Surrey Mason Summer 2014

Surrey Mason £1.95 where sold

Issue 34 Summer 2014

Official Magazine of the Province of Surrey

IN THIS ISSUE –

Provincial Grand Lodge of Surrey Annual Meeting Report Pages 6-7

The Great War – Freemasonry and the dilemma it faced

Croydon Masonic Halls –

See Pages 10-11

Facing the future – with an eye on the past Pages 14-15

FESTIVAL UPDATE Pages 16-17

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Surrey Mason

Welcome to the new Provincial Grand Secretary Mark Winchester PPSGD Surrey Mason Editorial submissions to: Surrey Mason Provincial Grand Lodge of Surrey 71 Oakfield Road, Croydon CR0 2UX Tel: 020 8686 8388 email: editor@surreymason.org.uk or provincialoffice@surreymason.org.uk Surrey Mason Committee: Chairman: W.Bro James Cook Secretary: W.Bro Steven Savvas Treasurer: W.Bro David Matthews W.Bro David T O’Leary W.Bro Peter Cartwright W.Bro Robert Smith W.Bro Chris Eley (Royal Arch) Editor: W.Bro Peter Cartwright editor@surreymason.org.uk Advertising W.Bro Robert Smith Tel: 0777 2032960 robsmith@outlook.com The Surrey Mason is published by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Surrey. All material used is © copyright of the Provincial Grand Lodge and may not be reproduced, copied or held on any electronic media without the express permission of the Provincial Office.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of editorial and advertising content. No content may be reproduced or stored in any electronic retrieval system in whole or part without the written permission of the publishers. Whilst every care is taken, the publishers cannot be held legally responsible for any errors in articles or advertisements. Contributed material will be returned if possible and if requested (accompanied by a stamped-addressed envelope), but the publishers accept no responsibility for the loss of such material howsoever caused.

A THANK YOU FROM THE PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER It is always a great pleasure to for me to have the opportunity to offer a special thank you to a Freemason who has served the Province of Surrey with distinction.

W.Bro John Tomlin has for the past five years as Provincial Grand Secretary has done just that. He has carried out his duties in a professional manner with a firm but friendly approach and has gained the approbation of all of us.

He had a hard act to follow, taking over from W.Bro Bryan Craddock in 2009 but he soon made his mark and gained the respect of Freemasons in the Province and beyond.

He can rest assured that his efforts have been to the advantage of the province, keeping the high standard of respect we receive from all masons. Thank you John.

W.Bro John is handing the reigns over to W.Bro Mark Winchester who I’m confident will continue with and maintain the excellence we come to expect from our Provincial Secretariat. Welcome Mark.

Eric Stuart-Bamford

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Mark was born on 9th January 1957 in Millbrook Cornwall and has been a proud Cornishman all his life.

As the 3rd child of 4 in a Royal Navy family, Mark’s father took the family for 3 years to Malta and then 3 years to Libya. Mark has 3 sisters spread across the world in Essex, Germany and USA. His parents both reside near Portsmouth where Mark’s mother Lodge – Five Heads Lodge No.8507 is situated in Horndean.

Mark’s formal education commenced in Malta and concluded when he left Purbrook Park Grammar School after completing A-Levels.

After a year working in the Gales Brewery in Horndean, Mark joined the Metropolitan Police in July 1976. Initially posted to Gerald Road (Belgravia) and later Hyde Park, he studied for promotion and was promoted to Sergeant and was posted to Hammersmith in 1985. He then took a level transfer to the City of London Police in 1987 serving as a Sergeant at Snow Hill.

Promotion later followed in 1996 to Inspector and he served at Bishopsgate before moving to the Control Room at Wood Street.

His last move was in 2002 to take over the Police Office controlling security at the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey where he enjoyed the best part of his service. Mark was a Security Coordinator and Negotiator together with being the Treasurer for the City Police Federation. He retired from the City of London Police in 2006 after completing 30 years service.

Mark then became a Police Liaison Officer working for SmartWater Technology Ltd in Telford working from home covering the East of England until he was made redundant in 2012. Since then he has been employed as a Ground Handling Agent (Baggage Handler) at Gatwick airport.

He was Initiated by his father, Charles Winchester in March 1981 when the then Provincial Grand Master of Hampshire & Isle of Wight, RW.Bro Thomas Bennett-Langton was making his first visit to the Lodge. Mark’s father subsequently presented the 2nd Degree Tracing Board to him, Raised him and then Installed him as Worshipful Master in May 1990.

Pure chance led him to Surrey in that he was living in Worcester Park, and at a meeting in Horndean, the Royal Borough of Kingston Lodge No.4614 made a formal visit to the Five Heads Lodge in order to ‘second’ a candidate into Freemasonry. The Secretary was the formal signatory but the Lodge were supporting the candidate. Mark made the mistake of asking if

they had a Lodge of Instruction he could join, as they say – what a mistake to make!

Mark joined the Lodge of Instruction in 1985 and managed to hold off their advances until September 1987 when he became a joining member, this led to him following himself around the offices in the two Lodges. He was installed as WM of the Five Heads Lodge in May 1990 and the Royal Borough of Kingston Lodge in May 1991 – requiring a dispensation to be Master in two Lodges for a fortnight covering the Installation meetings in May. Mark has served in a number of offices in his Lodge, going through the Chair again in 2001 before taking over as Secretary in 2005. He relinquished this role in 2012 and continues to enjoy the Lodge where he is currently the Lodge Mentor. He is also Lodge Director on the Board of Management for the Surbiton Masonic Centre.

Mark is also a member of the North Surrey Masters Lodge No.5905 and the Square Mile Lodge No.9352.

His first Provincial Appointments both arrived in 1998 to ProvAGPurs in Surrey and PPJGD in Hants & Isle of Wight, and was later promoted to PPAGDC in 2001 in Surrey and to PPSGD in 2009, also in Surrey. In February of this year he received his first promotion in Hants & IoW which was to PPJGW. At the same meeting his father was promoted to PPSGW, so Mark gets to wear his father’s apron badge.

Mark was Exalted into the Royal Borough of Kingston Chapter in April 1988 going through the Principals Chairs from 1993–95. Circumstances allowed him to go through the Chairs again from 2001–03. He has been Treasurer for the Chapter since 2005. In 2001 Mark received a First Appointment in the Royal Arch Province of Surrey to ProvGSwdB which was a great personal joy as his father’s First Appointment in Hampshire (Craft) was also to ProvGSwdB. In 2003 Mark was appointed one of four ProvDepGDC in the Royal Arch and five years later he became ProvGDC a role he occupied for the next four years. Mark was appointed to PGStB in Supreme Grand Chapter in April 2006. Mark has been one of the Assistants to the Provincial Grand Principals since 2011 and has been an Official Visitor representing the MEG Supt. since May 2006, both roles he will step down from in May when he is appointed Provincial Grand Secretary in June. Mark is also a member of the North Surrey First Principals Chapter No.5905 and the Castlemartyr Chapter No.8420.

Mark is married to Val and lives in Tadworth, between them they have four daughters – Michelle, Amy, Olivia & Georgina.

The next issue of the Surrey Mason will appear in November 2014.

Please submit copy before October 14th. editor@surreymason.org.uk

Surrey Mason

Editor’s comments

W.Bro Peter Cartwright

Annoying and frustrating!

When will some scriptwriters, authors and journalists stop picking on Freemasonry as the bad guy?

Such was the case in the first episode of the new series of Endeavour [ITV] on 30 March. The episode portraying murder and the goings-on of an Oxford College eventually lead Endeavour Morse, a Detective Constable with the Oxford City Police, to suspect a local Lodge of Freemasons with references to a secret society and an underlying powerbase sworn to protect its members, and in this episode, the concealment of evidence.

This is not something new with writers and authors (except perhaps Dan Brown) depicting Freemasonry as a secret society bent on world domination and underhand preferment of its members. I know in such large organisations there are always a few ‘bad apples’ but for writers to continually focus on the negative is beyond comprehension. For years now the United Grand Lodge of England, Provinces and Districts all around the world have tried to change the public’s perception of the fraternity to a caring and open society which we know is a more deserving description. To some degree their efforts have been successful but annoyingly, uneducated, illinformed writers can alter the public’s perception at a stroke.

If you are a non-Mason reading this, be assured that contrary to the image portrayed by some writers, the fraternity is anything but underhand and secretative. We are an open and just society, and one of the most enduring precepts that every Mason learns through our morally-based ritual, is respect and care for others no matter what the colour of one’s skin or their religious faith, and importantly we are taught to abide by the laws of the state in which we live.

The very friendly Friends’ Lodge I had the fortune of being invited to this lovely Lodge on 12 May at Croydon. The Friends’ Lodge No.9789 was formed by members of The Friends of James Terry Court and the Association of Friends of Shannon Court in 2004. The Worshipful Master, W.Bro Frank Lee introduced W.Bro Paul Crockett and Ex.Comp Rob Shephard who then gave an illustrated talk and updated us on the 2019 RMBI Festival. The Lodge was also honoured by the presence of VW.Bro Chris Caine, the Grand Vice-President of the RMBI. At the Festive Board where Lodge members had generously donated many prizes for the raffle, a brother who I was sitting alongside purchased a strip of 5 tickets. One of his numbers won a prize, then another was drawn (him refusing the next prize), then another, then another and another. All five numbers had been drawn.

How strange is that! Of course, I rubbed myself up against him – just for luck!

The Lodge has initiated a scheme to raise funds for the 2019 Festival by requesting that you donate your old mobile phones. If you have an old phone that you no longer require why not deposit it at your local Masonic centre where it can be picked up. See their advertisement on Page 27.

FESTIVAL LAUNCH The month of March saw the launch of the Surrey 2019 RMBI Festival at presentations held throughout the province at Masonic Halls in Croydon, Surbiton and Guildford.

The Festival President, RW.Bro Eric Stuart-Bamford, Provincial Grand Master, officially launched the Festival announcing a provisional target to raise £3.25 million over the next five years.

W.Bro Nick Parsons, Chairman of Surrey’s Provincial Grand Charity Committee, rallied the delegates with the words, “The 2019 Festival starts right here, right now!”.

Over three days members of the Festival Committee explained the aims and various ways to get involved and how to donate to over 580 attendees from 214 Lodges, 66 Chapters and a number of associated organisations. The Festival Committee Chairman, W.Bro Ian Chandler, gave a heartfelt insight into reasons why it was so important to support this worthy appeal and urged members to become Festival Stewards.

He was followed by Provincial Charity Stewards from both the Craft and Royal Arch, W.Bro Paul Crockett and E.Comp Rob Shephard, who fielded questions from the audience. The presentations also included a section on the workings and scope of the RMBI delivered by VW.Bro James Newman (RMBI President); W.Bro John Reuter (Dep. President); W.Bro Christopher Head (Executive Director of Finance) and David Innes (Chief Executive). An interesting insight into the Institution’s funding and the way money is apportioned and spent, with particular reference to Surrey.

Fruitful discussions continued after the presentations finished in less formal settings over buffets and drinks, allowing more individual and specific questions to be asked and answered.

It says something about the Province that so far Brethren and Companions have already signed up and shown their participation with them becoming Festival Stewards, Vice-Patrons, Patrons and Grand Patrons. The launch can be summed up by the Festival’s motto, Committed to Caring – it’s a chance for the Province to do just that.

SEE FESTIVAL REPORT PAGES 16-17

Is the Province’s oldest Tyler, Harry Winter trying to recruit the Prime Minister to become Freemason?

Well, there have been many Prime Ministers who have been Freemasons throughout our near 300 year history. Maybe so, but primarily Harry (aged 93) was there at the invitation of the Prime Minister’s office along with other RAF World War II veterans and their wives to commemorate the valour of those who served in Bomber Command.

Harry’s story I Met a Brother by Derek Richardson was told in Issue 33 of the Surrey Mason describing how Harry who was a flight engineer who flew in Halifax and Lancaster aeroplanes was shot down over Germany in October 1943. Some of the crew were killed but luckily Harry (apart from a broken leg and few cuts and bruises) escaped death and serious injury, spending the remainder of the war in a POW camp.

