masonic lodge - ISSUE 19 AUTUMN 2007 Clearing up after ...Past Provincial Grand Registrar and in...

Forty Royal Arch Freemasons,including the Grand Superintendent,E Comp David Hampson, and theAssistant Provincial GrandMaster W Bro Keith Thomas,helped clear one of the campsitesat Weston Park after the annual VFestival in August.

And they managed to dismantleand pack up around 250 tents andother camping equipment whichwill be sent overseas to provideshelter in a disaster area.

So where exactly did we leave our tent?

The Masonic contingent whichlinked up with local Rotarianshelped to fill two large vans, a 7.5ton truck and a 40 foot articulatedlorry during the tent collection.

WWiitthhiinn YYoouurr PPrroovviinncceeISSUE 19 AUTUMN 2007

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A forum for younger brethren isbeing set up with a view toholding informal meetings wherethey can discuss and debaterelevant issues, share concernsand knowledge. The InitiatesForum will hold its first meetingon October 24 at 8pm at theWolverhampton Masonic Hall.

One of the Forum founders, WBro Andrew Benion, Boscobel

f rom Ass is tan t ProvincialGrand Master W Bro Gary Read,had a special significance for theWorshipful Master, W Bro TerryAdam.

W Bro Adam's who was initiatedby W Bro Robards 40 yearsearlier - to the date - presentedhim with a suitably inscribed newBallot Box which he in turnpresented back to the Lodge.

When W Bro Jack Robards,Mercia Lodge, 3995, attended hisDecember lodge meeting last yearhe arrived at a Past ProvincialJunior Grand Warden, an honourbestowed 20 years ago, and left asa Past Provincial Senior GrandWarden. The occasion was the celebrationof his 50 years in Freemasonrywhich, apart from receiving thepromotion and certif icate

Clearing up after Pop Festival to help International charity

Promotion at 50 year celebrationAll the items collected have beenshipped to the charityInternational Aid who will sendthem to an area where they areneeded.

Rotary District 1210 InternationalCommittee Service chair AlanHoldcroft said: "It was good tosee the group of Masons workingwith everyone. Please thank themall. I don't know where this year'scollection will go but last yearcollected items went to Ukraine,Pakistan and Sri Lanka all withineight weeks."

Deputy Grand Superintendent EComp John Winter said: "Thiswas only the tip of the icebergbecause the combined Rotary andMasonic manpower (and womanpower) was only able to tackleone of the six campsites beforethe bulldozers moved in."E Comp David Hamspon said:"There is considerable benefitworking with Rotary on this sortof project and it demonstrates thatour charity is not confined toraising money. It also created agood team spirit, helping peopleless fortunate than ourselves."

He also said he hoped to repeatthe operation again next year withan even greater number ofFreemasons.

W Bro Terry Adam pictured with W Bro Gary Read, centre, and W Bro Jack Robards.

Forum for Younger Brethren

Lodge, 6415, said: "The idea is toprovide a forum for youngermembers of the fraternity to meetothers of a similar status in aninformal gathering. We want togive them the opportunity to shareany concerns they might have and

opportunity for research.

The founders are W Bro DavidEdwards, PAGDC, who thisautumn is to be installed asProvincial Grand Master of theProvincial Grand Lodge of MarkMaster Masons in Staffordshireand Shropshire, W Bro Benionand W Bro Graham Wilkessupported by a number of juniorbrethren.

to get a better understanding ofFreemasonry and its history. Wealso think it is important to havean extended view of how otherssee Masonry.

"All will be welcome but we see itreally as a forum for brethrenbelow the chair."

It is also planned to have lecturesfrom time to time and provide an

Within YYour PProvince

Within Your Province 2

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Within Your Province is published twice yearly, in March and September andany contributions, ideas or suggestions will be welcomed by the Editor, W BroPeter Atkins, by email to [email protected] or by post to PeterAtkins, Information Officer, c/o Provincial Grand Lodge Office, 211 TettenhallRoad, Wolverhampton, WV6 0DD. He can also be contacted on his hometelephone 01889 500635. Publication is made possible by the support of ouradvertisers and readers are requested to support them whenever possible.When doing so please mention that you saw the advertisement in Within YourProvince. If you are a non-Masonic reader who would like to know more aboutFreemasonry please visit our website www.pglstaffordshire.co.uk or contactthe Provincial Office at the address below.

Within Your Province is published on the authority of the Provincial GrandMaster of the Province of Staffordshire, RW Bro Thomas DC Lloyd, TD, DL,Provincial Grand Lodge Office, 211 Tettenhall Road, Wolverhampton, WV60DD. Telephone and fax 01902 745151, email [email protected]

Printed by David Bowyer Print and Design, Stafford. 01785 253060.c Provincial Grand Lodge of Staffordshire.

50 years since Haroldwas in the chairA milestone in the history of Smith ChildLodge, 2064, was marked last year when WBro Harold Bettany celebrated 50 years sincehe was installed as Master of the Lodge. Bornin 1920, when his father Herbert was Master ofthe Lodge, he joined it in 1944, a year afterqualifying as a solicitor.12 years later he was installed as Master andfour years later, in 1960, he became secretaryof the lodge, a position he held for 30 years. Hewas also a director of the Hanley Masonic Hallfor 37 years including the last 13 as chairman.He is now an honorary member.W Bro Harold was first appointed to Provincial Grand Lodge in 1963 asPast Provincial Grand Registrar and in 1975 promoted to ProvincialJunior Grand Warden. In 1987 he was promoted to Past Provincial SeniorGrand Warden.He is also the senior Past Master of Menturia Lodge, 418, where he wasinstalled as Master in December 1968.

Museum up dateFreemasons across the Province are being asked to help W Bro MalcolmJones get the Staffordshire Masonic Museum to the next stage of itsevolution. Thanks to the support of the Hanley Masonic Hallmanagement committee and staff the collection will soon be seen in anbigger way. The museum room has now been expanded after various fixtures andfittings have been taken out by Malcolm. Now he needs more displaycases to exhibit items and also two large pieces of toughened glass formore displays. Malcolm said: "I would be grateful to any brother who canhelp with any of these items and of course to anyone who has items whichcan be put into the collection."The collection of Masonic jewels and pictures has been expanded and alady in Sutton Coldfield has recently donated a solid silver rose bowl.The next scheduled work on the museum is to the paint the room and laya carpet.If you can help in any way please contact Malcolm by email:[email protected]

Patshull�s £2,000 for hospicePatshull Lodge No. 6592 have once again carried on their tradition ofraising money for good causes by hosting several charity events duringthe past year. This year £2,000 was raised for the Mary Stevens Hospice,Stourbridge.

Pictured above presenting the cheque from left to right are: W. Master, W.Bro. Peter Coupe, Mrs. Elizabeth Coupe, Mrs. Ann Isherwood (Charity co-ordinator of Mary Stevens Hospice) and W. Bro. Lyndon Goddard (Charity Steward).

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Passed to the Grand Lodge aboveIt is with regret that we record the following Brethren who have passed to the Grand Lodge above since the

last publication, as recorded on Wednesday, August 8, 2007, at Provincial Grand Lodge.W Bro PA Clayton, St Peter's Lodge, 419.W Bro WV Cook, Abbey Lodge, 624.W Bro T Higginson, Josiah Wedgwood Lodge, 2214.W Bro TC Stowe, St Michaels Lodge, 2484.W Bro GH Stephens, Lewisham Lodge, 2582.W Bro HK Malpass, Hanliensian Lodge, 3935.W Bro JC Brassington, Dieu la Cresse Lodge, 4169.W Bro G Fisher, St Modwens Lodge, 4850.W Bro DT Deas, Faith and Works Lodge, 5079.W Bro JH Clews, Old Eversley Lodge, 5259.W Bro R Betts, Old Masonians Midlands Lodge, 6762.W Bro OH Dickenson, Royal Wolverhampton School Lodge, 8170.

3 Within Your Province

There was nothing untoward aboutFriday, the 13th, when an initiationceremony took place at EtruscanLodge, 546.Pictured, left to right are BroMichael Barnett, Bro MalcolmGraham Harrison, known asGraham, Bro Mark GrahamHar r i son , Graham ' s son and

Worshipful Master, W Bro IanBarnett, Michaels's son. Bro Graham was initiated on thenight, a month after Bro Mark whowas proposed by the WorshipfulMaster and seconded by BroMichael who in turn proposed BroGraham who was seconded by theWM.

Francis Schofield. His uncle Vivfrom Weymouth, Dorset andcousins, Nigel from LeamingtonSpa and Miles from Sheffield werealso special guests.

It's a family thing!

Members of Lodge of Venture,6916, are hoping they havereversed the trend of fallingmembership. Three initiationstook place in the first threemonths of the year and another isplanned for October.The Lodge, established 57 yearsago, also has two more candidatesin the pipeline and welcomed itsfirst rejoining member, W BroGeorge Jenkins, who is now lodgesecretary, last October.At the April installation meetingin April the new Master, W BroBrian Schofield, was supportedb y m e m b e r s o f h i s f a m i l yincluding his fa ther, W Bro

W Bro Brian Schofield is pictured,centre, with, from left to right, histwin cousins W Bros Nigel andMiles Schofield, his father W BroFrancis Schofield and his uncle WBro Viv Schofield, PPSGW.

