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ISSUE No: 3 October 2004
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Worcestershire Source
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The llewsletter of Worcestershire Freemasons
THE NEW RULES ON PROVINCIAL HONOURS he following is an extract from the address of the Provincial Grand Master given at the meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge on Saturday 19'n June 2004 which clearly sets out the new
still be after five years as at present but, as there will be too few appointments for the full number of lodges, it will inevitably
rules and procedures governing all appointments to Provlncial Grand Rank
Gradually this backlog will build up so that
withln our Province from now on. "As most of you by now know thls is the last occasion on which such numbers can
be invested in this Province, as Grand Lodge has ordained and the Book of Constitutions now enshrines a new quota system common to all provinces. And as Worcestershlre happens to have one of
the lowest ratios in the country
of members to lodges, we wlll suffer one of
the g reatest reductions. So there can be no misunderstanding in the future, let me spell out in detail what the changes wlll mean. Although the current Worcestershire system has been in place for decades, there is surprising ignorance of it. At present, every brother
who passes through the Chair of his lodge
can, unless he failed to pull his weight
when Worshipful Master or his attendance at lodge has severely
declined, expect a first appolntment to Provincial rank after five years. Six years later he can expect a promotion, again assuming that he has attended his lodge regularly and played a part in its progress. Thereafter promotion is entirely on merit.
In future a first appointment will inltially
mean that
have
a proportion each year
to wait to the
following
will
year.
in, say, three or four years' time a flrst appointment will not come until after six years, and after another four years or so until seven years, and so on. Secondly,
the automatic first promotion after
a
fufther six years will have to be abolished apart from those who have had as flrst
appointments active office and all promotions in future will be entirely on merit. But, here again, there will be insufficient available each year for a
fellow rulers wlll have the difficult task of choosing between lodges to achieve a balance of promotions. Thus it may be that you will have to submlt the same
brother's name two or three years running before he is selected. And thls is also where those eight additional criteria attendance
at
Provincial Grand Lodge,
membership of the Royal Arch, etc., etc. published by my predecessor will come in; we shall take them into consideration when having to make the invidious choices that we shall undoubtedly have to make.
promotion in each lodge; indeed, there will probably not even be enough for half our lodges. All will depend on the number of Masons in the Province at the
It is 'the hope of reward that sweetens labour' so we are told. And, as we all know, it ls Past Masters in small lodges (such as we currently experience all too often in this province) who have to work harder to sustain their lodges than do
time.
those In larger ones. They are therefore,
This is where you, brethren, and your
promotion; and yet the new system will
lodge committees come
operate in precisely the opposite manner. And so what can we do about it? For my part I will continue to voice my strong
it
in.
The
Provincial Office has for sorne years been
sending out a form with the installation returns asking for any recommendations
for promotion. Hltherto lt has voluntary; now
it
been
becomes mandatory,
requiring one name per submission, no chance
lodge
of one of
no
the
scarce promotlons. This will, incldentally,
have the beneficial effeci of
democratising the process to some extent. You in your lodges will be able to choose the brother you regard as most deservlng of promotion, and I and my
seems
to me, more
concerns
deserving of
to Grand Lodge
when
opportunity offers. For your part you can
each
do your best to increase the of your lodges and thus
strength
gradually build up the ratio of members to lodges again. But let us never forget that
we are all brothers on the square and that, rewarded or not, we support each other because we enjoy what we do; if we did not, then there would be little point In carrying on."
The Ladies'Gift Fund for Masonic Charities - Christmas Fayre Plans are well in hand for the 52nd Christmas Fayre that is to be held once more in November. The Fayre will be held on Saturday 13th November at 10.30. The venue will be The Clarendon Suite, Stirling
Worcestershire, Staffordshire and
Road, Edgbaston.
