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by Peter Ricketts
The aim was to raise
one million pounds. A tough target in these economic times. But Worcestershire Freemasons took up the challenge and now, five years later, we were about to learn the result. A fanfare of trumpets, a hushed pause - and then the secret was out. E1 ,621
,926
The astonishing amount was greeted with loud and prolonged applause by the 720 guests attending the Festival Dinner held to mark
the end of the Province's 2011 Appeal in ald of the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys. The setting was suitably
splendid - the sumptuous grandeur of the lnternational Convention Centre's banqueting hall. And the message was conveyed in dramatic fashion. The magic figure was flashed up on a giant screen set high on the wall. tsut this was not the final sum. A few hours later - at Zam he
Guesr cf honour ai the't'estival dinner Jonathan Spence, Deputy Grand Master, anc and his wife Helena
his wife Almudena, are greeted by the Pravincial Grand Master
thinks
- the Deputy Provincial
Grand Master, Robert Vaughan, was handed t74 tn cash by one of the revellers to take the total to
tI
,622,000
And that, said fund organiser Howard Wilson, was the FINAL FIGURE! Well, it was until a day or two later when Howard was given another t1 ,000. And then he was told from various sources that more was on the waY! So the FINAL FINAL FIGURE is It was
El ,632,000 at the announced
Province's annual general meeting by Mike Woodcock, President of the RMTGB. To say the five-year Appeal and the festive evening were a huge success would be the understatement of the Masonlc year and no-one in the Province was more delighted than the Provincial Grand Master himself. For all his enduring passion for Freemasofl ry, Richard Goddard is not a man to go overboard when expressing
his views, more a measured judgment. But talking to him on the Monday after,the superlatives came fast and flowing. "To raise that much is fantastic, staggering " he said. "l cannot believe it. The result is beyond my wildest
dreams!" He then revealed another secret. He did not know the result (sorry, the final figure) of the Appeal himself until it was announced at the dinner. "l'd thought maybe we would reach somewhere between t1 .3 and t1 .4 million ... maybe t1 .5 at a pinch," he sard. "But to raise over t1 .6 million was ... well, l'm lost for words. lt is a great credit to Worcestersh i re Freemasons that even in these difficult financial times they were so generous in their support. Thank you all." Then, having learned of the final final figure at the AGM, he told the mass of Masons: "What a climax! ...An outstanding result! ...1 am very proud to have been President of so successful a festival."
Elgar on song to
go top Elgar Lodge should sing a resounding Land of Hope and Glory when next they meet. There will certainly be a touch of Pomp and Circumstance in the air and Worcestershire's finest ever modern composer would be proud of them. The 24 members raised an amazing t1 ,1 56 per head to finish top of the list when the Appeal 2011 funds were finally counted. All along, Brandwood Lodge had made the running but a final push by Elgar pushed them into second place with t983 per head, and third were Lickey Hills on t853. Total amounts per lodge placed Elmley Castle in continued on page 3
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Where do we go from here? HOWARD WILSON, Chairman of the 2011 Appeal, looks to the future Now that Appeal 2011 is over, we can allow ourselves
a bit of breathing space to recharge our "charitable giving" batteries, but being Freemasons, we will soon be looking for other good causes to support, because that is what we do best of all. Whilst our next Festival will probably not be unlil 2022, we will only have about five years before we will be turning our attention and fundraising efforts to that Appeal , so what should we be doing in the interim period? The Provincial Grand Master announced at the annual meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge that he would like the members of the Province to give support to five charities which are particularly relevant to Worcestershi re : Acorns Children's Hospice,
Air Ambulance, MacMillan, Worcester Cathedral, and our own Teddies for Loving Care Appeal. They are all extremely worthwhile causes and deserve our continued support. Donations to these charities should continue to be made via WMCO using Gift Aid envelopes wherever possible.