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Surrey Mason

SURREY PILLARS WEBSITE GETS AN UPDATE Features of the new Surrey Pillars:

The Surrey Pillars website www.surreypillars.org.uk has undergone a complete redesign and is now a clear and easy-to-follow source of information pertinent to Surrey Masons. Whilst many areas of the old Pillars were restricted to Secretaries, Almoners, Charity Stewards, etc., the new Pillars has everything open to everyone. Details of the Executive, Official Visitors, Masonic centres, Lodges, committees, museums, charities, etc. can easily be found, along with news items and forthcoming events, both in blog and calendar form. There are also links to external Masonic sites. All in all, if you have a Masonic question, the answer will be here.

Navigating around the site cannot be easier. The main menu (below) has 16 ‘tabs’: which are visible from every page. With the mouse pointer over a tab on this menu, a drop-down menu appears containing more tabs. Below shows the pointer placed over the Documents tab.

With the mouse pointer over a tab in a drop-down menu, a side menu with further tabs appears. Below shows the pointer placed over the Ceremonies tab (under Documents).

As all information is stored in a logical fashion, every topic can be found without the user getting lost and from any page. Once a topic is located, click on the tab to display or download what you need. There’s also a Search Box (top left, above the main menu) to assist the search process.

You can receive details of newly posted articles by going to Admin>Subscribe and following the simple instructions (below). After this one-off process, you will receive details of all new articles posted that day. No new articles – no email and you can cancel at any time by clicking on the link at the bottom of any new articles email.

• Every topic of relevance is accessible to all Surrey Masons • Every topic can be located from any page • Every topic is stored in a logical, straightforward and obvious manner • There’s a Help page from which a users’ How To handbook can be downloaded • All articles displayed, or articles displayed just by category (sport, charity, Lodge, etc.)

• A calendar (Diary on the menu) showing events, meetings, etc. colourcoded by category • Information of and links to the main Masonic charities • Details of all Provincial committees and their functions • Details of all Surrey Masonic centres including maps, directions, etc.

• A Who’s Who? in Surrey (the Executive, Official Visitors, Acting Officers, etc.)

• Details of the Masonic libraries and displays in the Province • You can download any Masonic form for printing out and sending to Province • A Subscribe to New Articles so readers can receive details by email of new articles • A login for users wanting to post articles (news items, forthcoming events, etc.)

• Contact forms for contacting the Provincial office or the Webmaster Thoughts for future features to the site include: • An advanced Subscribe so users can select only the articles they want to receive • An option to fill in and submit forms online • A calendar showing when Lodges meet and dates of meetings by Lodge • A link to sites of Masonic literature • Guidance for interviewing candidates • Mentor guides, notes and downloads • List of Organists and Tylers • How To guides in an audio-video form.

The site is basically a large repository of information and is intended to be the first port of call for all Surrey Masons, whether Lodge Secretaries requiring a particular form, or Masons in general seeking to expand their knowledge. However, this site is fundamentally only for the eyes of Surrey Masons, so take care not to publicise the site on any public facing site or paperwork.

As the new Surrey Pillars is still in its initial design phase, and despite rigorous testing by members of the IT Committee, it won’t come as a surprise if any bugs or inconsistencies still exist. If you find anything of such a nature, please email me, the Webmaster, on alancorb@hotmail.com or alternatively, by the contact form at Contacts>Webmaster – on the website. In addition, if you have suggestions as to what additional features could be useful, again please contact me. Alan Corb Webmaster

Editor’s Note It would be much appreciated if reports of 50th Certificate presentations could be limited to approximately 175 words or less. Longer submissions may be edited. Would you also please bear in mind that photos sent that are not of a sufficient standard will not be used.

It is Surrey Mason policy to omit most honourifics when mentioned in reports unless their use is deemed necessary by the editor.

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS

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Surrey Mason

Provincial Grand Secretary’s comments As I sit to write my first column as Provincial Grand Secretary it is interesting to reflect upon my very first Masonic meeting when I was initiated by my father back in March 1981. I clearly remember his first words “Mr Mark Adrian Winchester, my son, as no person can be made a Mason … etc.” I wondered then what was I actually doing and a similar feeling of anticipation is with me now.

When I applied for the position of Provincial Grand Secretary, I was of course hopeful that I may be selected. When that happened a considerable range of emotions and thoughts went through my mind and little has changed in the intervening period. I am so grateful for all the messages of support from across the Province, they have been very touching and surprising, and from a very wide variety of friends and acquaintances. May I thank each and every one of you for the many offers of support and assistance as I may well call on you in the coming months, I hope to prove worthy of your comments.

I must also express my deep personal gratitude to my predecessor W.Bro John Tomlin who could not have been more supportive and helpful during our handover. John will be an extremely hard act to follow having expanded the IT section within the Provincial Office and ensured that all contacts have been dealt with courteously and promptly. We all wish John a happy and peaceful retirement but expect him to remain very involved in the future of the Province.

As we all move forward through our Masonic lives and careers it is useful to look at how we have arrived and where we currently are. What support, guidance and assistance have we each received from our fellow members and have we given enough back to enable everyone to grow and develop to their full potential? There have been many Brethren who have assisted me in both the Craft and the Royal Arch and without that support I would not be here today, I do thank each and every one of you.

These days we call it ‘mentoring’ and I urge all Brethren, not just the Mentors, to look after our younger members and offer what assistance you can to ensure they feel valued and welcome. This will allow them to develop not only for the benefit of the Lodge, the Province and for the Craft but individually. The younger members are our future and without them this wonderful organisation On a less formal note, here is Mark Winchester will wither, so do take receiving the ‘Provincial Torch” from John Tomlin, care of them all.

I hope that the theme kindly and temporarily loaned by AProvGM David Lester’s granddaughter of my tenure in the Provincial Office will be “Support and Assistance”. Please do not be afraid to contact the Office if you have any Masonic issue of concern.

We are here to help in any way that we can. I have an excellent team in my Deputy W.Bro Ian Turner, the Office Manager Mrs Cathy Start and my Personal Assistant Mrs Theresa Lochinger, there is a wealth of knowledge just waiting to be tapped into – please use us.

Finally there is a general reminder to all but particularly Lodge Secretaries, please use the Provincial website; it is absolutely full of information which will often solve whatever issue you may be facing. I hope each and every one of you have a wonderful summer and look forward to the coming ‘season’ with as much anticipation as I do. I intend to really enjoy my new role and hope to be of benefit to each of you in any way that I can. Mark A Winchester Provincial Grand Secretary

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Surrey Mason

Provincial Grand Lodge of Surrey

Annual Meeting Report

A record attendance of over fifteen hundred brethren assembled at Freemasons’ Hall on Wednesday 25th June to attend the 2014 Annual Meeting. For any who might not yet have attended an annual meeting this is a splendid spectacle, the Grand Temple filled with Surrey masons and senior representatives from other provinces all in their full regalia.

The Annual Meeting has an atmosphere similar to that of a large Lodge’s installation meeting – part ‘ordinary business’ but just as much a celebration and a coming together of brethren and friends from Lodges across the county. The Provincial Grand Master RW.Bro Eric Stuart-Bamford opened the meeting and welcomed all the brethren and guests. After some agenda items and reports that would be familiar part of any Lodge meeting the ProvGM re-appointed VW.Bro Derek Barr MBE as the Deputy Provincial Grand Master and re-appointed W.Bros Jim Cook, Trevor Rains, Chris Magee, Nick Parsons, David Lester, David Else and Jim Hagarty as Assistant Provincial Grand Masters.

One of the greatest pleasures of each annual meeting is to be present when the Provincial Grand Master invests and appoints brethren as Provincial Grand Officers and this year another record was set when over 500 brethren were recognised in this way. These honours are a real recognition of the contribution and commitment of masons from around the province. The ‘light blues’ were far from forgotten too; a welcome sight attending Provincial Grand Lodge in ever increasing numbers, merit awards were presented to Bros Clive Fennell, Douglas Fowler, William Fry, Martin Turner and Bob Thomas.

The Provincial Grand Master also presented W.Bro Geoffrey Ingram with his personal award for Distinguished Service.

In his annual address in the meeting Provincial Grand Master Eric Stuart-Bamford expressed his delight at seeing the large numbers filling the temple and congratulated all his newly appointed and promoted Provincial Grand Officers. Referring to the Surrey 2019 Festival the Provincial Grand Master expressed his confidence that the brethren of Surrey would rise to the challenge and enjoy contributing to the very worthwhile work of the RMBI nationally and across Surrey.

Mentoring, the Foundation Club and the creation of ‘special interest Lodges’ were all examples of the initiatives put in place through the executive to support Lodges and their members; brethren were encouraged to take full advantage of these opportunities for all to contribute towards recruitment and retention in the Province. The Tercentenary of Grand Lodge in 2017 was set to be a great celebration; the Provincial Grand Master drew attention to the preparations by Lodges and centres to celebrate this important milestone.

The Provincial Grand Master acknowledged the energy and dedication of Deputy ProvGM, the Provincial Executive and all those who contribute to the life of the province throughout the year. In particular her thanked ProvGDC Chris Wheeler and his team and all the backroom team who had worked so hard to put on this year’s highly successful annual meeting. Referring to the departure of W.Bro John Tomlin as Provincial Grand Secretary, the Provincial Grand Master thanked him for his exemplary service and welcomed his successor W.Bro Mark Winchester to the role. In closing the Provincial Grand

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Master gave his familiar encouragement for all Surrey Freemasons to be proud of their achievements and to continue to enjoy their Freemasonry.

The Annual Meeting dinner took place next door at the Connaught Rooms attended by a splendid maximum capacity 720 members and guests. Musicians from the London Ensemble played during dinner. Over the last few years we have come to look forward to the famous ‘Post Horn Duel’ performed as pictured among the dining tables to great applause and enjoyment – this this year’s performance was no exception!

After the formal toasts the Provincial Grand Master extended his greetings to all. He congratulated those receiving first appointments and he reminded them that their appointment was for future achievements as well as past services. He also thanked those who received reappointments and promotions. He noted that the 2019 Festival for the RMBI was well underway in Surrey and was confident that it would enjoy full support.

The Deputy Provincial Grand Master, VW.Bro Derek Barr MBE proposed a toast to the Provincial Grand Master. A ‘full house’ at the meeting and festive board was a true indication of the qualities of the Provincial Grand Master and the affection in which he is held. An inspiring leader and attentive listener, RW.Bro Eric Stuart-Bamford leaves a lasting impression with a smile on his face and great warmth in his heart. VW.Bro Barr extended the thanks and appreciation of all the brethren not only to the Provincial Grand Master but also to his wife Libby for her unstinting support of him and his work around the province. The toast was given with great enthusiasm and to spontaneous applause.

Photos: Chris Eley

Surrey Mason

Richard, Earl of Shannon Lodge donate £7,500 At the Regular Meeting of the Richard, Earl of Shannon Lodge No.8297, Provincial Grand Stewards’ Lodge of Surrey, held on Friday 21st February 2014 at the Surbiton Masonic Centre, a donation of £7,500 to the Surrey 2019 RMBI Festival was approved by the brethren of the Lodge.

The Worshipful Master, W.Bro Richard Graham, is pictured here presenting the cheque to VW.Bro Chris Caine, the Grand Vice President of the RMBI who honoured the Lodge with a very interesting and informative talk on the work of the RMBI and in particular its dementia care.

Also at the same Meeting the brethren of the Lodge approved a donation of £1,000 to the Prostate Project, Urology Centre Appeal at the Royal Surrey County Hospital.

LONG-SERVING SECRETARY RETIRES W.Bro. Maurice ‘Steve’ Stevens PPGReg retired as Secretary of Priory Gate Lodge No.8202 on 10th May 2014 after 26 years in the North. Over that time he has administered the Lodge throughout several changes of fortune to become the successful, vibrant and growing Lodge it is today.