This makes for a very enjoyable social
raising events are always well suppofted
Each year the proceeds of our work raise substantial sums of money for charity. I would like to thank you most sincerely for
by the Rulers of the three Provlnces, and
all the support that you so generously
by many Brethren and their
gave last year to our fund raising events. We were once more able to generate sufficient money to donate 82,500.00 to each of the three Provinces. We also sent
Warwickshire Provinces, Our fund
families.
morning.
This year I am delighted to say
that
Wor. Bro. Richard G.H.Goddard
Rt. MA.
Provincial Grand Master for
Worcestershire officialopening.
will be performing
the
The "Ladies' Gift Fund" is a product of the work of the wives and ladies of Brethren of
Tickets have been circulated to all Lodge Secretaries and are available for you to purchase. We plan some new ideas this year, pafticularly some more attractions for children. Please come and support this enjoyable day.
a similar amount to The New
Masonic
Samaritan Fund.
I look forward to seeing as many of you possible at this year's Fayre.
Valerie Edwards - Chairman
as
DONT FORGET THE MASONIC WIDOWS CHRISTMAS PARTY
W Bro Charles M Gvuynn Provincial Senior Grand Warden
MENTORING THE NEW WAY FORWARD Does your Lodge mentor new rnembers? The first Training and Education session this season was on Mentoring. Mentoring is not a new concept and many Provinces and Lodges have been using a Mentor system for years ln some Lodges using the title, Master of Novices.
It
Charles Gwynn was born
at an early age in South Wales on the Gower
Peninsular.
again.
However, do not be fooled by the Welsh accent. His Father was born in Great
Malvern and both his Grand parents and Great-Grandparents were born in Worcester.
His education culminated in his Graduating in Medicine University. He later became a Member of the Royal College of
at
Birmingham
Sometimes personal affairs
intervene, sometimes the exigencies of having to make a living, but often it may be seen that the new entrant has been left to fend for himself in what, we must acimit, can be a very confusing environment, Yes, most Proposers and Seconders do a
sterling job in encouraging, helping and
informing initiates, but sometimes this is not
Physicians.
enough. Therefore, the PGM has decided that we should institute, on a Provincial
In his work he specialized in Paediatrics at Birmingham Childrens Hospital with particular interest in Childhood asthma and Allergic Diseases In addition, Charles spent 26 years as part time Research Fellow at Birmingham University. Following his initial retirement, latterly he has joined an old school pal as a part time General Practitioner. Outside his day job, Charles was a Member of the Territorial Army for 23 years ending his career as a full Colonel in command of a General Hospital. He was awarded the Order of Saint John (O St J) for services to the army. His interest in medicine continues and he is a Trustee of the Acorns Childrens Hospice and County Director of the West Midlands St. John Ambulance.
Charles' masonic CV appears to keep him as busy as his medical and military
basis, the Mentoring system which has been
so successful in certain Lodges in
the
Province and in other provinces.
This implies that each Initiate wiil be
given a mentor whose job will be to guide,
advise and help
the new Brother to
understand and enjoy what we know is a most fulfilling life experience, To that end we have prepared booklets to be given to the Mentoq explaining his role and to the new Brother, one for his Initiation, one for his Passing and one for his Raising, The Mentor will discuss the material in the booklets with the new Brother; will accompany h!m out of the Lodge room when ceremonies are taking place for which that Brother is not is not qualified and will generally be seen as friend and counsellor.
In this way it is hope that any new Brother beginning to feel himself
careers He was initiated into Lechmere Volunteer Lodge No.1874 and ls a member of Cyfindra Dewi Sant No.9135, Installed Masters Lodge and Provincial Grand
Stewards
stems from industry and the
professions where mentors are the means by which new entrants to an organisation are given someone who will guide them through pitfalls, advise, train and often appraise them. In Masonry we see it as the most useful tool there is to ensure retention of new members to the Craft. Among the many problems facing us in Masonry perhaps one of the greatest is just this, retention. Every Lodge can tell a story about keen new candidates who after initiation, or even after raising, suddenly drop by the wayside and are never heard of
Lodge. He is Zerubbabel elect in Lechmere Hughes
R A Chapter
No.1874. In the Mark and RAM degrees he is Provincial Grand Senior Overseer for Mark Province of Warwickshire and a Past Master of Perseverance R A M Lodge No.733.