Emp*rtant Although the value of Gift Aid has now reduced to 25Y", it still remains an important and valuable income to all charities, and one that we must continue to use. An alternative option is for a Lodge to open a Relief Chest which is administered by the Grand Charity. This can be used as the Lodge bank
For your Lodge's Summons, Ladies'Festival statlona
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account into which Charity and Alms
collections can be deposited, Gift Aid can be claimed, and from which payments to charities can be made. lt can also be an account into which standing orders from
Howard
Steward, took over as chairman of Appeal 2011 in 2006. He was initiated into Wythall Lodge No 5665 25 years ago and was Master in 1995. He went on to high office in the Province and received Grand rank in 2007.
members can be paid. Seminars are being held to provide ongoing help and guidance to Lodge Charity Stewards. * W. Bro Howard Wilson, Provincial Grand Charity
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Best foot forward to swell the coffers
ED BAKEH, tsAD HIP AND ALL, DOES THE tsIG WALK
Because he has an arthritic hip, Ed Baker had to give up
marathon running - so he decided instead to walk nearly 30 miles to raise money for the Appeal 2011 And with him went his Masonic colleague John Ling who no doubt felt quite athletic, having trimmed down from 25 stone to 16 stone not so long ago! It was a great success. An
ambulance was not required, and the wofthy pair were able to contribute over t2.1 00 towards the remarkable total of over t10,000 that the 20 members of Ed's lodge, Peaee and Goodwill No S010, eontribi;ted to the Appeal. it took Ed and John 10 hours, including "pit stops," to cover the 28.1 miles from Kings Heath to Worcester Masonic Centre at Rainbow Hill.
They had armed themselves with medical plasters, spare clothes, pasta by the rucksackful, bananas, drinks, and a promise from their wives that they would be there
to chauffeur them back home. They negotiated city streets, open countryside, canal paths, four tunnels, a pub or two, and lots of mud. And all the way they ignored blisters, and aching joints - and never stopped talking "We set the world to rights and were eventually reduced to learning ritual," said Ed. The weather helped - cool sunshine and no rain. John said: "Considering l'd never walked anything like that before. it went surprisingly well, though that last drag up Rainbow Hill seemed a very long way." Both are prominent N/ascns. !
Eei is Master of Feace and
Goodwill meeting at Kings Heath, and secretary of Worcestershi re Provi ncial Grand Stewards Lodge No 9142 meeting at Worcester. John, a member of several lodges, including Dormer No 7294, has been Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies for the past six years.
The top lodges'r#", No.1 spot with f35,866, Old Bromsgrovian with t29,349, and Brandwood again with
t28,512. Elgar raised their t27 ,770 by virtue of Gift Aid, standing orders and sponsored events, said Charity Steward David Davis. The latter included a sponsored half marathon by Mark Scriven and Mark Taylor. David himself was perhaps the most enterprising of all. He held a personal headshave event and raised t1 ,000 for Acorns and t600 for the Appeal! But everybody in the Province
amount.
the same one that Ed Baker and John Ling (see left) took from Moseley Masonic Hall to
Against their better judgement, they say, Deputy Provincia! Master Robert Vaughan, and colleagues Michael Cox and Howard
Rainbow Hill. Taking age and general
Wilson (pictured) decided that a sponsored walk might raise some funds for the Appeal 2O'1 1, And it did so handsomely, to the tune of t3,800. Their 28-mile route took them more or less along
fitness into consideration, it was deemed wise to spread the walk over two days, And they survived in good enough condition (above) to consider celebrating in suitable style,
A chance to spean( your mind Words will flow thick and fast at the November 28 meeting of Arter Lodge (No.2654) at Kings Heath. In conjunction with the Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge (No. 9142) they are staging the first Worcestershire Provincial Debating Contest. As chairman, W Bro Raymond Rooke, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, will attempt to keep order as two speakers put "tor" and "against" arguments before throwing the debate open to everybody else. All brethren are welcome, so if you want to speak your mind, get in touch with W Bro Derek Hopper on 01 21 744 3762. Derek said the idea had its beginnings when he and others attended a similar event at a l-ondon lodge.
