Warwickshire Provincial Grand Lodge News
The latest issue of the Provincial Newsletter is
available online here.
Older Items can be accessed from the News Archive.
Provincial Wardens for 2009 announced
The RW Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Michael J Price CBE, has been pleased to appoint W Bro Tony Cheesman as Provincial Senior Grand Warden and W Bro David Shakeshaft as Provincial Junior Grand Warden for 2009. We wish them a very happy and rewarding year in their high offices. posted 18/11/2008
The Central Masonic Charities and the current economic situation
The Central Masonic Charities have advised that the global economic situation has not required any reduction in current or planned projects. The Freemasons’ Grand Charity, The Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys, The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution and the Masonic Samaritan Fund are fortunate to have diversified income streams and are therefore in a better position to weather the financial storm than many charities who have to rely upon a narrow income base. The continuing success of the Festival system coupled with a combination of legacy and investment income have enabled the Central Masonic Charities to fund their charitable expenditure despite the detrimental impact on their investment portfolios.
The investments of the four Charities are professionally managed with the performance of the investment managers kept under the close scrutiny of their Trustees. None of the Charities has been affected by the much publicised problems of the Icelandic banks.
What is not yet clear is what impact the credit crunch and recession will have on demand for support from the Charities as increasing financial hardship is experienced by Freemasons and their families. Although the unprecedented conditions within the financial markets have caused concern for many charities it remains the view of the Central Masonic Charities that, providing the generous support from today’s Freemasons continues at present levels, they should be able to continue to meet the demands placed upon them for charitable support to Freemasons and their families. posted 17/11/2008
A happy event - thanks to the Masonic Samaritan Fund
John and Janet have a wonderful baby son Matthew (all the names have been changed to protect their identities). Janet suffers from a condition which attacks her reproductive system and is unable to conceive naturally. IVF treatment was the only solution but is costly and the couple had to be assisted by friends and family towards the costs involved. The short series of treatments was unsuccessful. John is a Freemason in Warwickshire and applied to the Masonic Samaritan Fund for assistance, which was granted. The treatment funded by the MSF resulted in the birth of Matthew to very happy and grateful parents.
This wonderful event should encourage all Warwickshire Freemasons to dig even deeper into their pockets to support the RW Provincial Grand Master and his Festival for the MSF in 2012. posted 17/11/2008
Electronic Communication of the Lodge Summons
In December 2000 Grand Lodge resolved that in those cases where the Lodge Secretary was able and willing to despatch summonses by email it should be sufficient compliance with the requirements of the Book of Constitutions if summonses were sent by email to those members who had requested it. It was stipulated then that any such request should be made in writing and on an annual basis.
The matter was reviewed by Grand Lodge in December 2005. A written request once made need not be renewed annually but should continue in force until further notice to the secretary of the Lodge. The written request may be sent by email. Every member who has not asked for summonses to be sent by email must continue to receive them by post, and it is essential that at least one printed copy of each summons is retained by the Lodge for its records. In addition a printed copy of the form must be sent by post to the Provincial Grand Secretary. posted 16/11/2008
How to be a good Director of Ceremonies
A briefing booklet, written by John Emms the current Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies for Warwickshire, 'A Guide for Lodge Directors of Ceremonies' is now on sale, price £3-00 each or 2 copies for £5-00, and is available from the Provincial Grand Secretary at 2 Stirling Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham. posted 13/11/2008
Learning more about other Orders in Freemasonry
At the Lodge of Integrity No 4563 on Saturday 6 December 2008, W Bro Spencer Fenn PAGDC will be presenting his explanation and demonstration of the popular "Beyond the Craft" lecture. During this demonstration, numerous different orders and regalia are outlined and explained, and the more brethren present, the more effective the demonstration becomes. Those Brethren who are interested in attending should contact Stephen Tranter on 07976 328078 or at stephentranter@wilkestranter.co.uk posted 11/11/2008
At the Regular Meeting of the Warwickshire Installed Masters Lodge on Saturday 29 November 2008 the Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Michael J Price CBE, will appoint and invest W Bro John Emms PAGDC as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W Bro Philip Hall as Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies and W Bro Graham Lewis as Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies. In addition, he will appoint W Bro Trevor Sturt PAGDC as the Provincial Orator, W Bro Peter Wellings as Provincial Information Officer and W Bro Stuart Esworthy as Provincial Mentor. The Lodge will also receive a talk entitled "Attacks on Freemasonry 1698 to 2008 - a brief review" from the well known Masonic historian and lecturer W Bro Yasha Beresiner PGStB.
