Warwickshire Provincial Grand Lodge News
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Older Items can be accessed from the News Archive.
Warwickshire Freemasons and their Lodges have the opportunity of donating towards our Province's own appeal to assist with the relief efforts following the devastating earthquakes in Haiti. Provincial Grand Almoner W Bro Chris Grove was not surprised when the Charity Office started receiving calls enquiring if the Province was planning an appeal. With the Provincial Grand Master's approval the necessary arrangements have been put in place for a coordinated collection.
Reflecting that the Province was able to send a total of £44,500 in 2005 towards the Asian Tsunami appeal Chris said: "Once again Warwickshire Freemasons have expressed their willingness to respond to assist the misfortune of others. Already cheques are arriving and we will send appropriate amounts onto the British Red Cross at regular intervals as donations accumulate."
Cheques from Lodges, or individual Brethren, should be made payable to WMCA (Haiti Appeal) and sent to the Charity Office, 2 Stirling Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B16 9SB. posted 2 Feb 2010
Final Call for Newsletter Advertising
The Spring edition of the Provincial Newsletter is being finalised, and there is a small amount of space left for advertisers. Rates are £100 quarter page, £200 half page, £400 full page. If you wish to take advantage of this unique opportunity to advertise your products or services to over 4,700 freemasons in Warwickshire (the newsletter is mailed directly to them all at their homes), please contact W Bro John Davis 0121 241 3403 (b) or 07977 592414 (m), email: johnwdavis@blueyonder.co.uk, as soon as possible.
A copy of the last Newsletter can be seen here. posted 2 Feb 2010
Recent developments in the Mentoring programme include the publication of a number of important documents available to everyone by accessing the Mentoring section (in the Contacts menu) of the Website. One of these is a talk, which can be read in open Lodge or preferably presented to the Lodge by one of the Provincial Mentoring team so questions can be asked and answers given or sought.
There is also a new workshop for all would be Mentors, which will be arranged for groups of Mentors at a convenient locality. They will also be run centrally for all-comers, and interested parties should contact the Provincial office by email to be added to a waiting list of those wishing to attend, who will be contacted direct when the next date and location is finalised.
W Bro Stuart Esworthy, The Provincial Mentor, is seeking to establish a contact in every Lodge to act as the Mentoring Co-ordinator who will co-ordinate the matching of Mentors to Mentees in their own Lodge and receive new information on training dates etc. Please submit names, e-mail addresses and phone numbers to Stuart at the Provincial Office.
Stuart also needs anecdotal evidence of where we are meeting the needs of new members but also where we might be falling short of their aspirations. These can be sent to Stuart anonymously at the Provincial Office, enabling him to tailor the mentoring programme to cover the issues of concern to our newer members. posted 2 Feb 2010
W Bro Professor Ken Durrands CBE, Master of Howe Lodge 587 in 2000, received his 50 years service to freemasonry certificate from Assistant Provincial Grand Master W Bro John Emms exactly 50 years to the day after his initiation.
W Bro Bill Grigg, who was Master in 2001 and 2005, produced a beautiful commemoration sheet for the Lodge minute book, which may be seen here. posted 2 Feb 2010
Happy New Year, but not just yet. . . . . . please wind forward to Saturday 13th February, when a unique and spectacular occasion will take place, to which all Lodge members, families and friends have been invited via the Masters of their Lodges.
This is the fabulous Chinese Valentines Ball being held at Stirling Road, organised by the Mark Social Committee and fully supported by our PGM Michael Price, who will be joining us for this great event with his wife, Dawn.
The Social Committee has organised the Ball to raise funds for the 2012 Festival. Their enviable reputation for arranging fantastic quality and value for money events goes before them, and this will be no exception!
Guests will enjoy the excellent standards provided at the newly refurbished Clarendon Suites, as well as a first class line-up of entertainment, which includes:
- setting the evening off with a very big Chinese Bang (not for the faint-hearted)
- a unique cabaret from the fabulous Blues Brothers
- dancing until midnight
- the chance to rub shoulders and compete with the "rich and famous" (aka you!) at the Casino Game, but at real-life costs
- and of course a hint of Valentine.
With Ladies' Nights becoming rarer these days, we don't see so many black tie events, unless at horrendous cost. This really will be a splendid opportunity to enjoy the sort of quality event we all look for, at a very reasonable price, and even better value with the discount for booking a whole table - why not make up a party with other members of your Lodges, Mark and Craft alike, and friends, perhaps inviting prospective candidates?
