Masonic Lincs December 2019.qxp_Layout 1 14/11/2019 10:06 Page 1

The newsletter of the Masonic Province of MasoniCLINCS December 2019

Meet Freemasonry’s future Is this the Province’s youngest team of Master and Wardens? – page 13

FeStivAlreaDY for the trowelDave picks up the venicethe merchant of Jez Hyland is leading from e foundation stone From Bagdhad to Bayons the front as Chairman of our for Louth’s new Lodge and Buckingham 2025 Festival. Find out what Masonic building Palace; Jamie Ellis unveils he thinks of the task ahead is laid by the PGM an intriguing tale – page 3 – page 6 – page 10 Masonic Lincs December 2019.qxp_Layout 1 14/11/2019 10:06 Page 2

MasoniC lincS masonic Lincs is produced by the Message from masonic province of Lincolnshire. origination: stuart pearcey, the Province Words and spaces, 01724 352156

print: helloprint After the exciting year of change we’ve just been through, it’s

mailing: mortons mailing hard to contemplate that next year will be even more memorable

– but I’m certain it will be. EditoriaL teAM Not only have we completed groundwork on which to build the

future of Freemasonry in Lincolnshire, but our Province is about to

Peter Brooks enter a new Festival with the launch of #Lincs2025 on January 18th. I

[email protected] appreciate that it might feel as though the 2014 Festival has only just

Stuart Pearcey ended, but it was launched 11 years ago, and so much has happened [email protected] since then.

Planning for the new Festival has been going on for months under the Gideon Hall (advertising) leadership of Jez Hyland. He shares his thoughts about taking on the

[email protected] vital role of Festival Chairman on the facing page of this edition of Masonic Lincs. Jez Hyland The reasons for the Festival, and the good it will undoubtedly do for (advertising) [email protected] communities throughout Lincolnshire, is explained in the brochure

accompanying this magazine. There’s more in this edition too, with Plus members of the Provincial Communications Team. the article about the MCF grant to St Barnabas Hospice. I trust you’ll find both publications to be interesting reading.

Part of the preparatory work has been the establishment of an events adVErtisErs committee under the Chairmanship of Gideon Hall, and ways you can

Masonic Lincs is circulated to every contribute and be recognised for your efforts have been co-ordinated Freemason in Lincolnshire, and is also by Christopher Sawyer.

seen by their friends and families. Work we already have ‘under our Festival belt’ involves a series of

To discuss the benefits of advertising for three training sessions for Charity Stewards in all Lodges. These

as little as £80 per issue, please contact: have been set up by Pete Tong, our Provincial Charity Steward,

Jez Hyland by phone on 07957 603604 or alongside everything else he has to do. These sessions have been

email at [email protected] very important, because all of our Lodge Charity Stewards have a key or Gideon Hall, 07824 808116 or email [email protected] role in helping us to reach our aspiration to collect £2.25m during the life of the Festival. FEstiVaL coMMittee New building and a new Lodge

But the Festival is just a part of the activities happening in our Jez Hyland, chairman Province. The new Masonic building at Louth is rapidly taking shape. Dave Wheeler, president Bruce Goodman, Liaison The Foundation Stone has been laid, and the roof trusses went up in Nov Adrian Joyce, secretary ember. Perhaps members of the planned new Lincolnshire

Stephen Hallberg, treasurer Lodge, the Freewheelers, will use it for one of their meetings after the Gideon Hall, events consecration at the Epic Centre at the Lincolnshire Showground on Andy Ham, events May 16th next year. Christopher Sawyer, honorifics And speaking of doing one’s part, I’m especially grateful to the Pete Tong, relief chest & Gift aid advertisers who support Masonic Lincs. Their contribution lifts the Christopher Watkin, marketing Simon Butler, merchandising financial burden of production from the Provincial funds, and I am Stuart Pearcey, communications always grateful for their commitment. – all supported by Lodge Charity Stewards And finally...

Area co-ordinators On behalf of all of the Provincial Executive may I wish you and your Phil Odling, east Lincs a families a peaceful Christmas and a rew rding New Year. Phil Anyan, north Lincs Robert Holland, mid Lincs Richard Garn, south Lincs Dave Wheeler Paul Ellis, north east Lincs David Wheeler the masonic province of Lincolnshire has its hQ at the Provincial Grand Master & Grand Superintendent masonic hall, cambridge road, Great , , Dn34 5sZ visit our web site at www.pgllincs.org MasoniCLINCS 2 December 2019 Masonic Lincs December 2019.qxp_Layout 1 14/11/2019 10:06 Page 3

#Lincs2025: Putting the fun into fundraising

There are five good reasons to support the latest Festival in Lincolnshire – and here they are:

Small but mighty You’ll hardly notice a1 small but regular Festival Chairman Jez Hyland, a member of the Round Table Lodge of Lincolnshire. commitment, but it will make a significant difference to the Festival and the people it rising to the helps Getting it back Lincolnshire good causes get2 about £200,000 from the challenge MCF every year

The euphoria I felt when I was asked to be Jez Hyland reflects on his Supporting you too Chairman of Lincolnshire’s next Festival 3The MCF invests in lasted for about two minutes. And then the new role as Chairman services which you or your

family might one day need scale of the task, and the responsibility that of #Lincs2025 “comes with it, hit me. More than money “ Freemasons, family, and But it’s true that nothing worthwhile in life is the launch. Find out more about the Festival in friends4 should all have a easy, and anyway I’d already said ‘yes’, so I the leaflet with this magazine, and ask your good time at Festival events had to work out how to go about it. Charity Steward. As our PGM and Festival The secret has been to break the task down President Dave Wheeler points out, Charity Everyone can help into smaller, manageable pieces, and to tap Stewards are key people in the task ahead, and Organising or supporting into the wealth of experience and the skills have taken part in training days to bring them events5 arranged by others available in the Province – and until I took on up to speed. this role, I hadn’t really realised just how enriches your life as well extensive those things were. Making the magic happen Naturally, Festivals have been run before, in this and other Provinces, and I was grateful The #Lincs2025 events team is searching for resources within the Province for the support and advice available in that can offer something new, different, and fun to our events over the next Lincolnshire and with Festival Chairmen from five years. neighbouring Provinces – and the MCF itself, It might be a band, someone who can run for whom we’re raising the money. It’s all been an outside bar, or a venue for a summer invaluable. ball. We would also like to hear about any Masons who have the necessary skills to I’m now surrounded by a very helpful team, put on race nights, wine tasting, or other whose members are listed on page 2. I’m fun topics. grateful for the support they have already Do you have anattraction that could be given, and committed to continue with. used for fundraising or something that With our PGM I have also taken part in a could be used as a raffle prize (raffling launch video, highlighting the way in which weeks in people's holiday homes has been the MCF puts money into worthwhile causes very popular in the past). in our Province, which means whatever you Any help would be gratefully accepted. give to the Festival is likely to come back here We’ll build a database of suitable resources, we will make these known around at some point, even to brethren and their he Province to assist them in putting on their own events. families who may fall on hard times. You may Point your phone at the this grid on the right – it’s called a QR code – to open up a page to fill in details of ideas online, or please contact Gideon even need that help yourself one day. The Hall on 07824 808116 or email: [email protected] with ideas video will be on the Provincial web site after

December 2019 MasoniCLINCS #Lincs2025 3 Masonic Lincs December 2019.qxp_Layout 1 14/11/2019 10:06 Page 4