The Lodge meets at 2 Stirling Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham and will commence proceedings at 10.30am prompt. Lunch, at a cost of £20, including wine, will be served at 1.30pm. Brethren are urged to attend this very special meeting and those who are not members will be made most welcome. Reservations should be made with Trevor Siddall on 01604 830467 or at trevor.siddall@talk21.com posted 10/11/2008
Learn more about the Third Degree
The Lodge of Academe, which meets at Guy’s Cliffe, Warwick, will present a series of papers on the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason at its regular meeting on Friday 28 November 2008 at 5.45pm. Newly raised Master Masons are particularly welcome to attend. Those who are interested in attending should contact W Bro G H D Malpas on 01827 281109 or at malpasgh@talktalk.net to make reservations. posted 10/11/2008
Learning more about the national Masonic Charities
Brethren of Lord Leycester Lodge at their meeting on 10 January 2009 Lodge will receive a talk entitled 'An Update on Masonic Charities' given by W Bro C J Grove MBE, PGStB, Provincial Grand Almoner. This is a most instructive and enlightening talk and is of value in particular to Lodge Almoners and Charity Stewards who are encouraged to attend. Further details can be obtained from the secretary, Eric Quinn, at eric.quinn@btinternet.com posted 9/11/2008
The total amount at the end of October 2008 stands at £1,158,077 posted 9/11/2008
At the recent Regular Meeting of the Lodge of Assembly Brethren witnessed the Installation of W Bro John Goldingay and celebrated the Lodge's 70th Anniversary. W Bro Keith Quinton and W Bro Roy Quinton presented the Lodge with a Master's apron which the new Master wore. 
The Lodge elected the RW Provincial Grand Master as an honorary member 'with affection, respect and appreciation for all his many endeavours on our behalf' and presented him with a framed caricature of a fly fisherman.
At the Festive Board Keith Walton presented the Provincial Grand Master with a cheque for £500 for the Warwickshire Masonic Benevolent Fund, a cheque for £100 for the 2012 Festival raised by a widow of the Lodge, and a cheque for £2012 for the Festival from the Lodge. Finally Roy Quinton presented a beautifully hand carved large pear wood sculpture of the Bear and Ragged Staff (shown in the photograph), made by W Bro Derek Leigh, a Mason from Shropshire. posted 4/11/2008
Aniz Visram, a Past Master of the Lodge of Israel No 1474, has decided to take a break from work to cycle 550 km over 6 days, from Mumbai to Goa in India, for FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance, early in the new year.
This is going to be quite a challenge for Aniz given that he has neither cycled at length nor been to India! If you can support Aniz in this venture please do so by visiting http://www.justgiving.com/anizvisram and donating online. posted 4/11/2008
Five Ways Lodge of Instruction
This Lodge of Instruction meets at the Provincial HQ at 2 Stirling Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham every Wednesday evening throughout the year at 6.45pm except in the months of June, July and August. The workings of the ceremonies are in conformity with the ritual practised by the Emulation Lodge of Improvement. All Master Masons have an open invitation to join in the practices. Further information is available from Ralph Hickman on 0121 429 1357.
Details of the General Lodge of Instruction, the Five Ways Lodge of Instruction, the Rugby Masonic Lodge of Instruction, the Five Points Circle Lodge of Instruction and the Yenton Lodge of Instruction can be found on pages 241 to 247 of the Warwickshire Masonic Year Book for 2008 - 2009. posted 2/11/2008
At the meeting on Saturday 1 November 2008 of the Royal and Select Masters of Warwickshire Right Ills Companion Spencer T E Fenn, District Grand Master, reappointed Ills Companion Michael J Poole as Deputy District Grand Master and Installed Ills Companion David H Liddington as District Grand Principal Conductor of the Works. The District Grand Master then announced that he had indicated to Grand Council his intention to stand down as District Grand Master early in 2009 when the New Council to be formed at Stirling Road, the Edgbaston Council, is Consecrated, or at the meeting of Grand Council in April 2009 whichever is the sooner.