Lodge of Venture increases numbersProvincial Diary DatesSept 11: Provincial Grand Masters Golf

Competition at Ingestre Park Club.Sept 12: Grand Lodge Quarterly Comm.Sept 18: Provincial Grand Lodge

General Purposes Committee, Hanley Masonic Hall.

Sept 19: Provincial Year Book and Calendar published.

Oct 31: Installation of W Bro David Edwards as Provincial Grand Master, Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Staffordshireand Shropshire.

Nov 9: Norah Mitchell (Minerva Lodge)Trust grant presentation, Hanley Masonic Hall.

Nov 14: Supreme Grand Chapter Quarterly Communication.

Dec 4: Visiting Grand Lodge Officers meeting, Wolverhampton Masonic Hall.Semina Scribe Es and DCs meeting,Rugeley and District Masonic Centre.

Dec 13: Grand Lodge Quarterly Comm.2008Feb 7: Provincial Grand Lodge

General Purposes Committeemeeting, Wolverhampton Masonic Hall.

March 12: Grand Lodge Quarterly Comm.Chapter Committee of General Purposes and Benevolent Fund, Wolverhampton Masonic Hall.

April 30: Grand Lodge investitures.May 1: Supreme Grand Chapter

Investitures.May 14: Provincial Grand Lodge of

Staffordshire, Staffordshire County Showground, Stafford.

May 21: Great Priory.June 11: Grand Lodge Quarterly

Communication.June 14: Provincial Ball.

Ompah Band nightRugeley lodges are planning a 2013Grand Charity Festival fund raisingevening on Saturday, January 19,2008, at Wolgarston High School,Penkridge. Tickets, £12 includessupper, are available on a first comefirst served basis from either W BroMike Reynolds (01785 713459 or WBro Jeff Johnson (01889 584213).

There is a limit of 220 who canattend and music will be provided byKarlls Bavarian Band.

50 years certificateW Bro John W Moren, PPrJGW,Bromwic Lodge, 6773, celebrated50 years service on October 14,2006. W Bro CB Denne, PAGDC,Provincial Grand Secretary,presented a 50 Year Certificate onbehalf of the Province and on behalfof the Provincial Grand Master,promoted him to Past ProvincialSenior Grand Warden.

Cooling downAir conditioning is to be installed atthe new Rugeley and DistrictMasonic Centre at the Chase GolfClub.


Presidentwishes the2013 Festivalevery successMasonic relief grants in the last12 months totalled £2.5 million,the President of the GrandCharity, VW Bro GrahameElliott, CBE, told the ProvincialGrand Lodge meeting. And 35Staffordshire Masons and theirdependants received more than£46,000.

Bro Elliott in his address gave awide ranging précis of the workand the workings of the charityand highlighted the fact thathospices in the Province duringthe last 12 years had received atotal of £198,924. He also saidhow pleased he was that thecharity had funded a £49,000research programme at KeeleUniversity into deafness.

He also made special mention ofthe valuable contribution to theCouncil of The Grand Charity oftwo Staffordshire TreasurerBrethren, W Bro HaroldHampton and W Bro RodMitchell who succeeded him. Reporting on national activitieshe highlighted grants to youthwork, medical research andemergency grants which included£150,000 in a three year period tosupport Skill Force which helps14 to 16 year olds who arestruggling with their education orat risk of exclusion. He also said£1 million over ten years to fundthe Grand Charity ofFreemasons' Chair of MolecularBiology for research into malecancers was making majoradvances.

Assisting the Red Cross/Crescentin war torn Sudan, most recentlywith a £50,000 grant, will provideshelter, food, health clinics, cleanwater and sanitation supplies forchildren and their families, headded.

Bro Elliott also pointed out theadvantages of Lodges and nowProvinces participating in theRelief Chest system to maximiseeffectiveness of their funds. Hesaid approximately £30 millionwas held in the scheme at themoment for nearly 4,000 Lodgesand Chapters.Concluding, The Presidentwished everyone in the Provinceevery success and enjoyment inthe lead up to and completion ofthe Festival in 2013 and said thecharity would provide everyassistance possible to help.

A year of consolidation and growth

Consolidation and steady growthwere the key words used by theProvincial Grand Master, RW BroThomas DC Lloyd, TD, DL, is hisannual address to membersattending the Provincial GrandLodge meeting in May at theStaffordshire County Showground.

One 60 year certificate and 12certificates for 50 years wereawarded during the year which alsoincluded the dedication of theRugeley and District MasonicCentre, the dedication of a newLodge banner and two significantlodge anniversaries.

"I am truly heartened by theenthusiasm, co-operation and up-beat approach where ever I go. Youhave all taken heed of the need torecruit the right candidates and I amaware that some lodges havewaiting lists, "he said, and went onto praise the Staffordshire Wayeducation programme as animportant aid to improving theretention of members.

The Provincial Grand Master alsohighlighted:! The Masonic Garden at theNational Memorial Arboretum andasked members to assist in thefunding of a suitable impressiveentrance.

Charity dateFollowing the successful fund raisingnight last year organised by ClarendonLodge, 8023, and Boscobel Lodge,6415, another event is planned forSaturday, November 24, at theWolverhampton Masonic Centre inTettenhall Road. In aid of the AcornsChildren's Hospice at Walsall, it willstart at 7.30pm and the entertainmentarranged to date includes a disco andmagician. A buffet is also included andmore details can be obtained from oneof the organisers, W Bro AndrewBenion, on 01952 253830.

First meetingsThe two Uttoxeter craft lodges willsoon meet for the first time at theirnew meeting place, the St JohnAmbulance HQ in Carter Street.Forresters Lodge, 456, will meet onThursday, September 20, and DoveLodge, 8519, will hold the Installationmeeting on September 27. Thededication ceremony will be carriedout at a later date.

Photo requestAll lodges in the Province are to beasked to supply a head and shouldersphoto of the Worshipful Master afterthe annual installation meeting. Theyare needed as a reference at ProvincialGrand Lodge and also for possiblepublication in Within Your Province.Where possible they should be savedas a jpeg and sent electronically to theProvincial Grand Secretary [email protected]

! The Wilson Keys Court MasonicHousing scheme at Rugeley wherethe matron is soon to retire.! The enormous contribution madeby the Provincial Grand Almoner WBro Maurice Williams, theProvincial Grand Charity StewardW Bro Alan Walker, MBE, the newsecretary of the StaffordshireMasonic Charitable Association WBro Jim Warburton and theProvincial Grand Secretary W BroColin Denne who will step downafter three years at the end of thisyear.! The success of the VisitingOfficers scheme which is measuredby the welcome given to the GrandLodge officers.

He also congratulated all brethrenwho have been appointed orpromoted and thanked those whowere standing down for theirvaluable contribution and support.Looking to the future, the ProvincialGrand Master said one of hispriorities for the next year would becommunications and he asked for asignificant attendance from all thoseentitled to attend the Committee ofGeneral Purposes to do so (Tuesday,September 18, 7.00pm at HanleyMasonic Hall) in order to set thetone for further efficiency and wellbeing within the Province.

Pictured at the official launch of the 2013 Grand Charity Festival are members of the committee with chairman AssistantProvincial Grand Master Gary Read and The President of the Grand Charity VW Bro Grahame Elliott, CBE, to the left andright of the banner. They are, left to right, W Bro Trevor Sleigh, PrGStwd, W Bro John Edwards, PrJGW, Committee co-ordinator W Bro Mike Daniels, PAGDC, Bro Read, Bro Elliott, W Bro Mike Reynolds, PPrJGD, W Bro Gary Evans, PPrSGDand committee secretary W Bro David Wood, PPrGStwd. W Bro John Francis, PPrGSwdB, who is running the 1,000 club, has been co-opted onto the committee.


A cheque for £1,562.50 was presented tothe County Air Ambulance Service bythe Provincial Grand Master, who wasaccompanied by the Secretary ofStaffordshire Masonic CharitableAssociation, at RAF Cosford in April. Itrepresented the Province's part of a totaldonation of £12,500 from Grand Charityto the Air Ambulance Service coveringStaffordshire and surroundingProvinces. Later that day, at Foster Gough Lodge,the Provincial Grand Master presented acheque for £10,000 to RW Bro FredCotton, Provincial Grand Master ofMark Master Masons of Staffordshireand Shropshire towards the Province'sMark 2007 Benevolent Festival Fund.This brought the total donated from theCraft Province to £15,000. At the Annual General Meeting of theSMCA on June 27, W Bro John Brookewas elected President for the year 2006-7and approval was given to donate £250each to St. John's Ambulance, NorthStaffordshire Combined League ofFriends, Children's Activity andRecreational Projects, and TettenhallWood School. The matched charityfunding scheme advised in the last issue ofWithin Your Province will be completedby the time this issue is published and theProvince will have advised Grand Charityof the non-Masonic charities who are tobenefit from a grant of £5,000 available tothe Province.

