidate believes in a Supreme Being.
In Freemasonry there are no distinctions of religion, but members should cultivate their own religion and loyalties to their own country. Members should not discuss religious or political questions in Lodge or in their capacity as a Freemason.
Freemasonry is not to be used for commercial, pecuniary or social gain.
Freemasonry has certain Charities, but is not a charitable institution or benefit society and whilst it should not be taken as a form of insurance for dependants and no one has a claim on the charities, they are there to assist those who having been in good circumstance, have, through no fault of their own, been overtaken by misfortune or adversity.
After his duty to God, a man’s first duty to his wife, his family and connections. Therefore no one should join the Order who cannot well afford to pay the initiation fees and subscriptions to his Lodge as well as reasonable contributions to the Masonic Charities and without detriment to his dependants.
Arising from these points it is therefore essential that a candidate should be well assured in his own mind:
(a) That he believes in God.
(b) That he sincerely desires the intellectual and moral improvement of himself and his fellow creatures.
(c) That he is willing to devote part of him time, his means and his efforts in the promotion of brotherly love, relief and truth.
(d) That he seeks no commercial or pecuniary advantage.
(e) That he can afford the necessary expenditure and time without injury to himself or his family.
Arising from this there are certain duties that the proposer and seconder should undertake.
They should explain that Masonic Ceremonies formerly involved an oath known as the ‘obligation’ which was taken on the Bible or the Volume of the Sacred Law according to his Faith and which contained reference to certain penalties. It should also be pointed out that these penalties, which came down to us from the past, were meaningful only in so far that from them certain parts of the subsequent ceremony derived their symbolism which, in turn, was meant to impress on the Candidate the binding nature of the obligation.
Separate Ballots must be taken for Master and Treasurer. Previous to these Ballots there must be no formal nomination or seconding of any particular Brother.
A collective Ballot for Candidates is regular, provided that, if there be one black ball, each Candidate should be balloted for individually.
Ballots for Joining Members should not be taken with Ballots on Candidates for Initiation: And a Ballot must not be taken for a Candidate on the night of his proposed Initiation.
A Ballot cannot be taken at a Lodge of Emergency, except under the special circumstances laid down in Rule 160. Rule 164 gives details of the particulars required to be specified in the summons for the meeting at which a Ballot is to be taken.
Book of Constitutions and By-Laws
Secretaries should make themselves perfectly familiar with the Book of Constitutions, especially with reference to Private Lodges, pages 57 to 112 inclusive.
The Secretary should always have at hand copies of the Book of Constitutions, and the By-Laws. A copy of each must be given to a Candidate immediately after his initiation. A Copy of the By-Laws must be given to a Joining member immediately on his becoming a Member (Rule 138).
Candidates for Initiation
The full name and date of birth of an initiate, the profession or occupation and address, together with the name and address of business, with the names of the proposer and seconder, must appear on the summons and in the Minutes.
To advise any approved Candidate of the date and hour when his attendance will be required for Initiation.
No candidate can be proposed or balloted for at a Lodge of Emergency, except as provided for in Rule 160. A Joining Member cannot under any circumstances be proposed or balloted for except at a regular meeting (Rule 163).
in the case of a Candidate for Initiation into a Lodge in a locality where he does not reside or where he has no place of employment, enquiry as to his suitability must be made at the Lodge(s) in the locality of his residence or principal place of employment. Such a Candidate must state in writing his reasons for wishing to join the Lodge and his reasons for not wishing to join a Lodge where he resides or has his principal place of employment (Rule 158). Failure to make such enquiry may cause Grand Lodge to declare a Ballot on such a Candidate null and void.
Clearance Certificate
Every Brother is entitled to a certificate stating (a) that he is indebted to the Lodge, and (b) that if he has resigned or been excluded, the reason for the cessation of his membership, and also that any indebtedness to the Lodge has been discharged (Rule 175).
Committee of Lodge
No Committee of the Lodge can be invested with any general executive power (Rule 154).
Communications to Provincial Grand Lodge
All communications on Provincial Grand Lodge business must be made through the Provincial Grand Secretary.
Dispensations
Applications for Dispensations must state the precise reason for the application and should be forwarded to the Provincial Grand Secretary, with a fee of £30.00, giving ample time for the due consideration of the application by the Provincial Grand Master.
Special attention is drawn to the amended Rule 140. Before a Lodge of Emergency can be summoned, a Dispensation must be obtained from the Provincial Grand Master through the Provincial Grand Secretary. The summons of a Lodge of Emergency must state that the meeting is being held under a Dispensation. The only business which can be taken at such a meeting is as stated on the Summons.
Exclusion of a Brother
Should a member be two years in arrears, he shall thereupon cease to be a member of the Lodge (Rule 148), and can only again become a member by regular proposition and Ballot (Rule 163).
The Lodge shall require payment of the arrears as a condition precedent to election. Rule 148 shall not prevent a Lodge proceeding against any of its members under Rule 181 for non-payment of contributions according to the By-Laws for a shorter period than two years.
When a Brother ceases to be a member under Rule 148 the facts shall be forthwith notified to the Grand Secretary and the Provincial Grand Secretary.
Grand Lodge Certificate
To see that a Brother’s Grand Lodge Certificate be handed to and signed by him in open Lodge, and a record thereof made in the Minutes.
Honorary
No Secretary or Treasurer of a Masonic Lodge can describe himself as ‘Honorary’; such office is not recognised. Honorary membership is provided for in Rule 167.
This privilege is withdrawn. As a courtesy only the Second and Third Degrees may be conferred (G.L. Proceedings, March 1974).
Joining Members
The particulars to be given on the summons are set out in Rule 164.
Members joining from another Constitution must take the obligation set out in Rule 163.
Every Candidate for joining membership must produce his Grand Lodge Certificate and a clearance certificate from each Lodge of which he is or has been a subscribing member the clearance certificate, together with the Brother’s Grand Lodge Certificate, is to be handed to the Master before the Ballot is taken. As a Fellow craft and Entered Apprentice do not have a Grand Lodge Certificate they may only become joining members with special approval from the Grand Secretary. Please discuss this with the Provincial Grand Secretary.
Proposals and Ballots for joining members must be at Regular Meetings only.
Lodge Property
An inventory of the property of the Lodge should be taken annually and signed by the incoming Master.
Master
The Secretary should be in very close contact with the Master of the Lodge.
On the day named in the By-Laws for the election of Master, the Secretary must be prepared with a list of subscribing members who have served the office of Master or Warden which must be read previous to the Election.
Meetings
Every meeting prescribed by the By-Laws must be summoned and held on the proper day except as provided for in Rule 139.
To issue the summons to every member seven clear days before the appointed day of meeting and forward copies to the Provincial Grand Master, the Deputy and Assistant Provincial Grand Masters and to the Provincial Grand Secretary.
Minutes
In recording proceedings the Minutes should commence as follows: ‘The Lodge was opened in due form with solemn prayer’.
The Lodge being thus opened. the Minute of the last Regular and any intervening Emergency Meeting are read, confirmed and signed by the Master.
If the Lodge is further opened, the degrees are to be distinctly state, similar records made as to closing, and finally, it must be recorded that the Lodge was closed in due form.
The Minutes, as a record of the business of the Lodge, should be drawn up concisely; reference can be made to the various ceremonies, with the names of those Officers taking part therein, but nothing should appear in contravention of the Book of Constitutions.
The Lodge Minute Book must be properly bound. It is not in order to use a loose leaf Minute Book.
The Minutes of Regular Meetings cannot be read at a Lodge of Emergency and no business except that named in the summons can be transacted there at (Rule 140).
According to Rule 144, the names of all members and visiting Brethren present at a meeting shall be recorded in the Minute Book.
The Provincial Grand Secretary should be kept fully informed on the change of any Past Master or Brother.
All Offices in Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodge are ‘Grand’. Works like ‘Deputy’ or ‘Assistant’ should precede ‘Grand’, e.g. PAGDC or PPrAGDC.
The Secretary should closely study the proceedings of Grand Lodge and, at the appropriate meetings, draw the attention of the Lodge to the proceedings of Grand Lodge. Grand Lodge will indicate those parts of the Proceedings recommended to be read in Lodge. It is suggested that an item ‘To report on proceedings of Grand Lodge’ should appear on the summons.
Resignation
A member may resign his membership either by notice in writing to the Secretary or orally in Lodge (Rule 183).
Returns
To the Grand Secretary and Provincial Grand Secretary: a return of Master, Wardens and Past Masters to be forwarded immediately after the Installation Meeting. Without it the registers of Grand Lodge, which show the names of members who are entitled to attend Grand Lodge, cannot be made up, and Brethren may consequently be refused admission by the scrutineers. Moreover, those Brethren will be disqualified from voting in the Provincial Grand Lodge.
To the Grand Secretary: a list of all subscribing members with annual dues payable made up to the last day of March, June, September or December, in date order of their admission or readmission into the Lodge.
To the Provincial Grand Secretary: a similar list at the end of the year for which the Annual Subscription is payable. Every name that appeared upon the previous return must be accounted for when a member ceases to subscribe, the cause, whether it be by resignation, death or exclusion, must be stated in the next return.
Forms for Grand Lodge Returns and Books of Constitution are to be obtained from the Grand Secretary.
As the Royal Arch Chapter is part of English Freemasonry, this Degree should be kept before the notice of all Brethren.
Amendments to Lodge By-Laws should be made in accordance with the recommendations of Grand Lodge's Model By-Laws, copies of which may be obtained from the Provincial Office.
Continued
The Master must offer his Gavel to the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Assistant Grand Master, Provincial Grand Master, Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, and to no other person. Only the Master and his Wardens should use the Gavel, both in Lodge and at Dinner. The Master may, if necessary, sound the Gavel at Dinner for the D. of C. It follows that the Tyler may not use the Gavel during the Tyler’s Toast. When Officers of Grand Lodge enter or retire from the Lodge, the D.C. should call the Brethren “To Order” and refrain from the use of the word “upstanding”.
Do not refer to the Masters of Lodges as ‘Reigning Masters’.
