Warwickshire Provincial Grand Lodge Newsletter
February 2008
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A night to remember
Those who were privileged to attend the regular meeting of Concord Lodge in December were witnesses to a delightful and memorable presentation of a 60 year certificate by the RW Provincial Grand Master to RW Bro Stanley Alan Lates OSM, the immediate Past Provincial Grand Master. It was not so much a presentation more like an informal chat between two old friends exchanging stories. Not that he needed it but Stanley was encouraged by the Provincial Grand Master to speak about his personal, military and Masonic lives, which he did in great detail much to the amusement on several occasions of the assembled Brethren. The incomparable Stanley has a dry wit and this was much in evidence on this very special evening. Stanley is held in high regard and much loved by all Brethren and we congratulate him on this extraordinary achievement and wish him many more happy years among us.
Changes at the top
The RW Provincial Grand Master has been pleased to appoint W Bro Alan J Wellan as Deputy Provincial Grand Master and W Bro David F Macey as Assistant Provincial Grand Master. Both will be invested at the Annual Meeting in April.
Masons do their duty
The Provincial Grand Master is most grateful to the Brethren of Warwickshire and those beyond for their outstanding generosity in response to his appeal in February 2008 November to assist the families of those four courageous firefighters who lost their lives in the devastating fire at Atherstone on Stour at the beginning of November. Donations to the Warwickshire Firefighters Families Fund from Freemasons amount thus far to £45,000.
Provincial Grand Wardens
W Bro Rex Lowin and W Bro Philip Wills are to be the Provincial Senior Grand Warden and Provincial Junior Grand Warden respectively for 2008/2009.
Provincial Grand Principals
The ME Grand Superintendent, John L Saint, has had pleasure in appointing E Comp Rex Lowin as Second Provincial Grand Principal and E Comp Michael Irving as Third Provincial Grand Principal for 2008/2009.
Provincial Grand Wardens in the Mark
The Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro David J F Rawlins, was delighted to appoint and invest W Bro Michael Baker as Provincial Grand Senior Warden and W Bro Melville Mason as Provincial Grand Junior Warden at the Annual Meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons in December.
Man at the top
Tom Gray of the Lodge of Stability is the National Appointments Officer for the Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers. He organises the umpires for the higher rounds of the Village Cup (for which some 400 village cricket teams compete), the final of which is played at Lord's.
50th Celebration
Jack Nixon of Athelstan Lodge celebrated 50 years of Freemasonry in November 2007. It was made more special by the presence of his son John, a Past Master of the Lodge, who earlier in the year had been appointed Assistant Provincial Grand Master of Berkshire.
Wrong again!
Peter Burdekin and his father were initiated on the same evening into Monolithos Lodge No 8475, at a meeting held by dispensation, on 3 May 1973. This means that St Augustine's Lodge was not the first in this respect although they initiated another father and son, Frederick and Craig Keyte, on 5 December, so two sets in the same year must make them unique. Or does it?
Grand Officers' Mess
The Grand Officers' Mess will be held on 23 April and 30 October 2008. Peter Randon is the Secretary and he is at therandons@yahoo.co.uk
Did they get wet?
Terry, Ray, and Adam Waters all took part in a Second Degree ceremony in Coleshill Lodge recently.
More in the family
Barrie Hawkins is the Inner Guard in Etone Lodge and his sons Tony and Tim are Tyler and Assistant Secretary respectively.
Tools on fire?
The presenter of the Second Degree Working Tools paused, searching for a word. This was promptly supplied by the Master who came up with "The inflammable plumb rule"!
Fancy walking for charity?
A sponsored walk in aid of the 2012 Festival will take place in Kenilworth on Saturday 5 April 2008. The aim of the walk is to make the morning an enjoyable stroll with friends as well as making money. Please get in touch with Jim Dunlop on 01926 779774 or at jim.dunlop@ntlworld.com if you wish to take part.