In keeping with his military career, he is a member of a number of religious and military Orders including Halesowen Council No.219 Royal & Select Masters. 1st Constable Hales Abbey K T Preceptory No.40B, 1st General Vernon Chapter No5 in the Rose Croix. In the Order of Red Cross of Constantine Charles is Sen. General Mornlng Star Conclave No.249 and finally in the Allied Degrees he is a member of Alvechurch Council No174
overwhelmed by what is going on in the Lodge, or unsure of his commitment will have someone he knows to talk to and air his
doubts. And that alone may be enough to prevent that Brother leaving us and Masonry.
It is a challenging job, it reqLlires tact, experience, knowledge and a real interest in the new mason. It is ideally suited for those excellent past masters who have so often shown their mettle, their commitment in ceremonies and Provincial work for many years and the PGM is convinced that a concerted effort will enable the Province to retain and develop our Initiates, Colin Young Education and Training Group ISSUE No: 3
White Table Evenings
W Bro Irving J Horne Provincial Junior Grand Warden
Many Lodges struggle to find candidates. the media is positive hindrance with its ill-informed and biased anti-masonic studies. And sometimes Brethren feel a little unsure as to how to
a
Sometimes
encourage men who seem to be ideal candidates for masonry, There is a
reluctance to approach such people, despite the fact that Grand Lodge has sald that there is nothing wrong with doing
that and despite the fact that
some
Lodges even advertise for members! In Guys Hospital there is an advert on the
main staff notice board giving details of
when meetings are held and the secretary's name and address for those who are interested in joining.
A White Table Evening is one way of introducing potential candidates to masonry without the need for an
Born on 24 February 1949, Irving James Horne went to school at St Catherine's c of E lunior School, Horwich followed by seven years at Bolton School (Boys Division), which explains the accent.
advertising agency. The Training and Education group will be
holding
a
on
seminar White Table Evenings on November 1" at the Masonic Rooms, Briars Hotel, Kidderminster. It will be run by W.Bro. David Bell, the Provincial DC and members of his DCs' team.
He was admitted to a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English (despite the accent), French and Theology and was awarded a Certiflcate in Education both in t97l by London University. Irving later was awarded and Advanced Diploma in Educational Studies in october 1986 and admitted to a Master of Arts Degree in English in December 19g9 by the Cambridge Institute of Education.
He was elected
a
Fellow
of the Royal society for the Encouragement of
Manufactures and Commerce in January 1994.
Those of you who attended the Directors Ceremonies session last season will know that not only willyou be entertained and informed but that you will be able to take back your Lodges all the necessary literature to hold your own evening if appropriate and necessary.
of
to
Again the PGM is keen
to
Arts,
Irving was a teacher in schools in the London area and then came to Birmingham where, for 9 years, he was Head teacher at a comprehensive school. He was president of the Birmingham Head TeachersAssociation in 1995-96. He is a family man with three children two daughters who are both married to doctors and his son is currently studying at Manchester University. He is also a Grand father to one Grand daughter.
encourage
Lodges to consider White Table Evenings. You will see when you attend the session
that no secrets are given, that
the
integrity ofthe ritual is preserved and that
this is no attempt to Americanise
us.
Indeed, by inviting wives and partners to such evenings, by showing that we have nothing to hide and by being ourselves many Lodges have been able to initiate up to four new members in a year and, what is more, retain them! That can't be bad.
You may have come across Irving when he is in a clearly blind and stupid state i.e. when he is refereeing a rugby football match or admitting that he is a Bolton Wanderers fan. He is better known to us for his piano and organ playing he is guest organist for several Lodges, Chapters and other Orders. He also plays the guitar and ukeleie.