Applications have been received andforwarded to The Grand Charity fromAcorns Children's Hospice, ComptonHospice, Douglas Macmillan Hospice,Katharine House Hospice, St.GilesHospice, and the Donna Louise Trust,for their annual grant. W Bro Maurice Williams, ProvincialGrand Charity Steward, has recentlywritten to all Lodge Charity Stewardsre-emphasising the importance of thegift-aid scheme and tax recoverableresulting from the use of the scheme.Currently the number of brethren inStaffordshire who have completed a giftaid declaration form is under 35% of thetotal membership and W Bro Williams isanxious to gain as much benefit aspossible from the tax recovery frompersonal donations. At the Provincial Grand Lodge meetingin May, when the 2013 Festival in aid ofThe Grand Charity was launched, VWBro Grahame Elliott, President of TheGrand Charity, explaining the workingsof the organisation urged all membersnot to forget our local charities and inparticular the SMCA with its B fund.Staffordshire has a wonderful record ofdonations to many national and localnon- Masonic charities and more than150 separate organisations have beensupported over the last few yearsassisting worthy causes of across a widespectrum.W.Bro. Jim Warburton, Secretary SMCA

Flooding grantsAn emergency grant of £65,000 was made by The GrandCharity towards the British Red Cross UK Floods Appeal inJuly as the torrential rain and flooding continued to affect largeareas of England. Another £35,000 had already been madeavailable to boost Provincial Grand Lodge donations to variouscharitable organisations involved in flood response.The Grand Charity also announced that it would be helpingindividual Masons affected by events, and their dependents,through Masonic Relief Grants which are given to relievehardship.In August The Grand Charity also gave an emergency grant of£50,000 to the British Red Cross Asia Floods Appeal.

Cheque for Air Ambulance

The Provincial Grand Master and Secretary of the SMCA arepictured left, at the Air Ambulance presentation

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Two 'informal' forums coveringvarious aspects of Royal Archfreemasonry during the last yearresulted in around 100 attendeesof which 30 were Master Masonsshowing a keen interest, saidGrand Superintendent MECompanion David Hampson, inhis address to Provincial GrandChapter. The success of the evenings, hesaid, was down to the hard workput into the events by everyone inthe Order which supported theencouraging news that in the firstfour months of the year half the

officers, he also thanked theoutgoing officers for their supportparticularly in Chapter visitswhich did so much to generateenthusiasm and bolster spirits. Heended by asking as manyCompanions as possible to joinhim in August, at the clear up ofthe V Festival at Weston Park,when Freemasons would bejoining up with Rotarians,packing up abandoned tents andcamping equipment, which wouldbe packed and shipped to variousstrife ridden locations in the thirdworld.

Chapter meetings wereexaltationsThere were also anumber of joining members.He also asked Chapterrepresentatives to investigate whymembers resign and also toencourage as many members aspossible to take part inceremonies.The Grand Superintendent alsomade a personal thanks to allCompanions who had helped himin so many ways during the yearwhen, with his medical hiccup, hewas unable to drive.Congratulating newly appointed

Successfu l Royal Arch forums

Contributions from members of SheltoniaLodge, 8557, and St Edward's Chapter,966, together with match funding from theStaffordshire Masonic CharitableAssociation, have resulted in a severelydeaf North Staffordshire student receivinga laptop computer. Sheltonia Worshipful Master, W BroMichael Ashcroft, PPJGW, first heard ofthe plight of the student from a friendthrough the Stoke on Trent Deaf Children'sSociety and he presented the facts to hisown lodge and chapter with a request thatthey contribute towards the purchase of alaptop computer to help the student bothwith his school work but also with his

Chapter celebrates 150th year

Staffordshire Knot Chapter, 418, celebrated its sesquicentenary in March at a celebratory meeting at Shelton.Grand Superintendent, E Comp David Hampson, accompanied by the Deputy Grand Superintend E Comp JohnWinter together with E Companions Norman Joughin and Tim Barrrett, 2nd and 3rd Provincial GrandPrincipals and 15 other acting Provincial Officers were in attendance.A commemorative booklet was produced and a special commemorative bowl which was kindly made anddecorated by W Bro Dave Truman of Ceramic Chapter, 3827, was also produced.The Grand Superintendent is pictured with Principal Officers and members of the Chapter displaying the commemorative bowl.

Support for High School studentsocial life. The Lodge immediatelyresponded with £100 and the Chapterraised £150 to which the SMCA also gave£250 - enough to buy the computercompletely.Accompanied by other Masons, Michaelpresented the computer to the student anddescribed his reaction as "very emotional"which "touched us all."

Michael is pictured presenting thecomputer, watched by from left to right, WBro Geoff Bean, PPSGW, MargaretHawkins, head of the Hearing Impaired Unitat the school and W Bro Gordon Lancett,PPGSwdB.

Commemorative PoemMembers of the InternationalMasonic Poetry Society have beeninvited to submit a commemorativepoem to mark the 150th anniversaryof Staffordshire Knot Lodge, 726.The winning entry will be read atthe Lodge's Sesquicentennialmeeting in October 2008.

A past master of the lodge, W BroKen Rider, PPSGD, who is alsoPresident Emeritus of the Society,has also offered a £100 prize for thewinning entry. W Bro Rider can becontacted for more details on: 01785 245485 or by e-mail [email protected].

Sunday lunchFollowing the success of the firstSunday lunch organized by Rugeleylodges earlier this year, another isplanned, on March 30, 2008.

All surplus funds from the event,which will include another largeraffle, will be donated to the 2013Grand Charity Festival.

Morning MerciaMercia Lodge, 3995, which meetsat Aldridge, has changed itsmeetings to the third Tuesday of themonth and starts at 11am. Themeeting is followed by lunch andsays W Bro Terry Adam, WorshipfulMaster, it has proved to be a verypopular move, particularly amongolder members who are not keen togo out in the evenings. It has alsoattracted some joining members.

Festival MemorabiliaThe Grand Charity Festival 2013committee have a number of itemsfor sale to raise funds. Full details,they include so far, wallets, belts,braces, embroidered shirts andgloves, Festival lapel pins and cufflinks, are on the Provincial websitewww.pglstaffordshire.co.uk


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The End of an EraIn addition RE Kt. Ian M o x o n ,P r o v i n c i a l P r i o r presented asimilar statue in the Malta colourson behalf of the Province, inrespect to 14 continuous year'sservice, as Deputy Marshall,Marshall and for the past fiveyears Sub Prior.

V EM Kt. Cotton, quite moved bythe surprise presentations thankedthe Brother Knights for their mostgenerous thoughts and said themagnificent statues would takepride of place on his mantelshelf.VM Kt Gordon Hewitt told theassembled Knights of the historyof the ceramic knights and theoriginal ones were made forCrusader Lodge No.4107 and allhave been numbered but the one inSir John Kent colours was numberone.

EM Kt Colin B Denne, V EM Kt FredCotton and RE Kt Ian Moxon at thepresentation which also includes awhisky glass - which was embellishedwith a bottle of fine whisky - presented toV EM Kt. Cotton at Sir Robert MavesynPreceptory No.457, the previous week.

Bowls finalsThe finals of the revived ProvincialCrown Green Bowls competitionare due to take place at Penn FieldsBowling Club, Wolverhampton, at6pm on Wednesday, September 19.More than 30 bowlers took part intwo area qualifying rounds earlier inthe summer.Organiser W Bro Brian Tennantsaid: "We had a good take up and Iknow everyone is looking forwardto the finals. Any brethren whowould like to come along will bemost welcome. Refreshments willbe available.�

Hospital presentationIllness prevented W Bro DennisMaxwell Borman, SutherlandLodge,451, receiving his 50 yearcertificate at the installationevening so W Bro Alan Lockett,secretary of the Lodge was asked tomake the presentation on behalf ofthe Provincial Grand Master andpromoted Bro Dennis to PastProvincial Senior Grand Warden.The ceremony took place in hospitalin the presence of Bro Dennis' wifeand daughter and two lodgemembers, W Bros Doug Course andJim Leviston.

To mark his last meeting as SubPrior of the Province ofStaffordshire and Shropshire ofthe United Religious Military andMasonic Orders of KnightTemplar, VE Kt Frederick A.Cotton, PGt Reg. presented apaper entitled "The Crusades" athis own Sir John Kent PreceptoryNo.369 at the end of May.The meeting was attended bymore than 40 Knights includingthe Provincial Prior, RE Kt.IanMoxon, KCT, and the Sub PriorElect , EM Kt.D.Gary Read,Provincial Grand Marshall, andmany other distinguished guests.

At the conclusion of the Paper,EM Kt Colin B Denne, Preceptor,Sir John Kent Preceptory, onbehalf of the Preceptory,presented V EM Kt. Cotton with aunique and purposely madeceramic statue of a Knight in thecolours of the Preceptor inappreciation of the many servicesrendered to the Preceptory during33 years.

was, described Bro Mitchell, �theaircraft designer� and the ProvincialGrand Master spoke of his Masoniccareer.

W Bro Norman Wright, vicechairman of the Hanley MasonicHall Club, who welcomed everyoneto the event also extended aninvitation to a buffet lunch.Donations to the Hanley MuseumSpitfire appeal are expected to raiseseveral hundred pounds

Paddling, pedallingand running forcharityW Bro Alan Smart, treasurer of St John'sLodge of Lichfield, 1039, knows a thingof two about going the extra mile forcharity. So much so that last September,with three friends, he completed 49 milesfor charity and personally raised £3,000.

