April 2018

Eclectic and Diverse Notes from a very busy and very happy Provincial Grand Master

Time’s Winged Chariot! Yet Another Month Has Flown By!

At the start of the month, my elder daughter and grand-children came-over from Los Angeles and we all went on holiday. Our trips included going fossil hunting and Harry Potter’ing in Oxford in Dorset among many, many other things. It is just amazing how many Freemasons from all over the World that you bump into during such visits. Brothers and Friends that we did not know existed!


Presentation of a PAsstProvGM’s collarette and jewel

It was a delight to attend Concord Lodge No: 4126 at Lindley Masonic Hall, Huddersfield. Following a tremendous Initiation Ceremony I had the pleasure of acknowledging the services of a Past Ruler by presenting WBro. John Gledhill, PSGD with his Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master’s collarette and jewel. Well done WBro. Gledhill - Richly deserved!


Bitten by a Goose! (An Industrial Injury I wonder as I was on duty?)

A true story – I was on Masonic Business in York and walked past a goose not knowing that I was walking nearer to another goose! It clearly did not like me and gave me a real nip on the arm. No damage as I was saved by my sturdy black jacket and raincoat! Team of 2017/18 Acting Officers – Team Visit to Aurora Lodge No: 4047 An absolutely splendid Initiation Ceremony and the final Area visit of the year for the current Team of Acting Provincial Officers. My thanks to all of the Team for their tremendous support during a wonderful Tercentenary/Bicentenary year. Attendances at the visits to Lodges in each Area during the current year have been supported nearly all the Acting Officers on each occasion.


The 2nd Northern Masonic Variety Show

We were treated to an evening of superb professional entertainment at The Bradford Grammar School. A really good time was had by all in the presence of High Rulers who attended from London. The profits will be applied to the West Yorkshire Mark Benevolent Fund 2023 Festival. Well done to all the Acts, the Organisers and the Stewards. A delighted and enthusiastic audience were most appreciative by applauding with vigour! How was I “arrested” and dragged on to the stage? I felt well “Run in” by those Bold Gendarmes! Here’s to the next time when the event will be held in support the Provincial Grand Master’s Fund


St. George’s Day! Royal Society of St. George - Celebration at Morley

Once again, I was treated really well as part of the official and civic delegation to observe a magnificent parade of local organisations and youth movements. How lovely that we as Freemasons were invited to this Civic occasion. 2018 will see an ever increasing participation in appropriate Civic activities.


London - Annual Investiture

Grand Lodge and Supreme Grand Chapter. Meetings and Dinner with the High Rulers, Provincial and District Grand Masters. The Annual Banquet – This time at the Guildhall. Many congratulations to recipients of Grand Rank honoured by the MWGM/1stGP.


Masonic Meeting Place Seminar 2

Led by the Provincial Consultation Team, this was the second gathering of Directors and Trustees of Masonic Halls held at Greenhead Masonic Hall, Huddersfield. It was such a shame that a number of Masonic Halls were surprisingly not represented as important information on Fire safety and energy and insurance potential cost saving opportunities. The words of the Speakers were all well received. The presentation on Fire safety was particularly informative inspiring those in attendance to take immediate appropriate action.


Installation Meeting of West Riding Acting Officers Lodge No: 9645

It has been the custom for a Ruler to attend the Installation Meeting of the Lodge and this year I am delighted to be able to continue tradition with a personal visit. Looking Ahead – The Barometer says: “Even Busier”!

• Provincial Grand Lodge on the 8th of May at Harrogate – Do hurry Brethren as there are only a few tickets left. I would like to see as many Masters of Lodges with their Wardens in attendance wearing their collars and jewels of Office. Master Masons are very welcome to attend to witness the spectacle. The recipients of the Provincial Grand Master’s Fund Major Grants will all be there to receive their grants. It will be a day of great celebration
• UGLE Strategic Plan – The new Leadership Structure is now operational in the first phase. The Functional Heads are now working up their own plans for presentation to me at the end of the Summer. Operational implementation will be immediate and this will includes support for Lodges and Masonic Buildings to implement fully the Membership Pathway, Open Days, etc. The recently announced “Board of Past Provincial Stewards” will be an essential resource to support the introduction of such Provincial project.
• Visit of the Assistant Grand Master - RWBro. Sir David Wootton is coming home to visit Universities Lodge Sheffield No: 3911 in his capacity as President of the Universities Scheme
• The Extended Masonic Family - I am delighted to be invited to attend the Annual Meetings of other Masonic Orders within the West Riding. The meetings of the Red Cross of Constantine and also the Ancient and Accepted Rite are both in my diary.
• Visits to the Annual Meetings of other Provinces continue where we show the “West Riding Flag”. If you have been able to attend our own Provincial Meeting, you will have seen that the other the Rulers from other Provinces likewise come to see us on parade
• My comment about the new Lodge in Madeira last month has certainly created interest and a number of our own Brethren plan to visit. For my own sins, of which must be many, I have been “volunteered” to act as Junior Warden and to deliver the Ancient Charge at the December meeting. Masonry Universal and what an honour!
• “Yorkshire-in- London Lodge”. Progress indeed with requests for indications of interest not only publicised on our own Website but also in all the publications of the Metropolitan Grand Lodge in London. We will be happy to support at a distance and I am looking forward to hearing about further progress.

And finally for this month:

The Provincial Quiz Final - 30th May - Castle Grove, Leeds

Feedback from the Area Heats confirms that competition has been fierce with the winning Team being decided in the Final Round! I have no doubt that the “Grand Final” will be equally competitive. I do encourage Brethren to support their Area Finalists so we can all have a wonderful evening The cup has been polished. Whose name will be engraved on the cup as “2018 Champions”? From concept to reality! My thanks to the Organising Team who have done a great job in bringing this now Annual Provincial Quiz into being?

My Very Best Wishes to all my Beloved Brethren, Families and Friends

David
Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master