I trust you have not come across Mr Horne in his capacity as a Justice of the peace sitting on the Birmingham Bench. Irving comes from a masonic family, being a Lewis. His own masonic record is very impressive, if not hectic.
It is understood that some masons may disapprove of what they see as a deliberate watering down of our previously tightly guarded privacy. That really cannot be the case, not when
rituals are easily available, when Masonic ceremonies are described and shown on television and when we ourselves parade with pride and some excellence in full regalia at the Cathedral Service and at Provincial Grand Lodge. Put your fears at rest come along on the 1" November and prepare to be persuaded. Colin Young Education and Training Group OCTOBER 2004
Irving was initiated into old Dunstonlan Lodge No. 5662 on 30 April 1973 and was master in both 1980 and 1985. He is a member two further craft Lodges, Lodge of the
Desired Haven No. 5948 and Worcestershire Installed Masters t'to. 6849, Having been Master of Desired Haven in 1997 and 1999, he was appointed provSGD in 2001. In RoyalArch he was exalted into St. Marks college Chapter No, 2157 on 10 october 19g0 and was MEZ in 1988. He joined Kings Norton Chapter No.4001 in March 2000 and was l4EZin2004. Irving is a member of All Saints Kings Heath Lodge of M M M and RA M.
He is a Member of two Preceptories, The preceptory of King John No. 519 and Varangian Preceptory No. 585, He is also kept busy with St. Martin Chapter Rose Croix No. 286 and Alvechurch Council No. 174. To complete his cv he is a member of HRAKTP Mercia Tabernacle KTp No. 10 and KRCC, oHS and St. J the E Morning Star Conclave No. 249 and finally Adoniram Council No. 197 in the Royal and Select Misters degree.
W qi#Gq6qe
WORCESTERSHIRE MASONIC WIDOWS FRIENDSHIP CLUBS Brethren AIl,
YOU CAN ALL HELP Every Lodge member can be alert and ensure that the Widows of our depafted Brethren are made aware that they are not forgotten/ and encourage them to join one of our Masonic Widows Friendship Clubs, now operating in many parts of the Country. They are assured of meeting excellent, understanding company and making new friends, with miny activities, e.g.: Speakers, Day Trips, Lunches and most of all Happy Company.
Our thanks, of course, go to W. Bro. W. E. Gibbons and Doreen for their foresight in setting up the Clubs 22yearsago, and the solid suppoft from the R. W. Provincial Grand Master, Deputy and Asst. Prov.Grand Masters and ail at provincial Office.
It is great news over recent years of the recognition from The Grand Charity in the importance of highlighting and supportlng the clubs via: "Link" Magazine which is now widely available. But! to reiterate, it is only YOU that can ensure the work is carried out as it should be. Grateful thanks are extended to ALL Lodge WM's, Charity Stewards, Almoners and Lialson Officers involved. Togetherwe can ensure thatthe widows of our respected and well loved departed Brethren are suitably and deservedly honoured. For
further information please contact: Founder.
Liaison Officer - Kings Heath W. Bro. W. E. PARTRIDGE. 0l2l 429 5t3s
W.BTo, W.GIBBONS.
0t2r 4543t90
MASONIC WIDOWS CHRISTMAS LUNCH AT KINGS HEATH We thank all the Lodges for the wonderful support, which they have given in the past to our Annual Christmas Luncheons. It has been agreed that ALL Masonic Widows of the Province (not just members of the Club) be invited to this years Christmas Luncheon to be held on: Thursday 9th December 2004 Masonic Hall, Alcester Road South, Kings Heath, Birmingham, Lodge Almoners are asked to invite widows of their Lodge, (together with 2 or 3 Past Masters or Brethren to assist with transport etc.) and thereby show that these ladies are still in our hearts and minds. Groups attending will be seated together to encourage "a party within a pafi!1" The celebrations begin with a sherry reception at 12.30pm, with lunch at 1.00pm. Cost: - [15.00 per person, inclusive.