Long service to Freemasonry
During 2007 50 year certificates have been presented to R G Clarke of Three Spires Lodge No 6940, M Pass of Greville Lodge No 4773, A H Worwood of Doric Lodge No 4167, E M Pittaway of Lodge of the Round Table No 8424, P H R Turnbull of Stivichall Lodge No 5799, E Ball of St John's Lodge No 2811, S Dubock of St John's Lodge No 2811, P A Sanders of Yenton Lodge No 3484 (Obiit), T A Kent of Thomas Harper Lodge No 9612, R Miller of Warden Lodge No 794, J C Nixon of Athelstan Lodge No 1333, W N Kirsopp of Coleshill Lodge No 8272 and D T H Bunney of Bedeword Lodge No 7274. 60 year certificates have been presented to R A Partridge of Forward Lodge No 1180, A B Greenstone of the Lodge of Loyalty No 4340, and J Millward of Ipsley Lodge No 6491.
Keep a secret!
Radio Scotland broadcaster Billy Kay presented a four-part series on Freemasonry in November. He had interviewed the former Grand Master, Lord Elgin, who mentioned to him a folk tune entitled 'The Merry Masons'. Days later, Billy met leading Scottish fiddler Derek Hoy and asked him if he knew 'The Merry Masons'. "I know it, and I could play it for you," said Derek. "But I'd have to kill you afterwards!"
Working for charity
Walter Pearce of Three Shires Lodge No 5103 and his friends in the Stourbridge Group of The Ramblers Association, together with other members of the Lodge, performed a short Murder Mystery Play in October. The evening raised £840.45 of which £440.45 has gone to the 2012 Festival.
But where do you wear them?
The clothing requirements set out in the summons for a Warwickshire Lodge included 'white glooves'!
Christmas Fayre
The Christmas Fayre organised by the Ladies' Gift Fund for Masonic Charities and held in November raised over £3,300 for the three Provinces of Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
We're in the paper!
A clue in a recent Times Crossword reads: "For years men have built such fellow feeling" (11). The answer (an anagram of the first three words) was - Freemasonry !
An historic beginning
The Lodge of Industry Installation Meeting in September 2007 saw Masonic history being made. Nigel Bister was presiding for the first time as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Sanjiv Jain was initiated, and Derek Gulliver was proclaimed as Master. The Lodge was supported by 12 members of the Provincial Lodge Support Team lead by Peter Sorrill.
I never knew that!
The Grand Stewards Lodge, Lodge of Antiquity No 2, Royal Somerset House and Inverness Lodge No 4, Lodge of Fortitude and Old Cumberland No 12, and Royal Alpha Lodge No 16 are all Lodges under the direct jurisdiction of the Grand Master.
Lodge initiates Warden!
At the January meeting of St John's Lodge Christian Warden was initiated.
Lodge Raffles
There is no objection to Lodges conducting raffles at their Festive Boards but there are rules to which strict adherence is required. Prior to the raffle being undertaken the Master or other appropriate officer must announce the prizes, the destination of the proceeds, and the price of tickets. In this latter respect it is illegal to offer tickets at a discounted price e.g. 25p each or five for a £1.
Another family affair
James Blackburn, an 18 year old Lewis, was initiated recently in Grosvenor Lodge. His father Robert was Junior Deacon, uncle Norman Blackburn delivered the charge after Initiation and the Working Tools were presented by Alfred Blackburn, James's grandfather.
Dress code
Brethren visiting Coventry Masonic Hall must not wear trainers, flip-flops, cargo pants, jeans, trousers with a draw string waist or legs, T-shirts, vests, tracksuits, football or rugby shirts and shorts - by order of the directors.
To brighten your day
Leslie Sunshine marks the setting sun as the current Senior Warden of Stoneleigh Lodge.
News from Grand Lodge
At the Communication of the Grand Lodge in December seven Lodges were removed from the register in order to amalgamate with other Lodges. Thirty one Lodges were erased from the register since they had closed and surrendered their Warrants. Twelve of these Lodges come from the Province of East Lancashire.