Steve was elected an Honorary Member by the Lodge in recognition of his long service. In his speech of thanks, he revealed that the real administrative power behind the Secretaries Chair has been his wife Val. Despite reducing mobility and difficulty with stairs, Steve is looking forward to remaining a regular attending member of the Lodge and is hopeful that mooted improvements to Chertsey Masonic Hall, including the installation of a lift will soon become reality and allow him access to the Temple. Steve is succeeded by W.Bro Nick Tyrrell.

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Surrey Mason

John Eadie gets his 50th At the meeting of Southborough Lodge No.7045 on 14th June, W.Bro C Magee AProvGM was very pleased to present a 50 years certificate to W.Bro John Eadie, PPAGDC. John was Initiated into the Lodge in June 1964, Passed in April 1965 and Raised in June 1965. He became Master in 1988; received the appointment of PPAGSuptWks in 1995 and was promoted to PPAGDC in 2002. He continues to be an active member of the Lodge.

John was born in Scotland in 1918, and lived there until he was 20 when he moved to London. He worked for R.W.Forsyth in Regent Street, an up-market gentlemans’ outfitters, which accounts for his always being fully dressed in collar, tie and jacket.

He volunteered for the army at the beginning of the war and completed his basic training before being posted to Wales where he spent the war training new recruits. After ‘demob’ he AProvGM C Magee presents a 50th Certificate went to work at Vickers Armstrong to W.Bro John Eadie accompanied by Worshipful Master, W.Bro Colin Steel attending night school to gain his

Higher National Certificate in Electrical Engineering. He spent the rest of his working career at Vickers/BAC retiring 32 years ago. He married Enid during the war and was happily married until she died 8 years ago.

They have 2 daughters, 5 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. John now spends his time playing the organ, chess, and trying to master the intricacies of the i-Pad, Skypeing his family and keeping fit.

A RIGHT ROYAL MAYOR W.Bro Arthur Hookway of the Royal Borough of Kingston Lodge No.4614 has been appointed Mayor of the London Borough of Sutton for 2014/15. Arthur is a former Borough Commander of the Fire Service based in Sutton and has served on the Sutton Council as Ward Councillor for Worcester Park since 2013 as well as the Chair of the Worcester Park Residents’ Association, as a Non-Voting Community Representative on the Cheam North and Worcester Park Local Committee, including sitting on various local strategy resource implementation groups and as Chair of the Worcester Park Ward Panel which is the Safer Neighbourhood Team comprising residents and local Police. Arthur lives in Worcester Park with his wife Sue and during the course of his appointment as Mayor will be supporting several charities.

The members of the Lodge are looking forward to supporting him during his Mayoral year and are extremely proud of his achievements.

CROYDON LODGE OF CONCORD – 175 NOT OUT! The Croydon Lodge of Concord No.463 celebrated a milestone 175th anniversary at the Croydon Masonic Halls on the 12th April.

The Lodge, the fourth oldest Lodge in Surrey, was honoured by the presence of the Provincial Grand Master, RW.Bro Eric StuartBamford and Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Jim Cook, escorting Provincial Stewards and other Provincial officers.

The Installation Ceremony was excellently performed by the Installing Master, W.Bro Andy Billington who placed into the Chair of King Soloman, W.Bro Antony Pearson-Young who quickly showed he was worthy of the honour. Bro Joe Mason (the son of the Lodge Secretary, W.Bro John Mason), and probably the youngest Freemason in the Province, was given the office of Steward.

The Festive Board was not only a gastronomic delight for the 104 attendees but enthused with good spirit and brotherhood from amongst the many brethren from this and other Provinces.

The Lodge was first known as East Surrey Lodge of Concord

Photo: Editor

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No.680 consecrated in 1839 and in 1863 was given the Number 463 by the UGLE. The Consecration Ceremony took place at the Greyhound Inn, Carshalton. In 1842 the Lodge met at the Ship Inn in Croydon until 1847 when it moved to The Greyhound Hotel in Croydon. The Lodge met continuously there until 1949 except when refurbishments occured in 1884. The Centenary Festival of the Lodge was to be held at Freemasons’ Hall in 1939 but because of the outbreak of WW2 were changed back to The Greyhound Hotel. In 1947 the late W.Bro S.G. Leathwood, Master of the Lodge had the foresight to see the potential of the old St George’s Church in Oakfield Road becoming the Masonic home for many local Lodges.

The building was purchased, and now 77 years later his son, W.Bro Ray Leathwood PJGD is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Croydon & District Masonic Halls plc.

The Lodge continued to hold meetings at The Greyhound Hotel until 1949 when they moved into the new Masonic centre.

Surrey Mason

CAKE SALES/AFTERNOON TEA GOLF COMPETITION SPONSORED WALK SPORTS CYCLING AUCTIONS

WHITE TABLE

DAY

RAFFLES

BEETLE DRIVE

Our first event was a Masonic talk by W.Bro Mike Neville who presented us with his by now famous talk, based on his book of the same name Sacred Secrets – Freemasonry, the Bible & the Christian Faith. With over 30 Foundation Club members in attendance it really was a great evening, Mike’s knowledge and passion for Freemasonry really is apparent and makes Sacred Secret’s a very informative and engaging talk.

Our next Club event will be a tour of the famous “Hogs Back Brewery” in Farnham which is the largest independent brewery in Surrey. The tour will include generous samplings throughout of their large selection of ales and an attractive souvenir glass to keep. After the tour, those still in the mood can retire to Farnham for more ‘sampling’ and a bite to eat afterwards.

We are also planning a Friends & Family BBQ in August which is open to all Foundation Club members, their friends, family and prospective members. Plans are under way and it is shaping up to be a great day in the sun.

If you are new to Masonry or would like to get more involved or perhaps would just like to enhance your Masonic circle and make new friends, then please get in touch and join The Foundation Club.

The Club is run by it’s members for it’s members and is designed for our benefit and enjoyment, so just like everything else in life, the more you put in to your club – the more you will get out of it!

Eligibility for membership is open to all Freemasons living, working or meeting in the Province of Surrey, regardless of age who have not received Provincial Rank; so everyone from Entered Apprentices to Installed Masters can come together to share in their passion of Freemasonry and all it has to offer. If you aren’t eligible for membership we still hold many various events which are open to non-members and non-Masons so please feel free to come along and get involved. Our next up coming events are: • Family & Friends BBQ – Saturday 9th of August (The Amato Pub in Epsom) • A White Table Dinner & Talk Freemasonry Universal by W.Bro Yasha Beresiner – September (Surbiton).

To get involved & for more information please visit our website www.foundationclub.org.uk Bro Nick Tamila

QUIZ NIGHT

The Foundation Club kicked off in February with five launch events throughout the Province, with over 100 brethren becoming members from over 30 different Lodges throughout Surrey. Having held two of our own events, social drinks as well as supporting various other events and Lodge meetings in the past few months.

The Foundation Club was launched as part of a new Provincial initiative created to provide a relaxed and informal platform for new and young Freemasons in Surrey, to meet and socialise, whilst encouraging visiting, organising Masonic related events and promoting a pride in our membership and enjoyment of the Craft.

Hopefully, the 2019 RMBI Festival should be high on the agenda of charity stewards, whose task it is to raise awareness and collect funds in supporting the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

The Provincial Grand Master, RW.Bro Eric Stuart-Bamford’s Festival aim is £3.25m and hopefully this will be met over the next 5 years.

But how can charity stewards make sure that as many brethren contribute as much as their circumstances permit? Of course, there are those experienced charity stewards who have honed their skills over the years, and for them this is probably not going to be a huge task.

There are some, like myself, with less experience, and for those the Province have created workshops, leaflets and a website where newbie charity stewards can find ideas for fundraising.

“If a Charity Steward is stuck for ideas, they just need to send us an email or email their charity liaison officers who will be more than happy to help,” said W.Bro Paul Crocket, Provincial Charity Steward.

The role of the Charity Steward is to champion all forms of charitable activity within the Lodge or Chapter but, primarily, it involves fundraising.

To do that, Charity Stewards need to organise events where Lodge and Chapter members can donate to their chosen charities. People tend to give more generously when they are enjoying themselves, therefore, festive boards and social events are ideal ways for fundraising. “There are plenty of activities to choose from – they can organise a visit to greyhound races, a hog roast, or play golf – the list is endless. The most important thing is to raise money for the Festival,” Paul added.

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HELP FOR CHARITY STEWARDS in raising funds for the Festival

GO-CARTING

To kick-off fundraising, Paul has organized a special bicycle ride.“In a moment of madness I pledged myself to undertake a sponsored cycle. I will cycle from James Terry Court in South Croydon to Shannon Court in Hindhead, a distance of 40 miles. I will undertake this on Sunday 29 June which is the day of the Summer Garden Party at Shannon Court.”

A week later on 6 July there will be another special event, the Provincial Motorcycle Rally in support of the RMBI Festival. The riders start from their own homes and finish up at the Surbiton Centre at 4pm.

Other events could include going to the theatre, attending a wine tasting event, quiz nights or inviting a well-known personality to speak at a white table where visitors have the opportunity to make a donation.

Garden parties, barbeques, restaurant nights or drinks nights out on St Patrick’s Day or St George’s Day may also attract your members.

Paul also points out that an effortless way to support the Festival is by becoming a Festival Steward (see Festival Update on page 16-17).

“There are of course the more traditional ways of fundraising, such as the festive board raffles, but ideally Charity Stewards should organise special events with the aim of raising extra funds,” Paul said.

To help promote these special events, the Festival organizers have come up with a really helpful idea. They have created a flyer template with the logos of the RMBI and the Festival, which every Charity Steward can use to design their own flyers and distribute among their members or when visiting other Lodges. And as an add-on, the liaison officers will email the flyers to each Lodge in the province, thereby helping to promote the event and drum up extra support.

With all the extra help available all seems set for the Province to meet the ProvGM’s objective, or if all goes well even to surpass it.

“What’s important to remember is that the Festival runs for five years, so the charity stewards have to keep the momentum going,” Paul concluded. Janos Gal Charity Steward, Mount Ararat Lodge No.9239.

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Surrey Mason

FREEMASONRY AND THE DILEMMA IT FACED

IT WAS AUGUST 4th, 1914 when a Belgian lieutenant peered through his field glasses and saw German cavalry crossing the Belgian-German border.

Britain had a treaty dating back to 1839 guaranteeing Belgian neutrality, and accordingly the British government demanded that Germany cease advancing its army by midnight or it would mean a declaration of war.

No withdrawal came and consequently the British ambassador in Berlin handed a declaration of war to Germany at 12.15 am.

In Europe Britain’s empire was seen as something of a mystery and most wondered just how strong was the ‘family-ties’ between it and the selfgoverning Dominions. Although Britain’s declaration of war was legally binding on the dependencies, there was no reason why countries like Australia and Canada should actively participate in a war where the combatants were many thousands of miles distant and posing no direct threat. It was annoying to the Dominions that they were not even consulted before war was declared.

Germany was relying on the far-flung colonials showing little loyalty.

The speed at which the Dominions responded to the call from the mother

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country astonished Europe and in particular the central powers.

The Australian Prime Minister declared, “Our duty is quite clear to gird up our loins and remember that we are Britons.” With the promise to fight “to our last man and our last shilling.” Similar statements were made from Canada, New Zealand and South Africa.

As the call to arms was made across the whole of the British Empire each nation responded brilliantly. South Africa whose mostly Afrikaner nationalists had only just began to heal the rifts of the Boer War pledged complete support becoming “more British than the British.” The Canadian and New Zealand governments

actively encouraged men to join their armies as quickly as possible. Canada, a nation of 8 million people raised an armed force of some 650,000 men and women. Indian nationals flocked to join British regiments and even native Africans joined in droves.

FREEMASONS RESPOND Thousands of individual Masons from all walks of life volunteered for active service during the Great War and many paid the supreme sacrifice. In our own province 44 brethren lost their lives.

Brethren serving in WW1 looked to their Lodges back home as a symbol of what they were fighting to preserve.

The first batch of 32,000 Canadian troops included 6,000 Freemasons. g

Surrey Mason

IN THE NEXT ISSUE Surrey brethren who made the supreme sacrifice Brother C.S.M. Alfred Henry Furlonger AM, DCM Home County Lodge No.3451.