The distance, it was on the annual JerseyTriathlon, meant a one mile sea canoe tripacross St Katherine's Bay, a 40 mile bikeride around the island, a four mile roadrun and a four mile cross country run. Andhe completed it all in five hours and threeminutes.

But not content with his achievement hehas been in training during this summer todo it all again - to see if he can beat histime. It is also part of his preparation forcompeting in an even bigger charitychallenge next year - walking part of theGreat Wall of China.

Alan, 54, took up the first challengewhich raised the £3,000 for St GilesHospice, Lichfield, to which his friendsadded another £1,000, in memory of afriend, Mrs Joe Hilton, who died ofcancer at the age of 49.


Italian Masonry Talk

Tribute toMitchellMembers of Jasper Lodge, 3934,paid tribute to one of their famousmembers, Bro Reginald Mitchell, ina unique ceremony at HanleyMasonic Hall in June. Closelytimed to commemorate the 70thanniversary of the death of thedesigner of the Spitfire fighteraircraft, a framed photograph of himwas unveiled by Past ProvincialGrand Master RW Bro KevinChawner.Lodge members were joined bymore than 100 other Freemasonsand guests, which included the LordMayor of Stoke on Trent,Councillor Bagh Ali, the Mayor andMayoress of Newcastle underLyme, Councillor and Mrs DavidClarke, Deputy Lieutenant AnthonyWood, Stoke North MP JoanWhalley, Mr Ross Mitchell, thegreat nephew of Bro Mitchell andProvincial Grand Master RW BroThomas DC Lloyd, TD, DL.

Other guests included Mr MikeSassi, Editor in Chief of TheSentinel, who provided thephotograph. A front page pictureand report appeared in the nextday's Sentinel and BBC RadioStoke broadcast from the event.Two magazines, Staffordshire Lifeand Staffordshire County Magazine,both published full page reportswith photographs.W Bro Peter Hughes, secretary ofthe Lodge, whose idea the ceremony

Staffordshire 2013 Grand Charity Festival

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50 Years in Mark

W Bro Alfred T Southwell�s 50years in Mark Masonry wascelebrated in March at StaffordshireKnot Lodge of MMM, 541, whenProvincial Grand Master RW BroFrederick Cotton led a Provincialvisit and presented certificates fromMark Grand Lodge and theProvince. Bro Alf has completed 50 years inCraft, Royal Arch and Mark. He is93 years old.

Reverend Bro. Ken

W Bro Ken Rider, PPSGD, a PastMaster of Staffordshire KnotLodge, 726, and a member ofFoster Gough Lodge, 2706, is to beordained into the Church ofEngland and appointed a Deacon

A retired Health Authority Directorof Nursing, Bro Ken has recentlybeen working within the PrisonChaplaincy Service.

Members of Boscobel Lodge 6415, have an insight into Freemasonry in Italyfollowing a lecture by Assistant Grand Master R.W.Bro. Nicholas Emerton-Court ofthe Regular Grand Lodge of Italy

W.Bro. Peter Hughes, R.W.Bro. Kevin Chawner, R.W.Bro. Thomas D C Lloyd,TD,DL, and Mr. Ross Mitchell, great nephew of Bro. Reginald Mitchell at theunveiling ceremony


Mark Benevolent Fund 139th Festival

It was in 1868 that the then MostWorshipful Grand Master of theMark Master Masons, the RevGeorge Raymond Portal, decidedthat the Mark degree should haveits own Benevolent Fund in orderthat charity, to be most effective,should be dispensed quickly andwithout the bureaucratic formalitywhich other Masonic charitiesseemed to suffer from. He alsowanted to give the Order a positivecharitable motive above the ritualand ceremonial of the degree.

The first grant, £5, was made in thesame year, to a Mark Brother whohad lost virtually all he possessedin a shipwreck. Since then theFund has distributed more than£16 million to individualpetitioners and worthy causes - themost recent being £3 million to theNational Osteoporosis Society toprovide mobile scanner units, which

John Brackley, Grand Director ofCeremonies VW Bro GTHerbertand four other Mark GrandLodge officers, 35 other RightWorshipful Brethren, the FestivalCommittee and their ladies. Wewere also pleased to welcome theProvincial Grand Master of theCraft Province of Staffordshire, RWBro Thomas DC Lloyd, TD, DL.

Brethren and their Ladies attendeda VIP reception I was pleased tohost in my capacity of FestivalPresident which was attended bythe MW Pro Grand Master JohnHale, our Guest of Honour,Assistant Grand Maser RW BroBenjamin Addy, President of theGeneral Board RW Bro Michael EHerbert, Grand Secretary RW Bro

was celebrated at theSesquicentennial of Mark GrandLodge in London's Royal AlbertHall.

At eight years notice every year aMark Province is invited to beginraising resources for the Fund andto host the annual Festival. Thisyear it was our turn, the last onebeing in 1971 - just rememberedby your correspondent.

Held at International Centre inTelford during the weekend of July6 and 7, we were well supportedby brethren from all parts ofEngland and Wales with 345enjoying a Friday evening buffetand entertainment by folk groupBedlam.

During Saturday, 07.07.07, variousexcursions had been arranged andin the evening no less that 709

MW Pro Grand Master John Hale and RW Bro Fred Cotton, ProvincialGrand Master and Festival President.

By RW Bro Fred Cotton, Provincial Grand Master,Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons

of Staffordshire and Shropshire

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After the Loyal Toast and toasts to theMW Grand Master and the Fund, themoment arrived which we had all beenawaiting for, time for the GrandSecretary to announce the result of allour efforts. It was a lovely moment forwe had exceeded our highest hopeswith the magnificent sum of £562,820.

One way or another the Provincecontributed approximately £400,000, awonderful result from our 850members and an "inheritance" of some£30,000 in October 2002. We aredeeply grateful for the assistance andsupport given by other Orders, otherProvinces, personal donations andsome other organisations. Mainly itrepresents a tremendously successfulcampaign by all the members of theProvince. Well done to everyone.

Much ingenuity and effort went intothe various fund raising efforts both byLodges and individuals, from gourmetmeals and grand draws to holidays, toname just a few. While many lodgesdid very well pride of place must go toGough Mar Lodge, 45, which from amembership of only 15 raised astaggering sum of £18,032.

The President of the General Boardproposed the health of the FestivalPresident who, when responding,presented cheques to the value of£5,000 to RW Bro Tony Morris,Provincial Grand Master for theProvince of Leicestershire and Rutlandwho will host the 140th Festival nextJuly. Bouquets were presented to MrsME Herbert, wife of the President ofthe General Board and to Dr BJMehentee, daughter of the FestivalPresident who had deputised for herlate mother.


Finally, and to great applause, I was delighted to announcethat on my retirement in September, Grand Lodge has beenpleased to appoint my deputy, W Bro David Edwards tosucceed me.

A great deal of credit must go to Provincial Grand CharitySteward W Bro RE Wibberley, PGSD, for his tirelessefforts during the entire eight years and to my deputy andhis committee: Assistant Provincial Grand Master W BroAlan W Sykes, Festival Secretary W Bro Alan T Howls,Provincial Grand Secretary W Bro Barry C Clark,Provincial Grand Treasurer W Bro Colin Hutchinson,Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies W Bro TimothyP Cashin, Deputy Provincial Grand Director ofCeremonies W Bro David Wall,Deputy Provincial GrandSecretary W Bro Michael Daniels, W Bros Michael JABarratt, John B Edwards and Peter C Hulme and BroErnest S Storie.

It will probably be either 2042/43 before Staffordshire andShropshire will hoist another Mark Benevolent FundFestival and the request will probably come in 2034/35 bywhich time most of the current experience will have"passed on" so it is my fervent hope that the Lodges andmembers will continue to raise significant sums for charityto periodically enable my successors to make donations toworthy causes in the province and so keep the wonderfulspirit now engendered alive to the benefit of those lessfortunate than ourselves.

The Provincial Grand Master, Deputy Provincial Grand Master W Bro David Edwards, Assistant ProvincialGrand Master W Bro Alan Sykes and the contingent from Grand Mark Lodge.

The Staffordshire and Shropshire 2007 Mark Benevolent Fund Festival Committee.

RW Bro John Brackley, the GrandSecretary, announcing the result of theFestival.

The Festival President presents cheques for£5,000 to RW Bro Tony Morris, ProvincialGrand Master, Leicestershire and Rutland, forthe 2008 Festival.Pictures by George Jenkins


Arthurorganised cruise doWhen Bro Arthur Darlaston andhis wife Megan booked aMediterranean Cruise little didthey think he would be organisingMasonic meeting. Not only wasthe meeting a great social successbut it also raised £600 for twocharities.

Arthur, who is no stranger toorganising Masonic meetings, heis secretary of Bacchus Lodge,9068, described it as a pleasurabletask on board the 45,000 ton P & Ochild free liner Artemis

The 24 masons, wives, guests andships officers who attended thecocktail's and canapés partyincluded another StaffordshireMason, W Bro Trevor Wills,Ashmole of Lichfield, 8405, andhis wife Janet. The honouredguests were actress Prunella Scalesand her husband Timothy West.Miss Scales responded to theLadies Toast and Arthur proposedthe toast to the Captain and Ship'sCompany to which Captain DavidPembridge responded.

