white_rose_newsletter_42-1 - Masonic Province of Yorkshire, West ...

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22T H EMEMBERSHIP AND MILESTONESR WProvincial Grand Master John K Clayton reportsIT is hard to believethat I am indeedhalf way throughmy stint asProvincial GrandMaster of thiswonderful Province.My Patent ofAppointment is for10 years and, rightly,Grand Lodge iskeen that ProvincialGrand Masters change in this time, with few if any exceptions.Membership continues to be a difficult problem. When I took over in2005, there were 7,523 Craft Masons. At the end of 2009 themembership had fallen to 7,058, a decrease of 465, albeit some, sadly,through death. Taking these deaths into account, of which there were662, there is a net gain of 197 Masons.When considered in thismanner, it doesn’t appear to bemuch of a reduction. The factremains, however, that there are465 fewer Masons today thanthere were five years ago.Nevertheless, I am heartenedthat the age profile of thosebeing Initiated is dropping and inthe last two years almost 40%were under 40 years of age.There were 3,163 Royal ArchMasons in the year ending 31December 2005, compared with3,053 for the year ending 31December 2,009, a reduction of110 over the five-year period.Again, taking deaths intoaccount, of which there were 289, there is anet gain of 179 Royal Arch Masons.Membership of both the Craft and Royal Arch, therefore, does seemto be holding up reasonably well in what are clearly difficult financialtimes.Recruitment for many Lodges seems to be relatively healthy.Retention, however, is a different matter. I accept that there areparameters about which we can do nothing. Losses through relocationof a Brother or a change in his circumstances are out of our control.Loss of interest and early resignation should, however, be kept to aminimum mainly by increased dialogue.A decision to resignfrom a Lodge is rarelyone that is made on thespur of the moment.The signs are usuallythere for all to see if weare vigilant incontacting the non orpoor attender.The various Officersin the Province and atLodge level areworking hard toengage with thoseF I R S Twho feel they have to resign. Hopefully, by paying more attention to thisgroup of Masons, we will be able to reduce the number of those lost tothe Craft.I am still convinced that there are too many Lodge premises in theProvince. Masonry is bigger andbetter than any of us asindividuals, or indeed thanany Lodge. I think it is likelythat I will again bemisquoted on that score!It is of course a sadoccasion when Lodgepremises close, especiallyfor those Brethren who alltheir lives have practisedtheir Freemasonry in just thatone building. The costs ofcontinuing in a run-downbuilding must be considereda thing of the past and closureof such buildings surelymakes good economic sense.Of course, it is with muchsadness that one Lodge hasreturned the Warrant andclosed its doors. I must,however, congratulate those responsible for the hardwork carried out by the members of that Lodge inascertaining that all the Brethren are happilyaccommodated in other Lodges.Brethren, there is likely to be a second Lodgewhich will hand in its Warrant in the near futurethrough lack of members. There is no shame intaking this route. Sadness and disappointment, yes- but shame, no. What is important is that allBrethren have a new home to go to where they cancontinue their Masonry amongst friends. If there areany Lodges who feel that the time is nearing whenthey should consider handing in their Warrant, then ProvincialGrand Lodge can offer sound help and advice.Meanwhile, I am more than happy to chronicle a number ofinitiatives, achievements and milestones within our Province andmention them, in no particular order.I was proud to be associated with the launch of the“Freemasonry Cares For You” initiative which has given Brethren,their families and dependants a most comprehensive picture ofhow to access information and direct help in a time of need – andwith complete confidentiality assured. The Provincial GrandAlmoner has already been able to help a substantial number ofpeople under this scheme, which helped provide a framework forthe Central Charities as they embarked on a similar projectnationwide.It goes without saying that I am thrilled that the Provincial GrandMaster’s Fund is able to support so many worthwhile non-Masoniccauses in our Province. Approximately £300,000 is distributed annuallyin relatively small amounts and, once a year, some £100,000 is madeavailable to four or five successful applicants who can benefit fromlarger grants.Many scout and guides groups, youth organisations and otherinitiatives receive and appreciate our support.Some years ago friendships and bonds were forged during theFreemasonry in the Community Week and these remain intact,particularly in the south of our Province. Much physical work isundertaken by Brethren, emphasising that Charity is not all aboutfinancial aid.However, when money is an issue, the hospice movement, forWhile Freemasons must care for one another . . .
