Compass

‘A few months ago I received a
telephone call from the PGM who asked
me if I would accept the office of Junior
Grand Warden for the coming year.
I told him that I would be delighted,
and now, following the investiture at
the Webbington Hotel, I am indeed
ProvJGW. I am looking forward to visiting
as many Lodges as I can and meeting
the brethren, who have featured in,
written to, sent photographs or shared
their stories with Compass. I have just
completed a year as Metropolitan
Grand Standard Bearer in London
and part of my duties was to act as an
Escorting Officer (EO) in a similar way
to our Provincial ADC’s in Somerset. I
thoroughly enjoyed the experience and
discovered many things that happen
in Masonry of which I was unaware, or
even imagined. Like the Lodge that
meets at Freemasons Hall (Pilgrim
238) and perform the entire installation
Ceremony in German while wearing
Top Hats!. Another Lodge initiated no
less than eight candidates on the same
evening (Apollo University Lodge 357).
Visiting, brethren, is the life-blood of
masonry and I thoroughly commend it.
It will give you new ideas, expand your
horizons and enable you to meet new
friends as well as making it special for
the Lodge you are visiting. You might
like to spare a moment to read Sam
Jimenez’s (St Alphege 4095) feelings
about this important subject on page 10.
As a Province we are fortunate to have
a PGM who places visiting high on his
agenda. Fraternal visits by a Provincial
ruler accompanied by members of his
team are a feature in Somerset. The
team regularly perform Ceremonies
around the Province and if you get an
opportunity to go along – take it. They
are well worth going to and you will be
able to meet and chat, in person, with
members of the team, giving you an
opportunity to present your views and
ideas. See the website for up-to-date
info on where they will be, and contact
the Lodge Secretary if you would like to
attend. We look forward to seeing you.
Mentoring is another area that makes
an important contribution to the
wellbeing of the Craft. We should never
underestimate how daunting it can feel
to step blindfold into the unknown,
placing our confidence in a complete
stranger. As the initiate we are the
centre of attention, however once we
have completed the three degrees and
Editors Page
Barry Davies
become a Master Mason that focus is no
longer there. We must take good care of
our MM’s, Involve them in the Ceremony
and the Lodge itself. Seek their views
and take them into account at Lodge
Committee meetings. They are after all,
our future.
The PGM has given a dispensation for
us to wear ‘2020 Official Festival Socks’
in support of the Grand Charity. This, as
far as I am aware, is unique in English
Freemasonry and we should embrace it.
However it should be remembered that
only the yellow ‘2020 Official Festival
Socks’ should be worn as an alternative
to the traditional black ones.
Installation is the most important
ceremony of the Masonic Year and of
course it’s the longest. Many Lodges start
earlier than usual to try and take account
of this. We are fortunate in Somerset in
that every Lodge at installation receives
a visit from one of the Provincial Rulers
or his representative accompanied by
a Provincial DC in order to welcome
the newly installed Master as a ruler
in the Craft. It should be remembered
brethren that with over 80 Lodges in the
Province many of the Provincial team
are out almost every night. It’s a wonder
sometimes they make it at all! We should
try and maximise their time with us and
accept that it is no reflection on the
Lodge if invariably they have to leave
before the end.
Dear Editor,
Does Anyone have a Digger?
About a year ago we lost our Grandson, Lachlan to cancer caused by a brain tumour. During his illness our family were
shown incredible kindness by brethren from across the Province and I would like, through the pages of Compass to
express my heartfelt thanks to them all. Something Lachlan’s doctor said to me has always stuck in my mind, he said, “I
believe I can cure this although five years ago I could have done nothing for him”, Sadly it was not to be, however, even
during the time of his illness new ideas and treatments emerged which were of help to him.
I would dearly love to do something in memory of Lachlan and help other children with a similar condition. I fondly recall
the many happy hours we spent together trying to satisfy his fanatical love of diggers and suddenly it occurred to me -
WHAT I NEED IS A DIGGER! It is my intention to raise the sum of £2016 for Cancer Research by moving 2016 Tonnes
of earth, rubble or anything using a digger (well, excavator actually). If you have a digger or know someone who does
I need to get in one and shift some stuff, Oh and I need to learn how to use the machine because I only have a little
experience! I am willing to pay for fuel and any safety related courses if I can afford it. If you can help then please contact
me at ianpcarlton@hotmail.com
2
S & F
Ian Carlton
Love & Honour 285