Friendship in time of crisis

Through the generosity of and enjoyable experience by providing Lincolnshire’s Freemasons the a range of direct services, advice, and Masonic Charitable Foundation has domestic support. been able to support Age UK Lindsey This can include help to access benefits, with a donation of £63,000. liaising with care agencies, or simply a weekly befriending visit. The life-changing donation is part of a Service Manager Sue White said Lincoln brethren shared their £1m project called Later Life Goals, demand for the services they were able open day with members of the launched nationwide to support the to provide continued to flood in. “We Order of Women Freemasons. charity’s work in reaching out to have an average of 200 new referrals for A steady stream of visitors enhance the lives of many hundreds of our information and advice service were able to visit the lonely and vulnerable older people. every month, and 30 new requests for Nightingale Rooms during the In Lincolnshire in this year alone that our befriending help on top of that. Our course of a Saturday, meet translates to one-to-one intervention on services are always up to capacity, and Lodge members, and discover behalf of 262 people undergoing major so many callers have nowhere else to not only that women can also transitions in their lives such as go. We can’t thank you enough for this be Freemasons, but that one of bereavement, serious health diagnosis, donation; it will help us to sustain our the three Lodges the OWF has or a partner moving to a care home. services to people who otherwise might in Lincolshire meets in the city. Age UK Lindsey works across East and have no help at all.” Pictired are, from left, Jason and , PGM Dave Wheeler said: “The work of Fitzgerald, Katrina Bradley helping to make later life a fulfilling Age UK Lindsey is vital for so many from the OWF, Mike Clay, and Kevin ‘Brad’ Bradley, a member Funds given by Freemasons to help of the current Provincial team. victims of Wainfleet’s summertime flooding are being used to good effect After the in and around the town.

So far more than £55,000 has been given to 61 families whose homes were flood inundated when the River Steeping burst its banks. The funds were made of up £25,000 each PGM visits Wainfleet to from the Province of Lincolnshire, The Mark Benevolent Fund, and the Masonic see our donation in action Charitable Foundation, topped up with donations from other Provinces which specific hardship.” had also experienced flooding, and The money is not being divided equally, understood the need for a sustained says Sue, but is being distributed response. equitably. “Some people need the money The Rev John Spriggs has left And on a Lincolnshire Day visit to the more than others, and some haven’t Lincolnshire to live in Kent, but Coronation Hall in the village PGM asked for financial support on the basis members of Witham Lodge 297 Dave Wheeler said he was confident the they believe others are worse off and felt they couldn’t let him go funds were being given to the right need the money more,” she said. without a thank you gift in people in the right way. Sue said a face-to-face approach had recognition of all he’s done for At the ‘sharp end’ of delivery is Sue been made available to support those their lodge in his role as its Fortune, Joint CEO of the Lincolnshire affected, rather than leaving it to online Liaison Officer. Community Foundation which is applications. “As well as needing money, W Bro Marc Horsewood, the managing and co-ordinating the appeal people needed to have someone they Lodge’s Master, presented him funding. She has met many of the could talk to; to feel someone cared. with a with a gift and bottle of families face to face and said: “Phase 1 That, and having the Coronation Hall to Scotch on behalf of the involved giving £500 to each home go to where people could access various members for his work during which the water had got in to. Phase 2 support agencies, have been a ten years in the role. started at the beginning of September, fundamental part of the success of the and is offering up to £1,000 to alleviate recovery process.” Sue shared her MasoniCLINCS 4 December 2019 Masonic Lincs December 2019.qxp_Layout 1 14/11/2019 10:06 Page 5

Provincial mentoring gets a boost with launch of new

Fourliterature new Mentoring booklets designed to help new Freemasons in their journey through the Craft have been launched by the Provincial Grand Mentor W.Bro David Buckenham.

During a meeting of Paulinus Lodge in Vigilantes Lodge almoner Peter Tasker, left, who co-ordinated our donation to Lincoln, where he is Liaison Officer, Age UK Lindsey, and PGM Dave Wheeler met Sue White and Pam Cox from David explained that the booklets had the charity to hand over the £63,000 MCF donation. been developed with the assistance of a small working group consisting of people in rural Lincolnshire. I’d urge l Find more on this story, and read experienced mentors W.Bros Nick brethren to volunteer to help with the about the significant difference Age Brown, Jim Childs, Barry Jeffrey and befriending service. It involves an hour UK Lindsey has made to just one Martin Howitt. Proof reading had ben a week for a chat over a cup of tea, but isolated individual in ‘Donald’s story’ done by W.Bro Brian Roberts, with it can be a lifeline for someone. Contact in the news section of our web site design by W.Bro Stuart Pearcey, the [email protected] to find out www.pgllincs.org Provincial Communications Officer. more.” David said: “These booklets replace the original ones which have been in circulation since the Provincial Dave Wheeler and Mentoring Scheme was launched over Sue Fortune, right, 10 years ago. prepare to go live on “We believe they will be invaluable in Radio Lincolnshire, supporting newer brethren and their talking about the mentors, and supplies will be made reponse to flooding available at centres throughout the in Wainfleet. Province. Hear the interview in “Our next step will be to create a the news section of dedicated Mentoring page on the web our web site site, where the booklets will be pgllincs.org available to download.”

mobile phone number with the families, it was before the flood. Sue’s fellow resulting in calls as early and 7.30am and Joint CEO James Murphy added: “There as late as 9pm. She also spent lots of was naturally significant emotional time at the Coronation Hall, which distress. Being here in person provided became a focal point for residents. Those the reassurance of proactivity; that there calls and meetings yielded some tough was a person they could talk to.” stories, such as the couple who were due After meeting Sue, James, and the to exchange contracts for a house sale residents at a Lincolnshire Day get- the day after the floods and families who together in Coronation Hall Dave lost everything. “We listened to all the Wheeler said: “We have been so stories, and responded equitably,” she reassured that the money we have said. donated has gone absolutely to the right Face-to-face meetings also helped people and the right places. The process signpost the villagers to people with we have heard of today is fantastic. All specialist knowledge who were able to of Lincolnshire’s Freemasons can feel as get things done. A grants panel was proud as I do of what’s been achieved formed, with Sue as mediator, to offer with our financial help. I am in awe of financial support to help bring Wainfleet the work that’s been done here since the The new mentoring literature. back to, as close as possible, to the way flooding; it’s superb.” December 2019 5 MasoniCLINCS Masonic Lincs December 2019.qxp_Layout 1 14/11/2019 10:06 Page 6

crowle brethren chip in with £600 donation to help 

Isle of Axholme Freemasons have Demand for its services has doubled Paul said his volunteering work included supported The Forge Project in over the last three years, said Paul, and sorting out clothing donations, work in with a donation of £600. his work as a volunteer had encouraged the kitchen, and just being around to him to get his own Vermuyden Lodge to help and provide support. He said: The fundraising effort has been led by adopt it as their charity for the year. “Clothing needs to be sorted because Paul Vollans, currently the Worshipful Currently providing support for an people give us inappropriate things,” he Master of one of the Isle’s four Masonic average 62 people every weekday, the said. “For instance, rough sleepers have Lodges, who is a regular volunteer at the centre is working hard to enhance its no need for a bikini – but they’re still centre on the town’s Cottage Beck Road. premises, a former Methodist church. given to us. Chatting to the service users Open five days a week to support the Plans are afoot for a new kitchen, new you get to hear their back stories, and homeless, the centre provides breakfasts flooring throughout, and new windows realise not only how hard their lives can and hot lunches, activities, and access to to make sure the centre continues to be be, but how well off the rest of us, with a range of other services. fit for purpose. homes to go to, really are.” Masonic Hall takes shape in

louth Stone laid at Louth: from left: John Christoffersen, Steve Hallberg, John Winter, Steve Siddle, Ian Castledine, and Dave Wheeler.

