magazineDecember 2017
masonic news - views - interviews & upcoming events from around the province
Christmas Issue
Nottinghamshire Masons
PORTRAIT OF A DUKE PAGE 04
THE INTERVIEW PAGE 08
FREEMASONRY & SOCIAL MEDIAPAGE 20
&
&
CONTENTS DECEMBER 2017
04 Portrait of a Duke08 The Interview12 Peace, Love & Harmony14 The F Word16 Pride will not Prevent a Fall18 Pathway, The Way Forward20 Freemasonry & Social Media22 We R Here - MCF Tercentenary Award Winners24 Young Masons’ Conference26 Passing of the Veils
Please Note: Throughout this magazine, ALL internet links are ACTIVE. Simply click a link to visit the destination.
MESSAGE FROMTHE EDITOR
magazine teamEDITOR: Kevan [email protected]
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: David [email protected]
contributorsPhilip MarshallPeter BallGraham RicheTony HopewellRay Robinson-Unwin
David [email protected]
Kevan [email protected]
advertisingTo advertise in this Magazine, and obtain a per-item quote, please contact: David [email protected]
distributionThis eMagazine will be available as a downloadable PDF on the Provincial website:
https://goo.gl/iwsL8Kand circulated via email to all subscribing Nottinghamshire members.
PLEASE SEND YOUR [email protected]
Peace on earth to all men and women of goodwill, who work patiently, diligently and quietly each day, in their families and in society, to build a more humane, just and loving world, sustained by the conviction that only with peace, love, and harmony is there the possibility of a more prosperous future for all.
magazine contact
EDITOR: Kevan Goddard EMAIL: [email protected]
Published by The Provincial Grand Lodge of Nottinghamshire
0302CONTENTS WELCOME
PORTRAITOF A DUKE
AUTHOR: Ray Robinson-Unwin
William Cavendish-Bentinck was born near Perth, Scotland on 28th December 1857; the second cousin of his eccentric predecessor the 5th Duke of Portland. His birth caused the death of his mother Elizabeth just 10 months after her marriage. Five years later his father General Arthur Cavendish-Bentinck married again to Augusta, daughter of the Dean of Lismore, Ireland.
William was a descendent of Hans William Bentinck, a close friend and confidant of William Prince of Orange who later became King William 111 of England. As a reward for saving the King’s life he was created, in 1689, Earl of Portland, Baron of Cirencester and Viscount Woodstock. In 1695 he was made a Knight of the Garter and Privy Councillor. It was through the marriage of William Bentinck 2nd Duke of Portland to Lady Margaret Cavendish, grand-daughter of the Duke of Newcastle, that Welbeck passed into the family and “Bentinck” was added to their name by Royal License in 1801.
On 7th December 1879 William Cavendish-Bentinck inherited the title and estates as the 6th Duke of Portland.
His legacy included estates throughout the UK, shipyards, collieries, railways, shooting moors, employees and domestic servants. At the age of 22 he became one of the wealthiest and most eligible bachelors in England. However, for over 20 years Welbeck had been little more than a chaotic building site and William’s initial reaction was to close and abandon the house. His step-mother, Augusta, took charge of the restoration and by 1881 Welbeck was ready to receive visitors.
The grounds incorporated extensive stables, dairy farms equipped with the most modern machinery available, an 18 hole golf course and a cricket field. There were immense kitchen gardens, acres of greenhouses, and an underground ballroom. Two first class county cricket matches, Nottinghamsire v Derbyshire, were played at Welbeck in 1901 and 1904. The great Nottinghamshire
AN EXTRACT FROM “PORTRAITS OF PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTERS” BY RAY ROBINSON-UNWIN
R. W. Brother William John ArthurCharles James Cavendish-Bentinck
6th Duke of Portland, KG, GCVO, PC, TDProvincial Grand Master - Nottinghamshire
1898 - 1933
PORTRAITS OF PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTERS SERIALISATION PORTRAITS OF PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTERS SERIALISATION
0504
batsmen Edward Alletson was born at Welbeck, and the Australian batsman Don Bradman visited Welbeck in 1934 and 1948.
On 11th June 1889 William married Winifred Anna Dallas-Yorke, daughter of a Lincolnshire squire. During their marriage they had three children: Lady Victoria born in 1890; William Marquis of Titchfield, heir to the Dukedom, born in 1893; and Lord Francis Morven Dallas born in 1900. Welbeck had become one of the great social centres in England, where the Duke and Duchess entertained constantly for over 50 years. Kings, Queens, heads of state and distinguished people from all over the world enjoyed the hospitality of Welbeck.
Inheriting the stud farm and stables near Clumber Park, the Duke pursued his lifelong interest in horses. The stables he inherited and developed were the size of a small village, housing some of the most famous and valuable bloodstock in the country. An enclosed gallop of 400 yards, with a fully glazed roof, ensured that the horses could be exercised throughout the year. During the 1880s and 1890s the Duke’s horses won several races including: the Epsom Derby on two consecutive years; Goodwood; Ascot and the St Leger. From these racing victories the Duke won immense sums of money; much of which he spent on charitable causes assisting the work of the Duchess in supporting human and animal welfare.
Projects included the building of Almshouses for the elderly women of Welbeck, temporary hospitals during WW1, and land donated for the building of Harlow Wood Orthopaedic Hospital; the hospital opened in 1929 principally to provide for the victims of mining accidents. Following the end of WW2 the Duke gifted land for the building and development of Portland Training College for the Disabled. It opened in 1950 initially to provide rehabilitation for servicemen injured during WW2.