The Royal Arch made a magnificent total contribution of t86,345 with other Orders in Worcestershire all making notable donations. Many other Provinces also rose to the occasion with Gloucestershire and Jersey
topping the list with t25,642 and t20,000 respectively.
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Going the extra mile
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APPEAL 201
1
Lunches wlth money on the menu LADIES PRAISED FOH WONDEHFUL SUPPORT
They could be called the Fabulous Female Five but perhaps that's slightly irreverent, they being the wives of the rulers supreme of the Worcestershire Province. Together they work hard to raise charity funds for the Province but are delightfully informal. For instance, ask Helena, wife of the Provincial Grand Master, if she is chairman of the group and she says "No, we don't have a chairman because we don't have a committee! We just meet up here and there and make decisions jointly." For all the looseness of the organisation, the ladies produce amazing results and handsome tributes were paid to them at the 2011 Appeal Festival Dinner for the t10,097 they contributed, Praise was also given io the long-estabrlished Ladies Gift Fund - of which more Iater.
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The Fab Five got together at the start of the Appeal frve years ago. "We decided we would hold luncheons during 20089-10 to raise money for
the Appeal," said Helena, "and they have been very successful. Usually about 160 ladies attend at Kings Heath and altogether they raised
about t5,500." Apart from the lunches, the Five also produced
commemorative shopping bags and tea towels. The former, 2,000 of them, sold out rapidly and of the 2,000 towels, about 50 are left. "For a while we were referred to as the bag ladies but thankfully that's all over now,"
said Helena, She was anxious to thank the men, particularly the Charity Stewards, "because they did all the selling."
T* #*rutgruL*# The ladies have now agreed to continue the lunches indefinitely and the most r;cent was held on the sarne day as the Provincial annual meeting. Helena's colleagues in the enterprise are Steve Vaughan, Val Edwards, Jan Young and Patsy Rooke. Greta Band was among the original team. The Ladies Gift Fund, the charity run jointly ladies
So was
you want to know what impact our 201 1 Appeal campaign will have on young people's lives, you need only to look at this lf
1
connected with masonry in the Provinces of Worcestershi re, Staffordshi re and Warwickshire, contributed a whopping t15,300 to the Appeal. The Fund has been going successfully since 1952 and now holds two major events each year - the Christmas Fayre at The Clarendon Suites, Birmingham, on a Saturday early in November, and the Spring Lunch cn a Sunday at the Masonic Hall, Kings Heath in March or April. President of the Fund is our own Helena Goddard and secretary is Val Edwards, wife of Provincial Assistant Grand Master Stuart Edwards. Val said: "We have been told that The Gift Fund is unique. No other body like it
is known. lts formation was essentially a collaboration of ladies connected to the three Provinces. "We have been well rewarded for the work that we put in by the support we always get from the brethren and their families. This support has been especially appreciated in the last few financially difficult years. "The Christmas Fayre this year is on November 19 and will be opened by Ed Doolan. ln 2012 we will celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the Queen, the Olympic Games on our island, and the sixtieth anniversary of The Gift Fund! We plan that this landmark year for the Fund will be marked with a few surprises.
all worthwhlle?
photograph on the left. Emily and her sister Hannah are the picture of happiness and their confidence in the future is
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The magnificent support from the ladies was expressed at fhe Festival dinner, Here, Almudena, wife of guest of honour Janathan Spence, recerves a bouquet from the Provincial Grand Master.
obvious, but it was very different five years ago. Then their fathef a Freemason, had a horrendous accident which left him severely burned and a few weeks later he died. His death left a double tragedy because he had just started a new business venture with finance secured on the house. The family were not only suffering heartbreak at the loss of a husband and fathen but were in severe financial difficultres - until the RMTGB took action. Since 2006 the family have been secure financially and maintenance grants have ensured that the sisters' welfare and education have not been affected. Both girls are talented sportswomen and, thanks to the trust, they have been able
to pursue their interests. Emily is a team leade6 captain of the school's hockey team, and has been coached for football at a regional centre of excellence. As well as sport, Hannah also sings with a local ensemble and has even joined the chorus line in a pantomime. Harry Smith, Administration Officer of the RMTGB, said: "We cannot erase the tragedy Emily and Hannah have suffered, but we can financially assist this Masonic family and help the girls to fulfil their potential." This is just one story on the Trust's files. There are thousands of others, equally harrowing and heart-rending, but all with a happier ending. So was the Appeal 201 1 worthwhile? The question answers itself...
