Worcestershire Source 6

ISSUE No: 6 March 2006

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The Mq, sletter of Worcestershire Freemdsans ,' .1

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Appeefr Rffig$" As announced by the Fr*vincial Grand Master in his address at Frovincial Grand

the Provis:ee of Worcestershire Iaunched a major appeal on lst January 2006 to raise funds for our next allotted Festival in 2CI11 in support of the Royal Masonie Trust for Girtrs & ffioys.

Lodge,

The RMTGB exlsts

u'eCIRtinue

to relieve poverty and pnovide an edueation and tCI

preparation for life for the ehildren of the family of a Freemasonr and, wlrere funds permit, for any ehildren, as their fathers would have done, had they been able to do so,"

The Trurst, which !s one of the four rnain Grand Charities, provides vitally needed

financial assistanee ta the ehildren of Freemasons who have, sadly, died and it supports their ehildren thnoughout thelr young lives ln the way En whichr their

fathers wcLlld have done. \A/e have many examples In Woreestershire where the Trust has helBed beneaved farnllies and

many people have had cause

to

be

extremely grateful for the sr"lpport

CIf

the

An Appeal ecmrmiffiee Lras been fonmed ehaired by W ffiro John Gorton and they

will be

contacting cvery Erothen &

Ccmpanien in the Pnovinee im the near future asking for thein support.

With effeet frorn

Trust.

lst

January 2fi06, the to direet their

eharity Stewards in the Provir:ee wil! be fully bniefled CIn hCIw to take advantage of the gift aid sehfirrre.

F*n further informatior: *n Appeal 2011, please eontaet W ffino Gorton hy e-nna

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at jch mgortorr

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hteon nect" corn,

The Appeal will culminate in a special Festiva ! event in the Prmvince in 20 t I

fumd naising activities towards Appeal

the Seeretany to the Appeal, W Brc Justln Parkes' sn

2011 amd, im particular, to make rfiCIre use

justln"p&nker@rmfgsolieitors,coffiu

when the aecumulated results of oLlt" fund raising will be handed over to the Trust.

of the Sift aid rmethod to imenease the value of each gift, at no extna ecst. AII

Tremsu

CCIrnmittee ask everyone

PRESENTATION TO MARY STEVENS HOSPICE W Bro Stuart Edwards, Assistant Provincial

Grand Master, presented a cheque for f2000 to Stourbridge's Mary Stevens Hospice, on behalf of the Freemasons' Grand Charity. Hospice Chairman Terry

Powell and Events Organiser Ann

Isherwood were very pleased to accept

the donation which will go

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A MESSAGE FROM TI-IE RULERSThe Provincial Grand Maste4 R W Bro Riclrard G H Goddard, and the Grand Superintendent, H Coump R.ichard B W Price "earffiestly ask ali of you to support have respondeci sm Eenercusly tm past Appeals

the Appeal in the same way you andu

in doinE ss, help the Province of

towards helping patients receive the best quality of life in the final stages of their illness. The hospice needs to raise It.2 million every year to carry out its work.

Woncestenshine ciernonstrate lts fantastic

Four other hospices in Worcestershire are and nationwide 2L6 hospices and day care centres will also receive grants ranging

W Bro John Gorton, the Appeal Committee Chairman/ was delighted to inform the Editor that as at 17 February 2006 the

also benefiting from the Charity

from [500 to [9000.

generosity'" r

APPEAL 2011 UPDATE

Appeal stood

at L23,000,00, He

commented "this is a fantastic start to our efforts".

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A SPECIAL MEETING IN JANUARY

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The Nautical Services Lodge No 5629 452^o meeting will be remembered by both the

Section

of the First Lecture,

whom the

Provincial Grand Master congratulated.

members and visitors for a very long time,

Lodge, Masefield Lodge No 2034.

The PGM expressed his pleasure and delight in the presentation of this very special Jewel to W Bro Granville, further congratulating him on researching and the very hard work investigating over a very long time the subject of the Victoria Cross and Freemasonry, An exhibition of Victoria Cross's and Masonic

This special night was to mark the earliest

holders of the award will be on display at Freemasons Hall, Great Queen Street later

It

was on a cold January evening that the

warmth of the Lodge was further enhanced by

the presence of The Provincial Grand Maste; Right Worshipful Brother RGH Goddard along

with the Master and Wardens of the Mother

for the presentation of The Prestonian Lecturer Jewel for 2006 to W Bro. Granville S Angell PPGSwdB for his research/ investigation and presentations of the address possible date

'The Victoria Cross and Freemasonry' During the evening the Lodges were further

by the younger and newer members performing a piece of work from the Book of Lectures on this occasion The Sixth

entertained

rega Iia.

in

this year.