Full details and booking forms can be found in the What's On pages of both the Craft and Mark websites or here. posted 20 Jan 2010
£30,000 in Relief for Haiti Earthquake
Following the devastating earthquake which took place in Haiti on Tuesday 12th January 2010, it was announced on Thursday 14th January that the President of The Freemasons' Grand Charity has approved two emergency grants totalling £30,000. The funds have been issued to the British Red Cross and Plan.
The 7.3-magnitude quake, Haiti's worst in two centuries, struck at 1653 local time (2153 GMT) on Tuesday. The epicentre was within 10 miles of the centre of the densely-populated capital, where around one million people live, more than 50,000 people are feared dead.
The British Red Cross has been awarded £20,000 to assist with their relief efforts. Red Cross volunteers in Haiti are currently assisting the injured and supporting hospitals who do not have enough capacity to deal with this emergency. The most urgent needs at this time are search and rescue, field hospitals, emergency health, water purification, emergency shelter, logistics and telecommunications.
Plan has also been granted £10,000 in support of their efforts in dealing with the immediate aftermath of the disaster. Plan's priorities are assisting children and their families and getting people into safe accommodation wherever possible, as well as working with survivors to help ease their psychological trauma. posted 20 Jan 2010
When disaster struck Bro Paul Rowlands, who is currently Junior Warden of Charterhouse Lodge 5690, he was overwhelmed by the immediate support which appeared from his fellow Coventry Masons and those further afield.
Paul and his family were in their house when a fault between the mains electricity service in the street and the fuseboard resulted in the house catching fire. It was fortuitous that this happened in the morning when they were up and about, and that no personal injuries were incurred. Although the fire fighters attended promptly and acted swiftly, the house will have to be completely rebuilt.
Paul would like to most gratefully thank all who have come to the rescue, with offers of accommodation, provisions, help with salvaging possessions and any other assistance required following the disaster. posted 20 Jan 2010
Leigh Chapter Reveals the Arch
Brethren who would like to find out more about Royal Arch Masonry are cordially invited to attend Leigh Chapter 887, meeting at Stirling Road on Friday 5th February 2010.
Craft masons who are interested should speak with W Bro John Emms, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W Bro Chris Grove, Provincial Grand Almoner, or W Bro John Norman, Scribe Ezra (Secretary) of Leigh Chapter, telephone 01584 856571 or email hywynds@talk21.com
It is anticipated that Brethren will be invited into the Chapter Room at approximately 6.45pm, and those able to stay for dinner are welcome to do so providing they give adequate notice. posted 20 Jan 2010
Vellum Lodge 5845 will be celebrating its 400th Regular Meeting on Friday 5th February at Knowle Masonic rooms, commencing 5.30pm. The celebration will be attended by senior members of the Province, including W Bro Michael Morris, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, along with other distinguished guests.
The ceremony for the evening will be a full Emulation working of initiation, conducted by W Bro Michael Cooney, Master, who will also deliver the Charge to the candidate, a Turkish gentleman of the Muslim faith.
Guests are very welcome to attend, and should contact W Bro John Salisbury, the Assistant Secretary, telephone 01564 772842 or email jrsalisbury10@yahoo.co.uk posted 20 Jan 2010
W Bro Michael Morris, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, presented W Bro Jim Bullivant, with his 50 years Service to Freemasonry Certificate, together with a lapel badge acknowledging this.
Jim is an Honorary member of Old Dixonians Lodge 6037, his Mother Lodge. The Lodge was founded in 1945 by old boys of the former George Dixon Grammar School in Birmingham which Jim attended. He was initiated on 2nd November 1959, and installed as Master in 1970. He is a Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden in both Warwickshire and Worcestershire, and a member of Hope and Charity Lodge 377 (Worcs), and has had membership of other Lodges as well.
The presentation took place at Jim's home. Although he would have liked to, he felt it would have been just too much for him to attend a Lodge meeting for the presentation as, although he looks to be in good shape for his age (88), he has considerable difficulty in standing and walking these days. It was a very pleasant gathering, on a fine afternoon, attended by W Bro Nigel Clemson (Secretary) and W Bro Bill Stonehouse (Almoner) of Old Dixonians Lodge together with three members of Hope and Charity Lodge to witness the presentation, all toasting the occasion with champagne. posted 20 Jan 2010
W Bro Michael Morris also presented a 50 year Certificate and badge to W Bro David Cadman at the Old Veseyan Lodge 7924.
