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Letters to the Editor Thank you! From the CEO of Western Air Ambulance Charity “Dear R.W. Bro. Stuart Hadler, On behalf of the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) I wish to officially thank the brethren of the Province of Somerset for the fantastic support they have given us and for their latest donation of £2000. The support we receive from the various Lodges is always superb and it makes a huge difference to the service we provide and from which the community benefits - Thank you.” John Christensen – CEO WAAC 10 Pictured : Thank you – from the CEO of the GWAAC John Christensen Hi Barry, I was just reading <strong>Compass</strong>, and noticed on page seven under the heading ‘Tercentenary Update’, we are asked ‘please check out the "DAIRY" on our website’. I know there is a picture of the Goose and Gridiron Tavern, complete with a Goose (Farm Animal) but isn't it a bit much to try to make this a connection with the Tercentenary? Best wishes, Leyson Bradley, Winscombe 6474 I could say it was subliminal advertising, however I have to admit - it was a typo! Ed. A Toast to our Visitors Dear Editor, I would like to share the story of how I came to realise what visiting is all about. I was in my second year in Freemasonry, and by then I had more or less figured out the general dynamics of a masonic meeting, and was looking to help out more. I had heard of the importance of receiving visitors and so I thought I would make a special effort to be welcoming to any visiting brethren. So, I turned up at the following meeting looking to do just that. However, after having a walk around the anteroom I realised, much to my disappointment, that there were no visitors there. The meeting was, nevertheless, well attended, with many brethren there chatting away and seeming to be enjoying themselves before the Ceremony, so I didn’t think much of it. Maybe next time! The ritual went fine and when we got round to the greetings, to my surprise a brother got up and greeted the WM in representation of a Lodge I had not heard of before. “Oh, there WAS a visitor, but I missed him, how silly of me!” I thought to myself. And the brother sat down, and after him another got up, who also brought warm and fraternal greetings from some distant Lodge. And after him a whole group of 5 or 6 stood up, in representation of yet another visiting Lodge. By the time the greetings were over, it was clear that around half of the brethren in that Temple were visitors. And I hadn’t even realised! My first thought was obviously “I really should figure out who the members of my Lodge actually are.” then it dawned on me that there was a reason why I had thought that there were no visitors that night: I couldn’t tell members and visitors apart. I had turned up at the Hall seeking to welcome some doe-eyed, slightly nervous Brother who looked a bit lost. But, as it turns out, that is not what visitors look like at all. When I arrived, they were already amongst the brethren, chatting away, enjoying some jokes, and looking completely at ease. And I realised then what visiting is actually all about. Visiting is not like a trip to the theatre, where you go to watch a performance being put on by a group of strangers. Nor is it simply a fancy dinner, where you enjoy a meal while wearing your Sunday best. In reality, what happens when you visit is that, for one night only, you become, quite simply and quite wonderfully, another member of the Lodge that you are visiting. It reminded me of the line in the ritual which says “A Mason will find in every country a friend, and in every clime a home.” * Brother Sam Jimanez SD St. Alphege 4095 * Source - Royal Cumberland (41) Ritual – 1st degree. – Ed.
www.somersetroyalarch.net Final Chapter for Wells Royal Arch news Bideford 2016 The Provincial Ladies Festival held at the Durrant House Hotel, Bideford was once again fully subscribed. Dinner on the Saturday evening was held in the ‘Venetian’ Suite followed by dancing to a local band. The toast to the Ladies was proposed by the 3rd ProvGPrin Chris Moore with the response by Mrs Val Moore, Wife of the DepGSupt. A most enjoyable weekend. Christmas at Cheddar (Front from L– R): Adrian Moore (H); Charles Grisdale (MEZ); Ben Batley (J) (Rear from L– R): Robert Moore (DGSupt); John Bennett (GSupt); Chris Moore (3rd GP) The November Installation at Avalon Chapter 446 was the final Convocation to be held in the West Cloister of Wells Cathedral. John Bennet the GSupt was in attendance accompanied by DepGSupt Robert Moore and 3rd ProvGPrin Chris Moore. Following the meeting the Companions retired to the Vicars Hall to both celebrate the installation of their new First Principal and commiserate that this was their final meeting in the ancient City. The sadness of that final Convocation at Wells was certainly not reflected in the first one held at Wedmore on February 16 th . Most of the Provincial Executive were present including the GSupt. A full Exhortation was undertaken under the direction of the newly installed 1st Principal Charles Grisdale, with the 2nd. & 3rd. ProvGPrin’s presenting the Mystical Lecture. The Festive Board was exceptional having been both prepared and served by ‘Zaras Catering’. An excellent start to a new era. I am sure we all wish Avalon 446 every success as they settle into their new home – Ed. Did you KNOW ... When is a Cathedral NOT a Cathedral? A Cathedra (Latin for a chair with armrests) is the Seat of a Bishop. A Church in which a Bishops official Cathedra is installed becomes a Cathedral. 100 years for Stanley Hopkins! PGScN receives TWO 50 year Certificates! Most Companions when they achieve the 50th Anniversary of their Exaltation are presented with a Certificate to mark the event. Not so Stanley Hopkins who is such a well-respected Companion that he was presented with TWO Certificates and celebrated in TWO different Provinces! The first celebration took place at his Mother Chapter, Parrett & Axe 814 at Crewkerne and the second at Devon & Somerset Farmers 9250 at Uffcombe in Devon. The Somerset Convocation was attended by the GSupt. John Bennett who witnessed David Irish giving a very amusing insight into Stanley’s life and his contribution to the Royal Arch. Six days later at Parrett & Axe there were TWO GSupts present, John Bennet for Somerset and Simon Rowe for Devon. Following the Installation Convocation John summarised Stanley’s Royal Arch achievements in both Somerset and the Supreme Grand Chapter of England. Simon followed this by telling the Companions of Stanley’s Devonshire exploits. They then jointly presented the two 50 year Certificates – one from Somerset and one from Devon! <strong>Compass</strong> wants to hear from you ! compass@somersetfreemasons.org Pictured: John Bennett with Rev. Stephen Hawkins at the Christmas Service The Annual Christmas Celebration took place at St Andrews Church, Cheddar on Saturday 5 th December 2015 and the Service was led by The Rev. Steven Hawkins, 3rd ProvGPrin of Bristol. Around 150 Companions and their families attended the service, followed by tea & mince pies in the Church Hall. The Final Chapter. The Royal Arch Temple at Wells Cathedral. 11
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Page 7 and 8: Pictured: David Mason AsstPGM 2017
Page 9: Future of My Lodge Project The PGM
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Page 17 and 18: A new exhibit for Wells Museum Bene
Page 19 and 20: Albino Builders Ltd. Award winning
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Page 27 and 28: News Extra The Great War Project Lo

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