White Rose - Masonic Province of Yorkshire, West Riding

NORTHERN NIGHTS A RESOUNDING SUCCESS
Back in the early part of 2002, when
‘Freemasonry in the Community’ fi rst
raised its head, David Pick suggested to
the Committee of Harewood Lodge No
5667, Otley that Freemasonry should do
something for its own ‘community’ and
proposed an invitation to all the Lodges
in the Northern area (Area 3) of the
Province to attend a ‘Northern Area Night’
at Westbourne House. The proposal was
accepted and W Bro’s Pick and Gregson
put the wheels in motion.
Invitations were sent to the Masters and
Wardens of the other 33 Lodges in the area
to attend the Regular meeting of Harewood
Lodge on Tuesday 25 June 2002 for the
purposes of celebrating ‘Freemasonry in It’s
Own Community’ – as well as to witness the
raising of Stuart Fairbairn.
Robert Scorer, then Assistant PGM with
particular responsibility for the Northern
Area Lodges, agreed to attend what was
originally expected to be a ‘one-off’ night.
As part of the overall ‘Freemasonry in the
Community’ initiative David Pick and Greg
Wardman of Harewood Lodge and their
wives, had joined with a number of Brethren
of Wharncliffe Lodge No 1462, Penistone
to complete the 25 mile Yorkshire Three
Peaks Walk and a raffl e on the evening of
the Northern Area Night (NAN, as it soon
became known) raised over £400 for charity.
The outcome of that fi rst Northern Area
Night was that it was felt to be ‘a good thing’
which should be encouraged to continue,
perhaps annually and to be hosted by
other Lodges which wished to make an
offer. W Bro Scorer had so enjoyed the
evening that he asked for a volunteer
Lodge to host a second NAN meeting; an
immediate response was forthcoming from
the Master of Harrogate and Claro Lodge
No 1001, at which meeting Robin Gregson
was ‘volunteered’ as NAN co-ordinator by
W Bro Scorer.
Frank Midgley of Harewood Lodge, a
master woodworking craftsman, produced
and presented a beautiful wooden baton
complete with stand and box to be passed
from Lodge to Lodge as the NAN moved
around the area.
Since June 2002 there have been 20
further NANs at intervals of about six months.
In November last year the baton returned to
its source at Harewood Lodge No 5667,
Otley for its 22nd ‘anniversary’ meeting.
There is no fi xed format for the
ceremony, more a requirement that it be as
normal a Lodge meeting as possible with
the usual business being conducted. It is,
and has been, a wonderful opportunity
to visit other Lodges and Masonic halls
throughout the area.
ANOTHER FIRST FOR THE PROVINCIAL
EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENT TEAM
Following a meeting at the
Rulers Forum a new Workshop
was launched at the Castleford
Masonic Hall on Wednesday 20
March 2013.
This workshop entitled ‘After the
Chair‘ was presented by W Bro
David Spivey, assisted by Bruce
Lowis and is intended to assist
the Past Masters to look at ways
in which they can continue their
Masonic involvement within their
lodges after they have served as
Immediate Past Master.
It was outlined that as a
Past Master you are not a past
Mason and during the 45 minute
presentation, W Bro Spivey
detailed the roles of the various
Lodge Officers usually held by
Past Masters.
The areas in which they can
give their experiences and
become more involved within
the Lodges, their important role
in relation to supporting and
educating the Brethren and
in ways they can assist in the
Provincial activities through their
professional expertise.
Following the excellent
presentation by W Bro Spivey,
W Bro David Pratt APGM
for Area 5 and W Bro Alan
Hurdley, Provincial Education
Officer invited comments and
discussion from the Brethren
who attended which added
to a very enjoyable and
informative evening.
Following this successful
evening it is the intention of
the Education Team to repeat
this Workshop in each area of
the Province.
The Education Team would
like to thank the Management
Committee at Castleford for their
support and assistance.
BESPOKE TAILORS MENSWEAR
ASHLEY ROGERS
FOR THE COMPLETE
TAILORING SERVICE
Made to measure Masonic suits
Provincial Pinstripe trousers from £60
Ready-made Masonic suits from £150
SHEFFIELD (0114) 239 9800
920 CITY ROAD, MANOR TOP, SHEFFIELD
4 White Rose Masonic News Spring 2013