William was a prominent figure in public life both in Nottinghamshire and London. After leaving Eton in the 1870s he served as a Lieutenant in the Coldstream Guards, but on succeeding to the title as the 6th Duke of Portland he resigned his commission to concentrate on the numerous duties connected with his estates and public life. However, he maintained an involvement in military matters as Lieutenant-Colonel in the Honourable Artillery Company in London, and Honourable Colonel of the 4th Battalion Sherwood Foresters and Notts Rifle Volunteers. As Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, 1898-1939, he represented five monarchs in the County: Victoria; two Edwards and two Georges. He also held political office under Lord Salisbury and Arthur Balfour as Master of the Horse, and in later years as Chancellor of the Order of the Garter. Additionally the Duke travelled extensively in connection with his State duties, including Russia 1886, Vienna 1894, and the Coronation Durbar in Delhi 1907.
William Cavendish-Bentinck was initiated into Freemasonry in The United Lodge Nº 1629 at Freemasons Hall in London on 14th July 1880. In 1898 he joined the Household Brigade Lodge Nº 2614 and Royal Alpha
Lodge Nº 16, both Lodges were based in London. In Nottinghamshire he became a member of the new Duke of Portland Lodge Nº 2017 on its consecration in 1883, and a joining member of Forest Lodge Nº 1852, Mansfield, in April 1887. In 1892 he was appointed Senior Grand Warden in Grand Lodge.
On Thursday 7th July 1898 the Duke of Portland was installed as the 7th Provincial Grand Master of Nottinghamshire. The ceremony was performed by his half-brother RW Brother Lord Henry Cavendish, PGM of Cumberland and Westmorland, at the Albert Hall in Nottingham. Following his installation the new PGM’s first official duty was to go in procession with the members of Provincial Grand Lodge to the General Hospital where he laid the Cornerstone to the Jubilee Wing with full Masonic Honours. The Duke was to preside over the Province for the next 35 years, becoming the 2nd longest serving PGM.
The Duke was a man of great charm and a strong sense of responsibility. Despite his Court and other duties he continued to play his part in Nottinghamshire masonry. He attended most of the Meetings of Provincial Grand Lodge, and presided at the laying of numerous Foundation Stones for churches, hospitals, and schools. However, it was his Deputy PGM, Reverend Henry Telford Hayman, who visited Lodges and carried out the normal ceremonial work of the Province. In 1903 the whole of Provincial Grand Lodge formed a procession and, in full Masonic regalia, marched to the site of the new Gordon Boy’s Home on Cranmer Street, Nottingham. The Provincial Grand Lodge Summer Meeting of 1907 was held in the Underground Ballroom of Welbeck.
Following the conclusion of the meeting nearly 1900 Brethren and their ladies were entertained by the Duke in the grounds of Welbeck. On 14th November 1913 at a special meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge, the Duke laid the Foundation Stone of the King Edward wing at Mansfield Hospital. By July 1923 the Duke had completed 25 years as PGM and as a mark of respect the Brethren of the Province presented a portrait of him in his Garter Robes. In December 1928 Nottingham Masons in their top hats marched through the city streets from the Albert Hall to Goldsmith Street to witness the PGM laying the Foundation Stone for the new Masonic Hall. On 30th July 1931 the new Masonic Hall was officially opened by the Grand Secretary VW Brother Sir P Colville-Smith.
The Duke presided over two Provincial Festivals for the RMBI, 1909 and again in 1930. At the AGM in December 1932 the Duke announced his resignation and assured the Brethren that his time as PGM was one of the most pleasant experiences of his life. During his 35 years tenure in office tremendous progress had been made in the Province. The number of Lodges increased from 18 to 49, and the number of Masons from 807 to 3000.
William Cavendish-Bentinck died at Welbeck on Easter Monday 26th April 1943. His funeral was held at Welbeck with the Memorial Service being held at St Mary’s, Nottingham conducted by the Bishop of Southwell.
PORTRAITOF A DUKE
CONTINUED
PORTRAITS OF PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTERS SERIALISATION PORTRAITS OF PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTERS SERIALISATION
06 07
THEINTERVIEW
REPORTER: Kevan Goddard
RW BROTHER PETER MAXWELL BALL, THE MARK PGM FOR NOTTINGHAMSHIRE, LOOKS BACK AT OVER 40 YEARS IN THE MARK AND EXPLAINS THE ETHOS OF THIS FRIENDLY DEGREE
When did you join the Mark Degree?I was Advanced into The Magdala Mark Lodge No. 1359 on 14th June 1976. The Degree of Mark Master Mason intrigued me, particularly as neither my Grandfather, who proposed me into Freemasonry or my Father who, unsurprisingly, was my seconder, were not members of the Mark! On asking a Past Master of my Lodge, W. Bro Eric Wolfe, what Mark Masonry was about, he needed no encouragement to propose me for Advancement.
What were your first impressions of the Mark?I certainly felt nervous to start with but soon became more relaxed as the Ceremony unfolded; I enjoyed the Ceremony which was performed well by the Lodge Officers.
What is the Mark Degree? There is documented evidence that the Mark Degree was being practised in the 18th Century in both Durham and Hull. In our own Province of Nottinghamshire, the oldest Lodge is Newstead Lodge of Mark Masters T. I.
The Mark Ritual is structured on a verse from Psalm 118. “The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner”. It explores the building of King Solomon’s Temple and the craftsmen involved in the work. The lessons of the Mark Degree are presented in a ceremony that is both lively and enjoyable and requires active participation by at least nine Officers. It is full of action and surprises.
Why is the Mark Degree often termed the friendly degree?Firstly, this does not imply that the other Degrees in Freemasonry are not friendly!
There is a special friendliness in the Mark Degree,
perhaps because the message it contains is conveyed in a relatively light-hearted way without missing the moral significance it contains. This element of fun imparts throughout the Order generally.
