NEWSLETTER 36 Repro - Masonic Province of Yorkshire, West Riding

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 3
CHARITY
THAT
KNOWS
NO
BOUNDS
REPORTS INSIDE
THIRTY SIXTH EDITION
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MASONIC
NEWS
2007

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 4
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NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 5
INNER WORKINGS
AT GRAND LODGE
Grand Officers in the
Province were privileged to
hear a fascinating insight
into the day-to-day running
of United Grand Lodge at
Great Queen Street when
around 60 enjoyed lunch at
the Masonic Hall,
Westbourne House, Otley.
PRESIDENT of the Grand Officers’ Mess,
W Bro Bill Barnard, Assistant Provincial
Grand Master in the Province of
Derbyshire, was all set to welcome guest
speaker V W Bro Nigel Brown, who had to
withdraw at 24 hours notice.
In giving the Grand Secretary’s
profuse apologies to speaker finder W Bro
Richard Bolton, V W Bro Brown’s personal
assistant, Mrs Louise Watts, jokingly said
that she would perhaps keep the
engagement instead.
Richard took Louise at her word and
the following morning she was on a train
from King’s Cross to Leeds where she was
met by W Bro Keith Madeley, Mess vice
president, and whisked to Otley; all the
while swatting up on sketch notes ahead
of her speech-making debut on behalf of
the United Grand Lodge of England!
And what a super job she made of it!
Explaining that "Grand Secretaries
come and go," Louise told her captivated
audience she had intended talking about
"A day in the life of the Grand Secretary’s
Secretary," but no day was the same,
indeed no Grand Secretary is the same
and I’m now on my third!!”
"Some nine years ago I was
interviewed by V W Bro Jim Daniel, Grand
Secretary, who asked me what I knew
about Freemasonry. My headmaster at
primary school was a Mason and every
Christmas, he would march the school
choir and band up to the Masonic Hall to
perform after his Lodge’s Festive Board.
That was the extent of my Masonic
knowledge. He asked if any of my family
were Masons, to which I replied in the
negative. Needless to say I left the interview
feeling sure that I had not got the job, so I
was surprised to get a phone call the
following day asking me when I could start!
On my first day in the office, Mr Daniel
said that my job as PA would be no
different from any PA working for a Chief
Executive. He could not be more wrong. It
was like trying to learn a foreign language:
R W Bro this, PAGDC that. I spent the first
two months referring to the Programme
Master until it was spotted in writing and I
was corrected!!
Jim Daniel was Grand Secretary for
four years and had a pretty tough remit: a
major reorganisation of staff, the
introduction of proper budgeting, assisting
Mrs Louise Watts
in setting up the Library and Museum
Charitable Trust and the Chair for
Freemasonry at Sheffield University.
He accompanied the Pro Grand
Master on a series of regional
conferences, which involved every
Province and District. He was very much
involved in the advent of MQ and in
planning Freemasonry in the Community
Week and the European Grand
Secretaries meeting, which UGLE hosted
in 2002.
On a purely personal note, I feel that
he retired a year too early, as all the fruits
of his labours were borne in 2002.
Freemasonry in the Community Week was
a huge success with every Province
working hard and in harmony with the local
media and we certainly don’t get such a
hard time in the media now as we used to.
Since our Openness, we get fewer of
the strange letters that frequently came
across my desk. They accused
Freemasonry of all sorts of conspiracies
and I asked V W Bro Graham Redman
what we should do with them.
‘Send them straight to Upton Park,’ he
said, before explaining this was two stops
short of Barking and that was how the file
was referred to!
V W Bro Bob Morrow was appointed
Grand Secretary early in 2002. He took
great pride in answering all his
correspondence the day it was received,
which is no mean feat. He loved his
involvement in External Relations and was
heavily involved in the changes to the
Royal Arch Ritual.
Nigel Brown has been Grand
Secretary since February of this year and,
although still in the honeymoon period, he
has achieved a great deal in a short space
of time.
Already he has accompanied the Pro
Grand Master on three of the four Regional
Conferences in the Provinces. He also has
plans to meet with all the Provincial Grand
Secretaries.
Plans for a trip to visit our three
Districts in India this November are well
under way and he has already attended
the Centenary and Installation meetings in
Sri Lanka with the Assistant Grand Master.
He is responsible for all personnel within
UGLE and has been working closely with
the Charities in readiness for their move
into Freemasons’ Hall.
Our current Rulers are very `hands on`
and work extremely hard for the benefit of
the Craft and Royal Arch.
The Pro Grand Master, Lord
Northampton, is so enthusiastic and
energetic and has introduced many
initiatives, such as the Mentoring and
Orator Schemes. He devotes a great deal
of his time both at home and overseas on
Masonic business.
The Deputy Grand Master, R W Bro
Peter Lowndes, meets regularly with the
Charity presidents and has recently chaired
the Lowndes Committee, which looked at
changes to Provincial Grand Ranks.
In 2005 he chaired the Strategic
Working Party, which had a broad remit.
The Rulers’ Forum came out of this, as did
the decision to have a Grand Chancellor in
addition to a Grand Secretary.
The Grand Chancellor is responsible
for our External Relations with Sovereign
Grand Lodges, while the Grand Secretary
is responsible for our Districts overseas.
The Assistant Grand Master, R W Bro
David Williamson, is in charge of the
Universities Scheme, which is now
flourishing and the Second Grand
Principal, E Comp George Francis, has
met with almost all the Grand
Superintendents and currently chairs a
Working Party, looking at recruitment and
retention in the Royal Arch.
The Third Grand Principal, E Comp
The Rev Neil Collings, chairs a committee
on the Relationship between Freemasonry
and Religion.
Unfortunately, because of his
promotion to Dean of St Edmondsbury, it
has not met for a while but I am pleased to
report that the Grand Superintendent of
Monmouthshire, the Reverend Malcolm
Lane, is due to meet the Archbishop of
Canterbury very soon.
Looking back, the 10 months without a
Grand Secretary were naturally difficult but
throughout, the Rulers were wonderfully
supportive. But I would have been unable
to do my job without the advice and
support of V W Bro Graham Redman, “the
walking Book of Constitutions,” V W Bro
John Hamill, Director of Communications,
who knows everything there is to know
about external relations, public relations
and, well, everything really.
Finally, I would like to pay tribute to my
two predecessors, Irene Hainworth and
Mary Payne. Irene worked for Sir James
Stubbs and had a reputation as a bit of a
dragon. She is renowned for having once
told the Pro Grand Master, the then Earl of
Cadogan, that the Grand Secretary was
far too busy to see him. I can’t quite see
me ever doing that!
Sadly, Mary Payne, who worked
devotedly for Michael Higham, passed
away suddenly earlier this year. It is a
tribute to this organisation that UGLE was
remembered in her will. It is a wonderful
organisation and I feel very proud and
privileged to be working for you all."
3

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 6
HOLME VALLEY
LODGE No 652
150th Anniversary –
19 July 2007
BRETHREN attending the splendid 150th
Anniversary celebrations of Holme Valley
Lodge No 652 were treated to an
absorbing history lesson.
And it was delivered by V W Bro Jack
Pigott, Deputy Provincial Grand Master,
who had his audience spellbound, as the
early years of Freemasonry and
associated events in Holmfirth unfolded
before them.
V W Bro Pigott, responding to a toast
to Province, given by W Bro Neil H
Beaumont, spoke of the Lodge’s motto
"By Industry We Prosper."
He recalled that the Lodge had
indeed prospered from the endeavours of
the Founders and their successors – "all
good men and true Freemasons and
then, as now, involved at the heart of the
community."
Seventeen Brethren originating from
the Lodge of Peace No 149, Lodge of
Harmony No 275, Huddersfield Lodge
No 290, Lodge of Truth No 521 and
Lodge of Candour No 337, petitioned the
Grand Master for the formation of a new
Lodge in May 1855.
A Warrant was issued soon
afterwards but the Lodge was not
Consecrated until 1st July 1857 when
Provincial Grand Lodge met in the Lodge
room at the Victoria Hotel, Holmfirth, with
R W Bro George Fearnley, Deputy PGM,
as Consecrating Officer.
V W Bro Pigott explained that prior to
this, on 21st April, 1856, almost 100
Freemasons attended the ceremony of
laying the foundation stone for five Alms
Houses in Holmfirth, built on land given
by Cookson Stephenson Floyd.
The Alms Houses were a memorial to
those who perished in the Great Flood
disaster in February 1852 which claimed
81 lives.
W Bro Floyd, an attorney practising in
Holmfirth, and who was to become the
first Master of Holme Valley Lodge,
officiated at the ceremony as Deputy
Provincial Grand Master, by dispensation.
V W Bro Pigott referred to the love of
music as a tradition in the town and
recalled that in the mid 1800s the playing
of bands and singing brought relief from
the squalor, poverty and long, hard hours
of work which prevailed.
"The bandsmen returning home from
the Napoleonic Wars started a tradition
which still lives on thanks to the
tremendous work of your Lodge’s W Bro
4
Ready for the Festive Board – W Bro Geoffrey Richardson and W Bro Edgar Dickinson
Edgar Dickinson, who is heavily involved
in the community.
"The words of the Holmfirth Anthem
are on the menu. These were set to
music by Joe Perkins, conductor of
Holmfirth Choral Society, whose first
president in 1856 was Cookson
Stephenson Floyd!
"A hundred and fifty years ago
London was the world’s largest city but it
was so dirty that life expectancy was
short, around 20 years; children started
work at five, those lucky ones who went
to school started at seven.
"Steam driven trains were rapidly
taking over long distance travel but the
main form of transport was still the horse;
parking was much easier then than it is
today and the emissions from their
transport more environmentally friendly!
"Yes, technology has revolutionised
our modern way of life, but human nature
remains much the same. Rules of
conduct laid down by our predecessors
should not unthinkingly be discarded for
the easy-going self persuasions of today.
"Brethren, you have visible proof of
your forefathers’ legacy of 150 years of
Freemasonry in Holmfirth, a legacy of
Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.
"We should use these great ideals,
the principles and tenets of our wonderful
Order, to take this Lodge forward another
150 years. They might not know it, but in
this uncertain world, men need
Freemasonry, just as they did in 1857,"
asserted the Deputy Provincial Grand
Master.
A capacity 90 Brethren, led by the
Master, W Bro Ian D Birks, earlier
welcomed V W Bro Pigott and Assistant
PGM W Bro Maurice Bendig, together
with other guests including Past
Provincial Grand Master R W Bro J Trevor
Broadley.
The evening of nostalgia began in the
Temple when W Bro Peter Berry
delivered a short history of the Lodge,
with reference to the number of the
Jane Hobson entertains
Lodge being changed from 937 in 1863,
Grand Lodge having resolved that the
numbers of all Lodges on its register
should be brought forward in regular
succession when numbers became
vacant.
It was in 1917 that Holme Valley
Lodge purchased the Druid’s Hall in
Station Road, now the present Masonic
Hall, but regular meetings were not held
there until 1921.
A substantial Regency fronted
building, Druid’s Hall still retains the air of
mystery which has surrounded it since it
was first erected almost 160 years ago
by The Ancient Order of the Druids,
Lodge No 150.
No Holme Valley Festive Board would
be complete without harmony and this
was engagingly presented by leading
local soprano Jane Hobson,
accompanied at the piano by Lorraine
Pearson
Equally, the Holmfirth Anthem, Pratty
Flowers, has long been an integral part of
the Lodge after-proceedings and this
was sung with great gusto, led by W Bro
Tony Ward to the delightful
accompaniment of W Bro Geoffrey
Richardson.

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 7
MENTORING
SCHEME LAUNCHED
MENTORING will involve
experienced Brethren, using
their knowledge of the Craft
to assist new Initiates in an
ongoing process of
development in
Freemasonry. It is up to you
to expand their interest and
provide an opportunity to
meet and form friendships.
John K Clayton, Provincial Grand Master
LODGES across the Province have
welcomed a series of presentations to
introduce the new Craft mentoring scheme
advocated by the R W Provincial Grand
Master.
Sessions led by W Bro Garry Brown, of
De Mauley Lodge No 6358 and W Bro
David Loy, of St George’s Lodge No 242,
assisted by V W Bro Jack Pigott, Deputy
Provincial Grand Master, have been held at
Batley, Baildon, Cleckheaton, Doncaster,
Headingley, Huddersfield, Ossett, Otley,
Rotherham and Sheffield.
Over 700 Masons have been given an
insight into the scheme which is offered free
by the Province to interested Lodges – it is
not being forced on anyone, although R W
Bro Clayton hopes there will be a big
uptake.
The scheme itself begins once a
Candidate has been balloted for and
accepted by a Lodge. In normal
circumstances, Lodges should request a
free mentoring pack from the area coordinator
once a gentleman is accepted by
the Lodge and before he is Initiated.
VWBro Jack Pigott
The pack, which contains booklets
from Candidate to Master Mason and
beyond in an A5 wallet, is then presented
to the Candidate by his proposer,
seconder or appointed mentor with the
contents explained and discussed.
At each stage of the Candidate’s
career the relevant booklets will be
presented and discussed.
There are two booklets for each step,
given after each ceremony. One describes the
journey undertaken through the ceremony
and the other explains what has been
achieved within Freemasonry itself
and what it means.
The final booklet: "The Next Step" leads
a Brother to and introduces the link between
Craft and Royal Arch Chapter Masonry and
also mentions other Orders and Degrees.
Chapter mentoring booklets, designed
on the same basis and style are also
included in the pack.
A candidate’s proposer, seconder or
mentor can make a written record of his
progress through the scheme with the
opportunity also to pursue other possible
areas for discussion and activity.
The area co-ordinator is there to ensure
the system progresses effectively and
smoothly and he is available for advice if
needed.
It is always emphasised to the
Candidate that he is part of and has a
natural loyalty to his mother Lodge and
directs him accordingly. The booklets
encourage enquiry, create discussion and
will hopefully produce a well-informed
Master Mason, who holds a greater
understanding of this great movement of
ours, and his own position in it.
The response to the innovation has
been positive and enthusiastic Provincewide
with substantial requests for booklet
packs.
Five hundred mentoring packs have
been printed and distributed to area coordinators
from whom individuals and
Lodges can obtain them.
They are free to Lodges for new
Candidates and for Brethren Initiated during
the past 12 months. Additional copies are
available at a cost of £5 per pack.
The project team is available to deliver
the presentation to interested parties.
Already some Past Masters Associations
and groups of Lodges within one Masonic
Hall have had or booked a visit from the
team.
• Anyone interested can contact W Bro
David Loy by email at:
david.loy@btinternet.com
5