R W Bro RGH Goddard expressed how proud and pleased both the Lodge and Province are

in having such a diligent and academic Brother

as a member, On the completion of the presentation the Provincial Grand Master promoted W Bro Granville to the Office of Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden and, having surprised all the Brethren of the Lodge, then

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Upon completion of these presentations the Worshipful Master W Bro. J T R Palmer then invited the Master and Wardens of the Mother Lodge Masefield to close the Lodge.

system practiced in the"Lodge of Antiquity".

William Preston {L742-1818) was born in Edinburgh on 7 August, the son of a writer, *high sehool" in

W Bro

D

J Silk PPJGW. both congratulated

and

thanked the Daughter Lodge for the privilege

With occasional intermissiCIns, lectures on

signet or solicitor, attended Edinburgh and among his curriculunr were Latin & Greek. Before the age of L2,

his method were accordingly delivered from

1820 until

1862. After 1862 the lecture

V C EXHIBITION VISIT

records appear to have been lost.

though, his father died and William was taken into the care of William Ruddiman and later became an apprentice t'0 hinn" At the age of 18 he found his way from Edinburgh to London and carrying a letter to the Kings printer gained employment. William had no

sooner come of age when he became a nnernber of the Craft and a Master of a Lodge by the age of 25. An active member of the Craft he developed an elaborate system of Masonic instruction, in the form of e atee hetie a ! lectu res, practiced in

trn 1924 it was revived, with modifications of the original scheme: the lecturer delivering a paper on a Masonic subject of his own

A day trip to London in support of the

selection.

organised by W Bro Mel J Broadhurst of

It is to this that Worshipful Brother Granville Angell PPSGW, has applied his diligent investigation and research to this Years (2006) title "The Victoria Cross and Freemasonry" The Prestonian Lecture is the only lecture

At his death in

held under the authority of the United Grand Lodge of England and, with the exception of

frorn whieh was to be applied to some well inforrmed Mason to deliver annually a Leetune on the First, Second orThird Degree of the Grder of Masonry according to the

the years 1940-46, regular appointments

1"8i"8, he bequeathed to Grand Lodge the sum of [300, the "interest"

sightseeing/shopping

being

The visit will take place on Thursday 4 May 2006 with return coach travel to Great

Queen Street, a tour of the exhibition in optional tour of Grand Temple. Partners are welcome and the cost will be [28.00 per person,

Details are being circulated

present

Secreta

day" The llst of

is

The Unity Lodge No 5812.

have been made annually since L924 to the

Brethren so

honoured and the titles of thelr leetures ,

Prestonian Lecturer with optional free time

for

the Library and Museum, lunch and an

ass*e iation with the "Lodge of Antiquity",

2

presented W Bro Granville with new "undress"

to all Group

ries, otherwise Mel

ca

n

be

contacted on 01905 351581

appear at the end of the Masonic Year Book.

ISSUE No: 6

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MINSTER RACE NIGHT As one Appeal ends, so another begins.

That's Freemasonry for you. But before we consign the Library & Museum Appeal to Masonic history, we should briefly

reflect upon what the Appeal

has

achieved, There has been a Library and Museum in the Province of Worcestershire for nearly L20 years and although it is widely regarded as being the finest Library & Museum outside of Great Queen Street it has endured a financially precarious existence. The aim of the Appeal was to raise enough money to create a sound financial structure which would secure the future of the Library & Museum for many years to come.

For the last three and a half years the Brethren of Worcestershire have been "encou

raged"

to

dressed masons

become the best in the country by

purchasing special edition shitts, ties, braces, hdnkies, badges and jewel holders from me and my team of ex car and double glazing salesmen ! In addition, the Library & Museum

representatives

in

each Lodge

future of our Library and Museum for

a

long, long time.