What is the difference between the Craft and the Mark?The Grand Lodge of Scotland considers the Mark degree to be an extension of the Fellow Craft degree and furthermore to qualify for admission to the Royal Arch in Scotland one must first be a Mark Master Mason. The Mark Degree does have many similarities with the Craft in that some of the Lodge Officers have similar roles, although there three more Officers in the Mark Degree. Many of the administrative elements of the meetings are very similar to the Craft.
Does the Mark Degree have its own Grand Lodge?The Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons administers the Mark Degree, with its headquarters at Mark Masons Hall, St James’s Street, London. The Grand Master is H.R.H. Prince Michael of Kent. A Pro and Deputy Grand Master together with two Assistant Grand Masters support him.
How many Mark Lodges are there in Nottinghamshire?There are 23 Mark Lodge in the Province, 2 being restricted to Past Masters - the Arthur Morley Custance Lodge of Installed Mark Masters No. 1808 and the Notts Combined Province Stewards Lodge No. 1972.
The then Pro Grand Master,
Benjamin Ady,congratulatesPeter after his
Installation
“Do justice, love mercy, practice charity, maintain harmony and endeavour to live in unity and brotherly love”
08 09THE INTERVIEW THE INTERVIEW
Does the Mark Degree have a charitable element?The Mark Degree has its own Fund of Benevolence, which is very active and supports many charitable causes. In 2018 the Mark Fund of Benevolence will be 150 years old, which will be celebrated at the Annual MBF Festival to be held in Lincoln next July.
This year I, together with a team from Nottinghamshire, took part in the MBF Charity Walk round the parks in London; there were over 150 walkers on the day from all around England and Wales; the total amount raised was an amazing £437, 934. This is to be donated to the National Association of Blood Bikes with the aim that each Province will receive a new Blood Bike for the local association.
This year the MBF has also pledged £3,023,700 to the St. John Ambulance enabling a two year programme to provide up to 52 replacement state of the art ambulances and support vehicles.
Many other Charities are supported and I am delighted that the current appeal I have in the Province to raise funds for a new Health and Well-being Suite for Nottingham Mencap, is to receive just over £30,000 from the MBF. That together with the monies raised within the Province will bring our total to over £52,000.
This does really highlight the importance of our support for charities and the generosity of the brethren in this Province
How does it feel to lead the Mark in Nottinghamshire?I am extremely proud to lead Mark Masonry within Nottinghamshire; it is a wonderful Order with so many important messages and teachings that are very relevant in today’s society.
I have a great team of Officers to help and support me; the Mark Lodges in the Province all hold the tenets and principals of the Order in very high esteem.
At my Provincial Annual General Meeting in March we will have well over 200 Brethren attending which is wonderful to see and be part of; my wife often asks if I am nervous knowing that I am to lead the meeting and address them all; the answer is of course no, how can I be, they are all good friends !
How do you see the Mark developing in the Province?Sadly, the overall decline of Freemasonry generally and in our Province is not helping to secure new members. The Mark Degree has a great deal to offer and I do firmly believe that being a Mark Mason offers to the Craft Mason, not only an extra level of interest and adds strongly to his Masonic journey, but will assist in the understanding and appreciation of Craft Freemasonry.
We are very fortunate in Nottinghamshire, in that the Mark Degree receives very strong support from the Provincial leaders of the Craft, Royal Arch and other Orders, I look forward to that continuing and Mark Masonry maintaining its importance and relevance within Nottinghamshire.
In the closing address in the Ceremony of Advancement there is a piece of ritual that encourages Candidates to: “Do justice, love mercy, practice charity, maintain harmony and endeavour to live in unity and brotherly love”.
THEINTERVIEW
CONTINUED
The Relevance of the Mark & the Holy Royal Archto the Craft
A presentation by W. Brother Tony Harvey PAGDC(The Prestonian Lecturer 2012)
atThe Notts Installed Masters Lodge No 3595
on Tuesday 9th January 2018 (6pm)The Masonic Hall, Goldsmith Street
Nottingham. NG1 5LB
This presentation by W. Brother Tony is the precursor to a future event when the Grand Superintendent and the Provincial Grand Master of the Mark Degree will be holding a joint event, promoting both the Holy Royal Arch and the Mark Degree.
This future event will also be held at a meeting of the Notts Installed Masters Lodge on Wednesday 6th June 2018.
The Craft Provincial Grand Master, the Provincial Grand Master of the Mark Degree and the Grand Superintendent are all keen to promote W. Brother Tony’s presentation AND the July event.
Unfortunately, due to the content of the presentation, attendance is limited to Master Masons and above.
A unique opportunity to learn more about both Orders which will enable you to make an informed judgement if you are considering membership of either one.For more information please contact Graham Jones (Lodge Treasurer)
0115 920 01209 | [email protected]
010 011THE INTERVIEW
Brethren, on occasion we all join together and sing the refrain, ‘Peace Love and Harmony’, but whilst we generally understand its intent, do we ever really stop to think to what we are really committing?
Recently I was brought to a stop by my own actions and had cause to question whether I was acting in a Masonic way. This brought to my mind these words and it caused me to reflect on their meaning – Peace, Love, Harmony. I determined to look up the definitions of these words and that led me down a road where I began to appreciate how and why they hang together so well, and how they can act as a guide to all of us in our relationships and dealings with others.
In the thesaurus the synonyms for these words are listed as follows:
PEACE calm, goodwill, amity, freedom from strife, reconciliation, and concord.
LOVE like (oneself, family, friends, brothers, mankind), show kindness.
HARMONY as one, of the same mind, a common objective, working together, the big picture.
As Masons, we should each strive to become a better person. From the day we are initiated we are encouraged and directed to consider who we are by listening to that still small voice inside us. By so doing we should gain greater self-awareness, become more content and at ease with the world and with others. In fact, peace with others is very much dependent on being at peace with oneself.