Louth’s new Masonic Hall has come a contacted at [email protected]. step closer with the laying of a commemorative foundation Laying the Foundation Stone is the latest chapter of a story stone by PGM Dave Wheeler – and the opening up of which began in 2010. Ian said: “We first looked into moving another opportunity to make your mark on the building premises in 2010 when it looked as though we might lose our for generations to come. car parking facilities in Queen Street due to re-development in the town. To help in fundraising a Founders Brick Wall will be created “We looked at several buildings around the town, but could in the building’s bar, with brethren being invited to buy a find nothing suitable. Then, due to the ongoing costs of space and add their names. Details of how to get involved are keeping the building in a good state of repair and seeing what available from fund Secretary Ian Castledine. He can be the brethren had achieved we decided to look again.” Early in 2017 a questionnaire was sent to the Brethren of both of Louth’s Craft Lodges asking the question: ‘should we stay or should we go?’ The majority was in favour of going, if new premises could be built. “We found the current building site in Bolingbroke Road on the Fairfield Industrial Estate, and the owner allowed us to buy it when we had sold the existing site and received planning permission. Our old premises went on the market in 2017 and permission was granted last September,” added Ian. Contracts on the old building were exchanged at the end of November, and brethren moved out. Homelessness hasn’t been too much of an issue; everything except the Lodges’ warrants are in storage at Bro.Andrew Wrisdale’s warehouse, and meetings have been taking place principally at Alford and Skegness Centre, but also Grimsby and . “After some unforeseen delays contracts were exchanged on the new site on 20th February this year, with building due to start on 8th April. In the event, a start wasn’t made until the second week in May, but the building’s taking shape now.”

MasoniCLINCS 6 December 2019 Masonic Lincs December 2019.qxp_Layout 1 14/11/2019 10:06 Page 7 p e Forge project The Masonic involvement organised by Paul involved raffles and a Christmas carol concert. “People like to support from a distance. Organising events gives them a conduit to offer support to a service which is having to find ways to adapt its work to meet an ever-growing demand, and one which isn’t going to decline any time soon.” Right: Service users wait for the ‘dish of the day’ from Paul Vollans, Barrie Graham, and Colin Robinson, the Lodge Treasurer.

Every year, thousands of Freemasons ...and why is are helped by the Masonic Charitable it important? Foundation to meet financial, So what is a Provincial healthcare and family needs. Charity “ Steward Countless others also have their lives improved because of the grants they festival? Pete Tong award to community causes. Without the explains Festival system, providing this support would not be possible. Whilst Festivals are the responsibility of the Province, typically holds a Festival once every 11 Jewel on behalf of the Province. The the Masonic Charitable Foundation – as years. Many Provinces elect to hold a quantity of the initial purchase will be the custodian of the funds raised – has a five, six or seven year Festival Appeal; agreed between the Foundation and the duty to ensure that information is the Guidelines therefore follow this Province. Additional orders can be available to help initiate, plan, manage pattern meaning that the Festival launch placed if necessary. The design of the and celebrate a successful Appeal. will occur in year four, five or six of the Jewel must be approved by the Grand What is a Festival? The Festival 11 year cycle. Master through the Masonic Charitable refers to a Masonic Festival The importance of Provincial Foundation. Jewels should only be worn comprising the Appeal and the Festival Appeals The Masonic by those members, who through the Festival Event or Finale. The Festival Charitable Foundation is often amount they have donated, have 1 faced with the misconception that qualified as a Festival Steward. Bars can Appeal is the process of raising funds. It 3 includes the planning, launch, execution additional donations are not needed due be added to recognise higher levels of and administration of an Appeal but not to the income it receives from its giving such as the qualification as a the Festival Event. The Festival Event is endowments and the Annual Patron, Grand Patron etc. It is normal the celebration held at the end of the Contribution. In reality, the donations etiquette for the Festival Jewel not to be Festival Appeal to mark its conclusion raised through Festivals currently worn outside the Province. and to announce, for the first time, the contribute around 67% of the Masonic Collecting donations. Brethren total amount raised for the Masonic Charitable Foundation’s total income will be able to donate either within Charitable Foundation. The Festival each year. In 2014-15, the Foundation the Lodge at meetings in which Event can take many forms although spent almost £27.5m supporting 5case use will be made of envelopes traditionally it comprises a dinner beneficiaries, whereas the income similar to the current Gift Aid attended by Festival Stewards and their received from investments amounted to Envelopes. The means of dealing with wives or partners. The Festival is a only £6.2m. This statistic clearly those will be similar to the current

partnership between the Province and demonstrates that Festivals are vital if envelopes except that the money will be the Masonic Charitable Foundation, the the Foundation is to continue its banked by MCF and all Gift Aid

aim of which is to raise funds. The activities. claimed through MCF. Brethren will Festival also provides an opportunity to Jewels. Jewels, (or honorifics) can also be able to set up a new direct debit increase the awareness of the be an important incentive for – making it an excellent opportunity to Foundation’s work and the support it members to support the Festival review any current“ arrangements. provides to Freemasons, their families 4but can also be strongly disliked as some Training/Support I am currently and the wider community. see them as ‘boasting’ about what the looking at developing a general Understanding the Festival individual has given. However, the training package for Charity system A total of 44 of the 47 jewels cost the Province nothing. The Stewards6 with specific attention to the Provinces under UGLE take part Masonic Charitable Foundation will pay Festival. 2in the Festival system. Each Province for the design and manufacture of the December 2019 7 MasoniCLINCS Masonic Lincs December 2019.qxp_Layout 1 14/11/2019 10:06 Page 8

Nuggets in focus: Solomon comes to life on the screen A number of Rose Croix members from Lincolnshire have received their 30th If a picture’s worth a thousand Degree at Supreme Council in Duke Street St James. The ones in this picture words, then the value of a video are Chris Turner of Maguncor Chapter in , Jim Stanser of Old Hall must be pretty much incalculable. Chapter in Gainsborough, and Ernie Coleman and Roger Hansard of Sancta Maria Chapter in Lincoln. They were supported by Reg Brittan, Mike Bull, That’s the thinking behind some work David Sprawson, Lyn Thomas, Alan Newton, and Trevor Clingan. done in Lincolnshire thanks to collab- Others recieving these degress are as follows: 32nd Degree: D B Richardson, P oration between me and Bro Christo- W Tasker, and P F Jude, Candleshoe. 31st Degree: M F Bull, Sancta Maria. pher Watkin, writes Nick Brown. With 30th Degree: J E M Fitzgerald, Lindis; P J Miller, Stukeley; P Paige, Wolds; T input from a number of the Province’s J Booth, Stukeley; C J and L R Morris, Patmos; S C Hallberg and R other brethren, we’re confident we J Stevens, Crookshank RC. have enhanced the value of the rich seam of Masonic knowledge presented Oliver Chapter by the Solomon online resource. adds to the Here’s how it happened. I spend much of my professional life trying to wisdom of analyse how we learn, retain, and recall information, and wondered if Solomon there was a way that such a fantastic resource could be shared even more A series of essays written widely and perhaps even enhanced. about twenty years ago by E I realised that five-minute video or Comp D K Robinson of sound clips are often used in schools Grimsby's Oliver Chapter to help people learn. I wondered – why 792 have become part of the can’t we do this with the nuggets of- Solomon repository of fered by Solomon? That was the germ Masonic knowledge. of the idea – but modern audiences are Their 'rediscovery' and the efforts of have been added to the Solomon web site sophisticated, so wouldn’t engage with Mike Rix, the Provincial Second Grand and can be viewed in the Seek & Learn: the material unless it was produced to Principal, have seen the hand-written Masonic History section. They are: a professional standard. work re-created in electronic form and l The Life and campaigns of Joshua, That’s where Christopher comes in. adopted as part of the Solomon web site. l son of Nun He has a passion for making videos, Mike was able to present hard copies of l Prophets, Priests and Kings and the professional skills to match. the essays to Companions at a meeting of l The Temple at Jerusalem And he was as keen as I was. the Oliver Chapter. l A Man of Tyre-worker in brass Together we chose some suitable Chapter Freemasons will be familiar with l Solomon and his times nuggets, and gathered together the the name of Cyrus, King of Persia - but l The Grand Originals technical equipment. We chose a lodge who was he? One of the essays answers l The Babylonian captivity and the room for the set – where else? – and that very question, this and other essays l restoration of the Temple invited keen volunteers from a number of lodges to appear on camera. Almost 60 Royal Then it was a case of ‘lights, camera, Arch masons action!’ We wanted the format of the were at Crowle final product to be a group of brethren to see a double delivering each piece, so each brother exaltation to went through every nugget, which round off a gave us a series of options for the fin- successful year ished clips. in the chair of When we’d captured the raw footage, the Isle of Christopher worked his magic in the Axholme edit, and the clips are here to help you Chapter for make your daily advancement in Steve Spavin. knowledge. We’re proud of the results. Almost 40 members and 19 guests saw Companions Dan Hercus and Trevor We hope you find them really useful. Moore exalted by E Comp Spavin, assisted by Mick Cole and John Cousins in Visit YouTube, or look for links on the the Principals’ roles. Provincial web site. MasoniCLINCS 8 December 2019 Masonic Lincs December 2019.qxp_Layout 1 14/11/2019 10:06 Page 9

