The Suffolk Freemasons Magazine 29th May 2020 FORUM Lockdown Edition No. 2...

Dear All,

‘If you can keep your head when all about are losing theirs, and blaming it on you, if you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, but make allowance for that doubting too’. A man, a mason and a poet wrote that in 1910 and is so applicable to many situations. Today would have been our Provincial Meeting, so instead we have launched another electronic version of Forum, to mark the day. In Suffolk, I have a team of individuals, making up my executive, that have helped propel this Province in the past and given us the opportunity to maintain that progress in the future. Please read the reports that follow from some of those Brethren and I think you will see what I mean. They are all committed, dynamic and tireless with their time and detailed work that they put into their tasks and this Province. They are ably assisted by their teams, which number many brethren across the Province and I wish to thank each and every one of them. I also wish to thank most sincerely all that are retiring and welcome all that are joining the executive. I will miss the dedicated detail of David Clarke our Deputy and his superb problem-solving attributes, as well as the enormous enthusiasm of our past Mentor and now retiring APGM Keith Huxley, both of which sat either side of me in perfect harmony. Our outgoing Treasurer followed his remit and his report explains how successful his role has been. I wouldn’t like to imagine how many hours Terry Lewis has spent dealing with his duties as Almoner and every one of them, to such tremendous effect. Our Orator has been inventive, entertaining as well as informative, founded a Lodge and travelled with his ‘Empty Chair’ all over the country and finally our outgoing assistant secretary Ralph who has been a great support to the Secretary. The rest of my executive will now be joined by Tim McCormick and Bob Lee, Robert Clubb, Jamie Gwatkin, Larry Bensusan and Trevor Tinley to push our Province with new ideas and enthusiasm further into the 21st Century. I also pay great respect and thanks to Dean Willingham and Kelvin Avis as their workload has been immense during the last few weeks. I also thank my secretary who has been challenged during this time and handled everything with great aplomb (with the exception of his lawn!). I also thank all the acting officers and others who supported the Rulers and Wardens on their many visits, we were all very grateful for that support. I would also like to thank all the Brethren as well as The Light Blues, that have been so helpful during this crisis and they will be mentioned in the future when I have all the details. The combination of the whole, be it a Lodge or a Province I believe is the secret, no man is an island. How many times have we seen newly installed Masters, with a teary eye, thank the Past Masters and Officers of the Lodge... “I couldn’t have done it without you”. So, my thanks go to you all for the part you have played and just as importantly, the part you are going to play. This could be tough for a little while, the waiting, the not knowing and judging and selecting the safest guidance for our future. However, patience as with so many things during our transitory existence, often provides the answer, which is not immediately obvious. With patience comes resilience and this we need, to stay faithful to our craft. Only the UGLE can direct our next move and we will adhere to those instructions, but rest assured, Suffolk Freemasonry will come back to prosper again. So let’s listen to Dame Vera and look forward, but wait patiently for that sunny day.

R.W.Bro. Ian Yeldham Provincial Grand Master Report of the Provincial Secretary orogood has written and adapted ‘e Pilgrims Progress’ which was first delivered in February at Gainsborough Lodge, Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master and brethren, I again by Stewards Lodge, to much acclaim. have much pleasure in presenting my annual report for the Undoubtedly the Final Event which brought the 2019 Festival to year ending 31st December 2019. its conclusion was the highlight of the year with well over 400 It is very pleasing to see that once again our membership has brethren and their guests attending the dinner at the Royal increased over the past year, for the fifth time in the last six years; Hospital School in the presence of the Deputy Grand Master admittedly not by very many but compared with the national Jonathan Spence. Brilliantly delivered and stage managed by the trend we are performing well. ese increases do not happen on recently retired Provincial Charity Steward Neville Warnes and their own, we have to make them happen and there is no doubt his tireless team of assistants, far too numerous to mention, the that we are seeing the benefits of the number of Blue and White amazing sum raised of well over £1.5 million pounds took Tables being held around the Province, the introduction of the everyone by surprise and was a fitting send off for all of them Membership Pathway in the autumn of 2018 and the constant following five years of relentless efforts towards the RMBI. efforts of the Provincial Mentor Dean Willingham and e weather was once again very kind to us at the PGM’s annual Membership Officer Paul Taylor. Initiates BBQ, attended by nearly 150 brethren and their partners In April Suffolk Installed Masters Lodge celebrated its Centenary which gave the provincial executive the opportunity to meet the year by holding a special meeting at Ashlar House when guest newest members of the Craft and visa versa. Geoffrey Dearing, Past PGM for East Kent and now President of My congratulations on behalf of the Province go to those the Board of General Purposes gave an interesting talk on the brethren honoured with Grand Rank appointments and work of the Board and WBro Gordon Spindler presented a copy promotions this year, of his book on the history of the lodge to each member. First Appointments: WBro. Roger Nash, Past Assistant Grand In May Trevor White retired as Provincial Representative for Director of Ceremonies; WBro. Ralph Robertson, Past Assistant Group 8 after eight years of sterling service to be replaced by Grand Director of Ceremonies Mark Jepson. Trevor has now moved on to take up the role of Provincial Archivist following the retirement John Jarman. Promotions: VWBro. David Clarke to Past Grand Sword Bearer e Provincial Grand Lodge meeting at Holbrook was again a Reappointment: WBro. J.A.F. om, QC Deputy Grand Registrar very enjoyable occasion attended by a record number at the e PGM’s annual reception for ruling masters was held in ceremony itself and a capacity Festive Board. is was David November at Ashlar House, Bury St Edmunds and was attended Barker’s swan song as Provincial Director of Ceremonies and was by 160 guests who enjoyed an excellent buffet lunch in the executed with exacting precision that drew many highly company of the Provincial Grand Master and his executive team. complementary comments from our VIP guests. My sincere During the course of the year ten brethren were presented with thanks go to Ralph Robertson, Chris Warnes, Charlie Neil and certificates for Fifty Years membership of the Craft, one for sixty the Suffolk Stewards Lodge for all their assistance in making this years and one for an incredible seventy years service, an amazing event so successful. achievement. On this topic it would seem that Suffolk is the Province to visit as e three Rulers were again kept very busy this year representing I understand that the Provincial Grand Chapter meeting held at Suffolk at the PGL Meetings of the ten other Provinces within Greshams a couple of weeks earlier was also attended by a record our group. Between them they also made visits to almost all number of Companions including no less than fifteen Grand lodges within our Province, very often to help celebrate special Superintendents from other provinces. occasions which they all enjoyed enormously. My personal e Suffolk Masonic Clay Shooting Society hosted the National thanks go to them for all their support and encouragement to me Clay Shooting Competition at High Lodge on the 22nd June to enable me to carry out my duties. which was attended by our PGM and a record attendance of over e Provincial Grand Wardens also represented the PGM at 200 shooters from 18 different provinces. e weather was ideal almost sixty of the lodge Installation meetings during the year and the whole day ran according to the organisers’ plans with and their reports clearly showed that the lodges in this province many complimentary comments received following the event. take the quality of their ceremonies very seriously whilst e overall winner was Dan Bishop from Hampshire and Isle of combining this with strong friendship and good humour. Wight, team winners were West Lancs and I’m delighted that Brethren we are fortunate to have such a happy province brought Suffolk won the Ladies Team prize. e £6000 raised for charity about by the continued hard work of the lodge Secretaries, DCs at the event was also a record amount with the bulk of this being and other enthusiastic members of our lodges. donated to the 2019 Festival appeal. Finally we have a change within the Provincial Secretariat so can e Suffolk branch of the Masonic Fishing Charity has again I take this opportunity to welcome Richard Vickerstaff who will been very active with several very well organised days by the be assuming some of the duties currently carried out by Geoff lakes that have been thoroughly enjoyed by both the casters and Spencer and Trevor Tinley following their appointments to their charges. Many letters of thanks have been received from Provincial Senior Grand Warden and Assistant Provincial Grand both children and their parents thanking the charity for Secretary respectively. As always my sincere thanks to the other providing such enjoyable days out. ese have really shown the members of the whole team, Ralph Robertson the Ass Prov benevolent side of Freemasonry in a positive light to the general Grand Secretary, Geoff Spencer, Trevor Tinley, David Cuthbert, public. Peter omas, Graham Saward and Kelvin Avis who put in many e Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge brethren have again been hours to ensure that the Province runs so smoothly; and of on their travels with visits to several other Provinces to deliver course to the Secretaries of all the individual lodges whose the deeply moving play, e Ceremony of the Empty Chair. ese largely unseen efforts are responsible for the smooth running of have been very well received and universally acclaimed wherever the nearly five hundred separate meetings that took place last they have been presented and have raised the Suffolk profile year. enormously. Following on from this the Provincial Orator Peter WBro Roger Nash, Provincial Grand Secretary Tim McCormick Deputy Provincial Grand Master

I was initiated into Culford Lodge on 12th September 1998 and became Worshipful Master in 2005. I was made a Provincial Steward in 2009, Past SGD in 2013 and Provincial Senior Grand Warden in 2017. I have been a lodge and Group Mentor, Provincial Membership Officer and helped deliver training for the Pathway and Solomon initiatives. A few months ago, the PGM asked if I would accept the role and duties of Deputy Provincial Grand Master. There was only ever going to be one answer. It is a wonderful honour to be given the rank of DPGM but, better still to hold that rank in Suffolk - England’s greatest Province. I moved to Suffolk in the mid-1960s (as a very young boy!!) and have lived and worked in the County ever since (College years excepted). The family home is Newmarket and the weekend escape near Saxmundham. I am also a member of 5 Suffolk Lodges and attend their meetings in Bury St Edmunds, Sudbury, Ipswich, Felixstowe and Lowestoft, consequently I have come to know the Province pretty well. I was also fortunate to be the Provincial Senior Warden 3 years ago and met many of you during my year in office. I believe that there are only a handful of Lodges that I have yet to visit and hope to correct that shortfall as soon as it is safe to do so. The present suspension of meetings is disappointing for all of us. On Friday 29th May, many of you would have been receiving Provincial appointments and missing out on the big occasion will be frustrating. As you might imagine I was also very much looking forward to PGL and my new tail coat and stripes will have to wait for their first outing. In the end though, missing our meetings is a small sacrifice compared to the difficulties that others are facing. Undoubtedly, we will have some rebuilding to do next year, but we are well placed to bounce back. For my part, I intend to help us build on the recent success of freemasonry in Suffolk. Ours is a vibrant Province with a dynamic blend of youth and maturity and I intend to do my best to encourage our positive outlook and to spread the word of our many achievements.