So what can we, each of us, do to take on board and to personify this simple message, ‘Peace, Love and Harmony’? Well perhaps we should focus on saying only good things about our fellow man, Brothers. To lend support, to proffer a gentle word, to act with kindness,
also, to be receptive to another’s point of view, to be a team player and to be open-minded. Maybe we can draw on the examples set by others who have shown great tolerance and understanding even in the most difficult of circumstances, for example Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela both of whom humble us with the compassion and forgiveness they showed toward their persecutors.
On our personal journey to becoming that perfect ashlar, we need to chip away and remove those human characteristics that stand in the way of the inner contentment and tranquillity we seek - as we are reminded every year by the following lines in the ‘Address to the Brethren’ at the Installation of our new Worshipful Master:
“To please each other and to unite in the act of being happy and communicating happiness … and may brotherly love and affection ever distinguish us as men and masons”.
Three simple words, indivisible, with a single all-embracing message and fundamentally encompassing the essence of freemasonry, ‘Peace, Love and Harmony’. We sing these words as verses in lodge three times. The first verse as a statement reaffirming our core belief, the second verse (sotto voce) to help us reflect on their meaning, and the third verse as a rousing chorus, and as we do so we can tangible feel the warmth of our Brothers fellowship embrace us throughout the room.
Brethren, next time you sing this refrain reflect on its meaning and truly join with one another in Peace, Love and Harmony.
The above is part of a package of mini-orations available to lodges. Copies have been sent to all Lodge secretaries but any Lodge or Brother may obtain an on-line version from W. Brother Graham Riche.
No copyright applies so please feel free to disseminate to others.
PEACE, LOVE& HARMONY
AUTHOR: Graham Riche
Ladies Dining onLodge Evenings
Whilst you are enjoying you Lodge Evening, your wives & partners can also enjoy the facilities at Goldsmith Street by dining in our award-winning restaurant - with special prices especially for the Ladies:
2-course £13
3-course £16
To view our ever-changing menus, please visit www.corinthian-restaurant.comOr email [email protected] for further details
012THOUGHT FOR THE DAY PEACE, LOVE & HARMONY
It has not been possible to be part of Nottinghamshire Freemasonry in the past 6 years without acknowledging the 2018 Festival. With the Festival coming to a close in the next 6 months, David Eades met with Peter Roberts, Marketing Director of the 2018 Festival Executive, to reflect on the experience, and discuss the spectacular closing event to be held on 9th June 2018.
The Festival totalizers in each Nottinghamshire Masonic Hall are currently paused. The final total, working towards the £3m goal, will be announced at the final Festival event. In the intervening period, mystery and intrigue surrounding this total continues to grow.
“Taking on the 2018 Festival for Nottinghamshire was an interesting challenge” notes Peter Roberts, Marketing Director for the 2018 Festival and part of the Executive team led by Peter Gregory. The legacy left by the previous Nottinghamshire festival was breath-taking – the highest per capita amount raised by any festival anywhere in the UK; a real tough act to follow. Being asked to raise money for the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys was seen as a privilege for the Province. “No man stands taller than when he kneels to help a child” – the words of Mike Woodcock, past President of the RMTGB, are as true now as they have ever been.
It seems obvious to say, but festivals don’t just ‘happen’; there are countless hours, days, months and even years of planning that go into such projects. Constant dialogue between the Executive, the Provincial Grand Master, and with the central charities in London. Raising £3m shouldn’t be easy, but it should be fun as Peter explains; “We wanted to create a festival where the goal was important, but so were the methods of achieving the goal. It was key that the ‘fun’ was put into fundraising and that Brethren and Lodges took an active part in that. Bringing people together to help raise money for the Festival helps to strengthen the bonds of friendship within Freemasonry – relief and brotherly love, supporting each other.” The essence of fun was embraced across the Province; donations from Lodge raffles, bake sales, charity balls, the London Underground Tube Challenge, the canal towpath walk from London to Nottingham and the climb of Mount Kilimanjaro are all examples of how the Festival has been supported.
The Festival goal of £3m has prompted much debate throughout the Province, but it may come as a surprise that there was considerable debate surrounding the amount before the goal was announced; should this be set lower and more achievable, or should a Province that broke all records in the previous Festival stretch itself to see what could be achieved? The £3m goal was chosen and recommended to the then Provincial Grand Master Robin Wilson who was happy to adopt it.
“Running a festival needs to be a balancing act” explains Peter, “the Festival isn’t, nor should it be, the only charity we think of supporting during the Festival period. Brethren and Lodges, naturally, like to support their own local causes also and that needs to be, and should be, promoted and encouraged.” The central masonic charity (which has now absorbed the functions of the RMTGB and the other Masonic Charities) the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) has local roots and demands on its resources. Indeed, the demands on central masonic charity grow year on year.
“We wanted to recognise the link between the central charity and local requirements in the Festival. Part of that sits as a lasting legacy within each Lodge attaining Grand Patron Status, who are acknowledged as such with the award of the Howard Mace Alms Dish.” This alms dish celebrates an incredibly brave and much loved Nottinghamshire Mason who sadly passed away in the early years of the 2018 Festival.
The Festival has not been without challenges, some of which were easier to overcome than others - whilst some were unique in their nature, others were less so. Much like the previous Festival, the 2018 Festival has experienced a decline in Masonic numbers through the years. There were around 4,000 Masons in Nottinghamshire at the start of the 2007 Festival, losing 500 Masons through its duration, a loss of 12.5%. The 2018 Festival has seen a similar decline in absolute numbers, losing a further 500 Masons, but from a lower starting point of 3,000 – a higher percentage decrease and resulting in a higher individual commitment from each of the remaining Masons. This numerical decline has led to Lodge goals being adjusted downward so that honorifics reflect the number of Lodge members finishing the Festival.