Born 1886. Died Flanders, 1914

Recruitment in late August and early September 1914 saw 478,893 British men join the army between 4 August and 12 September. Patriotism and a widespread collective sense of duty to King and Empire were the main ingredients to generate this charge to enlist. Another key factor in enlistment was the granting of permission to committees of municipal officials, industrialists and other dignitaries, especially in northern England, to organise locallyraised ‘Pals’ battalions, with men from the same community, workplace and even Masonic Lodges were encouraged to join on the understanding that they would train and, eventually, fight together. Some other men confident that the war was going to be shortlived enlisted for adventure or to escape from an arduous, dangerous or humdrum job.

As the reality of a protracted lengthy war began to develop, recruitment began to dwindle. Calls for compulsory military service throughout 1915 were necessary. On 27 January 1916, the first Military Service Act introduced conscription for single men of military age, this being extended to married men by a second Military Service Act on 25 May 1916.

FREEMASONRY’S DILEMMA War brought many problems to the worldwide Masonic fraternity, notably the tenet in the ancient charge to the Initiate: “When a man is Initiated into Freemasonry he is told that Freemasonry is an extended fraternal society, “the branches of which are spread over the four quarters of the globe.” Later in the same Initiation ceremony he is also charged with the responsibility of “relieving the necessities and soothing the

afflictions” of his neighbour. Both being basic tenets of Freemasonry as Freemasonry is a fraternal society built on a moral and ethical approach to life through the application of integrity, kindness, honesty and fairness.

The 1914 United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) Book of Constitutions instructs Freemasons to “respect other Freemasons” and if a brother is found in want they are to relieve them. No reference is made to the nationality or country of birth of a brother in the 1914 constitution. Clearly then, there was going to be some readjustment on how we treated our ‘enemy’ brethren.

In June 1915, UGLE issued instructions to all British Freemasons regarding Freemasons who had been born in enemy countries. The instruction applied to all Freemasons attending Masonic meetings held under the jurisdiction of UGLE. This instruction became part of Masonic law by way of a resolution stating that “In order to prevent the peace and harmony of Freemasonry being disturbed, it is necessary that all brethren of Germanic, Austrian, Hungarian or Turkish birth should not, during the continuance of war, attend any meeting”.

Public opinion on any German connection was disturbing as anyone with a Germanic name was viewed with suspicion. UGLE’s stance followed public opinion.

A further UGLE resolution in December 1915 declared the withdrawal of UGLE recognition of the Grand Lodge of Germany and instructed Lodges “that on the termination of the war each Lodge be required to examine the cases of all members who are of German birth, to the resumption of such attendance is approved by unanimous vote of all the other members of the Lodge, to

refuse permission to such members to resume attendance at Lodge, unless upon all members of German birth, the resumption of whose attendance is not approved, to resign, and, failing resignation, to forthwith exclude such members from its membership”. Quite harsh, but at the time, understandable.

MASONIC POWs Prisoners of War are always a thorn in the side of opposing armies. There were many instances of soldiers being treated badly. The British press in its own war of propaganda reported many cowardly and inhumane acts by the German forces, some accurate and some fanciful. After the war was over returning POWs reported their treatment at the hands of the enemy.

Masons reported various kindly acts by some German troops who were Masons. Some soldiers received a Masonic Pass when they inlisted back home, which identified the bearer as a Mason and requested fraternal assistance in times of distress. A German surgeon coming across the Masonic pass of a soldier captured at Ypres in 1916 gave preferential treatment to the soldier and probably saved his life. Whilst in a prison camp another Mason who had sewn the square and compasses to his tunic and attracted the attention of not only fellow Masonic prisoners but the guard – a Mason, who at great risk to himself, gave a parcel of cigarettes and bread.

Despite their situation soldiers were generally treated well once their Masonic identity was known. There were instances of impromtu Masonic meetings in prison camps of both British and French Masons.

Back home, Masonic Lodges tried to do as much as possible to lighten the burden of the fighting soldier. Lodge fees were very often forgotten for nonattendance. UGLE tried to do as much as it possibly could but it was the private Lodges who were at the forefront of giving aid and assistance to returning brethren. Ed.

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Surrey Mason

Tandridge Hundred celebrate 75th anniversary The Provincial Grand Master, his Deputy, six Assistant Provincial Grand Masters and the Provincial Grand Treasurer all turned out to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Tandridge Hundred Lodge No.5767.

Tandridge Hundred is the Mother Lodge of the Provincial Grand Secretary, W.Bro John U Tomlin.

The meeting was held, by dispensation, on the very day of the Lodge’s Consecration of 24 March 1939, and was attended by 90 members and their guests. The main event of the evening was Raising Bro Luke Bennett with the ceremony being shared by several of the Lodge members and a “guest” Senior Deacon, W.Bro Ian Turner, the Prov. Deputy Grand Secretary.

The Worshipful Master, W.Bro Sean Carty, presented the Provincial Grand Master, RW.Bro Eric Stuart-Bamford, with a cheque for £10,000 for the 2019 RMBI Festival. The Lodge also

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donated a further £1,000 to the local dial-a-ride charity, and £500 to Teddies for Loving Care.

After the ceremony of Raising, the Secretary, W.Bro Piers Mason, read the minutes of the first meeting of the Lodge, and all the Brethren attending were given a copy of the original Consecration Summons.

To mark the anniversary, the Master was presented with a new Volume of the Sacred Law and a new set of Working Tools and, at the festive board he was presented with a silver goblet to be used by successive Masters at festive boards during the years ahead.

Members of the Lodge and the Provincial Executive and escorting Brethren. To the Provincial Grand Master’s immediate left is the WM W.Bro Sean Carty, and next to him is the Father of The Lodge, W.Bro Ted Pope.

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See the SurreyPillars website

Was Captain Mainwaring of Dad’s Army a Freemason?

In a recent episode of the ageless sitcom, Sergeant Wilson says to Mainwaring as he arrives at the Church hall for the Home Guard parade “Didn’t expect to see you so soon sir”. “My Lodge meeting was cancelled Wilson” says Mainwaring.

Such was the lot of Masonic Lodges during World War II with the danger from enemy bombing causing many Lodges to cancel meetings especially during air raids.

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Surrey Mason

Surrey’s very own Superhero Bro Simon Jakeman of Elmbridge Lodge and Surbiton LFB Station who was featured in the Surrey Mason [Issue 33 p14] is also featured in a worldwide ‘Earth Hour’ event and is shown in this short video released on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh3EbJ-N52g Well done Simon! His work and interest in the environment, over the years, is being slowly recognised.

Earth Hour is a worldwide movement for the planet organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

Earth Hour engages a massive mainstream community on a broad range of environmental issues. It was famously started as a lights-off event in Sydney, Australia in 2007. Since then it has grown to engage more than 7,000 cities and towns worldwide, and the one-hour event continues to remain the key driver of the now larger movement.

The event is held worldwide and held towards the end of March annually, encouraging individuals, communities, households and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour as a symbol for their commitment to the planet.

Earth Hour 2014 was celebrated on Saturday, March 29th from 8.30pm to 9.30pm at participants’ local time.

GAR TH – THE SMALL LODGE WITH A B IG HEART On 27th March, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, VW.Bro D.W. Barr MBE accompanied by W.Bro P. Weighill and two Provincial Grand Stewards attended a “Special” meeting of Garth Lodge No.5552 at ‘The Station’ Stoneleigh.

Firstly, the WM, W.Bro Peter Bennett conducted the whole Ceremony of Initiation of Bro Sean Salmon. Following the Ceremony, a cheque for £7,000 (the proceeds of the Lodge Ladies’ Night) was presented to Janet Tobin of the The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. The cheque was presented

by W.Bro Nick Gordon, President of the Ladies’ Night. He thanked the Royal Marsden and all the staff for the care and attention afforded him during his illness. Ms Janet thanked the Lodge for the wonderful donation and stated it will go to provide a “New 3D Interactive Sequences” for children attending The Royal Marsden. The WM presented a bouquet to Janet and thanked her for her attendance at the Garth Lodge.

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Surrey Mason

Looking forward to the future . . . with an eye on the past!

In 1947 Oakfield Road, now known as the Croydon and District Masonic Hall was purchased by the late W.Bro S G Leathwood and nine other Masons.

It was upon returning from a business meeting that the late W.Bro S G Leathwood noticed a for sale sign outside a church in Oakfield Road. He viewed it before going back to his garage business but it played on his mind and later that same day he returned with a deposit of £1,200. At the same time as paying the deposit for the old church in Oakfield Road, the late W.Bro S G Leathwood contacted the Provincial Grand Master, the RW.Bro Lt Colonel H A Mann, to seek permission for the building to become a Masonic meeting place, which he readily agreed to. Bro Leathwood approached nine other Masons each of whom contributed £1,000 (approx. £27,356 in value today).

A committee was then formed, called the Croydon & District Masonic Halls to put in place the necessary formalities.

There is a lot of history to the building. Prior to WW2, the church (St Georges Presbyterian) through lack of support fell into disrepair. During the war years, Oxo Ltd used it as a food depot but the building sustained blast damaged from a bomb that was dropped in nearby Wellesley Road, so after the war the building became surplus to their requirements.

At the time there were no Masonic centres in Croydon, Lodges either met at the Cafe Royal in North End, Croydon (since demolished and now the site occupied by Marks & Spencer) or the Greyhound Hotel located in St Georges Walk, High Street.

A great deal of restoration work had to be carried out to adapt the building for Masonic use. It was during this time that the builders found a screw topped glass canister in the foundations of the building. The contents of this canister were as follows: • A copy of the equivalent of the local Croydon Advertiser dated September 1868. This paper is now extremely brittle and is felt that it should never be removed from the canister, but through the glass it can be seen the prices of various types of wine which were advertised for sale e.g. £2 for a case of 12 bottles of red or white wine, which is a little less expensive than what it would cost you today!

• Various coins of the realm, all in mint condition but naturally tarnished.

The coins were all dated 1868 and bear Queen Victoria’s head. The coins were a florin, shilling, sixpence, penny and half penny.

• A copy of the printed appeal dated June 1868 to the Parishioners and well-wishers of St Georges Presbyterian church in Croydon. The appeal by the Rev Alex J Murray, the Minister, sought financial support to purchase the freehold site of 73 Oakfield Road and to finish the building as a replacement church to the iron church on the site. In his appeal for financial support the Minister stated that the population of Croydon was about 45,000 and initially he wished to raise about £3,000 to purchase the freehold of the site and to build thereon a church to accommodate 350 people. A grant of approximately £2,000 was received from church circles so in essence the appeal was for £1,000. A further amount raised by the congregation of £2,000 took the total to £5,000 in all to extend the church to accommodate about 600 people and to erect a spire which was to be built on the church at the corner of St James's Road and Oakfield Road. The written appeal contained the architect’s impression of the proposed church with the spire. It is certain that the second phase of the building was never accomplished since this steeple was never erected and it appears through lack of support St Georges Presbyterian church of Croydon fell into disuse in about 1938 after some 70 years as a church.

W.Bro Wisby and W.Bro Dearing, both builders, were very much involved in the restoration work at the time, along with many other Brethren who volunteered to give up their time to work on this project. With the former church being a high building with timber roof the main part of the building

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Surrey Mason and disabled member vehicles.

Later land in Stanton Road was also purchased and now acts as a free car park for all the people using the halls. This, together with the parking available next to the halls usually provides ample parking spaces for all comers.

Today, the Croydon & District Masonic Halls consists of six meeting rooms, which can be used for either Lodge meetings or as conference, dining or function rooms as well as seven Lodge of Instruction, smaller meeting or committee rooms. The Mann Dining Room is able to accommodate up to 150 people for either Masonic or outside functions.

The halls have always had a strong tradition of putting masonry first in all their undertakings but during the Summer months or during the day when the various rooms are not required for Masonic use they are available for external activities e.g. meetings, private lunches with

was converted and an upper floor installed. The Wheeler Temple was on the first floor with the Mann Dining Room located on the ground floor. There were also two further Temples, Wisby and Leathwood.

