NEWSLETTER 36 Repro - Masonic Province of Yorkshire, West Riding

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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
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NEWSLETTER 36 Repro - Masonic Province of Yorkshire, West Riding

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