Al I in the
cause of Ghariry.rr Whilst attending a Masonic Sunday lunch, three brethren
of generous proportions were seated at the same table. Naturally talk soon turned to questions of diet, fashion, make up, children, grandchildren etc., this being a mixed event. Not to be outdone, the Toby jug shaped brethren decided that dieting was easy, they just needed a little incentive, and so the idea of
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of three wives who suddenly found their respective husbands of extra (or less extra!) interest. So a weigh-in was arranged at a meeting of Mitton Lodge, when W. Bro's Robin Oakes (Mitton) Ken Prosser (Severn) and Bro Mike Ward (OId Carolian) set out on their mission to boost Appeal
funds and please their wives at the same time. The weigh in was witnessed but the actual weights not released (especially to the wives) and three months later a second weigh-in showed a total loss of just over 10 stones. Generous sponsorship came from brethren, family and friends who, in the past, had
Two of the three slimmers, W. Bros Robin Oakes and Ken Prosser
hand over a fat cheque to the PGM
only seen weight put on by these three bon viveurs, so weight off would be a novelty. One brother in particular had undertaken a sponsored slim some time ago and had succeeded in increasing
consequence sponsorship of this new epic was generous, if perhaps misguided The result was that a magnificent t201 1 was handed over to the Provincial Grand Master at a meeting of
his avoirdupois! As a
Severn Lodge
!
How Richard met the Grand Master Richard Simmonds will remain forever grateful for the help he and his three brothers received from the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys - and now he is the Trust's "ambassador" for the Worcestershire Province. It is a remarkable story that began in 1993 when Richard's parents split up and, due to his father's illness and financial hardship, his mother, Mrs Sheila Martin, was left alone to bring up her four sons, then aged 16, 13, B & 6. That was when the family link with Freemasonry became the saving grace. Mrs Martin's father, Dr Miles (Paddy) Martin DSO, had been
Richard was the second oldest. He has built up a financial
services business, based in Malvern. lt was natural that he joined his grandfather's old lodge and, as Junior Warden, is well on his way to taking the Chair the good doctor occupied all those years ago. It was natural also that, when the Trust started its Ambassador Scheme, Richard should be chosen to be their representative in our Province. He has a passion for the organisation that has given him and his family so much support and as ambassador visits lodges to extol the virtues of the Trust and inform brethren of latest
a prominent Worcestershire Mason for many years and had the distinction of seconding our
developments. He was able to express his thanks to the RMTGB as speaker
Provincial Grand Master when he was initiated into the Fort Royal Lodge No. 4565 in Worcester in
at the Trust's
1971
.
The Grand Master, the Duke of Kent, visited his offices to present the award in person, The Duke is also the Grand President of the Trust and his. visit gave Mrs Martin the
unique opporlunity to thank him personally for all the help
she was given in bringing up her family. Forl Royal Lodge now has
another Simmonds among its members. Last March Richard had the immense pleasure in giving the charge to his brother William at his initiation.
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annual Ruspini Luncheon to commemorate its founder, Chevalier Ruspini. He told the guests how, despite suffering from dyslexia, he worked his way through university and eventually obtained a Masters degree at the London School of Economics and Political
Richard Simmonds meefs fhe Grand Master
When Mrs Martin appealed for help, the Trust readily agreed to support the children through their education and, as the Trustees now acknowledge, "our extensive support has produced handsome dividends." An official said: "The boys have gone on to achieve their academic goals and are now establishing themselves in their professional careers. "
-
- Sasks & Rituals
Science which, without the support of the Trust, simply would not have been possible ln 2008 Richard's company received the Queen's Award for Enterprise and that led to another highlight in his life.