1. The number of Appointments which can be made each year is governed by Rules 67 to 70 B.C.
2. Honours are not given automatically after a Brother has occupied the Chair; the conferment of Rank is the prerogative of and entirely a matter in the discretion of the R.W. Provincial Grand Master.
3. An appointment is made in respect of an individual’s merits, not in respect of the merits of his Lodge.
4. In assessing the merits of a Brother, particular regard is paid to the interest he has shown in his Lodge affairs, and his services to his Lodge since he has passed the Chair, as well as for regular and uninterrupted attendance.
5. The Honour conferred on a Brother is that of being appointed one of the Officers, whether acting or past, of the Provincial Grand Lodge, irrespective of the rank of the office.
6. Rank is not only a reward for past service, but is to be regarded as an opportunity and incentive for further service to Masonry.
The Board is informed from time to time of Members of Lodges who go abroad and become involved, generally through ignorance, with Masonic bodies not recognised as regular by the United Grand Lodge. The Board wishes to draw attention to this danger, and to point out that the best method of combating it is for Lodges to impress upon their Members that they should not make any Masonic contacts overseas with members of other Jurisdictions without having ascertained by application to the Grand Secretary at Freemasons’ Hall the existence of regular Masonry in the Country concerned, and the address to which Masonic enquiries in that Country should be directed. The Board recommends not only that this warning be given in Lodge verbally, particularly to each new Master Mason when his Certificate is presented, but that it should be printed at least once a year on Lodge Summonses.
SUCH ENQUIRIES MUST BE DIRECTED THROUGH THE PROVINCIAL OFFICE.
The Registration Form P for every Initiate, Joiner and Re-joiner must be forwarded to the Provincial Office for registration purposes IMMEDIATELY after Initiation or election. The form for the new Initiates must have a cheque for the Grand Lodge Registration Fee made payable to the United Grand Lodge of England. After registration the Provincial Office will forward the form and any cheque to Grand Lodge.
For those forms received at Grand Lodge after 1st January 2018 the amount will be £70.80 inc VAT irrespective of when the initiation took place. No fee is payable to Provincial Grand Lodge at this stage for Joiners or Rejoiners. Joiners from foreign constitutions are treated the same as initiates as far as registration fees are concerned. Please check the Grand Lodge fee for them as it may be different.
Secretaries should ensure that the form has been completed correctly by the candidate and the proposer and seconder and signed by the Master before ballot is taken. The Certificate of the Secretary and the Amount Due sections must also be completed on the last page. Grand Lodge will return forms for completion where an insufficient description (e.g. Retired ,Director or Civil Servant) is stated for Profession/Occupation, or where a Joining Member fails to list ALL previous Craft Lodge memberships, no matter how brief or distant they may have been.
Please do not send these forms direct to Grand Lodge. They should be forwarded to the Provincial Office IMMEDIATELY after the ceremony of initiation or the ballot has been taken for admission of a joining or rejoining member.
Applications Form for a Grand Lodge Certificate LP & A5
This form should be completed after the candidate’s Raising and sent direct to Grand Lodge immediately after the ceremony. This form may now be sent to Grand Lodge by email. Request an electronic form from registration@ugle.org.uk
Annual Returns
This is sent to the Secretary by Grand Lodge just before the end of the Lodge financial year. The form should be checked very carefully to ensure that all members are shown. The entry of those members who have died, resigned or been excluded during the year should be annotated with the reason and date. Fees are payable for them as they were members at the beginning of the financial year. On occasions the last few candidates for initiation and joining may be missing from the end of the return. These should be written in at the end. This is because either Grand Lodge has prepared the return before the form reached them or it has not been sent. If the latter is the case then the form should be sent to the Provincial Office immediately. The appropriate dues for those who have been written in should be added to the total. The forms and a cheque for the Grand Lodge dues, made payable to the United Grand Lodge of England, should be sent to the Provincial Office.
The Provincial Grand Lodge Annual Return with a cheque made payable to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire. The fee payable currently is £10.00 per member from 1st December 2020 and is received annually. In addition a registration fee of £7.50 is payable at this time for every initiate and joiner and re-joiner during the year in addition to the £10.00. The method of arriving at the amount payable should be displayed as shown
25 Members @ £10.00 = £250.00
2 Initiates @ £7.50 = £15.00
- - Joiners @ £7.50 =
2 Re Joiners @ £7.50 = £15.00 = £285.00 Total
EXAMPLE : A copy should be retained by the Lodge secretary. Please note that is the actual date for those who have died, resigned or have been excluded is required in full. Also note that Cessation is the term used by Grand Lodge when a member is two years in arrears, as per rule 148, but Excluded is Rule 181 before 2 years.
Installation Returns
These are two completely different forms. One for Grand Lodge and another for Provincial Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge return should be completed and both sent direct to the Provincial Office immediately after the Installation. This is essential as the Master and Wardens will be refused entry to a meeting of Grand Lodge if it has not been sent and auctioned. These details are checked at the entry doors of Grand Lodge prior to the meeting.
The pre-printed Provincial Form should be checked and completed and also sent immediately to the Provincial Office. On the first page please include the forenames of the Master and Wardens with telephone numbers where possible. The entries for the Secretary, GP Representative, Charity Steward and Almoner are shown at the bottom. Please write in the changes where appropriate if there is a change of officer or address. The names and addresses of Past Masters of and in the lodge are shown on the reverse. Please change where necessary. Please note that it is not necessary to include the Province in which a person received his Provincial Rank or the year in which he was Master of another lodge. This detail is already held and is not shown due to lack of space. Also please include the actual date for those omitted for the first time and the reason (death, resignation, exclusion or cessation). Cessation is the termed used by Grand Lodge when a member is 2 years in arrears as per Rule 148.
Assessment Forms
These are sent out by the Provincial Office each June for those due for consideration for appointment or promotion to Provincial Office. Full instructions are included with them as well as a blank form. Do not use the previous year’s form as the form is always subject to review and change.
In order that the office records can be kept up to date would the Secretary please inform the Provincial Office of all changes of address, death, resignations or exclusions along with the relevant dates which the events occurred, FOR ALL MEMBERS at the earliest possible opportunity. This can be done by letter or email to any of the following addresses. The Province uses the addresses for a number of purposes including the dispatch of the Devon Mason and it is important that they are correct.
office@devonshirefreemasons.org.uk
As a general reminder I would also point out that it is not permissible to ballot for and initiate a candidate on the same night, and that the ballot for a Candidate MUST follow at the next regular meeting of the lodge, otherwise it lapses and he must be Proposed again.
11th April 2022
Brethren I thank you all for attending and supporting our Provincial Grand Lodge meeting here at Sandy Park. Especially our distinguished guests who have travelled some distance to be with us today.
The sudden switch of venue today made it necessary to change the procedure of our meeting, which I hope you enjoyed. Much thanks must go to our Provincial Secretary W.Bro. Tony Jordan and our Assistant Secretary W.Bro. Richard Ebrey for the panic stricken work that has taken place to make it possible for us to meet today. Much appreciation must also go to W.Bro. Keith Williams our Director of Ceremonies and his team who have calmly overcome the change of format of the meeting, at this venue.
I once again thank Andy Dewis, our Provincial Tyler, and his merry band of Brothers for organising all the equipment today, not forgetting W.Bro. Charles Wray for organising the Luncheon. We are also very grateful to the Management Bev Gratton and staff of Sandy Park for accommodating us at the last minute. It was extremely difficult to find a venue to cope with our numbers. I felt very honoured on behalf of the province when the Dean of Exeter Cathedral, Very Reverend Jonathan Greener offered us the Cathedral for our meeting. We have also been invited to the Cathedral for this years carol service, when Lodge banners maybe paraded in and displayed around the Cathedral.
I cannot praise enough my executive for their staunch support for me and the province through these difficult times. The great support, encouragement and loyalty of my Deputy Very W.Bro. Nicky Ball is much appreciated, thank you Nicky.
Likewise the support we have received from W.Bros. Reuben Ayres, Chris Thomas, Andy Vodden and Derek Webber. Who have presided at Installations and presented certificates.
All of us I am sure cannot praise enough W.Bro. Colin Gale PPAPGM who deserves a well earned rest and many happy cruises with his wife Elaine. You have not only given exceptional service to this Province but have been instrumental in representing Group 9 PGMs in the re-structuring of the Pathway for Grand Lodge. You are held in the highest of esteem by the Brethren of this province the proof of which has been reflected in the number of bottles of Plymouth Gin that have ended up in your drinks cabinet, please leave them unopened until I visit.
W.Bro. Colin also relinquishes his duties overseeing the Provincial Membership Team, which will be in the capable hands of W.Bro. Charles Yelland. I am sure he agrees with me that he cannot have a finer team that is run by our Provincial Membership Officer W.Bro. Mark Lewis. A very special thanks to you Mark for the manner in which you and the team vet our candidates before they are allocated to a lodge, well done.
I think UGLE has been very supportive in keeping us informed of all the issues that we face and given us guidance through these difficult times.
I would also like to thank W.Bro. Craig Cox for keeping us informed, provincially, through the production of Parallel Lines. Craig has also managed to secure W.Bro. Rick Wakeman to entertain us at the final Festival celebration. Brethren the green shoots of recovery are pushing through as we look to a brighter future and a return to lodge meetings. I must just reflect on this awful period of time we have all been through. I want to thank all the key Provincial Grand Officers for supporting and steering us through these difficult times. I particularly thank those leaving office,W.Bro. Chris Thomas has done a fantastic job in progressing the standard of mentoring throughout the province. We wish W.Bro. Chris Bird every success in this role for the future.
Our thanks to W.Bro. Charles Yelland who has overseen this project and now hands over to W.Bro. Andy Vodden our newly appointed APGM.
W.Bro.Graham Lea has been a most supportive Chaplain.The Executive and I much appreciate the support you have given us, as do many lodges throughout the province who have been grateful for your visits when that was possible. We wish W.Bro. Dr. Adrian Rogers well in this very important office. What was heartening for me and the executive was to observe all of our brethren doing their utmost to comply with alltheregulations ,onhowweshouldmeet, andalltherestrictionsandfrustrations thatcamewiththatto keepusall safe. Brethren all you have done that and kept Freemasonry safe and on a sound footing in Devonshire, I cant thank you enough.
