PROVINCIAL NEWSLETTER

An occasional newsletter for the information of the Brethren in the Province of Northumberland
Provincial Grand Lodge of Northumberland, Neville Hall, Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1SY September 2009

Festival for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution – 2021

Following the success of the RMTGB Festival the Provincial Grand Master is anxious that we establish in good time a system of regular donations which will avoid the need for the frenetic “rush for the line” we suffered to ensure the success of the last festival. At the meeting of the Communication and Training Committee hosted by the John Stephenson Lecture Lodge held at Freemasons Hall, Corbridge Road, Byker on 30th April 2009 Lodge Charity Stewards received a talk on their role during the course of which the importance was stressed of encouraging old and new members to take out with their Bank a monthly standing order mandate to the credit of the Northumberland Masonic Charity Association (N.M.C.A.). Whilst it is far too early for a target to be set for the 2021 Festival in response to requests for guidance it is suggested a monthly contribution of £5 to £10 would not be inappropriate.


News from United Grand Lodge

The staff at ‘Headquarters’ are very excited about the launch of the new UGLE website. The Grand Secretary describes it “as a dynamic site which will be constantly evolving.” The website is specifically designed for us all to use as a recruiting tool. The target audience is people who are interested in becoming Freemasons or have recently become Freemasons. It will also be useful aid when talking to family, friends and acquaintances about Freemasonry and to dispel myths among our detractors. (visit the site at www.ugle.org.uk )
It has for a long time been galling for those employed, particularly in the public sector, to find that some applications for jobs have a question asking whether one is a Freemason. Such a question is flagrant discrimination and in his speech at the Quarterly Communication held on 10th June 2009 the Pro Grand Master stated that as a result of a European Court ruling UGLE will take legal proceedings against any government body or organisation that refuse to remove such questions from their application forms or literature.
If you have any instances of employer discrimination against freemasonry please contact the Provincial Office with the details and we will on your behalf forward the information to Grand Lodge.
Note for Diary – 14th June 2017 when UGLE will celebrate its tercentenary


The Freemasons Grand Charity

The recent Report on the Accounts of the Freemasons Grand Charity for 2008 showed that total grants awarded amounted to £6,879,810. Approximately £3.8m was distributed to 1,911 masons or their dependants – including widows and other partners. This represents one of the primary activities of the Charity and at a local level the individual Lodge Almoners in the Province with guidance where necessary from our Provincial Almoner Norman West continue to be busy both initiating new applications to and dispersing aid from the Grand Charity for those brethren and their dependants in need. In 2008 grants in the total sum of £133,190.00 were distributed to our members.
Approximately £3.2m funded non-masonic grants to assist vulnerable people, medical research, youth opportunities, emergency grants for disaster relief and other grants. Locally £5,000 was awarded to assist in the aftermath of the Morpeth Floods (matched with £5,000 from the Province). Similarly the Grand Charity Grants for the Great North Air Ambulance and the Tynemouth RNLI Station were topped up with monies from the Province so that each received £10,000. The five hospices in Northumberland received grants totalling £123,833.
In 2008 Northumberland members contributed to the Freemasons Grand Charity approximately £82,000, through their annual subscriptions. In 2008 the Charity awarded to the Province Masonic and Non-Masonic grants in excess of £250,000.


News from Provincial Grand Lodge Office hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.00pm

The 2009 Northumberland Masonic Year Book has been distributed to all Masonic Halls for the attention of Lodge Secretaries. Additional copies are available from the Provincial Office at a cost of £12 each.

From 1st September the Province will be going “live” with the United Grand Lodge ‘Adelphi’ membership database. A letter has been issued to all Lodge Secretaries informing them of the new administrative procedures which have to be adopted.

Notes for Diary - The Annual Meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge will be held on Tuesday 10th November 2009 at the Newcastle Racecourse.

Teddies for Loving Care (TLC)

Just over 8 years ago, Essex Masons launched a scheme at Essex A&E units called “TLC” – Teddies for Loving Care. The idea was simple. When a child is in severe distress at an A&E unit, they can be difficult to treat and the whole experience can be frightening and very stressful. Produce a TLC teddy for them to look at, cuddle, or whatever is appropriate and the whole situation calms down, and often turns to smiles when they are told they can keep the Teddy! The whole idea was so successful that it was not long before it spread up and down the Country and overseas, Gibraltar, Cyprus and even the USA!
In July 2008 TLC celebrated the milestone of helping ½ million distressed children by giving away 500,000 Teddies. At the same time it was announced that Peter Lowndes the then Deputy and now the Pro Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England became the Patron of the Charity.
This July, a Committee formed under the chairmanship of W.Bro.John Wallace reported on the arrangements to introduce the Teddies into the Newcastle Hospitals, namely the RVI, the General and the Freeman. This will augment the work already taking place by teams of Freemasons in the other areas of the Province and mean that all distressed children admitted to any of the major hospitals and A&E Units in Northumberland will have access to the Teddies. John and his team will be looking for funds and support from the Masons whose Lodges meet in the Masonic buildings at Neville Hall (including the RGS), Byker, Maple Terrace, Jesmond, Wylam, Ponteland and Throckley.  

Whitley Bay Walkers raise £2000

Brethren from Whitley Bay raised approximately £2000 in a Charity Walk from Newcastle to Hexham. The money raised will be divided equally between the N.M.C.A. and Breast Cancer Care. The walk, held in July and organised by Bro Gavin Gould of Regis Lodge No.8864 followed a party at the beginning of the year to celebrate the life of Gillian Gould, a year after she died of cancer. Nine people completed the nine-hour walk, from Neville Hall, Newcastle to the Masonic Hall at Westfield Avenue Hexham.
Gavin and his fellow organisers are hoping to turn it into an annual event which will benefit a number of charities. It’s not limited to Whitley Bay Masons anyone can join in including wives, partners, girlfriends, pets etc. If you wish to donate visit the website at www.justgiving.co.uk/gilliangould.

Congratulations:

To: Novocastrian Lodge No.3361 and George Stephenson Lodge No.3390 both of whom celebrate their centenaries’ in September.

To: those brethren who have recently received certificates celebrating their 50 years in freemasonry details of which can be found on the website: www.northumberlandmasons.org

News from the other Orders

Investiture of the Provincial Grand Master of Mark Masons of Northumberland
On the 22 July 2009 at Blyth Masonic Hall the Most Worshipful the Pro Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons, MW Bro John Hale installed W. Bro Gordon Craigs as the Provincial Grand Master for Northumberland. Following his installation the Provincial Grand Master installed as his Deputy, Frederick C. Main, and as his Assistant Ian D. Daniels.