David was a founder of the Lodge, having attended Bishop Vesey's Grammar School, when the Lodge was consecrated in 1963, and is the senior Past Master, having been Master in 1970. He is also a Past Master of the Lodge of Harmony 6888, which sadly no longer exists.
Having moved to Kenilworth some years ago, David is unable to attend as many meetings as he would wish, and the Lodge was very grateful for the assistance of W Bro John Atkinson from Sutton Coldfield Lodge 8960 in helping David attend this special occasion, and in kindly providing the photograph. posted 20 Jan 2010
A Very Special Installation Meeting
The Provincial Grand Master presided at the Installation meeting of St John's Lodge 2811, attended by Masters and representatives from twenty eight other St John's Lodges, and eleven other Coventry Lodges. For a full report and photograph see Lodge News posted 20 Jan 2010
The Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Michael J Price CBE, has announced that he will be retiring as Provincial Grand Master on 13th June 2010.
He will meanwhile continue to discharge his duties with his fullest energies, and acknowledges the service by many loyal colleagues with whose unstinting assistance and support, since his installation on 5th September 2001, the Province and its Lodges have continued to evolve. New initiatives have been successfully introduced and a Festival launched, all without upsetting the delicate balance of our traditions.
Having experienced an extremely busy life in serving the Province, which without the wonderful support of both his wife Dawn and the Brethren of Warwickshire he could not have done, he admits that the early years were challenging particularly in regard to revitalising Edgbaston Assembly Rooms Ltd. That now behind us, his successor will be able to lead a successful business and a happy Province.
In thanking all the Brethren in the Province for the kindness, generosity and support they have always shown to him, especially when visiting Lodges, he states what a privilege it is to have had the opportunity to serve them as Provincial Grand Master, and how proud he is of the Province of Warwickshire and the Brethren therein.
The choice of successor is entirely a matter for the Grand Master and will be announced at a future Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge once a decision has been made.
The Provincial Grand Master is looking forward in the coming years to being able to devote more time to his family and his interests outside Freemasonry, much of which has been impossible during the past nine years, and wishes all Brethren a very Happy, Peaceful and Prosperous New Year. posted 11 Jan 2010
W Bro Steve Cox, Past Master of the Lodge of the Round Table 8424, has for the second time helped provide care to the needy people of the Peruvian Amazon, previously having been assisted by a donation from the Province to The Vine Trust.
The people in this part of the world have little access to medical facilities and all but the basics have to be paid for. There are huge numbers of children, 55% of the population are under 25, 5% of babies die before their 5th birthday and the maternal death rate is the fourth highest in the world.
For full details and photographs, see the Lodge News page. posted 11 Jan 2010
The Warwickshire Installed Mark Masters Lodge 1400 are holding a Ladies Festival Weekend at the Mayfair Hotel, St Helier, Jersey from 26-28 March, to which all Masons and their friends are invited. There are a few places left, full details can be seen on the Mark What's On page. posted 11 Jan 2010
Many congratulations to our past Deputy Provincial Grand Master, VW Bro Victor Keene, appointed as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) 
in the New Year's Honours list, awarded for Services to the Community in Coventry.
This arises mainly from his community work in Coventry as Chairman of Trustees of the Coventry Church (Municipal) Charities and Crossroads Care, Coventry & Warwickshire. posted 6 Jan 2010
The Freemasons' Grand Charity has continued its annual programme of support by donating £500,000 to hospices across England and Wales. The money is an important contribution towards the millions of pounds needed each and every year to ensure these respected services can continue providing free physical, emotional, social and spiritual care to patients and their families. In total 225 services will receive a grant. In addition to this grant £150,000 was awarded to Lifelites, to provide educational and recreation technology for children in hospices.
Freemasons have been dedicated in their support for hospices across England and Wales for the past 25 years, and this takes the total donations to the sector to more than £8 million, complementing the generosity Provincial and individual Masonic Lodges regularly show for their local services.
A full list of hospice grants can be seen at www.grandcharity.org/hospice_grants.php posted 6 Jan 2010
Lodge of Perseverance 4622 will be celebrating their 600th meeting on Saturday 20th February 2010 at Yenton Assembly Rooms, Erdington, and cordially invite members of all other Lodges to join them on this momentous occasion.
For full details, contact the Lodge Secretary, Graham Lewis, tel: 07952 569060 or email: graham@grahamlewis.co.uk posted 6 Jan 2010
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23:24
There are only [clock2] days to go to the 2012 Festival and [clock1] days before the 300th Anniversary celebrations of Freemasonry in 2017.