“There were other factors beyond our collective control, that haven’t helped us,” Peter further explains; “interest rates were kept at the lowest levels ever seen during our Festival.” During the 2018 Festival, deposits made by Nottinghamshire Masons are placed into a dedicated account which has only been able to achieve around 1% in interest payments. When compared with the previous Festival, where double-digit interest rates were obtained, the difference in actual interest payments received is staggering. Indeed, the difference is so stark that it is likely that the actual money raised in this Festival (excluding any interest payments) will exceed those of the 2007 Festival.
Raising money for a Festival is not an easy task. It would be impossible and improbable to suggest every Freemason would be in a position to achieve ‘Steward’ status. Personal circumstances dictate what Brethren are able to afford to donate, and no Brother should ever give what he is not able to afford. Some Brethren have clearly found they have been unable to support the Festival, but the incredible generosity of the majority has enabled this Festival to achieve a per capita figure which will be the envy of other Provinces.
“We are not far away from emulating the previous Festival per capita record,” explains Peter; “and wouldn’t it be good for Nottinghamshire to be first and second in terms of per capita fundraising for Festivals?” It’s hard to disagree when you know the money is put to such good use.
The final event for the 2018 Festival will be a spectacular day, and it is important to note that it will be a full day of celebrations on Saturday 9th June 2018 at Kelham Hall. During the day, and in conjunction with the Scouts in Nottinghamshire, a ‘fun day’ for children will be held. Children’s charities supported by Nottinghamshire Freemasons will be invited to attend. There will be music, children’s entertainment and a funfair – including a specially dedicated time period for less-able children, when the rides will be slowed down. The day-time event will be FREE to attend; everyone is encouraged to take an active part in what will surely be an enjoyable time. To assist with the costs of running the daytime event, the 2018 Festival Executive is holding a Grand Finale Raffle.
Tickets are on sale via your Lodge Festival Steward, and the star prize is a brand new car. The prize draw will be made at the final event; please do support this prize draw as it will help to make a very memorable day for children across our Province.
The evening event will be stunning; so much so that the MCF has stated that this is the most ambitious Festival finale they have ever witnessed. No pressure then!
A champagne and canape reception will precede a celebration dinner; senior members of the MCF will be present, along with a leader from UGLE. All present will, no doubt, eagerly await the grand total of the Nottinghamshire 2018 Festival for the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys.
Entertainment will be provided by Nottinghamshire’s very own, world-renowned Cantamus choir, and the RMTGB supported, and Britain’s Got Talent finalist, Jasmine Elcock. Those Brethren who were present at the Festival launch concert in Nottingham will remember just how special Jasmine is. And finally, as the headline act, Britain’s Got Talent winners Calabro will ensure that everyone will have a night to remember.
Places at the final dinner are limited to 700, and you must be a 2018 Festival Patron to qualify. Letters regarding tickets will be distributed after Christmas, and given the limited places, everyone is encouraged to book early.
The event finale will be a fitting close to an eventful Festival. The circumstances surrounding any festival fundraising are challenging. In Nottinghamshire, we continue to rise above those challenges and ensure we can proudly practice that virtue we have professed to admire.
And so, please do mention the ‘F’ word. Be proud to say you have supported the Festival, this Province, the RMTGB, the MCF and Freemasonry in general.
THEF WORD
AUTHOR: David Eades
014 015ARTICLE THE F WORD ARTICLE THE F WORD
Brethren, I am sure you are all familiar with the maxim “Pride comes before a fall”. The phrase on which this is based comes from Proverbs Chapter 16 Verse 18 which states “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall”.
I certainly don’t want to talk about destruction or a haughty spirit as that is not how I see Freemasonry. Clearly the impression given by whatever form of the phrase you choose is that pride is not necessarily a good thing. Whilst in some circumstances excessive or unjustified pride can be counter-productive, generally pride when justified can create a positive environment. I am sure that no-one would argue that the splendid and spectacular event this Province held on the 17 June in the Market Square in Nottingham was something about which Nottinghamshire Masons should not be immensely proud. Without question Brethren our organisation has benefitted both internally and externally from the efforts made that day. I will be returning to the question of pride later.
A number of years ago, this Province undertook a review to identify what it felt may be vulnerable lodges. One of the key criteria was the number of members and the indicator of vulnerability at that time was a membership of 30 or less.
If you look at the Year Book for 2017-18, of the 84 “working” lodges in the Province, 38 have a membership of less than 30 and of those 38, 17 have less than 25 members. Some other work suggests that for a lodge to be effective, it needs at least 60% of its members to be active i.e. attending 75% – 80% of its meetings.
For some time, the Province through a small team of very dedicated individuals overseen by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, has been allocating prospective candidates who have emerged as a result of the e-recruitment process
or by approaching the Province through another method including cold calling at a masonic centre to what I will call lodges in need. Not surprisingly, most of the lodges fall within the vulnerable category. It is fair to say that the lodges have welcomed the initiative not least because it gives them hope for the future. I regularly hear of the determination of a small lodge to continue to be part of the roll of lodges in this Province. That commitment to the cause is of course hugely laudable.
The arguments about the challenges facing the creation of sustainable Freemasonry have been well rehearsed for some time now – for example the issues about an ageing membership and the pressures facing younger members are well known. The array of issues facing the Craft is unlikely to diminish but efforts are taking place to bring about that renewal of membership needed to create sustainability.