The District Grand Master thanked all the Companions for their support since his appointment as District Grand Master in 2002. posted 2/11/2008
Important person at Masonic Hall
Rugby Masonic Hall was the venue chosen by the local Conservatives recently when the principal guest was the Rt Hon Sir John Major. posted 31/10/2008
Calling all Lodge Directors of Ceremonies and their Assistants
The Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies will be holding a Seminar for Lodge Directors of Ceremonies and Assistant Directors of Ceremonies on Tuesday 11 November 2008 at 7.30pm at the Provincial HQ, 2 Stirling Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham. It is important that all those who hold these offices should attend. W Bro John Emms has written a booklet with guidance for Lodge Directors of Ceremonies and this will be available to purchase on that occasion at £3.00 each or 2 copies for £5.00. posted 28/10/2008
"To the target and beyond" for the 2012 Festival
Warwickshire Brethren are asked to put Saturday 31 January 2009 in their diaries now. That is the day when W Bro David Macey, the Festival Director, will talk of new things in relation to the 2012 Festival for the Masonic Samaritan Fund and it is important that all Lodges are represented. The RW Provincial Grand Master has expressed his wish that at least two members of each Lodge in the Province will be present on that occasion. The presentation, at 2 Stirling Road, Edgbaston, is expected to start at 10.30am and finish no later than 1.00pm. Lodges will receive further details shortly. posted 26/10/2008
The RW Provincial Grand Master has been pleased to appoint W Bro Trevor Sturt as the Provincial Grand Orator. Trevor can be reached at trevor.sturt@virgin.net or on 01789 740359 or 07817 562281 for Lodges to make arrangements with him to deliver one of the 19 Orations that he has.
The RW Provincial Grand Master has also been pleased to appoint W Bro Peter Wellings as the Information Officer for the Warwickshire Freemasons to succeed W Bro Rodney Pitham. Peter will take up his duties on 1 December 2008 and all news items should be sent to him with effect from that date. He can be contacted at peter@wellings.me.uk or on 07973 135761 (inc message service) or 0121 706 2495 .
W Bro Stuart Esworthy has been appointed Provincial Mentor and he is at stuartesworthy@aol.com or on 07881 505558 and contact should be made with him direct since he will be pleased to discuss mentoring for the future.
Peter, Trevor and Stuart will be invested in their respective offices at the next meeting of the Warwickshire Installed Masters Lodge No 4538 to be held on 29 November 2008 at 2 Stirling Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham. posted 22/10/2008
The building of King Solomon's Temple
Tudor Lodge will be hosting a Lecture at the next Regular Meeting on Monday 10 November 2008, at 2 Stirling Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, entitled ‘The Logistics of Building King Solomon’s Temple’ which will be delivered by W Bro Ray Pearson, PProvSGD (Glos). Brethren wishing to attend and dine should contact W Bro Ian T George on 07774 120003 or at ian.georgeuk@btinternet.com posted 19/10/2008
The Annual Christmas Fayre, presented by The Ladies’ Gift Fund for Masonic Charities, will be held on Saturday 15 November 2008 from 10.30am until 12 noon at The Clarendon Suites, 2 Stirling Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham. The official opening ceremony will be performed at 10.30 am by Richard Douglas who is the Chief Executive of The Masonic Samaritan Fund for which Warwickshire is in Festival. Brethren are asked to support this enjoyable event by bringing family and friends. There are attractions for all - cakes, greeting cards, presents, plants and Christmas decorations. There will also be a raffle for Christmas hampers and lots of other brilliant prizes. Just come along and have a great time. posted 19/10/2008
A Remembrance Service will be held at the Warwickshire Provincial HQ, 2 Stirling Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham on Saturday 8 November 2008 commencing at 10.45am. Brethren, their families and friends are invited to attend this important service to remember in particular those Freemasons who made the supreme sacrifice in all theatres of war and conflict. posted 19/10/2008
It is now permissible to apply to the Grand Secretary for Grand Lodge Certificates electronically.