Masonic support let Pedal Emma focus on her pusher Master’s degrees Financial support from the Lincolnshire Graeme rides 200 Freemasons’ Benevolent Fund has miles for charity helped Emma Wragg to study in Holland on her way to a dual masters degree, Lodge of Aveland Past Master finished, Graeme felt he was passing on graduating with an MSc in International Graeme Salmon cycled 218 miles the baton from his new province to his Business from Anglia Ruskin University from his current Masonic home in former one. He said: “I’d like to thank and an MBA in International Whitley Bay to his past one at Bourne everyone who has supported me, made Management from Hanze in Groningen. to raise money for the donations towards the Province of The Fund which supported her was set Northumberland 2020 Festival. Northumberland Festival, or simply up in the 1930s solely to assist brethren Leaving home at 3am Graeme pedalled taken the time to ask about the ride – or their dependants in times of distress, for thirteen hours and thirty-four and it was a pleasure to share his and was able to support her after the minutes, and arrived at his destination Masonic connections with both Whitley untimely death of her father Tony around 8pm, where he was met by Bay and Bourne through it.” Wragg, a well-respected member of friends, family and brethren from the Graeme is now working on getting to Grimby’s Smyth Lodge, in 2001. Lodge of Aveland, where he is a past his fundraising target of £2,020. He was After studying, Emma spent a year master. thrilled to receive a donation from The running outdoor events in Cambridge And with Lincolnshire’s 2025 Festival Lodge of Aveland when he got to for a wine and craft beer wholesaler and starting in the year Northumberland’s Bourne. retailer, and then became Digital Project Manager for Executive Education at Cambridge University Judge Business Dad travels from wales School, a role she would not have been able to undertake without completing to perform son’s third her masters qualifications. She said: “My role involves working with When Lincolnshire Freemason Gary time to meet David face to face and run academics, learning designers and other Hurst was raised to the third degree through the ceremony schedule with stakeholders to deliver online learning the ceremony was performed by his Olive Union’s DC to ensure everything for corporate clients, or dad Glyn, who travelled from North came together perfectly. for our own open Wales for the ceremony. “With the Lodge opened in the 2nd enrolment programmes. Gary always wanted to follow his father Degree, David handed the gavel over to “I’ve been keeping into Freemasonry, and was initiated into Dad, who put the questions to me and myself busy since I Olive Union Lodge 1304 in then carried out the raising, assisted by graduated! This is very in 2017, watched by his father. Olive Union brethren. much down to being But, when his raising was being planned, “We’d been planning for Dad coming able to focus all of my Olive Union’s Master, David Clarke, had back to see my raising ever since I was efforts on studying the idea that Glyn might like to perform initiated, but having him in the chair when I needed to. For the ceremony. Gary said: “Whilst fathers made it extra special. I know I speak for that, I am, and always initiating, passing and raising their sons both of us in sending thanks to everyone will be, eternally is commonplace, the opportunity to do it who made it possible,” said Gary. grateful.” not only in a different Lodge to your own, but also in a different Province was an exciting prospect for Dad, and after a few telephone conversations – including checking both lodges were using the same ritual and even language – the scene was set for him to take control.” Glyn travelled from North Wales on the day of the ceremony, arriving in plenty of December 2019 9 MasoniCLINCS Masonic Lincs December 2019.qxp_Layout 1 14/11/2019 10:06 Page 10

The Rev Percival Laurence was initiated into Bayons Lodge on Monday 10th March 1884, a month after his son had become a member, and five years after both had come to Lincolnshire for the Rev Percival to become vicar at Walesby. Although son Franklin Arthur steps out  of the story almost as soon as he steps into it – excluded for non-payment of    his subs in 1891 – his father was made of sterner stuff, went into the chair only four years after his initiation, and  became Provincial Chaplain in 1890. The church the Rev Percival had come to take charge of still stands; it’s the  Ramblers’ Church, which stands on a hill overlooking the village, but in those days better known as . The Rev Laurence soon found out that From Bayons lodge to B few of his parishioners were prepared to make the trek up the hill to attend his services, and set about finding a suitable Vicar of the village of Walesby, all the the first sods of earth for the building on alternative in the village that would while encouraging the local residents June 6th that year – but shortly make the trip to church less taxing. and his parishioners to give generously afterwards he collapsed and died, aged His solution was to create a ‘temporary’ towards a building fund, so that they 84. The villagers thought a life-sized structure built of corrugated iron could one day build a new church in the statue of their beloved Vicar would be a sheeting, which was a relatively new village, at the bottom of the hill, so that useful edition to the village, and asked material at the time. ‘Temporary’ was to everyone could attend a 'proper' church Bayons Lodge for a contribution. The become ‘near permanent’, since the without having to climb the dreaded hill. Lodge members suggested asking the building was used for all the parish His dream was realised in 1913, when, Bishop of Lincoln for money, and made services for 30 years, with All Saints with sufficient funds behind him, the no contribution… But here the story being used only for weddings, funerals Rev Laurence was granted to build St takes an interesting twist. In his will, the and baptisms. Mary’s Church in the village, and Rev Laurence had left £25,824, more The Rev Laurence spent 34 years as the crowds gathered to watch workmen cut than £3 million pounds at today’s values, so he could have comfortably funded the new church himself. But where had the money come from? He’d been a country vicar for 30 years, had never owned property and always having lived in a Vicarage 'tied' to his job, and had no other obvious sources of income. Most of the money wasn’t in cash, but was held in shares in the Great Western Railway Company. It transpires that the Rev Laurence wasn’t a quintessential English gentleman, but came from a family called Levy. His father Joseph had been born in 1791 in , and his grandfather Zaccaria had been born in 1751 in Venice, into a large family originally from Baghdad. The family story goes The Rev Laurence’s great grandfather Elazar was in the scrap metal business in Baghdad, and had ‘discovered’ a heavy metal jar containing a large quantity of jewels. The circumstances of the ‘discovery’ aren’t clear, but the brothers and their families quickly left Baghdad for Venice, where they set themselves up as MasoniCLINCS 10 December 2019 Masonic Lincs December 2019.qxp_Layout 1 14/11/2019 10:06 Page 11