The Provincial Grand Master with members of Provincial Grand Lodge and their Ladies are giving their support to this happy occasion. Bro. Almoners are asked to please identify your paty, (Widows and Lodge Members) and forward the details accompanied by your cheque not laterthan Thursday 2nd December 2004. Reply to: - Mrs J.Miller, 27, Homepeal House, 231, Alcester Road South, Kings Heath, B'Ham.B14 6DT Telephone : - 0l2t 44L 5493
ffimw Gnared SuBeu"smtemdemt
to Appoint
Positive Press Coverage
fSeuns ffifflEeens
On
Did you see the Evening Mail on Friday 25 June 2004?
i3
Novetmher 2004 at the nreeting of Wor-cesterslrire installed First Fr!ncipais Clr,ao'ier E Conrp j'Victor Ccndlyffe wiil reiire afier many years o'i cur:sian,:iil-iq sei-"-ice to this pr-ovince.
If you did you wlll have seen approximately a third of a page of positive reporting wlth photographs descrlbing the visit of the
Cornp Ricrard B \A/ Price vuill appolni E Conrrr Charles Harris as
attend the fun fair again organised by Group 12 of
E
De0uty Grancr Superiiitenclenr, E Comrr llichard Floare Serirrrd G:ancl Pnnr:rpal anC E Comn l'{iii-lar:l B Sirnpson as
as
wi]i be e
iiilorcestersh i re
Worcestershire Associated Masonic Lodges,
Th!;-ctr
The Group have received a very kind letter of Foundation For Conductive Education.
Gr-an:] ?r-rncipai -[h-*i-e
Lord and Lady Mayoress of Birmingham to Cannon Hill park to
i;il Soi,.r
repcri alLi r
ce.
Cofll!.t'ia!tiS
lr-r
the nexi lssrle of
thank from the
Well done agaln to W Bro Trevor Barnes, Group 12 and to the Evenlng Mail
4
ISSUE No: 3
HOPE AND CHARITY GET TO THE FINNISH I am grateful to Newshound W.Bro Andrew C T Skidmore, P.M. Hope and Charity 377 for this report. Tuesday 25'n May 2004. The Lodge of Hope and Charity No. 377 set off for the visit of the millennium. As a member of the Charity Lodges, Hope and Charity regularly travels around the Provinces, but a visit to the only English speaking Lodge in Finland promised to be a real
treatl
Our IPM, David Oldham has an office in Helsinki and had previously visited Union Lodge 134 Helsinki, which falls under the banner of The Grand Lodge of Finland. Founded in september 1924 The Grand Lodge of Finland has t47 Lodges and a strong membership of 6100. The Grand Master, Arto Uusitalo, and his team have some very exciting times ahead. David asked me if I would like to join him on a visit and 2 soon became 3 and then 8...Barry Read, Brian Kettle, Paul Bowman, Steve Hines, late comer Martin Lawrence and Fellow \\irshiPtirl \1il\tcr hf ith ll{ll $ ilh thr trIfi$h il[d ilfltrhu'\ ol l nion l.orlqr'lJ{ llrlril]ri Craft Lee Bond. There were no obvious challenges with our Fellow Craft, Lee Bond wishing to join us, as the ceremony Union Lodge had planned was a Passing. As required, David wrote to the appropriate parties, requesting authority for the overseas visit. The "OK's" came flooding back, with one slight wrinkle. No Fellow Craft, other than the candidate, could witness a Passing under the rules of The Grand Lodge of Finland . Strange you might say, but their rules and structure of opening in the 3'd degree and working only in 2"d or 1" when a candidate was to be either passed or raised make it difficult. Confused, we were! Keith Hall, the Worshipful Master of Union Lodge, in conjunction with David Oldham, wrote to the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Finland, Brother Risto Rydman. So much so was the feeling that Lee would not be able to attend, that he decided to cancel his flight. Just in time Union Lodge's Worshipful Masteremailed informing us that "The Grand Secretary has agreed that Brother Lee Bond could attend the Lodge under special dispensation". This simply meant that Lee would be brought in to the Lodge as Keith and his officers closed down to the 2"d. The festlve board was an experience. Toasts and speeches were traditionally to be kept very short. I was asked by Keith Hall to make a short reply on behalf of the visitors, which, unknown to anyone, led in to the whole Hope and Charity delegation rising to parade the Masters Song. OK, we had lmpressed our hosts with the Worcestershire Choir version (Ok the H & C reserve team effort) and had earned a good night out. The fact that their Worshipful Master is a professional Jazz drummer meant that most of the remaining night was in the
undergroundjazzclubnottoomanyindirectpacesfromtheLodgerooms.