Many of you have and still are carrying out good deeds of volunteering your free time in assisting the vulnerable people in our community, makingequipment for the NHS and marshalling at the vaccine centres.
I thank you all along with your wives and partners.
Please continue to exercise great caution in the manner in which we meet andconduct our ceremonies, you are very special and very precious toFreemasonry.
Another group that are very dear to our hearts are our masonic widows. Theyto have been unable to meet for a very long time and if it wasn’t for the great efforts of W.Bro.Chris Oliver and his wife Jane could have easily been forgotten. They have organised a luncheon at Buckfastleigh in the summer for all the Devon branches to bring them together again. I will be there to help you entertain the widows,well done Chris.
We are all familiar with the initiatives introduced by Grand Lodge; The Pathway,The Mentoring Schemes and Hermes. If you are not familiar with these just go onto ours or Grand Lodge websites and all will be explained. All of this guidance is designed to help lodges survive and not slip into decline. We have got to look after our new members and make sure they have a good future in our wonderful order. Whether a prospective member has been recommended by a brother or has made his own introduction they still require the careful scrutiny of the lodge they wish to join.
The Deputy Grand Master, soon to be the Pro.Grand Master, is asking us to look closely at what is known as the Membership Challenge. Which basically means the difference between normal through put of initiates and the shortfall we have all suffered over the past two years and how long will it take to catch up. It is up to all of us to look out for good men that we think will be suitable tojoin us.
Brethren it has never been more important for us to unite in is a special effortto raise as much as we can in the last year of our MCF Festival. I cannot praise enough the hard work that has been put in by our festival teamheaded up by W.Bro.Peter Keaty Festival Chairman, Walker Lapthorne FestivalSecretary and W.Bro.
Reuben Ayres our Provincial Grand Charity Steward, all of the committee, Managers and Team workers.A big thank you to all the brethren that have donated and continue to donate especially via the Stewards scheme and to all lodges that have contributed so generously. Once again a big thank you to the 300 Club Boys who are working tirelessly at organising functions and raising funds for the festival, they are a great bunch of brethren who have stuck together since the Tercentenary, well done.
In this last year of Festival I appeal to those brethren that are still thinkingabout giving. Please donate only what you can afford and make a last push to show what Devonshire can do to pay back some of generosity that we have received from the MCF, especially during this covid period.
I hope all the newly appointed active Provincial Officers will be able to travel the province and experience the wonderful variety of Lodge buildings and ceremonies that this province offers. Many congratulations to all those that I have appointed to past rank and thosebrethren promoted in rank, all well deserved for your service to our order. All of you would also be most welcome to visit the Lodges throughout our province. Attendance at meetings has understandably fallen over the past two years anda small party of visitors would always be most welcome. Let’s take this opportunity to congratulate our Brethren that have been appointed to Grand Rank at the annual Investiture on the 27th April this year.
• W.Bro.Alan Gill PAGDC
• W.Bro. Tim Golder PAGDC
• W.Bro.ColinSpillsburyPAGDC
• Promotions
• W.Bro. Chris Roach Past Dept.G Swd.Br.
• W.Bro. Andy Vodden PSGD
Join with me in wishing them all a very happy day in London and an enjoyablefuture as Grand officers. Brethren I have said many times what a pleasure and privilege it is to serve youas your Provincial Grand Master, it has all gone too quickly my term of office will be complete in 2023. I want to express my appreciation to my executive, the secretariat, my long serving Provincial Officers and to all of you Brethren in the Province for all the support, kindness and loyalty that you have given me and my wife Toni over the years I have held office.
God bless you all , enjoy your lunch and have a safe journey home.
R.W.BroIanKingsburyPGMAnother year has passed with the Covid 19 pandemic wreaking confusion and consternation across our country and still continuing to impact on our Masonic Business. Most Lodges have resumed meetings within the constrictions of the varying legislative restrictions. Many hours have been spent interpreting the Temporary Emergency Measures issued by Grand Lodge which have enabled meetings and ceremonies to be amended. Those measures ended on 31st December 2021.
Out of the confusion it is noted that some Lodges are continuing to grow their memberships with Initiates and Joining members and, more especially, there are many members who are still volunteering their time to assist their local communities in a variety of ways.
My first year as Provincial Secretary has been a very steep learning curve and I could not have managed the role without the incredible assistance provide by the Provincial Assistant Secretary, W Bro Richard Ebrey. We should be in awe of his in-depth knowledge and interpretation of the Book of Constitutions, and I am so grateful for his assistance to decrease the gradient of that steep learning curve.
I am also grateful for the forbearance of the members of the Executive and Lodge secretaries with whom I am in contact so regularly and for the assistance rendered by W Bros D Palmer, A McCarthy and R Lockton with some of the admin work in the office.
In December 2021 W Bro Colin Gale took his “Clearance” as Assistant Provincial Grand Master after a period of 10 years in the role during which time he has been a stalwart of the Province. We all hope that he will be able to enjoy his retirement and spend more time at home with his wife Elaine.
The Provincial Grand Master’s decision to invite W Bro Andrew Vodden to become the next Assistant ProvGM was greeted well by all, but we then had to arrange the ceremony of his Investiture. The generosity of Victory Lodge No 4189 in allowing us to ‘take over’ their January 2022 meeting cannot be overstated. Every assistance was afforded by the entire lodge membership, with W Bro Roger Humphries, the Master, generously standing aside when the RW Provincial Grand Master accepted the gavel and took the Chair, placing his Provincial Officers in post for an excellent ceremony, which was produced and directed by the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, W Bro Keith Williams, in his inimitably unflappable manner. The least-envied role was that of the lodge’s Secretary, W Bro Ben Larcombe PrJGD, who had to manage to the numbers of persons allowed to attend the meeting in view of the restrictions in place for the safety of members during the ongoing pandemic.
The Investiture of an Assistant Provincial Grand Master has not of course been the only cause for celebration. Memorable lodge milestones achieved include the Centenary meetings of Lodge of Integrity No 4098, Britannia Lodge No 4099, St Thomas Lodge No 4198 and Smeaton Lodge No 4352. The introduction of the new Hermes computer system for Lodge Secretaries is due in 2022 and will eradicate most of their paperwork as it will enable them to input their current paperwork directly to Grand Lodge. We are awaiting the distribution from Grand Lodge of the necessary training packages for secretaries. As a prerequisite Lodge secretaries will need to ensure that their lodge records of their members are up to date, and all outstanding registration forms are completed and forwarded to the Provincial Office before the go live date of Hermes later in the year. I am hopeful that the restrictions currently imposed on us all are soon relaxed, and we can safely resume to our Masonic business in the manner that we were used to doing pre Covid.
And to conclude, there is one more vote of thanks I must offer which is to you all, particularly the hardworking lodge secretaries without whose help I could not possibly have achieved any of this.
Tony Jordan PAGDC Provincial Grand Secretary February 2022Not only did Covid 19 cause an increased need for financial support during the year for Brethren, Families and Widows but the need for Medical Assistance placed an additional strain on the resources of both the NHS and individual charitable organisations such as our MCF. This trend was not only in Devonshire but throughout the UK. During the shutdown, trained Advice & Support staff, together with our own Visiting Volunteers, gave a level of support at arm’s length enabling Lodge Almoners to carry out their primary role of Pastoral Support.
Masonic Charitable Foundation
Due to the pandemic the National Conference of Provincial Almoners planned for the 20th/21st October 2020 was cancelled as was the later planned event to be held in Bristol in May 2021. In keeping with the rest of Grand Lodge the MCF was forced to close its doors with key staff being forced to work in isolated locations. The MCF is to be congratulated for being able to run a much-reduced operation in a positive and professional manner.
Training of Lodge Almoners.
The training/revision sessions for current and new Almoners which was cancelled in 2020 was successfully rescheduled for May 2021 in Honiton. Regrettably, although all Craft and Chapter Almoners were invited to attend this important meeting only 27 Almoners were able to be at what was found to be a very useful day.
In 2019 Secretaries were advised that short talks on quiet evenings were available to explain the difference between the responsibilities between Almoners, Visiting Volunteers and the Advice and Support teams. Those short talks will again be available through 2022 and can be organised through the Provincial Grand Almoner.
Grants & Assistance.
During 2021 in Devonshire and up to the 25th of December, 120 new and repeat applications for support were made by the Province and accepted by the MCF totalling £258,115. This figure does not include benefits paid to annuitants from other Provinces who now reside in Devonshire.
Devonshire Provincial Charities.
During 2021 the Province of Devonshire Benevolent Fund gave considerable support to Brethren and Families and grateful thanks is given for that assistance. Grateful thanks also go to the Provincial Grand Master, the Grand Superintendent of the HRA and the Provincial Grand Master of the Mark Master Masons degree who continue to offer support where possible.
The forced closure of many businesses both large and small in the West Country has increased the financial pressure on many of our members and the support from individual Lodges has gone a long way to taking some of the pressure off our Brethren.
At the time of writing out of the 70-bed total availability there remain some 22 vacant beds. (19 Residential, 3 Medical and 0 Dementia). It is unfortunate that Cadogan Court does not have the availability of mixed medical/Dementia rooms. Tight control remains in place and only 2 members of stall have fallen ill with Covid.
Finally
As in previous years I remail indebted to the Provincial Grand Master and his Executive, the heads of other orders, Lodge Almoners, Alison Chapple of the Advice and Support Team and Tony Jordan and Richard Ebrey of the Provincial Office. Peter Durrant and Les Pym have given me considerable personal support.
Bob Munro PAGDCProvincial Grand Almoner
January 2022
I am delighted to present my report as Provincial Grand Charity Steward for the Masonic Province of Devonshire. The Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF)
The MCF continues its good work despite the difficulties imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the practical and economic impact of the necessary restrictions introduced by government. The MCF is one of the most efficient national charities with just seven pence of every pound being spent on the administration required to enable it to deliver its life-changing work. This year saw £20.57M awarded nationally through 6,571 grants of which 23% (totalling £4.7M) focused on supporting people and charitable organisations affected by Covid-19.