Bob Lee Assistant Provincial Grand Master

Born and raised in Bournemouth, upon leaving school I moved to Liverpool to undertake a four-year Cadetship as a Marine Engineer with a major shipping line. Fifteen years later, and serving as a senior engineer, the British Merchant Navy industry collapsed, leading to a forced career change. Living on the Wirral, Merseyside, suitable jobs were scarce; moving the home and family became essential. I then received two job offers on the same day - Engineering Surveyor in Cardiff and Chief Engineer in Southwold, with Adnams Brewery (a no-brainer!) ….what a brilliant move. I remained there for 25 years, overseeing the company’s expansion into an ultra-modern automated brewery, and latterly also heading the brewing division. Taking early retirement, I embarked on a further career as a Cask Beer Assessor; this involves training, audits and most importantly tasting beer and providing technical feedback as to its quality….a tough job! My wife Gillian, a retired Head Teacher, and I have been married for 44 years, with four daughters, four grandsons and a new grandchild expected in October; life is never quiet in our house. In addition to Freemasonry, I am also a keen golfer, playing at Southwold Golf Club, and am honoured to become its President this year. I have long been involved within the Southwold community, sitting on various Trusts and local committees. I believe I am the first of my family to become a Freemason, joining Martyn Lodge No 1983 in December 1993 and attaining the Master’s Chair in 2001; this was followed with positions as Director of Ceremonies and then Treasurer, both for a 5-year period. My first active appointment in 2004 was as Provincial Steward, followed by promotions to Past Senior Deacon in 2008 and Past Grand Sword Bearer in 2015. I was Appointed as Group 2 Provincial Representative in 2015, one of the most enjoyable jobs available, this was hugely rewarding, helping and assisting Lodges and its members. I was exalted into Royal Arch in 1996, attaining the chair in 2009 and receiving Provincial honours, the latest being Past Deputy Director of Ceremonies this year. Earlier this year, the PGM asked me to be his Assistant; following total shock and amazement at being considered, after a short delay - a resounding ‘YES’. It is a great honour to be selected to undertake this role and I am looking forward to representing the Province, visiting numerous Lodges and meeting many new Brethren plus old friends reacquainted. These times are difficult with Coronavirus, but undoubtedly, we as an organisation will prevail and thrive as we have in challenging times previously. Let us all take care and look forward to a resumption of Lodge activities. Provincial Grand Lodge Of Suffolk Officers 2020/2021

RWBro. Ian John Yeldham, Provincial Grand Master WBro. Timothy John McCormick, PProvSGW, Deputy Provincial Grand Master WBro. Robert Michael Lee, PAGStdB Eng, Assistant Provincial Grand Master

Active Appointments

Senior Warden Geoffrey F. Spencer Doric 81 Junior Warden William G. McColl Solea 9498 Chaplain Kevan S. McCormack* Wisdom 9333 Treasurer Robert D. Clubb Court Knoll 9194 Registrar Jolyon A. L. Berry* Laconic 9771 Secretary Roger E. Nash* Christchurch 6829 Dir. Ceremonies Christopher P. Warnes* Virtue and Silence 332 Sword Bearer Kenneth R. Hope Felix United Service 3833 Supt. of Works David F. Hicks* Countryside 9830 Deputy DC’s Geoffrey H. Calver* Solea 9498 Paul Wreathall Magna Carta 8017 Almoner Jamie B. S. Gwatkin Countryside 9830 Charity Steward Richard G. Orme* Apollo 305 Mentor Dean B. Willingham* Doric 81 Orator Larry J. Bensusan Gainsborough 9332 Senior Deacons Ian T. Ansell Prudence 388 Barry J. Whymark Magna Carta 8017 Kelvin J. Avis Brett Valley 9479 Junior Deacons Paul M. Royal Doric 81 Douglas R. Paine Colneis 8298 Mark A. Hart Landguard 9346 Asst. Secretary Trevor J. Tinley St Luke’s 225 ADC’s Daryl L. Griffiths Abbey 1592 Gary J. Watson Royal Clarence 1823 Organist Graham J. Colthorpe* Corinthian 3093 Std. Bearers Bernard A. Nunn Phoenix 516 Ian Gorham Round Table 9276 Pursuivant Kevin S. Ager Round Table 9276 Stewards Ryan D. W. B. Harvey Unity 71 Neville Branch Christchurch 6829 James D. Read Colneis 8298 Paul E. Rayner Abbot Baldwin 8656 Jonathan D. Neill Court Knoll 9194 Joseph B. Greiner Copperfield 9581 Tyler Stephen J. Brown Culford 8482

* Re-appointment Past Rank Promotions

Senior Warden John B. Woodley Abbey 1592 Andrew R. Robson Priory 4618 Robert A. Rider Mildenhall 6292 Kenneth R. Kingston Gainsborough 9332 Junior Warden Edward D. Nash Bosmere 9460 Brian M. Balaam Phoenix 516 John E. McMahon Stour Valley 1224 Thomas Blackett St Margaret’s 1452 Brian C. Bowen Felix 2371 John P. Newland Felix United Service 3833 Michael F. E. Durrant Perfect Amity 6347 Allan. G. Steggall Perfect Amity 6347 69a Frank A. L. Norman Seckford 6411 Christopher R. Skews Babergh 8122 Registrar Richard A. Jones Bosmere 9460 Brian Sinfield Unity 71 Mark E. Morris Waveney 929 David S. G. Lewis Prince of Wales 959 Christopher Pociecha Stour Valley 1224 Brian P. Harvey Mildenhall 6292 Raymond T. Anderson Seckford 6411 William G. Wright Orwell 6637 David W. Berridge Rotary 9306 Sword Bearer Roger M. Young Bosmere 9460 James A. Girling British Union 114 Laurie P. Baxter Hartismere 1663 69a Ian G. Rose Hartismere 1663 Malcolm A. Smith Royal Clarence 1823 James B. Cowan Felix 2371 Richard Hall Ala 5043 Bernard R. Millard Culford 8482 Jeremy Plummer Abbot Baldwin 8656 Supt. of Works Ewan A. Smith Copperfield 9581 Colin A. Cason Apollo 305 Peter E. Sutters Perfect Friendship 376 69a Michael G. Barrett Stour Valley 1224 Nicholas J. Hayward Abbey 1592 James B. Wood St Andrew’s 1631 Jason D. Mayhew Martyn 1983 Paul T. Pitcher Stradbroke 3291 Gordon Carless Gippeswyk 4254 Dr. Raymond C. Hume Priory 4618 Derek A. Last Mildenhall 6292 69a George D. Oliver Seckford 6411 Simon J. Holland Rotary 9306 Senior Deacon Greg C. Palmer Composite 9480 Leon J. M. Crosson Unity 71 David A. Frost Phoenix 516 Thomas J. Horler Royal St. Edmunds 1008 James D. Fallon St. Margaret’s 1452 69a John C. Hutnell Abbey 1592 Stephen T. Smalley Ionic 5922 Graham J. Keeble Seckford 6411 Simon A. Buxton Babergh 8122 Mervyn J. Jeffery Abbot Baldwin 8656 Barry W. T. A. Cutler Court Knoll 9194 Junior Deacon Richard Whiting Brett Valley 9479 Shaun W. Holmes Unity 71 Evan V. Rolls Ala 5043 David J. Abel Culford 8482 6A9 Da Ceremonies Geoffrey Garraway Selig 9459 Charles D. George Court Knoll 9194 Terence C. May Solea 9498