F I V Eexample, receives welcome support from Brethren and often items ofequipment are funded by West Riding Masonic Charities Ltd.Sadly, we also assist with purchasing equipment for NHS hospitals– I say, sadly, because I would have hoped that what we call essentialequipment would have been funded by government sources.Talking of hospitals (I would, wouldn’t I!), the Teddies for Loving Careinitiative, which has provided a cuddly teddy for young patients atalmost every hospital A & E department in our Province, has been aresounding success. With generous funding from West RidingMasonic Charities Ltd, some 30,000 teddies have been distributedsince the scheme was launched in April 2008.Shortly after this launch I appointed a Provincial Charity Stewardwith responsibility for fund-raising and supporting Lodge CharityStewards and who chairs a newly created Provincial CharityCommittee.WRMCL continues as the designated charity within our Province formaintaining a charitable fund to receive and distribute contributionsmade by our Brethren Province-wide.Many of us attend special church services,particularly at Christmas time, and I firmly believe inour multicultural, multifaith population. We have beenprivileged to hold our Provincial Service not only inorthodox Christian surroundings but also in aSynagogue and, last year, at the magnificent LakshmiNarayan Hindu Temple in Bradford.I have long emphasised that we are “in ourcommunity for the community;” our Masonic halls areopened up for events to “meet the Masons” and theyare also available for use by local groups forexhibitions, blood donor sessions and ladies circlemeetings.Plaques for the Duke of York Community AwardsScheme have been provided by our Province; we areactive supporters of the Prince’s Trust, the organisationset up by HRH Prince Charles specifically to helpyoung people amid agrowing problem oftheir disengagement.Also, I have beendelighted with thepositive response toour presence at theGreat Yorkshire Show,in conjunction with ourcolleagues in Northand East, and thesuccessful launch ofthe Universitiesscheme whereby wehave the opportunityof introducingyounger men intoFreemasonry.The art of communication has long been considered a priority and Iacknowledge the progress in this direction by our newcommunications committee (formerly media committee) and themanner in which we have been able to re-brand White Rose MasonicNews during a difficult trading climate, with a blip in advertisingrevenue proving quite a challenge.What, then of the next five years?We will continue to monitor and act on the thorny problem ofresignations. My two Deputies are working hard on this and produceregular reports for me.Following the successful launch of the “Freemasonry Cares for You”initiative, it must be recognised that this is not just a gimmick. It mustbe kept at the forefront of our minds, particularly in these difficultY E A R Sfinancial times, for the benefit of thoseBrethren requiring assistance.I do firmly believe that a Mason’s“education” is incomplete until he hasexperienced the companionship of theRoyal Arch. By now, I hope that all CraftLodges have appointed a Royal Archrepresentative, not to lean on a Brother tojoin Chapter Masonry but to explain tohim the advantages of doing so.Whilst I believe that the Royal Archshould be mentioned at the time ofpresenting a Grand Lodge Certificate, Ido not believe a Brothershould join any otherDegree or Order,including the Royal Arch,until he is comfortablewith his Craft masonry,the very backbone ofFreemasonry.There are still Brethrenin the Province who haveresigned from the Craft butwho continue toparticipate in other Ordersor Degrees. I find this hard to come to terms with and, personally, findit unacceptable. That said, I shall continue to promote the Royal Archas the first logical step after the Craft and would ask that the mentoringbooklet “The Next Step” be given at the presentation of a Brother’sGrand Lodge Certificate.Those senior Brethren who run and participate in the workshops areto be congratulated. There is no doubt that they are well worthattending even for those who have held a particular Office for manyyears. In this case, such Brethren can impart to others the knowledgegained by their experience. There is no substitute for experience.As a follow on from “Freemasonry Cares For You”, I would reemphasisethat we are good at looking after non Masons and donatelarge amounts of money to non Masonic causes and charities.We should not, however, forget that we need to care for our own. Iam soon to launch a new scheme “Freemasons Care – for oneanother”. In broad terms, this means looking after Brethren closest tous - for example in our own Lodges and Chapters. When did you lastcontact a Brother or Companion who had not attended for a while? Weare a family and need to beaware of problems in ourvicinity.Finally, my first five yearshave been most enjoyable,though at times challenging. Iam under no illusions as tothe responsibility placed onme and am very proud to bein charge of the Province ofYorkshire, West Riding.I am surrounded by veryexperienced and committedCraft and Royal ArchMasons. Their help andadvice is truly appreciated.Indeed, without them,government of such a largeProvince would beimpossible.I now look forward to thenext five years.I am thrilled to support non-Masonic causes23
Page 5 and 6: IONIC CHAPTERCELEBRATESITS CENTENAR
Page 7 and 8: PENNINE LODGE -POIGNANT ANDSAD FARE
Page 9: NOW JAMES IS ATHOME WITH HISTOP CER
Page 18 and 19: MEMBERS of the Classics on theSquar
Page 20 and 21: SPECTACULAR SURPRISE!HUDDERSFIELD
Page 24 and 25: OVER £1/2m RECEIVED BYYORKSHIRE, W
Page 26 and 27: LOYALTY AWARDSBRETHREN of Loyalty L
Page 28 and 29: SCOUTS WIN SUPPORT FOR CENTREHOWLEY
Page 30 and 31: FUND-RAISINGVENUE PROVESA BIG WINNE
Page 32 and 33: INCREDIBLE - HE’S BEENTHE TYLER F
Page 34 and 35: FAMILY AFFAIR IS AFIRST AT FOREST O
Page 36 and 37: DRUMMING UP BIGSUPPORT AS JAMESSETS
Page 38 and 39: INSPECTOR GENERAL’S PATENT RENEWA
Page 40 and 41: THE ANCIENT ANDMASONIC ORDER OFTHE
Page 42 and 43: RMTGB FINANCECHIEF AND PASTKT PRIOR
Page 44: Book your next holiday withThe Crui

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