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 8
YORKSHIRE WR
FREEMASONRY
Today and Tomorrow
R W Bro John K Clayton
recently celebrated his
second anniversary as
Provincial Grand Master and
Grand Superintendent.
SO, what has changed in the last two
years? Well, quite a lot, which may be
surprising because my predecessor was
speaking about declining membership,
resignations, Charity and the Royal Arch
some 11 years ago!
It is, therefore, interesting that
problems facing Yorkshire, West Riding
are virtually the same as for all other
Provinces. Just for once, we are not
unique.
What can we make of membership
figures?
The Provincial Grand Registrar told us
at the annual meeting of Provincial Grand
Lodge, the net loss to membership for
the year ending 31st December 2005
was 83, compared with 177 in 2004.
However, last year we experienced an
increase in Initiates and a reduction in
resignations, exclusions and deaths.
Indeed, if the 51 Founders of the
Rugby Football Lodge are removed from
the figures of 2005, then we are in
positive balance for the first time in a
good many years. At 31 December 2006,
we had 7711 members compared with
7739, which includes the 51 Founders
mentioned above in 2005. There is,
however, no room for complacency.
Some 28% of resignations from the
6
R W Bro John K Clayton, Provincial Grand Master
Craft occur in the first five years and we
must ask ourselves why members resign
so early in their Masonic careers?
Reasons could include ill preparation
of prospective candidates and lack of
preparation for the commitment they
make and the time involved.
Also, I believe there is a tendency to
be more interested in increasing our
numbers than selecting quality
gentlemen known to both proposer and
seconder. Adverse responses to
communications are sometimes
disregarded.
Do we do enough to maintain a new
Brother’s interest but at the same time
are we careful not to give him too much
to do too early in his Masonic career?
Do we fully recognise lifestyle
changes in the last 20 or even 10 years,
not forgetting to consider the
independence of our ladies – often they
do not take kindly to a regular evening
commitment by husbands/partners.
Equally, it is much more difficult in
some circles for a young man to absent
himself from work on a regular basis than
20 years ago.
In the 100 years ago minutes of the
recently amalgamated Lodge of
Prudence No 2069, it states:
"Only 16 attended the August Lodge.
The Committee decided that a Brother’s
first priority was his Lodge and his
attention should be drawn to that
responsibility."
I have the feeling that none of us
would get away with that view today.
So, how can we address the
problems of membership and what is the
place of the Candidate’s proposer and
seconder?
It is important that in his introduction
to a Lodge, members get to know a
candidate and feel comfortable with him.
At this time it should be outlined what
his commitments and responsibilities will
be, both in time and finance, and he
should be made aware of our basic
principles.
Alas, we may fulfil the above but all
too often that seems to be where the
proposer and seconder feel their
responsibility ends and we are sadly
lacking in the education of our new
Mason. We must all bear some
responsibility for this.
However, in the belief that our trend in
an upward direction will continue, I
sincerely hope that the number of early
resignations will diminish.
And in support of this, I have
introduced a mentorship scheme across
the Province. This was initially piloted in
the Royal Arch and followed soon
afterwards by rolling out the scheme to
the Craft Province-wide.
I cannot, of course, force any Lodge
to introduce such a system but I believe
that every candidate should be given the
opportunity of having such a "friend" and
mentor. I would ask for everyone’s
support in the venture, which is outlined
in further detail by my deputy in the Craft,
V W Bro Jack Pigott, on the previous
page.
I am indebted to W Bros Garry Brown
and David Loy of De Maulay Lodge No
6358 and St George’s Lodge No 242
respectively for the work they have done
on my behalf.
Last year, I asked Assistant PGM W
Bro Michael Green to look at the
statistics and reasons for resignations.
He sent 262 letters to Brethren who
had resigned in the previous 12 months,
accompanied by an anonymous short
questionnaire and amazingly, there was a
39% return – unheard of for such an
exercise.
Some 26% of those resigning had
been a member for five years or less.

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 9
Reasons given included
• Lost interest - Why? • Family commitments
• Pressure of work • Ill health
• Left the district • Cost of subscriptions
• Transport problems
I found these comments the most interesting, illuminating
and worrying part of the survey. It was obvious, too, that those
resigning with a "grudge" had not discussed their problems with
the Lodge’s Liaison Officer who, after all, is appointed to provide
just such a sympathetic ear when required.
We can do nothing about deaths or Brethren moving to
other parts of the country, prompting their resignation, but we
can do something about resignations for disillusionment and
loss of interest and indeed exclusions.
This latter topic may be addressed by exercising caution in
the selection process. Don’t let us get carried away by the
attraction of numbers in favour of quality Brethren. Quality rather
than quantity is the order of the day.
We won’t always get it right but at least we can exercise
greater care, making sure that both the proposer and seconder
know the would-be candidate and we should also take notice of
any unfavourable response to enquiries.
Masonic Premises
THE thorny issue of Masonic premises is not within my remit
unless a move from one building to another is requested.
However, it is worth noting that we have 60 Masonic Halls to
house 209 Lodges – an average of 3.5 Lodges per rooms.
If the premises which house five or more Lodges are
removed from the equation, then 100 Lodges practise their
Freemasonry in 48 Masonic Halls – an average of just over two
Lodges in those rooms.
Indeed, there are 16 buildings where only two Lodges meet
and 15 where there is only one.
And I have to ask is this economic sense?
I would suggest that there must be room for rationalisation
of premises, putting aside the understandable loyalties that
Brethren have for one set of rooms or another.
We should not overspend on rooms that are unsalvageable
for sentimental reasons and if it will help those who wish to
address potential problems, I have appointed an advisory
committee, which will provide support, advice and professional
expertise, if requested to do so.
The Royal Arch
I MAKE no secret of my great affection for this delightful Order.
Around 42% of our Craft members are Royal Arch Masons
– commendable in comparison with the figures for other
Provinces, but how I would like to see the numbers soar to 50%
plus.
I would ask all Brethren to become ambassadors for the
Royal Arch. Anyone who wears a RA jewel should advertise his
beliefs and feel free to approach those who do not wear such a
jewel.
I do not, however, feel that Brethren should be coerced into
joining any additional Order unless or until he is happy to do so.
Royal Arch membership figures are just as promising as
those of the Craft. There has been an increase in newly Exalted
Companions and a reduction in resignations and deaths
At the last count, there were 3266 Royal Arch Masons in our
province, an increase of one over the 2005 figure. Yes, only one,
but this is a step in the right direction and again, the first time we
have been in positive balance for a good many years.
Charity
CAN I reiterate the magnificent figure of £5,000,000-plus
announced at our special evening at the Royal Armouries in
Leeds was the largest sum the Grand Charity has ever received
from a Festival.
I must also repeat my thanks to everyone concerned,
Brethren and their families, for the tremendous efforts and
overwhelming generosity these past seven years.
This is a truly wonderful result and one for which this
Province should feel justifiably very proud.
For the immediate future all our charitable giving will be
directed to building up the Provincial Grand Master’s Fund and
in a new initiative we expect to be able to consider requests for
at least two larger grants each year, in addition to the existing
work to support deserving causes in our communities.
At a recent meeting, the fund committee distributed just
over £40,000 to local charities.
In conclusion, I was pleased with an attendance of 956 at
our Provincial meeting at Harrogate in May when the Alms
collection realised £4,435.90.
I was disappointed, however, that of the 315 appointments
and promotions, there were 46 apologies.
Even more disconcerting was the vast majority of Master
Masons invited to attend did not even see fit to respond, let
alone attend.
They don’t know what they missed! Not to be too
disheartened, I shall try again next year, but possibly with
certain adjustments.
However, with minor exceptions, I know the Province is in
good heart. Let us strive to keep it that way.
7

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 10
FANTASTIC £5.1m HANDOVER
THE Provincial Grand Master, R W Bro John K Clayton, was
on a special mission at Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen
Street, London in October.
Because the 2007 Grand Charity Festival, celebrated at
the Royal Armouries, Leeds in April was extended to 30
September, additional donations were received by West
Riding Masonic Charities Ltd.
And R W Bro Clayton, accompanied by Festival
Committee chairman W Bro Colin Dent and V W Bro Nevil H
Parkinson, who represents our Province on the Council of the
Grand Charity, presented a cheque for £5.1m to V W Bro
Grahame Elliott, CBE, president of the Charity.
The Deputy Grand Master, V W Bro Peter Lowndes, was
also present, along with the Charity’s chief executive Laura
Chapman and all repeated their admiration and grateful
thanks for the manner in which the Province of Yorkshire,
West Riding had achieved a record-breaking Festival total.
W Bro Dent confirmed that the initial £5,022, 849 figure
had been enhanced by further donations and a final top up
from West Riding Masonic Charities Ltd.
He went on to explain that all future monies received will,
unless otherwise requested, go to The Provincial Grand
Master’s Fund, the parameters of which are being extended.
In addition to the grants currently being given, further
special gifts of up to £100,000 each year will be available
under similar criteria which is now in place. Applications for
the higher funding must be submitted by the 30th June each
year.
Floods devastated parts of the south of the Province
during the summer and the Directors of WRMCL agreed that
up to £50,000 should be made available for the relief of
victims.
In addition, Lodges within the Province donated over
£4,000, the Province of Cumberland & Westmoreland sent
£2,000, Grand Charity provided £5,000 and even the Upper
Thames & Hogarth Chapter No 8696 from Henley-on-
Thames sent £160 from their collection.
W Bro Dent explains that of the total received, £20,000
8
ESTABLISHED 1994
Yorkshire
Searches
Solicitors Research Agent &
Local Authority Searches
Mrs J E Dyson
53 Hollins Lane, Sowerby Bridge,
West Yorkshire. HX6 2RS
Tel: 01422 834886 Fax: 01422 836772
VWBro Elliott is pleased to accept the record cheque from R W Bro Clayton
London delegation . . .R W Bro Clayton, V W Bro Parkinson and W Bro Dent
are pictured with Deputy Grand Master, V W Bro Lowndes
was sent to The British Red Cross, £15,000 to The High
Sheriff of Yorkshire Flood Appeal, £10,000 to the ARC-
Addington Fund, for relief to rural areas and £15,000 to Dog
Support, who provide assistance for disabled people.There
is still a little of the total left to provide further help, as
required.
One area of concern for W Bro Dent and his charity team
is that despite increased efforts by the Management
Committee, regular donations by Brethren through a Lodge
Charity Steward is still only in the region of 42%.
"To enable us to continue to help our beneficiaries and
those less fortunate than ourselves, we need to increase this
figure. I would appeal to those who are not giving regularly,
to seriously consider doing so, through the Gift Aid scheme
if possible, said the Charities chairman.
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NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 11
PLEASING CIVIC
RECEPTION
THE Mayor and Mayoress of
Calderdale, Clr Martin Peel and Mrs
Janette Peel, together with the Deputy
Mayor of Calderdale, Clr Geraldine
Carter and her Consort, Mr Brian
Carter, hosted a civic reception at
Halifax Town Hall for Freemasons from
Lodges across Calderdale and
Kirklees.
The reception was in recognition for
the part played by local Freemasons in
raising over £5 million for charity during
a festival period throughout our
Province.
Clr Peel, a member of Mexborough
Lodge No 6117, said this was a sterling
effort and epitomised the charitable
White Rose Masonic News
is published
in May and November.
Editorial and
Advertising copy
deadlines are
1st March and 1st September
respectively
Calderdale Mayor Clr Martin Peel, front left, and R W Bro Clayton, right, pictured with the Town Hall guests
work undertaken by all involved in
Freemasonry.
The reception was attended by the R
W Provincial Grand Master, John K
Clayton and Mrs Sue Clayton and other
distinguished leaders of Freemasonry,
together with their ladies.
During the reception, the Provincial
Grand Master and Lodge representatives
handed a number of cheques to the
Mayor for his Charity Appeal which is for
The Renal Unit at Calderdale Royal
Hospital and the Halifax & District Branch
of the RSPCA.
Representatives of the two charities
spoke of their work and there was a
conducted tour of the Town Hall.
All who attended had a thoroughly
enjoyable time and over £1,600 was
presented to the Mayor’s Charity Appeal.
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NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 12
UNIQUE
PRESENTATION
ONE of Huddersfield’s best-loved
Freemasons, W Bro Derek Lawrence
Telford, received a unique honour
earlier this year at a Regular meeting of
his Lodge No 290.
For there to make a special
presentation on behalf of the Grand
Lodge of Texas, USA, was Yorkshire
West Riding Assistant Provincial Grand
Master, W Bro Maurice Bendig.
W Bro Bendig, resplendent in his
Tricorn (three-cornered hat), which he
is privileged to wear as honorary Past
Master of the Sequin-Level Lodge No
140 in Newington, Connecticut,
explained that Allen Lodge No 1435 in
Waco, Collin County, USA, had
petitioned to present a 50-year
certificate to W Bro Telford.
W Bro Telford has been a popular
visitor to Allen Lodge No 1435 every
year since the time his son Mark was a
manager for Texas Instruments, just
north of Dallas.
And the American Brethren, who
had conferred life membership on W
Bro Derek were anxious to further mark
his contribution to Freemasonry over
very many years.
W Bro Bendig explained that the
presentation had proved possible only
after correspondence between the
Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of
Texas and our own United Grand
Lodge and Provincial Grand Secretary.
The Assistant PGM spoke of W Bro
Telford’s achievements as a Liaison
10
Officer – "a gentleman and a Mason
who saw only the best in others" and
someone who had achieved Grand
Rank in both Craft and the Royal Arch.
W Bro Telford, Master this year of
Huddersfield Lodge No 290 for the
second time – he was previously in the
Chair in 1969 – graciously responded to
the presentation.
• The Texas jubilee certificate is the
third awarded to W Bro Telford, who
received his first, along with his cousin,
W Bro Bert Tompson, at his Mother
Lodge, Constance No 2135, in the
Province of Durham.
W Bro Telford was subsequently
presented with a 50-year certificate
from the Province of Yorkshire, West
Riding by Huddersfield Lodge liaison
officer, the late W Bro Tom Grundy.
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NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 13
LONDON GRAND RANK
An explanation by W Bro Peter Sutherland,
Forest of Knaresborough Lodge No 7452 &
Certa Cito Lodge No 8925
OUTSIDE the capital there is much misunderstanding about
London Grand Rank, so I shall try and explain what it is, how
it came about and why it has continued following the
creation of the Metropolitan Grand Lodge of London.
There are over 1700 London Lodges – all Lodges which
meet within five miles of Freemasons’ Hall, are London
Lodges – Rule 128 Book of Constitutions. In comparison, this
Province has 209 Lodges.
Until October 2003, London Lodges were administered
directly from Grand Lodge, with no intermediate level such
as a Province and, prior to 1908, Past Masters of London
Lodges had no equivalent of Provincial Grand Rank.
In 1907, the Grand Master ‘let it be known that it was his
wish that there should be a distinction, designated ‘London
Rank’ for Past Masters of London Lodges having ‘long and
meritorious service’.
The first awards were made in 1908.There was no formal
Investiture, (presumably because no-one could decide on an
appropriate body to do it).
The number of recipients was one per Lodge for that
inaugural year only – I’d bet there were some interesting Lodge
committee meetings trying to decide which one, of all their Past
Masters, would receive this new, prestigious award!
For subsequent years, the number was limited to 150 a
year – this increased over the years and is now fixed at 800;
fewer than one per two Lodges, so it must be earned.
The first official Investiture was held in 1933 under the
banner of the Grand Stewards’ Lodge (this un-numbered
Lodge stands first on the Register of Grand Lodge and
nobody was going to argue with them!)
In 1939, the designation was changed to ‘London Grand
Rank’ (LGR). Senior London Grand Rank (SLGR) was
introduced in 1979 and is the only promotion within the
London Grand Rank structure.
The Metropolitan Grand Lodge of London was
inaugurated on 1 October 2003, taking responsibility for the
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London Lodges. It could, of course, have been called a
‘Province’ and this would have saved 31 pages of
amendments to the Book of Constitutions, for wherever it
used to say ‘Provincial or District’ it now says ‘Metropolitan,
Provincial or District’.
‘Province’ was not considered appropriate for a body
representing 20% of all Masons under the UGLE, far larger
than any Province – and, of course, had it been a Province it
would have become the most junior and, for an organisation
stemming from the origins of formal English Freemasonry
that would never do!
The Metropolitan Grand Lodge of London has a full
range of Acting Officers, as in Provincial Grand Lodges.
There was, however, a choice as to whether those not in
Acting Office should receive the equivalent of Past Provincial
Ranks, or to retain the awards of LGR and SLGR.
An overwhelming majority were in favour of retaining LGR
– of course, many of those in favour were already holders of
LGR and they were not going to vote themselves into history!
But LGR is different and the ‘one size fits all’ structure
avoids many causes of discontent!
Some very astute Masons revised the Book of Constitutions
to keep LGR.
First it allows for more than one Metropolitan Area and
continues – ‘A Metropolitan Grand Master may confer Metropolitan
Grand Rank – designated by reference to the name of his
Metropolitan Area – eg London Grand Rank’ (Rules 60 & 61)
Those appointed to Acting Office in Metropolitan Grand
Lodge resume as LGR or SLGR, as appropriate, at the end of
their tenure but wear a distinctive Collar Jewel (Rule 98) instead
of the LGR or SLGR jewel. There are NO Past Ranks.
• References:
A Reference Book for Freemasons, Frederick Smyth, pp 171-
173
Understanding Freemasonry, Roy A Wells, pp 205-212.
Amendments to BoC March 12, 2003
WE’RE GOING BACK!
THE annual meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge will
be held on Tuesday, 6 May 2008 at the newly
refurbished Royal Hall at Harrogate, commencing at
3.30pm.
Master Masons are invited to attend the highlight
of the Provincial calendar.
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NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 14
YORKSHIRE AIR AMBULANCE
Flies the Square & Compasses
REGULAR donations by Freemasons to the Yorkshire Air
Ambulance since its launch in October 2000, were
supplemented earlier this year by donations of £10,000 each
from the Province of Yorkshire, West Riding and our sister
Province, North and East Ridings.
The Provincial Grand Master, R W Bro John K Clayton,
was accompanied by his Deputy, V W Bro Jack Pigott and
West Riding Masonic Charities chairman W Bro Colin Dent
when he met with Air Ambulance representatives at Yeadon.
Mr Peter Sunderland, chairman of Yorkshire Air
Ambulance, was with Mr Martin Eade, his chief executive
and two paramedics and a doctor as the group met for a very
special ceremony.
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High fliers . . . R W Bro Clayton, W Bro Dent and V W Bro Pigott with the Masonic symbol aboard
This was because the support and enthusiasm of
Freemasons from both Provinces was acknowledged and
recognised when the Square and Compasses, along with the
words Yorkshire Freemasons, were attached to both sides of
the ambulance.
The valuable service uses a MD902 helicopter with two
hours flying time and a top speed of 154mph. The team can
consist of a doctor, two paramedics and a pilot, using stateof-the-art
medical equipment.
On standby 365 days a year, the team operates a lifesaving
rapid response service across the county.
A second ambulance, which will be based in Sheffield, is
in the process of being fitted out and when brought into
service it will also carry the Square and Compasses logo.
At the North and East Ridings Provincial meeting earlier
this year, R W Bro Clayton handed over a £10,000 cheque to
the Air Ambulance, as did R W Bro Richard Anderson, North
and East Ridings PGM.
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NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 15
MASTER OF A CITY
OF LONDON LIVERY
COMPANY . . .
W BRO SELWYN M BURCHHARDT, a
Past Master of Hadassah Lodge No
4871, was elected and installed as
Master of the Worshipful Company of
Launderers, a City of London Livery
company at a ceremony at Launderers
Hall near London Bridge.
Selwyn’s wife Judith is the new
Mistress Launderer. They have two
boys Jonathan and David, aged 16 and
13.
There are currently 107 livery
companies in the City of London and
the Launderers are number 89 in the
order of precedence. Livery companies
probably had their origins in this
country before 1066 and are similar to
guilds that flourished throughout
Europe for many centuries.
The development of guilds and their
continuing existence was not confined
to London and many major cities
throughout Britain had their craft guilds
including the Cutlers of Hallamshire in
Sheffield.
Today the growing of modern livery
companies represents professions and
trades such as Firefighters, Air Pilots
and Air Navigators, Chartered
Surveyors and Marketers.
Selwyn was admitted a Freeman
and a Liveryman of the Worshipful
Company of Launderers in 1991 and
became a Court Assistant in October
W Bro Selwyn Burchhardt, Master
2000. He will be involved in a number of
City of London events, including
walking in the Lord Mayor’s Parade in
November.
Selwyn, who looks forward to a busy
year, commented: "There will be a lot of
travelling from Sheffield to London but
hopefully Midland Mainline will keep to
their timetable for the next 12 months !"
•
Yorkshire, W R Masonic Activities Ltd
The White Rose team
Chairman
W Bro Stewart G Carley, PSGD
Assistant Provincial Grand Master
Vice Presidents
R W Bro John K Clayton
Provincial Grand Master
R W Bro J Trevor Broadley
Past Provincial Grand Master
W Bro Brian Holmes, PPSGW
Editor
W Bro John B GIedhiII, PG St B,
PPSGW
2 Sandmoor Drive, Lindley
Huddersfield HD3 3WF
Tel: 01484 644408
(for all editorial correspondence)
Editorial Assistants
W Bro T Malcolm Cruise, Prov G Org,
PPJGW,
W Bro John F Lowe, PPJGW
Production and Design
W Bro David J Eyre, PPDep G Reg
Marketing and
Advertising Chairman
Bro David Hayes,
Mercury Newspaper, PO Box 3689
Sheffield S2 7WS
Tel: 0114 276 3633
Email: david@mercurynewspaper.co.uk
Printing and Distribution
W Bro Stuart Cummins, Prov SW
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Tel: 01274 582555
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We have an extensive repertoire, which
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hotels, caravan parks, weddings,
anniversaries, gala evenings, Masonic hall
events and charity ball evenings.
We were resident Artistes at the Palm
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became very popular with the guests and still
perform for the residents on special
occasions or dinner dances.
• Our music ranges from a variety of
styles from pop, rock, swing, opera, ballads,
country, musicals and RnB. Our ability to
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one of the reasons why we are continually
asked back to the same venues.
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13