2 I FORUM The Suffolk Freemasons Newsletter Past Rank Appointments Senior Deacon Martin Byde Hartismere 1663 Junior Deacon Michael Miller St Luke’s 225 Ronald S. P. Edwards Royal Clarence 1823 Peter C. Talbot Gippeswyk 4254 David A. Edgley Ala 5043 Simon A. Glinos Ionic 5922 Stuart J. Hines Bosmere 9460 Daniel Payne Brett Valley 9479 Allistair T. Renton Caduceus 9536 69a Peter L. Taylor Caduceus 9536 AD Ceremonies Peter T. Tubby British Union 14 John P. Downie Fidelity 555 Paul A. Worley Waveney 929 Andrew R. Fitch-Holland Stour Valley 1224 Michael S. E. Rippingale Abbey 1592 Nicholas E. O’Dwyer Abiff 2810 Christian B. Drinkald Stradbroke 3291 David F. Church St. Mary’s 3828 Barry M. Stone St. Mary’s 3828 Brian C. Thrower Mildenhall 6292 Robin C. Pritchard Perfect Amity 6347 Roy W. Bilby Seckford 6411 David C. Denny Old Framlinghamian’s 6646 Ross W. Lunney Rotary 9306 69a Lane P.Newport Copperfield 9581 Gordon R. Goodwin Sportsman’s 9931 Standard Bearer Christopher G. Punt Apollo 305 Neil R. Clarke Adair 936 69a Roy Richards Adair 936 William S. Farnell St. Margaret’s 1452 David W. Cattermole Hartismere 1663 69a Frederick J. P. Butter Martyn 1983 Walter D. Jeffries Orient 4085 Alan R. Howarth Christchurch 6829 Barry O. Harding Colneis 8298 David J. Griffiths Wisdom 9333 Stephen Gallant Landguard 9346 William McColl Junior Warden Geoff Spencer Senior Warden Born and raised in Bury St. Edmunds I doubt there are many Born and raised in Suffolk and educated at Woodbridge School, Masons in and around Suffolk that have not had a meal supplied Geoff served in the Suffolk Constabulary from 1969-2001, retiring by Roff Caterers, e Company that I have run with my wife, with the rank of Sergeant, and went on to serve another 11 years Christine since the early 80’s. for the same employer in various support roles. I never saw my future in catering but an early realisation that I He was initiated in Doric Lodge No. 81 in 1983, 12 years after his was never going to get to play for West Ham meant I had to look father, and subsequently followed Dad in every office. On an elsewhere and broaden my emotional evening in horizons and an interest in 1994, Dad installed Son music led to work as a into the Master’s chair. mobile D.J. and eventually Geoff went on to serve for a stint managing a night many years as both club. Director of Ceremonies I had started part time and LOI Preceptor. working as a waiter for Roff His first Provincial while at school, to fund my appointment was as a vinyl collection and Grand Standard Bearer, eventually was invited by later followed by two years Christine’s parents to work as Provincial Deputy DC. for them full time. is has Exalted in Royal Arch included a large variety of Masonry in 1986 he has events over the years such been First Principal of as the Ryder Cup and various Chapters on a P.G.A. Golf Tournaments, total of four occasions, Agricultural Shows around with another stint looming the country, many in a year’s time! After four Weddings, Dinner Dances years as Provincial Grand Corporate Events and an Director of Ceremonies he obvious highlight in 2009, became Provincial ird being selected to cater for Grand Principal from the Queen and the Duke of 2012 to 2014. Edinburgh following the Geoff is also active and Maundy Service at St holds Grand Rank in Edmundsbury Cathedral. several other Masonic As well as the lodges at Orders, including Mark, Ipswich, Sudbury and Meet the Wardens Royal Ark Mariners and, Bury, I am very proud that most notably, the Order of Royal & Select Masters, in which he is we catered for the last three Provincial Festivals in 1996 and currently the Deputy District Grand Master for East Anglia. He 2009 at the Suffolk Showground and most recently last year at has been Deputy District Grand DC for East Anglia in the Allied Holbrook. Masonic Degrees, and more recently has also joined the Christine and I were married in 1988 and have three children ‘Operatives’, Pilgrim Preceptors and the Order of the Secret and as of last year our first grandson. Outside of masonic Monitor. activities I still enjoy music and have a season ticket at the Geoff has been married to Irene for 45 years and has two children. London Stadium, as if I cannot play in claret and blue at least I Both his wife and daughter Sam are front-line NHS workers, and can watch them! I also enjoy reading and watching a good film. his son Dan is the head of an equestrian riding school in I was initiated into Solea Lodge in 1993, going through the chair Staffordshire. in 2001 and subsequently I joined a lodge in London, Royal When not involved with family or Freemasonry Geoff is a keen Kensington serving as master in both 2007 and 2016, receiving sportsman, having played football, rugby, cricket and table tennis L.G.R in 2017. at what he describes as a ‘decent’ level, and represented Suffolk at My first active office in Suffolk was to be made a Provincial tenpin bowling. A serious illness and operation a few years back Grand Steward in 2005 a highlight of which was to serve as its have now restricted his sporting activities to golf, which he plays Junior Warden in 2017. Beyond the Craft I was exalted into the off a handicap of 15. He’s also a lover of a wide variety of music Royal Arch in 1999 and have subsequently joined many other from hard rock to traditional folk - but says he can’t really get his orders, a favourite being the Brotherhood of David and head round country music or jazz! Jonathon, also known as Secret Monitor of which I currently He wonders whether his entry into Freemasonry was ‘written in serve the Province of Suffolk as Deputy Supreme Ruler. the stars’ since, at his christening at St. John’s Church in It is an extremely great honour to be selected to serve as your Woodbridge, the officiating priest was none other than Richard Provincial Junior Grand Warden and now the initial shock of Tydeman who, of course, went on to become a Right Worshipful the appointment has subsided, I very much look forward to Brother and to hold very senior rank in many Masonic Orders. visiting your lodges after the current crisis passes and our Geoff is very much looking forward to visiting Lodges throughout meetings resume - and I promise I will not be passing comment the Province, especially those he hasn’t managed to get to since on the festive boards... his travels as Deputy DC. Suffolk Provincial Order of Merit Awarded this 29th Day of May A.L. 6020 A.D. 2020