APFtrA L 2#1
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Two years
of careful plannlngrrr lain Sharratt and the PGM at the dinner
Planning a Iavish banquet such as we 720 people had at the ICC was a daunting task, but lain Sharratt took heart from his experience in running ladies' nights and spring balls, and the fact that he had two years' notice of the event. He also had his wife Julie to feed in ideas and, says lain, he "could not have done it without her." Another key factor in sorting out the manifold detail he wanted was to buy some software called Perfect Table Plan.
The result was astonishingly personal. But the inputting of all the information was a mammoth task and he's lost count not of the hours, but of the weeks he spent on his computer.
lmagine the logistics. Seventysix tables , the
decorations, the menu (some wanted fish not duck), the lighting, the sound, the entertainment, guiding all the guests (some upstairs, some down l) comfortably to their places for the evening, the brochures (one naming every person at the dinner and their table numbefl, the timing the list gbes on and on. A small army of DC's escorted most folk to their tables and the exercise worked like a dream.
Erxpr*sffiivm One of the most impressive elements was the welcome card given to every guest." Each one individually printed, giving the name of the guest, their choice of menu, even the wine they had chosen. "We spent days at it on my computer at home and printed them off here," said Iain.
Having sorted out most of the concept, the Sharratts held a practice run with a dinner party at home with guests Raymond Rooke, Mike Cole, and Howard Wilson - and it obviously passed the test. At the lCC, the sound and lighting was put in the hands of Jeff Whiteley, whose business does that sort of thing.
MTmruururffisrtm$ Altogether, it was a monumental effort and it's fair to say that for two years lain and Julie Sharratt ate, slept and breathed the dinner celebration that, many say, is as fine as they have ever enloyed. And a few days after the event, lain relaxed with a trip he'd promised himself for 15 years. He went with three other brethren to watch the Le Mans 24-hour Race.
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Birmingham's lnternational Conference Centre was the perfect venue, accustomed as it is to the big occasion. The food and wine were excellent, the service by a multitude of statf could not be faulted, but it was the heart and soul of Freemasonry that set the seal on a magnificent evening. It was as though the warmth and brotherly love generated at lodge meetings were magnified a hundred times, Groups of ten sitting at over 70 round tables created a family atmosphere, and the feeling stretched out to envelop the whole banqueting hall in a spirit of goodwill and harmony. Throughout the dinner, Elizabeth Keetley-Smith (piano) and Julie MacRae (violin) regaled the guests with pleasant background music, then came the first big surprise of the night - a "secret door" in the wall opened and out marched the Birmingham Salvation Army Brass Band, resplendent in their bright red regalia. Trumpets blazing and drums beating, they circled the room and were on stage for the rest of the evening
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Jonathan Spence shares a joke with Barry Griffin, Provincial Grand Eegrstrar and his wife Gitt.
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Presiding at the top table, R.W. Bro Richard Goddard could look around with pride at this gathering of the brethren he has ruled over for the past eight years. And the guest of honour, Deputy Grand Master, the R.W. Bro. Jonathan Spence, no doubt returned to Grand Lodge to report that the Worcestershire Province was, as he said in his speech, " ih good heart." Our own Assistant PGM, W. Bro. Raymond Rooke, Chairman of the Festival Event, proposed the toast to the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys. Honoured guest W. Bro.
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Les Hutchinson, Chairman of the Trust, then announced, to gasps of amazement, the result of the Appeal, that magical figure of t1 ,621 ,926 (soon to be rounded up to t1 ,622,000 and later to even more). Proposing the toast to the Festival President, Jonathan Spence recalled that this was his third visit to the Province, the first being to preside at the Installation of Siehard Goddard as PGM and secondly the Enthronement of Colin Brown as Grand Superintendent of Royal Arch, ofld he 'rryas fuli of praise for the achievements of Worcestershire.
