The Bristol Standard
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The Bristol Standard The Magazine for Masons and the Community Issue 22 www.provinceofbristol.org.uk February 2015 Bristol Remembrance Sunday 9th November 2014 or the first time Bristol Mason’s representing the Province of Bristol were present and included in the procession that marched from College Green through the City Centre to the Cenotaph at this year’s Remembrance Sunday Commemorations. FThe Provincial Grand Master and the Deputy Provincial Grand Master were accompanied by approxi- mately forty Brethren, who paid their respects to British Forces that have paid the ultimate price in Wars and conflicts around the World since 1914. W Bro Wilf Cooper who was one of the first members of the Special Boat Service (SBS) and served in North Africa, Sicily, Burma and Crete laid a wreath of Poppies on behalf of the Province, all present were very proud that he was able to represent us at this year’s Commemorations. Bob White - PCO REMEMBRANCE SERVICE Service of Remembrance was held at Freemasons Hall, Park Street on ASaturday 8th November 2014 at 10.50 am. The Service was conducted by W Bro the Reverend Father Steven Hawkins and the words of Remembrance were spoken by the DPGM VWBro Christopher Williams. The music was provided by W Bro Richard Lewis who supplied not only the music but also the “Last Post” and “Reveille”. A wreath was laid by W Bro Tony Griffiths (formerly of The Royal Observer Corps) who was in uniform. The Province’s Annual Service of Remembrance was honoured this year by two Standard Bearers from The British Legion whose presence added great dignity to this solemn occasion when Bristol remembers all those who made the supreme sacrifice in defence of our freedom. The display in the Foyer vividly demonstrates the involvement of Bristol Freemasons in both World Wars, with 2014 marking 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War. 1 MY VOLUNTEERING TRIP TO INSTITUTIONS IN NEPAL by David Draper hanks to generous dona- The second institution I worked cultural experience) to help tions from the Province at was called Children’s Para- pick up the children at their of Bristol, I was able to dise. This was a Christian run homes. As well as teaching Tspend two months in at this foundation I also as- the summer volunteer- sisted in the construction of ing at some remarkable a new play area for the chil- institutions in rural Ne- dren. The sight had previ- pal. The first of which ously been a pharmacy, so was the Little Daffodils the first, incredibly labori- School in Pokrah ous task was to remove all the bottles of medicine and Little Daffodils was syringes from the topsoil. started up 18 years ago This amazed me, since it by Principal Leknath was the children’s current as he saw a great need play area! In spite of the for quality education in medical waste we man- his community. Today aged to finish our task and the school has over 400 erect the much-anticipated students from nursery climbing frame. level up to ‘Grade 10’. I worked mostly with I was allowed some down Clearing the Topsoil at Children’s Paradise! levels 1 through 5. time as part of the proj- Many of the students ect and filled it with trying to see the most of the amazing come from poor back- countryside and cities that grounds and have their Nepal has to offer. In my Children Arriving for School at Little Daffodils education sponsored short time there I managed or their school fees are to cram in; paragliding, pre-school offering special at- paid through donations to the elephant backed safaris, tention to children with dis- school. 80 percent of the stu- temple and monastery vis- abilities. Nepal is, for the most its, canoe trips down the part, a Hindu and Ganges, trekking galore, a Buddhist community. bit of Himalayan mountain- A large belief of these eering and even a trek to religions is the belief Everest Base Camp. Nepal in karma and rein- is an incredible country that carnation. If you were I was very sad to leave; I am reborn into this life as incredibly grateful to the a disabled child, these Province of Bristol and the beliefs would say that Lodge of Virtue and Indus- in a past life you had try for their kind donations accumulated vast and support that made this amounts of bad kar- endeavour a possibility. I ma. As a result, any- would recommend the ex- body with a disability perience to anyone with a is somewhat shunned sense of adventure - who in everyday life. It The lucky ones taking the School Bus Home doesn’t mind leeches or was therefore very squat