Colin Shaw Arthur Tydeman George Maynard Felix United Service Lodge No. 3833 Lodge of Perfect Friendship No. 376 Hartismere Lodge No. 1663 Arthur was born in Ipswich in January 1930, enjoyed a happy childhood and attended St Matthews Church of England School, he passed the eleven plus in 1940 and continued his education at Northgate Grammar School for Boys. Athur very much regrets that his National Service did not require any real "soldiering". He was fast tracked Colin was Born on Christmas Day 25th and promoted to sergeant in the small George was born on 29th May 1936 so December 1928. He is a joining member of war office based Personnel Selection Happy Birthday George! Felix United Service Lodge and joined on Research unit. His first employment He was Initiated into Hartismere the 2nd April 1981. On the sad passing of was at Westbourne Secondary Modern Lodge No. 1663 on 14th December W.Bro. Tom Barrett a few weeks ago, Colin School in September 1953. 1977 and held the office of Treasurer is now the eldest member of the Lodge. In 1954 he married Beryl and their great from 1987 to 2010 and was Assistant Colin was a Civil Engineer and among love was travelling and France, “a Director of Ceremonies in 2012. other things involved in the construction beautiful country with so many lovely George met his wife Joan in Uganda of the Orwell Bridge and associated roads people living there. My last trip with our in 1967, they both had two year before he retired. He and Jean moved from two-berth 'van in my late sixties was to contracts to work there through the Kent and both being musical quickly got Switzerland via France both ways of Crown Agents, Joan is Irish so they got involved in the Kirton Church choir. couse”. married in Dublin in 1968. Colin and Jean spent time visiting one of For the last 10 years of his working life Joan’s brother is a member of a Dublin their daughters in Spain quite regularly to Arthur was County Secretary of Lodge so George has visited over the the point where they took evening classes NASUWT. He retired in August 1989 years and attended meetings under to learn Spanish - they also spent time when halfway through his year as WM e Irish Constitution, he says that visiting their son who lives in the USA of the Lodge of Perfect Friendship “ey are the same but different”. quite regularly too. which he joined in 1976. “My Ladies George was the Chemist in Eye, until David Harries also recalls the following: I Night was at the Copdock Hotel with retirement. He was appointed Eye do recall when I was DPGM visiting East 200 sitting down and Music by the Sole Town Mayor in 1984, and was installed Kent PGL at Margate, they announced the Bay Dance Band. A wonderful evening!” as WM of Hartismere Lodge 1986. He PGM's Order of Service for the year (they Arthur was invited to become a director says that “Being Worshipful Master only have one) and to my surprise up got of the original company which managed was far more enjoyable!” Colin, for a large Province that was some and administered the Masonic Hall and He joined both the Craft and Chapter honour. was instrumental in obtaining when they used to hold meetings in Colin is the current Organist for 3833, Charitable Status for the new company - the White Lion Hotel In Eye. When bringing a professional musical presence Masonic Hall Ipswich Ltd. “I really the Chapter moved to Stowmarket he and experience to all of our meetings. count this as one of my major could not go along because Locums Colin was appointed as Organist by W.Bro. achievements. I believe that It has made were scarce and he worked until six Des Band at our 1986 Installation the difference between success and o’clock which made attendance Ceremony a role he has held a total of failure of Freemasonry in Ipswich and difficult. Eventually locums became 12,450 days! (34 Years, 1 Month and 1 day the saving of our beautiful Freemasons more available and he became more as at 24th May 2020). Hall as part of Ipswich's arcitectural active. heritage”. Colin is proactive and continues to support George joined Hartismere Mark and all lodge business - he is a regular attender Arthur opened up the Masonic Hall Hartismere RAM after they had of Permanent Committee meetings - and with the aid of some willing like-minded moved from the White Lion, Eye to the same can also be said of the Lodge fellow freemasons in 2008 as part of Diss and has been through both Chairs Rehearsals where Colin will come and play Ipswich's Heritage Weekend. “I firmly and He is a Grand officer in RAM. the organ to add that additional element to believe that this has helped in the practices which in turn adds to the process of making Freemasonry better enjoyment of regular meetings. understood and valued”. Introducing our new Provincial Orator SMaCSS donate £3500 to Larry Bensusan Suffolk Accident Rescue Service is year the It was 9th December 1972 that Committee of the I took my first step into Suffolk Masonic Clay Freemasonry, a Saturday, a Shooting Society have day I should have been playing decided to support the rugby for Billericay Town. I had Suffolk Accident mixed feelings about giving up Rescue Service (SARS) my 1st team position for as their main charity Masonry but being a Lewis of recipient. SARS are a three generations, joining local charity that Crouch Lodge in Essex took receives no central government funding precedence over rugby. and relies heavily on donations from the general public and groups like ourselves. I still remember that day so SMaCSS well, the nerves and e charity provides specialist volunteer bewilderment of the occasion. In 1972 most people responders to assist the East of England smoked and by the time the speeches started at the Ambulance Service at the scenes of festive board the smoke from the cigarettes had built to serious medical emergencies or trauma, such a peak, that the choking smog made speaking its responders include anaesthetists, critical care paramedics difficult. Thankfully now our Suffolk Lodges are smoke and other clinicians with enhanced pre-hospital skills. ese free and full of masonic song. clinicians are authorised to carry specialist drugs and additional life-saving equipment not found on frontline ambulances. is I’m married to the lovely Amanda who is a great support means that SARS clinicians can provide an additional and in so many ways. My working life has been varied, being advanced level of patient care that would not normally be employed by some of the largest advertising companies available outside the hospital environment. in the world, slowly rising through the ranks to finally changing completely and redefining myself in the equine Over the last couple of years SMaCSS have had the benefit of the industry as an Equine Physio. I have treated police generous support of their members as well as that of guest horses and international stars of the equine world, not shooters at the club’s regularly organised events which has forgetting little children’s ponies or fast eccentric enabled SMaCSS to be able to donate £3500 to SARS. racehorses. e £3500 donation will go towards the purchase of a much However, it’s not just horses I work with but also the needed Zoll X-Series Monitor-defibrillator. e cost of this riders. In 2015, I became the British Performance Coach Monitor is in the region of £8000 and SMaCSS are delighted that to the British equine driving team - the discipline the the money raised and donated will go a long way in enabling Duke of Edinburgh made famous. My job was to help the SARS to have possession of one of these valuable pieces of life singles and pairs driving teams make it to the World saving equipment. Championships on two occasions. It was a fantastic Shane Brereton experience. Whilst on the subject of horses, eight years ago I wrote a book, called, Understanding your Horse’s Emotions. It was published and thankfully bought by many. A book being published is only the beginning because the FORUM publisher expects you go out and spread the word throughout the country. The scariest venue I visited was The Suffolk Freemasons Magazine Nottingham University. In the audience were many of my Welcome to another ‘Lockdown’ peers, Professors in equine studies. I survived the issue of Forum which this time experience, even getting paid, which putting a smile on includes all the reports and my face. information you would normally read about in the Programme Masonry has given me the opportunity to meet so many you receive at our Provincial fascinating people, both present and past. During my Grand Lodge meeting. Masonic journey I have held a number of active offices, A good number of you follow such as the Director of Studies for the SRIA in Eastern our Social Media pages and Counties, finally becoming the Suffragan of the Province. receive updates on a daily basis on what is happening all over For many years I was a member of Gainsborough the Province but please remember those many members who demonstration team under the guidance of the wonderful do not and use Forum to keep themselves connected and in Ken Kingston. Currently I’m Prov.GSW in Mark, which touch. It is therefore important that you keep me informed of has been another marvellous experience but sadly cut anything you, your lodge or chapter are involved in, I will be pleased to receive anything that you feel might be of interest short by the lock-down. to feature in the next issue - simply get in contact by email or I’m honoured to have been asked to be Prov. Grand give me a call. Orator and I must mention Peter Thorogood, who carried out the duties of this office with such credibility. I now Kelvin Avis, Provincial Communications Officer look forward to the task ahead. Telephone: 07771 644716 Email: [email protected] Report of e Provincial Grand Almoner associated means-testing from our lodge almoners who continue to be well co-ordinated by our team of Group RW Provincial Grand Master and Brethren. I am pleased to almoners. e Group almoner is first point of contact for any present my report for the year ending 31st December, 2019. newly appointed almoner in their group who may need help and As I write this report, I am half-way through my fifth year as advice in his role. e current team is as follows: Group 1 Mike PGA, and will be retiring at the end of our Provincial meeting. I Smith; Group 2 Paul Durrant; Group 3 Ian Mcfetridge; Group 4 have always worked to the principle of leaving a job with it David Cattermole; Group 5 Mike Helliar; Group 6 Melvyn Eke; stronger than when first appointed, and believe this is the case Group 7 David Hepburn; Group 8 Ken Hope; Group 9 Bob as I complete my term of office. My targets on appointment were Wade. to ensure a smooth transition in the work of the Almoner from e Group leaders take a major role in helping me to organise the demands of the four central Masonic Charities as they the annual Provincial Conference for Almoners and convene became the single entity of the MCF, to build teams reflective of group meetings for mid-year follow-up. We enjoyed an excellent the new challenge and to support Lodge Almoners in their Provincial Conference this year attended by representatives of Pastoral work. 52 Lodges, our Ladies Fellowships and 6 guest speakes who In the last 5 years we have established an effective team of eight included the CEO of the MCF, David Innes, and the CEO of the Visiting Volunteers who deal with all requests for financial help RMBI, Mark Lloyd. Our other speakers included representatives from the Masonic Charitable Foundation, be they one off of Medical Detection Dogs, e Alzheimer’s Society and e My requests for medical assistance, funeral costs, home aids, or Wish and Burtterfly appeals at local hospitals. We also emergencies, or ongoing needs such as daily living expenses, concentrated on succession planning. Approximately 25% of support for children and grandchildren or admissions to Lodges introduce a new Almoner each year and we looked at Cornwallis Court. At the time of writing in the first ten months effective means of induction and support in addition to help of the current financial year, grants have totalled £223,000 (74 supplied by the former almoner. grants) with a further £60,000 allocated to residents (15) at At our next round of group meetings this spring, matters arising Cornwallis Court. With regard to residential care, I should from the conference will have been followed up and my remind all the Brethren that the MCF is a charity for those in successor, W.Bro. Jamie Gwatkin and Caroline Wales (our new need and not an insurance scheme. ere will always be help for AST) will have been introduced to all lodge almoners. those who are in need but care costs fall on the individual and During the course of the year I have attended MCF training state-funding in the first instance. sessions, Eastern region PGA conferences and the MCF AGM e work of visiting and its associated paperwork is very time- and have given presentations at three lodges. e role of the consuming and I must thank all members of the team. In PGA will remain a busy one but with strong team support in particular, our Advice and Support Team (AST) member , Judy place, I trust that I am leaving W. Bro. Jamie a firm foundation Morrow, who retired in December. We must also thank two on which to build. I will act as his unofficial deputy just as W. other members of the team who retired following house moves Bro. Mac Speake did for me. to other parts of the country, W. Bros. Les Hambling and Colin Finally, I would remind all Brethren that to a greater or lesser Nash. e current team is: Terry Lewis(PGA), Caroline extent we are all almoners and the support and brotherly love we Wales(our new AST), Paul Durrant, Mike Smith, Tony France, give enables the lodge almoner to fulfil his task as co-ordinator Jon Neill (replacing Les Hambling), Doug Paine, with A. N. of care from the whole lodge. Please do not expect your lodge Other to replace Colin Nash in the near future. almoner to do it all on his own. e VV team has removed the burden of petitions for help and W.Bro. Terry Lewis, Provincial Grand Almoner