Responding, the PGM said he was "lost for words" at the result of the
Appeal and thanked everybody for their massive suppoft. It was, of course, an evening of tributes, notably to Raymond Rooke, chairman of the Festival Event, Howard Wilson, chairman of the 201 1 Appeal, Iain Sharratt, who organised the dinner and all that went with it, and to Jeff Whiteley, who with his team arranged the sound and lighting to such good effect. Special thanks were voiced to the ladies for their sterling efforts in raising an impressive total of over t25,000. Then followed gifts. Flowers, of course, for the principal ladies, and to Jonathan Spence the PGM presented a piece of Stourbridge crystal, the significance being it was in this town famous for its cut-glass that Freemasonry in Worcestershire began in 1743. So, 268 years Iater, a most illustrious evening came to an end, proving once again that the Province is in very good shape to face the future.
APPtrA L 2#1
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Jan meets the Queen Jan Wilson received personal sympathy from the Queen at the loss of her husband, Dr Marshall
Wilson, who was secretary of Fort Royal Lodge No. 4565 for nearly 20 years. Marshall was due to receive Maundy Money from the Queen
but died a few weeks before the ceremony at Westminster Abbey so his son Michael was invited to accompany Jan and to receive it on his behalf. The Queen would normally have handed out the number of gifts to match her age, but as this year the annual ceremony actually fell on her 85th birthday, she doubled the number to 170. "We were 169th in line," said Jan, "but she still stopped and offered us her sympathy. It was a memorable occasion for Mike and l, my daughter Rachel, and sister in law Sarah, and aftennrards Mike and I enjoyed lunch with the Dean and Chapter of Westminster Abbey." The Maundy Money ceremony, held on the Thursday before Good Friday, dates from the 13th century and until recent
times comprised royal gifts to the poor. Nowadays it is presented to pensioners selected "for service to church and community." Dr Wilson was a local historian in Pershore and had close ties with Pershore Abbey.
Following ancient tradition, Yeomen of the Guard carry the Maundy money in red and white leather purses on golden alms trays. The money in the red purse represents a contribution towards food and clothing, while the money in the white purse is the Maundy coins, this year to the value of 85p. Marshall had made plans to celebrate his 80th birthday with a river cruise from Worcester and, in his memory, about 40 family members and close friends made the trip. The doctor was a GP in Pershore for 30 years, following his father who had been a partner before him. The practice still has a family connection as Marshall's
Stan Hems
A magic Circle "Study circle" may sound rather dull, but the Province's one at Halesowen Masonic Hall is far from that. Just look at some of the topics covered: The Burma Railway and Freemasonry; Astronomy in daughter, Kate, is a third generation partner. W Bro John Griffiths, DC of Fort Royal Lodge, writes:Marshall was initiated into Fort Royal in the late 70s and became WM in 1987. He was a better than normal ritualist with a quiet but controlled presentation. He developed the first degree history as 'his' and presented it beautifully. He became secretary in 1992 and he filled the role with accuracy and precision up to his death. He was, in due time, promoted to PPTJGW.
He joined St Wulstan's Chapter No. 280 and serued as Z in 1997 , gaining the provincial rank of PPrGSwdB. He was also prominent in KT and Rose Croix and as a consequence of his work he was earlier this year promoted to the 31st Degree.
Freemasonry; Freemasonry in Occupied France; King Solomon's Temple, and Women's Freemasonry. The informal (no regalia) meetings are open to Master Masons (and EA's and FC's where appropriate). They begin at 7.30pm, end at about 9pm, and the bar is open for a convivial finale! Future dates are October 27, and next year January 26 and May 31 . So put them in your diary now!
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Local orders (f,aO+) can be delivered to your home Outside catering, pig roasts, etc Stake your claim, or claim your steak at our customer-friendly shop ! just Or get in touch. Stan Hems and son Stephen will be pleased to help you...
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KEEP
Pictured (l-r) in the caravan: Mrs Helena Goddard, Bro. Bob, his daughter Kelly, the PGM and the Lord Mayor.