In Devonshire, 89 Freemasons or family members have been helped this year with MCF grants totalling £340,500. In addition, 13 Devonshire Freemasons have accessed the MCF counselling service. Devonshire charities have received £143,160 in support through 20 grants.
The individual charity donations are as follows:
Totnes Caring - £15,000 over 3 years
Exeter Community Initiatives - £49,665 over 2 years
Living Options Devon - £18,209
Local Hospices - £9,420
Covid-19 Fund: Balloons £25,000
Matched Funding Grants:
Five matched funding grants have been awarded to local Foodbanks. Each of the following have been awarded £2,000 from our Provincial Benevolent Fund and £2,000 from the MCF matched funding grant scheme making a total of £20,000 to:
Plymouth Food Bank - Northern Devon Food Bank - Exeter Food Bank - Buckfastleigh Food Bank - Tavistock Food Bank.
Devonshire 2023 Festival
Our Festival chairman W Bro. Peter Keaty Asst. PGM and secretary W Bro. Walker Lapthorne continue their hard work and leadership through difficult times.
Our Festival relaunch – Operation Jumpstart – took place in late 2021 with a series of Zoom presentations to the Provincial Executive; Almoner, Membership and VGO teams and the Charity Stewards and culminating in our collective meeting at the Exeter Court Hotel on 2nd December 2021 with strong representation from all of the above and our guest of honour Les Hutchinson, CEO of the Masonic Charitable Foundation. Operation Jumpstart also provides regular update information and useful resources to all lodge charity stewards in support of our Festival.
On the evening of the investiture of WB Andrew Vodden MBE as a newest Assistant Provincial Grand Master, our Festival received a wonderful ‘Jumpstart boost’ with a fantastic donation of £50,000 from the Provincial Benevolent Fund. So, brethren –‘It’s not too late to make a difference’ and this most generous donation will indeed make a great difference both in financial terms and to the morale of the entire Festival team. A huge thanks to the Provincial Benevolent Fund for its warm generosity and charitable Masonic spirit.
As we approach our final year in Festival, our Festival Total stands at £1.6m with 1283 Devonshire brethren having qualified for a Festival jewel, 157 of them at Grand Patron level. Ten lodges have donated in excess of £600 per member and two lodges have donated in excess of £1,200 per member. Donations have understandably been affected by the pandemic, but brethren continue to qualify for the various Festival honorifics. We warmly thank each and every one of you for continuing to support the MCF in its good work in looking after us and our local and national charities.
We would particularly like to thank the ‘300 Club’ for their consistent and much appreciated hard work in supporting the Festival through the many successful events and fundraising initiates they have organised over the past four years. The Festival committee meets regularly, and the Chairman, Secretary and Provincial Charity Steward meet weekly via
Zoom. The Treasurer, Events Co-ordinator, Events Manager, Area Managers, Group Managers and others continue to work hard for our Festival during these difficult times.
The 131 Lodge Charity Stewards maintain contact with the senior team and have organised online quizzes and other events, maintaining the profile of the Festival, encouraging brethren support and bringing in valuable income. Follow our progress at: Festival website: www.festival2023.co.uk Provincial web: www.devonshirefreemasons.org.uk
The 131 Lodge Charity Stewards maintain contact with the senior team and have organised online quizzes and other events, maintaining the profile of the Festival, encouraging brethren support and bringing in valuable income. Please follow our progress at:
Please remember to ‘like’ , ‘share’ and ‘subscribe’ to the various social media feeds.
Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire website: www.devonshirefreemasons.org.uk
facebook: www.facebook.com/DevonMasons
twitter: @DevonMasons - https://twitter.com/DevonMasons
Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire 2023 Festival website: https://festival2023.co.uk
twitter: @Festival2023 - https://twitter.com/Festival2023
Conclusion
It is both an honour and a privilege to be the Provincial Grand Charity Steward for our wonderful Province of Devonshire. If you have any queries regarding charitable matters, please do not hesitate to contact me at:
Contact me:
charitysteward@devonshirefreemasons.org.uk.
Follow me:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProvGChStwd
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=PrGChStwd_Devon
I thank the Provincial Grand Master and his Executive, the Chairman and Trustees of the Province of Devonshire Benevolent Fund and the Chairman and members of the Devonshire 2023 Festival committee for their continued support. As ever my special thanks are reserved for W. Bros Michael Walker and Frank Handscombe for their continued guidance and friendship throughout the year. Stay safe, keep well and God bless
Reuben Ayres PAGDC
Provincial Grand Charity Steward
January 2022
January 2022
The Trustees of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire Benevolent Fund met twice during 2021; in February (by Zoom) and October (at the Exeter Golf & Country Club meeting rooms) and at their February meeting the Trustees re-appointed V.W. Bro. Nicholas Ball as Chairman, W. Bro. Frank Handscombe as Secretary and W. Bro Martin Elliott as Treasurer of the Charity.
For your information, the Trustees of the Charity, as of 31st December 2021 are:
N. A. Ball
M. Elliott
F. Handscombe BEM
M.G. Walker Assistant
C.C. Gale
R.C. Munro
A.W.A. Vodden MBE
A. D. Wheaton
T. B. White
R. C. S. Ayres
Chairman
Treasurer Secretary Assistant SecretaryDuring 2021 the Trustees held two meetings with the Investment Manager Brewin Dolphin to ensure that the investments held were appropriate to meet the aims of the charity. At this half yearly meeting the Trustees reviewed the detailed investments, income targets and most importantly the risk profile of the Fund was reviewed and agreed with the Investment Manager. The Charity continues to be administered to ensure that income distributions and payments are in compliance with the underlying aims and strategy of the charity (and its integral funds).
The Provincial Benevolent Fund (PBF), under its chairman VW Bro. Nicholas Ball, Dep. PGM, continues to support local good causes and Devon Freemasons in distress.
The William Alexander Kneel Endowment (WAKE) Fund was able to distribute £7,470 by post to 9 local good causes in Spring 2021 and £17,500 to a further 19 in the Autumn; (9 by post and 10 presented at the Disbursement Meeting at Mount Edgecumbe Masonic Hall in Plymouth. Since the first WAKE Fund disbursement in 2001, more than £870,000 has been donated to over 960 worthy causes.
This year, the PBF provided £10,000 in matched funding to local foodbanks supporting the MCF Christmas campaign. The PBF was also able to provide £7,500 to the Devon Community Foundation which provides a range of grants to various causes across the county along with a £2,500 grant to the Deaf Academy in Exmouth, a £1,000 grant to help support a music and drama student and £1,000 in grants supporting Devonshire Freemasons in distress.
I thank W. Bro. Michael Walker, the Assistant Secretary and W. Bro. Reuben Ayres, Provincial Grand Charity Steward for their total friendship and help. Brethren however most of all I must thank you for your continued support without which the Benevolent Fund would find it very difficult to continue the assistance we give to those in need.
Frank Handscombe BEM PAGDC Hon. Secretary, Devonshire Benevolent Fund - January 20222021 was a year in which the Membership Team was able to fully operate at times which had not been possible since March 2020.
We were fortunate to be able to take our display equipment to the Devon Count Show in July and despite some terrible weather on the final day we feel it was an outstanding success. We were joined by members of the Order of Women Freemasons on each day, and it changed the dynamics of the way in which we work. Many ladies spoke to them as they had no idea that such an organisation existed, and they had a number asking for more details on how to join. At the same time, they also brought their partners with them which gave our team the opportunity to engage with them.
In total over the 3 days, we spoke to 6580 people and generated 20 male approaches regarding membership and 29 approaches about joining the OWF. We also had 4 brethren from other Provinces who had moved to Devon and requested assistance in finding a lodge. For 2022 we have already put plans in place to attend again with the Order of Women Freemasons.
Since September 2020 I have been representing Devonshire and 7 of our neighbouring Provinces on the Pathway Working Party. The Working party was charged to review the Members’ Pathway which was launched in 2017 and suggest ways in which it could be more easily accessed. After an enormous amount of work the revised Members’ Pathway was launched in September 2021 which would enable members to access it online via a hub and download the parts which they needed as and when required. An introductory leaflet was included in Freemasonry Today in September and a Quick Start Guide booklet was sent to every lodge in December. Further copies of this will be available when we roll out the revised members’ Pathway in 2022 in a series of Familiarisation sessions. My team are currently working on taking the UGLE training modules and amending them to make them more appropriate to Devonshire needs.
This work is being carried out by Mark Lewis, Glen Weaver and David Goode. Familiarisation dates have been identified and Membership is working with Mentoring to deliver these familiarisation sessions.
Meetings of the club have restarted following a period where we were restricted to Zoom meetings. We are carrying out a survey over the next 18 to 24 months by asking Active Officers when attending 13 installations to speak to some brethren who have not been through the Chair to discover if they are aware of the club and its objectives. They then fill out a form which is returned to the team and also distribute flyers to those they speak to. Glen Weaver continues to work hard in promoting the club and arranging meetings and activities.
Our social evenings for candidates who are in our process following attending induction sessions have now all resumed and are held monthly with Membership Team members supporting these events. Across the province we have held 14 candidate socials (Exeter does not hold one in December due to a clash with Christmas)
These were restarted in July 2021 and have been held each month except for December. These take place on a Saturday and are for potential candidates and their partners who come to us via the UGLE website or the Provincial one.
We currently have 49 people in our process post Induction. 33 have been allocated to lodges and will be attending the candidate socials and we would anticipate them being initiated in 2022. A further 16 are awaiting allocation to lodges by the Area managers.
Con’t
We were asked by Grand Lodge to produce a charter for candidates which sets out our process and what an applicant can expect from us. The candidate charter was completed and uploaded to the UGLE site, again the hard design work done by David Goode. Lodges have had (Lodge) copies sent/delivered to them and some meeting places have placed it on their notice board. Candidates now receive a “Candidate version” at induction.