Sufficetosay,"Ajollygoodtimewashadbyall". Areturnvisit
(or was it challenge) is very much on the cards, Visiting a foreign lodge, where culture and ritual are so very different is exciting in itsself, but to witness such a beautiful city and see such a superb ceremony has undoubtedly left an impression on allthe visitors, none less than our very fortunate Fellow craft Lee Bond. Do you regularly monitor the provincial web
Provincial Grand Carol Service
At the request of our new Provincial Grand Master, for the first time the Province of Worcestershire will be holding
a Provincial Carol Service in the evening of Monday 13'n December2004.
site? If not, why not?
If you have access to the world wide web you can keep in touch with news and events within the Province of Worcestershire by logging on to the provincial website at the address above.
In this lssue of Worcestershire Source there
There can only be one place to hold this service and, of course, it wlll be held at St
is an article by W Bro Colin Young on Mentoring and there is a report on the
Kldderminster where "Deborah", the bell donated by the Freemasons of the
If you log onto the website and look at News you will find more information on mentoring
Mary and All Saints Church,
Borough
of
Kidderminster
and
the
Province of Worcestershire supported by
a
major contribution from the
Grand
Charlty will be heard.
Lodge of Hope and Charity's visit to Helsinki.
from the Provincial Training and Education Group; a notice of the next meeting of the
Worcestershire Masonic Study Circle; information about the Scouts Christmas card competition in aid of the Acorns Children's Hospice Trusu a report on the
Lodge
Government Assists Masonic Donations Have you signed and
returned your Gift Aid form to your Lodge Charity Steward? ocToBER 2004
of
Endeavour Garden Party;
conflrmatlon of the emergency grants made following the flooding in Cornwall and South
Asia; an emergency grant made by the Grand Charity to the British Red Cross for work in Sudan; the Lodge of Hospitality's trip to visit the Lodge of Hospitality No 4 in Slovenia organised by the well known member of both Lodges. Bro Nick Plotnek and many other'items.
informed. It is your Province and Province is keeping you in touch with what your fellow masons are doing AND what is being done in your name Keep up to date and be
and on your
behalf.
5
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STOURPORT MASONIC HALL MAJOR EXTENSION Introduction and Background : For over seventy years, the Stourport Masonic Hall has served local freemasonry very well and will continue to do so for a
fufther hundred years or more. Stourport Masonic Hall is in the enviable position of being owned by local masons with no encumbrances/ serving five well supported lodges, two chapters, newly introduced Mark and Ark Mariners lodges
and
a
secret monitor Conclave to
be
consecrated at the end of 2004. It needs to do just that to increase its income and secure its future.
The Project: The project was to erect a two storey rear
extension and a single storey side extension to the existing lodge building
which has provided an additional meeting room, an extension to the dining room, ladies toilets, plus a disabled toilet facility.