Arthur said it was a tradition on theArtemis to hold a Masonic gettogether. The ship even has its ownminute book and during the pasttwo years more than £3,000 hasbeen raised for charity. The shipalso produces a souvenirprogramme which lists all thosewho attended the party.

In the spring of 2000 the thenProvincial Grand Master ofStaffordshire, R. W. Bro. KevinChawner, suggested, to threeladies, Pat Joughin, DoreenLancett and Sheila Savage, wivesof Masons whose Lodges met atShelton Masonic Hall, that it couldbe beneficial for the ladies ofMasons to meet socially as agroup. Thus 'The Wednesday Club'arrived at its embryonic stage.

The name of the proposed groupwas discussed and Kevin declinedthe offer to use his name in the titleof the 'club' even though he wasthe inspiration behind theformation of it. As we were tomeet on a Wednesday we decidedon the title of 'The WednesdayClub'. After much discussion itwas decided that membershipshould be available to ladies with aMasonic connection i.e. any malerelative - husband, father, brother,son, uncle, etc. as a member of theCraft. The members could, if theyso wished, invite a friend, orfriends, who need not have aMasonic connection, to attendmeetings.

The administration of the groupwas shared between the threeladies with Sheila Savageaccepting the Office of Secretary,Doreen Lancett that of Treasurerand Pat Joughin that of Chairman.

The costs involved in membershipare not great; at present (2007) wehave a joining fee of £5.00, anannual membership fee of £10.00plus the cost of the meal on the day(usually about £10.00). Currentmembership is in excess of 55 withthe majority of members from theStoke-on-Trent area, but some

Shrewsbury to evening jaunts toHalfpenny Green Vineyards, acanal trip from Sutton CheneyWharf in Warwickshire, includinga meal and entertainment, TutburyCastle (Oliver Cromwell) and, thisyear, Tutbury Castle to experience'an evening with Nell Gwyn'.

Since our inception in 2000 wehave donated over £8,700 to theMasonic Hall and hopefully, madeit a more welcoming venue foroutside functions and the ladies.We have also raised funds formany local, non-masonic, charities.

In order for us to be recognized bythe Brethren we decided to adoptThe Broken Column Brooch as ourbadge. This brooch was adopted asan identifying emblem after beingfirst given to the ladies of Masonsin the American Civil War and theycontinued to wear it afterwardswhen so many failed to return. Itwas first introduced into Englandby a member of the Earl of ChesterLodge No. 1565 and is havingwide acceptance throughout theUnited Kingdom. We wear itbecause, although most of us arenot widows, the sentiments behindthe brooch reflect ours; 'to assist inbuilding relationships where youwill find friends who will assistyou in times of need and join withyou in times of gladness'.

We are still open to new membersso if you are interested in hearingmore about us then please makecontact and we will do our best tomake you feel welcome.

Pat Joughin: - 01782 302158,Sheila Savage: - 01782 392601The present Committee membersare:-Pat Joughin - Chairman, Sheila Savage - Secretary, Josie Mitchell - Treasurer, Eve Cooper - Vice-Chairman, June Wall - Minuting Secretary,Norma Ashcroft and Lynn Wright.

travel from Wolverhampton andthe adjoining Provinces ofCheshire and Shropshire. The Clubmeets on the third Wednesday ofeach month, from September toJune. The February meeting isheld on the fourth Wednesday ofthe month to avoid clashing withhalf-term holidays when many ofthe members, who aregrandparents, have duties toperform looking aftergrandchildren. Our meetings areheld at Hanley Masonic Hall,Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent and wemeet at 12.15pm for 12.45pmusually having a speaker ordemonstration.

The topics for speakers began withsuggestions from the committeebut now involve suggestions by allthe members.

Topics covered have included TheMillennium Tapestries, the LocalRadio Station, the County ofStaffordshire, North Staffs HeartCommittee, the role of an Almonerand imaginary visits to differentcountries to hear about life inSaudi Arabia, the Eye Hospital inJerusalem and the Tibetanborderlands of China. At one ofour first demonstrations a localartist Tom Hinks, who was also aMason, came and demonstratedhow to paint with water-colours.After he had completed thepainting he donated it to the club tobe raffled. Over £1,000 was raisedand was used to improve facilitiesat the Masonic Hall. Otherdemonstrations have included cakedecoration and flower arranging.

We now hold a Christmas Fayreand Easter Lunch biannually andorganize annual outings. Thesehave been well supported byhusbands and friends of themembers. The outings have variedfrom day trips to Liverpool,Southport, Salford Quays, Chester,N o t t i n g h a m , H e r e f o r d a n d

Successful Open day at WednesburyMore than 30 people visited the Open Day at the Wednesbury MasonicHall in Russell Street on April 21. And one applicant has resulted withinterest from two other visitors.

The day was organised by members of St Bartholomew Lodge, 696, andOld Eversley Lodge, 5259, who welcomed visitors and showed themaround the building. Refreshments were also served and ProvincialEducatio0on Officer W Bro George Arblaster provided a visual displayabout the Staffordshire Way education programme which gave visitors aninsight into the aims and objectives of Freemasonry in Staffordshire.

W Bro Bill Gwilt, Worshipful Master of St Bartholomew Lodge, said:"We had our first visitor within 30 minutes of opening the doors and thewhole day went very well. We had no idea who or how many wouldcome along and I think managing to get some publicity in the Expressand Star helped us. We had a good turn out from members of both lodgeswe were all pleasantly surprised with the number of visitors, particularlywith all the road works and road closures in the area"

Ladies Who Lunch (The Wednesday Club)

Members of The Wednesday Club at one of their recent meetings


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Hospital presentationIllness prevented W Bro DennisMaxwell Borman, SutherlandLodge,451, receiving his 50 yearcertificate at the installationevening so W Bro Alan Lockett,secretary of the Lodge was asked tomake the presentation on behalf ofthe Provincial Grand Master andpromoted Bro Dennis to PastProvincial Senior Grand Warden.The ceremony took place in hospitalin the presence of Bro Dennis' wifeand daughter and two lodgemembers, W Bros Doug Course andJim Leviston.

Grand MeetingTen officers of Grand College, ledby Grand High Priest MIIIKtPtErnest Peter Donnison andaccompanied by his deputy,MEmKtPt Jonathan TerrenceCrompton, visited the ZadokTabernacle, 33, in the Order of theHoly Royal Arch Knight TemplarPriests in April when RtIllKtPtFrederick Arthur Cotton wasinvested as Grand Superintendent of38 District, North Midlands. IllKtPtF John Singer was invested asDistrict Director of Ceremonies andVEmKtPt Andrew Beckingsale wasinstalled as High Priest of theTabernacle.

Friendship BookAmazing Friendships is the title of abook published by Bro PaulBarrass, a member of Dove Lodge,8519 and Sure and Steadfast Lodge,9130, in Derbyshire. AnOccupational Therapist whospecialises in older people's mentalhealth, Paul's subtitle for the book(£3 from each copy will be donatedto the Provincial Charity) is How tomake and keep good friends thefriendcraft way. For moreinformation visit his web sitepaulbarrass.com.

Applicant is 96St John's Lodge of Lichfield is toconsider an application for joiningmembership from retired schoolteacher and musician W Bro JamesPinder, a past master of Lodge ofLoyalty, 86, and St Nicholas Lodge,3620, both in the Province of WestLancashire. He has recently movedto Staffordshire and is 96 years old.

MQ on discMQ magazine is now available onCD disc for members who are blind,partially sighted or have problemsreading. It has been available ontape for some time and any memberwho would like to take advantage ofthis service should contact theProvincial office.

When W Bro Dennis Harvey andhis wife Chris held their LodgeLadies Night they decided to makeit a charity event and help a charitywhich supports people who areaffected by a not very well knownmedical problem. But they knowwell what Tracheo-OesophagealFistula is and what its supportorganisation can do.

Their eight year oldgrand daughter Phoebewas born with TOFwhich meant there wasno connection betweenthe oesophagus and thestomach but fortunatelysurgeons were able tooperate within a fewhours of her birth tocreate a channel betweenher throat and stomach.

And despite othermedical problems herproud grand fatherdescribes her as a brightand happy little girl who now liveswith her parents and two brothers inBrazil, although she still has to visitAlder Hey Children's Hospital, near

Liverpool, for check ups andtreatment. Dennis said : "We havebeen lucky but other children arenot and have great difficulty duringtheir early years and their parentsneed a lot of support. We weredelighted to present TOFS with acheque for £500 to help them withthe excellent work they do."

Denis Harvey, Past Master of AbbeyLodge, 624, presents a cheque for £500to the chairman of TOFS, GrenShepherd.

Funds for Special Charity

Cryptic Degrees -the essential linkThe Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of England and Wales,was formally constituted on July 29, 1873, by four Councils chartered justtwo years earlier by the Grand Council of New York. They organisedthemselves into a sovereign body under the patronage of the Rev CanonG. R. Portal, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Mark MasterMasons, who was installed as the Grand Master of the Order.This Grand Council continues to prosper and today has many Councilsoverseas which are controlled by District Grand Councils. The degrees inthis group are frequently referred to as 'Cryptic Degrees' although onlytwo actually refer to a crypt. They are, the essential link between thedegrees of Master Mason and Royal Arch Mason.The Order is administered from Mark Masons' Hall, and Grand Councilgoverns over 200 Councils and exercises authority over the following degrees:

Select MasterThis degree is supposedly held in the secret vault which has beenconstructed beneath the Temple, consisting of several arches, into one ofwhich the secrets were deposited and later discovered. It relates how awell-known mason employed by KS accidentally intrudes into the crypt

where the three GMs were wont tomeet and confer, and illustrates theconsequence of this intrusion. Thesymbolic colors are red and black.(A similar legend may be found inthe Allied group and is also in one ofthe degrees under the A & A Rite.)