Bob Wilkinson's fair is famous in the Midlands and Bro. Bob Wilkinson himself was the subject of a rare Masonic
ceremony when our PGM, Richard Goddard, presented him with a Certificate of Merit at the showman's luxury caravan home. And there to watch was the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Coun. Anita Ward. lt happened during the annual
lN TOUCH: visit the website
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event organised by Kings Heath Masons to put on a Fun Day in Cannon Hill Park for 500 disadvantaged children from local schools when they enjoy the roundabouts and swings provided free of charge by Bob for the past 10 years. Bob said it was a "marvellous" honour and vowed to continue the Fun Day in the future.
www.worcestershirepgl.org.uk
Meeting among the pengurns On a choir tour of Chile and the Falkland lslands, W.Bro. Charles Gwynn, the Provincial Grand Almoner, was having a quiet beer in one of the Falkland lsland's three bars ("an easy place to do a national pub crawl," he says), when a farniliar face appeared at the door. There, smiling broadly, was Bro. George D'Arcy, a fellow member of Kings Heath Lodge No.3863, who was visiting the Falklands on business.
ln Chai r at 100! Elgar Lodge No 9254 had two very good reasons why they held a special extra meeting. First of all, their oldest and most revered member, W Bro Edwin Hill, was celebrating his 100th birthday. And he did it in style by taking the Chair for the closing of the meeting! Secondly, the initiate, James
calls "a period of serious Masonic discourse involving a large amount of island
A simultaneous shout of
"What are you doing here?" went up from both of them, then Bro. D'Arcy upped the surprise element by introducing Bro. Richard Moorhouse, also of Kings Heath Lodge, who had been on the islands for some months working with the local police there. There followed what Charles, a retired Stourbridge GP and enthusiastic choral singer,
beer." His larynx suitably lubricated, he then departed for a rehearsal in the island's cathedral, the most southerly Anglican cathedral in the world The story goes to show that there is nowhere in the world you can go to escape Worcestershire Masons!
Seaman, is an ex-military security specialist based in Afghanistan and was home for only a short time.
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Fine bronze for museum A new specially-made sculpture of the All-Seeing Eye has been presented to the Worcestershire Masonic Library and MusOum by W. Bro. Bill Mason, Worshipful Master, on behalf of the members of Page Lodge No. 3378, which meets at Worcester.
The "Eye" is fairly weighty, measures approximately 32" x24" and was sculpted then cast by the cold cast bronze method. The donation was made as a gesture by the members of Page Lodge "to support the Library and Museum's magnificent work" in refurbishing the John Hart Room as a second lodge room at Rainbow Hill and it is now displayed in the room behind the WM's pedestal.
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Bill Mason (centre), John Hart (right) and Jahn Tapson pose in front af the new bronze.
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New tle is on the way
Aid for local needy
As part of a drive to encourage membership, the Worcestershire Grand Chapter of Royal Arch is preparing an inspirational leaflet to be presented to every newly exalted Companion and it will be placed on the Provincial website soon.