Proud to be a ‘Blood Biker’ I’m a member of Suffolk lodges Caduceus No 9536 and Lodge of Faith No 2438 as well being a member of London Lodge Euphrates No 212. Up until 2018 which is when I retired at 65 I was a Metropolitan Police Officer. e last nine years as an active officer in the Traffic Branch. After retiring I needed something to fill the void and after reading an article in one of the Freemasonry magazines on Blood Bikers, I knew this was for me. So for the past 18 months I’ve been a volunteer Blood Biker for Norfolk Blood Bikes. We normally cover Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Norwich and Norfolk University Hospital, James Pagent and Adenbrooks. We provide 24 hour cover on weekends and all public holidays. Evenings we provide cover from 1900 hours to 0700 hrs for 365 days of the year. ere is no cost to the NHS and our average monthly running coast is between £3000 and £4000 depending on the number of call outs. It is a fully volunteer charity, transporting urgent and emergency blood, platelets, samples, specimens and also donated breast milk for premature babies. We use a variety of liveried motorcycles and cars which have been donated by various groups and organisations for which we have carried out fund raising events for. Freemasons have been very supportive towards our charity and a number of our volunteers are Freemasons. Since the Covid 19 pandemic we now transport Covid 19 samples daily from the Hospitals to the Microbiology Lab near the NNUH. Over the past weeks this has now progressed to collecting samples from the smaller Hospitals in Norfolk and Suffolk. Again this is a 24/7 service and bears no cost to the NHS and saves them thousands of pounds in taxi costs. I am only one of many volunteers who carries out various duties within the charity and a great job they do. I personally find it very rewarding and proud to be a Blood Biker and to be part of Norfolk Blood Bikes. Edward McEwen Andy Oxborrow gives an insight into the Ambulance Service during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Instead of going through my 3rd Degree at Lodge of Perfect Amity, I found myself in conversation with the Worshipful Master asking for my ceremony to be postponed. It was at the start of the pandemic and many members were contemplating staying away from lodge to protect themselves, and as a Health Care Professional I fully supported their view but also wanted to share my night with them. As it turned out all lodges were all closed temporarily anyway, so I will still get to have a great evening, hopefully in near future. In August 2018 I took a complete career change and joined the East of England Ambulance NHS Trust on a Student Paramedic pathway and three Andy Oxborrow with wife Bryony both Paramedics years on I have just completed my university studies to qualify as a with East of England Ambulance NHS Trust Paramedic. Studying during a pandemic whilst university is closed has been interesting to say the least, but all assessments and essays have been completed and now I’m waiting nervously for the results. The COVID 19 pandemic has seen some major changes to the ways the Ambulance Service and the hospitals have been working. In the early days of the pandemic new walls started appearing in the Colchester Accident and Emergency Department as they tried to separate the patients with temperatures, coughs and breathing issues from the normal injuries and illnesses. Those days were interesting as we watched the new procedures evolve, sometimes even on an hourly basis. The Ambulance procedures changed as well. We now wear clinical face masks, gloves and aprons for every patient unless we are attending a cardiac arrest or performing more intensive airway procedures such as suctioning. Then we get to wear the water resistant white suits, gloves, goggles and the higher quality FFP3 masks. Bearing in mind that a cardiac arrest involves a lot of physical activity, this is necessary but very unpleasant. You can pour water out of your gloves within minutes but I’m still trying to find a sureproof way to stop my glasses misting up every time I put a mask on. The change in the public has been noticeably different as well, as at the start the public used to call for an ambulance as they saw us as a mobile COVID testing service, we can’t test them anyway, and so we just reiterated the guidance and left them at home. There were the few that definitely needed hospital treatment, so we took these in. Hospitals are not accepting visitors or relatives unless accompanying children or vulnerable adults and I quickly realised that possibly the relatives last view of their loved one was when I shut the ambulance door - which was a very sobering experience, especially if we needed to leave in a hurry. Thankfully this phase passed fairly quickly as the lockdown took hold and patients are now desperately trying to avoid going in to hospital. The pandemic has totally changed all our lives and although it looks like the worst is over we all still need to be very cautious because it won’t take much for this virus to take hold once again. It’s been a ‘challenging’ time but the support I have had from my lodge and other freemasons from across the Province has been uplifting and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you all. It’s really been appreciated. Stay safe everyone, Andy Oxborrow #TimeToToast To mark our cancelled Provincial Grand Lodge Meeting The Provincial Grand Master invites you to join him at 9 pm this evening.

As the Provincial Grand Master is unable to congratulate his newly Appointed and Promoted Provincial Grand Officers in person he will be raising a glass to them at 9.00 pm tonight via social media and requests that you all do likewise. However not all these brethren use social media, so he would ask that you contact them via phone, email or text to offer them your personal congratulations as you undoubtedly would have done following the PGL Meeting we should have been enjoying today. Suffolk Freemason involved in Neil sets himself a 70+ new test to control coronavirus lockdown challenge! A company run by a newly initiated During lockdown Neil Ashwell, a freemason could be at the forefront of member of Brett Valley, had been coronavirus diagnosis as it works to thinking of ways how he could develop a test kit that can be used in the best support the Masonic clinic, the high street, in the GPs office COVID-19 Appeal, here is his or even at home. Iceni Diagnostics, story... which is based at the Norwich Research “Being over 70 I am self isolating Park, has previously created kits that can with my wife who is shielding and identify influenza, equine flu and her mum who lives with us and is norovirus. Now the company is focusing 98 in August! I have never been a all its energy on creating a kit that can great runner, I did a half give users a yes or no answer in minutes on whether they have marathon when I was in my 30’s coronavirus. Dr Berwyn Clarke is the chairman of the company but during lockdown in my and is a member of Abbey Lodge in Bury St Edmunds, having exercise sessions I have begun to been initiated in December 2019. do some more running. So I set myself a challenge of running 70 e test will look like a plus km in May, this could reach 100km plus if my achilles, feet pregnancy test, with users and body hold out. is running is mostly on country footpaths putting their saliva on the where I see virtually no one! end of the stick. Within 20 Hence my challenge is called 70+ minutes, the test will tell you - over 70 years and running over whether you have the coronavirus or not. Dr Clarke said: “is 70km in May. I know we all give could change it all. Current strategies being used in pandemic what we can to various charities management are focused on identifying infected individuals to but with this pandemic we are in try to track infections, isolate carriers and make return to work a different world today and I hope and normal life safe. e new technology would be a huge you can see your way to enabler for this, allowing rapid screening in all environments, supporting my challenge. even on a daily basis if necessary. is could include workplace, airports, public transport, restaurants, sporting events or even e easiest way to donate is via lodge meetings! the MCF online ‘COVID-19 Community Fund’. I have been Berwyn has spent many years as a senior executive in the posting regular updates but if you pharmaceutical and diagnostics industry. Originally from Wales wish to follow my runs as they where his father was a freemason in Risca, he has lived in East progress, you can download the Anglia for over 30 years and considered becoming a freemason STRAVA app and follow me. after rediscovering his late father’s apron in 2016. I'm inspired by the work of Masonic Charitable Foundation Being a neighbour of WBro so please help me help them by giving whatever you can by John Norris the die was cast using the 'Give Now' button on the website. e more people and he was scheduled for his that know about the MCF, the greater their impact, so please second degree in May 2020 also spread the word by sharing my page with your friends and and is looking forward to family. ank you in advance for your generosity, it means a lot!” normality returning, perhaps even using the new technology, www.covid-19.everydayhero.com/uk/neil-ashwell-covid-19- in the near future. 70plus-challenge

Food delivery by George for those in Isolation...