Some

of the money has already been

The result of this combined effort is that the Appeal has raised the magnificent sum of 82O4,O00, an achievement of which we can all be very proud and a sum of money that most certainly ensures the

in

Kidderminster, will be holding a Race Night to raise funds for the Appeal 2011 and Lodge charities at the Masonic Hall,

rport-on-Severn

on

rday

spent on the archive store at Bromsgrove

Stou

and the purchase

computer equipment for the Museum itself, Work is now wel! under way in

August 2006. Admission will be by race cards, at t1.00 each, between 7.30 and 8.00 pm. Family and friends will be made

refurbishing the extension into the old

most welcome.

caretaker's flat at Rainbow Hill which will create an extra 600/o of display area plus the provision of office and workshop space and disabled access. When

For further details contact the W M, Bro Arthur O Morris, on 01885 410308,

of new office and

completed, this will surely give us a facility of which we can be enormously

wM

proud and one which will finally do justice collection of exhibits

to the wondefful

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HAS TWTNS, NO'I KITTENS

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contained within the Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire Library and Museum.

It is hoped that the work will be finished in time for the beginning of the new Masonic season in September. Perhaps a visit after that date to the Library and Museum coupled with Sunday lunch would make for a most enjoyable Lodge social event for you, your family and friends.

Whilst Masters often have kittens around

have

worked tirelessly to raise money in many other ways to suppoft the Appeal.

Minster Lodge No 5581, meeting

Finally, a sincere thank you to all of the

Appea! Committee members and the Lodge Representatives for their hard work and to all of the Brethren who helped us achieve this tremendous result,

W Bro Howard Wilson, Library & Museum Appeal Committee Chairman

the time of a ceremony, one

Worshipful

Master has had twins.

Pennie, the wife of Bro Neil H Francis, the Worshipful Master of Royds Lodge No 1204

meeting in Malvern/ gave bifth to twin daughters Harriet and Madison on 25 January at Worcester Royal.

It was eventful night as it was the first time in the hospital's history that three sets of twins were being born on the same evening.

Tenbury Primary

School

t500

L200 MacMillan Nurses Fund L200 Tenbury Kemp Hospice f 100 Help the Aged Headway (North Worcestershire) f 100 [500 Tenbury Town Band f600 County Air Ambulance f 100 Caf6 27 (Tenbury Wells) f200 Tenbury Wells CAB Masonic Library & Museum Appeal f200 Royal National Lifeboat Institution L200 f 100 Royal British Legion Poppy Tenbury Town Christmas f 500 The Grand Charity Tsunami Appeal f200

Charity

I

am very grateful to W Bro John

W

Rawlings PPGReg for the list of charitable

donations made by the Lodge of St Michael No L097, the ninth oldest Lodge in the province, which meets at Tenbury Wells.

During the year 2002 the Lodge donated [3,005 to local charities and its donations for the period January 1 2003 to March 31 2005 are listed as follows: MARCH 2006

Fund Lights

TOTAL

E3,7OO

Most of these donations to local charities

were handed over at a reception and 'Cheese & Wine' evening held at the Lodge of St Michael on 4 February 2005, The event was captured in the adjacent photog raph.

For the technically minded, Pennie had no problems, was in labour for a minimum period and gave bifth naturally to the great relief of everybody. The girls are sister to James and are doing

well. The household

is

pretty busy with all three siblings under the age of three years.

This cannot happen often to the Master of a Lodge.

THANKYOU I

th is sixth issue of Source. As you can see,

hope you enjoy

Worcestershire

wherever possible

I have attributed

contributions and given the location of Lodges so that you can see the Newsletter is covering the whole of the Province. I am very grateful to everyone who has contacted me or sent me items, particularly with photographs. It is your Newsletter and you are answering my call for

news'

Editor 3

W @

REMARKABLE GENEROSITY FOR CHILDREN The Mark and Royal Ark Mariner Masons of Worcester again entered into the Christmas spirit and this was the foutth year they had donned Father Christmas outfits and entertained children at St Peters Garden Centre, Worcester. This was all made possible by the generosity of proprietor Worshipful Brother Tony Blake in providing the grotto facilities and presents and Worshipful Brother Bob Reid, chief motivator of 'Project Santa'.

Some L7,000 has been donated to Children's Charities in Worcester.

Acorns Children's Hospice Appeal was the beneficiary in the first two years and then the Noah's Ark Trust for Bereaved Children.