Prestonian Lectures for 2008
The Board of General Purposes has decided that one of the four official deliveries of the Prestonian Lectures in 2008 should be given under the auspices of the Warwickshire Installed Masters' Lodge No 4538. The Lecturer is W Bro R D T Sillett PJGD and the title of his lecture is 'The language of the ritual'. The official delivery will take place at 2 Stirling Road, Edgbaston on 31 March at 6.00pm. Brethren are urged to make their reservations now on trevor.siddall@talk21.com or 01604 830467 to avoid disappointment. This is a great privilege for the Lodge to be just one of four Lodges in the English Constitution to host an official delivery in 2008. It is an opportunity for Brethren that must not be missed.
A meeting of celebrations
Brethren of the Lodge of Faith and Hope had three good reasons for celebration at the regular meeting in November. It was the Lodge's 82nd anniversary of its Consecration, John Simmonds took part in the ceremony of Raising exactly 40 years after his initiation, and the Secretary announced the appointment of Philip Wills, a Past Master of the Lodge, as Provincial Junior Grand Warden for 2008/2009.
He's behind you!
Shrieks of laughter, shouts of 'He's behind you' and lots of singing and applause were the wonderful responses of some 200 children with severe learning and physical disabilities and their 50 adult carers when they were entertained to a magical performance of Jack and the Beanstalk at Stirling Road in December. The imaginative initiative of the Provincial Grand Master, the pantomime was a jointly funded operation between the Province and the Birmingham and Solihull Taxi Drivers Association. This delightful event was graced by the presence of the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Birmingham who joined in all the fun. Thanks are due to many but in particular to Roger Parker and his organising Committee, Chaplins and their professional actors who transformed the main dining room into a theatre, to Peter Astfalck for his magic, to Mike Shingler and his fellow taxi drivers, and to Diane Hepworth and her staff. Each child on leaving received a present, which had been provided by the taxi drivers, from Father Christmas. The Provincial Grand Master was so delighted with the success of the pantomime that he has agreed that the event should be repeated this year.
New Lodges
The MW the Grand Master has approved Warrants for Wenceslas Lodge in Worcestershire, Sir Edward Elgar Lodge in East Kent, Lodge of Hope in Nigeria, and Mike Hailwood Lodge in Warwickshire.
Where does the Initiate sit?
There is evidence that some Lodges are still unaware of, or are ignoring, the edict of Grand Lodge which determines where the Initiate should sit after his ceremony has been completed. The edict, binding on all private Lodges, requires that the Initiate be seated in the north-east on the right of the Senior Deacon. Lodges have no discretion in this matter.
A problem worth having!
As a result of an open evening in November Stivichall Lodge has six candidates for Initiation. Preparations are already underway for emergency meetings. What a delightful problem to have.
Membership
As at 1 January 2008 we have 4874 Members in the Province and 6008 memberships for 196 Lodges.
Attention!
George Thursfield of the Lodge of Harmony was presented to HRH the Duke of Kent as Colonel of the Scots Guards Regiment at Glamis Castle recently. George is interested in forming a local branch of former Scots Guardsmen. Those who are qualified should make contact with him on george3thurs@tiscali.co.uk
Obligation discharged
The Board of Directors of the Solihull Masonic Hall have discharged their obligation by repaying the loan they had from the Heritage Fund for extensions and improvements to their premises.
Very charitable!
The proceeds of the charity collection and the raffle will be donated to the "Warwickshire Basonic Malevolent Fund", said the chairman at a Masonic luncheon recently.
Orators
The Board of General Purposes is recommending to the Grand Lodge the appointment of a Grand Orator to be mirrored at Metropolitan, Provincial and District level, who will have the responsibility of managing and organising talks, lectures and orations. In addition to the administrative functions of the office he may also write and deliver talks, lectures and orations himself, though it is not essential that he should do so. The proposal is likely to be approved in March. The first Provincial Grand Orator for Warwickshire will be W Bro Trevor Sturt PAGDC.
In the chair again
Peter Waring was installed as Master of the Oaks of Arden Lodge in December, exactly twenty five years to the day when he was first installed into that chair.