George Debman, current Charity Steward of Rotary Lodge and Master Butcher will deliver to any brother or their partner that has to self-isolate during the current crisis. The only criteria is that they must live within a 10 mile radius of his butchery on Cliff Lane, Ipswich. For the generous sum of £20 the delivery will include, 1Ib of minced beef, 1Ib of pork sausages, 1Ib of stewing steak, 1Ib of chopped pork, 5Ib of potatoes, choice of a joint of beef or pork or whole chicken, 6 eggs and an onion. Payment can be made by bank transfer or by cheque. An invoice with the appropriate Orders must be with George details will be attached to your delivery. Call George on 01473 251686 by midday on a Tuesday or email: [email protected] for delivery on the following Saturday Provincial Grand Charity Steward’s Report runs initiatives to combat the challenges they face across Ipswich and the wider Suffolk area. ese can include those associated RW Provincial Grand Master and Brethren, I am very pleased with disability, long-term health conditions, mental health, social to present my report as Provincial Grand Charity Steward for isolation and loneliness. is organisation was awarded a grant of the year ended 31.12.19. £15,000 by the MCF. For more information go to: Masonic Charitable Foundation: e Masonic Charitable www.activlives.org.uk Foundation (MCF) continues to evolve in line with its strategic e Porch Project: eir aim is to provide quality youth work so plan, and over the coming years they plan to focus on the that the young people of Hadleigh/Great Cornard can achieve following eight areas: their full potential in life. e charity works with disadvantaged 1 Values - by being responsive to need; making a difference and young people in the community to create opportunities to striving for excellence; educate, inform and support. is organisation was awarded a 2 Needs - by commissioning studies and surveys and using them grant of £15,000 over three years by the MCF. to better understand the changing needs of Freemasons and the Hospices e MCF has again been generous in its donations to families they support; Hospices in our Province with the following amounts 3 Outcomes - by creating frameworks to measure the impact of St Elizabeth Hospice - £1,985 grant making to charities; St Nicholas Hospice Care - £1,655 4 Standards - by continuing to work to be better fundraisers East Anglian Children’s Hospice - e Nook - £1,205 under the membership of the Fundraising Regulator; e Relief Chest Scheme Is run by the MCF and comprises a 5 Knowledge - by using the Charity Stewards Focus Group to free service for Lodges, Chapters, Provinces and other masonic bring together knowledge from fundraisers from across the organisations and can be used to manage their charitable giving country; and Gift Aid reclaims very efficiently. 6 Technology - to embrace smarter technology to make the most ey handle an average of 50,000 monthly donations into the of staff and volunteers time and resources; scheme and almost 40,000 monthly tax reclaims. I hope all Tax Paying Brethren will consider this method of support. e money 7 Profile - to continue working to raise their profile in the wider has been taken from us, and it is a good opportunity to get it community; returned to the Charity of our choice. is scheme is the most 8 Governance - by evolving board and committee membership, professional operation, and I heartily recommend it, and further recruiting people with specialist skills to strengthen details are available on the www.mcf.org website. governance. Non-Masonic Charities I sent out the annual questionnaire to all e MCF is now also promoting the opportunity for every Lodges in the Province just around the start of the year, and Freemason to have a will written, free-of-charge, via the Goodwill Lodge Charity Stewards have provided 62 returns at the time of Partnership see www.mcf.org.uk/legacy for more information. I writing. As always, Lodges have been very generous with their also now have copies of the new Charity Stewards Guide booklet support as the donations to date total over £100,000. available for every Lodge Charity Steward. I encourage everyone Bearing in mind this excludes the significant totals donated to the to log in to the website www.mcf.org where there exists a Festival, it is a magnanimous effort, and a small sample of the complete plethora of valuable advice and downloadable wide range of recipients is listed below: documentation. Macmillan Nurses £3,953 e MCF has continued to give our province significant support Headway Suffolk £1,000 during the last year, during which time it has helped at least 48 Brain Tumour Charity £1,926 Members of our Masonic Community. is help included: Heart to Heart £5,600 £86,189 in grants for essential daily living costs; £16,610 to give Sudbury Food Bank £1,000 access to life-saving and life-changing health support; £81,663 to Action Medical Research for Children £4,975 help families with care and education costs. Tom Bowdidge £1,000 also: 4 people accessed the counselling service; e MCF carried Kitchener’s Holiday Centre £830 out 111 visits, calls and emails to offer advice and support; 9 Suffolk MS Society £500 grants were awarded to local charities totalling in excess of Gurkha Welfare Trust £500 £51,000; e East Anglian Air Ambulance received continued Our members were also generous in their support for Lodge support. Widows. It is not practical to detail all of their excellent work here, but if A Charity Steward’s work is continuous, and I thank you all for you head to the MCF web site and follow the link to the time and hard work you give to this very important Office and impact.mcf.org.uk/2019 you will get a better understanding of offer further grateful thanks to those who are retiring. eir their achievements. e information is breath-taking, as is the devotion to duty is invariably shown by their continued support of fact that it is funded entirely through donations from freemasons their successor. However, it is of course, the continued support and their families, because we help the MCF achieve its ethos of from the Brethren who make these excellent results possible, and building better lives through encouraging opportunity; promoting I especially thank all of you as well. independence and improving wellbeing. is is how the MCF Teddies for Loving Care – information provided by WBro David continues its work for Freemasons, their families and the wider Wilson PPGJD; Suffolk TLC Co-ordinator community, and we should be delighted that they can do it, Having looked after TLC for the Province over the past few years, through the endless support of our Members playing their fullest this year has been highly rewarding. We have donated over 300 possible part. In the last year or so the MCF has awarded in excess bears to the three hospitals we look after: Ipswich, Bury St. of £18 million pounds through over 6,300 grants! Edmunds and James Paget. is may not sound a lot, but the Other Masonic Charitable support In brief, the MCF supports a hospitals had just had a delivery at Christmas 2018. I try to visit wide variety of deserving causes, such as: ActivLives: Older the hospitals 2 or 3 times a year to see the staff and ask how the people who live on their own with little or no family support TLC bears are helping them alleviate the stress and trauma of the around them are being supported by ActivLives – a charity which children who arrive at A&E. Without them they say their workload would be trebled. Having a supply of bears I visited Ipswich Children’s Ward on Christmas Felixstowe lodges thank you Eve to hand over bears to them for children who would not be at home with their families. To promote TLC one bear even came on gift to frontline care workers holiday with me to the Baltic! We visited Copenhagen; Stockholm; Visby and Mariehalm. Fund raising is the basis of the The four Felixstowe scheme, and it is only down to the generosity of Suffolk Lodges decided to Freemasons that we are able to continue supplying the bears to say thank you to the hospitals, to which end I send a huge heartfelt “thank-you” front line NHS staff from all the children who have received a TLC bear, to all of you and care workers for the donations received following my appeal in October. working in Suffolk Freemasons 500 Club Following the success of the Felixstowe by Festival 500 Club, it was decided to continue with the club and to delivering them gift re-launch it as the Suffolk Freemasons 500 Club. e aims of the packs. Having liaised club are to provide half of the profits generated to the start of the with Morrisons and a new festival (scheduled for 2029) with the other half of the profits small independent going to the Suffolk Provincial Charity Committee for distribution shop Crafty Cakes to worthy causes. As with the previous club, half of the income is 16 packs were returned to holders of winning numbers with 9 draws being held prepared and per year and four prizes in each draw. It’s hoped that previous delivered by number holders (both individuals and lodges) carry on holding representatives of their previous numbers and continue their support of the club for the four Lodges to it to remain successful. I would like to express my thanks to WBro the care homes, surgeries and community hospital. Mark Ashmore for his involvement with the new club and to my Mark Jepson the Group Rep said "Some of the care wife, Chris for handling the administration of it for me. homes did not really know what and why they were getting Final Remarks Firstly, and most importantly, I must say a very big them until we explained, they all seemed incredibly grateful thank-you and many congratulations to WBro Neville Warnes for that their hard work and dedication were being the way that he managed Festival 2019. His Festival Report appreciated. I would also like to that both Morrisons and doesn’t really do justice to the way that the Final Event was put on, Crafty Cakes who provided items for the packs at or to the way that he guided our Province through the whole significant discount which enabled us to provide even more period and the fantastic result that was achieved. I realise now to the staff" what the Charity Steward’s role entails but to have the responsibility of the Festival as well, must really have been an onerous task which could not have managed any better. I really Holding a Virtual Meeting? don’t know how that can ever be surpassed or even matched in years to come. Need a short talk? Something to discuss? I must also thank our Provincial Executive for giving me the Solomon has all this and much more opportunity to continue with the work that WBro Neville has done. I need to look to the future by trying to encourage lodges complete and ready to download! to think about budgeting for future festivals in order to give You will have heard of Solomon themselves a bit of a head start by perhaps considering if they can but what is it? Very simply it is a retain some of the money that they raise now, for the next festival resource of Masonic information, when it comes around – probably in 2029. which is there to offer you encouragement, help and I would also like to thank WBro David Wilson for the time and support on your masonic journey attention that he gives to the Teddies for Loving Care appeal. - and once you register yourself Apparently over 2 million teddies have now been given to on the website you will be able to children over the years that this scheme has been in place. explore a huge amount of It’s my ambition to visit as many of the lodges in our Province as I material enabling you to enjoy a can, to thank them on behalf of