Laurence's 1913 Will were left to his Jamie Evans explores eldest son, also named Percival Laurence, who was born in 1854, he the chain of history followed his father's footsteps and attended Christ Church College, that links Bayons Cambridge, where he studied Law and Lodge to the he became a barrister in London. An asthma sufferer, he was advised to live Ramblers’ Church in in a warm dry climate, and chose South Africa. There he rose to became a Judge, Walesby, a real at the end of the Boer War was merchant of Venice, a appointed as the senior judge of the Court of Reparations, dealing with all pot of treasure, and the claims for compensation and loss due to the war. He must have done a the Royal Family… good job because by 1906 the majority of these claims had been amicably settled. For his work he was awarded a knighthood. He rose to become the chief Judge of the Supreme Court of South o Buckingham Palace Africa, returning to the UK after WW1. He died in 1930, in his will he left £275,000 and he made a large bequest to merchants, and became extremely funds ever since, with the latest attempt his old College in Cambridge, which wealthy through their trading skills. as recently as 2009. And well they still provides for several Professorships. In due course, Zaccaria joined the might; the funds could now be worth From another branch of the family family business, and became a £400m, with compound interest. which grew up in Walesby Guy Stewart successful merchant in Venice in his Laurence chose a career in the Royal own right – until something went wrong Name change Navy and rose to the rank of with a business deal, and he was driven It seems money’s behind that too. Commander. His son Timothy James out of the Italian city with his family. Joseph was happy to change his name to Hamilton Laurence, although the great They took refuge in London, where he Laurence at the request of his new grandson of the Rev Percival Laurence, was able to get a line of credit from the mother-in-law, acquired when he is better known as Vice Admiral Sir Tim Bank of England, where he was obliged married Penelope Jackson. Her wealthy Laurence, the Princess Royal. to leave as collateral a large chest full of widow mother wasn’t keen on her So from Bayons Lodge in the sleepy valuables. daughter’s marriage to a Jew, and town of , we can trace a With this line of credit Zaccaria was in a offered to make the couple her sole heirs descendant of a Past Master of the lodge position to start trading in the London on her death if he changed his name. all the way to Buckingham Palace Stock Exchange and to get involved in Joseph agreed… On 6th June 2013, Vice Admiral the Lloyds insurance business and he Timothy Laurence was the guest of also operated his own ships bringing Going into the church honour at St Mary's Church in Walesby, goods into the Port of London. Percival is said to have been keen to where a service was held to mark the Joseph, the father of the Rev Percival enter the Church, having converted to death of his great grandfather, the Rev Laurance, in due course also joined the Christianity, after visiting an aunt and Percival Laurence 100 years before. family business and took over from his her clergyman husband. Also present were members of the father, going on to further success as a Meanwhile, his father, from a merchant family of Bro Franklin Arthur Laurence, stockbroker and in shipping, all the time family, continued to trade on the Stock who had ben initiated into the Lodge the supported by the Bank of England. Market in London. This was during the month before his clergyman father, who Come the 1820s and the end of the great railway boom, which was a real had travelled all the way from their farm Napoleonic wars, there was an economic 'money spinner' for all investors and in Lincoln, Nebraska for the ceremony. downturn, leading to the bank deciding stockbrokers. Investors could not get It had been Vice Admiral Laurence’s to cut off his line of credit. enough money to invest in the new first visit to Walesby, but he was had To protect their assests, they seized all railway stocks and shares, and Joseph been delighted to visited, as his father his cash and property held by the bank, was heavily involved in trading railway had told him of the many happy times he until he could repay what they claimed company shares. When he died in 1878, had whilst staying at the Vicarage with he owed them, thus putting Joseph and he left over £140,000 – more than £30m his grandparents, before going off to his business in a very difficult position. in today’s money, much of which was boarding school. Still managing to trade, he instructed held in railway company shares. lawyers to recover from the Bank of His Will made provision for all his l Taken from the much longer text of England his money and the treasure surviving children, and it is believed that a presentation made by Jamie Evans. chest deposited by his father. He lost. this Will was the source of the Rev He appealed. He lost again. The family Percival Laurence’s GWR shares. l Picture of The Ramblers’ Church: is said to have been trying to recover the The G.W.R. shares in the Rev Steve Hatton | Dreamstime December 2019 11 MasoniCLINCS Masonic Lincs December 2019.qxp_Layout 1 14/11/2019 10:06 Page 12 Masonic Lincs December 2019.qxp_Layout 1 14/11/2019 10:06 Page 13

On the cover: In the Chair at 32

Aged just 32, is Mike Grimshaw the youngest Worshipful Master in the Province? Installed in the chair of the Isle of Axholme Lodge at Crowle by his father Adrian, he and his Wardens could be the youngest team not only in the Province, but also the UK, since Senior Warden Richard Turner is 34, and Junior Warden Dan Hercus is 35. Mike was initiated into Freemasonry by Adrian, and ‘Team Grimshaw’ will if you go down to the woods today… continue to work together, because at the installation Adrian took over the role of Children at Andy’s Hospice in Grimsby got a big surprise when two Lodge DC from Wayne Hodgkinson. Lincolnshire Freemasons turned up carrying 72 teddy bears! Brethren in the picture below are all Isle of The bears were a gift from the Noble Order of Corks, and were brought by Corks Axholme members, from left, Barrie representatives Pat Elwick and Peter Tasker. Turner (Richard’s dad), Richard Turner, The bears are Masonic TLC bears, to be given to children coming to the hospice Adrian Grimshaw, Mike Grimshaw, Wayne to make their first encounter with the bright and friendly place a little less Hodgkinson, and Dan Hercus. daunting. Money to buy them was raised at a Corks meeting, where just over 20 members contributed about £600. Tracy Wilson is the Play and Activities Co-ordinator at the Hospice. She said the teddies would be given to children as a support when they went to the facility for whatever reason, as well as to their siblings. Corks is an informal degree allied to Freemasonry, and is described as a ‘fun’ degree with charitable fundraising as its principal aim. 100% of funds collected are given to charity, and the order prefers to choose those which support children. +XPEHUVLGH0DVRQLF 6XSSOLHV/LPLWHG 0DOFROP&RDWHV 0' 6WHZDUW 2[ERURXJK 'LUHFW7HO   'LUHFW 7HO   &DOOXV IIRRU DOO \RXU 00DDVRQLF QHHGV 6KRS 2IILFH  6W 1LFKRODV *DWH +HGRQ +XOO +8+67HO  

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Lincolnshire’s Freewheelers Lodge founders Chris Jones, left, and Andy Bagworth rode to the Provincial office to hand their petition to create a new Lodge to Provincial Secretary Tony Miller, centre. Robert Holland gave his Aston Handing over the petition was Martin DB11 a quick wash and another step in the journey to brush up, above, and then invited Masons and consecrating the new Lodge, Dave Sefton to hop into the which will be number 9991, on driving seat and start it up May 16th next year. (below). Safe to say Dave was well impressed... motors Almost retired, after 22 years Brethren of Crowle’s Vermuyden Lodge have thanked their retiring Secretary for his 22 years’ service by giving him a commemorative whisky decanter and something to fill it with. He’s Colin Crofts, who, at the age of 88 has stepped out of the Secretary’s chair to be Assistant Secretary, supporting his replacement Bro David Joyce. Colin, who has been a Freemason for 38 years, was a founder member of Vermuyden L Lodge, and has also been its D Almoner for the last year. G He retired at the Lodge’s b installation, at which incoming M master Barrie Graham was able to spring a surprise presentation on him. Barrie said: “Colin is well known to visitors throughout the county for his excellent ritual work upstairs, and delivering Vermuyden’s ‘firing glasses’ and ‘masonic chain’ downstairs. He is also a great supporter of Connaught Court, the Masonic care home in Fulford, York.”