The rest of the areas were open spaces. In later years the vicarage was converted to become what is now the Bar, Museum, Office, Board Room and LOI Rooms as well as the space between what was the church and vicarage becoming the Bedford lounge area.

The dedication of the Masonic Temple took place on 25th September 1948 and was carried out by the then RW. Provincial Grand Master, the RW.Bro Lt Colonel H A Mann, OBE, MC, assisted by his Deputy and Assistant Provincial Grand Masters supported by various others in their capacity as Surrey Provincial Officers. In total, there were some 360 Brethren present at the Dedication Ceremony.

It is interesting to note from the programme of this important event that some 40 Brethren and two Lodges (Addiscome Lodge No.1556 and Waddon Lodge No.4162) were specially named and thanked by the Directors of the Company for their many acts of special service and numerous gifts. Of those specially named and thanked were also the names of the three Leathwood brothers, namely, Paul, Ray and Ken. Ray Leathwood continues this great family tradition and is today Chairman of the Croydon and District Masonic Halls plc and also oversees the everyday running of our Masonic home.

In 1963, 71 Oakfield Road was purchased by the company for around ÂŁ5,000 and a year later in 1964, 152 St James Road for around ÂŁ3,500. The ground floor of 71 Oakfield Road was occupied and still is by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Surrey with all other rooms in both properties used for LOI and Committee Meetings. The Provincial Grand Lodge then purchased 71 Oakfield Road and is used by them in their duties of the provincial office.

By Selling 71 Oakfield Road this enabled the Croydon & District Masonic Halls plc to carry out further extension work on the main Masonic building giving Masons two additional Temples, Doyle and Shannon, as well as an additional LOI room, but land at the side and rear of 71 Oakfield Road was retained for car parking facilities for staff

Provincial Merchandise Goes On-Line

Brethren, you can now purchase all of you Provincial Merchandise on-line. Just click on the Links page on surreypillars.org.uk web page and you will find the Mechandise link where the Provincial merchandise can be found. Steve Guzy, the Provincial Merchandising Manager will be happy to take your order and negotiate discounts on multiple purchases.

either buffet or waitress service or group meetings held in the bar area with a range of bar food available.

In-house catering is provided by two chefs and support staff, including silver service waitresses and waiters, who provide an excellent service with a wide choice of food and beverage options available. The bar is fully equipped with bar food available throughout the year, either during the day or at night.

The halls have also now obtained a licence to enable wedding ceremonies to be conducted within the building, thereby allowing couples to have their wedding and reception in one location.

In fact over the last few years banks, the NHS and many other organisations have used our facilities for small and local conferences and as a training centre. The rooms are fully equipped with screens and there is also a portable sound system if needed. Wi-Fi is also available allowing organisations to have fast access to the Internet. Various dinners have also been held for ex-boxers, ex-police, Rotary club, inner wheel organisations just to name a few. W.Bro Andy Billington W.Bro Brendan Glynn of Old Palace Lodge No.7173 likes to live life in the fast lane and here he is in his own racing car. The addition on the car of the square and compasses will undoubtedly speed him to great success.

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These pages were kindly sponsored by

IN TUNE & ON TARGET

On the 29th May, courtesy of the Chairman of The City Rifle Club, Mozart Chapter No.1929 under E.Comp John Gardener’s leadership hosted a charity shoot at Bisley Shooting Ground. Thirty-eight members and guests took part using a selection of five variants of the historic Lee Enfield .303 rifle, as used in both world wars.

Each competitor took ten shots at a target at a range of 300 yards using the original iron sights.

The day’s winner was Alan Hurcumb who scored a maximum 40 points.

The magnificent sum of £1,200 was raised with the real winner being the 2019 Festival Appeal.

As a result of this, and other donations, Mozart Chapter has achieved a well deserved Gold Achievement Award.

GRATEFULLY RECEIVED

On 31st March, North Surrey Masters’ Lodge hosted a presentation from Albany Lodge No.2652 of a cheque for £20,000.

The donation was given as consequence of a bequest from Mrs Kunic whose husband had been a member, asking that it be used to support the RMBI. The presentation followed a talk entitled Dementia support within the RMBI Homes

by VW.Bro Chris Caine, PGSwdB, RMBI Grand Vice President. W.Bro Colin Evans, Worshipful Master of Albany Lodge, gave an impassioned explanation relating to the donation and the significance of the talk for his own family.

The ProvGM expressed his gratitude for such a significant donation at this early stage of the Festival.

Pictured above, the ProvGM, the Festival Committee Chairman and Brethren of both Lodges.

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“IT STARTS RIGHT HERE, These were the words used by W.Bro Nick Parsons, AProvGM, in closing the three Surrey 2019 Festival launch presentations that took place across the Province at the end of February. Over 580 members attended the three launches and heard about the caring work of the RMBI, particularly in the two homes at James Terry Court and Shannon Court.

The Festival Appeal has got off to a great start with nearly 1,000 members already signed up as Festival Stewards and patronage. Stewardship requires a minimum donation of £150, which can be achieved by donating just £2.50 per month during the Festival. You can also qualify as a Vice Patron – £300; a Patron – £600; and a Grand Patron – £1,200 all of which can be paid monthly. Full details can be found by clicking on the Festival tab on the Surrey Pillars website.

The Provincial Grand Master, RW.Bro Eric Stuart-Bamford set the Province the challenge of raising £3.25 million over the next five years.

‘LEGENDS’ LEND THEIR PROUD SUPPORT The Brethren and guests of East Surrey Masters Lodge No.5888 were delighted to learn their fund raising activities at their regular Lodge Meeting held on 31st January 2014, produced £3,683, all to be donated to the 2019 Festival.

Over 160 Brethren, including the Provincial Grand Master, were present to witness a unique event in the main Temple at Croydon Masonic Hall; a First Degree Ceremony demonstration undertaken by past members of the Provincial Executive.

Collectively referred to as ‘The Legends Team’, all had enthusiastically answered the call made by W.Bro Chris Rashbrook.

Few Members of the Lodge were aware of who were to be within the Team, with the identity of the Candidate known only to W.Bro Chris Rashbrook and the candidate himself. An air of suspense was maintained throughout the meeting as the Team swapped places with the ESM officers. Last to take office was W.Bro David Ebdon, occupying the Master’s Chair for the ceremony.

The admission took all by surprise as a suitably attired W.Bro John Tomlin, the Provincial Grand Secretary, entered.

During the Meeting W.Bro David Eager also presented the ProvGM with a cheque for £10,000 on behalf of the Surrey Masonic Sports Association.

D AV I D O F F

STRIKING GOLD At their meeting on the 10th June, Table Fellowship Lodge No.8989 were delighted to receive the Provincial Grand Master, RW.Bro Eric Stuart-Bamford. On that occasion the Lodge presented the ProvGM with a cheque for the 2019 Festival Appeal for £50,000. This, with other donations, immediately qualified the Lodge for a Gold Achievement Award, which the Provincial Grand Master was delighted to affix to the Charity Steward’s collar.

RIGHT NOW!” This means that we will need to raise an average of £440 for each Lodge or Chapter member.

Many Lodges and Chapters have already held events, which have raised significant amounts for the Festival while members have been having fun. Some of these events are reported here, why not organise one of your own? The Provincial Grand Charity Steward W.Bro Paul Crockett and his team of Liaison Officers are on hand to help.

Lodges (and Chapters*) can achieve a Festival Achievement Award by donating an average per member amount – £300 for a Bronze (*£25); £600 for a Silver (*£50); and £900 (*£100) for a gold.

The Provincial Grand Master has already presented the first Achievement Award to Table Fellowship Lodge No.8989 who donated the magnificent sum of £50,000 to the Festival . . . Now that’s really showing they’re ‘Committed to Caring’.

Pictured above with the ProvGM, is W.Bro Malcolm Price (WM) presenting the cheque.

VROOM, VROOM!

DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE CHARITY STEWARD’S BALL Brooklands Museum on Saturday, 29th November. Tickets are competitively priced at £100 per couple, including a welcome drink, and with dancing till midnight you can burn off those calories from the three-course banquet!

It’s open to everyone, so why not put a table together, details are on the website below:

ESM Charity Steward, W.Bro Klick Rahman, saw his hard work come to fruition at the Festive Board as a bumper Raffle and an Auction proved to be a well-deserved success.

Pictured above, with the Provincial Grand Master, are W.Bro Jim Hagarty, Worshipful Master of East Surrey Masters Lodge No.5888, and the other Brethren of ‘The Legends Team’.

For more information or to donate visit the Surrey 2019 Festival website at www.surreypillars.org.uk To contact the Festival Committee email festival2019@surreymason.org.uk 17

Surrey Mason

Seeing Double When Ashley Harman, asked a fellow member of Esher Rugby Club if he was going to the match on Saturday, he had no idea he was starting out on his Masonic career.

He had unknowingly asked W.Bro Stephen Foster. When Stephen replied “No, I’m going to a Lodge meeting in London,” Ashley’s ears pricked up. “Are you a Freemason then?” was the next question. Then of course the questions got more intense until Ashley said, “Would you help me join and I’m pretty sure that if I want to, my younger brother will?” Stephen also knew Elliot, Ashley’s brother. A phone call two days later confirms that Elliot is also keen. An informal meeting is held in the pub and forms are completed.

But the plot thickens. Ashley and Elliot, aren’t just brothers, they are ‘identical twins,’ Elliot being 10 minutes younger.

Now this has to be a pretty rare occurrence, if not unique – a pair of identical twins being Initiated, in a double ceremony. Has this occured in Surrey before? No was the answer. One Lodge had done the same thing some 30 years ago so it wasn’t unique. Those earlier twins were still active and attended our twins Initiation. Now that probably is unique. A pair of Identical twins, Initiated in a double, witnessed by the last know pair of Identical twins, Initiated in a double. The ceremony, with W.Bro Foster in the chair, drew a crowd from 15 Lodges.

W.Bro Foster also conducted their Passing, as a double, as he did with their Raising in May at Surbiton Masonic Centre. The work being shared between officers from 6 other Lodges.

History, for Walton-on-Thames Lodge No.6348 was made! To cap it all, a 50 Year Certificate was presented to W.Bro Foddy. The old and the new, you might say, with the moral of the story, is be open about being a Mason. You never know what it will lead to, for your Lodge, or yourself.

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50 Year Certificate for Dennis Foddy Having been Raised on 7th May 1964 in Cama Lodge No.2015 in Middlesex, W.Bro Dennis Foddy PPGChStwd (Middx) was presented with his 50 Year Certificate by W.Bro Nick Parsons (AProvGM) at Walton-onThames Lodge No.6348 at their meeting in May 2014.

Dennis served Cama Lodge for 40 years. As WM in 1977/8 and as their Secretary from 2004 until he joined Walton-on-Thames Lodge, occupying the Masters Chair in 2010/11. His links with the Lodge go back further having joined their Royal Arch Chapter in 1986.

Dennis a very active Mason and while still at Cama Lodge joined North Surrey Past Masters Lodge No.5905. Showing few signs of slowing down, Dennis stays active not just at Walton but at Esher RA Chapter, Agincourt Knights Templars and St George at Chertsey Rose Croix Chapter 984.

Born in Deanshanger, Northants on 15th February 1928, Dennis’s engineering career began in 1944 starting as an apprentice progressing to Design Draughtsman at the Ministry of Supplies. In 1950 he became a Production Engineer in the South Iranian Oil Fields, and in 1952 he moved to South India as an Engineer. He settled down in 1957 joining Binnie and Partners, a job he held until retirement in 1992 and then marrying in 1958 raising a son and daughter.

Like his Masonic career Dennis’s business career was distinguished, with a host of qualifications from member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, to Chartered Engineer, and Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers.

Surrey Mason

We’re there when you need us!

The Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Service has gone from strength to strength since its first rescue flight in 1990. The service expanded its operations into Surrey and Sussex in 2007 when they opened a second base and secured a second helicopter. Since the service began they have responded to over 20,000 calls and this year, have answered 551 missions (to 2/4/14).