the Festival President and the greater understanding of the Festival Chairman for all their efforts, and to introduce myself to ritual, symbolism, history and those who do not yet know me. At the time of writing I’ve traditions of Freemasonry. managed to visit 52 out of the 68 lodges in our Province – several Finding your way around of them more than once. You will find both learning sections contain ‘Modules’ that cover I am very grateful to every Freemason of every rank or office who the Craft Degrees, Royal Arch, History, Symbolism, Lodge Matters has made me welcome, without exception, everywhere that I have and ‘about Freemasonry’. ere are also welcome and guidance been able to attend. videos to offer encouragement, help and support. To access a I cannot finish this report without giving thanks to the unsung module you simply enrol into it, browse, search and download heroes who support all of us Freemasons - our wives and material as desired. We encourage you not to enrol in modules partners. My wife (Chris) has supported me throughout this part beyond your present Masonic level, so as not to diminish the of my masonic journey with admin and encouragement and enjoyable experiences to come. Any content may be used for personal reading. Some items are in audio formats too and more unwavering support to get out of the house to go visiting although formats are being introduced. I’m really not sure why! Brethren, one and all, “thank-you” for your continued support of www.solomon.ugle.org.uk everything that we do in the name of Charity. Solomon: Fostering Curiosity - Developing Understanding WBro Rick Orme, Provincial Grand Charity Steward Report of the Provincial Grand Mentor Group 6 - Bro. Paul Rudland Group 7 - W.Bro. Paul Goodridge-Hobson Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master and Brethren of Group 8 - W.Bro. Jamie Read the Province of Suffolk, I have pleasure in presenting to you my Group 9 - W.Bro. Roger Florey report for the year ending 31st December 2019. SLB Comms Office North - Bro. Will Lambarth Like many of our Lodges, the Province has been busy promoting SLB Comms Office South - W.Bro. Mike Ager and supporting events and meetings that are focused on Chairman - W.Bro. Paul Rackham introducing new members and making sure the members we Vice Chairman W.Bro. Ollie Fordham have, enjoy all aspect of their Freemasonry. You may recall the I would also like to thank W.Bro. Paul Taylor our Provincial Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master’s rousing speech Membership Officer who continues to ‘triage’ the enquiries we which had membership growth as a key part of his message. is receive into the Province from UGLE, our own website and the certainly had an effect on many Lodges who have ‘called to public Facebook Page. He is referring top quality prospects to action’ and organised recruitment based events, meetings and Lodges via the Group Representatives, and we can now open days. Gladly Suffolk Freemasonry continues to have confirmed that in the past 2 years that we have been running considerable resolve with regards to membership numbers. this process, 32 initiates have joined us, out of 224 enquiries, an In 2019 we initiated the highest number of Brethren in more enviable almost 15% success rate. is is number does not than 10 years with 130 new Brethren joining Suffolk include more Brethren from that list who have initiation dates Freemasonry. I am delighted to announce, for the fifth time in confirmed. Furthermore, they are enjoying what they do, so far six years we have seen an increase, albeit small, in our not one of the initiated Brethren gained through the Provincial membership. is is an incredible achievement, and testament enquiry process has resigned. I appreciate it is early days, but the to the hardworking members and officers that continue to system appears to be working well. promote and encourage new Brethren in to Suffolk anks again to all hard working and active Lodge Mentors and Freemasonry. those that assist them, together we strive to make Suffolk a We are not completely able to rest on our laurels as the number strong and prosperous Province. of resignations has crept up to our second highest in 10 years. WBro. Dean Willingham, Provincial Grand Mentor ere were just over 100 resignations in 2019, and I know that the Rulers and Representatives of the Province have been very vocal when visiting Lodges that we continue to keep resolute with making sure our fellow members are attending meetings Alan Brown and enjoying their Freemasonry. I would again request that those Lodge Mentors not already keeping a record of attendance Group 2 Provincial Representative do so, I am sure your Lodge Secretary will assist. ose that are keeping records have been able to identify Brethren missing two I was Born in Ilford Essex in 1962. The family soon consecutive meetings and making contact to give an opportunity moved to Billericay, Essex identifying and addressing any potential issues. where I was educated and As a membership organisation we continue to offer something lived until the early for every age group with initiates ranging from the age of 21 to eighties. 81. e average age of an initiate in 2019 was just over 44, which In 1979 I started my is very similar to previous years. Almost a third of the initiates working life in the power were in their 30’s. industry on a 4 year In addition, we are retaining those newer members. For the five apprenticeship with the Central Electricity years from 2015 to 2019 we only lost 51 Brethren within two Generating Board based at years of joining us. Clearly, we would have preferred none, but Tilbury Power station. My from almost 600 new initiates, that is well below the national career then took me to average for Freemasonry, and I suspect significantly lower that Sizewell where I remained until 2015, when I took early many other membership based organisations. retirement. In the whole of 2018 and 2019 we lost just 15 members within 2 My Masonic path started at Mayflower Lodge in Chelmsford years of joining. It is still my belief, that one of the most where I was initiated in 1991 and became Master in 2000. significant factors for low levels of resignations of newer This was very much a family affair with most of my father’s members is the success of the Suffolk Light Blues. Once again side of the family being members of this Lodge. special thanks to W.Bro. Paul Rackham and his newly assembled I became a joining member of The Lodge of Dawn in 1994 , was Master in 2002 and then again in 2018 when I had the Suffolk Light Blue Group Representatives for creating a fantastic pleasure of installing my son in law as Master. I am currently environment for those new to Freemasonry by encouraging the Treasurer and Mentor, both jobs can be challenging but Lodge visiting, social and learning events and a dynamic and very rewarding. I was 1St Principle of Lowestoft Chapter 71 engaging Facebook group. is now has 800+ members and in 2004 and 2005 and now a member of St Margaret’s continues to provide the perfect platform to allow Members to Chapter 1452 as well as Suffolk Provincial Stewards Chapter. exchange information and positive views. I also enjoy and support many of the side orders. Many thanks to the following Brethren for becoming our first Outside of Freemasonry my time is taken up with my two Suffolk Light Blue Group Representatives: daughters, four grandchildren, stepson and Bob (the dog) which explains my fast receding hair line and empty wallet. Group 1 - W.Bro. Stuart Mitchell I am very much looking forward to the new challenges which Group 2 - W.Bro. Ryan Harvey being a Provincial Rep might throw at me, and I am very Group 3 - Bro. Oliver Coote grateful for the support which my wife Sara gives me in all my Group 4 - Bro. Mike Roberts Masonic duties. Group 5 - W.Bro. Stephen Martin-Halls Report of the Provincial Treasurer Finally, but certainly not least, I am very grateful to the team in the Provincial Office for all their efforts in processing your I am pleased to present the accounts of the Provincial Grand forms, paperwork and payments, and sending it on to me as Lodge of Suffolk for the year ended 31st December 2019. necessary. I am also very grateful for the wise counsel and Income increased by £16,811 to £73,141, due mainly to a very support of the auditor W.Bro. Roger Girling and the two unexpected Legacy of £10,000 and a surplus on the Festival Final Examiners, W.Bros John Frew and Roger Young, and hope that Event income and expenses paid from the General account of what I send them each year has not caused them too many £5,223. headaches. Unfortunately our expenditure also increased, by £1,708 to Brethren, that concludes my final report, and may I take this £30,222. Whilst some one-off costs in 2018 were not repeated in opportunity to offer my successor my very best wishes for the 2019 our core expenditure, on the PGL meeting, Year Book and future. Forum magazine between them cost an additional £4,401. WBro Keith Vincent Due mainly to the two unexpected sources of income, our Provincial Grand Treasurer surplus for the year was £42,919, and brings our total funds to ££218,970. As I have reported on previous occasions, we have looked at what funds might be needed for the future, and Provincial Grand Lodge of Suffolk identified three areas; firstly to ensure there are sufficient funds to cover the costs of Provincial events, secondly to pay all bills when they become due and to support any plans for the development and future of the Province, and thirdly to build up a fund of sufficient size that it will enable us to provide meaningful support to our Masonic Centres. At the beginning of the year we had £76,050, £40,000 and £60,000 respectively in those funds. I have added the Final Event Suffolk surplus to the Future Events funs, but with the benefit of having gone through that event, I consider that £25,000 is probably Provincial Regalia sufficient, so have been able to transfer £20,000 to the Masonic On our website you will find over 600 pieces of regalia. Centres Fund, to which I have also added the £10,000 legacy as, So, whether you are an Entered Apprentice or a Grand Officer all of after discussions with the auditors, it was felt that it should be your Masonic and Side Order needs are here. used for some beneficial purpose rather than be lost in general Masonic publications and Ritual books, Personal Gifts, Morning funds. Of the remaining £27,696 surplus I have put a further Suits, Trousers, Waistcoats, Jewellery, Lapel Pins, Cuff Links, £20,000 to the Centres Support Fund, and the balance of £7,696 Watches, Masonic Rings and even Lodge Furniture. to general reserves. Donations of your old or unwanted Regalia always Consequently at the end of the year, we carry forward £83,747 in gratefully received, collection can be arranged. general reserves, £25,223 in the Future Events Fund and £110,000 in the Masonic Centres Support Fund. I am pleased to Contact: Bro. Burt Royal on 07971 919358 report that during the past three years as Provincial Treasurer E: [email protected] we have increased our funds from £120,744 to £218,970, a very Freemasons Hall, Soane Street, Ipswich IP4 2BG healthy position and one that should provide a solid foundation for the future. As I reported last year, I was reluctant to increase Dues whilst you were being asked to dig deep to support the Festival, but we must be cognisant of the increasing costs of our core expenses, and consequently, and most reluctantly, I therefore propose an increase of £1 in the Provincial Dues. is will become effective www.suffolk.provincial-shop.co.uk from 1st January 2021.