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No motoring event would be complete without an MGB (above), and this one was no exception. Organisers of d Masons and Motors at near Corner were pleased to see the Blood Bikes team too. More than 80 people were due to come, but the weather was less than favourable. Nevertheless, organiser Dave Gibson s (below left) was able to hand £136 to the LMCA.

Assistant Provincial Secretary Bill Read had a good time. Left: Tom Dickinson from Gainsborough brought his Mitsubishi Evo.

Right: Mark Hooton from Scunthorpe always has a smile on his face – even though he’s riding an Eastern Bloc sidecar outfit he restored himself. December 2019 15 MasoniCLINCS Masonic Lincs December 2019.qxp_Layout 1 14/11/2019 10:07 Page 16

The installation of every new Provincial Grand Master or Grand Superintendent relies on an My life as the experienced team from UGLE to carry it out with all necessary pomp and ceremony – and they rely on someone to make sure all the equipment they need is to hand. bag man

The job of making sure it is falls to the Grand Lodge Tyler, who for the past 12 years has been W Bro Malcolm Brooks. From a flying with a sword, making During that time, he’s attended more sure he doesn’t fall over in the Grand than 120 meetings all over England and Wales. The equipment he has to take is Temple, and asking the Grand in two large bags, each weighing about Secretary for money, Malcolm Brooks 30kg (“Though I’m sure they’re heavier now than when I started,” he says.) tells the story of his life as Grand Tyler In a first for Lincolnshire, Malcolm visited the Bicentenary Lodge of Installed Masters, where more than 80 no-one can speak until I get there,” he his pay grade, so he called a supervisor, brethren representing more than 30 said. and eventually we were allowed to have Lodges in the Province heard stories of “Mind you, I always have a rehearsal to it in the hold. When we got to the other some of the things that have happened to reassure myself about those first eight end, it was the first thing to come out on him because of those ceremonies. steps. I’d hate someone to have moved the luggage carousel.” And afterwards Provincial Grand Master the chair, so that I do eight steps when I Once flying to an installation, the bags Dave Wheeler said he had thoroughly only need seven, and fall down the were deemed too heavy. “I was enjoyed listening to the stories behind stairs.” travelling with the Grand Secretary the ceremonies. “He certainly helped me He recalled the time he had to take a David Staples,” said Malcolm. “I said to to relax when I was installed as PGM sword, as a gift from the Grand Master, him ‘Sir, you have a problem’. You see, and Grand Superintendent,” he said. on a flight. “We photographed it from I was carrying the bags, but he had the Malcolm, who points out that his isn’t a every angle, and then we packed it up credit card. He bought another suitcase. speaking role as far as ceremonies are very carefully. Then we got to the £140 it cost, and it had wheels but no concerned, says that even after 12 years airport, and saw that the maximum blade motor. We spread things out between the of ceremonies in the Grand Temple, he length allowed was four centimetres. three, and were allowed on the flight – still has a rehearsal of his own. “Eight This was a bit longer than that, and the but we had to pay an excess baggage steps from my seat behind the Grand man at the check-in desk wanted to charge.” Master to the top to the stairs, and then unwrap it to have a look. When we And then, at a Chapter installation, down them without looking down, and showed him the pictures, he decided that Malcolm was helping the Principals into 27 more steps to behind the ADC – and allowing it on the flight was a bit above their robes. “One of them was very tall, and I wasn’t sure I could reach,” he said. “I stretched as far as I could, but still couldn’t reach high enough – and then I realised I was standing on the hem…” APGM Peter Brooks had arranged for Malcolm to visit the Bicentenary Lodge, and said: “Malcolm’s presentation was hugely entertaining. We were pleased and very grateful that he was able to find the time to visit us. “We try to arrange interesting visitors with things to say that we may not have heard. It’s a wonderfully enjoyable way to make a daily advancement in Masonic knowledge, and I’d urge more past masters to join us and share something of Freemasonry they wouldn’t otherwise be able to enjoy.” MasoniCLINCS 16 December 2019 Masonic Lincs December 2019.qxp_Layout 1 14/11/2019 10:07 Page 17

we’re working with liveS in £20,000 Province-wide defibrillator project

Our Province is working with LIVES The first of 21 to make more lifesaving defibrillators defibrillators mounted available to the community. outside our buildings in Lincolnshire is at Under a new arrangement we are the Nightingale investing at least £20,000 to meet the Rooms on Nettleham aim of installing defibrillators outside Road in Lincoln. our 21 centres in Lincolnshire. We have Pictured are, l-r: Phil an agreement with LIVES to make sure Spiksley, who is they are maintained, with all funds going co-ordinating the back into supporting the charity. work, Steve Harrison, The move is intended to make who’s doing the defibrillators available to everyone in installations, and the community around the clock, PGM Dave Wheeler. permanently ready to respond. The involvement of volunteers from LIVES, Freemason Phil Spicksley. He said: “We help can be obtained the better the Lincolnshire’s Community First have had defibrillators in our Masonic chance of survival. Clinical studies Responder charity, will ensure that the centres for eight years, but until now suggest you have less than five minutes equipment is professionally maintained. they have been fitted inside, and from the onset of the event to save the PGM Dave Wheeler said: “We have a therefore available only to those using patient’s life, and the chance of survival long tradition of support for the the buildings. decreases by up to 10% for each minute community at large. Working in “To make these arrangements for them their heart is stopped. partnership with LIVES to provide to be outside, and therefore available to “The early use of a defibrillator defibrillators outside our buildings anyone who needs them, is a natural alongside early CPR makes a significant means they will be available for the extension of Freemasonry’s growing difference for the likelihood of the community as a whole, not just our own openness.” patient surviving a cardiac arrest. members. Kirsty Raywood from LIVES said: “We In rural areas it can take longer to get “We see this as a way of making sure are thrilled to be working alongside the medical help, so Community Public that Freemasons continue to be good Freemasons to move all of their Access Defibrillators have a very neighbours, which is why we have defibrillators outside so that they are important part to play in helping to save agreed to cover all the costs involved.” available around the clock. Around lives in rural communities. CPAD Members of the Bicentenary Lodge of 30,000 people in the UK experience an schemes are reported to be up to 10 Installed Masters at Horncastle have out of hospital cardiac arrest each year. times more effective in saving lives, in made a substantial donation to the work, The potential for saving a life is the pre-hospital setting, than other which is being co-ordinated by Barton dependent upon time; the faster medical community schemes alone.” Keith walks through injury Left: After Keith’s overnight walk his to raise £2,000 for children efforts in raising £2,000 for Lifelites Provincial Registrar Keith Appleton walked 42 miles were formally through the night to raise money for the children’s charity recognised by the Lifelites. charity’s Chief Executive Simone In a trek of 16 hours and 33 minutes Keith, a member of Astral Enefer-Doy. Lodge in Grimsby, recorded almost 87,000 steps, burned off 4,300 calories, and climbed almost 4,000 feet. Nevertheless, it was ‘job done’, since the objective is to He was following the White Rose Walk between the Yorkshire complete the distance in less than 24 hours, which Keith did village of Kilburn and Roseberry Topping in neighbouring with time to spare. “ I’m still accepting donations,” he said. “I Cleveland. The walk is completed by touching the ‘trig’ point am happy to take a cheque posted to me at 24 Gloria Way, at the summit of Roseberry Topping. By the time he got there Grimsby DN37 9SW.” Keith had has raised £1,960 for the charity, but had pulled a Keith handed over the money raised to Lifelites when he calf muscle with four miles yet to go. “That slowed me visited Grand Lodge for the Quarterly Communications considerably,” he said. “But I knew people had committed meeting in September. The charity donates specialist assistive money, and that thought was my incentive to carry on and technology packages for children suffering life-limiting make sure I finished the walk.” illnesses, and has reached more than 10,000 of them.