Significant efforts are being made to promote Freemasonry and its aims to the wider world. Not surprisingly, one of the major objectives is to attract men of the right calibre and this Province has been reasonably successful in attracting new members both in the traditional way and through e-recruitment. That being said, it is very unlikely that sufficient candidates will come forward to make major inroads into the number of lodges which are struggling. We can talk around what is a very unpalatable subject until the cows come home but the reality is, we have to change or some lodges will be gone in the relatively near future.
It is at this point that I return to the matter of pride. I doubt there is a brother present this morning who is not proud of being a member of his mother lodge and who would be horrified at the thought of his lodge handing in its Warrant. The question I pose is, are you willing to let your lodge fold to protect the history and traditions of which
you are so proud? Before you leap to the defence of your deeply held views, let me tell you that we have had lodges in this Province which have disappeared into the annals of masonic history because they refused to change or could not accept the inevitable.
I mentioned earlier that the candidates recruited through the Province’s scheme are allocated to lodges where it is believed they will do the most good. It is not yet clear whether or not this approach has actually created a future for the lodges involved and further work is being undertaken on this. Brethren, we are not doing any favours to a candidate who is taken into a lodge and then finds that the lodge cannot deliver the full masonic experience. The Provincial Grand Registrar has a category of “loss of interest” in his schedule of reasons for resignation and I can tell you that that group does not just include Freemasons with some years under their belt.
There are options for the future of lodges which are vulnerable but in the main, they require the lodge to change. Accordingly I again ask the question – what are you prepared to accept in terms of change to ensure that your lodge perhaps in a different form remains on UGLE’s roll of lodges.
I appreciate that there are lodges represented here which do not believe that this is a matter they need to consider but as nearly 50% of the lodges in Nottinghamshire fall into the classification of vulnerable, the head in the sand will not deliver survival.
I would be very pleased to receive your views on this very challenging issue and if you would prefer to discuss this with someone who does not currently wear a chain in this Province then W Bro David Hubbard who is my representative on this Committee and is present this morning, will lend you a very friendly ear.
PRIDE WILL NOTPREVENT A FALLAUTHOR: The Provincial Grand Master, RW Brother Philip Graham Marshall
ADDRESS TO THE GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE OCTOBER 2017
016 017ARTICLE PRIDE WILL NOT PREVENT A FALL ARTICLE PRIDE WILL NOT PREVENT A FALL
In common with all membership organisations, the future of Freemasonry depends upon it being able to introduce and retain members who will be committed, who will contribute to their Lodges, and who will enjoy a lasting membership.
In the Spring of 2018 the ‘Members’ Pathway’, which has been drawn up by the ‘UGLE Improvement Development Group’ (IDG) is to be introduced to all Provinces. Last year 17 Lodges from this Province participated in a pilot exercise and their feedback (which was unanimously positive) has been incorporated into a set of guidelines to be offered to Lodges. These guidelines draw on best practice from many different Masonic and other sources and they consist of a set of tools for Lodges to use to help them to:
Attract suitable men to Freemasonry
Satisfy themselves that those who are attracted to Freemasonry are suited to their Lodge
Introduce new members in a planned and considered manner
Support and encourage new members in their early years
Educate new members so that they grow to become committed and lasting members
Address issues that underpin early resignations.
Lodges will not be expected to use every idea or technique contained in the Pathway guidelines, but we are advised that if Lodges follow the process outlined they are more likely to identify and introduce men who will be best suited to Freemasonry and who will remain as members. The emphasis, going forward, will be focused on identifying good quality candidates. By quality, the IDG mean men who meet our membership requirements, who are well suited to the Craft, and who we strongly believe will develop to become committed members who will contribute to their Lodge. The overriding objective is to help Lodges find, introduce and retain such men.
The Pathway will help Lodges to look at themselves, their strengths and weaknesses, their likely sources of potential candidates and their future viability.
However, Lodges will not find in these guidelines a panacea that will guarantee their future survival. It is accepted that there may be fewer Lodges in the future and it is recognised that, as with all evolutionary processes, the Lodges that survive and thrive will be those that continue to offer a good and enjoyable Masonic experience while adapting to the world around them. It is worth highlighting that our oldest Lodges, including three of the four that formed the first Grand Lodge in 1717, are still with us precisely because, over the years, they have balanced tradition with the need for change and adapted their practices accordingly.
The Pathway team for Nottinghamshire will be overseen by Andrew Rainbow, DPGM.
The team comprises:
Graham Riche, Provincial Membership Officer (PMO)
Jim Crossley, Provincial Membership Administrator
Phil Parker, Provincial Training & Support Officer
Kevin Meredith, Provincial Training & Support Officer
This team will receive their training in February and subsequently, in March and April, all Lodges will be invited to participate in briefing sessions with a view to introducing the Members Pathway into their Lodge. The PGM is keen to see all Lodges in Nottinghamshire avail themselves of the opportunity to fully participate in this important initiative. With this in mind, the PMO Team will offer support and guidance to Lodges starting with the workshop, ‘Sowing the Seeds of Success’ which is designed to help prepare the foundations for the Pathway. All lodges are encouraged to send 3 or 4 representatives to this important workshop details of which are given on the facing page (please note new date for Nottingham).
The ‘Pathway’ is introducing some ideas, approaches, language and roles that may be quite new to many of us, at least in a Masonic context. All of us should keep an open mind, be willing to put these ideas into practice and to work together with others to achieve our goal of introducing good men into Freemasonry so that Freemasonry can continue to make good men better.
PATHWAYTHE WAY FORWARD
AUTHOR: Graham Riche
018ARTICLE PATHWAY - THE WAY FORWARD
FREEMASONRY& SOCIAL MEDIA
REPORTER: Kevan Goddard
“Social media platforms have become an increasingly popular channel for communication in the 21st century. They provide ways to share content with a wide audience, and as such are excellent tools for sharing information about Freemasonry and Masonic activities. However, as with any powerful tool, social media need to be used with caution, as incorrect use can have a damaging impact on Freemasonry’s public image, and therefore on Freemasonry itself.”