David Goode has also produced a version of the Discover Freemasonry booklet as requested by Grand Lodge called Discover Freemasonry in Devonshire and Grand Lodge are printing a large number of these so that they can be given to anyone who would like one in order to raise their interest in Freemasonry. It will also be on the Provincial Website.
The Communications Department at UGLE in September launched a campaign on Facebook aimed at attracting people to Freemasonry and inviting them to fill in a very basic form online. These forms are then forwarded to the Provinces where the person who has expressed an interest lives. The Provincial Membership Officer then contacts them and sends them a more detailed form asking them to fill it out and return it. If no response is received, then a reminder is sent. To date just prior to Christmas, we had received 78 referrals and had just 14 responses within the 2-week window set. A further 8 are still moutstanding. 8 have attended induction and a further 6 are booked for January 2022. One of the attendees withdrew after the induction session, 2 have been allocated to lodges and a further 5 are awaiting allocation.
In April 2019 we received a notification from Grand Lodge that a student at Exeter University studying Law had filled out an enquiry form. The team contacted him and invited him to induction. His name was Tin Puk Watchman Fong, and he was from Hong Kong. He joined the candidate process and attended the Candidate Social and was about to be allocated to a lodge when he returned home for a break just before the pandemic broke and was unable to return, completing his degree remotely. He often joined the Zoom meetings we held during lockdown even though it was about 3.00am his time and he was in a darkened room lit only by his screen. We were delighted in September 2021 to be contacted by the Young Masons Club in Hong Kong who informed us that Watchman was going to be initiated on December 14th in the Lodge of Lu Pan No. 9387 and they asked if we could send a video message which they could view at the festive board. We recorded a Zoom session attended by me, Mark Lewis, Glen Weaver, David Goode, and some of the people that he had met at the candidate socials. We each gave a personal message. We have been informed that the video was shown, and that the initiation was attended by the District Grand Master for Hong Kong and the Far East. It shows that Freemasonry is Universal and that we had the systems in place for Watchman to be introduced to the brethren in Hong Kong by the Devonshire Membership team.
This is my final report as the member of the Executive having the overview of the Membership Portfolio. I have been privileged to work with a highly motivated and effective team of over 30 people in a variety of roles. I would like to express my thanks to our Provincial Membership Officer Mark Lewis who has led the team with both inspired and effective management. His Area Managers, the Chisel Club and Induction team, those who have attended the candidate socials, shows, and all who have worked in one or more areas within the team including administration have my grateful thanks.
Colin Gale PSGD Asst. Provincial Grand Master December 2021It was most heartening to hear of the importance that lodges attached to maintaining contact with their membership during the suspension of our meetings. Lodges became very inventive with how they maintained regular communication with their membership. Some set up a rota of phoning the brethren while others used texting and other social media. Zoom meetings proved to be a particularly popular way of communicating, it enabled remote group meetings to relay news and updates on lodge business. Quizzes and short lectures were also popular topics. There was a novel idea from one lodge which involved individual brethren relating their life stories. This proved to be very interesting, with the opportunity for others in the lodge to discover that brethren had sometimes surprising and intriguing tales to tell. It also gave members the chance to know more about each other’s lives outside of their masonic interests.
Mentoring will continue to play a large part in our masonic journey. I’m delighted to report that EdMenCom received very favourable feedback for the regular communications, especially during the period of lockdown. Much of the material for these communications was sourced through the Solomon database.
Solomon (solomon.ugle.org.uk) is constantly being updated with new material, it is also being made more user friendly and easier to navigate and will continue to evolve. I urge you to make the most of this excellent online learning resource and expand your research on both personal and lodge level.
As many of you will know, EdMenCom communicated a wide and varied range of topics all with the aim of keeping the brethren engaged and connected with masonry in general, and individual lodges in particular. The mentor will have a particularly important role to play in lodges who have a backlog of candidates waiting to join.
It is essential that these candidates are kept informed and updated in order that they retain their interest in masonry during what may be a long wait.
EdMenCom have been working on a range of presentations which are now available for lodges. Typically, they take around twenty minutes, followed by a Q and A session. There will be new topics and quizzes added in the near future. If you would like a team to attend your lodge, we will be happy to do so.
For more details contact me (chris.thomas58@icloud.com) or W. Bro. Chris Bird, chrisbird57@outlook.com) L and D mentoring lead. Your area mentor will also be able to help with any inquiries or issues you may have, contact details are available on the mentoring page of the Provincial website. I’m sure you will find these presentations interesting and entertaining, and we look forward to attending your lodge soon.
Mentoring is just as important as it’s always been, especially after the disruption of our meetings overthe last eighteen months or so. It is, therefore, important that with diligent work by our lodge mentors, with the backing of the Province and constant support from Grand Lodge we will return to healthy, well attended lodges where we can again enjoy the fellowship of our order.
Chris Thomas PAGDC Provincial Grand Mentor, DevonshireJanuary 2022
Brethren, as we move into the last phase of our 2023 MCF Festival, I would like to thank those who have worked tirelessly during the enforced Pandemic period, to keep you all focused on what we can collectively achieve.
The Covid-19 Pandemic has certainly had a large effect on our charitable giving and with nearly 20 months of monthly meetings lost, our Lodge Charity Stewards have had to be very inventive in keeping the MCF flag flying. My congratulations are not only to the core team of Reuben Ayres and Walker Lapthorne, Area Managers, Group Managers and Lodge Charity Stewards but to you all. Please continue to support us if you are able to do so.
That said, so many individuals and groups have continued to arrange events and carry out challenges that have sustained donations to the festival. I must congratulate Mrs Sarah Cox, wife of our Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Craig Cox, who took to wing walking, I might add successfully and raised a considerable amount. Equally my thanks to Tom Archer and Tony Clapham two octogenarians who walked across Devon from Newbridge Weir to Countess Weir visiting the odd public house on the way!
We have also had a very successful Sensational 70’s Evening in Plymouth with the Real Thing and other good support acts, including our very own Martyn Aldridge who joined the stage to do a comedy turn.
W.Bro. John Speak made a Charity ride on his 90cc motorcycle from John O’ Groats to Land End at a top speed of 50mph and with the support of a back-up team. He enjoyed the challenge so much that he is now repeating the challenge on a slightly larger motor bike but without any technical support. We wish him well and hope you will support him via his details on our Festival Website. One of our Group Managers, W.Bro. Graham Symons has taken to his pushbike and is cycling between Lodges (whilst not being too well himself), again we can aid his efforts by logging on to his contact details on the Festival Website
Please use the festival website:
https://festival2023.co.uk/news/news-articles
to see all of the wonderful things that have been done to support the festival. This is also a good place to see events that have been planned for the future, such as, the “300 Club” presenting “The Other Guys” at the Langstone Cliff Hotel, Dawlish Warren and the Charity Auction by “The Blues Brothers” that needs all our support to make it a great success.
I must also remind you of the YouTube Videos that our Provincial Charity Steward, W.Bro. Reuben Ayres has produced as part of Operation Jumpstart. These clearly explain what we are doing, how we are
proceeding, what we have achieved so far; and finally, “That It’s Not Too Late to Make a Difference”
https://t.co/jcyMJlyUpQ
There are so many people in our Province who are working really hard to make this Festival the success its deserves and my wish is that we all throw our support and contributions behind them.
We want to ensure that at our Final Event at Sandy Park with our President, R.W. Bro. Ian Kingsbury and Rick Wakeman who will entertain us on the night, that we can proudly present a magnificent cheque to the Chairman of the MCF.
Please continue to support your Festival
Peter J.M. Keaty PSGD Asst. Provincial Grand Master and Festival ChairmanI was extremely honoured to receive my Appointment from The Most Worshipful the Grand Master to the Active Rank of Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in 2020 and was due to be Invested at Grand Lodge in London on Wednesday 29th April 2020. Unfortunately, due to Covid 19 the Investiture Meeting was of course cancelled.
Due to the continued Covid Pandemic, I along with the other Active Grand Officers of the year, were fortunate to be re-appointed for 2021-22.
As well as the Investiture Meeting in April there are usually four Quarterly Communications Meetings each year. However, these were also affected when Freemasonry was put into suspension. When meetings were re-commenced, they were very limited with invited only Brethren. From the middle of 2021 the invitations to the Quarterly Communications were opened up and I was fortunate to be able to attend on Wednesday 8thDecember 2021.
The photograph above was taken with me wearing the Grand Lodge Regalia, just prior to parading into the Grand Lodge Meeting, a very proud day. The Regalia is kept at Grand Lodge and is only used at Grand Lodge Meetings or sometimes at special Meetings elsewhere.
Keith Williams AGDC
Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, Devonshire
I sincerely hope that you have all enjoyed the first two editions of our Provincial Magazine, ‘Parallel Lines’. Material is slowing coming in for the next edition when we will certainly be saying more about the exciting End of Festival Event where W.Bro. Rick Wakeman will be entertaining us with his undoubted musical talents.
If you have, and have any news, articles and messages to share please do let us know. Photographs as always welcome and should be emailed separately to:
Editorial@parallellines-devon.co.uk
Stay healthy, everyone – you and your loved ones. See you soon!
Craig Cox PSGD Asst. Provincial Grand Master
Grand President
HRH The Duke of Kent KG
Grand Master
President - Richard Hone QC
Deputy President and Chairman - Sir Paul Williams, OBE, KStJ, DL.
Treasurer - Mike Heenan
Trustees
John Boyington CBE
Sinead Brophy
Charles Cunnington
Tim Dallas-Chapman
Simon Duckworth OBE, DL
Clive Emerson
Operations Director
John McCrohan
Head of Masonic Support
Gareth Everett
Head of Charity Grants
Katrina Kerr
Head of Fundraising
Paul Crockett
Group Finance Director
Charles Angus
Simon Fellerman
Alan Graham, MBE
Antony Harvey
Christopher Head
Ian Sabin
Nigel Vaughan
Chief Executive
Les Hutchinson
David Watson
Andrew Wauchope
Sir Paul Williams OBE, DL
Howard Wilson
Head of Communications
Harry Smith
Group Human Resources Director
Louise Bateman
Managing Director
Mark Lloyd
Group Property Director
Marc Nelson-Smith
The MCF is your charity.