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 16
ANOTHER GREAT
SUCCESS STORY!
INTERESTING and thought provoking,
friendly and welcoming. These were
among the many favourable comments
by visitors to the Yorkshire Freemasons
stand at this year’s Great Yorkshire
Show.
Once again, the stand, manned by
Masons from our Province and from
North and East Ridings, was a centre of
excellence and drew a lot of attention
from visitors world-wide.
This year we were supported by
Yorkshire Cancer Research, to whom W
Bro Michael Green, Assistant Provincial
Grand Master, presented a donation on
the first day of the hugely popular event
at Harrogate.
The Yorkshire Air Ambulance were
with us the following day and on the
Thursday the Grand Charity project
"Teddies for Little Children" achieved a
quite different presence.
This scheme presents little Teddy
Bears to A & E departments in hospitals
to give to children attending for
treatment. It works! One youngster
visiting our stand remarked that she
had been given a Teddy when she went
to have stitches in a cut and it provided
a "cuddly" distraction!
Once again the Provincial Rulers
were very much to the fore, with the
Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro John
Clayton, and his Assistants, W Bros
Maurice Bendig, Michael Green, Jim
Batty and Stewart Carley, together with
E Comp David Pratt from the Royal
Arch, showing they have lost none of
their skills in stuffing promotional
material into our much sought-after
"Masonic Goody Bags!"
ASHLEY AND DEREK HELP A GOOD CAUSE
A LIMITED edition print by acclaimed Yorkshire artist Ashley Jackson, donated by
Ashley and the Yorkshire Society, raised £900 when auctioned at the 2007 Festival
Celebration at the Royal Armouries, Leeds earlier this year.
W Bro Derek J Walsh, of Baildon Lodge No 1545, was warmly applauded for his
£900 donation and is pictured receiving the painting from W Bro Ian Underwood, on
behalf of West Riding Masonic Charities Ltd.
14
Visitors to the Stand begin to study what we are all about
Grateful thanks . . . Yorkshire Cancer Research representatives accept a
cheque from W Bro Michael Green
This year our stand was redesigned
to provide more space to show off the
displays of regalia and panels
highlighting our charitable work and
information about our Order. Perhaps
more importantly, it provided more
space to bring visitors onto the stand.
Though not the primary reason for
our presence at the Show, there were a
number of visitors who showed a real
interest in membership and these
enquiries have been followed through.
These included a number of ladies
whose details have, with their
permission, been passed to the Lady
Freemasons.
From America to Australia,
Workington to Wellington, NZ, visitors,
both Masonic and non-Masonic, were
attracted to and positively commented
on our display.
"Better than last year," "A great
display by nice people," and "A good
display, friendly staff and a good
cause," being just some of the entries in
our well filled visitors’ books.
Perhaps one final comment
exemplifies what we in the Province are
trying to achieve.
This was from a visitor from
Buckinghamshire, who said:
"Refreshingly different – not trying to sell
– bringing something new to old
fashioned values."
Perhaps this confirms that our
openness is having an effect; our
standards are understood and our
charitable work appreciated.

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 17
ANGLERS BREAK
MORE RECORDS
IN the same year that the Provincial
Grand Master proudly announced a
record breaking Festival total, the
Province's anglers followed suit, though
not quite on the same scale – if you will
excuse the pun!
This year's match, again hosted by The
Lodge of Eccleshill, Faith & Fraternity No
1034 was held on Saturday 21 June with
proceeds to Masonic Charities.
A record 53 anglers, produced record
receipts of £1,190.50 and after expenses,
which are limited to the hire of the lake and
prize monies, left a total of £848.00,
another record.
The match was held at Carpvale
Fisheries, Moor Monkton which has
PROVINCE’S NEW
COMMUNICATIONS
SECRETARY
W BRO ANDREW WILLIAM
JOHNSON has been appointed
secretary of the Province’s
Communications Committee in
succession to W Bro Keith
Walton.
ANDREW was born in Dingwall in the
Highlands of Scotland. His father Fred
had been posted to Alness as a
Coxswain in the Search and Rescue
section of the Royal Air Force. Further
postings took the family to Pembroke in
South Wales and then Tayport in Fife.
Early interests included Rugby
Football, Amateur Boxing for a local
club, the Scouts where he advanced to
Troop Leader and the local Youth Club.
Andrew’s late father was secretary
of Lodge Earlshall in the Provence of
Fife and Kinross for 12 years and it was
his hope that Andrew would join as a
Lewis at the age of 18, but Andrew had
other ideas and eventually travelled
South to make his way in life.
He has been involved in the meat
industry for a great number of years
and was appointed to the board of
several companies. Now semi-retired,
he works as a consultant for a Midlands
based Food Service company.
Andrew lives in Crosshills with
Elizabeth to whom he has been married
for 27 years.
They have two daughters,
Charlotte, who teaches early years and
Photograph shows W Bro Phil Mitchell,
Facula Lodge No 4825, proudly showing the trophy
for Top Masonic Angler 2007
become home ground for Masonic
anglers and their non Masonic friends.
Thanks are due once again to the fishery
owner, Kevin Whincup, for his continued
support.
Several members of EFF and their
Emily, who has recently graduated from
Liverpool University.
A frequent visitor to Scotland, Andrew
has become a joining member of Lodge
St Andrew No 25 in St Andrews, is a
member of Journeyman Masons Royal
Arch Chapter in Edinburgh, Angus
Sovereign Chapter of Princes Rose Croix
in Brought Ferry and the Royal Order of
Scotland in Edinburgh.
In this Province, Andrew is a Past
Master of Studley Lodge No 6364 and a
joining member of Craven Lodge No
810. He was recently promoted to
PPSGD in Province. In addition he holds
Grand Rank in the Order of David and
Jonathan as well as being a Provincial
Grand Visitor.
He is Assistant District Grand
Recorder in the Royal and Select Masters
and a Past Master of the Allied Degrees.
wives were on site at 7am to help with
the supply of food, manning the BBQ and
the sale of raffle tickets.
A big thank you also to those
participants who donated prizes.
This year's winner was Mr Robert
Rymer, a guest of Bro Andrew Murray,
Trafalgar Lodge No 971 with 28lb11oz.
The trophy for top Masonic angler was
claimed by W Bro Phil Mitchell, Facula
Lodge No 4825, who repeated his
success of 2004.
At the end of the day, match
organiser W Bro Brian Lawless asked
many anglers whether they would like to
continue with the matches given that the
2007 Festival had now closeed.
The response was a resounding yes
and Brian looks forward to welcoming
the anglers and their guests again next
year on a date to be announced.
"Tight Lines" and thank you to
everyone who took part. Brian can be
contacted on 01943 879373 or 01274
544430.
Added to this he regularly sings for
local Lodges and raises money for
charity at Ladies Afters, accompanied by
his regular pianist, W Bro Stuart Gledhill.
Andrew firmly believes that if we are
to dispel the old perceptions of our
Order, both in the eyes of the public and
the media, we must take Masonry out of
our halls and into the open by having a
presence not only at the Great Yorkshire
Show but every other similar event that
takes place in our Province.
He shares the enthusiastic approach
of Communications chairman W Bro
David Pratt and looks forward to working
closely with the other members of the
PCC.
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15