Having given full support to the Craft Festival Appeal 2011, Mark Masons and Royal Ark Mariners now have four years to emulate that success in reaching the target recently announced by the Provincial Grand Master, Francis Charles Spencer, for the Mark Festival Appeal 2015. The needs of local charities throug hout Worcestershi re and nearby counties has not been overlooked during the festival years. Sometimes a little help from the Mark Grand Charity is needed and, on the advice of Stuart Edwards, our own Mark Grand Treasure[ two applications within our Province have recently been successful. One was a contribution towards an improved blood handling seruice in a major local hospital and secondly the provision of a special minibus for the Dial a Ride service for the elderly and disabled around Kidderminster. Mark Masons have enjoyed many social events during the year and have a busy programme of events still to come. Full details: wunru. worcestersh remark.org
The Grand Superintendent, Colin Brown, has also given his blessing to the issue of a Worcestershire Royal Arch tie which will be on sale in the autumn. The Royal College of Surgeons, subject of our 2013 Appeal, is to send a team of surgeons to the next meeting of the Worcestershire lnstalled First Principals Chapter, No. 6889, to present in dramatic form reasons why Companions should support the college. Colin Brown promises that no one present will be called on to submit to an operation! All RA Masons are eligible to attend the meeting at Rainbow Hill on Saturday, November 12, at 10.45am. Demand is likely to be high and early application is advisable,
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No time to relax
This year's Annual Meeting
of Provincial Grand Lodge in the Great Hall of Birmingham University was bathed in sunlight and the glory of the 2011 Festival result. Rt Wor Bro Richard Goddard, Provincial Grand Master,
Two Provincial Grand Masters shake hands, as they have many times before, but this time it is a
unique occasion because they are each standing in their own territories of Worcestershire and Wanruickshire! R W Bro Richard Goddard and R W Bro David Macey were
attending the official handing over of a signpost to mark the 100th Anniversary of the county boundary change when Birmingham expanded its borders in 191 1 - and which Worcestersh re Freemasons chose to ignore! The piece of old boundary in question is in Cannon Hill Park and the signpost was jointly funded by the two Provinces. i
welcomed many guests and enjoyed mighty support from members of our Province. The PGM was lavish in his praise and thanks to everybody concerned in ensuring the fiveyear Appeal's "outstanding result," but then emphasised that now is not the time to relax. "Though we can now breathe a collective sigh of relief," he said, " I am quite certain none of you will forget that other meaning of the word 'relief' which is one of the Landmarks of our Order. lndeed; now is the time to turn our attention and efforts to those more local charities." While urging Brethren to "do your own thing in this regard," he recommended five charities for particular support: Acorns Children's Hospice, Air Ambulance, Macmillan Nurses, Teddies for Loving Care, and Worcester Cathedral.
Of the latter, he explained that 15 years ago the Province
sponsored an apprentice stonemason in the cathedral's permanent workforce and the plan is to support another one. "Please suppoft these charities either through the Iottery or separately,," he said, "though I am bound to say I remain surprised how few members support our lottery." And whatever you do, he added, "continue to claim Gift Aid." He urged lodges to do all they can to make the public aware of Freemasonry's giving to non-Masonic charities and suggested that lodges, individually or collectively, should stage charitable evenings when representatives of local charities are invited to receive their cheques, as Tenbury Wells have done successfully for years. The PGM also commended the Kings Heath group of lodges on their All Saints Community Project and revealed his ambition to launch a Building Fund to assist in securing Masonic Premises for the Province. With his usual grace, he did not neglect to congratulate all
MBrr of; Merlt A pleasure of the meeting was the way the FGill focused on a number of individuals for their Masonic contribution. The rank 0f PPr$GW was conlerred on W. Bro Frank $pence4 the PGM in Mark. The investment took place early 0n s0 Frank could leave for an irnportant occasion in his son's life. He presented a Certificate of Merit ts W.tsro Alan Spllsbury, "a very worthy recipient," and also mentioned W. Bro
VIc $outhan, who neceived his during the year at a Boxing Euening. The euent was lfic's 35th , and over the years he has raised over hall a million pounds for charities. Another presentation in the field was to Brs tsob Wilkinson who provides the fun
fair at Cannon Hill Park tor Kings Heath Group's annual Fun Day (see Page 8). Honourable mention uuas also made of John Guise who lhis year relinquished the
office of Provincial Grand Chaplain, and also W Bro Alan Dale, retiring Provincial Grand Treasurer.
those appointed, re-appointed or promoted, and, as ever, harmony was evident at the close of the meeting. Report by W Bro John Yeates
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863 3AR Published by the Provincial Grand Lodge 0l Worcestershire, 94 Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove, 861 0DF. Editot: Peler Ricketts : 01562 630794: Email - p.rickelts@blueyonder.co.uk News Editor - Nick Appleton: 01905 841475: Email * lodge6141@gmail.com T0 place an adveltisement, or lor inlotmalion, G0nta6l John McGann : 01299 825285 : Email - iohnmgann@btinternet.com