SPRING 2011 Provincial FIRST ISSUE InsighGrand Mastert Your window into HampshireInstalled & Isle of Wight Freemasonry Freemasonry in the Community IN THIS ISSUE Provincial Initiatives including: Masonic Open Days The University Scheme Teddies for Loving Care PLUS Charity Matters Around the Province Freemasonry and the Armed Services Masonic Bikers Association MESSAGE FROM THE PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER elcome to Insight tion Unit which takes Freema- The Provincial the successor sonry out into the Community Grand Master and Wpublication to through local shows, fairs, his wife Kay (back News & Views which has town centres, markets and row) with family been available to our other places frequented by members for many years. members of the public. The Insight is part of a number Unit is manned by Freema- sons often accompanied by of exciting new initiatives their wives and it is intend- which we have introduced ed to give members of the over the past year with public an “Insight” into the a view to establishing objectives of the Craft. The Freemasonry within the primary objective is to “make local community. men” or perhaps more appro- priately to “make good men We will only achieve this if we better”. That should appeal dispel the myths of secrecy not only to men; but to their and mystery which have tradi- ladies and families! tionally surrounded Freema- sonry. As part of this project There is an article about the we have acquired an Exhibi- Exhibition Unit in this issue. Also in this issue we include an article about our Website ‘to dispel the myths which has been redeveloped of secrecy and to make it more attractive and which again will improve the Armed Services, the Universi- meaningful to members of public perception of what we ties Scheme, and Teddies for mystery which the public; and we are organ- do and why. Articles which Loving Care. I do hope all will ising a number of Open Days will be of particular interest enjoy the publication. have traditionally at Masonic Centres across the to the public, which of course surrounded Province to which non-Masons includes members wives, Michael J Wilks are invited and during which partners, and families, are Provincial Grand Master Freemasonry’ presentations will be given those on Freemasonry and the Cover: Active in the Community. For more information on Freemasonry in Hampshire and Isle of Wight A youngster receives a Teddies take a look at our website at www.hiowmasons.org for Loving Care Bear. 02380 261555 See article on page 5 or phone the Provincial Office on Photo: Chris Bryan Was your copy of Insight correctly delivered? Want to receive Insight? If we need to correct your address or If you are not on our regular mailing list and would like to receive copies of Insight Please contact Roy Quin: By email: [email protected] By post: 31 Anton Road, Andover, Hants SP10 2EN Name Address Post Code Correction or new enquiry ? (please tick) Published by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Hampshire and Isle of Wight 85 Winchester Road, Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, Hants SO53 2GG Insight • Spring 2011 2 www.hiowmasons.org PROVINCIAL INITIATIVES FREEMASONRY IN THE COMMUNITY he Province of tion from afar, this is comple- Hampshire and Isle mented with large external Tof Wight became signs that advise what Free- proud owners of a profes- masonry is and where it can sional Exhibition Unit be found in Hampshire and during 2010 that has Isle of Wight; there is further quickly proved to be an detailed information within enormous asset. The unit the unit that provides for is in the form of a 2500kg a wide appreciation of the gross weight trailer that organisation as well as the charitable and voluntary work the members of Lodges that is carried out by the can tow, with their own members. vehicles, to public shows where they wish to mount In the summer of 2010 our displays of the work that members attended six Coun- is carried out by Freema- ty and Local Shows where sons within our Commu- they spoke to in excess of Lots of public interest in the Exhibition Unit at Isle of 1000 members of the public nities and to improve the Wight Garlic Festival perception of the organi- who enquired about Mason- ic activity, some expressed sation among the general such as from the lady who Isle of Wight, the Alresford an interest in joining the public whilst dispel- exclaimed “Goodness me the and Romsey Shows, as well fraternity and some whose Freemasons have come out as appearing in a number ling the myths that have parents or grandparents were of the closet”. Such comment of Town Centre locations on evolved over the years. Masons expressed surprise endorses the desire of the special occasions. We would and delight that the organi- The Provincial Exhibition Unit, Provincial Leaders to pursue be delighted if you could find sation was now publishing in trailer form, demounts from this new activity of creating time to view our display at one the good work it carries out. it’s wheels and chassis so that better public relations and an of these places and take the Other members of the public the exhibition room itself sits improved perception of the opportunity to talk to us about advised us they appreci- level with the ground to facili- organisation as a whole. your views and the benefits we tate easy access. The exhibi- ated that we were now out believe Freemasonry is able to tion room has a headboard in the midst of society advis- Plans for 2011 include attend- provide for society. lettered “Freemasonry in the ing what we do. There were ance at the New Forest Show, Community” to attract atten- also interesting comments The Garlic Festival on the Barry Preece PROVINCIAL WEBSITE UPDATE “Change is the law of life; those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future” – John F Kennedy 1963 ise words and ones A recent serious look at the which Masons United Grand Lodge guide- lines, and our own and other Wought to heed, for the needs of the public and, Much of the work is being related websites, convinced we now live in an era of with the minimum of effort done in-house by Hampshire the Provincial Grand Master social and other media on the part of the recipi- and Isle of Wight Masons that the site should be which are having an ever ent, to transmit the answers skilled in the art of graphic fundamentally revised and to those key questions in a design and website manage- increasing impact on our be directed to the general lives and actions. jargon-free way that can be ment. public; answer those obvi- easily understood by all. ous questions – what, why The launch is planned for Freemasonry has, over recent The Home page will be Spring of 2011 and we trust years, failed to engage with and where is Freemasonry, and what does it do for the relevant, eye-catching and it will give the community the local community such an Insight into Freemason- community? welcoming. From here the that many think of us as a general public should be ry in Hampshire and Isle of secret society and are total- The intention therefore is able to access all of inter- Wight. The address will be – ly unaware of our aims and to set up a new website est to them by one or two www.hiowmasons.org objectives. specially designed to meet clicks. Ken Day www.hiowmasons.org 3 Insight • Spring 2011 PROVINCIAL INITIATIVES MASONIC OPEN DAYS tion on Freemasonry, after work of this charity is covered which cheques are presented in detail on page 8. Open to the charities concerned Days will give our brethren the which then have a forum to opportunity to engage with explain their work, so that the public; proudly display all present learn more about our Centres, furnishings and Freemasonry and the chari- regalia; and emphasise our ties whilst enjoying the hospi- support for the local commu- tality of the brethren. Other nity through charitable giving A packed Masonic open day Centres have simply opened and otherwise. their premises to members of the public, issued specific We will also convey what Free- y brief is to organ- on the Isle of Wight, and it invitations and also invitations masonry means to us. It will ise the launch of is intended that as many as to the local community at of course vary from person to Ma series of “Open possible will participate, with large, and ensured that breth- person but in general means Days” across Hampshire the individual Centre’s activ- ren are available throughout the joys of a shared ceremony and the Isle of Wight from ity being coordinated by a the day to answer questions and a meal in the company 2011 onwards, based on small central team under my about Freemasonry and give of cherished friends and new the experience gained direction. conducted tours of the Centre, acquaintances. during the very success- Some Centres have already including the Lodge room. The spirit of Freemasonry is ful Freemasonry in the organised “Open Days” usually These templates will form the too special not to be shared Community (FMITC) initi- having a coordinated charity basis for such events across with people outside of the ative which started in presentation evening, inviting the county. It is intended that fraternity, their partners and 2010 and involved our the charities concerned (all where non-Masonic charity their families. We aim to Exhibition Unit at public non-Masonic), their guests, presentations are to be made, capture this shared experi- events and shows.