... A Spirit of Youth

Dear Brethren,


Ruler News (1) - New Deputy Provincial Grand Master:
I Installed W Bro. John Boyington, SGD, AsstProvGM as my Deputy at Tapton Hall, Sheffield on Monday, 15th of April 2019.  A glittering occasion held under the Banner of one of our daylight Lodges, the Lodge of South Yorkshire No: 9633.
My thanks to the Lodge for organising the event at short notice and to all the many Brethren who attended the Installation.
VW Bro. Stuart Grantham, PGSwdB, PDepProvGM is now in hospital and we are in regular contact.  The gift of a special Teddy Bear was received with a huge smile!

Please continue to keep VW Bro. Stuart and his family in your thoughts and prayers Brethren.

Ruler News (2) - New Assistant Provincial Grand Master:
W Bro. Brian Duncan Littlejohn will be Installed as Assistant Provincial Grand Master with leadership responsibility for Area 4 within our Province on the evening of Monday, 13th May 2019 at Tapton Hall, Sheffield. The Installation will be held under the Banner of Royal Brunswick Lodge No: 296.

Grand Officer Briefings:
I have conducted two Briefings for our Grand officers. One at Tapton Hall and one at Castle Grove, Leeds, both delivered to receptive and enthusiastic Grand Officers within our Province.  The Grand Officers will be adopting a higher profile to share their experience in supporting the following Provincial Objectives that dovetail into the Grand Lodge Strategy for Freemasonry.  The Briefings will now be annual events and followed up by Area Meetings Chaired by the Assistant Provincial Grand Masters.

Updates on Objectives:

Increasing Membership
The Membership Pathway - Continued Implementation!

I have asked the Grand Officers in our Province to increase their support to Lodges.
The sharing of good ideas is at the heart of the strategy.

The New Lodge at Garforth - To Meet at Garforth Golf Club.
Further steady progress towards the goal of a Consecration reported this month.
More than 40 Brethren have now expressed an interest in becoming Founders.

The London “Yorkshire” Lodge
A small deputation from our Province and also from the Province of Yorkshire, North and East Ridings attended a meeting of the Lodge that will become the home for this “new” Lodge.

Reports from our friends in the South indicate that the culmination of this project to establish a “Yorkshire” Lodge in London is imminent.

Raising our Civic Profile - Making a Difference!

Civic Engagement
Always looking for ideas please Brethren.

Provincial Grand Master’s Fund (PGM’s Fund) & West Riding Masonic Charities Ltd. (WRMCL)

Major Grants - 2019
Feedback regarding the awarding of Major Grants to the six 2019 Recipients has been very positive. I shall look forward to presenting the cheques during the Annual Meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge at Harrogate on 7th May.
​
Minor Grants – Q1/2019
Again, really good feedback from Brethren regarding the awards of minor grants to worthy local causes.  Sometimes  small amounts can make all the difference – even survival!
I would like to see many more applications from all parts of the Province please.

Enhancing Member Experiences

Centenary Meeting of University Lodge, Sheffield No: 3911
The many years of planning this meeting came to fruition at a magnificent celebration of the first 100 years of existence of the University Lodge, Sheffield No: 3911 held at Tapton Hall..  My congratulations to all concerned.  Well Done!

If a time tunnel was possible to connect 2019 with 1919, one wonders what the Brethren gazing down each end of the tunnel would make of it all? Incidentally, 19 Brethren from Romania  attended the Centenary and that would probably have raised eyebrows in 1919.

50th Jubilee Certificate to a Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master.
It was a pleasure to visit the home of VW Bro. Nevil Parkinson, PGSwdB, PDepProvGM to make the presentation.  I was received warmly and with great hospitality. We reminisced at length about VW Bro Nevil’s experiences and the need for change to safeguard the future of Freemasonry.
VW Bro. Nevil’s good lady wife Ann was present which made for an intimate and special occasion.

I have absolutely no problem with ladies attending such presentations as they are part of our Masonic lives and without their support, our involvement in the Craft we love could well be severely curtailed.
There was a recent example at a Lodge Meeting where the Lodge was properly “Called-Off” for the actual presentation.

2018/19 Acting Provincial Officers Visit to West Vale
What a splendid finale to the year!  The Team went to Mexborough Lodge No: 6117.
A really good time was had by all and a fitting last outing for the Team of 2018/19 who will all take away many happy memories of a glorious year.

2018/2019 Acting Provincial Officers Lunch
Over 100 Brethren/Companions and their Ladies attended the Annual Luncheon for both Craft and Royal Arch Acting Officers of the year at Hoyle Court, Baildon.  As ever, a lovely meal enjoyed in wonderful company.

2018 Initiates’ Evenings
One more to go!  The last Event of the Year is scheduled to be held at Hoyle Court, Baildon on Thursday,  30th  May 2019.  I encourage Mentors and Brethren to support their new Members.

2019/20 Area Visits by Acting Provincial Officers
The Lodges chosen are being contacted with the first visit already booked.

Appointments to Grand Rank
The Annual Investiture Meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, 24th April at Freemasons’ Hall, London.

As I am writing this in advance to meet the publication deadline, I anticipate being able to report next month that the event was its usual fantastic success.

​Visitors from Ohio
I met up with a party of 30 Brethren and wives from Ohio at the Holiday Inn, Garforth. They were on a very busy tour of England and Wales and the Garforth Hotel was their base for visiting York.  I have a close relationship with Ohio and it was a pleasure to welcome such lovely people to our shores.

And Finally: Plans for May

CLARION CALL - THE ANNUAL MEETING
Provincial Grand Lodge - Harrogate - Tuesday 7th May 2019
This is shaping up yet again to be a really tremendous occasion and I encourage Master Masons to attend to extend their knowledge and friendships.

BUSINESS AS USUAL
Apart from our Annual Meeting, I can see a number of activities in my diary including the Centenary Meeting of Don Valley Lodge, Doncaster No: 3890, the Installation of a new Assistant Provincial Grand Master at Tapton Hall, Sheffield, the Annual Meeting of the Province of Nottinghamshire, a cheque presentation to Wakefield Hospice, the Installation Meeting of Bawtry Lodge No: 5174, the Annual Learning and Development Conference at Freemasons’ Hall, London, the Centenary Meeting of Unity Lodge, Huddersfield No: 3930.

That’s not bad for a traditionally “quiet” May!

My Fraternal best wishes to you and yours as always.
​RW Bro. David S. Pratt - Provincial Grand Master

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