Their helicopters operate from bases at Marden, Kent and Redhill, Surrey. The aircraft at Marden is operational between 7am – 7pm and at Redhill, 24 hours a day with this aircraft covering Kent, Surrey and Sussex between 7pm – 7am. Both teams operate with a specialist doctor and a paramedic.

It is funded almost entirely through the generosity of people, businesses and charitable organisations. The service was a recipient of a recent donation from both The Freemasons’ Grand Charity and the Province of Surrey.

RW.Bro Eric Stuart-Bamford, ProvGM and his wife Libby were the invited guests at the Redhill Aerodrome base on 17th March. The Provincial Grand Master went along to see how the Masonic donations were being put to good use, and hosts Adrian Bell (Chief Executive), and Jill Playle (Director of Communications) were delighted to show off the facilities and aircraft. www.rivierabournemouth.co.uk

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As his last official duty before standing down as Provincial Grand Secretary, W.Bro John Tomlin presented a cheque to the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance. At the request of the Provincial Grand Master, RW.Bro Eric Stuart-Bamford, Bro Tomlin visited Redhill Aerodrome to hand over a cheque from the Grand Charity for £4,000.

Picture shows (from left) Bro Tomlin, pilot Dan, Mrs Liz Tomlin and co-pilot Matt.

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Surrey Mason

News from the Provincial Grand Charity Steward W.Bro Paul Crockett It is clear that the 2019 Festival Appeal is now our priority and whilst it is quite right that we focus our attention on this appeal let’s not forget our other charitable activities. The Province receive many requests each year from charities who are hoping to secure funding from the Province.

It will come as no surprise that it would be impossible to for us to support them all, there simply aren’t the funds. However, once a year, the Provincial Charity Committee have to consider all of these requests and determine how much can be distributed however small that amount may be, and which charities to support.

This year has been no exception but a decision was made and this brings me to one of the best parts of being Provincial Grand Charity Steward. Sending a letter and a cheque to each of the charities. It is even better when you then start to receive back, the letters of thanks and appreciation.

This year the charities supported were as follows; Challengers (supporting disabled children), Croydon Carers Centre (providing help for carers), GUTS (Bowel Cancer support), Jigsaw 4U (offering family bereavement counselling), Kingston Carers Network (supporting young carers), Moor House School, (for children with speech and language disabilities), St Joseph’s Specialist School for Children with Autism, The Therapy Garden, (supporting teenagers with mental disabilities), Myasthenia Gravis Association (providing care for people with MG) and Tree of Hope (supporting sick children).

The funds for these donations are collect through the Annual Dues paid by each member to the Province. This money is used by the

petitions committee to support members in need and also for the support of local charities.

So well done to you all for allowing us to support so many varied and wonderful local charities, and in the words of one of them in their letter of thanks, ‘Please pass on our sincere gratitude to all concerned for their continued support as we are acutely aware of the pressure on you to both raise funds and from requests for help’.

Of course it is not just about money. We can support our local charities in other ways and this will become more apparent as we move further into our 2019 Festival Appeal. I will shortly be announcing details of a new initiative within the Surrey for Surrey Scheme that will promote volunteering our time and skills to these charities. The ‘Helping Hands’ programme will be launched soon, keep an eye out for details.

On to other matters, and support for our hard working Charity Stewards. I am pleased to announce that from September, there will be a Charity Stewards Surgery held at 7.30pm on the first working day of each month at the following centres, Surbiton, Croydon, Nutfield, Guildford, Godalming and Sutton. We will also hold additional surgeries at Farnborough. These Surgeries provide an opportunity for Charity Stewards to come along and chat about charity matters in a relaxed atmosphere. I hope they prove helpful.

In the meantime enjoy your summer and I look forward to seeing you next season.

News from the Provincial Grand Almoner W.Bro Bob Jenkinson, MBE New Advice & Support Team The old RMBI Care & Advice Team and the RMTGB Welfare Team were merged on 1st June with most of the previous Care Advice Visitors being absorbed into the new structure. The change has little effect on the excellent support we have received in the past from the Team with Terry Ryan continuing to look after Surrey Province assisted by Julia Young who has moved over from the RMTGB. Assistance from the new Advice & Support Team can be obtained via your Group Almoner or by contacting: 0800 035 60 90.

Eligibility for Support There is still a misconception among some brethren that a Brother who has resigned or been excluded from Freemasonry is not entitled to support from the Masonic Charities. During a number of cases I have been involved in recently a comment as been made by the person I was talking to that they had not bothered to pursue support in the past as the Brother seeking help had left Masonry some years ago! The entitlement for support from any of the Masonic Charities is quite clear: Anyone who has resigned, allowed their membership to lapse or been excluded from a Lodge working under the auspices of the UGLE is entitled to apply for support, as are those who are (or were) dependent upon them, irrespective of how long they have been out of active Masonry. The only exception is when someone has been expelled from the Craft, in which case they lose all entitlement for support but their dependants may still be considered for assistance.

Become a Dementia Friend Many of you may have to deal with people who have dementia of one kind or another, either on a personal basis or whilst supporting a member of your Lodge. Dementia Friends is an initiative led by The Alzheimer’s Society and funded by the Government.

People with dementia don’t just lose their memories; they can also lose their friends because people with dementia can start to behave differently.

Sometimes those friends might not understand or know how to react to this change of behaviour but with the right support it is possible for someone to live well with dementia. The aim of Dementia Friends is to help you understand a little more about dementia by giving you helpful

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tips, useful guidance and some ideas on how you can support the people you know with dementia as well as their carers. The purpose of the initiative is to create one million Dementia Friends by March 2015. Once a ‘Friend’ you should be able to contribute to the support needed for people with dementia to live well for longer. Anybody can become a Friend. It’s as simple as just attending a 1 hour information session, learning a little more about dementia and putting the knowledge you will have obtained to good use. The Provincial Welfare Team were recently given a presentation on Dementia Friends by Jenny Else, a Dementia Friends Champion, and everyone who attended were so impressed they immediately signed up to become a Friend. If you wish to know more about Dementia Friends or arrange a presentation to the members of your Lodge or Chapter please contact Jenny on: Tel. 01252 702036 or email: jennyelse@btopenworld.co.

Masonic Samaritan Fund Counselling Careline The Provincial Welfare Team receives a consistent number of applications from those who have suffered bereavement, redundancy, family break up, failure of their business or severe illness. Apart from the obvious financial difficulties which may arise as a result of many of these problems the applicant is also often suffering from severe stress, emotional problems or psychological issues of one kind or another which they find extremely difficult to resolve on their own. For the last year or so the Masonic Samaritan Fund has been running a Counselling Careline which will provide assistance and support to those with such problems. This is a confidential, 24 hour, freephone helpline service operated by trained counsellors who will listen and offer the appropriate professional guidance. There is no need to complete an application form or a financial assessment as the service can be easily accessed by just contacting the Masonic Samaritan Fund during office hours on 020 7404 1550. If needed up to six additional telephone or face-to-face sessions can also be arranged with a trained counsellor based within 15 miles of a person’s home or place of work.

Surrey Mason

Camberley branch SMWA looking forward to their annual outing Hello from The Camberley Branch of the Surrey Masonic Widows Association having emerged through a very wet winter we are all looking forward to our Annual Outing on June 10th. We are visiting The Winchester Mill for a demonstration and historical tour then going on to join Chris and Shirley Rashbrook for lunch. In the afternoon we will be sunning ourselves along the river or keeping out of the rain; by visiting the cathedral and/or, having afternoon tea; at a push we could manage a little shopping!

Although we are quite small and numbers tend to fluctuate we have a very happy band of Ladies. Camberley it is not the prettiest of Halls but what we lack in comfort we gain in space, an Afternoon Tea Dance could be an option! At the moment we are knitting woollen squares for charity blankets also we are starting a sponsored ‘Slim In’. This means every meeting we pay £1 to be weighed, the person who looses the most will be awarded a token prize and the takings will go towards the start of our 2019 Festival ‘Fund-raising Pot’. Last month we had a brilliant speaker who had been seconded to Afganistan for 3 months, it was extremely interesting and managed to keep everyone silent for 45 minutes plus! In September we will enjoy the expertise and knowledge of a Harpist which makes our meetings so enjoyable, of course we need more members and hope any new Widows needing friendship and company contact any of us and come and see for themselves.

Mel and his staff provides us with excellent lunches or nibbles when needed and also the support of the Provincial Office helps to make everything possible for a fun time, our gratitude and thanks go out to all mentioned.

If any Mason or Widow would like to email me in connection with the above article, either to joining our Outing, receive the knitting instructions or signing up for our ‘Slim In’, you are most welcome. email: angmarthudson@hotmail.com

ERIC RECEIVES A WELL-DESERVED GIFT OF APPRECIATION In May, W.Bro David Eager, (pictured on left) Deputy Chairman of the SMSA presented W.Bro Eric Allen former Communications Officer of the SMSA, with a suitably inscribed Decanter and Glass to mark the 10 years that Eric had been involved with the SMSA and how his efforts had greatly assisted in increasing the profile of the Association during this period.

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ROYAL ARCH MATTERS THE ANNUAL CONVOCATION OF PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER The Annual Convocation of Provincial Grand Chapter took place on the 28th May 2014 in the Grand Temple of Freemasons’ Hall in London.

Once again a team of willing volunteers gathered at Oakfield Road early that morning to load all the regalia and documentation onto the coach to take them to Great Queen Street. After unloading the coach, everyone set about preparing the changing rooms and the Temple for the arrival of the Companions.

Provincial Grand Chapter was opened in due form by the Provincial Grand Principals who ascended the dais and took their seats, followed by the acting Officers of the year. The business of Provincial Grand Chapter commenced with the ME Grand Superintendent individually welcoming the many representatives of other Provinces and Masonic Orders.

During the Convocation the ME Grand Superintendent was pleased to re-appoint E.Comp. Alan Bayliss as the Deputy Grand Superintendent, E.Comp. David Wills as Second Provincial Grand Principal and re-appoint E.Comp. Colin Jones as Third Provincial Grand Principal E.Comp.

A total of 166 appointments and promotions in Provincial Grand Rank were announced, the recipients mounting the dais to be congratulated by the ME Grand Superintendent, including 51 Companions receiving first appointments in Provincial Grand Rank.

Senior Companions of the Province, E Comp. Derek Herbert Fairbrother of Chapter Light in Arabia No.3870 and E.Comp. Reginald John Leary of Rutlish Chapter No.4416 were then escorted to the ME Grand Superintendent to receive Certificates for Distinguished Service to the Province and were greeted by the assembled Convocation with acclaim. The ME Grand Superintendent then addressed Provincial Grand Chapter.

From 1pm Companions of the Province and their guests started gathering in the Grand Temple. Just after 3pm the Companions were called to order to receive the distinguished guests, including Principals and Scribe E’s of neighbouring Provinces resplendent in their chains of office; senior members of the Craft Province of Surrey and other Masonic Orders.

Finally, the entire Convocation was called to order by E.Comp.

Richard Knox, the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, to receive the Provincial Officers of the year accompanying the ME Grand Superintendent, the Deputy Grand Superintendent and the Provincial Grand Principals, led by the Provincial Grand Sword Bearer and followed by the Provincial Grand Standard Bearers.

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The Convocation was then called to order and closed in due form with a closing hymn. The ME Grand Superintendent accompanied by the Grand Superintendents of other Provinces, Heads of other Orders and Provincial Officers then left the Temple in procession to the echoing strains of a recessional fanfare by the Provincial Grand Organist, E.Comp Bob Soper.

Following the Convocation, some 300 Companions dined in peace and harmony in the Grand Connaught Rooms where the customary Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured.

