LATE NEWS

​
​Let’s Talk Masonry 2019 - Freemasonry and You

On Saturday 30 March 2019 the Province of East Lancashire will again be hosting the annual northern Let’s Talk Masonry conference, now in its eleventh year.

This event is open to ALL Masons.

Click this link for a poster/flyer for the event and further information, including a booking form and timetable;
https://www.pglel.co.uk/craft-freemasonry/lets-talk-masonry-2019/

Whilst there will be talks and presentations to suit all levels of Masons the organisers are particularly keen to attract newer Masons to the conference. The event will be opened by our RW Provincial Grand Master, Sir David Trippier, RD, JP, DL.

DO YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES TO HELP THE PGM?

A message from the Provincial Grand Secretary

The deadline has been extended to 24th March 2019.

We are asking for your help with an urgent issue with which has been raised by Grand Lodge. 

Grand Lodge have been engaged in legal and technical dispute with HMRC for some time but have won the preliminary hearing at which HMRC attempted to have their case struck out. UGLE now have to collect evidence to support their case for the full trial.

Should Grand Lodge win, and they are highly optimistic, they will receive an immediate pay-out of some hundreds of thousands of pounds, and, more importantly, it will be worth more than £300,000 annually to Grand Lodge going forward.
No doubt the Members will benefit from this largesse in due course.

I write, therefore, on behalf of the Provincial Grand Master, to ask whether you might fill in the short form below and also mobilise those of your Brethren with email facilities to help us with the following:
 
UGLE need to obtain an estimate of the amount of time spent by Yorkshire, West Riding Masons on unpaid (except for expenses) charitable, philanthropic, or civic activities.  In order to help us understand what precisely UGLE are seeking the following guidance has been provided:
  
Charitable, Philanthropic or Civic work includes (but not exhaustively):
 
  1. Religious                          - PCC, church warden, synagogue etc
  2. Educational –                   - library, reading in schools etc
  3. Sporting –                         - coaching, refereeing etc
  4. Elderly –                             - care homes, hospices etc
  5. Military –                            - British Legion, other military related etc
  6. Charity –                            - local non masonic collecting, Trusteeships etc
  7. Rotary, Round Table      and related charitable activity etc
  8. Local –                                - village halls, Neighbourhood Watch, road associations etc
  9. National Charities –         - NHS Trusts, National Trust, etc
  10. Other acts of Philanthropy or of a Civic nature


Please note, Lodge work as Almoner or Charity Steward i.e. work for Masons or Masonic Charities can be ignored as it is centrally collated, as is help/work for RMBI homes, other legacy charities, the Masonic Salmon and Trout Fishing Association and Teddies for Loving Care.

I realise that this is an enormous ask, and even worse, the timescale means that this needs to be completed by 8th March. (this is not our deadline, but one set by trial dates). 

In order to streamline matters, a simple form has been prepared which can be accessed via this link:

https://goo.gl/forms/Ntax8JtX7HLMMUa33 
​
Multiple memberships should be excluded i.e. only answer once.

Please draw attention to this letter electronically to those of your Brethren with email/internet facilities. If you are aware of any Brethren not on email who do volunteer, perhaps you would be kind enough to complete the on-line form on their behalf.

Many thanks for your assistance in this matter,

Yours sincerely and fraternally

A Michael Dyson
Provincial Grand Secretary