Your support
• Helps families make ends meet when times get tough
• Offers greater independence to people with disabilities
• Gives young people the opportunity to succeed in their education
• Provides high-quality care for older, disabled or seriously-ill people
• Funds life-saving and life-changing medical treatment
• Tackles social isolation and loneliness
• Advances ground-breaking medical research
Each year, four masonic provinces hold a festival event to celebrate the end of a fundraising appeal during which a range of activities take place that make a significant contribution to the MCF’s income.
Buckinghamshire
West Lancashire
2021
Durham (RMTGB)
South Wales (RMBI)
Leicestershire and Rutland
Worcestershire
2022
Oxfordshire
Essex
Berkshire
Cambridgeshire
2023
Devonshire
Warwickshire
Cornwall
Monmouthshire
2024
Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire
Staffordshire
Dorset
Derbyshire
2025
East Kent
Lincolnshire
1. Donate
Whether or not your province is currently in festival, there are many ways you can donate to support our work:
Online
Make a single donation or set up a regular donation at: www.mcf.org.uk/donate
Make a single donation by debit or credit card: 020 3146 3346 Cont…..
Set up a regular Direct Debit: 020 3146 3345
Make a single donation by debit or credit card: 020 3146 3346
By textDonate £5 by texting MCF to 70500
By postMake cheques payable to ‘Masonic Charitable Foundation’ or to the ‘Relief Chest Scheme’ Leave a gift in your will
For more information or to request a legacy guide:
www.mcf.org.uk/legacy email: legacy@mcf.org.uk
Tel: 020 3146 3332
Any donations made to the MCF, whether directly or through festiavls, count towards permanent MCF honorifics. For more information, visit: www.mcf.org.uk/honorifics
Here are just a few ways to raise money and have fun at the same time:
• Take part in a sponsored challenge
• Organise a quiz night or a raffle
• Host a dinner party, BBQ or themed event
• Arrange a social event such as an evening of music or entertainment
Sponsored events are a very popular, fun and effective way of raising money. Most events involve setting a personal challenge and then asking friends and family members to make charitable donations to encourage fundraisers to achieve their goal. Events can take many forms and can include both physical challenges, such as fun runs or endurance bike rides, and daring challenges, such as skydives or abseils. The Relief Chest Scheme provides printed and digital sponsorship materials to make it easy for fundraisers to hit their targets.
Top tip: Take the hassle out of collecting sponsorship by setting up an online fundraising page on the MCF website. Remember to share a link to your fundraising page using email or social media and keep your friends up-to-date through regular posts, images or videos.
www.mcf.org.uk/donate
Any donations made to the MCF, whether directly or through festiavls, count towards permanent MCF honorifics. For more information, visit: www.mcf.org.uk/honorifics
Here are just a few ways to raise money and have fun at the same time:
• Take part in a sponsored challenge
• Organise a quiz night or a raffle
• Host a dinner party, BBQ or themed event
• Arrange a social event such as an evening of music or entertainment
Sponsored events are a very popular, fun and effective way of raising money. Most events involve setting a personal challenge and then asking friends and family members to make charitable donations to encourage fundraisers to achieve their goal. Events can take many forms and can include both physical challenges, such as fun runs or endurance bike rides, and daring challenges, such as skydives or abseils. The Relief Chest Scheme provides printed and digital sponsorship materials to make it easy for fundraisers to hit their targets.
Top tip: Take the hassle out of collecting sponsorship by setting up an online fundraising page on the MCF website. Remember to share a link to your fundraising page using email or social media and keep your friends up-to-date through regular posts, images or videos.
www.mcf.org.uk/donate
The MCF is registered with the fundraising regulator and is signed up to the fundraising code of practice.
Keep up to date with all the latest MCF news by registering for updates and following us on social media. Share the MCF’s updates with your friends and family to help more people find out about the help we provide.
www.mcf.org.uk/sign
We also have a wide range of promotional materials and resources including Better Lives magazine, leaflets, posters and videos to help you raise awareness of our work. Access online via the website:
www.mcf.org.uk
Do you enjoy public speaking? You could deliver a talk about our work at a meeting. A ready-made script is available to download from the MCF website.
www.mcf.org.uk/resources
The Relief Chest Scheme helps lodges, chapters, provinces and other recognised masonic organisations manage their charitable giving efficiently by enabling donors to save time, take control and give more.
Funds placed in Relief Chests are held securely by the MCF until they are given to a charity by the donors. The Relief Chest Scheme and its full range of services are provided completely free, no administration fee is charged and no commission is taken. For further information, or to open a Relief Chest for your lodge, chapter or appeal, please visit:
www.mcf.org.uk/reliefchest
In addition to the MCF, there are numerous other charities organised and run by freemasons. There are far too many to list, but they include provincial benevolent funds, provincial education and relief funds, trusts set up and administered within individual provinces, funds associated with residential housing or supporting particular RMBI homes and sundry other organisations, big and small, all concerned with caring for others.
Amazon Smile at no extra cost to you will donate a portion of the purchase price to your selected charity.
Teddies For Loving Care Is now available and can be your chosen Charity.
The Teddies For Loving Care appeal started in 2001 in the Province of Essex but quickly grew to become a national initiative, entirely funded by Freemasons and their families who also volunteer their time to run the scheme.
The objective of the initiative is to provide teddy bears for staff in medical and other care establishments to give to young children in distress following a trauma or sickness in order to help relieve suffering and reduce the shock and distress of their experience. The bears are not only used by medical staff to help reduce the children's stress and fear levels, but also to reward them for being brave, and in some cases, explain and demonstrate medical procedures. Every child that receives a teddy gets to keep it to take home.
In Devonshire the initiative started in 2008 under local Devon coordinator W. Bro. John Adcock supported by Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W. Bro. Christopher Yard. In recent years, the initiative has grown from strength to strength under the direction of W. Bro. Keith Bower, supported by Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W. Bro. Charles Yelland.
In the Province of Devonshire, an amazing 59,000 teddy bears have been donated to 11 hospital accident and emergency units at Derriford, Torbay, RD&E and North Devon and children’s wards, children’s specialist units, children’s hospices’ and adoption courts right across the Province.
Support and enthusiasm for the initiative continues to grow in Devonshire and so it was decided earlier this year that the initiative would benefit from being reshaped into a charitable trust so that registered charity status could be achieved to further develop a regional focus across the Province.
Registered charity status was granted by the Charity Commission and accepted by HMRC in August 2020 with one of the immediate benefits of registration being that donations can now be made under the Gift Aid scheme which boosts every £1 donated by a further 25p.
If you would like to make a donation to Devon Freemasons Teddies For Loving Care and support this incredible cause, then please contact:
Devon Freemasons Teddies For Loving Care
Registered Charity in England and Wales No.1190764
Telephone: 01803 853299
Email: bowerkeith06@gmail.com
Registered Charity No. 269363
Chairman
V.W.Bro. N.A. Ball PGSwdB, Deputy Provincial Grand Master
Secretary
W.Bro. F. Handscombe PAGDC
e-mail: frank@bampfylde.eclipse.co.uk
Treasurer
W.Bro. M. F. Elliott PPrAGDC
Auditors
Peplows Chartered Accountants
Moorgate House, King Street, Newton Abbott TQ12 2LG
Investment Managers
Brewin Dolphin Securities Ltd
Chairman N.A. Ball
Treasurer
Secretary
Asst Secretary
F. Handscombe
M. Elliott
M.G. Walker
A.W.A. Vodden MBE
---
Trustees
C.C. Gale
R.C. Munro
T.B. White
A.D. Wheaton
R.C.S. Ayres
The Masonic Widows Association in Devon was formed over twenty years ago to support ladies when their husband or partner passes. Each Association meets monthly with two larger annual events to which all individual branches are invited to attend. Both of these are kindly financed by the Benevolent Fund. Information packs are available from the Association Chairman, Chris Oliver.
CHAIRMAN
W.BRO CHRISTOPHER OLIVER PAGDC
7, MERCHANT ROW, TOPSHAM, EX2 7FZ
Olivers.mirador@gmail.com
07900 - 996 794
PAGE 67 - FOR ALL BRANCHES
CHAIRMAN
W.BRO CHRISTOPHER OLIVER PAGDC
7, MERCHANT ROW, TOPSHAM, EX2 7FZ
Olivers.mirador@gmail.com
07900 -996 794
TRAFALGAR LAWN BRANCH ( NOT ACTIVE AT PRESENT )
Meeting Held at Masonic Hall, 4 Trafalgar Lawns, Barnstaple. EX32 9BD
EXETER AND TOPSHAM BRANCH
Meetings held at Topsham Masonic Hall, Victoria Road, Topsham. EX3 0EU on the First Thursday in each month.
EXE AND CULM BRANCH ( NOT ACTIVE AT PRESENT )
Meeting at Masonic hall, 72 Castle Street, Tiverton EX16 6RE,
TEIGN VALLEY BRANCH
Meetings held at the Masonic Hall, Hollands Road, Teignmouth. TQ14 8SR on the Third Thursday in each Month.
EAST DEVON BRANCH
Meetings held at Masonic Hall, 112 High Street, Sidmouth. EX10 8EF on the Second Thursday of each month, at (10.30 am. for 11.00 am.)
TORBAY BRANCH
Meetings held at the Masonic Hall, 3 Courtland Road, Paignton. TQ3 2AB on the Third Wednesday in each month.
MANADON ( NOT ACTIVE AT PRESENT )
Meetings held at the Masonic Hall, Smallack Drive, Crownhill, Plymouth. PL6 5EL
PLYMOUTH ST AUBYN BRANCH
Meetings held at the St Aubyn Masonic Hall, 33, Devonport Road, Stoke, Plymouth. PL3 4UD on the Fourth Wednesday in each month except February, July & August
PLYM VALLEY BRANCH
Meetings held at Plympton St. Maurice Masonic Hall, 161 Ridgeway Road, Plympton, Plymouth. PL7 2HJ on the Second Thursday in each month, at (10.00 am.) except July and August.