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 18
NEW MAN
AT THE HELM
PROVINCIAL Headquarters at Spring Bank
Place has a new office superviser.
W Bro A Michael Dyson, PPSGW, has
taken up the position in succession to W
Bro Peter Shields, who retired as office
manager in August this year.
W Bro Mick is currently Master of Albert
Edward Lodge No 1783 (for a second time)
and was Founding secretary of the Rugby
Football Lodge No 9811. He is the son of
former Huddersfield RL favourite Frank
"Spanky" Dyson, a goalkicking full-back of
the late 1950s and 60s.
He is also a member of West Riding
Acting Officers Lodge No 9645 and
Ryburn Chapter No 1283 and has been a
Craft Liaison Officer in Area Two of the
Province. He is a Grand Patron of the Grand
Charity.
He retired last year as a high-ranking
police officer, having served as a financial
investigator and was acting head of
Financial Investigations within the West
Yorkshire force. Some 25 years ago he was
a member of West Yorkshire Firearms
response team.
W Bro Mick’s police duties in recent
years have involved the investigation of
money laundering and the finances of
criminals. This has made him conversant will
all aspects of business finance, the keeping
of records and the compilation of complex
reports.
A valued lecturer, he once presented a
paper to 250 barristers at a seminar at
Durham University.
In recent years he has arranged the
security for the Provincial meeting at
Harrogate.
16
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Married to Jackie, he is a keen
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• W Bro Peter Shields, of Mawsis Lodge
No 4644, joined Provincial Office in June
1999 and worked initially on West Riding
Masonic Charity projects.
The former Bradford and Bingley
Building Society manager dealt with the
Charity’s covenant scheme and ultimately
became company secretary.
From September 2000 he had also
been office manager and on his
retirement the Provincial Grand Master, R
W Bro John K Clayton, presented him
with a cheque, which Peter said he would
use towards a short golfing tuition course
before he took up the sport.
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ACKNOWLEDGED
DURING his address at the annual
Investiture at United Grand Lodge earlier this
year the M W Grand Master, HRH The
Duke of Kent, said:
“In the course of the memorable and
most enjoyable meeting of the 150th
anniversary of the Grand Lodge of Mark
Master Masons, where I was present as a
guest of their Grand Master, my brother
Prince Michael, I had the opportunity to see
also many other long established, well
known and respected Orders of Masonry to
which many Craft members belong.
“The Preliminary Declaration of the Act
of Union of the two Grand Lodges in
December 1813 says that it was declared
and announced that pure Antient Masonry
consists of three degrees and no more, that
is to say 'Entered Apprentice, the Fellow
Craft and the Master Mason, including the
Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch'. This
has been the position for nearly 200 years
and will remain unchanged.
However, since many members of the
Craft are members of these Orders, I am
pleased to acknowledge formally their
existence and regularity, and in particular
their sovereignty and independence.
The best known of these Orders are:
Mark, Ancient and Accepted Rite, Knights
Templar, Royal and Select Masters, Royal
Ark Mariner, Red Cross of Constantine,
Allied Masonic Degrees, Order of the Secret
Monitor and Knight Templar Priests. I also
accept the valuable role they play in
providing additional scope for Brethren to
extend their Masonic research in interesting
and enjoyable ways.”
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NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 19
1000th MEETING
CELEBRATED IN
GREAT STYLE
THE 1000th Regular Lodge Meeting of
Victory Lodge No 3922 took place at the
Masonic Hall, Hipperholme, in April this
year in the presence of Assistant
Provincial Grand Master, W Bro Maurice
Bendig.
To mark the occasion, W Bro Bendig
was presented with a cheque for £1000,
to swell the 2007 Festival funds. The
presentation was made by the charity
steward, W Bro R G Bibby.
The main business of the evening,
however, was to Initiate Bro Gordon
Wheale, who was an excellent candidate,
and the officers were led by the Master,
W Bro Frank Lovelady.
Afterwards, a splendid Festive Board,
including smoked salmon and
champagne, brought a flavour of the
early days of the Lodge, when six and
seven course meals were the norm.
The Lodge Banner, which depicts
Nike, the Greek Goddess of Victory, was
hung in the dining room for the Festive
Board and Secretary W Bro Adrian C
Unsworth, in proposing a toast to the
Founders of the Lodge, gave a brief talk
about Nike, her parents and why she was
a most suitable choice as a symbol within
Freemasonry.
The reply was given by the longest
serving member of the Lodge, W Bro J M
C Mollett, who had sat in Open Lodge
with one of the Founders at the start of
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The Acting Junior Warden, W Bro
Godfrey Bedford, proposed the toast to
the visitors in his own inimitable style and
W Bro Peter Hargreaves, Master of
Rokeby Lodge No 6301, gave a much
appreciated response.
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NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 20
DUCHESS AT NEW
LIFEBOAT STATION
A PLAQUE is to be erected in a new Lifeboat
Station at Whitby to acknowledge the many
contributions from Lodges in our Province in
support of Whitby Lifeboat Service.
In September this year, The Duchess of Kent
attended the Naming ceremony and Service of
Dedication of the new lifeboat station and the IB
1 Boat OEM Stone 111.
The new lifeboat was donated to the RNLI by
Mrs Margaret Gadsby, niece of Miss Olive Stone,
whose legacy had provided the boat, her third
such presentation to the Lifeboat Institution.
W Bro Alan Hurdley, of the Rugby Football
Lodge No 9811, who gives talks on the history
and valuable work undertaken by lifeboats and
their crew, said it was a hot, sunny day for the
occasion.
"The Duchess arrived by the ‘all weather’
lifeboat the George and Mary Webb at the new
station on the Fish Pier and the officiating clergy
were the Rev Robert S Ladds, Bishop of Whitby,
the Rev Canon David Smith, Rector, and the Rev
Terence Leadley, Chaplain to the Lifeboats.
"During the service, the Bishop blessed the
Boathouse, the new Inshore Lifeboat and the
new bronze bust of Henry Freeman, sole survivor
of the 1861 lifeboat disaster," said W Bro
Hurdley.
Whitby is one of the busiest stations in the
country and the most decorated for bravery by
the RNLI, having been awarded five gold, 14
silver and 17 bronze medals.
W Bro Hurdley says he is “proud of the
Brethren and Lodges in our Province who have
contributed so readily to this very worthy charity.”
18
The Duchess of Kent is pictured at the Naming ceremony and also with W Bro Hurdley.
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NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 21
TRAIN TRAVEL IN
THE 19th CENTURY
Freemasons travelling from
the West Riding to London
in earlier Victorian times.
By W Bro John Goodchild, M Univ
IN the April of 1875 a new Grand Master
of the United Grand Lodge of England
was to be Installed: he was the Prince of
Wales, Queen Victoria’s eldest son,
himself to come to the throne in 1901 as
Edward Vll, holding office as Grand
Master until 1901.
To enable large numbers of Brethren
from the West Riding to travel to the
Installation, the Great Northern Railway
Company, which owned the shortest
route between the Leeds area and
London, put on what it described in a
leaflet as “a Special Fast Express” train,
at ordinary fares, the train apparently,
originating as four sets of carriages which
joined up at Wakefield (Westgate)
Station.
The first of these left Bradford at 3pm,
the second Dewsbury at 3.20, stopping
at Batley and Ossett, a third leaving
Leeds at 3.20 and the fourth from
Wakefield Kirgate, where it picked up
passengers travelling the Calder Valley
main line of the Lancashire and Yorkshire
Railway.
The united train left Wakefield
Westgate at 3.45pm and then called at
Doncaster, Grantham and Peterborough.
The time of the train’s arrival at King’s
Cross is not stated, but the ordinary
express at 3.30 from Leeds took 4 hr 40
min to reach London, and a slow train 6
hr and 5 min – times in marked contrast
with today’s.
But in fact the times taken to reach
London from the Leeds area changed
rdaically in Victorian times.
In 1836, the year before the young
Victoria’s accession, the fastest horsedrawn
Royal Mail coaches had taken
some 20 and a half hours to travel from
Wakefield to London, at an average
speed of some 10mph, while other
through coaches averaged seven and
eight mph, taking (via Sheffield) 25 and a
half hours and (via Doncaster) 23 hours.
One could travel too from Leeds by
coach to Castleford – where the
embarkation steps are still to be seen
adjoining the river bridge there – and on
by express passenger boat to Goole,
then by paddle steamer to Hull, and on
by sea to London.
In contrast, the first railway to
connect the West Riding with London,
the Noth Midland from Derby to Leeds,
opened in 1840, provided a (sparse)
service by rail which took from Wakefield
to London between some eight and ten
hours, averaging between 19 and
24mph.
These speeds were soon increased,
and by 1850 the fastest train between
London and Wakefield took seven hours,
averaging some 30mph, but it had only
first and second class accommodation;
the stopping trains, with third class
passenger accommodation too, took 13
hours to London and averaged less than
17mph.
Fares by rail were decreasing too: a
single fare to London had come down
from 52s to 35s.8d for the first class and
from 25s to 16s.9d third, but when a
working man was well paid at £1 a week,
these were still heavy sums.
When the Great Northern Railway
offered an (earlier) excursion to view the
lying in state and funeral of the Duke of
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way to the Installation in 1875 of the new
Grand Master.
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19

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 22
FESTIVAL PLATE
GOES TO JAPAN
W BRO JOHN HOPE, a Past Master of
Hall Cross Lodge No 5744, and his wife
Sue recently visited their son and
daughter-in-law who live in Tokyo.
Their son Tom is a research Doctor
and Lecturer and works for the National
Institute of Advanced Industrial Science
and Technology based in central Tokyo.
His wife Saeko is Japanese and is a full
time Lecturer at Chuo University in
Tokyo.
During their three-week holiday to
Japan they visited with their son and
daughter-in- law the southern islands of
Okinawa, Ishigaki and Taketomi which
are very warm and sub-tropical, being
only a few miles from Taiwan.
They then returned to the main
island of Honshu spending further time
in Tokyo. This was followed by an
excursion north to Nikko, where they
saw magnificent Shrines, surrounded
by snow capped mountains, lakes and
experienced very cold bright weather.
The opportunity to try natural hot
springs and sample traditional
Japanese accommodation was not
missed, although sleeping on the floor
(on tatami rush mats) was not regarded
as comfortable and is not
recommended to those who are not
used to it!
While in Tokyo, W Bro Hope and his
family visited the Grand Lodge of
Japan building which is situated in the
very centre of Tokyo close to Tokyo
Tower. They were given an interesting
and informative two-hour tour of the
building by W Bro Richard Smith, a
Lancastrian and Past Master of Tokyo
Masonic Lodge No 2, who has lived in
Japan for over 20 years. Tokyo Masonic
Lodge meets in the Grand Temple.
W Bro Hope was later invited to a
meeting of the Lodge and he had the
pleasure of presenting a "Festival Plate"
to the Master of Tokyo Masonic Lodge
No 2.
At the Festive Board, W Bro Hope
also presented the Master with a pair of
Provincial cuff links and the two
wardens with Provincial lapel badges.
The details of our charitable fund
raising for the Festival were explained
to the Brethren.
Like many Lodges in foreign lands,
military forces and military men have
carried the light of Freemasonry around
the world for hundreds of years and it
was from the occupying American
forces after the Second World War that
the origins of the Lodge began.
20
On 11 August 1947, Tokyo
American Lodge of Tokyo, Japan was
placed under dispensation by the
Grand Lodge of Connecticut.
After receiving the dispensation, the
first communication of Tokyo American
Lodge UD. was set for 9 October, 1947.
On this important day in the Masonic
history of Japan, more than 150
Brethren assembled at the Joshi Kaikan
building, wearing aprons made from
condemned Japanese parachutes, on
which aprons someone had forgotten to
place strings! The Jewels were made of
scrap aluminum. A total of 102 Brethren
signed the Tyler's Register.
No sooner had World War II ended,
Freemasonry started to return to the
Philippines. By 1949 the Grand Lodge
of the Philippines was well set and
active in chartering lodges in Japan,
which was open territory.
However, in April 1949 the Grand
Lodge of Connecticut decided it would
not charter the Lodge, but had no
objections to the Grand Lodge of the
Philippines doing so. On March 16,
1949, the Grand Master of the
Philippines, along with other Grand
Lodge Officers arrived in Japan.
On this visit to Japan the Grand
Master was asked by the members of
Tokyo American Lodge, UD if it would
be possible for the Grand Lodge of the
Philippines to charter the Lodge.
This request was honoured by the
Grand Master when he placed the
former Tokyo American Lodge under
dispensation with the new name of
Tokyo Masonic Lodge.
On 5 October, 1954, a Degree team
WBro Hope hands over the Festival Plate with the Japanese Brethren looking on
of 13 Masonic Masons, eleven of them
from Tokyo Masonic Lodge, conferred
for the first time ever the First Degree of
Masonry in the Japanese language.
This singular event the Lodge will
cherish forever.
By 1954, Tokyo Masonic Lodge was
well set as a cornerstone of
Freemasonry in Japan.
On March 16, 1957 the Grand Lodge of
Japan was formed and Tokyo Masonic
Lodge took its proper place as Lodge
No 2, by virtue of being the second
oldest Lodge within the new Grand
Lodge.
Since its origins, conceived from
members of the American occupying
forces after the second World War
under the dispensation of the Grand
Lodge of Connecticut in1947, born
under the Grand Lodge of the
Philippines in 1949 and eventually
under the jurisdiction of the Grand
Lodge of Japan in 1957 the
membership of Tokyo Masonic Lodge
No 2 now involves Brethren who are
Japanese nationals.
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NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 23
ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATIONS
DIAMOND WEDDINGS
W Bro Desmond Hurd, Lodge
of Amity No 4148, and his wife,
Alice, celebrated their Diamond
Wedding Anniversary on 30
August 2007
W Bro Geoffrey Pickles, Lodge
of Prince Frederick No 307,
and his wife, Marjorie,
celebrated their Diamond
Wedding Anniversary on 25
October 2007.
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21

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 24
LEGALLY BINDING
CONSECRATION
LEGAL eagles are celebrating the hugely
successful Consecration of Aequitas
Lodge No 9832 at Greenhead Masonic
Hall, Huddersfield on 22 September.
And the newest Lodge in the
Province, whose 37 Founders have a
connection, current or previously, with
the administration of civil or criminal
justice, can reflect on a truly memorable
occasion.
The birth of Aequitas Lodge is the
culmination of a long-held dream by
Spen Valley Masons W Bros Bill
McGolpin and Derek Binns, who were
the driving force behind its creation.
The Consecration of a new Lodge is
a special occasion – Sub Aqua Lodge No
9684 in 1998 and the Rugby Football
Lodge No 9811 in 2005 – are others who
began life in recent years at
Huddersfield’s premier Masonic hall.
And Aequitas Lodge was also special
for the R W Provincial Grand Master,
John K Clayton, who conducted his first
such Consecration ceremony as the
appointed Assistant to the MW Grand
Master, HRH The Duke of Kent.
And he did so with great aplomb and
obvious sincerity as a dignified and most
impressive ceremony unfolded in front of
130 captivated Brethren.
Assistant Provincial Grand Master W
Bro Maurice Bendig opened the Lodge in
the three degrees before the Warrant for
the new Lodge was presented by the
Provincial Grand Secretary, W Bro John
Rushworth.
There followed a delightful and
thought-provoking Oration from the
Deputy Provincial Grand Chaplain, W Bro
The Rev Canon Kenneth J Phillips.
W Bro Phillips outlined what he felt
are the main principles and tenets which
identify Masons as men whose friendship
is to be cherished.
He referred to the Three Great Lights
in Freemasonry and summarised the first
as square conduct.
“In today’s world, both in business
and society, there appears less and less
emphasis on this enormous quality. By
the same token, it is a joy to be with
those whose ‘yea is yea and whose nay
is nay’
“A sense of honesty is something we
desperately need, today and always.
“The next quality might be summed
up ‘To render the circle of your Masonic
duties complete.’
“Friendship is something to be valued
enormously but this also implies
responsibility as well as pleasure and I
22
CONSECRATION OF AEQUITAS LODGE No 9832
at The Masonic Hall, Greenhead Road, Huddersfield on
Saturday, 22 September 2007 by
The R W Provincial Grand Master John Kendall Clayton
assisted by
W Bro Maurice Bendig, PSGD, Assistant Provincial Grand Master with
W Bro Stewart G Carley, PSGD, APGM
W Bro D Stuart Cummins, PSGW
W Bro James S Gray, PJGW
W Bro John Sawdon, PDGDC
W Bro Lloyd Priestley, PDGDC
W Bro John Rushworth, PAGDC
W Bro Paul C Grafton, PAGDC
W Bro David Sunderland
W Bro Canon Kenneth J Philips PAG Chap
W Bro Richard V Clague
W Bro T Malcolm Cruise, PPJGW
W Bro Graham Dawson
W Bro David M Grant, PAGDC
W Bro Donald C Willson, PPJGW
have always found this to be most
rewarding, especially when it is
necessary to go the extra mile.”
In referring to the third great light, the
Volume of the Sacred Law, W Bro Phillips
said he found inspiration, hope and that
divine light by which this life is enriched
beyond measure.
“Do read the Bible – or for other
believers there are other books – don’t let
it be an ornament in black tooled leather:
it is a living thing; let it live in our lives!”
W Bro Phillips concluded: “Let us
remind ourselves that Freemasonry is
serious, yes; it has many great and
valuable lessons to teach, but it is always
and above all, to be enjoyed!”
Robust singing by the Brethren to the
delightful accompaniment of Provincial
Grand Organist W Bro T Malcolm Cruise
punctuated the stunning Consecration
itself as R W Bro Clayton scattered Corn,
the symbol of Plenty and Abundance
around the Lodge Board.
He then poured Wine, the symbol of
Joy and Cheerfulness and Oil, the symbol
of Peace and Unanimity, before the 37
Founders who were arranged around the
Lodge Board.
as Immediate Past Master
as Senior Warden
as Junior Warden
as Senior Deacon
as Junior Deacon
Provincial Grand Secretary
Provincial Grand D of C
Provincial Grand Sword Bearer
Provincial Deputy Grand Chaplain
Provincial Asst Grand Supt of Works
Provincial Grand Organist
Provincial Grand Standard Bearer
as Provincial Grand Pursuivant
Provincial Grand Tyler
RWBro Clayton pictured with new Master W Bro McGolpin and his Wardens, left, W Bro Binns
and W Bro Lenton
On the fourth Circuit, the
Consecrating Officer sprinkled Salt, the
symbol of Friendship and Fidelity.
R W Bro Clayton led the Dedication.
“To God and to His service, we
dedicate this Lodge, also to the memory
of the Royal Solomon, under whose
auspices many of our Masonic mysteries
had their origin.”
The Consecrating Officer then
formally Constituted Aequitas Lodge No
9832 on the Register of the Grand Lodge
of England.
THE ceremony of Installation of the
Master Designate, W Bro William
Gillespie Brownlee McGolpin, was
conducted by Assistant Provincial Grand
Master W Bro Stewart G Carley and was
a model of warmth and sincerity.
R W Bro Clayton presented the
Warrant, Book of Constitutions and the
newly approved By-Laws of Provincial
Grand Lodge and, to the delight and
sustained acclamation of everyone
present, he promoted W Bro McGolpin to
the rank of Past Provincial Senior Grand
Warden.