More photos of the day can be seen in the News Section of the Provincial website: http://www.royalarchsurrey.org.uk

ROYAL ARCH MATTERS THE DEPUTY GRAND SUPERINTENDENT VISITS STONELEIGH CORONATION CHAPTER

In April, the Companions of Stoneleigh Coronation Chapter No.5699 were honoured by a visit from the Deputy Grand Superintendent, E.Comp Alan Bayliss, PGSwdB accompanied by his Escorting Officer E.Comp Alan Cain, ProvDepGDC. Also present were E.Comps Mark Winchester and Chris Eley, Assistants to the Provincial Grand Principals, Edward Guyver, Provincial Grand Treasurer, Bruce Perry, ProvDepGSE and a number of other Acting Provincial Officers of the Year.

At the Convocation a ballot was taken for 8 joining members from Beddington Chapter No.5492. Unfortunately Beddington Chapter had recently handed back its Charter so it was good to see the

Companions had joined another Chapter so quickly.

E.Comp Nigel Feltham and E.Comp Walter Maynard were proclaimed as the MEZ and 3rd Principal respectively for a further year following which the MEZ inducted E.Comp Roy Miller, PGStB, PProvGH, PProvGSE, into the 2nd Principal’s Chair. The three robes were presented by E.Comp Chris Eley, the Chapter’s Official Visitor.

The MEZ then appointed and invested his officers, including some of the new joining members from Beddington Chapter.

After the Chapter was closed 32 Companions of Stoneleigh Coronation Chapter and their guests sat down to a splendid festive board at the Surbiton Masonic Hall.

E.COMP DAVID WILLS – A BRIEF HISTORY At the Annual Convocation in May, E.Comp David John Wills was appointed Second Provincial Grand Principal in the Royal Arch Province of Surrey.

David was born in the West Country just after the War. In his professional life David was a Prison Officer, which is how he arrived in Surrey, via HMP Brixton (as an officer – not an inmate!).

David, who has held the Royal Arch offices of Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, Provincial Grand Scribe E and Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals, is a very experienced Royal Arch Mason being well-known and more importantly well-liked throughout the Province.

David was Initiated into Norhyrst Lodge No.6911 in 1973, Exalted into James Speller Chapter No.3577 in 1981, Advanced into

Warlingham Mark Lodge in 1998 and Elevated into Warlingham Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners in 1999. He holds the Grand Rank of PAGDC in the Craft, PAGSoj in the Royal Arch and PAGDC in the Mark degree.

David has been married to Susan for 46 years. They have a daughter, Lisa, who is a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) in a local school and a son, Paul, who has his own plumbing firm. They also have a grand-daughter Lauren in her second year at Canterbury University reading History and a grandson Frankie George who is two years old.

You might be surprised to know that David was also formally a Police Special and is a trained Judo Coach (don’t argue with ‘Big Dave’).

We all wish him well during his tenure as Second Provincial Grand Principal.

A BIG WELCOME TO NEW ENTRANTS TO THE SURREY ROYAL ARCH The Executive and all the members of the Royal Arch Province of Surrey congratulate all these new entrants whose names are listed below: Arnot, PM; Baker, CW; Ball, RB; Barrell, B; Beumo, BP; Bone, SD; Bonnett, SM; Brown, PJ; Burchell, KA; Burge, P; Campbell, D; Challis, LC; Cooper, RA; Dono, NMP, Doughty, PC; Evans, SC; Eyres, RH; Fenech, MP; Flower, JT; Gordon, PD; Griffin, AS; Groves, DG; Haines, A; Hall, OT; Howlett, SMR; Hoy, JR; Kearney, MJ; Keen, JT; Knight, J; Lehane, PM; Mansell, PJ; Peacock, AR; Phillips, DW; Price, MA; Rice, M; Ruaux, DCE; Sawchuk, IP; Scales, DW; Schmidt, PC; Simpson, JA; Thatcher, DC; Toscano, G; Weiland, MS; White, PG; Whiteman, KJ; Wilkinson, KV; Williams, SP; Wilson, SJG; Wilson-Suffield, P; Winder, GA. Send items for future publications, together with an original digital copy of the event to: C W Eley, ‘Thornbury’, 3 Heath Drive, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5RP. Email: cw.eley@tiscali.co.uk

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Surrey Mason

A VERY PROUD MOMENT AS GEORGE RECEIVES HIS 70TH YEAR CERTIFICATE George Nicholas was born on 6th October 1914 and will shortly be celebrating his 100th birthday.

As a Freemason, George was Initiated into Bittern Lodge, Southampton in February 1944 and reached the SW chair when a job change meant a move to Brooklands in Weybridge. He was a Founder Member of the Lodge of Harmony & Progress No.7837 in June 1962 and became WM in 1969 and 2000. He attained the ranks of PPSGD in 1979; PPJGW in 1986; PPSGW in 2004. He became a Member of North Surrey Masters from 1996 to 2000. George has been a regular member of the Lodge of Instruction and attended Lodge meetings until last year. He was presented with a 60 year certificate by AProvGM Edward Sahakian on 26th March 2004.

After an interview in 1931, George started work as a junior in the Design Office of Vickers Armstrong (Supermarine) Aircraft Company at Woolston where he became an aircraft stressman. Supermarine was just over the road from Thorneycrofts Shipyard where his father had been an apprentice 30 years previously. His letter of appointment from the Chief Designer R J Mitchell is now in the Hall of Aviation at Southampton.

Supermarine were developing aeroplanes for the Schnieder Trophy races which they won in 1927, 1929 and 1931. Some of his former school friends thought of his employment as “warmongering”, but doubtless changed their minds when the Supermarine Spitfire, played a key role during the Second World War and in particular in the Battle of Britain in 1940. As part of his engineering training George worked for 6 months at the Vickers Armstrong shipyard at Barrow, Supermarine being part of this company. George studied at evening classes at University College, Southampton and gained the professional qualification of Member of the Institution of Aeronautical Engineers.

In 1939 George married Edith Mallen, their first home being a rented house in Bitterne. From 1940 Southampton became a major target for the Luftwaffe and their house was badly damaged by a bomb during the blitz.

The Supermarine Design Office and factory was a prime Luftwaffe target, both day and night during the intense blitz of September 1940. One day the Design Office received a direct hit, but mercifully the bomb failed to explode, rolled along the floor and finished up in the mud of the River Supermarine Spitfire Mk VB

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The ProvGM presented George Nicholas his 70 year certificate Bernard Itchen below.

The Design Office was with initially transferred to theatuniversity Sunley Care on Saturday May 2014. buildings athome Highfield, and in 17th December 1940 to Hursley Park. Halfway Itchen below. The Design Office was initially transferred to the university buildings at Highfield, and in December 1940 to Hursley Park. Halfway between Chandlers Ford and Hursley an estate of 100 prefabricated bungalows was erected for Supermarine staff and their families where George and Edith moved to. In addition to his Supermarine duties George also served as a member of the Home Guard. Facilities on the estate were limited and life was particularly difficult during the very hard winter of 1947 when deep snow lay on the ground for several months; the insulation provided by two thin sheets of asbestos on a wooden framework was limited. Furthermore this was a time when food and many other supplies were rationed; a ration book was required for most shopping.

One project worked on during WW2 was the famous “Spitfire Bridge” which traversed the old Winchester By-pass. It is still affectionately known by his grandchildren as “Grandad’s Bridge”. Before the M3 was built they always passed under it on their trips to the New Forest.

At Easter 1954, George and Edith realized their long-term ambition to move into their own home in Bassett, Southampton, a substantial fourbedroomed detached house well-constructed in the 1930’s. George continued to work at Hursley Park, travelling in on the works bus, until 1957 when the aircraft industry contracted, Supermarine closed, and Vickers Armstrong offered him a similar post at the Brooklands works at Weybridge. In August 1958 the family moved to nearby West Byfleet, where George continued to reside until recently.

George originates from traditional Southampton Masonic stock, his father, father-in-law and several uncles were all Masons. In due time his youngest son, Eric, also became a Mason who was both a credit to the craft in general and The Lodge of Harmony and Progress in particular and must have made George very proud.

Surrey Mason

Claygate Lodge supports Air Scout Group On 27th March several members of Claygate Lodge No.7930 arrived at Tolworth Air Scout Group’s HQ. The party included Past Master Phil Worsley who made the original contact with the scout group in 2013 when the Lodge made its first £250 donation to help support the purchasing of new equipment by the group. This relationship has been continued with further support from funds raised during Jonty Cooke’s year in 2014.

We were met by Scout Leader Pat Askey and the immaculately turned out Scouts in their blue uniforms. We witnessed the opening of the Scout Group meeting and were then invited to say a few words whilst presenting a further cheque for ÂŁ300 (see below) towards a PGL outing. A brief Q&A session followed with some interesting questions about who we are, the charitable nature of Masonry and the importance that it holds for us as Masons.

For those who are wondering what on earth a scout troop is doing attending Provincial Grand Lodge we’re delighted to make clear that PGL stands for ‘Parents Get Lost’ and provides the opportunity for the scouts to both use their practical skills and bond in an outdoor environment at a camp near the Devil’s Punch Bowl. It is an important part of the scout group’s endeavours and gives the chance for scouts from all backgrounds to further develop skills and abilities.

We wish good luck and great success to the 4th Tolworth Air Scout Group.

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Surrey Mason

A second ‘Charity Blues Evening’ was held at Weybourne House, Guildford on the evening of Saturday 29th March with all proceeds being donated to Disability Challengers

Bedford Park Initiate a Lewis At the last regular meeting on the 6th March 2014, the Bedford Park Lodge No.6294 had the pleasure of investing a Lewis into the Lodge. Past Master W.Bro Paul Schmidt Initiated his son, Bro Harry Schmidt, whilst his Grandfather W.Bro Tony Freestone, delivered the Ancient Charge. They were honoured by the presence of W.Bro James Cook AProvGM, a long standing friend of the Lodge.

70th ANNIVERSARY OF VE DAY will take place at the Croydon Masonic Halls on Saturday, May 8th, 2015 The organisers require your help in making this a special event to celebrate those Freemasons and others who served in WW2.

We require entertainers, musicians and helpers who are prepared to give their time for free in making this event memorable. Profits to 2019 RMBI Festival.

‘Challengers’, an independent charity that started out in 1984, carry out fantastic work for disabled children and young adults.

Their play and youth schemes cater for individuals from ages 2– 25. They have specially equipped centres in both Farnham and Guildford. It was a splendid evening with 100 guests enjoying upbeat music provided by the local band ‘Bitter Blues’ who very generously gave their performance for free. The guests enjoyed a hearty hot buffet meal of ‘bangers mash and beans’ followed by a two hour set from the band. During the evening there was a bumper raffle with some fabulous prizes donated by guests and local companies. The event raised the princely sum of £1,300. The photograph shows the cheque being presented to Laura Sercombe, the Chief Executive of Challengers by the organiser W.Bro Martyn Kiy of the Guildford Lodge No.5443.

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Please contact: W.Bro Peter Cartwright at editor@surreymason.org.uk or phone 07531 855818 or W.Bro Andy Fox at kemafox@yahoo.com

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Ex.Comp Dave Jarvis receives his 50th long service certificate Croydon Millenary Chapter E.Comps Derek Barr, Peter Cartwright (IPZ), John Smith and long-term friend Eric Allen were present at the presentation of a 50th Certificate

by Derek Harrington, Past Provincial Third Principal to Ex.Comp Dave Jarvis.

The presentation took place at the historic Angmering Manor Hotel in Angmering. Derek Harrington in presenting the certificate noted some of the events of 1964 when Dave Jarvis was Exhalted into the Chapter on 27th January.

He then went on to say that Dave was Initiated into Old Palace Lodge No.7173 on 13th March 1957. He became the MEZ in the Croydon Millenary Chapter No.7745 in 1974, appointed PPAGSoj in 1981, promoted to PPDepGReg in 1987 and PPGSN in 1994.

Derek noted that Dave had been an engineer rising from the shop floor eventually running his own successful engineering business which led him to make the Tyler’s Sword for the Old Palace Lodge. In his recreation Dave played golf when he lived in Purley and continued playing in Angmering until recently. He took up croquet playing at Ham Manor where he was the Captain of the Club. Derek remarked that Dave was very ill some time ago and is still recovering and hoped he would make a complete recovery. He then read a message of congratulations from the ME Grand Superintendent and presented Dave with his certificate. Dave received the certificate with sincere emotion and was truly delighted on the occasion. A Certificate of Honourary Membership was also presented to Dave by VW.Bro Derek Barr on behalf of the brethren of Old Palace Lodge.