R.W.Bros. D. Medlock, Somerset. I. Kingsbury JP, Devon. S.C. Pearn, Cornwall.
Chairman - W.Bro. A. Blamey
Maine Farm, Colleytown, Beer Alson, Yelverton, Devon. PL20 7EB
Mob: 07970 657128 - e-mail: collytownstud@hotmail.com
Vice Chairman
N/A
Hon. Treasurer - W.Bro. D.G. Wortham
20 Fore Street, Moretonhampstead. TQ13 8LL
Mob: 07967 485066 - e-mail: david.wortham112@gmail.com
Hon. Secretary - Bro. L. Clarke
11, Elm Grove Road, Topsham,Devon. EX3 0EQ
Mobile: 07879 672748 - e-mail: leoclarke1@me.com
Fair Secretary & Co-ordinator - Mrs Sandra Wilson
Mob: 07714 345608 - e-mail: sandrawnf@icloud.com
Home Manager - Mrs Clare Walker
Cadogan Court, Barley Lane, Exeter. EX4 1TA
Tel: (01392) 251436 - e-mail: cadogancourt@rmbi.org.uk
The objects of the Association are to relieve residents of Cadogan Court by providing or assisting in the provision of equipment and facilities not otherwise provided for.
The Powers of the Management Committee: In furtherance of the objects of the Association, but not further or otherwise, the Association shall have the following powers:
(i) To raise money and invite and receive contributions provided that no permanent trading activities are undertaken in raising funds for the Charity.
(ii) If requested by The Home Manager, to provide personal assistance at Cadogan Court.
(iii) To organise recreational outings to improve the conditions of life of the residents.
(iv) To do any other lawful thing necessary in furtherance of the above objects.
Membership of the Association is open to Masons and non Masons on payment of the subscriptions fixed at a General Meeting of the Association. Current rates of subscription are as follows:
Annual Member £5.00
Annual Member (Jointly with wife) £7.00
Life Member Jointly with Wife) £40.00
Life Member Jointly with Wife) £30.00
Any member is entitled to attend any General Meeting of the Association, and to vote on any proposal brought before such meeting Masonic Widows are entitled to continue membership, or to become members in their own right on payment of the appropriate subscription.
Registered Charity No. 1015316
Founded 1971
President
R.W.Bro. I. Kingsbury JP, Provincial Grand Master
Vice-Presidents
R.W.Bro. M.T. Penny Past Provincial Grand Master
Chairman
W.Bro. M.E. Jeffreys LGR
Vice Chairman
W.Bro. E.W. Richardson PAGDC
Treasurer
W.Bro. D. Dishart.
Secretary
W.Bro. A.B. (Tony) Clapman PPrJGD Marisco, Primrose Lane, Northam, Bideford. EX39 1NR Tel: 01647 253066 email: tonyclapham@hotmail.co.uk
The main purpose of the Fraternity is to provide a meeting place for members of various London Ranks living in Devon.
The Fraternity meets at, The Mill on the Exe, Exeter at 11.15 hrs. on the second Mondays in March (Inauguration of Officers, and presentation of Annual Accounts), May and November (Election of Officers).
There is usually a talk on a matter of charity or general interest. The meeting is followed by a luncheon at 13.00 hrs. The ladies are welcome to attend all our meetings, and always join us for luncheon.
In addition, during the summer the Chairman usually arranges a gathering or outing at some interesting Devon location, to which members, their wives and their friends are invited.
Membership is open to all members of London Rank, London Grand Rank, Senior London Grand Rank, London Chapter Rank, London Grand Chapter Rank, Senior London Grand Chapter Rank and subscribers to the London Grand Rank Association Bulletin.
The Chairman holds office from 1st January to 31st December each year.
Further details and application forms may be obtained from the Secretary. The current annual subscription is £15 with a joining fee of £5.
Number of Members - 24
For the year commencing 2022
The aims of the association will be :-
To hold a number of clay pigeon shoots for it’s members and guests at established shooting grounds within the province, in a social and safe environment.
To encourage and introduce newcomers to the sport.
To take part in competitions between other masonic shooting societies.
To support Masonic and non-Masonic charities.
As the membership is drawn from across Devon, it is hoped that the association will further strengthen Masonic fraternity between brethren and lodges across the province.
We welcome friends, family and prospective candidates at our events.
Subscribing members of any Lodge within the province are eligible for membership.
Any Brother who may be interested in joining this association should contact: W.Bro.
Tel: 01752 721199 / 01822 859040 / 07768 848751
Patron
R.W.Bro. Ian Kingsbury JP, PGM President
V.W.Bro. Nicholas A. Ball Chairman
W.Bro. Merv Benney
Vice - Chairman
W.Bro. Rick Purnell
rickpurnell1@gmail.com
Hon. Secretary & Fixtures Secretary
W.Bro. Keith Young
41, Higher Mowles, Plymouth. PL3 6PY Tel: (01752) 709161
email: keithyoung192@gmail.com
Hon. Treasurer
Fran Ryan
126 Church Way, Weston Mill, Plymouth. PL5 1AG Tel: (01752) 201 990
email: franceshole19@virginmedia.com
Match Co-ordinators
Area 1 North Devon
To be nominated
Area 2 Honiton and Exeter To be nominated
Area 3 East Devon To be nominated
Area 4 South Devon Merv Benney 01803 326112
Area 5 Plymouth Keith Young 01752 709161
The objectives of this Association are:
1 To arrange friendly and Fraternal games to play on local Bowling Greens.
2 To arrange friendly matches of up to 24 a side against Brethren in other Provinces both home and away.
3 To make donation to both Masonic and Local Charities.
The annual subscription is £10 (£5 for masons wives and non masons) and is open to all masons in the Province.
Brethren in business or resident in Devonshire, who are not members of the Province will be very welcome. Membership application forms may be obtained from the Secretary, details above.
Branch Chairman
W.Bro. Keith Rigby
e-mail: rigbykeith@hotmail.com
Branch Secretary
Bro. Phill Niles
Mob: 07368 357459
email: mtsfcdevon@plympost.co.uk
The Masonic Fishing Charity aims to provide an interactive fishing (coarse & fly) and countryside experience for anyone over the age of eleven with special needs. This is far more than just a day’s fishing though: The branch helps people in Devon with physical impairments to participate in a sport that might otherwise be unavailable to them; it allows disadvantaged children to meet new challenges and gain a sense of achievement whilst increasing their self-esteem; it assists people with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties to develop their confidence and social skills; and, it gives joy and a sense of fulfilment to children and adults with life limiting conditions. Guests are assisted by caster/helpers who will involve them as much as possible with the casting, retrieving, hooking, playing and landing of the fish; whilst, non-fishing helpers will assist with catering and administration. At the end of each event guests are presented with a certificate of achievement as well as prizes for biggest fish etc. The events are funded totally by donations from Freemasons and there is no charge to participants, their organisations or volunteers. If you are a fly fisherman or a course fisherman and would like to: help as a Caster/Helper (beginners are very welcome and coaching is provided free of charge); make a donation; or, assist the branch in an administrative role please contact the Branch Chairman and or Secretary.
Follow us on https://twitter.com/mtsfc_org;
Friend us on https://www.facebook.com/MTSFC
Learn about us at www.mtsfc.org.uk/
Hon. Member
R.W.Bro. Ian Kingsbury JP, Provincial Grand Master President
W.Bro. M.P. Haigh PSGD, Past Asst PGM
Hon. Secretary
W.Bro. Allan Seager No.1 Hickory Close, Honiton. EX14 2UN
Tel: (01404) 47013
email: seager684@btinternet.com
Hon. Treasurer
W.Bro. Clifford J. Nightingale
Tel: 01392 814939
email: nightingale_c@sky.com
The objectives of this Association are:
The main object of the Association is to raise money for charity through the medium of golf. However, our meetings are also social occasions where you meet and get to know Brethren from all over the Province.
You are invited to come and join us at our Spring Meeting on the Fourth Thursday in May and Autumn Meeting on the Fourth Thursday in August. Just drop a line, telephone or email to the Secretary at the above address.
What is The Chisel Club?
It is your social club and it needs you to help make it a success.
When and where does it meet?
We meet four times a year in Plymouth, Exeter, Torbay & East Devon (expanding soon to North Devon and Mid Devon) and the members decide where and what we do on those occasions.
Who can be a member?
Membership is FREE and is open to all candidates up to and including Master Masons. Your membership stays in place until you become Worshipful Master.
Why should I join?
It is an ideal place to introduce your friends to the fun side of Freemasonry as well as increasing your masonic friendship outside of your own lodge.
What are you waiting for?
To find out more about The Chisel Club why not visit our website or follow us on social media. All details can be found below.
All welcome, New Masons, Candidates, friends & family
We will hold various events based on your suggestions :
E.g. Go-Carting - Paintballing - Clay Pigeon Shooting - Ten Pin Bowling
Website: thechiselclub.org.uk
Email: info@thechiselclub.org.uk
Our Facebook page is a hidden group. To get added to the group simply send a friend request via Facebook to Glen Weaver or David Goode who will verify your eligibility and add you accordingly.