An update on the Square Meals Food Delivery Service

We have to date delivered 11 boxes which has provided sufficient food for at least 66 meals. Feedback from customers tells us that the contents are good quality and the boxes are fairly priced. We are now in the process of introducing a second box offering different contents to give customers some week to week variation. It was suggested to us that the box contained a lot of food for one person to be able to consume. We have taken that comment on board and we are now offering two different boxes aimed at providing a single individual with sufficient food for one meal per day for three days. The single person boxes are priced at £20, again with free delivery within 10 miles of Sudbury. Work is underway with a box for vegetarians that will hopefully make the service attractive to a wider customer base and a vegan option is also being considered. Keep an eye on the Sudbury Masonic Hall Website to see these changes coming into effect. On a slightly different note, we are in the process of pulling together a Province wide D Day Celebration meal, full details have been forwarded it to all the Lodge Secretaries. We are offering the Square Meals food box as a basis for this meal for those wishing to use it. Cliff Sargent Report of the Provincial Suffolk Freemasons have delivered in Communications Officer excess of 10,000 items of PPE to Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master and brethren, 47 locations across Suffolk, I present my Annual Report for the year ending 31st December 2019. Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Essex In July 2019 I arranged a Digital Workshop to give more So that's that then... information to those lodges who are interested in promoting themselves via their own website or increasing their social Friday 22nd May saw the last media presence. is was well attended and we were one of deliveries in support of both East the first Provinces in the country to be visited by the UGLE Suffolk PPE and the other makers Communications Team who gave an interesting and in depth of protective equipment we have presentation which we will certainly be repeating in the been assisting during this future. unprecedented time. They have decided to draw a line under their In conjunction with Paul Taylor our Membership Officer I operations as the cost of have run three paid for adverts on our public facing Facebook implementing the required page, targeted particularly at men aged 25 to 65 in specific certification for the products which areas across the Province. ese broadcasts have been is now demanded by the viewed by a total of 26,000 people throughout Suffolk and are authorities is prohibitive. This by a relatively simple means for us to reach out to potential new chance coincided with the members. Each time these adverts have been broadcast we availability of our volunteers have had an increase in membership enquiries and I hope to reducing as many returned to work after furlough. expand this further in the future. I believe Suffolk were one of So what have we achieved... the first to use this recruitment method and I note that across the country other Provinces are now following our In 8 weeks we have deployed on 19 seperate occasions. The total lead. number of products moved exceeded 10,000. We delivered to 47 different locations right across Suffolk and into Cambridgeshire, I have posted information to Suffolk Freemasons and Suffolk Essex and Norfolk and there is absolutely no doubt that in doing so Light Blues Facebook groups on most days with information we have made a significant difference to the safety of some of those and news from lodges all over Province as well as anything I on the frontline of the fight against Covid. feel of interest from UGLE and the MCF. I am always looking Ollie Fordham who co-ordinated the deliveries said “This has been for interesting material to use, so if your lodge has had a one of the finest responses to a call for assistance I have seen. successful event, an unusual meeting or similar which you Members of many Lodges from across the whole would like to share to a wider audience then simply get in province stepped up when they were needed and touch. If you have not signed up to our Facebook pages I urge to a man have been shining examples of what you to do so as social media is a major part of modern Freemasonry is all about. They have given communications and UGLE strategy, its popularity will freely of their time at their own expense, and the succe increase year on year and we must embrace it to our ss of the operation is down to each and everyone of them. This however is just advantage. one example of how the Freemasons of Some lodges have been working on their own websites as Suffolk have shown support to the these are an easy way to promote your lodge and attract new communities in which they live. The Province members. If you are considering setting up a website please wishes to acknowledge and congratulate all the contact me as there are a few things which should not be put volunteers of East Suffolk PPE for the fantastic work into the public domain of which I can advise and also supply they have performed and we thank them for allowing us to assist the project”. you with a set of simple UGLE guidelines for you to follow. The support we had from Suffolk Freemasons... Although we are constantly working on our Social Media presence it is currently viewed by less than 30% of the In total we had 87 members who offered to help us with this project current membership so Forum Magazine still remains an and we called on the following who all assisted in some way and without them it simply would not have been possible... important way for us to keep everyone informed of what has been happening throughout the Province. We endeavour to Karl Vice x, Matt Milson, Will Roberts, Paul Rackham, Adrian Harvey, Ian Ovenstone, P keep the magazine as interesting as possible and are always aul Goodrich-Hobson, Antony Lister, Paul Rudland, Dean Willingham, Chris Holloway, very pleased to receive any article you feel might be of Mark Jepson, Tim Smith, Mark Scarlioli, Chris Elvin, interest. I have also submitted several articles to Freemasonry Paul Murgatroyd, Dave Blackmore, Simon Cusworth, Today via our direct portal and it has been very pleasing to Paul Keeble, David Hayward and Geoff Wilson. see Suffolk featured not only in our national magazine but also the news section of the UGLE website. Apart from two or three successful submissions we still struggle to get articles published in our local newspapers, this is quite disappointing but is in fact mirrored by other Provinces, we will be working hard to improve our success rate in this regard over the coming months. Finally I would like to convey my thanks to all those, and there are many, who have contributed and assisted me in the promotion of Freemasonry throughout Suffolk over the past year. WBro Kelvin Avis, Provincial Communications Officer 12 I FORUM e Suffolk Freemasons Magazine Introducing our new Cornwallis Court Provincial Grand Treasurer ‘overwhelmed’ by kindness Robert D. Clubb from the local community I was initiated into Court Knoll Staff and residents at Cornwallis Court, in Bury St Lodge on 20 October 1992, as I Edmunds, say they have been ‘overwhelmed’ by the recall a very cold evening at the kindness and support they have received from the local Sudbury Temple, pre-heating community. The Home’s staff are working tirelessly to keep upgrade. I became Master of residents safe and to support their wellbeing in these the Lodge in March 2001. challenging times, setting up video calls between residents Since then I have held various and their families and organising lots of sing songs in an offices, including Treasurer, effort to keep up morale. Mentor, Director of Ceremonies, and I am currently the lodge Secretary. I have also been Master of a London lodge. Currently I am a member of Chapter, Mark, Mariners and Rose Croix lodges, often following some arm twisting by a member of the PGM’s family. I am married to Sue and we have two children and three grandchildren. For over thirty years I have served as a magistrate for the Essex area. Initially in Colchester and Harwich, but now sit in the only two courts left in North Essex, Colchester & Chelmsford. I have held various posts, not least Deputy Chair of the North East Bench for six years. e most enjoyable part of my roles on the Bench has been mentor to new magistrates. Sadly, I am currently mentoring Residents and staff alike were delighted when local my last as enforced retirement beacons next year. musicians Ruby Gibson and Jazz Bullen gave a mini concert outside the Home. Residents enjoyed the lively Until six years ago when I sold my business to a competitor, I performance from their rooms or seated outside at a safe was a practicing accountant for over forty years. Whilst in distance. The kind-hearted duet, who are both key workers, practice, I deliberately avoided being made treasurer of any treated their audience to a medley of popular songs, which organisation as it would simply have become an extension of residents were seen singing along to. my working day. However, Court Knoll Lodge wore me down and other ‘opportunities’ to maintain my skills soon followed. Among the residents tapping her feet to the beat was 99 year old Jean Wood, who told carers: “I loved it! This is just For more than twenty years I have operated a property what the doctor ordered, they cheered everyone up. What a management business, mainly looking after communal wonderful thing to do!” aspects of residential and commercial sites from Saffron Walden in the west to Saxmundham in the east. Apart from The Home has also received lots of cards, chatty letters, the management of the sites, I also undertake myself some of and drawings from people of all ages in the local the small works. DIY has always been a passion, inherited community. Among them are the pupils of Westgate from both my parents who were great exponents of the art. Community Primary School. Freemasonry gave me the opportunity to hone the skills that I Local children have also left had developed in my accountancy and magisterial careers, pebbles, painted with rainbows, but it is always a joy to watch younger brethren rise to their outside the Home as a sign of full potential. Just as you think that you can relax and take a support. While other thoughtful back seat in Freemasonry...another ‘challenge’ presents itself. individuals have delivered home- made cupcakes. Home Manager Denise O’Brien, Suffolk Freemasons Social Media says: “We’re so grateful to Ruby and Jazz, to our local community Provincial Grand Lodge of and to our residents’ families for Suffolk has a presence on all their support. We have been Facebook, Instagram and quite overwhelmed with all the Twitter which are all open to kindness over the past few public viewing and run by your Communications Team. ey weeks. It is really helping us to will give you exclusive up to date information on what is get through these difficult times. happening around the Province as well as having topical posts from United Grand Lodge, the Masonic Charitable “Our residents are coping very well under the Foundation, RMBI, Supreme Grand Charity and many others. circumstances. We have a fantastic team here and we’ll get through this together.” If you have anything to you want to share, www.rmbi.org.uk simply get in touch - [email protected]. Provincial Grand Chapter of Suffolk Appointments & Promotions 2020-21 Deputy Grand Superintendent* Raymond K Pascoe C936 Second Grand Principal* Roger E Nash C959 Third Grand Principal* Paul A Norman C936

Appointments to Active Rank: Promotions to Past Rank:

Scribe Ezra* ...... Nick B Le-Grys C9215 Scribe Nehemiah ...... Tom W Starling C71 Scribe Nehemiah ...... Roger ES Cawston C225 Scribe Nehemiah ...... David J Hickinbottom C388 Treasurer* ...... Roger M Young C1663 Scribe Nehemiah ...... Richard J Hayes C936 Registrar ...... Ron H McLean C225 Scribe Nehemiah ...... David W Durrant C1452 Director of Ceremonies* ...... Nigel WG Gregory C8656 Grand Registrar ...... Ray P Seale C225 Sword Bearer ...... Michael C Beckett C376 Grand Registrar ...... Peter E Sutters C376 Deputy Director of Ceremonies* ...... Jamie BS Gwatkin C4618 Grand Registrar ...... David Hepburn C1452 Deputy Director of Ceremonies ...... Stephen P Faulkner C305 Sword Bearer ...... Les J Bailey C51 Almoner* ...... Paul Wreathall C1008 Sword Bearer ...... Richard G Roper C1224 Charity Steward* ...... Brian G Simpson C959 Sword Bearer ...... Adrian Nicholls C1631 Principal Sojourner ...... John E Shaw C516 Sword Bearer ...... Brian L Locksmith C3833 1st Assistant Sojourner ...... Mervyn R Wake C8656 Deputy Director of Ceremonies ...... Keith Webber C555 2nd Assistant Sojourner ...... Robert J Earey C1663 Deputy Director of Ceremonies ...... Ron W Cobbold C1224 Assistant Scribe Ezra* ...... Kelvin J Larcombe C376 Deputy Director of Ceremonies ...... Bob M Lee C1983 Standard Bearer ...... J David Sharples C376 Deputy Director of Ceremonies ...... Bruce MacPherson C2371 Standard Bearer ...... Colin L Kennedy C1008 Principal Sojourner ...... John W Took C305 Standard Bearer ...... Peter L Taylor C2438 Principal Sojourner ...... Matthew J Millson C388 Organist* Graham ...... J Colthorpe C3833 Principal Sojourner ...... Alex W Workman C1008 Assistant Director of Ceremonies ....James F Orlopp C8656 Principal Sojourner ...... Stephen P Ascott C1224 Assistant Director of Ceremonies ....Ian S Gray C6292 Principal Sojourner ...... Bill TC Bowman C1631 Steward ...... Mark N Ashmore C71 Principal Sojourner ...... Simon P Wicks C1631 Steward ...... Paul M Royal C81 Principal Sojourner ...... Ray E Waterman C1663 Steward ...... Chris E Wilson C114 Principal Sojourner ...... George L Slaughter C9704 Steward ...... Chris P Grant C376 Principal Assistant Sojourner ...... Stuart C Andrews C1224 Steward ...... Michael Smith C959 Principal Assistant Sojourner ...... Gerald Dowe C1983 Steward ...... Steve J Horne C4618 Standard Bearer ...... Peter RD Wood C555 Janitor ...... Peter D Farthing C6637 Standard Bearer ...... Derrick A Garwood C1983 *denotes Re-Appointment 1st Appointments to Past Rank:

Standard Bearer ...... James A King C1663 Assistant Director of Ceremonies .....Roger PJ Dor C516 Assistant Director of Ceremonies .....Paul A Page C1224 Assistant Director of Ceremonies .....Fred A Albrow C1631 Assistant Director of Ceremonies .....Barry M Stone C1631 Assistant Director of Ceremonies .....Geoff J Wilson C1983 Assistant Director of Ceremonies .....Simon D Fitzpatrick C6292 Assistant Director of Ceremonies .....Carl J Spriggs C9333 MEGS Certificate of Commendation:

George S Langley C1008 Rodney A Chapman C8656