Essex Fund New Lifeboat

A two-day campaign by Essex masons in June 2005 set a target to raise £25,000 to commission and build a new ‘D’ Class inflatable inshore lifeboat for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), and resulted in a massive £61,000 for the project.
     Three years later, the new craft, The Essex Freemason, was officially named and launched by Diane Webb, wife of the Provincial Grand Master for Essex, John Webb, at a special ceremony held at the Southend Pier head.
     Following a service of dedication, Mrs Webb poured the traditional bottle of champagne over the bows of the new craft. Also in attendance was Earl Howe, a member of the RNLI fund-raising council, as well as civic dignitaries.
     The campaign was called OrangeAid, after the vivid colour used on RNLI rescue boats. Hundreds of Essex masons, their families and friends took part in fun events which take place over the two days at 26 masonic centres across the Province.
     It was so successful that not only was it possible to fund the new inshore life boat at Southend, but also donated a further £15,000 towards a new lifeboat for Clacton, £18,000 for a tractor to assist lifeboat launches at Clacton and a further £3,000 for essential equipment at Southend.

Thanks to Masonic News, the official publication of Essex masons, for the information.

Stadium of Lights Hosts Durham

Whichever soccer team masons support in the north-east of England was put to one side when the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham took place at the Stadium of Light, home to Sunderland AFC. The meeting, attended by around 800 masons, was led by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master-in-Charge, Eric Heaviside, following the death earlier in the year of the Provincial Grand Master, Derek Richmond.
     Former Provincial Grand Master, Dr Alan Martin Davison announced at the meeting that the Grand Master had appointed Eric Heaviside as Provincial Grand Master and Grand Superintendent for Durham.

Bikers Rev Up for Charity

A group of motorcycling masons have formed themselves into the South East Chapter of the Widow’s Sons Masonic Biking Association to add to those in Scotland and the north of England.
     Ray Sparks, Charity Steward and Press Officer of the new organisation, said: ‘The concept was started in Illinois in the United States by a mason, Carl Davenport, with the idea of supporting masonic widows and orphans, and the idea spread to every state in the Union followed by Canada and the UK.’
     The group, with 25 founding members, ride motorcycles of 500cc or more, and is a non-profit making organisation, all money raised going to nominated charities.
     This year they are raising money for SERV – Service by Emergency Ride Volunteers – founded in 1981 to supply a quick and reliable means of transporting emergency blood and blood products to hospitals and medical facilities at night.
     Go to www.widowssons.org.uk or www.widowssons-southeast.co.uk or www.widowssons.com for further information.

Warwickshire Puts On A Royal Show

Warwickshire Freemasons exhibited at The Royal Show at Stoneleigh Park this year for the first time in its history. Stoneleigh Park was the home of Lord Leigh, Provincial Grand Master for the Province for 53 years from 1852 to 1905.
     Visits were made by people from many parts of the world including a mason from New Zealand and a young lady mason.
     Provincial Grand Master Michael Price said: ‘I was pleased with the positive reaction that we received from the many members of the public who visited us.’
     ‘We will be reviewing the success of our participation shortly to determine whether we should be at the show in 2009 and in what manner.’

Helping the Troops in Afghanistan

A group of masons from Pudsey in Yorkshire has been packing boxes with comforts for troops in Afghanistan. Members of the Pudsey Family of Lodges together with the Lodge of Elmet No. 7847 and Godrich Lodge No. 1211 donated money to fill 250 shoe boxes with goodies which included wet wipes, instant noodles, sweets and biscuits.
     The idea was put forward by Peter Throp, of the Lodge of Elmet, and Perseverance Lodge, an ex- Coldstream Guardsman whose daughter Katharine is a captain in the Royal Logistics Corps and currently serving in Iraq.
     Peter said: ‘We specially included wet wipes as water is not always available, so we know they will be really appreciated, and we had a generous discount from the manager of the local Asda store where we did most of the shopping.’
     But not only have the group filled the goody boxes, they have also collected donations from local firms for the troops’ ‘Hearts and Minds’ approach to the local Afghani population.
     Contributions include 3,000 pens, pencils, rulers and rubbers from Emma Harrison of A4e, a Keighley-based training company, note pads from printers and local masons Ken Perkins, Stuart Cummins and Sunfield Printers, and sewing threads from Bonds of Farsley.
     These will be all distributed to local schools and orphanages, which are always grateful for help.
     Peter added: ‘The boys and girls serving out there need to know that they are not forgotten and that they have support from people back in the UK.’ Anyone who would like to contribute can contact the Secretary, Perseverance Lodge No. 3197, c/o Pudsey Masonic Hall, Church Lane, Pudsey, LS28 7RF.

Welsh Lodge Raises Over £3,000

St. Deiniol’s Lodge No. 3273 has celebrated its centenary in the presence of the Provincial Grand Master for North Wales, Ieuan Redvers Jones, at New Brighton, Mold.
     Mark Spencer Jones became Master for the second year in succession, and a cheque for £3,273, which represents the number of the lodge, was presented to the PGM to commemorate the centenary and as a donation for the Province’s next festival.
     Gifts were presented to the lodge from members and friends of the Scottish Constitution who have attended the Installation meetings for the last 23 years – Lodge Troon Navigation No. 86, Lodge St. Matthew Dreghorn No. 549 and Lodge Concord Glasgow No. 1341.
     During the festive board, the wives sat down to a banquet of their own. The day ended with a social evening.

Masons Honour Cornish Fishermen

Cornish Freemasons have given generously towards a memorial to fishermen lost at sea. The splendid lifesize bronze statue was unveiled at the fishing port of Newlyn by the Princess Royal.
     The memorial, to fishermen lost from harbours in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, was backed by local and national charities, the fishing industry and arts community.
     Masons were prominent in the project, including fund chairman Douglas Williams and project director Tony Woodhams, both Past Masters of Penzance lodges and members of local Chapters and the Cornish Masters Lodge.
     Guests included civic and county leaders and Peter George, Deputy Provincial Grand Master for Cornwall. Penlee lifeboat and local boats were offshore and a helicopter from RNAS Culdrose flew overhead.

Classic Car Run Looks to Expand

Leicestershire and Rutland freemasons’ fifth sponsored classic car run, which was to Canons Ashby House in Northamptonshire this year, again raised a significant amount of money for local charities.
     As well as an opportunity for freemasons and their families to enjoy a day out together, it demonstrates freemasonry’s commitment to fundraising in the community. To date, the runs have raised over £30,000 for local charities.
     It is hoped to encourage neighbouring Provinces to take part in a joint car run in future.
     To discuss the possibilities for this joint venture please, contact Richard White at richardwhite@supanet.com or on 0116 240 4005.

Certificates Project

During Spring 2008, art historian Harriet Sandvall worked at the Library and Museum of Freemasonry in London with a pilot study on masonic certificates, to experience how this rarely used source material can be exploited in future studies.
     Masonic certificates are one of the most fascinating sources of material in the history of the Craft, but there is hardly any methodology established in how to use them as sources for historical research.
     During the summer, the Centre for Freemasonry (CRF) at Sheffield University prepared a draft application for a major grant with the aim of launching a large-scale project on the history and function of masonic certificates.
     Anyone with access to collections that hold masonic certificates, or information on the number and age of the documents, should contact a.onnerfors@sheffield.ac.uk with information.
     For access to access Harriet Sandvall’s work go to www.freemasonry.london.museum/catalogue.php.