Planning approval was given
in
late
September 2002; work commenced in June 2003, and was completed in January 2004. The total cost was in the region of f 150,000 (t10,000 provided by Provincial Grand Lodge as a loan/ to be repald over 5 years), Lodges have collected in excess of f25,000 since June 2003 and projects are continuing to add to this figure.
The Masonic Hall achleved
Charitable Status in 2003 allowing it to have its rates
reduced to 20o/o of its commercial ratable value. This also enabled subscriptions to be gift aided generating a further 28o/o of their value.
Fund Raising:
There is strong marketing to let the building and car park for commercial and
other purposes
to
increase revenue. Building Fund Bond Certificates have been sold to brethren of the lodges, to be repaid over 5 or 10 years. Lodges have been asked
to
provide the
proceeds of one raffle, or collection, each year, and each lodge to contrlbute f500 to
the Building Fund on an annual basis to help to repay the t100,000 loan obtained from the Bank.
The Future:
ACORNS FAMILY CARE DAY On lune 19'h it was the Provincial Grand Lodge meeting. I couldn't attend this year because the date clashed with the Acorns Family Care Day, which was held at the West Midlands Safari Park.
We arrived at Bewdley at 11 am to a very warm welcome from Acorns Staff and volunteers who had arranged for an action packed day out for 400 children and parents. We were directed to a special car parking area and issued with V.I.P. day passes for the whole family. The sun shone for most of the day and everyone enjoyed themselves with a tour of the safari park and an afternoon at the funfair. I don't know which was the more scarey/ the risk of being savaged by the "extremely ferocious" African wild dogs or taking my youngest daughter on the notorious Log Flume.
It was also a very good day to check out the latest modlfications- and I do not mean engines- and to catch up on the news from old friends who have shared so many good and sad times. But it was really just a day to forget all our worries and join in the fun. Our daughter, Emma , is 12 and severely dlsabled. We were accepted by Acorns three years ago and you can imagine what it means for a parent to apply to a hospice for support for their child, A hospice by definition cannot give hope for the future, but it can provide practical help and lovlng support and, for us, Acorns gives more. It gives us the absolute assurance that Emma, when entrusted to their care, will receive the love and constant attention she gets at home, Acorns at Selly Oak, there is also a hospice in Walsall, has ten beds of which two are always kept free for emergencies.
With over 500 families on their register you can easily see why we consider ourselves very fortunate to receive even a few days respite care.
It costs about f 5 million pounds a year to fund the Acorns Trust of which only about f500,000 comes from Statutory Sources, which is why donations are so very important. Worcestershire freemasons have been really marvellous in their support and, as a parent, I can assure you of the lmmense gratltude we feel for your continuing support and generosity, Acorns are building their new hospice in Worcester which may make things a bit easier for us, but we know only too well that as soon as it opens the 500 families will grow as the catchment area expands because, sadly, there are so many children wlth life threatening illnesses for whom a future cannot be guaranteed. On behalf of the familles who receive help from the Acorns Trust we say to all of the Freemasons of Worcestershire ... THANKYOU... foryourcontinuing supportand to all of the Staff and volunteers at Acorns. We thank you for everything you do - it means so much to us all. Royston Foster Elgar Lodge9254 PS There was another absentee from P.G.L.Bro. John Ovefton the Chief Executive of the Acorns Trust who was also seen enjoying the Log Flume.
We expect to meet our commltments and
encourage other lodges and degrees to
join the thriving Stourport
Masonic
fraternity.
For any further information contact the Masonic Hall Secretary, John McGann, on Stourport (01299) 825285.
Don't forget to log
Published by The Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire. Provincial Office,94 Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, 861 oDF Afticles may not be reproduced without written authority, Editor: Keith Blizzard would be pleased to receive articles, news and photographs for publication Challinors Blizzard, Edmund House, 12-22 Newhall Street, Birmingham 83 3EF Tel: 0121 233 8610 Email: kb@challinors.co.uk ISSUE No: 3