Royal MasterThis degree is set in time just priorto the completion and dedication ofthe first Temple; it highlights thecompleted vessels pertaining to theHouse of the Lord and refers to acertain fellow craft making diligentenquiry of HA as to when he mightreceive the secrets of a MM. Thesubsequent disquisition by ourGrand Master on the subject of deathis one of the most enthralling piecesof ritual in freemasonry. It alsoshows how the secrets came to bedeposited in the crypt where theywere subsequently found. Thesymbolic colors are black and red.

Most Excellent MasterThis degree deals with thecompletion and dedication of thefirst Temple; it celebrates thecompletion of the whole edifice andmentions the installation of the Arkof the Covenant in the Holy Place. Itconstitutes a fitting ceremonial anddramatic preface to the CrypticDegrees. The symbolic colour of thedegree is purple.

Super-Excellent MasterThe legend around which thisdegree is built brings the story of'the first Temple down to the time ofits imminent destruction and refersto the siege of Jerusalem by thetroops of the enragedNebuchadnezzar, following therebellion of the tributary Jewishking, Zedekiah. The symboliccolour of the degree is crimson. Besides these degrees, there is also aCeremony for the installation of aMaster of the Council.

The Crypticdegrees can besaid to fill part ofthe void in theprogression between the Craftceremonies and the Royal Archceremonies. The four degreesworked are the Select Master, theRoyal Master, the Most ExcellentMaster, and the Super ExcellentMaster.To many members of Royal andSelect Masters, the ceremony of theRoyal Master includes one of themost impressive pieces of ritual,undertaken by the PrincipalConductor of the Work, surpassingeven that of Principal Sojourner inthe Royal Arch.


There are four degrees in the"Cryptic series" which are worked inCouncils under the jurisdiction of theGrand Council of the Order of Royaland Select Masters.

The Cryptic Rite was introduced intoEngland in the 1870s. Whilst part ofthe ceremonies had been worked inthe North of England in the 18th /19th Centuries the complete rite as asovereign body existed only in theUSA and formed part of the "York"or American rite.

The first Book of Constitutions waspublished in 1874 although it was notuntil 1930 that the regalia wasstandardised.

Grand Council of the Orderof Royal and Select Masters

District of Staffordshire & ShropshireUntil September 22, 2006, the Central District covered theCraft Provinces of Warwickshire, Worcestershire,Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Staffordshire and Shropshireand had 16 Councils. Since that date the Central District wasdivided into three separate districts. Warwickshire, Wyvern andour own Staffordshire and Shropshire when the followingrulers in our Province were appointed:-District Grand Master - Rt Il. Comp. Brian William Price.Deputy District Grand Master - Ill. Comp. Clifford HowardBullDistrict Principle Conductor of the Work - Ill. Comp. HaroldWilford Hampton.dbThose who are already members of the Order in this, our newDistrict don't need to be told how strong are the ties ofbrotherhood and support, both between individual membersand of the various Councils. It is a masonic degree that is wellknown for its magnificent ritual and its expression of thefraternal friendship and support of its members.Being a new District we face the challenge of bringing thedegree and its qualities to the door of every mason in theProvinces of Staffordshire and Shropshire so that they mayhave the opportunity to enjoy its many facets but above all tocomplete the ancient circle of Freemasonry.At the present time, we are in the process of exploring theprovision of a new Council within the District to be held atTamworth. We hope that interest and demand for this essentialdegree will allow us to form other councils in differentlocations within our District to serve the needs of potential aswell as current members of this Order Come and choose your Council and come and experiencethe best ritual in Masonry. Candidates must be Royal ArchMasons as well as Mark Master Masons.

Interested Brethren should contact any of thefollowing: Deputy District Grand Master,Clifford H. Bull on 01283 790322 [email protected], District RecorderGeoffrey M. Lates on 0121 248 4999 or anyCouncil Recorder.

Deputy District Grand Master, Ill. Comp. Clifford Howard Bull

Councils meet at the following venues:-Council No Meeting Dates Venue Recorder Telephone NoPhipps Dorman 32 2nd Sat Mar,1st Sat May & Oct Wretham Rd Malcolm R S Thomas 01827 830250

N Staffordshire 150 1st Mon April, Oct & Dec Stafford Ken Williamson 01782 782 682

Wretham 188 3rd Wed July,1st Tues Oct, 2nd Tues Dec Wretham Rd John F R Handley 01564 777578

Westune 241 1st Tues Jan,4th Tues May,4th Thurs Sept Whitchurch Ken Williamson 01782 782 682

Speakers' scheme launched

Pictured at the meeting are, left to right, W Bros Harold Hampton,GeorgeArblaster, Bob Crundwell, Keith Thomas, Alan Walker, Graham Lloyd andRobert Smith.A meeting for those interested in taking part in the Provincial Speakers Schemewas held at the National Memorial Arboretum in July when Assistant ProvincialGrand Master W Bro Keith Thomas welcomed 20 brethren.A short presentation was made by the Provincial Education Officer, outlininghow the scheme fitted into the programme and how it would operate. Full detailsare to be sent to all lodges. W Bro ED Humphries has offered to co-ordinate the speakers scheme whichalready has more than 30 volunteers.


Update�Update�Update�Update ! During 2006 and 2007 all Entered Apprentices have been

provided with a copy of Booklets 1, 2 and 3 and all attendees at Mentoring Training courses have also received the booklets and a copy of the Mentor's Handbook.

! More than 100 brethren from 60 lodges have received Mentor Training.

! The Staffordshire Way education programme has been presented to 20 lodges covering half of the Province's Masonic Centres.

! The education team has been expanded by 12 brethren volunteeringto be responsible for an aspect of the programme.

! Support has been given to several Masonic Centres and Lodges who have held Open Days.

! Other Provinces which have Open Evenings have been visited to observe best practice. These will be included in the Staffordshire approach.

! A register of Lodges of Instruction is being compiled and will beincorporated into the 2008 Provincial Year Book and Calendar.

! Lodge secretaries have been kept fully informed about courses and the development of the programme.

! A comprehensive Staffordshire Way section has been developed on the Provincial website which contains all the latest news and developments and also enables Brethren to book places on courses electronically.

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Info Packs Lodge secretaries have all been advised that from September the three bookletspublished as part of the programme for Entered Apprentices, Fellowcraft andMaster Masons will be available from The Provincial Office in a plastic walletaccompanied by other literature from the United Grand Lodge of England, at asubsidised cost of £5. Lodges are encouraged to present all initiates with theirown pack.

Significant advancesWe are now in our third year of the Staffordshire Way educationprogramme and the information on this page will, I hope, fully informyou of the significant advances which have been made and willcontinue with the emphasis on conveying the message ofFreemasonry to all initiates.It is therefore fully expected that all lodges will make available toinitiates the wealth of information provided in our publications andthereby encompassing the benefits to be obtained from theestablishment of good mentoring practice for junior brethren. You will find that great pleasure can be derived by acquiring anddisseminating a daily advancement in Masonic knowledge.W Bro J Keith Thomas, PJGD, Assistant Provincial Grand Master.

Welcome to teamTo further the work of The Staffordshire Way and meet the demandfrom lodges, we are delighted to welcome a number of brethren whohave offered to help Provincial Information Officer W Bro GeorgeArblaster. They include W Bros Charles Ambrose, Paul Arrowsmith, Paul Ashcroft, Philip Baker, Geoff Bean, Ian Botham,Maurice Downes, Chris Hibbs, Stephen Jeremy, Kevin Parkes, Geoff Wright and Bro Mike Santopietro.

On the webA meeting has been arranged for Tuesday, November 27, at 7.30pm atthe Aldridge Masonic Centre to assist lodges who want to explore ordevelop a website. The Provincial Webmaster, W Bro Chris Priestley,will lead the meeting and fully supportive documentation will beprovided. Bookings can be made via the web site or lodge secretaries.

Mentor Phase 3Three more meetings have been arranged for brethren who areinterested in finding out more about mentoring or becoming amentor in their own lodge. All attendees will receive a set of thefour Education Booklets for their own use. The meetings all startat 7.30pm and will be held at Kidsgrove on Wednesday, October17, Wednesbury on Thursday, October 31 and Burton on Trent onThursday, November 29. Places can be reserved either through theweb site or lodge secretaries.To date more than 100 mentors have been trained from 60 lodges.


The following article describes the Masonic Ceremonyperformed during the laying of the foundation stone of TheSutherland Institute, Longton by W. Bro. Graham Deeth,P.Pr.G.Reg. Secretary of Sutherland Lodge of Unity No 460.Thanks due to Andrew Dobraszcyc a local lecturer and TheStaffordshire Advertiser of 9th January 1897.