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 25
W Bro McGolpin took great pleasure
in presenting a cheque for £1,000 to R W
Bro Clayton for the Provincial Grand
Master’s Fund.
The R W Provincial Grand Master
presented a Founders’ Jewel to those
present and he was pleased to accept
one himself from W Bro McGolpin in
recognition of the day’s proceedings.
W Bro McGolpin invested his great
friend W Bro Derek Binns as Senior
Warden and W Bro Heorl R Lenton as
Junior Warden, previous to which W Bro
John Briggs was Invested as Immediate
Past Master.
Delightful and sympathetic
Addresses were delivered to the Master
by W Bro Maurice Bendig, to the
Wardens by W Bro D Stuart Cummins,
Provincial Senior Grand Warden, and to
the Brethren by W Bro James S Gray,
Provincial Junior Grand Warden.
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milestones, which include:
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work as a criminal law clerk for eight
years with a Wakefield firm of solicitors.
In Craft Masonry, W Bro McGolpin is
a Past Master of Amphibious Lodge No
258 and Spen Vale Lodge No 4515 and
also a member of Lodge of Harmony No
275. He is a past First Principal of
Amphibious Chapter No 258 and holds
Provincial Grand Chapter Rank.
As a Knight Templar, Eminent Knight
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Tel: 0114 244 6357 0798 505 1948
member of the Gladius Libertatis Knight
Templar Preceptory No 8 in Spain, was
Installed as the Most Eminent and
Supreme Grand Master “Gran Maestro”
at a meeting of Grand Priory in
Barcelona.
At the Festive Board, R W Bro
Clayton, Provincial Grand Master, praised
the dedication and persistence of the
prime movers in the formation of the new
Lodge, W Bros W G B McGolpin and
Derek Binns and said that some early
misgivings had been addressed and that
Aequitas Lodge would always receive his
full support.
• The newly Consecrated Lodge will in
future meet at the Masonic Hall, Whitcliffe
Road, Cleckheaton four times a year on
Saturday mornings.
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23

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 26
Charity that knows no bounds . .
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
HELPS YOUNGSTERS
WOODLAND primary School is in a socially deprived and densely
populated area of Leeds where the majority of children are from
homes on income support and many are from single parent
families.
Jenny Goodall, a committed and gifted teacher at the
school approached Provincial Grand Lodge asking for funding
to replace vital equipment for Reception Class children.
A £600 grant was arranged and this was matched by the
Lodge of the Morning Star No 5428, who sponsored the
application.
Miss Goodall is pictured receiving cheques totalling £1,200
from W Bro Peter Dunn, Master, and as a result two large
tricycles, essential role play and small world equipment has
been purchased.
There was a massive and unexpected bonus for the school
when a member of the Lodge was so impressed with their
efforts that when he contacted a Leeds-based Trust they
provided a grant of £6000 to fund a garden project.
An excellent example of Masons working in the community.
VILLAGE TODDLERS
RECEIVE NEW TOYS
CHILDREN in a village community at Halifax have benefited
from a donation to Lee Mount Baptist Church at the
instigation of W Bro Peter Hargreaves, Master of Rokeby
Lodge No 6301 and the Brethren.
A cheque for £750 from the PGM’s Fund has been used
to replace old and broken toys at the parent and toddler
group, which meets at the church each week. The remainder
will be used to re-decorate the crèche, which is utilised by
parents with children who attend community education and
training courses there.
Picture shows some of the children watching the cheque
presentation to Mrs Julie Waddington by W Bro Brian
Oldroyd, charity representative, and W Bro Hargreaves.
Assistant church secretary Mrs Gillian Bolton is also
pictured.
24
TRANSPORT OF DELIGHT
MEMBERS of Tectonic Lodge No 9407, meeting at Ripon,
have supported the fund-raising efforts of 25-year-old Gavin
Potter, who suffers from cerebral palsy.
Gavin, committed to independence and living life to the full,
wanted to buy a special lightweight wheelchair at a cost of
£2500 and his determination to raise the funds promoted
several local organisations to lend their support.
Tectonic joined forces with them and Gavin, now in an
assisted living unit, enjoys a much greater degree of
independence and freedom with the help of his new transport.
Gavin is pictured with his father, Peter, and W Bro J Gordon
Renton, Tectonic Master and Lodge charity representative Bro
Peter Guest.

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 27
. . across the Province . . .
W Bro David R Smith, right, presents the cheque to Mr Peter Ward from the charity
WHEELCHAIR SUPPORT
A DISABLED group in Aireborough has received a £500 cash
boost provided by Royal Wharfedale Lodge No 1108 through the
PGM’s Fund.
Aireborough Voluntary Services to the Elderly with Disabilities
HELPING YOUNG READERS
A CHARITY which provides personalised reading support for children
aged between six and 11 has been supported by Brethren of Corinthian
Lodge No 3600 and the Provincial Grand Master’s Fund.
Our picture shows the handover of a £500 cheque to Yvonne
Sinclair, Volunteer Services manager for West Yorkshire. From left Helen
Wright, Joan Simpson, Yvonne Sinclair, W Bro Mike Ryan and Sally
Williams.
Volunteer Reading Help is a national charity formed in 1973 which
helps with the training, placing and support for volunteers who operate
in over 1000 schools, supporting 7000 children every year.
Helpers visit a school twice a week, spending time with three children
who are expected to benefit from additional support. A child may be
struggling with reading, lack language skills or have little confidence.
Some 98% of children helped in this way show an improvement in
overall achievement and self-confidence.
The West Yorkshire branch of VRH is now dealing with an increased
demand for its services and the reading resources library is slowly being
depleted.
THREE PEAKS INITIATIVE
MEDICAL treatment for orphans in Rwanda has been
provided by Brethren of the Pudsey Lodges, St Laurence
No 2330, Perseverance No 3197, Thoresby No 4920 and
Benevolence No 5612.
For when W Bro David R Smith (Benevolence),
successfully embarked on the Yorkshire Three Peaks
Walk, taking in Penyghent, Whernside and Ingleborough,
in which he completed the 25 miles and 5000 ft ascent in
11hr 11min, he was sponsored for £610 by his fellow
Pudsey Brethren.
The Kibogora Initiative, a Preston-based charity which
supports the Rwanda orphans, were delighted to receive
the support which W Bro Smith’s efforts had earned.
which meets at St John’s Church Centre, Yeadon will use the
money to purchase a KARMA wheelchair, a lightweight,
easily handled machine able to accommodate people up to
18st and suitable for transporting in a mini bus and on
personal shopping trips.
Wharfedale’s Master, W Bro Chris Melville, presented the
money to Mrs Moreen Holt, of the charity.
SUPPORT FOR SCOUT GROUP
THE 58th Doncaster (Bessacarr) Scout Group received help towards
new tents and transport costs for their annual camp.
Don Valley Lodge No 3890 petitioned the PGM’s Fund at the
request of W Bro Arthur Begg and £570 was presented to Mrs Ann
Croaker, Akela of the 58th Group.
The Group, which is also working hard to raise funds for a new
meeting hall after their previous one was destroyed by fire, was
delighted to receive the support and Mrs Croaker, the third member
of her family to be appointed Akela, is pictured with members and W
Bro Begg, right, and W Bro Stuart Grantham, the Lodge’s Charity
Steward.
25

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 28
FARM TRUST
BENEFITS
THE Whirlow Farm Trust in
Sheffield has been able to
purchase a tractor with help
from the PGM’s Fund and
Concordia Lodge No 4480.
Pictured at the £500
cheque handover are, from
left, Mr Peter Hill, retired farm
manager, W Bro Michael J
Fieldsend, Lodge Almoner,
W Bro Ron Clarke, making
the presentation, W Bro
Peter Couldwell, and Bridget
Evans, representing the
Farm Trust.
Concordia were also
pleased to be involved in the
presentation of £1000 to the
Stradbroke Primary School,
Sheffield for the benefit of
special needs children there.
The children were
instrumental in producing a
collage for the Festival of
Light celebration at Tapton
Hall early this year.
Teacher Mrs Marie
Minihan is seen receiving the
cheque from W Bro
Fieldsend.
26
DRIVING FORCE
A NEW mini bus for the Bingley Voluntary Action
Group has been part-funded by Priory Lodge No
4671 through the PGM’s Fund.
W Bro Christian Johnson, Master, is seen
handing a £1,000 cheque to Mr John Seed,
community transport co-ordinator of the Group,
watched by charity steward W Bro Jack Mawson.
The Freemasons’ cheque was the final
contribution to a fund to raise money to replace
the Group’s original mini-bus, which had served
the community for 11 years.

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 29
SOCCER CHIEFS SUPPORT
FOR DEAF STUDENTS
THE Football Association teamed up with the Provincial Grand
Master’s Fund and Doncaster Rovers Football Club to help students
of Doncaster College for the Deaf.
W Bro Stuart Highfield, of Stonegate Lodge No 6118, is
managing director of the football club and successfully applied for
funding from the FA Charity Shield.
He received £1666.66 and this was matched by the PGM’s Fund
at the request of Hall Cross Lodge No 5744 whose member, W Bro
John Hope, is vice-chairman of the trustees for Doncaster Deaf
Trust.
The money has been used to support the College football team,
winners of the FA National Futsal Cup in 2005 and England
representatives in a mainstream UEFA tournament, which was a
first for disabled footballers.
Many of the 200 students are profoundly deaf and the College
provides vocational and educational training for them at the
Doncaster campus.
• College Principal Alan Robinson and Jon Smith, head of Sport,
are pictured with members of the team receiving cheques from W
Bro Highfield and W Bro Peter Brindley, with W Bro Hope looking
on at Doncaster’s new Keepmoat Stadium.
27

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 30
FLOWER POWER
BEGONIA SPECIES &
HYBRIDS
A look into the vast world of
these fascinating plants
BEGONIAS – where do they come from?
If you draw two lines around the earth
between the 'Tropic of Cancer' and
'Tropic of Capricorn' in between those
lines you will find a natural habitat of
begonias.
There is every type of growing habit
you can think of. Within this band there
are many mini-climates: Rain forests,
cloud forests, mountain peaks, high
plateaus, deep valleys, wide valleys,
plains, and coastal beaches.
Temperatures in these areas go from
steamy heat to below freezing, and
humidity varies, too.
Begonias are found in almost all
climates, mostly but not exclusively, near
water.
There is a begonia to suit all types of
conditions and growing skills.
Spray against powder mildew as a
prevention once a fortnight.
Begonias do not like:
Stagnant air - Draughts - Leaf shine
Dry air - Water logging - Dense soil
Dark position in winter - Direct sunlight
Too much fertiliser - Cold feet
These are two greenhouses in W Bro
Terry Tasker's Greenhouses at
Southport.
He is a Past Master of Victoria Lodge
No 2360 and holds the National
collection of these non-tuberous
begonias.
28
Propagation of Rex
Begonias is achieved by the
wedge method
Small "V" shaped cuttings by cutting
into a leaf are stood end upwards in Coir
or Soilless compost. They soon root at
the veins in the leaves with clusters of
shoots appearing in through the compost
and it is then that they should be potted
up into a 3" pot.
Cuttings of Cane begonias can be
placed around the side of the pot and left
to root and grow until pot bound.
Place cuttings in the propagator set at
70˚F bottom heat. Keep moist.
The following are some of the W Bro
Tasker's Collection.
Begonia – Carolina Moon
Begonia – Shaun Henthorn
Begonia Mrs Hashimoto
Flowers all summer long
Begonia – Mrs T
Begonia Persian Brocade.
Terry Tasker's address is:
terry@shirleyplants.fsnt.co.uk
6,Sandhey's Drive,
Churchtown, Southport, PR9 9PQ.
Derek L Telford
The Huddersfield Lodge No 290
Email: Derekl.telford@googlemail.com
National Begonia Society
Web Site:
www.national-begonia-society.co.uk

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 31
RYAN GIVEN A
DREAM HOLIDAY
PUDSEY Freemasons combined to help
provide a dream holiday for a youngster
who suffers from muscular dystrophy,
which confines him to a wheelchair.
Fourteen-year-old Ryan is the
grandson of W Bro Bob Alexander,
Master of Thorsby Lodge No 4920, and
faced an operation which would further
reduce his mobility, making it difficult to
travel abroad.
Bro Stephen Schofield, Lodge of
Benevolence No 5612, heard, quite by
chance, of Ryan’s dearest wish to visit
Disneyland and, together with W Bro
Michael Schofield, W Bro Steven Sheard,
Master of Goderich Lodge No 1211, and
W Bro Robert Groves decided to support
W Bro Alexander and his wife, Sue, in
their fund-raising efforts on Ryan’s behalf.
A Race Night was held at Pudsey
Masonic Hall; Mrs Sue Schofield
embarked on a sponsored skydive which
raised over £700; and further donations
from the Pudsey family of Lodges
enabled a cheque for £4695 to be
presented to W Bro Alexander.
Ultimately over £5000 was raised and
Ryan and his grandparents were able to
go to Disneyland for an unforgettable
experience.
Our pictures show Ryan (and friend!)
enjoying the delights of Disneyland; Mrs
Sue Schofield on her sponsored skydive
and Masters of the various Pudsey
Lodges presenting the cheque to W Bro
Alexander.
SUPPORT FOR
YOUNG CRICKETERS
MEMBERS of Lightcliffe Lodge No 3332
have done their bit to support Yorkshire
County Cricket Club.
Charity representative W Bro Bert
Barrands was pleased to hand over a
£500 cheque from the PGM’s Fund in
support of the John Featherstone
Memorial bookstall at Headingley
The grant has helped purchase new
containers for the book display and
storage. The bookstall has raised over
£52,000 since its formation in support of
young county cricketers.
Anyone who wishes to donate cricket
books should contact Vivien Stone on
0113 2590835.
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29

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 32
THANK YOU FOR
YOUR HOSPITALITY
FOR many years Freemasons in the Orders of Mark, Knights
Templar and Rose Croix held annual services at the Church of St
John the Evangelist at Greengates, Bradford, during the ministry of
the Vicar, W Bro The Rev Terry Collin, until his retirement in 2004.
The church hall plays a prominent role in the local community,
with no fewer than 15 organisations, ranging from Jolly Tots to a
karate club using its facilities.
And when the opportunity arose for Freemasons to repay the
church’s hospitality, they handed over a £500 cheque from the
PGM’s Fund to help with the cost of roof repairs and a replacement
central heating boiler.
W Bro John Howe, Master of the Lodge of Benevolence No
5612, is seen presenting the cheque to the Rev David Johnson and
Robert Johnson, with Bro Billy Light also pictured.
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
LODGE of Fidelity No 289 has helped the Simon
community in Leeds by providing £500 from the
PGM’s fund.
W Bro Edwin Franckel, Master, is seen
presenting the cheque to Mr Clive Sandal,
representing the Charity which supports those
sleeping rough in the City. W Bro Jim Reddyhoff is
also pictured.
30
SUPPORT HITS RIGHT NOTE
DEWSBURY Freemasons have been busy both socially and in fund-raising
for worthy causes.
Brethren of St John’s Lodge No 827 supported three charities to the
tune of £1500.
Kirklees Youth Symphony Orchestra received £500 towards a tour and
performance in the Czech Republic and Reuben and Friends, a charity
which researches pure red cell aplasia, also received £500. This was
specifically in support of sufferer Reuben Grainger-Mead, of Gomersal.
And the local branch of the Lupus Trust, which funds research into the
auto-immune disease, benefited from the remaining £500.
St John’s secretary W Bro Alan Winder also reports on a highly
successful visit by Brethren and their partners to the Duke of Normandy
Lodge No 245 in St Helier, Jersey.
"Our visit included a guided tour of the Masonic Temple, with its
superb museum, attendance at a Lodge meeting while the ladies were
entertained to dinner at a local restaurant and also the Lodge’s Ladies
Mid-Summer Ball.
"This was a first class weekend and one which we hope will be
repeated and, of course, we hope that some of the Jersey Brethren will
pay us a return visit."
WHEN YOU CAN’T SEE THE WOOD
FOR THE TREES
Sound and Sympathetic help from
Finn Gledhill
Solicitors
Halifax and Hebden Bridge
Your Contacts: David Lee (Notary Public) Marc Gledhill
Tel: 01422 330000 and 842451

