Welsh Lead the Way on Survey

North Wales is the first Province to make a 100% return to the Historical Records Survey, one of the largest to be conducted by a private institution. Provincial Grand Master Ieuan Redvers Jones said: ‘We are thrilled that we have, as a Province, completed the Survey. Being the first Province to do so is an added bonus.
     ‘The Survey has focused attention on the records of Freemasonry in North Wales, which are vital resources for students and authors researching our long history.’ Len Reilly, Project Manager at the Library and Museum, who has been collating the Survey forms, said: ‘We are expecting this work to lead to papers on the social history of England and Wales for use in the Tercentenary in 2017.’
     ‘I have had invaluable support from Provincial and Metropolitan co-ordinators – now the project is really moving ahead. Survey forms have been distributed, training sessions held and secretaries and scribes have been sending forms to me, preferably in electronic form.’
     ‘The organised institution of Freemasonry is nearly three hundred years old and I expect that we are going to surprise ourselves and the research community with the wealth of records held by lodges and chapters.’
     For further information contact your Provincial or Metropolitan Office for details of your local co-ordinator or Len Reilly at libmus@freemasonry.london.museum

Inaugural Mentoring Conference

Seventy Brethren representing every Provincial and Metropolitan Grand Lodge attended the first Mentoring Conference. They were addressed by the Pro Grand Master Lord Northampton, who stressed that mentoring was essential to the successful future of the Craft.
     The conference was held in response to the recommendation of the Rulers’ Forum Working Party that there should be a channel for Provinces to share their experiences and assist each other in developing their mentoring schemes.
     James Bartlett, the Mentoring Scheme Coordinator, said that there was enough experience in the Craft and probably among the Brethren in that room to provide guidance to anyone setting up a scheme, if only it could be communicated, and that this conference was the start of the process.
     Toby Jones, from the Gloucestershire mentoring team, introduced the dedicated website for the mentoring community, which is to be developed as a library for everyone involved in membership development. Nick Cripps, Worcestershire Provincial Grand Mentor-designate, gave a presentation on the selection and training of mentors in Worcestershire.
     Grand Secretary Nigel Brown led a debate on the way forward. Subjects ranged from the involvement of Proposers and Seconders of candidates and the correct introduction to the Royal Arch, to the benefits of life-long mentoring throughout a brother’s masonic career and the involvement of a brother’s family. It was also decided to hold regional discussion groups.
     The Mentor needs to be able to tell his charge about all aspects of masonry. One of the central themes of the Initiation ceremony is charity and Hugh Stubbs, President of the Masonic Samaritan Fund, spoke on how to introduce the subject without confusing the new brother.
     The talk included some very poignant examples of the work of the central charities and Hugh pointed out how sad it was that so many masons and their families were ignorant of this aspect of the Craft. Another conference is to be held next year.

RMTGB Chorister Enthroned as Boy Bishop

Last December, Patrick Dunachie, aged 15, a Chorister supported under the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys (RMTGB) Choral Bursary Scheme, was enthroned as Boy Bishop in the historic ‘Ceremony of the Boy Bishop’ at Hereford Cathedral.
     The ceremony, medieval in origin, recognises the importance of revelry and celebration in fighting off the cold and dark of mid-winter and was originally devised with fun-loving choristers in mind.
     The climax comes when the chosen boy replaces the Bishop of the diocese on the throne, going on to lead the prayers and preach a sermon written by him. Hereford Cathedral is one of only a few cathedrals that continue to practice this tradition. When selected, Patrick said: ‘I feel very privileged, but also rather apprehensive, particularly about the business of writing the sermon! It is probably the most important part of my role as Boy Bishop, and is the main opportunity to ‘make my mark’.
     ‘In today’s media, children are portrayed in a stereotypical way and the Boy Bishop Service is the other side of the story. All the choristers I know work, practice and study very hard. They take their role very seriously and are very much the opposite of the stereotype of young people today. The Boy Bishop Service is a good opportunity for us to demonstrate this.’
     Patrick is a pupil at Hereford Cathedral School and a former head chorister of the Cathedral Choir. He currently sings with the Birmingham-based choral group ‘Ex Cathedra’, performing across the UK, most recently at Birmingham’s newly refurbished Town Hall in a performance of Mendelssohn’s Elijah. Patrick also plays the flute. He lives in Ludlow with his parents.
     The RMTGB Choral Bursary Scheme has supported Patrick since 2002. Last year, 26 Choristers received Bursaries at Cathedral schools and similar bodies in England and Wales. For further information about this scheme or other initiatives operated by the RMTGB visit www.rmtgb.org