This year L2,500 was raised for Noah's Ark Trust over the four weekends in December. 1050 children passed through the grotto keeping the volunteer Masons busy and there was also a contribution from the Wishing Well.

As usual there was the informal celebratory gathering at the close of business on the last Sunday before Christmas in the Garden Centre Restaurant when the'Santas'were joined by their ladies and several representatives of the Mark Province of Woreestershire led by RW Bro Francis C Spencer. Mr Mike Vial, Chief Executive of the Trust also attended.

A.B'IGff,'L

Back row L to R W Bro Bob Rice, W Bro Tony Blake, W Bro Mel Broadhurst, W Bro Terry Hewlett, W Bro David Brown, W Bro Ivor Evans and Mark Grand Treasurer, Stuart Edwards.

Front row L to R W Bro Norman Yarnell, Bro Tony Bryan, W Bro Bob Reid, Father Christmas Bro Neil Francis, Provincial Grand Master, Frank Spencer; W Bro Les Mason.

C W Bro J H Bond PPSGW, better known as

Harry, has decided to stop pulling the organ stops at Masonic meetings. Bro Harry was initiated in Stechford Lodge No in March L957 and from 1958

3185

for Lodges meeting at Kings Heath, Stechford and Yenton

talents were recognised when he held the office of Provincial Grand Organist from 1972 to 1975. He also held the office of Provincial Grand Choir Master for a period during the time when R W Bro Edward F

provided music

Hanson was Provincial Grand Master.

Masonic rooms. He also played for Royal Arch and Rose Croix Chapters.

Bro Harry is an Honorary Member of Almacantar Lodge No 7023 and two

Although not a professional musician, Bro

Lodges in Warwickshire. We wish him a long and happy retirement to enjoy a rest whilst others entertain him.

Harry was also a church organist for a number of parishes and his musical

W Bro John R Gaston, the Provincial Grand Charity Steward, recently presented some TLC Teddies to Russells Hal I Emergency Department.

Gordon John T Pearce

The Matron wrote a very kind letter

Worshipful Brother Gordon John T Pearce PJGD passed away on Christmas Day in hospital on the Isle of Wight, having been in

thanking him saying'AII the children who have received them have been delighted and will now have a pleasant recollection

of their visit to the Department. The children's parents and my staff all agree is a wonderful idea and gesture."

that it

poor health for some time.

Brother Gordon was initiated into Coronation Lodge No. 5680 on lV January 1966, was Worshipful Master of the Lodge in L978. He was also an honorary member of Robin Hood Lodge No. 5877 from February L987.

On 1st March 2006, Lechmere Volunteer Lodge No 1874 celebrated this historic milestone in the company of the Provincial Grand Master.

W Bro Spencer Fenn organised a presentation

on Masonic Regalia of all the degrees and orders in Worcestershire, modelled by members of the Lodge. Many visitors and their

ladies enjoyed sharing occasion.

in this very

special

Brother Gordon was appointed the Provincial Senior Grand Warden in 1983 and Provincial Grand Secretary in 1985, which office he held

until 1988, soon after which he retired to the Isle of Wight. He was appointed to Grand Rank (PAGDC) in 1986 and promoted to PJGD in 1995.

Gordon was exalted into Kings Heath R.A. Chapter No. 3863 on 19 November 7975, became MEZ in LgBz and was appointed Provincial Grand Scribe N in 1984, Appointed Assistant Provincial Scribe E in 1985, he was then promoted to Provincial Grand Scribe E in 1986, an office he held until 1988. He was appointed to PGSTB in Supreme Grand Chapter in 1987 and promoted to PAGSoj in 1996, He was a joining member of Needles R A Chapter No. 2B3B (Hants & I of W) in 1989.

,

Published hy,,The Provincial Grand Lodge of ,W6r.*utershire. i, Provincial OfFice, 94 Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, 861 ODF Articles may not be reproduced withbut written authority, Editor: Keith Blizzard would be pleased to receive articles, news and photographs for publication Challinors Blizzaf: 83 3EF Iff:floyr",.!?:2.?,Newhall,ltrg*!:.Birminsham Tel: 0121 233 8610 Email: keith.blizzard@challinors.co,uk

Don't forget to log on to our new website....,.. 'Worcestershirepgl.org.uk'

ISSUE No: 6