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 33
CHEERLEADERS CHEER EFF
THE Lodge of Eccleshill, Faith & Fraternity No 1034 made
a successful application to the Provincial Grand Master's
Fund which enabled the Lodge to assist a group of young
cheerleaders and gymnasts.
NRG Extreme is a group of young girls and boys based
in Bramley, Leeds who excel in the difficult world of
exhibition and competitive gymnastics. Finance is an
ongoing problem for the group and when their existing
Flexiroll matting became worn and dangerous with age,
replacement costs were a real problem.
Lynda Stanbridge, the daughter of the late W Bro Geoff
Brook, is one of the supporting parents of the group and
she made an approach to the Lodge in an effort to find a
way of raising funds for the purchase of new matting which
is essential during practice for the safety of the children.
Lynda and the group leaders were absolutely delighted
when informed by the Lodge Charity Representative, W Bro
Donald Worsnop, that the petition submitted by the Lodge
for £600 had met with success.
The new matting will help NRG Extreme to maintain
their high standards and continued success in
competitions.
The 40-strong group has won many local and national
competitions including two first places at the National
Championships held in Brighton and excitingly the group
has been invited to submit a team to the World
Championships to be held in Florida.
At the presentation of the cheque in September, W Bro
Worsnop was accompanied by the Lodge Master, W Bro
Paul Cook and by the secretary, W Bro Paul Hornby.
The cheque was gratefully received by the
granddaughters of the late W Bro Brook, Bethany and
Megan, giving a great poignancy to the occasion.
Mrs Stanbridge commented that the whole group,
management, parents and children were truly grateful for
the financial support and that her late father would have
been proud that the Lodge was able to provide the help
that was requested.
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W Bro Donald Worsnop gives a short address to members of NRG Extreme before
making the presentation. Donald rarely commands this level of attention from his
fellow Lodge members!
Bethany and Megan Stanbridge, granddaughters of the late W Bro Geoff Brook,
receiving a cheque for £600 from W Bro Donald Worsnop, Lodge charity
representative, accompanied by the Master, W Bro Paul Cook and W Bro Paul Hornby.
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31

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 34
CHILDREN’S
HOSPICE
GATHERS
MOMENTUM
MEMBERS of the Masters Assembly
covering the 19 Lodges in the
Huddersfield and District have been
active in their support for a charity
seeking to build a children’s hospice in
the town.
And at a Ladies After Lodge at
Cambodunum Lodge No 3953, attended
by around 90 Brethren and their partners,
cheques totalling over £4000 were
presented to Mandy Barwick, chief fundraiser
for the West Yorkshire Forget-Me
Not Trust Ltd.
Cambodunum Master W Bro Howard
Habron explained the breakdown of
cheques:
One for £1500 was the proceeds of a
sponsored skydive by two ladies from
Lodge of Peace No 149.
Another for £1500 was from the
Masters Assembly and £1000 was
presented by Concord Lodge No 4126,
also £200 from Cambodunum Lodge,
together with the £200 proceeds from
the Festive Board raffle.
Pam Luty, 52, wife of Lodge of Peace
Master, Andrew Luty, and Lesley Senior,
50, wife of Inner Guard Bro Paul Senior,
were the two daredevils who did a
tandem jump from 15,000 ft to raise their
staggering four-figure total.
The trust has received planning
permission to build a specialist children’s
respite centre at Bracken Hall which will
32
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serve the Huddersfield and Halifax area
and so it’s all systems go in the target of
raising some £3m for the project dream
to become reality.
Mandy, who outlined the trust’s aims
in issue 34 of White Rose Masonic News,
says she is "thrilled" at the support from
Freemasons in Huddersfield and the
surrounding areas.
Earlier this year Colne Valley Lodge
No 1645 handed over a cheque for £500
and Norman Mellor, a Past Master at
Colne Valley, and a prominent bass
singer, has so far raised over £5000 from
the sale of a CD on behalf of the trust.
Thornhill Lodge No 1514, which
shares the same Lindley Masonic Hall as
Cambodunum and Concord lodges,
handed over £200 in May and more
presentations were expected at a Civic
lunch for Freemasons and their partners
hosted by mayor of Kirklees Clr Jean
Calvert at Hudderfsfield Town Hall on 30
October.
W Bro Raymond Lodge, chairman of
Area Two for West Riding Masonic
Charities Ltd, said he thought the idea of
furthering charitable aims and supporting
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NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 35
PREPARING THE
CANDIDATE FOR
INITIATION
FOR most of us the preparation of a
Candidate for his entry into a Lodge is
something that we have either completely
forgotten since it happened to us or have
begun to take for granted that it requires a
real effort of memory to recall just what was
involved.
Whilst that may often not be a matter of
great importance because we have an
efficient Tyler or a Past Master who
supervises the preparation admirably there is
still one aspect of this important part of our
practice that ought to matter to us.
I mean the understanding of why this
preparation was done in the first place and
why it is done in this particular manner. When
we tackle this subject we shall find not only
that we will better recall what has to be done
but be able to explain it to anyone who still
has questions about it.
After all, if the preparation is important
we ought to be able to explain why it takes
place and in this manner whilst if it is not
important then we ought not to be doing it
anyway.
So let us look at the six points that make
up a true preparation of a candidate for
Freemasonry on the occasion of his Initiation.
They are :
1 His being deprived of all metal objects;
2 The re-arrangement of all his clothing;
3 The provision of a sandal or slipper;
4 His being blindfold;
5 Having a cable-tow placed round his
neck;
6 His encounter with a sharp instrument.
We shall consider each of these actions
in turn, looking at both the origin of their
adoption and also the purpose which they
currently serve in teaching a Mason about
the Society that he is now about to join.
• Making sure that the candidate has neither
metal nor valuable items on his person.
This is one item of his preparation about
which mention will be made in the ceremony
that follows and hence it may seem to need
less explanation than the others. What is
behind it, however, can only be fully
appreciated when we recognise the situation
in which this practice first appeared in
Freemasonry.
It was in the days a Mason's Guild
Lodge when the Candidates were those
who were not ordinary working men but
Freemen of a city or borough and who
qualified as Fellows of some trade. They
were, because of that very status in society,
men who already had the means to run a
business, could employ apprentices and
qualify for the offices of government in the
local community.
We are not with men in the setting of a
working Lodge on a building site but in a
finely furnished room of a guildhall or betterclass
inn.
These men come in some in their best
clothing expecting to be admitted to what
they are sure is the company of their equals,
who are also the established tradesfolk of
the locality.
They already know that to join this
company is a not inexpensive business and
they are prepared and able to pay their dues.
They have, therefore, to learn an early lesson.
Entry to Freemasonry is not something
you can buy. If you are to be admitted to this
Fraternity the most important asset is
yourself and not your bank balance, your
jewellery or your gold watch.
It is therefore essential that on your initial
entry to a Lodge you should be seen to be
‘without your normal possessions’ and
relying on your own character, as a man ‘of
good report.’ for your acceptance.
There is something else. Just as you
cannot buy your way into this company
neither can you force your way into it.
If you were accustomed to wear a sword
or carry a dagger, as a gentleman might by
the latter 17th century, then this too has to
be removed so that you will not be tempted
to rely on that part of your normal attire to
assist your entry.
It is when we consider this background
to our practice that we fully appreciate the
words at the North-east corner, “to evince to
the Brethren that you had neither metal nor
valuable substance about you for if you had
the ceremony of your Initiation thus far must
have been repeated.”
We can now see why, because any
variation in this requirement casts doubt over
the attitude with which a candidate has
entered our midst.
In considering the re-arrangement of an
applicant's clothing we touch, of course, on
what is generally regarded as the most
unusual, as well as the most distinctive,
aspect of becoming a Freemason.
The outside world may see fit to use this
part of our preparation as a ground for
trivialising our whole involvement and there
may well be moments when we ourselves
pause to wonder whether such a procedure
is really necessary.
Indeed, unless we again appreciate
what is behind such a requirement as having
an open shirt, a bared knee and a cord to
retain our trousers if a metal belt or braces
are denied, we might well think that this is a
requirement too far.
Whilst of course, most outsiders do not
have the benefit of knowing what happens
By noted Masonic historian V W Bro The Rev Neville Barker Cryer
MA, PG Chaplain, a former Prestonian Lecturer.
with a bared breast and a bared knee the
origin of how we come, somewhat
dishevelled, to the door of our Lodge room is
much more important.
What we are being asked to
represent here is a working Mason of the
late Middle ages.
He came to work with an open shirt,
knee breeches and a cord around his waist
and it is that impression which the Candidate
is now to offer.
May I remind you that when in what were
now ex-Guild Lodges, Candidates who had
not been apprentices in the stonemasons'
trade presented themselves the working
Masons present required, that the least that
the candidate could do was to come in the
age-old manner of working mason
apprentices.
It is this that we are now to reproduce
and whereas in the first accepted Lodges
there was only one ceremony and one
obligation the candidates then came with
both knees bare, showing the real condition
of his dress.
It was only later that the idea of dividing
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33

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 36
up the ceremonies led to one leg exposed in
the Apprentice and the other in the
Fellowcraft. If we are ever challenged in future
about the way in which we entered
Freemasonry a short history lesson may be in
order.
• Yes, but why, if what you have just said is
true, do we have this next preparation of a
slipper on one foot?
Surely that has nothing to do with the
way in which working Masons were
dressed?
No, it hasn't. This practice was begun in
the days when there was a Lodge attached
to the Mason's trade guild. This was from the
time of Queen Elizabeth I when what we call
'symbolic ritual' was beginning to be created.
All this early ritual was based on stories
and events taken from the Bible which, let us
remember, was now translated into what
was then modern English and was much
more available for families, schools and
individuals to read.
The story from which this incident of the
slipper comes in the Book of Ruth at which,
by the way, was also the portion of the Bible
at which it was eventually opened when a
Lodge met later in the Apprentice degree.
It was also the book that spoke about
Boaz which was again appropriate as the
eventual password for the First Degree.
The story goes that when Boaz wanted
to make Ruth part of his family he made his
way to the gate of the town where the heads
of the families met.
There he took off one of his slippers and
handed it to the head of the family of Naomi
in which Ruth had become a member.
When the head of the family accepted
the slipper it meant that he approved of the
person named leaving his family and joining
that of the person whose slipper it was.
So Ruth became the wife of Boaz, or
probably one of his wives. A slipper given
was the sign of joining another family. That is
what is now to happen to the Candidate. The
Lodge hands over a slipper and the
Candidate by accepting it agrees to become
the member of this new family of the Lodge.
The slipper also means something else
as some early rituals show.
The question was once asked, "What is
that which you are wearing?" The answer
was, "An old shoe of my mother's" and the
meaning of that exchange was that the
candidate was recognising that from the start
of his Masonic career he was indebted to his
new Mother Lodge for something needed in
his Initiation.
He is at once reminded of the bond that
is being formed between him and his new
Masonic family. You can now see that what
we do by way of preparation is not just playing
at games or haphazard.
It all has a meaning but unless we
understand that meaning it may seem pure
foolishness. That is why people outside
Masonry are so puzzled at grown men doing
such things.
• The reason why the Candidate is
34
hoodwinked or blindfolded follows very
naturally from what has just been explained.
It is true that some explain the blindfold as
being necessary so that the Candidate should
not see the interior of a Lodge or the
members gathered there before he has
committed himself by an obligation to
confidentiality.
That may have been one of the original
reasons though nowadays, when possible
Candiates are invited to Ladies Evenings or to
meetings with the Lodge members and ladies
present for a lecture that is hardly a good
enough reason for the continuing practice.
The main reason for a blindfold is so that
from the very outset we can both test and
create the Candidate's full reliance and trust in
those whom he cannot see and almost
certainly cannot know.
The Candidate is asked at the very start of
his journey into the Lodge in whom he puts
his trust. The answer expected, and which
this author believes should be able to be given
freely and without prompting, is 'In God'. Yet
we cannot see God and our very trust is
therefore being tested.
In exactly the same way the Master tells
him that he may with confidence follow his
leader, whom he cannot see, and nothing will
happen that he need be afraid of.
This is the first step in becoming a trusting
member of the very same Lodge that has
given him his slipper. Even before many words
are spoken we are teaching our Candidate
the lesson of what being a Brother really
means.
• He also has a cabletow placed around his
neck. Here we may feel a little more certain as
to what this is meant to teach. After all there
will be a moment before long when the
Master explains that such an item round his
neck 'would have rendered any attempt at
retreat equally fatal'.
Yes, it is true that the cord around his neck
does link up with the old type of penalty which
is not now administered but only explained.
What interests me is that it is not called a
rope, a cord or a halter. It is called a 'cabletow'
which is a maritime term and seems so out of
place in a society which derives from men
who built structures on land.
Medieval Masons used ropes and cords
and halters for their cart animals so why
should we now have a 'cabletow' put round
the neck of an Apprentice Freemason?
The answer is very significant. It connects
with the same reasoning behind the use of
'doves' on the top of most Deacons’ wands.
What we see here is a very ancient
connection with the Bible story of Noah and
the Ark. Without going into great detail here
we should know that ancient Freemasons
were called ‘the sons of Noah’ because all
the knowledge acquired by Adam was
supposed to have been kept in the Ark when
the Flood came and so those who were able
to receive the ancient knowledge were the
sons of Noah after the flood subsided.
The idea of the Ark as the ship that
carried all those who obeyed and trusted
God to safety was strongly believed in the
middle ages. That is why the main part of the
church buildings that masons constructed
was called a 'nave, which comes from the
Latin word for a ship.
Moses too created an Ark to contain the
things that brought Israelites from Egypt in
safety and that Ark at last was placed in King
Solomon's temple.
Perhaps you can now see the
connection with us as Freemasons. The idea
of Noah as the father of knowledge and trust
in God continued. That is why we have a
cabletow from his Ark and why, also, the old
form of the penalty spoke of being buried in
the sands of the sea a cabletow's length from
the shore.
The cabletow round the new Mason's
neck is to teach him that he is setting out on
a journey into the unknown as Noah did and
if he should fail then he will be lost at sea.
The doves of Noah on the Deacons’
wands are meant to be messengers of hope
to the members of a Mason’s Lodge.
• As he enters the Lodge room for the first
time the Candidate is gently prodded with the
point of a sharp object.
This is part of another ancient practice
which required that any candidate for the
trade of a Mason had to have all his faculties.
To test these we still ask whether the
canidate can see anything. We test his
hearing by asking a question and making
knocks. We know he can walk because he is
asked to follow his leader and we know he
can feel beause we now touch his flesh.
In older days, as in some Scottish
Lodges still, he would have smelt incense on
the central pedestal.
Thus is his preparation complete. He is a
'fit and proper person' to be admitted into a
Lodge of brother Masons whom he can trust
and who trust him.
The practices we follow are not
meaningless and odd. They are ancient and
significant. Let us keep them but let us also
explain them.
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NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 37
RARE EVENT
A TRULY rare event took place at the
home of W Bro Eric Buckman, Senior
Past Master of Cockburn Lodge No
5362, when owing to his ailing health he
was presented with a 60-year certificate
there.
The Master, W Bro M Mills, W Bro J R
Atkinson, W Bro R W Mitchell and W Bro
W H Todd, secretary, all descended upon
W Bro Buckman’s home armed with the
certificate, a bottle of champagne and
flowers.
W Bro Buckman was, in fact, presented
with two 60-year certificates for his
continuous service to Freemasonry.
It was also a special occasion for W Bro
Atkinson as Eric had proposed him for
Freemasonry back in 1965.
W Bro Buckman was Initiated into Deo
Fidelis Lodge in Brighton in 1947. Then,
owing to business commitments he moved
to Leeds and joined Cockburn Lodge in
1958, became Master in 1975 and acted
as Director of Ceremonies and Treasurer for
a number of years. He was appointed
PPGD in 1985 and promoted to PPGReg in
1994.
He received his 50-year Certificate in
1997 from the Provincial Grand Master and
has now attained his 60th, which will be
proudly displayed on the wall – with a
space for the next one!
W Bro Buckman has been a loyal and
dedicated Mason, always showing keen
interest in the Lodge and his advice and
encouragement, especially to the younger
brethren, have been instrumental in
creating happiness and harmony within his
Lodge. And despite his infirmity he
maintains a keen interest both in Cockburn
and his Mother Lodge.
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NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 38
MINI BUS HELPS
BEAT THE WEATHER
THE annual Connaught Court garden
fete at Fulford, York was a real cause for
celebration this year despite atrocious
weather forcing the big gala event
indoors.
Heavy rainfall leading up to the big
day threatened a real dampener on
proceedings but the months of planning
were not wasted as staff and residents
switched the entertainment and fundraising
inside.
And everyone was able to celebrate
and acknowledge the work of the Friends
of Connaught Court who saw the
culmination of concerted effort bring its
just reward as they presented a new mini
bus to the home.
The thrill of the residents – who are
aged Freemasons, their wives or widows
– their comments of appreciation and an
eagerness to sit and identify their future
seating position was all that was needed
to acknowledge the time and effort given
by committee members of the Friends.
Lodges and Chapters in the
Provinces of Yorkshire, West Riding,
North and East Ridings and Lincolnshire
played their part by the £1 donations to
the fliers for the annual fete so that many
Brethren can identify with the raising of
£40,000 to complete the mini bus
purchase.
This year’s event, which raised some
£2,400, was officially opened by R W Bro
G Walkerley-Smith, Provincial Grand
Master for Lincolnshire, while the mini
36
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Journey begins . . . the mini bus provided by Friends of Connaught Court, pictured outside Tapton
Masonic Hall, Sheffield before it was taken to the Home at Fulford, York
bus was officially handed over to Mr
Peter Gray, chief executive of the Royal
Masonic Benevolent Institute which is
responsible for running the home, by W
Bro Stuart McDonald on behalf of the
Friends.
The Friends will continue to help
provide "sweets and treats" which have
included the purchase of a widescreen
TV, Video Player and payments for
organists, clergy, Christmas gifts and
other niceties which so many of us take
for granted. They will be grateful for
everyone’s support.
• Editor’s note:
Connaught Court is the largest
residential home in the country run by the
RMBI, providing care rooms and respite
facilities within the adjacent Fred
Crosland House.
It was officially opened in September,
1971 by HRH The Duchess of Kent, the
culmination of a cherished ambition by
members of the Yorkshire West Riding
Charity Executive, led by its then
chairman and subsequent Provincial
Grand Master R W Bro Fred Crosland
and the Province’s Grand Secretary, W
Bro Kenneth Hirst.
W Bro Norman H Fowler, who himself
was to become Provincial Grand Master,
was the architect and he was able to
match his great professional skills with
those of a deep and abiding interest in
Masonic charities.

