Masonic Variety Show at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London

Isn’t Freemasonry wonderful? Where else could you enjoy a superb family night out, be truly entertained by a host of celebrities, and at the same time raise serious money for charity?
    Hundreds of Freemasons, their wives, partners and friends, together with members of the public, did exactly that when they attended another truly successful Masonic Variety Show on Sunday 14 October 2001 at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. This was a variety show as they should be (remember Sunday Night at the London Palladium?) where all were splendidly entertained by a galaxy of brilliant stars, all of whom donated their time for the benefit of the supported charities.
    This year the funds raised were for the benefit of The New Masonic Samaritan Fund, The London Benevolent Fund, The British Forces Foundation, Abandoned & Desititute Children’s Appeal Fund, and UNICEF. At the time of going to press it was estimated that a total of some £25,000 will be contributed to these charities.
    W. Bro. Jim Davidson was the compere for the evening and he introduced a fantastic line-up of household names, including Bradley Walsh, Roger De Courcey, Claire Sweeney, Ruthie Henshall, Paul Zerdin, Tucker, Dylan Turner, Igor and Slavi, and singers and dancers from Italia Conti. The whole show was produced by Nigel Lythgoe and staged by Bonnie Lythgoe.
    We have just had it confirmed that the Variety Show will take place again in 2002, towards the end of October. Make sure that you get your tickets booked as soon as details are released, by contacting London Management at Freemasons Hall, and ensure an enjoyable night out for all the family.

Cornerstone Society in Manchester

In November, the Cornerstone Society held a conference in Freemasons’ Hall, Bridge Street, Manchester. Present, with a large number of brethren, were the Provincial Grand Master, Peter Walthall, and the Provincial Grand Secretary, Alan Garnett.
    The Cornerstone Society was founded with the support of the Pro Grand Master, Lord Northampton, in order – as organiser Kai Hughes explained – to foster a deeper understanding of the content and meaning of Freemasonry.
    Matthew Scanlan began by speaking on Freemasonry, before the formation of Grand Lodge in 1717, when operative and speculative masons were in the same lodges. Michael Baigent spoke on Initiation and the deep spirituality underlying the words of the charge in the Third Degree. Dr. Jan Snoek described the original mystical content of the Master Mason’s ritual which was lost by the time of the new ritual of 1816. The Rev. Neville Barker Cryer gave an impassioned talk on the Grand Lodge of All England at York – a Grand Master of which was recorded in 1708! - and the importance to Freemasonry of the legend of Noah before that of Hiram was introduced. Finally, John Acaster gave a lecture entitled "Does Freemasonry have a soul": he said of our ritual, "It is, or should be, a powerful experience. Hence, from this fusion of shared values and ideals, within a powerful setting which touches our deepest roots, derives the enduring quality of a Freemason".
    The Cornerstone Society plans two conferences for 2002: London and Cheshire. Check their website, www.workingtools.org

A ‘First’ for London’s Freemasons

For the first time the Grand Temple in Freemason’s Hall, London, was open to non-Freemasons during an official ceremony. This was the presentation, last October, of Senior London Grand Rank to 170 Freemasons by the Assistant Grand Master, David Williamson; in the audience were wives, partners, relatives and friends.
    W. Bro. Alderson of the sponsoring lodge, South East London Installed Masters, opened in another Temple, then there was a procession of the Master and his Officers, into the Grand Temple. Watched by the audience of masons and non-masons, the Assistant Grand Master invested the recipients with their honours. Afterwards he spoke of his pleasure at undertaking the ceremony in front of non-masons – which included his own wife and son.

Crowds at Open Day, Freemasons’ Hall

Over 4000 people visited Freemasons’ Hall when it opened for London Open House on 22 September, more than double the number who had visited in 2000. This day is London’s contribution to the annual European Heritage Days event which takes place in forty-seven countries across Europe every September. More than 500 buildings across London, many of them not usually available to the public, open for free.
    As well as being advertised in the event brochure published by The Evening Standard, Freemasons’ Hall was one of only a dozen buildings to be featured in a special Transport of London brochure produced for the event.
    The staff of the Library and Museum of Freemasonry were involved in organising the day: Director Diane Clements commented, "Visitors are keen to see inside and we are always a very popular building. However, security concerns arising from the terrorist attacks in the United States meant that a number of government buildings which had also intended to take part did not actually open and that encouraged even more people to visit here. It was tremendous to see the Grand Temple and the vestibules so full of people. They were all very complimentary about the architecture of the building".

Masonic Initiation of an Amir of Afghanistan

Habibullah Khan, the second Amir of Afghanistan (1901-1919) – effectively king of Afghanistan, although this specific title was not adopted until 1923 – was a great reformer of his country, introducing western technology, ideals and styles. He was also initiated into Freemasonry.
    In January 1907, at the invitation of the British Government, the Amir visited India. On his arrival in what is now Pakistan, he informed his astonished British hosts that he wished to become a Freemason. When asked why, he said that he had met good men who were masons and that as he knew the good quality of Freemasonry, he wished to enter it. Lord Kitchener, Commander-in-Chief of India, was masonic District Grand Master for the Punjab region and when he heard of the Amir’s desire, contacted the Grand Master, the Duke of Connaught, who was, at that time, visiting
    Sri Lanka. The latter approved. On 2nd February 1907, the Amir dined with Lord Kitchener. A secret meeting of Lodge Concordia, No. 3102, in Calcutta was called for 9.30 pm that evening.
    After dinner Lord Kitchener and the Amir drove to the Masonic Hall where members of Lodge Concordia were waiting. The Amir was duly initiated, passed and raised.
    The Amir took his obligation on the Koran; this is now on display in the Library and Museum of Freemasonry, London. The Amir’s handwritten dedication and signature can be seen.

Great Priory in Lincoln Cathedral

Over 1200 knights of the masonic Order of the Temple from all over the United Kingdom and continental Europe, were present at the Great Priory Family Church Service, held in Lincoln Cathedral by permission of the Dean and Chapter. Knights were dressed in full regalia, except for swords. Present was the Grand Master of the masonic Order of the Temple, Leslie Dring, who read a lesson during the service. Also attending were a delegation from the masonic Order of Malta and officers of the St John Ambulance.
    After the service a fleet of coaches ferried 848 of those present to the Lincolnshire County Showground for a banquet at the Exhibition Hall, presided over by the Grand Master of the Temple.

A Horse Named ‘Mason’

Bro. Chillingworth of Coningsby Lodge, No. 6383, is a volunteer ambulance driver who takes handicapped youngsters to the local Riding for the Disabled Association’s stables at Holme Lacy. He discovered that there was a horse there called `Mason’ and approached the Herefordshire Masonic Charity Association for sponsorship. The latter was happy to do so. Accordingly, the following proposition was made at the AGM: "I have made due enquiries about Mason’s suitability. He is of the full age of twenty-one years and as he does not belong to the RDA., being loaned to them, he may be considered `free’. He comes well recommended and is of sound judgement. He is a gelding and consequently of strict morals." The £1000 sponsorship would cover one year’s fodder, Vet’s and Farrier’s fees.