Visiting Officers have been asked to ensure that the Lodges in their groups receive a copy but one can be downloaded here 
posted 18/10/2008
It is with great sadness that we report the death of John Maris, Provincial Grand Steward, on 11 October 2008 as a result of a motorcycle accident. John was a Founder and Master Elect of the Mike Hailwood Lodge and was returning home from Rugby after a meeting of that Lodge. Our sympathies and condolences are with his wife Joan at this sad time. posted 13/10/2008
Freemasons donate almost £2 million in one go
Nearly £2 million is to be dedicated to helping charities delivering opportunities for young people, supporting vulnerable people and researching the cause and treatment of illness and disease. The grants to seventeen national charities were approved by hundreds of Freemasons at a General Meeting of The Freemasons’ Grand Charity held in Bournemouth on 27 September 2008.
The organisations that will benefit from the generous sum include the Scout Association which is set to receive £1/2 million as a contribution towards its KidsOutdoors Campaign and Ovarian Cancer Action whose research and awareness work will be supported over five years through a £1 million donation.
The meeting also heard that the District Grand Lodge of Eastern Archipelago is to receive a grant of £15,000 towards its work with survivors of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar (Burma). The grant will help to fund the building of three health clinics at Pyinkhayang, Myaugmya and Nadupaw.
Summary of Grants approved on 27 September:
Medical Research
- Ovarian Cancer Action - £1 million over five years
- Deafness Research UK - £82,700 over two years
Youth Opportunities
- Scout Association - £500,000 over five years
- The Who Cares? Trust - £25,000
- Raleigh International - £15,600
- Reach Volunteering - £15,000
Vulnerable People
- National Autistic Society - £50,000
- Whizz-Kidz- £40,000
- The Elizabeth Foundation - £30,000
- Children: Our Ultimate Investment (UK) - £26,700
- Treloar Trust – £25,000
- Elizabeth Fitzroy Support - £15,000
- Counsel & Care - £15,000
- The Bruce Trust - £10,000
- Cued Speech Association UK - £10,000
- Royal Blind Society - £8,000
- St John Ambulance and Rescue Service - £5,000
Further details of the grants can be found at http://www.grandcharity.org/pages/news.html posted 5/10/2008
Masonic meeting places in Warwickshire are now easier to find
We have introduced a new feature on the meetings page to make it easier for Brethren within or outside the Province to find all the Masonic meeting places in Warwickshire. Once on the page you can find the location of a venue, and/or directions to it, by clicking on the icon 
next to the place you want to get to.
When the map appears:
- click on Get directions To here
- put your postcode into the Start Address box
- click Go.
A route map will appear complete with directions. It could not be more simple! posted 4/10/2008
At 30 September 2008 the total amounts to £1,122,150. posted 3/10/2008
Spare some time for SSAFA and its work
The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help needs you. There are over 10 million people eligible for help from SSAFA Forces Help, the leading national charity committed to helping those who serve in our Armed Forces, those who used to serve and the dependents of both. SSAFA provides a reliable, caring and trusted service to more than 50,000 people each year.
Volunteers can give as little or as much time as they can spare. There are positions for people interested in practical case work as well as other roles such as team leaders, treasurers and fundraisers. SSAFA Forces Help also has a network of volunteers who work within serving communities. Freemasons, by their very nature, are accustomed to offering help and support in the community. SSAFA already have many Freemasons helping in their work but they are looking for more. If you would like to be part of their important volunteer team that cares for those who have left the Services please get in touch. Training is provided and all out of pocket expenses are paid.
Contact should be made with Mr Glen Smith, Branch Support Advisor-Membership, SSAFA, 19 Queen Elizabeth Street, London, SE1 2LP. Telephone: 020 7463 9273 or e-mail: glen.s@ssafa.org.uk posted 3/10/2008
Learn more about other Masonic Orders
At the Lodge of Faith and Hope No 4772 on Tuesday 28 October 2008 , W Bro Spencer Fenn PAGDC will be presenting his explanation and demonstration of the popular "Beyond the Craft" lecture. During this demonstration, numerous different orders and regalia are outlined and explained, and the more brethren present, the more effective the demonstration becomes. The Worshipful Master, W Bro John Hayward, will welcome all who are able to attend, and encourages all who are able to join him on that occasion to contact him either by phone on 01905 798462 or by email john.hayward@yahoo.co.uk posted 3/10/2008