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 39
SURPRISE £10,000
BEQUEST FOR HOME
THE Connaught Court retirement home at Fulford near
York is the beneficiary of a surprise bequest by the widow
of a former member of the Lodge of Charity No 4105.
When Mrs Nellie Gill, a resident at the home and
widow of the late Bro Francis Cawthra Gill, passed away
earlier this year she generously bequeathed £10,000 to
the Lodge, which presented the legacy to Mrs Margaret
Cade, house manager at Connaught Court.
Bro Francis Gill met his wife Nellie at a social function
at the Lodge of Charity and she created a fund in his
memory to provide flowers at the Installation each
October.
Picture shows Lodge of Charity Master W Bro Alan
Miller, centre, and Almoner W Bro Michael Woodward,
making the presentation to Mrs Cade.
• Two residents at the home, Miss Christine Elam and Mrs
Bessie Slater, celebrated their 100th birthdays during
September and accepted the congratulations and best
wishes of all their friends at Connaught Court.
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THE BROKEN COLUMN
W Bro Ian P Booth, of the Rugby Football Lodge
No 9811, explains . . .
AMONG the various items of equipment of a Masonic Lodge there
is, or there should be, a small wooden box surmounted by a rounded
pillar with an irregularly finished top surface clearly indicating a breakoff.
This is known as the "Broken Column" and is used as a charity
collecting box.
Freemasons may often have wondered at the particular
superstructure, which gives the box its name, and failed fully, to
comprehend the symbolism of its meaning.
It is, of course, commonplace that a column is a long, round pillar
of wood, stone or metal composed of a base, a shaft and a capital,
used perpendicularly to support, as well as adorn, a building, whose
construction varies in the different orders of Architecture.
Among the Hebrews columns, or pillars, were used,
metaphorically, to signify princes or nobles, as if they were the pillars
of a state.
Thus, in Psalm XI, 3, the passage, reading in our translation. "If
the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do"? is, in the
original "when the columns are overthrown" i.e. when the firm
supporters of what is right and good have perished.
Similarly, the passage in Isaiah XIX, 10, should read, "Her
(Egypt's) columns are broken down", that is, the nobles of her state.
In Freemasonry, columns have a symbolic signification as the
supports of a Lodge; in some Constitutions of the Order they are known
as the Columns of Wisdom, Strength and Beauty, symbolising King
Solomon, Hiram, King of Tyre, and Hiram Abif, respectively.
The Broken Column is emblematic of the fall of one of these three
chief supporters of the Craft.
The use of a column or pillar as a monument erected over a tomb
was a very ancient custom, and a very significant symbol of the
character and spirit of the person interred.
The Broken Column has been adopted in speculative Freemasonry
to remind us, not only of those of our Brethren who have been called to
the Grand Lodge above before the fullness of time, but more particularly
of those Brethren who have become broken in health, fortune and spirit.
It serves also as a reminder of the necessities of widows and
orphans of departed Brethren, whose welfare it is our privilege, as well
as duty, to safeguard to the utmost of our ability.
37

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 40
NIGHT OF NOSTALGIA
FOR SCOTTISH MASON
THERE was a mixture of Scottish and English Freemasonry
during a special night of nostalgia at Thornhill Lodge No
1514 earlier this year.
For W Bro Allan McKenzie McNeill was there to
celebrate 50 years in the Craft – a Masonic career, which
began in May 1957 in Clydebank.
W Bro Allan joined Thornhill seven years later when he
came to live in Huddersfield and has been a member ever
since, although he now lives near York with his wife Jean.
Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master V W Bro Raymond
Howarth, an honorary member at Thornhill Lodge, handed
over a framed jubilee certificate and chronicled much of
Allan’s Masonic and business career.
In Allan’s own words, these included:
My Father was a Mason during the 1940s in one of the
smaller Lodges in Clydebank but his long hours of work in
the shipyards meant that Masonry was a low priority.
However, in the town where he worked being a Mason or
a Catholic could help you keep your job – a point which
undoubtedly helped my father.
I joined a local Lodge in Clydebank where my pals were
members, rather than my dad’s Lodge and my Initiation
ceremony was in St John Dalmuir No 543, Scottish
Constitution on 28 May 1957, my dad’s birthday.
My Second degree came on 22 October the same year
and my third a month later. It was, to say the least, a
memorable occasion.
I joined the Merchant Navy with the New Zealand
Shipping Company, London in order to spend three years
as a Marine Engineer rather than be a cook or an
infantryman in the Army. The pay was better than a National
Serviceman anyway! During that period I visited Lodges in
the USA, Australia and New Zealand and while in New York
I visited the Grand Lodge of New York State, where the
Master wore a top hat during the ceremony.
In 1960, having left the Merchant Navy, I joined the North
British Locomotive Company as a transmission designer but
after 18 months that company went into liquidation, although
I was assisted by them in getting a job at David Brown Gears,
38
Proud moment . . . W Bro McNeill shows his certificate to members of
Agricola Lodge at York
Huddersfield as a commercial gearbox designer.
After four and a half years there followed a 15-year spell with
Holset Engineering as a Development Engineer before I went back
to David Brown Gears as Chief Designer on the Challenger Tank.
During this time I went to a number of Lodges in Huddersfield
and eventually joined Thornhill Lodge, mainly through the good
graces of W Bro Harry Dunnill, Assistant Provincial Grand Master.
I joined in 1964 when W Bro Leonard Vasey was in the Chair
and I became Master in 1980. My Provincial Appointment, as PP
Dep G Swd B came in 1988.
My first visit to the Lodge was when I went along to a Monday
night practice with my small long case and knocked at the door.
W Bro Edgar Wilson appeared and said it was a practice night
and turned me away! The first night I went to the Lodge I had to
be tested by Bro Harry Sykes JW – and that was a laugh.
So, after a number of visits as W Bro Dunnill’s guest, he
arranged an interview with W Bro Edgar Wilson at his home. I think
he thought that we nomad Scots would be off again before long.
However, Edgar proposed me and W Bro John Rockett, who
had been Initiated in Scotland, seconded me and I remained in
Huddersfield for 26 years.
My everlasting memory of my Installation was the Festive
Board, when both Harry Dunnill and V W Bro Frank Harrison sang
a duet, "Pratty Flowers".
To finish, I had three Scots friends down who sang a Scottish
Medley, accompanied on the piano by W Bro Alec Caldwell. I think,
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NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 41
too, that I was the first Scot in a Huddersfield Lodge to wear
a kilt as my formal dress. This had to be approved through
Province.
I joined Chapter of Prosperity No 290 through E Comps
Leonard Vasey and Jimmy Gledhill and was eligible to
become Third Principal when I left to return to Scotland.
Membership of Dartmouth Mark Lodge No 545 came in
December 1968 (in the Chair in 1980 with PPG Std B in
1984) and I was invited to join Knights Templar at Hope
Preceptory No 4 in 1977. I was in the Chair there in 1983
and eventually promoted to PP 2nd Constable.
A move to Paisley came around this time and I stayed
there until I retired in 1999. During those years I was Chief
Engineer of a nearby company and became a member of
Lodge Inchinan No 1405, when my brother-in-law became
Master. I retained my membership, though, of Thornhill
Lodge.
I also joined the Paisley Abbey Preceptory (Knights
Templar) No 20 where I served as Registrar for eight years
and became a member of both RC Conclave and KSS,
acting as Registrar for both.
I was invited to join Stewart Lochrie Sovereign Chapter
of Princes Rose Croix No 197 in September 1996 and again
invited to the 30deg in Glasgow Sovereign Chapter in
October 2004.
A move to York, on retirement, meant that we were able
to join our son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren, who
also live there.
Since then I have maintained a regular attendance at
Thornhill Lodge and am a regular visitor to Agricola Lodge
No 1991 in York and have joined their Chapter.
Because the Kt’s night clashed with Thornhill Lodge I
joined Selby Preceptory and have been their treasurer for
the past four years. As a Scot, I was also invited to join the
Royal Order of Scotland of the Province of Yorkshire.
In addition to my Masonic activities, I became involved
with the Mentoring Programme in Schools in Paisley and
have continued this involvement in York.
The York U3A also attracted my attention and over the
past five years or so have been treasurer for three and social
secretary for almost two.
When I look back, I wonder how I had time to work!
Allan frequently attends Agricola Lodge No 1991 near
York and several of their Brethren accompanied him to his
special night at Lindley Masonic Hall where Thornhill meet.
MARKING 50 YEARS SERVICE
ARTHUR HARTLEY, PGJO completed 50 years membership of
Bronte Lodge of Mark Master Masons No 535 on the 15 May 2007.
R W Bro Brian Morris Batty, Provincial Grand Master for the Mark
Province of West Yorkshire, visited V W Bro Hartley at his home in
Haworth on the day, to present him with a Certificate to
commemorate this very significant achievement, together with a letter
of congratulations from Grand Lodge.
V W Bro Hartley is a former Chairman of the Mark Benevolent
Fund and the Cleeves and Whitehead Trust, where through his efforts
he helped to forge the West Yorkshire Mark Charities into the success
they are today.
V W Bro Hartley is also a member and former chairman of the
Bronte Society and as chairman visited Japan to open an exhibition
about the Bronte Family.
Pictured from left: R W Bro Batty, V W Bro Hartley, W Bro J Boocock
and W Bro J Barnes.
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39