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Grants help charity splash out on hot tub project

Three groups of Scunthorpe brethren have together given more than £1,300 to help a charity in the town to provide a hot tub to enhance the lives of adults with cerebral palsy and similar conditions.

The charity is Lincolnshire House, provider of residential and respite accommodation for almost 40 people with some Ian Millard (standing, centre), Manager of Lincolnshire form of cerebral palsy, or conditions like it. It also supports House, receives cheques from l-r, Brian Southall, Alan 20 people with disabilities in the area through its day Mawer, Mel Oliver, and Steve Spavin, watched by some service. of the residents. Manager Ian Millard said: “Our aim is to provide as full and varied a life as possible for people in our care. We are of having seen an item about Lincolnshire House on a TV currently building three residential flats and a new ground regional news programme. The third, of £750, was from St floor admin block to make it accessible for everyone. Lawrence Lodge, via the New Provincial Benevolent Fund. “We have raised £3.5m over the last 20 years, with donations The Lincolnshire House story has another connection to the going into our Charitable Fund, and we will use these Freemasons, when in 2005 the late Roy Spavin, of Pharos donations from the Freemasons to help with our goal of Lodge, laid the symbolic first brick of the modern facilities providing a hot tub.” at the core of the charity’s operation today, in which The first of the Freemasons’ donations came from The residents live in three, four or five person bungalows within Chapter of St John and Pharos Lodge, of £100 and £500 the grounds, with single rooms and en-suites; there are respectively. Both were proposed by Alan Mawer as a result shared kitchens, lounges and dining facilities in every unit. Provincial York’s ‘court circular’ golfers gather at South Kyme Sun shines down on fundraising event The autumn meeting of the for RMBI Summer Fair at Connaught Court Lincolnshire Freemasons Golfing Association took place at South Kyme Martin Latham, Secretary to the the Widows Sons Masonic Bikers and the Golf Club thanks to this year’s Club Association of Friends of Connaught Classic Cars on the Square, made the captain Ray Duncan. Court, reports on this year’s summer afternoon a really special event enjoyed Thirteen masons and one guest took fair, opened by Lincolnshire PGM not only by the Brethren and their part, and winners were: Dave Wheeler: families but more importantly by the Robert Humphries best Medal score residents and their families and friends. from either division: John Day After one of the wettest Junes on record Visitor and exhibitor numbers were down PGM’S Cup for the best medal score things were not looking promising for on last year, which was disappointing, in the other division: Steve Spavin this year’s summer fair. Thankfully, our but with the money raised on the day Frank Money Trophy best stableford fears were allayed as we awoke to the along with the sale of the fair fliers we score in either division: Eric King “sight of a forgotten object glowing in the have raised £11,390, which is very much Wratten Cup best over 60’s stableford sky. appreciated by us all, and will be put to score: Bro Ray Duncan Our new gazebos, generously donated by very good use. The Gerald Hat Rick Cup best over Yorkshire West Rising Masonic The Association of Friends of Connaught 65’s stableford score: John Lambert Charities, were put to good use with a Court is committed to spend £11,500 APGM Peter Brooks presented the range of stalls being set up within them. every year for the benefit of the residents. trophy. We had 16 Lodges providing and running This goes towards providing

Peter thanked the club on behalf of the stalls this year with everything entertainment, amenities and equipment the Association for a splendid day and ranging from cake stalls to bric a brac, within the home and trips out in the mini

all who took part especially his pottery to paintings and tombola to lucky bus which we also provide. playing partners for the laughs along dip stalls. Outside we had The Railway The Summer Fair is our main fund raiser the way, and he thanked W Bro Mick Development Brass Band playing a vast and our Chairman, David Leach and the Wright for the work in putting the day array of music, some to sing along to and committee of the Association of Friends “ together as well as all his work plenty to just enjoy tapping your feet of Connaught Court wish to pass on a through the year on behalf of the along with. Inside we also had afternoon huge thank you to all who took part in Association, and said that it was up to tea provided by the staff. All this, along this year’s event and purchased the Fair those present to invite a friend to the with a bouncy castle for the young (and Flyers, and to Rt. W. Bro Wheeler for next day out to boost the attendance. not so young) coupled with a visit from opening the event. MasoniCLINCS 18 December 2019 Masonic Lincs December 2019.qxp_Layout 1 14/11/2019 10:07 Page 19

             



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lincsimps get their widows Sons charter Summer event raises £17,000

Lincolnshire’s Widows Sons masonic motorcyclists are now fully formed, having been given their charter at the Sons’ 15th annual gathering, held this year at Lichfield and hosted by the East and West Midlands groups.

The group, called the Lincs Imps, got its charter alongside one from the West Country – the Stone Cutters of Devon. Lincolnshire’s Steve Shucksmith, secretary of St Denys Lodge in , and Lincs Imps President, said: “All the UK chapters were represented at this rally, with about 500 members, wives, partners, friends and family and associates. The main cause of the rally is for us to get together and have a good time, for the President’s governing board to approve and to raise issues regarding the association, but mainly to meet old and to make new friends – and this year’s event raised  £17,000  for charity.” He said that charity total, when added to other funds raised through the year, took the Sons to a total of     £147,685   for  charities all over the UK and Ireland, collected       from about  1,000 members in 23 Chapters. Steve added: “The     Lincs Imps have eleven full members, two applications to  join, a joining member from Scotland and two associate members, so for a new Chapter we are in fine fettle.We would     be pleased to bring our motorbikes to any charity function that any Mason may put on, and we’d be pleased to visit any biker    who may not be able to ride anymore but would like to still hear from others who do.” If you’re interested in joining the Lincs Imps, or having them attend one of your functions, email Steve on [email protected] or Secretary David Russell on [email protected]. This year they have attended Devonshire Court, Nottinghamshire’s Provincial Funday for children, the Bottesford Egg Run, and the Connaught Court open day near York, as well as numerous ride outs over the summer. Mariners push the boat out $//6(&85(6(59,&(6/7' Royal Ark Mariners enjoyed a 2I¿FH packed evening in Skegness at 0RELOH the installation meeting of the )UHHSKRQH Earl of Scarborough Lodge 1032 6SHDNWR-RQ%UHHQ 2S¶V0DQDJHU followed by a ‘white table’ festive RU7UHYRU--RKQVWRQ board for 70 diners. It was open to all RAM brethren, Mark Master Masons and their 6(&85,7<$1'),5(3527(&7,21 partners, in the hope that more 63(&,$/,676,1/,1&2/16+,5( would join. A raffle was organised for the $1'6855281',1*$5($6 RNLI, and the newly-installed Worshipful Commander W.Bro 'RPHVWLFDQG&RPPHUFLDO,QVWDOODWLRQV Norman Rollitt presented the £275 proceeds to W.Bro Alan ,QWUXGHU$ODUPV $FFHVV&RQWURO Fisher, who is Skegness Lifeboat Operations Manager. &&79 6HUYLFH More Mariners information here : )LUH$ODUPV 0DLQWHQDQFH http://www.markmmlincs.org.uk/ ?Royal-Ark-Mariners MasoniCLINCS 20 December 2019 Masonic Lincs December 2019.qxp_Layout 1 14/11/2019 10:07 Page 21

Dave Wheeler hands an MCF donation of almost £20,000 to Laura Stones of St Barnabas Hospice in Lincoln, to support the joint initiative with the YMCA in the city. Provincial Charity Steward Pete Tong and Caroline Killeavy, CEO of Lincoln YMCA, look on.