As a consequence of this impact, the United Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of England recently revisited the subject; the following is an extract from the December 2017 Paper of Business which the Provincial Grand Master is keen to bring to every Brother’s attention.
SOCIAL MEDIA4.16 In September 2016 the Grand Lodge adopted the
recommendations of the Board in relation to social media and agreed a policy, available from the Grand Secretary’s office or online at www.ugle.org.uk.
It has become clear recently that the policy is either not sufficiently understood or is being disregarded. The Board accordingly reminds the Grand Lodge of the policy by repeating it below in order that Brethren may not plead ignorance of it.
Policy on Social Media4.17 Social media platforms have become an
increasingly popular channel for communication in the 21st century. They provide ways to share content with a wide audience, and as such are excellent tools for sharing information about Freemasonry and Masonic activities. However, as with any powerful tool, social media need to be used with caution, as incorrect use can have a damaging impact on Freemasonry’s public image,
and therefore on Freemasonry itself. This should be a matter of common sense. This policy has been written to advise Freemasons on how to use social media within the compass of propriety.
Digital Ambassadorship
4.18 It is important to note that any interactions a Freemason has on social media may be visible to anyone in the world: while it is possible to restrict the audience of one’s posts, it is not possible to control how others will react to them. A private post can easily be shared and reposted publicly by anyone who has access to it. Even if an original post is deleted or edited, someone could already have shared it in its original form. As far as social media are concerned, everything one does or says is permanently recorded, and there is no such thing as a truly private post.
4.19 Acting as an ambassador for Freemasonry online is part of a Freemason’s duty, and is within the scope of Rule 179 of the Book of Constitutions which states that a Freemason “... has a duty not to engage in activity which may bring Freemasonry into disrepute”. Rules (civil and Masonic) and expectations that apply to one’s daily conduct apply equally within the digital sphere, as comments may be taken out of context and used as representative of the views of the United Grand Lodge of England.
4.20 Below is a list of behaviours and topics to avoid when posting on social media. These apply to personal accounts, as well as to accounts that individual Freemasons may manage on behalf of a Lodge, Province, District, or other Masonic entity.
They apply to any Freemason who is identifiable as a Freemason online, whether he is posting in Masonic or non-Masonic channels.
This list is not comprehensive, but is intended to act as an introductory guide to topics or behaviours that are inappropriate for posting to any audience on social media.
4.21 When posting on social media platforms, a Freemason must not:
(a) produce, link to, or refer to any content that is illegal, defamatory, or likely to offend others
(b) cause or contribute to any hostile or unproductive arguments, or carry on any private piques or quarrels (that is to say, good-natured debate is fine, but one should be prepared to abandon the exchange if it ceases to be friendly)
(c) discuss or allude to any of the Masonic Signs, Tokens, or Words
(d) claim to speak for any Masonic body (e.g. a Lodge, a Province or District, a charity or committee, or UGLE) on whose behalf he is not expressly authorised to speak (for instance, membership of a Lodge in London does not give one the authority to speak on behalf of Metropolitan Grand Lodge)
(e) identify anyone else as a Freemason without his express consent
(f) refer to any personal information about any Freemason without his express consent (such as address, telephone number, or anything else covered by the Data Protection Act 1998)
(g) attempt to use Masonic channels as a vehicle for personal profit, or for any other form of self-promotion
(h) attack the United Grand Lodge of England or any other legitimate Masonic authority.
Best Practice4.22 A Freemason may publicly share any Masonic
content that contributes to a positive public image of Freemasonry, such as charitable work and events, good causes supported by Freemasons, and information about Masonic history.
4.23 Social media channels can also be used to share information only relevant to Freemasons, but care should be exercised to use a more restricted channel, such as a closed or “secret” Facebook group. Topics that might be discussed here include:
(a) discussions about Masonic allegory and symbolism (as long as there is no mention of any Masonic Signs, Tokens, or Words)
(b) background information about other Masonic Orders (as long as it does not ruin the experience for those who are not members)
(c) unusual visits to other Lodges (e.g. for a special ceremony)
4.24 When posting about non-Masonic subjects, it is important to remember to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Digital Ambassadorship section above.
The full UGLE Social Media Policy and Guide (2016) can be downloaded here: https://goo.gl/k4qG9o
020 021ARTICLE FREEMASONRY & SOCIAL MEDIA ARTICLE FREEMASONRY & SOCIAL MEDIA
The great principles of Freemasonry, brotherly love, relief and truth, rarely need to be restated to Freemasons. These principles are how we have chosen to lead our lives; however they are not exclusive to Freemasons.
These great principles are demonstrated on a daily basis by millions of people each day in various forms. To actively view them in action is inspiring.
Relief (or as it is more commonly known today, Charity) is especially important to every Freemason. Without exception, on our initiation in to Freemasonry, the excellences of charitable giving were outlined to us.
The recent Tercentenary Awards issued by the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) have captured the imagination of both Freemasons and the public alike. 6 charities in Nottinghamshire were selected to benefit, and the size of the award was dependent on a public vote.
Over 177,000 national votes were cast – 87% from the general public, and the awards have now been made. This is now an opportunity to share the work of those charities with brethren.
One of the charities to benefit in Nottinghamshire was We R Here, a specialist trauma counselling service based in Gedling. Awarded £4,000 by MCF, the money will go towards securing valuable hours of counselling time for service users.