toilets! reward- ing work- ing with t h e s e Morning Prayers at Little Daffodils children and try- ing to pass on the dents are female, as it is harder message that they for girls in Nepal to get a full need as much help education. The teachers are also as the other chil- from the local community and dren, if not more! mostly women. My role in the The school has school varied extensively but around 56 chil- the primary goal was to help dren and 7 have English fluency in the class- disabilities. The rooms along, build teachers school is fam- confidence with their English ily run with ev- speaking skills, and generally eryone welcomed be an extra pair of hands when as a member of needed. In reality these task the family. School involved a lot of one-to-one tu- starts at 10:30am ition with the struggling chil- but my first task dren, a lot of speaking slowly, of the day was and an alarming amount of to catch the local volleyball! bus (certainly a The Khumbu Glacier at the foothills of Mount Everest 2 JUST ONE REMINDER OF HOW WEALTHY JULIAN MERCHANTS CARED FOR THE POOR By George Halladay TRUST NIGHT SHELTER n the edge of Kings can read a poem that is on Bristol’s earliest almshouse FOR Street, close to one of the walls. was founded by Simon where ships used to Burton, a merchant who THE HOMELESS Friday December 19th Odock in Bristol, are a group “Freed from all storms the was five times mayor of the of houses built for the con- tempest and the rage city. They stood between St hris Williams, Colin valescent and ancient mari- Thomas Street and Temple Lowther, Stuart ners who had nowhere else Of billows, here we spend our Street in Long Row and re- McKendrick, Chris to live to see out their days. age. built twice, until the final CColeman and myself met Georgian building was de- with Mr Geoff Moon a Our weather beaten vessels They were built around stroyed in the Blitz. senior helper at the Trust here repair 1696 by the Society of Mer- who accepted donations chant Venturers whose Between 1480 and 1660 the of single fitted sheets, members became extreme- And from the Merchants kind and generous care money endowed to charity ly wealthy, many as a result by Bristol merchants, were of trading in slaves shipped Find harbour here; no more we second only to London! from Africa to the Carib- put to sea bean to work on the planta- An expanding population tions. until we launch into eternity in and around Bristol in the late 12th and 13th centuries Now used for private ac- and lest our widows whom we led to a number of social commodation, they were leave behind problems, one of which was originally built around a poverty and sickness. By quadrangle. should want relief, they too a 1230, six “hospitals” were shelter find. founded, almost wholly on pillowcases, gloves, boxer Sadly, during the great Blitz land owned by the Berke- shorts, and hot drinking Thus all our anxious cares and on the city during World ley family. chocolate. He then gave us War II and as a result of sorrows cease a short briefing followed alterations to the road on Such hospitals were medi- by a tour of the shelter their boundary, there are Whilst our kind Guardians eval guesthouses, usually which we all found very now only three sides left. turn our toils to ease. set up by the wealthy or the enlightening. church, where poor trav- In 2015 we will have a col- Their neighbour was the May they be with and endless ellers, as well as those in lection point in Park Street ancient Merchants Hall, Sabbath blest need, could find shelter and where our Brethren (with also destroyed by German Who have afforded unto us food. They were in fact the help from friends and fam- bombing. this rest.” forerunner of what were to ily), can leave single fitted become almshouses. sheets and pillowcases no If you have the time you longer required. These will be taken to the Shelter, on a regular basis, as the bed- ding used by their guests is washed every morning ready for the new intake that night, so there is al- ways a demand for replace- ment bedding. At this time we would like to thank The Matthew Lodge, The Baily Lodge and St Nicholas Lodge for their generous cash donations allowing us to buy needed items for the shelter. Chris Cook 3 Mark Master Masons Autumn Sunday Lunch Baily Lodge at Penny Brohn Cancer Care Hospice 28 Sept. 2014 n the 4th August W. Bro. Andy Jones Worshipful Master of Baily Lodge and W. Bro Mike Parsons Charity Steward Ofor Baily visited the Penny Brohn Cancer Care Hospice at Abbotts Leigh to present a cheque for £500 on behalf of Baily Lodge to Amy Cason Events and Corporate Manager.