The end of the summer is not the end of the world.

Dear Brethren……...

"The end of the summer is not the end of the world. Here's to October..." A.A. Milne

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Increasing Membership - Working Plan for Success

The Membership Pathway - A Proven Guide to Success
The Schedule of presentations is now in circulation.  Attendance is highly recommended however no “three-line whip” to attend has been issued on this matter.  As with every Provincial activity, participation is entirely voluntary. Rulers will be in attendance at the Events, and everyone is invited to spend time with a Ruler during the evening.  Why bother? The experiences of the Provinces involved in the pilot? “Membership Pathway? It works”. All Sections of the Pathway are impressive, and I do commend the practical ideas on member retrieval.

Open Days - Continued Success
I have received positive feedback regarding the second Open Day in the Community organised by the Sheffield Lodges.  This confirms the effectiveness of looking outside our own Masonic Buildings to engage with potential Candidates and also the general public.  I now look to Lodges in every Masonic Centre to discuss how to work together to host local Open Days both in the Community and also at Masonic Centres. 
Our aim must continue to be: The “right” man for the “right” Lodge.

I am particularly impressed with the calibre of members being admitted recently. 
They all have friends and colleagues and with some early encouragement can be a tremendous source of even more new members.


Raising our Civic Profile - Things are Happening!

Provincial Grand Master’s Fund/WRMCL
Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) 

The Province was well represented in Sheffield at the Annual Award Dinner of YAA. 
It was humbling to hear about the life-saving work of the YAA and a delight to learn that the service now operates from 7am until Midnight.  This has been made possible by the building of night landing pads at Hospitals, specialist pilot training and night vision goggles.  I nearly fell off my chair when I was told that the cost of each set of the essential night vision goggles is in the region of £22,000.

Harrogate
Harrogate Lodges have been particularly active.
A tree arbour including an elegantly designed oak bench has been donated to the Royal Horticultural Society Gardens at Harlow Carr. Included in the donation was a specially made information board including braille characters for visually impaired visitors.  
The Deputy Lieutenant, the Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Harrogate together with many other Civic and Masonic dignitaries, were in attendance. The Gardens Superintendent was much surprised when an acacia tree was requested for incorporation into the arbour.
Much to the delight of the Brethren a suitable hardy variety was obtained and planted.

The “Mason Room” at Harrogate Hospital has been formally handed over in the presence of many Hospital Staff and Brethren. This project was funded by a Major Grant Award allowing the complete refurbishment of a room for the quiet enjoyment and benefit of patients and their relatives.  It is a fully equipped haven of tranquillity. The redecoration includes mood lighting showing blue skies and clouds in the ceiling to provide the impression of freedom and space.  The Hospital Staff were delighted by our generosity who confirmed that this “makes a difference!”  The first user of the room took up residence within minutes of the conclusion of the handover ceremony.  

Remembrance Day
I understand that 1000 ties have now been sold.  This is a magnificent achievement reflecting the qualities at the core of every Freemason. The final details of our participation at the Leeds Remembrance Sunday Parade will be circulated.


Enhancing Member Experiences

New Assistant Provincial Grand Masters Announced
W Bro. Dr Andrew Wright, PAGDC, will succeed W Bro. Paul Clarke, PSGD and W Bro. Ian Lewis, PAGDC will succeed W Bro, Anthony Llewellyn, PSGD as Assistant Provincial Grand Masters.

I do thank W Bros. Clarke and Llewellyn for their outstanding support, dedication and hard work as both Rulers in the Province and also as personal and valued friends. 
Details of the Installation Meetings in January 2019 will be confirmed and circulated.

SOLOMON
This is an initiative soon to be released by Grand Lodge.  An electronic interactive learning and development system to enhance our Masonic experience.  We have been blessed over the years by the availability of excellent local Learning & Development initiatives and support.  SOLOMON will provide support to Provinces and our Districts Overseas with Masonic Education. The new repository of information will be an excellent addition to our own local resources.  
Do watch this space for details of the release and access. 

Our Masonic Family
I have been invited to attend the Annual meeting of the Provincial Priory of Knights Templar at Leeds.  My thanks to the Provincial Prior, REKt. Paul Grafton for the courtesy extended. As members of other Masonic Orders must of necessity to members of the Craft, it is lovely to meet my Brethren in different settings.

And Finally: Reflections on my October Diary
I have finally, finally retired after nearly 30 years with the “World’s No: 1 Building Society” (as we were once called!) If you examine my DNA then there is probably a blue “X” in there somewhere together with The Square and Compasses! 

Installation Meeting, Royal Wharfedale Lodge No: 1108
A splendid evening in good company with a good attendance.  An excellent Festive Board. Well done to all in the Lodge

Masonry Universal (1): An Exotic Visitor: A Past Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand East of the Netherlands came to Sheffield accompanied by a goodly entourage of Dutch Masons.  It was a delightful evening at University Lodge, Sheffield No: 3911 where we were treated to a splendid Ceremony of Making a Mason. Other overseas visitors from the Grand Lodge of New South Wales and from our own District of Bahamas and Turks were also in attendance.  I can only admire Brethren whose Mother tongue is not English delivering our ceremonial in such an excellent manner.  This leads on to………….

Masonry Universal (2): An Exotic Visit: Well!  I have been installed as Worshipful Master of the Britannic Lodge of Madeira No: 135 in Funchal under the Legal Grand Lodge of Portugal.  Thank-goodness! The Lodge works in English.  There will be a Ladies Night on Saturday; the 30th of March 2019 should anyone be in Madeira on that date.

On the November Horizon: - Presentations from the ProvGM’s Fund/WRMCL at Brighouse, Castleford and Nostell Priory.  Cockburn Lodge No: 5362 Installation. New Banner Dedication at Bawtry Lodge No: 5174. AGM of the Association of Friends of Connaught Court. Team visit to Harrogate. Provincial Meetings- East Lancashire and Northumberland

My Fraternal Greetings and Regards to you and yours!

RW Bro. David S. Pratt - Provincial Grand Master

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