Foundation Stone Laid in Masonic CeremonyIn 1895 the Technical Instruction andFree Library Committee of theLongton Borough Council wereauthorised to make the necessaryenquiries and to prepare a scheme forthe erection of a Free Library andTechnical Schools. The new projectwas to commemorate the diamondjubilee of Queen Victoria's reign in1897. The Duke of Sutherland wasthe largest property owner inLongton where he owned about athird of the land in the early 1890'swas elected Mayor of Longton inNovember 1895. The Duke ofSutherland offered to donate land forthe new institute and the proposedsite was located on the corner ofStone Road, (now Lightwood Road)and Rosslyn Road.

By all reasonable minds it must beregarded as an appropriate procedurethat the Prince of Wales, on beinginvited to lay a foundation stone,should conduct the ceremony in hiscapacity of Grand Master ofEngland, a position which he hadfilled since 1874. George, Prince ofWales, was Grand Master in 1790and their Royal Highnesses theDukes of Sussex and Kent filled thesame office at a later period.Masonry, which had flourished as adistinguished guild during theMiddle Ages, rapidly declined inStaffordshire after the Civil Wars inthe 17th Century. Several Lodges,lingered in Cheshire, and in 1805 oneof these, the" Independent" ofCongleton, migrated to Lane End orLongton, but it was erased in 1828.In the same year a military lodge, the"Athol," which was originallyconstituted in the Royal Artillery in1774, was transferred to and becamethe "United Potteries Lodge," held atthe White Lion Inn, Lane End. Thislodge was erased in 1829.

It is singular that two Lodges shouldhave migrated to Longton in thesame year. The present LongtonLodge, the "Etruscan" No 546 on theroll of the Grand Lodge of England,dates from 1847, and will celebrateits jubilee this year. Thus Burslem,which is sometimes spoken of as the"Mother of the Potteries" also takes asenior position in StaffordshireFreemasonry. St. Martins Lodge,Burslem is No. 98 on the roll ofGrand Lodge, and its warrant datesfrom 1764. It may be added thatthis is only the fourth occasion onwhich the Prince of Wales as GrandMaster has performed a similar

office, the other occasions beingTruro, Wanstead and Oxford. Assoon as it was announced that thePrince of Wales was coming toLongton to lay the foundation stoneof the Sutherland Institute, themembers of the Etruscan Lodge ofFreemasons (546) began to considerthe question of respect being paid bythe fraternity to their Grand Master,as well as assistance being renderedin the promotion of such a goodobject. The proposal was favourablyreceived by the Earl of Dartmouth,R.W.P.G.M., Lieut-Col. J.A. Bindley,W.D.P.G.M. and P.G.D. England, andMasons generally throughout theProvince of Staffordshire. It is asomewhat singular circumstance thatabout the same time it became knownthat the Grand Master of EnglishFreemasons and future King wascoming to North Staffordshire, amember of a literary society shouldhave read a paper in which hedenounced Freemasonry as adangerous secret association.Whatever may be said of otherinstitutions, it must be a misguidednotion for anyone at the present timeto imagine that there is anythinginimical to the interests of thecommunity in the principles andpractice of English Freemasonry.

Speaking with a full knowledge ofthe subject, we are able to sayfreemasonry is neither anecclesiastical or a politicalassociation, and has nothing to dowith the disputes of sects and parties;but it aims at developing the virtuesof benevolence and good fellowship, and the members of the Craft take apleasure in declaring that a goodMason cannot be a bad citizen.

However they differ in tastes,disposition, education, andoccupation, they respect each other inlodge, and can recognize one anotherthe world over. English Masons havein innumerable instances experiencedthe advantage of this in far-off landsand amongst men of variousnationalities. The Masonic charitableinstitutions of Englandare a standingand sufficient reply to those who,knowing nothing of Freemasonry, aresometimes found trying to decry it. The strength of the Craft was prettywell manifested on Thursday whenthe Provincial Grand Lodge ofStaffordshire was held at Longton -on the occasion of the laying of thefoundation stone of the SutherlandInstitute.

The brethren assembled and clothedin the Zion Methodist NewConnexion Chapel, and then passedinto the Queen's Theatre, whereProvincial Grand Lodge wasopened. Before the opening of theLodge, Wor. Bro. A.D. Parker, ofLichfield, the Provincial GrandOrganist, extemporised during theassembling of the brethren,introducing the National Anthem."God Bless the Prince of Wales,"and a new patriotic song. "GodBless Victoria," written andcomposed by himself. The stage ofthe beautiful theatre was used as aplatform, and the Earl ofDartmouth, as P.G.M. presided, andwas supported by Lieut-Col.Bindley, D.P.G.M. The Warden'schairs were occupied by Bros. E.V.Greatbach, acting S.W; beforeadjourning, and W. Bro. Caddick,P.S.G.W; afterwards; W. Tunnicliffe,J.W. and on the platform were theofficers of the Provincial GrandLodge of Staffordshire.

After the Lodge had been formallyopened, the Earl of Dartmouth andCol. Bindley were duly salutedaccording to Masonic custom, andthe same compliment was paid tothe officers of the Grand Lodge ofEngland. The Provincial GrandMaster then moved that an addressof welcome be presented to HRHthe Prince of Wales from hisbrethren of Staffordshire. Theaddress was agreed to at once, andthe brethren then adjourned to thestreets, formed a procession andmarched by way of Market Streetand Stafford Street to the site wherethe ceremony of the day was to beperformed by the Prince.

The council had provided a largemarquee suitably decorated withflags, plants, poles with Royal tartandrapery and shields and escutcheonsbearing the Royal arms and heraldicdevices appropriate to the borough.In the afternoon a Masonicluncheon was provided at the TownHall, under the presidency of theEarl of Dartmouth and about 160brethren were present. The order of the Masonicprocession was juniors in front till

the site was reached, where theyopened out and entered the marqueein reversed order, seniors infront.Six Lewis's attired in white surplicescarried the Volume of the SacredLaw. The Prince of Wales wasgreeted by Lord Dartmouth,Provincial Grand Master and actingas Deputy Grand Master and W.Bro. Walton Walker, ProvincialGrand Secretary with a Masonicaddress. The Prince's reply wastaken as read and handed to theProvincial Grand Master. It shouldbe stated that the address is a largevellum scroll, magnificentlyilluminated in gold and glowingcolours.

The Prince was accommodated witha raised seat immediately behind thestone. The Grand Officers who ledthe Royal procession into thepavilion were The Grand Tyler; theDeputy Grand Director ofCeremonies; the Grand Director ofCeremonies; three Masters ofLodges, bearing the cornucopia andewers with wine and oil, they wereW. Bros. J.W. Bromley, of Longton,W. Brickel of Cheadle, and MajorHarding of Stone. The GrandSecretary bearing a plate with theinscription for the foundation stone,Bro. E. Letchworth; the President ofthe Board of General Purposes, withmallet; the acting Grand Secretarybearing the Great Seal; the GrandTreasurer bearing a phial containingcoins, the Grand Chaplain; theJunior Grand Warden with thePlumb Rule; the Senior GrandWarden with the Level; the DeputyGrand Master with the Square; theEarl of Dartmouth; the GrandSword Bearer; and the Senior GrandDeacons.

The chairs, pedestals etc used on theoccasion were from St. Michael'sLodge, Stone, which possesseshandsome Lodge furniture.

The ceremony commenced for thelaying of the Corner Stone withaddresses between the Mayor ofLongton, the Duke of Sutherlandand the Prince of Wales. At therequest of the Prince, the GrandTreasurer deposited in a cavity in the

An illustration of the ceremony


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lower stone, a casket containing thecurrent coins of the realm, from thesovereign downwards, and copies ofThe Times, The StaffordshireAdvertiser, The StaffordshireSentinel and The Longton Times andEcho.

The Prince having accepted theMayor's presentation of a beautifulgold trowel and ornamental mallet,and mortar having been spread overthe surface of the lower stone, helevelled the mortar and thesuspended block was slowly loweredinto position, three distinct stopsbeing made in the process.The Gavel, Plumb Rule, Square andLevel belonging to Sutherland Lodgeof Unity No 460 were used by thePrince of Wales to lay the foundationstone.

The inscription on the gavel reads,"This Gavel was used by HRH.Prince of Wales, Most WorshipfulGrand Master, at the laying of thefoundation stone of the SutherlandInstitute, Longton, with MasonicCeremonial on the 7th Jan 1897".

Having used the Plumb, Level andSquare the Prince announced, "I findthis stone to be plumb, level andsquare, and I declare it to be dulyprepared and truly laid, and that thecraftsmen have worked well." Hethen struck the stone thrice with theMallet, and having been handed a gilt

cornucopia emptied its contents ofgrain upon the stone and then pouredwine and oil onto the stone. Thisconcluded the Masonic ceremony,which throughout was mostimpressive. Purses were thenpresented and graciously received bythe Prince of Wales. The followinglodges made donations: Etruscan ofLongton, St. Giles of Cheadle,Portland of Stoke, Minerva ofFenton, St. Michaels of Stone,Forresters of Uttoxeter and Menturiaof Hanley.

After the presentation of purses theGrand Chaplain pronounced ablessing, after which the Prince ofWales was conducted round thepavilion by the Grand Officers amida scene of great enthusiasm.