From left to right: Ex.Comp John Smith; Ex.Comp Derek Harrington (Past Provincial Third Principal); Ex.Comp Dave Jarvis; Ex.Comp Eric Allen; Ex.Comp Derek Barr. Picture taken by Ex.Comp Peter Cartwright (IPZ).

A ‘QUALITY’ MAYOR W.Bro Julian Benington PPAGDC, a Past Master of the Lodge of Quality No.9356, has been appointed Mayor of the London Borough of Bromley for 2014/15.

Julian is a former senior Police Officer with the Metropolitan Police and has served on the Bromley Council, Biggin Hill Ward, for many years as well as being a Governor of Bromley College of Further and Higher Education and The Charles Darwin Academy Trust.

Julian lives with his wife Valerie in Downe, Kent and during the course of his appointment as Mayor will be supporting several charities.

The Members of the Lodge intend to assist him in many ways during his Mayoral year and are very proud of his achievements.

KEN BARTON RECEIVES HIS 50TH

Born in 1933 in north Kensington, the same year as his mother Lodge, The Nightingale Lodge of Harmony No.5390 consecrated in 1933 – a London Lodge.

He spent most of WW2 in Balham. Educated at Bec Grammar School and in 1951 was called up in the Army and was sent to Egypt, just in time for the first Suez Crisis in 1952. As a Reservist full Corporal, he was called to the colours again, for the second Suez War 1956, and in 1964 joined his father’s Lodge.

He spent nearly fifty years working in the Medical Eye Centre.

He became Worshipful Master of his Lodge in 1974 and in 1985 received LGR and became Director of Ceremonies, and was also Festival Secretary for many years.

In 1997 Nightingale Lodge of Harmony transferred from London to Surrey and soon after he received PPJGD. Nightingale Lodge handed in Its Warrant in 2002, and on 20th April 2002 Ken Joined Ye Olde Wells Lodge No.6541.

DARTS TOURNAMENT in support of the 2019 RMBI Festival

It is still not too late to register your Lodge or Chapter for the tournament which is to be held at the Croydon Masonic Halls on Friday evenings during 2014-2015.

Teams to consist of 3 which can include 1 non-Mason (including ladies) over the age of 18. The cost is £4 per person.

This is an excellent way of encouraging your non-Masonic friends to see for themselves some of the activities in the Province and LMOs may wish to use the occasion as a recruitment tool. Refreshments and meals can be made available by contacting the Halls direct.

Contact: Peter Cartwright editor@surreymason.org.uk

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Surrey Mason

Our first event in 2013 was held at Coltsford Mill Trout Fishery in Oxted on 16 May where we hosted 16 children and young people from the Children’s Trust, Tadworth.

At the end of the day, 33 fish had been caught and the children were presented with certificates to commemorate their participation.

Medals were awarded for ‘Best Fish’, ‘Best Retriever’ and ‘Best Caster’.

It was evident that the children enjoyed the experience as they happily displayed their catch for photographs.

Our thanks goes to the Nutfield Preceptary 598 of Knights Templar who financially sponsored the event.

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Our second event of the year took us to the Vale End Trout Fishery, Albury with 15 children from the Wishmore Cross Academy in Woking, a residential special school for boys aged 11-16 years who have social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

The boys all quickly got involved in the fishing experience and by lunchtime had caught a mixture of 15 rainbow and brown trout.

A BBQ lunch provided by our catering volunteers was quickly demolished by the children before they started the second fishing session of the day.

By the end of the day 31 fish were caught and certificates of achievement and medals were presented to the children by the Provincial Grand Master, Eric StuartBamford.

Our last event of the season saw us back at Coltsford Mill in Oxted on 17 September where we were joined by 14 children from Limpsfield Grange and Starhurst Schools.

There were some concerns as how the weather was going to turn out, however it proved to be better than forecast and sunshine was in abundance.

The children were soon paired up with our volunteer casters and fishing commenced at 10am. By lunchtime it was evident that the fish were not exactly surrendering to some of the best fly fishermen in Surrey with only 8 fish caught.

After a quick BBQ lunch the children were soon out looking for catch those elusive trout which again managed to evade capture with only another 7 being caught. Our usual raffle was held with all the children winning a prize followed by the presentation of certificates of achievement and medals.

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JOHN ASHLEY GRANT 50 YEARS IN FREEMASONRY

50 YEARS A MASON W.Bro John Sturt The WM and 10 brethren of Cranleigh Lodge No.3445 joined family members to congratulate W.Bro John Sturt PPDepGSwdB and presented him with his 50yr certificate.

John’s two daughters, son-in-law, and two grandsons together with a family friend, attended the Worshipful Master, W.Bro Chris Kendall presents W.Bro John Sturt with his 50 year certificate. occasion when WM of Cranleigh Lodge W.Bro Chris Kendall was delighted to present the certificate and spoke eloquently of John’s time both at work and as a Freemason.

The occasion on Saturday 5th April, was 50 years and 1 day after his Initiation and was held in Honeywood House in Rowhook, Surrey, where the staff provided excellent refreshments for the family and brethren.

John who was born in June 1939, was Initiated at the age of 24 into Homestead Lodge No.6465 on 4th April 1964, Passed on 6th February 1965 and Raised on 2nd October 1965 and after a spell in Singapore became Master of the Lodge in November 1981. When PPJGD he joined Cranleigh Lodge at the age of 49, and in February 1989, and became Master of Cranleigh in November 1997.

John A. Grant PPG.Reg reached his 50th Anniversary on being a Freemason on 26th March 2014.

John was Installed into the chair on 25th April, 1978 of the Coulsdon Lodge of Perseverance No.5611 and later served in the office of Director of Ceremonies. In 1987 he received his first Provincial honour of PPAGDC and in 1997 received his current honour. Three years ago John suffered a series of strokes and this has left him house-bound in Crockenhill, Kent with his wife Olga. He was therefore unable to receive his Certificate in the Temple. The Lodge arranged for Assistant Provincial Grand Master, David Else to present the certificate at John’s home on 8th April along with Lodge members W.Bro Arnold Long, W.Bro Terry Grix and Secretary W.Bro Trevor Woolston.

John was a regular attendee of Lodge meetings until his illness.

Along with his caring wife Olga, John has two sons and now keeps his certificate beside his bed as a reminder of his times in Freemasonry.

W.BRO K. D. BELCHAMBER FIFTY MASONIC YEARS At the Waterfall Lodge meeting held at Chertsey on the 14th May 2014, the Lodge acknowledged and celebrated the occasion of W.Bro Keith Belchamber’s 50 years in Freemasonry.

W.Bro Les Ford, PProvGTreas presented a 5O year Certificate to W.Bro Keith Belchamber PPGReg. W.Bro Ford then gave an entertaining and informative overview of Keith’s life and his Masonic career. After the presentation the WM, W.Bro Andrew Hendy thanked W.Bro Ford and congratulated Keith on his commitment and dedication to Freemasonry.

Keith was Initiated into Waterfall Lodge by his father in 1964, after which he rose through the offices to become Master in 1977/78. Keith was elected to become chief Steward after his term as IPM and still remains in that office today. At 88, Keith is the oldest member of Waterfall Lodge, a role model for all new Masons and is much appreciated by fellow Lodge members.

A 50TH FOR TONY YOUNG Ill health has prevented W.Bro Tony Young PPGReg from attending Sutton Lodge for a couple of years. But happily that did not prevent AProvGM W.Bro Jim Cook with senior Lodge members Gerald Cohen and Laurie Rudham from visiting W.Bro Tony at his home in Surrey in April to present him with his 50th certificate marking the fifty years since his Initiation into Sutton Lodge in 1964.

All were treated to a very warm welcome from Tony and his wife. As with all such occasions it sparked off a very pleasant chat about Tony’s many other achievements including his professional life, past mastership of his city livery company and continuing pride in his membership of Surrey Freemasonry through Sutton Lodge. Pictured here is W.Bro Tony receiving his certificate from Jim Cook.

Many congratulations Tony, and thanks for all you have done for Lodge and Province over the years.

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Your Letters Sir, As the Immediate Past Master of The Ballards Lodge No.5091 I was presented with the proceeds of the Masters List collected during my year as Master which amounted to the princely sum of £2,500. My wife Patricia, being a regular supporter of “Crisis” I decided that this would be my worthwhile charity to which this donation should go.

Arrangements were made for us to visit them at Commercial St, Whitechapel on Friday 24th January, where we were met by a charming young lady, Cloe Cundey who proceeded to give us a conducted tour of the premises, it would take a whole book to describe the wonderful work carried out by this organisation plus the fantastic premises that they occupy, a converted Warehouse. It was obvious that all the staff we met were dedicated to a purpose, to rehabilitate by educating and improving their social skills to those less fortunate. They even have a restaurant, open to the public and staffed by people they are training for catering. After an hour’s instructive and enlightening company, Pat presented the cheque to Cloe, in the presence of Debbie Hilton, a Director of SkyLondon Crisis. W.Bro Ron Harris Sir, Cheam Charter Fair Having been inspired by the recent article from Table Fellowship Lodge in the Surrey Mason and encouraged by their OV, W.Bro Joe Savoo, I decided to run a provincial display stand at the recently held Cheam Charter Fair. The fair is thought to date back to 1259 when Henry III granted Cheam village a charter to have a fair to accompany the traditional market and today this tradition is still upheld.

The day proved to be highly successful, with a steady stream of enquiries – male, female, young and old, MPs (Chris Grayling & Paul Barstow stopped and chatted) as well as King Henry (see photo). It was also interesting to meet a few lapsed Masons who for one reason or another had left the craft over recent years and maybe we planted the seed in one or two minds with invitations to visit our Lodge as guests and rekindle that interest. W.Bro Ian Turner, Provincial Deputy Grand Secretary spotted an old work colleague working on the stall run by the Rotarians nearby and our Lodge business cards were exchanged along with copies of the Surrey Mason with promises to get together over a pint in the summer with a view to thinking about membership in the future. Meanwhile W.Bro

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Barry Hawkins our Lodge secretary kept up his beaming smile to all who came near the displays including Lodge members who popped along during the day, as well as many regular masonic guests, and friends and family – all in all, a great day.

With the kind help and direction of W.Bro Steve Norris who holds and distributes all the provincial kit from his business in South Godstone, we found that we had all the kit we needed. We also bought some working tools and regalia and these provoked a great deal of interest. We pass our thanks on to Steve, Jim Barnes and all those on the ICC committee, and in particular Jim Cook (AProvGM).

Our Lodge feels the name of the game is local awareness. We did not want to just target “getting members” or reduce it to a formfilling exercise, we felt it was more about local people understanding about what we do and how to get involved. A friendly word can really be the catalyst and all good relationships take time to establish as all of us are ‘ambassadors’ for freemasonry. We can all communicate our enthusiasm – indeed, it’s not what you say but definitely how you say it!

We need as a province to attend local fetes regularly then we will start to make the public more aware about what we do and why we do it – we will gain public support and membership enquiries will start to follow. W.Bro Paul Palombo Morden Park Lodge No.8038.

HELP REQUIRED Can you help the RMBI? The RMBI have over the years been collecting RMBI Festival Jewels and are missing a small number. The Jewels date back as far as 1878 and they are missing 10 to date. They are as follows: 1997 Surrey, 1996 North Wales, 1971 Surrey, 1970 South Wales Western, 1968 London Grand Rank Association, 1965 Warwickshire, 1964 Hants & IOW, 1963 Leicester & Rutland, 1960 East Lancashire and 1947 Devon.

Surrey Mason Discount Code: SUR14

Have a look in your cases and see if you can help. Contact Trevor Rains on 01372 450009 or email trains1946@aol.com Thank you in advance for your help.

Trevor Rains

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