Lodge supports lifeboat appeal
Although far from the sea the Lodge of Integrity has presented £1,500 to the City of Birmingham Tamar Lifeboat for Angle (Pembrokeshire) Appeal. The target for the appeal is £1m.
Now a Mumbai Mason
Tony Ingram of the Lodge of Academe is on business in Mumbai for a year and has joined The Silvery Dawn Lodge No 7700 (EC). Annual Lodge fees are £18.30! At the end of his first meeting Tony went with the members to a local restaurant for dinner. The bill for all 30 was paid by the Master.
Skydiving for charity
Sue Smith, the wife of the Master of the Fire Service Lodge, recently undertook a sponsored skydive of which 2.5 miles was free fall. Sue raised some £3,300 for Leukaemia Research.
Congratulations
Our hearty and warmest congratulations to Olive and Ken Goodfellow (Bedford Lodge) who were married in New Zealand in November on the occasion of the 50th birthday of Ken's son who lives there. May they have many happy years together.
Air Ambulance benefits
The Lodge of Impartiality held a Christmas party and members and their guests raised £1,000 for the County Air Ambulance.
A senior moment?
Roger Parker and his charming wife Barbara sent many Christmas cards to their relatives and friends. Some of the recipients were left guessing as to their origin, however, since the names on the envelopes did not match the names on the cards! Never mind, it's the thought that counts.
Reading Court Christmas Lunch
In December the residents of Reading Court were transported to a local hotel and entertained to lunch. The party of fifty had a most enjoyable time as guests of the Freemasons of Warwickshire. Geoff Clarke, a member of David Garrick Lodge, has had a close association with Reading Court since prior to its being built, and Alan Wellan, Chairman, made a special presentation to him at the lunch.
In need of relief?
At the beginning of his raising the candidate was heard to repeat the words "of this worthy and worshipful Lodge of Master Masons duly constipated"!
A very prolific Mason
Philip Syng, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in 1741, had eighteen children.
Guide dog
Earl Leofric Lodge is sponsoring the training of a guide dog for a blind person. The dog is to be called 'Leofric'.
Warwickshire Life
The Information Officer has agreed to write a monthly article about Freemasonry for the 'Warwickshire Life' magazine, the first of which is scheduled to appear in the March issue. Although he has folders full of interesting material for publication, he would welcome ideas and themes from Brethren.
See you there!
Brethren are reminded that the Annual Meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge will be held on Saturday 19 April 2008. The Provincial Grand Master expects to see all his Lodges well represented at this most important event in the Provincial calendar.
Provincial Lodge Visiting Team
Peter Sorrill and the members of his visiting team have already supported a number of smaller Lodges and have contributed to the well being of those Lodges by participating in ceremonies or simply by being there. New friendships have been developed and their support is much appreciated. Lodges who have not yet benefited from a visit by members of the team are urged to get in touch with Peter on petersorrill@blueyonder.co.uk
Torn between the two?
John Richards of Prudence Lodge is the Chasetown FC Assistant Secretary and was involved in the arrangements for the recent FA Cup game against Cardiff City, which Chasetown lost by three goals to one. Although John was born in North Wales and is a Welsh speaker he remained loyal to Chasetown.
An undergraduate Initiate
The University of Birmingham Lodge will initiate, by dispensation, an undergraduate of the University this month, the first for many years.
Of Irish origin
The first known reference to Masonic Deacons appears in the Minutes of the First Lodge of Ireland (still meeting in Cork) of 2 February 1727 - over eighty years before the Office was eventually adopted by the 'Premier' Grand Lodge of England in 1809.
New Assistant
Richard Barker has been appointed as Provincial Assistant Grand Secretary.
Consecration
The Mike Hailwood Lodge No 9839 will be consecrated by the Provincial Grand Master at 2 Stirling Road, Edgbaston on Friday 25 April 2008.
Communications
Lodges are reminded that email contacts and details of Lodge Communications Officers should be with me by now. Those who have not done so should provide the information as quickly as possible.
Rodney Pitham
Information Officer
0121 744 1328
infoman@warwickshirepgl.org.uk