New artefact Donation could pave way for for Grantham museum nationwide support initiative Grantham’s Masonic Museum has been Funded by the Masonic Masonic finance allows hospice and given a new artefact Charitable Foundation and YMCA to help homeless with problems ‘rescued’ from a now- operated by Lincoln’s St defunct London Lodge. Barnabas Hospice Trust and and consequences of bereavement It’s a candle snuffer, the city’s YMCA, a new and has been passed to project to help the homeless the museum by Ray could become the model for Flack of Meridian similar schemes nationwide. Daylight Lodge to Ralf hospice putting together a bid access the hospice’s Galloway, Master of It’s about a new dimension in to the Masonic Charitable bereavement support. We are Doric Lodge, both of the range of services offered by Foundation for funding. already seeing individuals start which meet in the the organisations, and is aimed Counselling sessions are held at to work through and better Grantham building. specifically at helping the the YMCA hostel in Rumbold cope with their grief and taking The snuffer was given homeless to cope with Street and at The Nomad steps to move forward with to Ray by his daughter bereavement. Trust’s shelter in Monks Road. their lives.” , and the YMCA CEO Caroline Killeavy Caroline added: “The YMCA In addition to the counselling, presentation was made said working in partnership recognises people become the project aims to provide after Ralf had given a with MCF support made a homeless for many reasons, but bereavement training for staff talk to Grantham’s signficant difference. one we repeatedly see is at partner organisations and for Parkinson’s UK group The scheme will provide one- bereavement and loss.” homeless peer mentors to under the title to-one specialist counselling to Pete Crosby, of Lincoln Baptist widen the impact of the project. ‘Grantham in the early work with homeless people Church, said: “Bereavement PGM Dave Wheeler said: Victorian era’. It through the difficulties, among the homeless “People can find themselves covered topics as challenges and emotions that community is a reoccurring living on the street for a variety diverse as crime and can accompany bereavement. issue. Without specialist of reasons. Life is already punishment, Although there are no exact bereavement support these tough enough for the homeless, temperance and figures of how many homeless people will not overcome their and the last thing they need is healthcare, and had people in Lincoln are grief and be able to get on with the extra burden of being alone been assembled from struggling with bereavement, their lives.” whilst having to cope with the newspaper articles of there is research that shows it is Cat Rodda is the bereavement grief of bereavement.“The the day and other a problem on a national scale. counsellor leading the year- Masonic Charitable historical records, and Strong circumstantial evidence long project, and has already Foundation’s donation means was delivered at Ray’s indicates it is prevalent in seen positive changes in those that counsellors with the right request, because he’s Lincoln. The YMCA and taking part. She said: “These kind of skills can be available Chairman of the group Lincoln Baptist Church sessions provide a confidential to support them at such times, – another side to independently contacted St and accessible space for and I find it reassuring that we Freemasons in the Barnabas Hospice to discuss homeless people, who have made this wonderful community. the problem, which lead to the traditionally haven’t felt able to initiative possible.” December 2019 21 MasoniCLINCS Masonic Lincs December 2019.qxp_Layout 1 14/11/2019 10:07 Page 22

MasoniCLINCS 22 December 2019 Masonic Lincs December 2019.qxp_Layout 1 14/11/2019 10:07 Page 23

The belief that having great places for Freemasons to meet should be Buildings as important as membership and mentoring has led Grand Lodge to urge Provinces to create the post of Provincial Superintendent of Works. for the

In Lincolnshire, the role has fallen to W Bro John Elliott. His ambition is that by future the end of next year visits will have been made to all of the Province’s 21 centres to learn about them, offer support and report back to Boards of Directors and Trustees.

John takes up the story: So far myself and my assistant Mike Gerry have visited 10 of our 21 centres, John Elliot describes progress made so far and we have established a Masonic in the relatively new role of Provincial Centre Support team to deliver support Superintendent of Works “and coordinate information. Working with me on the team are: their own professional advice and in the can be borrowed). If your warrant is lost l V W Bro John Crutchley context of good practice as set out in the or inaccessible, Grand Lodge can l W Bro Mike Gerry guidance. The Provincial Supt of Works quickly issue a temporary document. l W Bro Chris Wilson will endeavour to support centre If the worst should happen, would you l W Bro Steve Harrison management and coordinate that pool of rebuild on the same site with the same l W Bro Phil Spicksley knowledge so trustees and directors can accommodation, or would you take the l Bro Roly Freeman fulfil their responsibilities to deliver chance to consider alternative locations viable and attractive meeting places for and designs that would be more efficient Earier this year John Crutchley, Mike their members, their guests and non- and more adaptable for profitable non- Gerry and I enjoyed the now-annual masonic visitors/customers. masonic events? Obviously, you would Masonic Halls conference at Great need to adapt any plan to the actual Queen Street. There were two focuses What if? circumstances, but the best practice for the day: Would you know what to do if your guidance urges you to have the basics centre was damaged or destroyed by lined up. These things might include: Updates to ‘Masonic Halls fire, flood or act of aggression? Who l who would be authorised – Centres of Excellence’ would cook for your centre if the l to make decisions This is a superb resource which sets out caterers pulled out or went bust? These l who would appoint advisers useful information, standards and are all things that have happened to l what about the press announcement support, and can be found on line at masonic centres in England, and could l who’ll liaise with Province https://b.ugle.org.uk/masonic-centres. happen to any one of our meeting l who’ll deal with the insurance It is very much a reference document places, and the day’s second topic and not bedtime reading. encouraged delegates to think about Insurance Since launch at the beginning of last them, and what the right response Masonic Mutual gave a presentation on year, much has been added to the should be. their model of insurance set up only five document on a range of topics including For example, we are especially prone to years ago. Essentially, it is a self- GDPR, CCTV, asbestos, defibrillators, flood damage in Lincolnshire, so it was insurance pool for the first £50,000 of project management, planned a salutary tale to listen to a brother from any claim, which saves insurance maintenance and insurance. It is a Staines where less than 30 cm of water premium tax and has no profit to living, growing online reference manual (that's a foot in old money) had caused shareholders. Insurance over that level

for those responsible for their centres. £380,000 of damage when the Thames is sourced from commercial insurers but Topics coming soon are catering, fire overflowed. with the buying power of a larger group.

safety, availability and access, Questions you might ask include: Do They say they will be cheaper than any ownerships structures and phones/data. you know where your lodges could go other comparable insurer – I will leave Grand Lodge is keen to encourage on a temporary basis? Do neighbouring you to find out if this is true when your centres to follow best practice, to be centres have capacity on your meeting policy is due for renewal! “ great places for Freemasons to spend night? How do you get a dispensation in I hope that you have found this update their time, and to be good, safe places to an emergency? interesting. If you would like to contact meet. All centres are their own The only things you need to be able to me about your Centre or to source autonomous unit with directors/trustees meet is your own warrant and the three guidance, by all means send an email to responsible for achieving this through great lights of Masonry (though these [email protected]

December 2019 23 MasoniCLINCS Masonic Lincs December 2019.qxp_Layout 1 14/11/2019 10:07 Page 24

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MasoniCLINCS 24 December 2019