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 42
CHAPTER OF
AFFABILITY No 308
Bicentenary Celebration
FOR the second time in a decade, E
Comp The Rev Peter Hemingway
headed north to help a Chapter in our
Province celebrate its bicentenary.
E Comp Hemingway, Past Third
Grand Principal, travelled from his Bury
St Edmonds home, to represent
Supreme Grand Chapter and enhance
proceedings on an historic day at
Bottoms, Stansfield, near Todmorden on
May 12 this year.
He was warmly welcomed by the ME
Grand Superintendent, E Comp John K
Clayton, who headed a Provincial
deputation which included E Comps
John A Briggs, Deputy Grand
Superintendent, David Pratt, Second
Provincial Grand Principal, The Rev Frank
A Chappell, Third Provincial Grand
Principal, John B Gledhill, Assistant to
the Provincial Grand Principals, John
Rushworth, Provincial Grand Scribe E
and Paul C Grafton, Provincial Grand
Director of Ceremonies.
E Comp T J Caplin acted as Grand
Director of Ceremonies and all the
distinguished visitors and Companions
were welcomed by the three Principals of
Chapter of Affability, E Comps Paul
Sheppard, Michael Smithies and John A
English.
E Comp Hemingway took obvious
delight in presenting the Bicentenary
Charter to E Comp Sheppard, before
investing the Three Principals with
bicentenary jewels as the remaining
members of the Chapter assumed theirs.
The First Principal presented
40
The three Principals of the Chapter are pictured with the M E Grand Superintendent, John K Clayton,
The Rev Peter Hemingway and the Provincial deputation
bicentenary jewels to E Comp
Hemingway and E Comp Clayton as
mementos of a truly special occasion.
IN a delightful and uplifting Oration, the
Third Provincial Grand Principal, E Comp
The Rev Frank A Chappell, referred to
Ezra and Nehemiah, the 15th and 16th
books in the Bible; books which contain
the raw material from which our Royal
Arch ritual was formed.
“They tell how the Children of Israel,
after their long exile in Babylon, returned
to rebuild and restore their Temple, their
city of Jerusalem and their country in a
remarkable story of resilience and faith.
“Scribes Ezra and Nehemiah told
more or less the same story, but from
different perspectives. One of them
strongly suggests that the newly returned
Israelites should remain apart, separate
and distinct and not integrate with others,
while the other Scribe stresses the
importance of sharing their values and
ideals with their immediate neighbours.
“The differences are rather like the
changing face of Freemasonry in today’s
world; once we seemed very secretive
and separate, but now we are
encouraged to be open and transparent
in all that we do together.
“But to move on from Biblical times to
1807, the year of the Foundation of the
Chapter of Affability No 308.
“Candidates for Freemasonry are
asked ‘Are you a free man?’ How
privileged we all are to have been able to
reply: ‘I am’ and affirm that we are free
indeed.
“How liberating it must have been for
the many thousands in the British
colonies overseas who, in 1807, were
emancipated after years of slavery. How
very much like the Sojourners of old who,
in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah, after
years of serfdom in Babylon were
suddenly free to return and rebuild their
lives and their community.
“I believe the significance of this
would have touched the minds of those
pioneering Companions who Founded
the Chapter of Affability. They will have
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NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 43
been wise enough to see the significant
connection between the ritual of Royal
Arch Masonry and the emancipation of
slaves in the West Indies and beyond.
“Companions, Ezra and Nehemiah
produced the fine material on which the
Royal Arch is based and so may we all be
faithful to the witness of the 15th and
16th books in the Volume of the Sacred
Law.
“Here at Bottoms, set in this deep
sided valley, let us be inspired on this day
of celebration by the words of Psalm
121: ‘I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills
from whence cometh my help.’
“May Chapter Masonry flourish here
and inspire generations still to come to
look up to the hills with hope and with
courage.”
Earlier, E Comp John Dyson, Affability
Scribe E, delivered a fascinating resume
of the Chapter’s early days, highlighting
facilities which we now take for granted
but did not exist then.
THE ME Grand Superintendent, E Comp
John K Clayton, delved into the rich
tapestry of Affability history at the
Bicentenary Banquet when proposing a
toast to the Chapter to which E Comp
Sheppard suitably replied.
E Comp Hemingway was both
humorous and witty in proposing a toast
to E Comp Clayton, who was delighted
to respond.
A copy of the History of the Chapter
1807 - 2007 and an etched glass plaque
was presented to the 70 Companions
who attended the banquet.
• The Rev Peter Hemingway was the
principal guest when he attended
Chapter of Perseverance No 275
Bicentenary celebration in Huddersfield in
1996 in his capacity as Third Grand
Principal.
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W Bro Whitworth, left, is pictured with the Scottish Brethren and Bro Paul Newton
SCOTTISH HOSPITALITY
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ONE of the Province’s best known figures and phenomenal fund-raiser, W Bro John
Whitworth, of Woodsmoke Lodge No 9317, recalls an unusual experience while on a
motorcycle tour of Scotland.
"I was accompanied by Bro Paul Newton, of West Salford Lodge No 3867 when
we were invited to St Kearan Lodge No 1155, near Fort William.
"Believe it or not, the Lodge was in `closed season` and they opened up specially
for us and a number of other visitors and gave a demonstration of a Third Degree
ceremony.
"Obviously a dispensation had been obtained to open the Lodge and all this for the
benefit of a couple of English Brethren. What a wonderful example of Freemasonry at
work."
And W Bro Whitworth, a singer of some repute, sets a wonderful example himself
with some outstanding fund raising efforts.
His latest this summer was to host a barbecue and Irish Band function in Wakefield
along with Middleton Round Table and this raised £2,000 to be shared equally between
Springhill Hospice in Rochdale and the Wakefield Hospice.
With all due modesty, W Bro Whitworth reckons that in the past 10 years he has
been instrumental in helping raise a staggering £57,000 for various mainly childrenorientated
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NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 44
LEEDS & DISTRICT
R A COUNCIL
FORMED in 1922 the Leeds and District
Royal Arch Council is the oldest in the
Province covering 14 Chapters stretching
from Leeds out to Ripon, Harrogate and
Wetherby.
Several of the Chapters have very long
histories with Fidelity Chapter No 289 being
granted its Charter in 1793.
The objectives of the council are to
promote interest and stimulate the progress of
Royal Arch Masonry by consultation and by
visiting the various Chapters. Changes are
taking place as the recent modifications to the
ritual are assimilated and each Chapter has
always had its own style.
The function of the Council is to be
supportive, consultative and advisory.
These are exciting times for the Council.
The Provincial Grand Superintendent's
enthusiastic support for the Royal Arch with
new initiatives has led to increased interest in
its activities.
The Council ensures that all Chapters
have a representative at every meeting.
Usually they are one of many guests but for a
small meeting they can be especially
welcome.
After many years as secretary to the
Council, Roger Barnes has stepped down
and will be replaced by Gerry Barker. Roger
has worked unstintingly through his wife's and
his own ill health and the Council is deeply
grateful to him. Gerry now has the incredibly
difficult task of allocating visits to all the
meetings of the Chapters while avoiding other
Masonic meetings and holidays.
The main event every year is the Joint
Chapter Meeting held in turn at one of the
Chapters, with Companions from all Chapters
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in the district and representatives from other
Districts in the Province attending. Sometimes
around 100 attend, including Provincial Grand
Principals.
These are special occasions for all but are
especially impressive for newly exalted
Companions.
One of the most memorable recently was
the meeting held by Philanthropic No 304 in
the form of a Reception evening when 20
Brethren as potential Companions joined the
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meeting and a spell-binding presentation was
given by E Comp Keith Roberts.
A president is appointed every year and
several of them have gone on to hold senior
positions in the Royal Arch.
This year’s president is E Comp John
Batt, from Harrogate, and Claro No 1001.
He will visit all 14 Chapters and attend all
Joint Chapter meetings in the Province,
greatly improving his knowledge of the
geography of the area and widening his circle
of friends.
E Comp Tony Llewellyn, from St Michael's
No 4353, is vice president.
In this the 85th year of the Council's
existence a collar and jewel has been
presented by E Comp Graham Pile, a former
president, for use by vice presidents at the
Festive Board during their visits. It is going to
be a busy, interesting and exciting time for all
members of the Leeds and District Royal Arch
Council.
• Editor’s note: There are seven Royal Arch
councils in our Province, each of them run on
similar lines to Leeds and District.

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 45
DEWSBURY & SPEN VALLEY
DISTRICT INSTALLED MASTERS
ASSOCIATION
THE president, W Bro J Richard Pinder, Past Master of the
Lodge of Friendship No 750, invites Brethren, including Master
Masons, to join him in 2008 when the following meetings have
been arranged. –
25 April at Zetland Lodge No.603, Cleckheaton. W Bro G
Andrew Daly, PM of the Brighouse Lodge No 1301, will give a
talk entitled "Jamaica, Island of Sugar, Slavery and Masonry."
11 July at the Lodge of Friendship No 750, Cleckheaton,
This is the annual meeting when the president, W Bro Pinder,
will give his retiring talk. He will also Install the senior vice
president, W Bro W H S Gill, PM of Scarborough Lodge No
1214, as his successor.
5 September at Zetland Lodge No 603, Cleckheaton, R
W Bro John K Clayton, Provincial Grand Master, will give a talk
entitled "The First Two Years as Provincial Grand Master."
7 November at Spen Vale Lodge No.4515,
Heckmondwike. An open discussion on Items of Masonic
Interest. Brethren are invited to make their own points,
questions and queries for open discussion. Master Masons are
particularly encouraged to attend this meeting.
Being an Association, dress is informal, ie lounge suit or
sports jacket and tie. No regalia will be worn.
All meetings start at 7.30 pm and are usually followed by a
beer and a sandwich, the whole proceedings being complete
by about 9.30 pm.
For more information contact the secretary, W Bro Trevor
Sykes, on 01924 473485.
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NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 46
NEW MARK PGM
New Provincial Grand
Master for the Mark
Province of West Yorkshire,
R W Bro James
Bennett Truswell
FOLLOWING the announcement by R W
Bro Brian Morris Batty, that he would retire
as Provincial Grand Master on 31 August
2007, the M W Grand Master, HRH Prince
Michael of Kent, graciously offered the
position of PGM for the Mark Province of
West Yorkshire, to W Bro James Bennett
Truswell, PGSD.
W Bro Truswell was delighted to
accept the appointment and was Installed
by the Pro Grand Master, M W Bro John
Hale, at an Especial Meeting of Provincial
Grand Lodge held at Bradford Grammar
School on Saturday 1 September 2007.
R W Bro Truswell appointed and
invested V W Bro Brian Addy, PGJO, as
Deputy Provincial Grand Master and W Bro
Robert Corfield, PGJD, as Assistant
Provincial Grand Master, at the same
meeting.
R W Bro Truswell has served the Mark
Province as Deputy Provincial Grand
Master since his appointment in April
2004, previous to which he held the
position of Provincial Grand Director of
Ceremonies.
He has also held Royal Ark Mariner
Grand Rank since December 2002 and is,
therefore, already very well known to all
Mark Master Masons and Royal Ark
Mariners throughout the Province.
As an Officer of United Grand Lodge in
the Craft and a Provincial Grand Officer in
44
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R W Bro James Bennett Truswell with the Pro Grand Master, M W Bro John Hale,
before his Installation.
R W Bro Truswell with his Deputy Provincial Grand Master, V W Bro Brian Addy (left) and
Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Robert Corfield (right) after their Installation.
the Royal Arch, he is also active in the
wider Masonic community across South
Yorkshire.
He is widely regarded as a popular and
worthy successor to R W Bro Batty as
Provincial Grand Master.
During his address following the
Installation he referred to excellent
relationships which had been forged
between the Craft and Mark by the past
and present Rulers in the Craft Province of
Yorkshire West Riding and his
predecessors.
He also said that he was fortunate to
have the wise counsel of no fewer than
three Past Provincial Grand Masters to
guide him and that he would do his best to
maintain this wonderful Province of ours for
the benefit and happiness of its Brethren
and dependants. R W Bro Truswell
concluded; “God bless you all and Mark
Well.”

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 47
DEDICATED AND DIGNIFIED
Retirement of R W Bro Brian Morris Batty
as Provincial Grand Master for the Mark
Province of West Yorkshire
AT the Annual Provincial Meeting of the Mark Province of
West Yorkshire, at Bradford Grammar School on 14 April
2007, R W Bro Batty announced his retirement as Provincial
Grand Master with effect from 31 August.
R W Bro Batty had been Provincial Grand Master for the
last eight years, having been installed by the Pro Grand
Master, M W Bro The Rt Hon The Lord Swansea, on 2
September 1999.
Previous to his appointment as Provincial Grand Master,
R W Bro Batty served this Mark Province as Deputy Provincial
Grand Master from 1994 to 1999, Assistant Provincial Grand
Master from 1989 to 1994 and Provincial Grand Secretary
from 1984 to 1989, his gracious retirement thus ending a
period of no fewer than 23 consecutive years in office on the
West Yorkshire Executive.
His dedicated and unstinting commitment to the Province
on behalf of its members over this considerable period,
together with the patience and dignity with which he has
carried out his very demanding duties as Provincial Grand
Master, has established him as a good friend and worthy
Leader to all Mark Master Masons in West Yorkshire.
At a Festive Board, held at the Freemasons’ Arms in
London following the June meeting of Mark Grand Lodge, the
Deputy Provincial Grand Master, W Bro Jim Truswell, also
expressed a very special thank-you to Mrs Paula Batty, for
her tremendous help in supporting R W Bro Batty over such
a lengthy period of commitment to Masonry in general and to
the Mark Order in particular.
Following his retirement, R W Bro Batty has joined an
illustrious band of Past West Yorkshire Mark Provincial Grand
Masters, as together with R W Bro James Bramley Morley
(1989 to 1994) and R W Bro George Henry Philip Birch (1994
to 1999) this Province is blessed with the almost
unprecedented grace of boasting no fewer than three
subscribing Past Provincial Grand Masters.
R W Bro Brian Morris Batty, retired Provincial Grand Master for the Mark
Province of West Yorkshire
MARK GRAND RANK
APPOINTMENTS
THE following appointments and promotions to Mark Grand
Rank were conferred by Most Worshipful Brother, His Royal
Highness Prince Michael of Kent, at the meeting of Mark Grand
Lodge held at Freemasons’ Hall on 12 June 2007
Active Appointments:
W Bro James Steggles St Chad 374 GSD
W Bro Roderick G Taylor Brighouse 753 G Stwd
First Appointments:
W Bro T A Terence Gatherum Worth 727 PAGDC
W Bro John F Clough Knaresborough Castle 768 PAGDC
W Bro Keith Robinson Eland 493 PAGDC
W Bro Godfrey Bedford Prince Edward 14 PAG Swd B
W Bro William R Pickles Haywra 525 PG St B
W Bro Jack Acton St Hiev 1079 PG St B
W Bro Colin Bullock Brighouse 753 PAG St B
Promotions:
W Bro Derek B Cope Eland 493 PGSD
W Bro Anthony C Parker Integrity 110 PGSD
W Bro Robert Corfield Danum 398 PGJD
W Bro Fred Stirland Danum 398 PGJD
45

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 48
BRITISH
FREEMASONS
IN GERMANY
SIXTEEN Masons from 10 Lodges in the
Province of Yorkshire West Riding visited
Lodge Niederrhein for its Installation
meeting.
Travelling on 1 June, via Leeds
Bradford Airport - and delayed flights and
many time-passing drinks – the Brethren
arrived at the Holiday Inn, Ratingen, near
Dusseldorf, where they were staying and
where, in a converted Conference Room
at the hotel, the meeting was to take
place the following day.
Present at the meeting, which was to
install Bro Peter J Julian into the Chair,
46
was the Grand Master of British
Freemasonry in Germany, the M W Bro
Frederick Thomas Colbran. Other
distinguished guests included two Right
Worshipful Brethren from Canada.
One of the highlights of the
Installation was to see the German
Brethren perform word-perfect English
ritual.
Also witnessed was the reception of
Bro Graham Bailey, from West Riding
Fairways Lodge No 9664, as a Joining
Member and Bro David Rogers, of
Danecastre Lodge No 4843, the
Installation Organist who became an
honorary member of Lodge Niederrhein.
The friendship shown throughout the
visit reminded everyone what
Freemasonry is all about and there were
several characters who made the
weekend so memorable.
Worthy Freemasons All . . . British and German Brethren at the get-together
W Bro Frank Wharton, from Don
Valley Lodge No 3899, an RAF World
War II pilot, was heard to say, "The last
time I flew over Dusseldorf in 1944 I never
bothered to land!"
W Bro Peter Brindley, of Rockingham
Lodge No 4282, the Grand Officer on the
trip, presented the first half of the visitors’
response and the Right Worshipful
Brother who spoke next, remarked "How
do you follow that?"
The weekend went without a hitch
and also included visits around
Dusseldorf, with plenty of food and drink
thrown in.
This was all thanks to the great
atmosphere there and to the organisers,
Bro Graham Bailey, Mrs Karen Bailey and
Bro Derek Lupson, who is a member of
Lodge Niederrhein and Forget Me Not
Lodge No 9419.
OLYMPIC SUCCESS
SPECIAL Olympians Martin Sands, Katie Whitaker and
Simon Waggett competed in the World Summer Games
at Shanghai and they are pictured with some of their
Masonic sponsors.
The trio represented Great Britain at Powerlifting,
Martin winning four gold medals; Katie a bronze and
fourth place in her weight, while Simon collected four
silvers.
The Lodge of the Three Graces No 408 and Bronte
Mark Lodge No 535, with backing from the Province, had
supported them and W Bros John Keighley, John Cook
and Neil Davis are pictured with the smiling Olympians.
Some 7600 athletes from 165 countries took part and
Great Britain celebrated by claiming 84 gold medals and
83 silver in track and field events. The next special
Games will be held in 2011 in Greece.

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 49
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wherever possible.
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ALL editorial items for
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a number of features
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pressure on space.
COPY DEADLINE FOR
SPRING EDITION IS
1st MARCH 2008
DISCLAIMER
Every effort is made to ensure the
information contained
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but neither the Editor nor
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responsibility for any error
that might inadvertently appear
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