Authors’ Lodge Goes Back to the Future

Founded just ninety-nine years ago, by and for members of Authors’ Club, Authors’ Lodge was awarded the prestigious number 3456 by Grand Lodge.
     Since this auspicious start, the lodge has continued to make a name for itself. How many lodges can claim to have received, at their consecration, goodwill messages from Rudyard Kipling, Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle and Rider Haggard?
     The lodge has its own unique Grand Lodgeapproved ritual, and for a number of years published its own Transactions. It is one of only a few London lodges to practice the full Board of Installed Masters ceremony (make sure you bring your plumb line if you attend).
     Now, in the lead-up to celebrating its centenary in November 2010, Authors’ Lodge is reviving its ancient connections. Communications have opened up again with Authors’ Club, masonic members of which have recently visited the lodge. On 20 May, at Great Queen Street, Authors’ Lodge No. 3456, will hold a special meeting to which masonic authors, who have published on masonic or non-masonic matters, are being especially invited.
     On that occasion visitors will hear about the history of the lodge, its unique and peculiar features and its aspirations for the future. If you wish to attend, please contact the lodge secretary Ron Selby: i.r.selby@ntlworld.com

Grand Master at Special June Event

The Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Kent, KG, is to attend a special event to be hosted by the Freemasons’ Grand Charity at 6pm on Wednesday, 3 June 2009, in the Grand Temple, Freemasons’ Hall, London.
     The evening will mark the formal presentation of grants to be made by The Freemasons’ Grand Charity on behalf of the entire Craft in commemoration of HRH The Duke of Kent’s 40th anniversary as Grand Master. Tickets for the event, which will be followed by a reception of wine and canapés, are available at £10 per head.
     To obtain tickets for the evening an application form must be completed and returned by post, with full payment and a SAE. The application form is available at www.grandcharity.org or you can request a copy by post or email, by calling 020 7395 9261. Closing date for applications is 15 May 2009.
     Please note that tickets are limited and will be issued on a strictly first come, first served basis.

Prince Philip Thanks Buckinghamshire Masons for Donation

Buckinghamshire Freemasons received the royal seal of approval when Prince Philip recognised the Province’s five-figure donation to a community project.
     ‘I believe you put a considerable sum towards this place’ he commented at the opening of the new Scout and Guide HQ near Staines, Surrey. The Bucks Masonic Centenary Fund (BMCF) contributed around £10,000 towards the centre on The Green, at Wraysbury.
     Bucks Provincial Grand Master Ray Reed and Gary Brodie, BMCF Centre Coordinator at Slough, were presented to Prince Philip at the opening ceremony.
     Ray Reed said: ‘I was very impressed that Prince Philip knew about our work behind the scenes on the project. His interest and recognition are very important for our work in gently modernising the Craft in Buckinghamshire.’
     Bucks masons paid for special flooring used throughout the building and the donation is recorded on a plaque at the entrance.
     Gary Brodie said: ‘One of the advantages of the structured giving that we advocate is that it can make a difference when multiplied by many thousands, and we can claim back 28p for each pound given from the taxman through the Gift Aid scheme.’

Knights Templar Launch Hospital Appeal

The Knights Templar Festival Appeal 2010 will be launched at the forthcoming Grand Priory meeting in May.
     The festival, covering all Provinces and Preceptories, will be conducted under the banner of the Preceptory of St John the Almoner No. 625 to raise funds for the Order’s principal Charity, the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital, and to make a formal presentation during a Pilgrimage Tour in June 2010.
     The hospital is the main provider of eye care in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. In 2008, they treated 93,657 patients – 25,579 under the age of 18. Training local doctors and nurses is also an essential objective of the Group. They recognise that in training local people they are investing in the region and helping to rebuild its fractured infrastructure. They treat patients regardless of race, religion or ability to pay.
     The 10-day pilgrimage tour will encompass a number of sites of both religious and masonic significance including Jerusalem, Acre, Mount Tabor and Tiberius. It is hoped to hold a masonic meeting in King Solomon’s Quarries and conclude with a tour and formal reception at the hospital.
     For more information contact ktf2010@mmh.org.uk or write to KT Festival, 86 St James’s St, London SW1A 1PL. Go to www.stjohneyehospital.org for information about the hospital.

Arson Hits Co-Masons in Ulster

Arson has struck at a masonic hall in Newtownards, Northern Ireland, owned by Lodge St. Patrick and used by other lodges and chapters of The International Order of Co-Freemasonry, Le Droit Humain.
     The premises were burgled, ransacked and torched. There was extensive damage to the main room, the temple, ante-room and ground floor, with curtains set on fire and the floor burnt through. There was also extensive smoke damage. Some items are now with the police for forensic examination.
     A Co-Masonry spokesman said: ‘The stolen objects have little intrinsic value, but rather great sentimental value since they remind masons of the considerable wealth, esoteric and humanitarian heritage established by those who have gone before.’
     This attack is not an isolated incident. In June 2004, Co-Masonic premises in Northampton, used by Lodge Mercury, were burgled and damaged. More recently, just before Christmas, vandals smashed the notice board and fencing at the British headquarters of the Order in Surbiton, Surrey.
     Co-Masonry, an Order including men and women, is not recognised by the United Grand Lodge of England.