The Sutherland Institute wasformally opened by the AmericanAmbassador, Mr. Choate and theDuke of Sutherland on 27 October1899.

The Sutherland Institute is stillstanding and used as a library at thepresent time. I have visited thepremises and reproduce herewith aphotograph of the foundation stoneand the Sutherland Institute.For a history of the Ancient WorkingTools owned by Sutherland Lodge ofUnity No. 460, please see article in arecent copy of "Within YourProvince"

The Sutherland Institute, now being used as a library and, below, the foundationstone laid by the Prince of Wales.

House CommitteeThe Wilson Keys Court complex house committee is chaired by PastProvincial Grand Master RW Bro Kevin Chawner and his vice chairman isProvincial Grand Almoner W Bro Alan Walker, MBE. The secretary is W BroRon Attwood and the treasurer is W Bro Granville Evans, a former bankmanager.Other members of the committee, all bring an expertise to the meetings,include W Bro Ray Trueman, former committee secretary, W Bro Eddie Ford,a builder, W Bro Dr Percy Grero, Provincial Grand Charity Steward W BroMaurice Williams and Past Provincial Grand Secretary W Bro StanleyLoweth, a trustee of the Wilson Keys Memorial Fund. The President of theCommittee is the Provincial Grand Master.


experience and great enthusiasm."Cynthia said: "I have been veryhappy at Wilson Keys Court. Ihave always found the Freemasonsinvolved with the house to be areal pleasure to work with. Theyhave always been helpful andfriendly. Jayne will have lots ofimmediate friends and never bealone."

Jayne, who works part time at theKatherine House Hospice inStafford, said: "I have a hard act tofollow but relish the prospect. It isan exciting challenge."

After four years as Warden atWilson Keys Court Cynthia Mirzahas retired and a new SchemeManager, Jayne Thacker, has takenover. Rugeley born Jayne's lastpost was a Senior Care Workerwith the Royal Air ForceBenevolent Fund in Sussex.House committee chairman RWBro Kevin Chawner said: "Cynthiahas served the house well and willbe a hard act to follow. We havehad an excellent service fromCynthia and we have great hopesfor the future with Jayne whocomes to us with considerable

Jayne takes over from Cynthia

The waiting list at Staffordshire'sMasonic sheltered housing complexis testament to its popularity. Andsuitable applicants who areconsidered eligible by themanagement committee areaccommodated as quickly aspossible.It is now 12 years since the WilsonKeys Court in Rugeley's DeaneryClose was opened as part of theMasonic Housing Association and itas popular with tenants as it has evenbeen. There are 34 flats in thepurpose built complex, one side ofwhich overlooks the canal.

The purpose of the 23 single personsflats and 11 two person flats is toprovide sheltered accommodationfor elderly people and includes somewith Masonic connections andothers who don't.Each flat has its own kitchen,lounge, bedroom and bathroom andeach opens onto an internal corridor.Tenants must be able to look afterthemselves, be able to live acompletely independent life andbenefit from the type ofaccommodation provided.The daily running of the building iscarried out by the House Committee,

a voluntary body which operates onbehalf of the Masonic HousingAssociation and the MasonicProvince of Staffordshire who ownit. It is currently chaired by PastProvincial Grand Master RW BroKevin Chawner who took over fromPast Provincial Grand Director ofCeremonies W Bro Jack Hill, whochaired the committee for its first tenyears.The committee considers all tenancyapplications and supervises lettings.It is also responsible for repairs anddecorations, the well being of alltenants and maintenance of thebuilding and grounds. It alsosupervises the work of the schememanager. Outside normal officehours an emergency care call systemis linked to a local control centre so

The front of Wilson Keys Court inRugeley

that tenants can speak directly totrained staff at the centre.There are two elements to chargesfor tenants: Rent and a ServiceCharge. They are reviewed annuallyand the rent is set by MasonicHousing Association in line with aformula stipulated by the HousingCorporation and as required by the1998 Housing Act.A number of lodges maintain linkswith the tenants and outings andentertainment are laid on from timeto time. Any brethren who areinterested in finding out more aboutthe complex should contact the newscheme manager Jayne Thacker on01889 576544.

Popular Sheltered Housing Scheme

Jayne Thackernew Scheme Manager,

Wilson Key's Court

Cynthia Mirza. Retiring Warden,

Wilson Key's Court.


Golf Societyhalved firstmatchFINE weather has helpedmembers of the StaffordshireMasonic Golf Society have anenjoyable season with some goodsocial golf. The season started atthe North Worcestershire GolfClub at Northfield, Birmingham,on May 18, when Staffordshirehalved the match againstWorcestershire.A couple of weeks later the annualSpring Competition took place atIngestre Park Golf Club, nearStafford, when 27 membersparticipated. The StablefordCompetition was won by W BroBev Nicholls, Round TableLodge, 8273, with 36 points, threepoints ahead of runner up BroMark Ashton. A dinner and prizepresentation by the ProvincialGrand Master followed.The annual fixture against theProvince of Nottingham was heldat Erewash Valley Golf Club atStanton by Dale, Ilkeston, on June26, which the home team won 4and 2.

Nottinghamshire won thecompetition.Next year the Six CountiesCompetition will be hosted byStaffordshire at Brocton Hall GolfClub on Thursday, July 28.The last two events of the seasonare the match againstWarwickshire at Oxley |park GolfClub, Wolverhampton, onThursday, August 23 and theProvincial Grand Masters GolfTrophy which will be played atIngestre Park Golf Club onTuesday, September 11.Any golfers who would like tojoin the Staffordshire MasonicGolf Society or who would likemore details should contact WBro David Hadler on 01902429707 or email him [email protected]

Norman at BuckinghamPalaceMasonic Caravan and CampingClub chairman W Bro NormanWood, a member of SutherlandLodge of Unity, 460, and his wifePatricia, were among a selectgroup of members who celebratedthe Centenary of The CaravanClub at a Garden Party atBuckingham Palace in July. TheDuke of Edinburgh is President ofthe Club and welcomed everyone.Norman reports an excellentbuffet but not such a good day,weather wise.In April, six brethren and theirfamilies met up in the New Forestwhen the weather wasmagnificent and they visitedBourne Lodge, 6959, inBournemouth, where they weremade very welcome.The next Masonic get together isin September when six brethrenhave booked to meet up atTeversal, near Mansfield. A visitto the installation meeting of theNorth Notts Rotary lodge, 8176,is also planned.

The trophy, which was won bythe Senior Wardens team, waspresented to W Bro Geoff Beanwho accepted it on behalf of WBro John Lockley who wasunable to attend.The Six Counties Championshipwhich was hosted by the Provinceof Derbyshire was played on July27 at Ashbourne Golf Club.Teams from South Yorkshire,Derbyshire, Warwickshire,Nottinghamshire, Leicestershireand Staffordshire took part andthe Staffordshire team of 13players took third place.W Bro Mike Baggaley, CastelumLodge, 6710, won the individualrunner up prize with a Stablefordscore of 32 points.

Heavy rain flooded to course atSeedy Mill Club near Lichfieldwhen the annual StaffordshireWardens Golf Competition wasdue to take place and it was rearranged for July 19 by secretaryW Bro Malcolm Phillips. Theprize presentation and dinner washeld at the nearby Royal Oak atKings Bromley when severalnonplaying Past Wardensattended together with ProvincialJunior Grand Warden W Bro JohnEdwards. The Provincial GrandMaster presented the prizes andhe was joined by AssistantProvincial Grand Masters, W BroGary Read and W Bro KeithThomas who played in the SeniorWarden's team.

W Bro Bev Nicholls with the Provincial Grand Masterafter winning the Spring Competition.

Bro Mark Ashton who was the runner up in the SpringCompetition.

The A team from St MartinsLodge, 98, won the Chawner Cupwith 68 points on a back ninecount back from ForrestersLodge, 456. This year'scompetition, which included PastProvincial Grand Master RW BroKevin Chawner, who gave theCup in 1986, attracted 24 players.The Forresters Lodge team of twoincluded Assistant ProvincialGrand Master W Bro KeithThomas and W Bro MalcolmPhillips, organiser of theProvincial Wardens GolfCompetition. The St Martins teamof three, the lodge actually fieldedseven players and the best twoscores in any team of up to threeplayers, count, was made up ofthree recently initiated friends,Bro Trevor Eclestone, a 39 yearold project manager, Bro RobertBunt, 54, a ConstructionManager, and 43 year oldContracts manager Bro MarkRobinson. They were initiated inFebruary, March and April thisyear.Division 1 winner was BCockersole and the Division 2winner was RW Bro KevinChawner.The competition took place atNewcastle Golf Club on June 6and the orgainser is W Bro JimMacfarlane.

St Martins A Team Win Chawner Cup

St. Martins A Team with the Chawner Cup, Bros. Trevor Ecclestone, RobertBunt and Mark Robinson

It is open to all members of NorthStaffordshire craft lodges who canenter as many teams as they wish.It is a Stableford competition, fullhandicap, max 24. Members of thehost club have an additional twoshot penalty on their handicaps.Rules of the popular competitionalso state that lodges entering

more than one team must nametheir teams before play commencesand individuals who don't play in ateam and are therefore not eligibleto win the Trophy, are entered intothe two divisions. The Cup winnersare not eligible to win a furtherprize.

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