Arranged alphabetically showing meetings held
Asburton The Masonic Hall
Chuley Road, Ashburton, Devon TQ13 7DH
AxminsterThe Masonic Hall
South Street, Axminster, Devon EX13 5AD
Barnstaple The Masonic Hall
4 Trafalgar Lawn, Barnstaple, Devon EX32 9BD
West Buckland School West Buckland, Barnstaple, EX32 0SX
Bideford The Masonic Hall
12 Bridgeland Street, Bideford, Devon EX39 2QE
Braunton The Masonic Hall
Ilfracombe Road, Braunton, Devon EX33 2ER
Brixham The Masonic Hall
Church Street, Brixham, Devon TQ5 8HG
Budleigh Salterton The Masonic Hall
1 West Hill, Budleigh Salterton, Devon EX9 6BW
Crediton The Masonic Hall
Union Road, Crediton, Devon EX17 3AW
Dartmouth Hauley Masonic Hall Lower Street, Dartmouth, Devon TQ6 9AJ
Dawlish The Masonic Hall
Barton Terrace, Dawlish, Devon EX7 9QH
Exeter Freemasons’ Hall
27a Grandy Street, Exeter, Devon EX4 3LS
Exeter School Manston Terrace, Heavitree, Exeter, EX2 4NS
Exmouth The Masonic Hall
3 St Andrews Road, Exmouth, Devon EX8 1AP
Holsworthy Freemasons’ Hall
Bodmin Street, Holsworthy, Devon EX22 6BH
Honiton The Masonic Hall Northcote Lane, Honiton, Devon
Ilfracombe The Masonic Temple Northfield Road, Ilfracombe, Devon EX34 8AJ
Ivybridge The Masonic Hall Western Road, Ivybridge, Devon PL21 9AN
Kingsbridge The Masonic Temple Duncombe Street, Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 1LR
Lynton The Masonic Hall
The Croft, Lynton, Devon EX35 6HE
Moretonhampstead The Freemasons’ Hall
Station Road, Moretonhampstead, Devon TQ13 8NQ
Newton Abbot The Masonic Hall
Devon Square, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 2HH
Okehampton Freemasons’ Hall
Station Road, Okehampton, Devon EX20 1DY
Paignton The Masonic Temple
3 Courtland Road, Paignton, Devon TQ3 2AB
Plymouth:
Mount Edgcumbe Masonic Hall
237 Citadel Road, Plymouth, Devon PL1 2NG
The Queen Victoria 76 Victoria Road, Masonic Hall St Budeaux, Plymouth, Devon PL5 1DR
Manadon Masonic Hall
104 Tavistock Road, Crownhill, Plymouth, Devon PL6 5EL
Davie Masonic Hall
Clifton Place, North Hill, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8HY
St Aubyn Masonic Hall
33 Devonport Road, Stoke, Plymouth, Devon PL3 4DJ
Freemasons’ Hall Ridgeway
Plympton, Plymouth, Devon PL7 2HJ
The Masonic Temple Oreston
Lower Saltram Road, Oreston, Plymouth, Devon PL9 7PN
Princetown The Masonic Hall
Barrack Road, Princetown, Devon
Salcombe The Masonic Hall
Cliff House, Cliff Road, Salcombe, Devon TQ8 8JQ
Seaton The Masonic Hall
Queen Street, Seaton, Devon EX12 2RB
Sidmouth The Masonic Hall
112 High Street, Sidmouth, Devon EX10 8EF
South Brent The Masonic Hall
Totnes Road, South Brent, Devon TQ10 9BX
South Molton The Masonic Hall
1 New Road, South Molton, Devon EX36 4BH
Starcross The Masonic Rooms Corner, The Strand, New Road, Starcross, Devon EX6 8QG
Tavistock Freemasons’ Hall
Plym Street, Tavistock, Devon PL19 8AH
Teignmouth The Masonic Hall
Hollands Road, Teignmouth, Devon TQ14 8SR
Tiverton The Masonic Hall
27 Castle Street, Tiverton, Devon EX16 6RE
Topsham Freemasons’ Hall
Victoria Road, Topsham ,EX3 0EU
Torquay:
The Masonic Hall Park Hill
Park Hill Road, Torquay, Devon TQ1 2AR
The Masonic Temple Tor Hill
Tor Hill Road, Torquay, Devon TQ2 5RN
The Masonic Temple St Margaret’s
1 St. Margaret’s Road, St. Marychurch, Torquay TQ1 4NW
Torrington The Masonic Hall
4 Well Street, Torrington, Devon EX38 8EP
Totnes The Masonic Hall
South Street, Totnes, Devon TQ9 5DZ
Uffculme The Masonic Hall
Ashleigh Road, Uffculme, Devon EX15 3AY
(Editorial Note: The addresses of the Lodge Buildings are not intended for correspondence purposes, as many do not have letter boxes. The aim is to assist geographically on a first visit)
All Souls 6677 27 Castle Street, Tiverton EX16 6RE
Armada 4360 104 Tavistock Roadm Crownhill, Plymouth PL6 5EL
Ashburton 2189 Chudley, Ashburton TQ13 7DH
Bedford 282 Pym Street, Tavistock PL19 8AH
Benevolence 489 12 Bridgeland Street, Bideford EX39 2QE
Benevolence 666 Barrack Road, Princetown, Yelverton, Devon
Benevolent 303 Hollands Road, Teignmouth TQ14 8SR
Bishop Surtees 8497 Victoria Road, Topsham EX3 0EU
Blundell’s 5467 Freemasons’ Hall Great Queen St, London WC28 5AZ (1 meeting in Tiverton )
Bovey Tracey 8698 Chudley Road, Ashburton TQ13 7DH
Braunton 5624 Ilfracombe Road, Braunton EX33 2ER
Brent 1284 Victoria Road, Topsham EX3 0EU
Britannia 4099 76 Victoria Road, St. Budeaux, Plymouth PL5 1DR
Brunswick 159 St. Aubyn, 33 Devonport Road, Stoke, Plymouth PL3 4DJ
Charity 223 St. Aubyn, 33 Devonport Road, Stoke, Plymouth PL3 4DJ
Conciliation
Bodmin Street, Holsworthy EX22 6BH
Northfield Road, Ilfracombe EX34 8AJ Concordia
Concord
Street, Dartmouth TQ6 9AJ
Road, South Brent TQ10 9BX Davie
Dartmoor
Alphabetical List of Craft Lodges & Lodge Address 2022 - continued
(Editorial Note: The addresses of the Lodge Buildings are not intended for correspondence purposes,
have letter
The aim is to assist geographically on a first visit)
(Editorial Note: The addresses of the Lodge Buildings are not intended for correspondence purposes, as many do not have letter boxes. The aim is to assist geographically on a first visit)
Seaton EX12 2RB
2AB Jordan
Duncombe
Tor Hill Road, Torquay TQ2 5RN
Barton Terrace, Dawlish EX7 9QH
Duncombe Street, Kingsbridge, TQ7 1LR
Prudence 1550 104 Tavistock Road Crownhill Plymouth PL6 5EL Obedience 1753 Station Road Okehampton EX20 1DY
Ebrington
Davie Hall, Clifton Place, North Hill, Plymouth PL4 8HY
Maurice 1855 Ridgeway Road, Plympton, Plymouth. PL7 2HJ
Torridge
St. George
Ashburton
Western District United Service
4 Well Street, Torrington EX38 8EP
Mount Edgcumbe, 237 Citadel Road,Plymouth PL1 2NG
Chudley, Ashburton TQ13 7DH
Mount Edgcumbe, 237 Citadel Road,Plymouth PL1 2NG
Dart 2641 Lower Street, Dartmouth TQ6 9AJ
Sir Francis Drake
Davie Hall, Clifton Place, North Hill, Plymouth PL4 8HY
Queen Victoria 2655 76 Victoria Road St. Budeaux Plymouth PL5 1DR
Northcote
LODGE NUMBER ORDER - Craft
(Editorial Note: The addresses of the Lodge Buildings are not intended for correspondence purposes, as many do not have letter boxes. The aim is to assist geographically on a first visit)
Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire ALL
A Monthly Planner Showing Dates for all: Lodge / Chapter / Mark / RAM / Other Order Meeting Dates Special Meeting Dates - Devonshire Masonic Events
https://www.devonshirefreemasons.org.uk/calendar/yearbook-planner
Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire Web Site click on link above or logo picture or via the Home Page:
https://www.devonshirefreemasons.org.uk
Order your copy today!
Only £8.99
Inclusive of postage & packing.
Payment by: Paypal, Cheque, BACS or cash.
For details, Please email: W.Bro. Gerald Sclater
gj@dpmail.co.uk
• A unique collection of humorous cartoons along with some wry and witty observations of Masonic life both within the temple and at home.
• A must for all Freemasons as well as their friends and families.
• Perfect as a gift or to use as a raffle prize.
This what our Provincial Grand Master had to say about the book...Gerald has produced a unique comedic insight into our Masonic order and it is with great pleasure that I endorse and recommend this collection to all Brethren wherever they are in the world.
I laughed so much, I nearly fell off my chair! But there are truths here too, that we should learn from. I have always said that Freemasonry should be fun and this book is just that! The profits will all go to our Devonshire Festival so I cannot think of a better way of enjoying learning! Thank you Gerald for this and all that you do for us- from voluntary help in the office to fund raising for Teddies for Loving care.
As PGM of Devonshire and President of our MCF festival let me thank everyone who buys this book too - it is a great way to help our Brethren in need and have a chuckle at ourselves!.
R W Bro Ian Kingsbury
THE QUEEN AND CRAFT
TheMostWorshipful GrandMaster
HisRoyalHighnessTheDukeofKent
The Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master
Jonathan Spence
The Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master Sir David Hugh Wooton
The Right Worshipful Assistant Grand Master David John Medlock DL
And the rest of the Grand Officers, Present and Past
The Provincial Grand Master
Right Worshipful Bro. Ian Kingsbury JP
The Deputy Provincial Grand Master
Very Worshipful Bro. Nicholas A. Ball, PGSwdB
The Assistant Provincial Grand Masters
Worshipful Bro. Peter J. M. Keaty, PSGD
Worshipful Bro. Charles Yelland, PSGD
Worshipful Bro. Craig Cox, PSGD
Worshipful Bro. Andrew Vodden MBE, PSGD
And the rest of Provincial Grand Officers Present and Past
The Master of the Lodge etc., etc., etc. * Honorific’
Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire
website: www.devonshirefreemasons.org.uk
OnLine
Editors
W.Bro. Jack Parnell PPrJGW (Craft)
The Lord Roborough Lodge No. 5789
W.Bro. John Smerdon PAGDC (Craft)
Old Plymothian and Mannameadian Lodge No. 6279
Email : pgldevonshire.yearbook@gmail.com (01752) 246 984