The charity undertakes a vast array of trauma counselling – including bereavement counselling, support through domestic violence issues and therapeutic support. We R Here pride themselves on making a difference to individual and family lives; to provide hope when it
doesn’t seem possible. All of this is undertaken in a friendly environment with messages of support and artwork from service users adorning the walls or their homely building. Service users come from all walks of life in Nottinghamshire, from children as young as 11 to the oldest at 82. It is clear that We R Here make an incredible difference – according to their motto “making a difference one life at a time”. Day to day operations of the charity are managed by Hilary Brown, who displays boundless enthusiasm and energy to infectious levels. Hilary clearly believes in the difference We R Here makes to people and wider community.
Chairman of the Provincial Charity Committee Roger Garrett, and Communications Manager David Eades, were delighted to attend We R Here’s Christmas Celebration on Saturday 2nd December. With Christmas carols sung in the background, the presentation of the certificate for £4,000 was made to the trustees of the charity. The difference £4,000 makes to a charity of We R Here’s size is quite incredible, but ongoing support from all areas of the community will be vital in ensuring they can continue to be successful.
We R Here display incredible levels of support within the Nottinghamshire community. Their work highlights the essence of charity in its purest sense. They help to rebuild peoples’ lives through working with them to find a new path to believe in themselves – to be truthful to themselves. So We R Here work through ideals of brotherly love, relief, and truth – shared ideals between two wonderful organisations.
MFC’s TERCENTENARY AWARD WINNER REPORTER: David Eades IMAGE: David Eades
WE R HERE
022ARTICLE MCF TERCENTENARY AWARD WINNERS
On Saturday 9th December, the Province held a Young Masons’ Conference at Goldsmith Street. Geared towards Freemasons under the age of 45, although attendance was not exclusively so, the aim of the conference was for the Province to gain an insight into the thoughts and aspirations of younger Masons within the Province and to have these feedback into the development of future strategies and policies.
The conference was opened by the Provincial Grand Master who explained the purpose and the format of the morning, in that, the Membership Pathway Scheme has now received formal approval from UGLE and the guidance documentation is being specifically tailored for use in Nottinghamshire. This Nottinghamshire Pathway Guide will be informed by feedback from the Pathway pilot schemes in 2016/17, feedback from Mentor briefing sessions and outcomes of this meeting. He also stated that the feedback from the Conference would form part of any developing Provincial strategy with regard to the experiences of new and younger members.
Conference delegates were asked to reflect and comment upon three questions:
Why did you join Freemasonry?
What would make your Freemasonry more enjoyable?
What are the barriers to you enjoying your Freemasonry more?
These questions sparked a frank, open and informative debate within each break-out group, and the brain-storming which followed identified common themes and practices, not all of which were positive, occurring across Lodges and Masonic Centres.
The Province’s fledgling young Masons group – The Byron Club – were represented at the conference and their secretary, Guillermo Vildosola III, gave a brief talk outlining the Group’s aims, aspirations, and current & future activities. Guillermo was keen to point out that although membership of the Byron Club was limited to Masons under the age of 45, their many and varied social activities were open to Freemasons of all ages, their families and friends. A number of social events have already been arranged with more to be announced on the Clubs new mini-website within the Provincial website (due to go live in the New Year). Two such examples are a visit to watch the Nottingham Panthers and an ‘alternative’ golf competition – mini golf.
The conference concluded with a summary session and all the participants indicated that the conference was a worthwhile endeavour and valuable enough to be repeated on a yearly basis. Younger Masons in the Province will be happy to realise that their thoughts and opinions matter and will be used to inform the future of Freemasonry in the Province.
YOUNG MASONS’CONFERENCE
REPORTER: David Eades IMAGE: Kevan Goddard
024 025ARTICLE YOUNG MASONS’ CONFERENCE
On Wednesday, 25th October 2017, the Royal Arch Companions of Worksop and Retford were privileged to witness a dramatic and colourful demonstration of the “Passing of the Veils” ceremony, on the occasion of a Ceremonial Visit to Pelham Chapter by the Grand Superintendent, ME Comp Richard Gutteridge and his Provincial Officers.
The Veils Ceremony was introduced into the workings of the Antients Lodges in the 18th century which, at that time, conferred the Royal Arch Degree on Master Masons in their Craft Lodges.
During the ceremony the candidate was required to complete a series of tests and challenges whilst passing through veils of blue, purple and scarlet in order to qualify him for Exaltation into the Royal Arch Supreme Degree.
In the great review of the Royal Arch in 1834, this prelude ceremony was excluded from official ritual and fell from practice in all Chapters except for some in Bristol, where its use was continued without the use of the Veils themselves.
At the turn of the 20th century, members of Beaufort Chapter of Bristol applied for and were granted permission by Supreme Grand Chapter to re-enact the Veils ceremony
in its entirety, including the use of veils; the only Province in England and Wales, then and now, where the ritual is regularly practiced.
Surprisingly, in December 2010, Grand Chapter issued a prepared script of the Veils ritual, encouraging Grand Superintendents to demonstrate the Veils Ceremony within their Provinces; but only under their strict supervision, no more frequently than every 2/3 years and certainly NOT during an actual exaltation ceremony.
The first demonstration in Nottinghamshire was that to Robin Hood Chapter (1493) in 2011; the second was Welbeck (2890) in 2014 and the third, Pelham (939) in 2017.
Ninety seven companions were present at Pelham’s October meeting during which a total of £576 was raised for local and Masonic charities.
A cheque for £800 was also presented to the Grand Superintendent from Pelham members, as a donation to the 2018 MTBG Festival Appeal and a further £287 (less Gift Aid) was raised at the Festive Board from the distribution of CDs containing the full Veils Ceremony Story.
PASSING OFTHE VEILS
REPORTER: Tony Hopewell IMAGE: Kevan Goddard
026 027ARTICLE PASSING OF THE VEILS
