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  Winter 2009

News from United Grand Lodge

Freemasonry Cares.
Members will be aware from the autumn edition of “Freemasonry Today” of the new initiative to help freemasons and their families access the support of the Charities. The co-location of the charities at Freemasons’ Hall means that anyone with a Masonic connection who has a real financial, healthcare, or family need can access guidance and advice on the support available to them using a freephone telephone number 0800 035 60 90, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or website www.freemasonrycares.org.
The Provincial Almoner Norman West is always available with advice and support for Northumberland masons and their families with enquiries and can be contacted by phone 0191 2630204 (mobile 07951828044) or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Freemasons Grand Charity

The Freemasons Grand Charity is pleased to continue its support for the potentially life-saving services provided nationally by eighteen air ambulance charities, with a further grant of £180,000.
As in 2008, Provincial and Metropolitan Grand Lodges were invited to nominate a service to receive a £4,000 share of the total grant. During the summer, representatives of the Provincial Grand Lodges have been visiting their local helipads, meeting the air ambulance crews and presenting cheques for the donations.
See how the grant of £180,000 has been shared between the air ambulance charities on our air ambulances page. http://www.grandcharity.org/pages/air_ambulance_charities.html.

The Provincial Grand Master’s Christmas and New Year Message

The recent Annual Meeting of our Province heralded not only the commencement of the new Masonic year and the appointment of the new Provincial Officers but also the wonderful news that our efforts during the past decade on behalf of the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys had culminated with a revised figure well in excess of three million pounds.   Our recent ability to help those less fortunate boys and girls is something in which we can, and will, take great pride and satisfaction but it should also serve to keep us ever mindful of the needs of others.
Whilst our Festival has passed, the festival of Christmas will soon be with us.   It is traditionally, of course, a time for family and friends and I have no doubt  that you will enjoy yourselves accordingly but I urge you not to lose sight of its true meaning and purpose  – peace on earth; goodwill toward men.
I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and Festive season and express the hope that the coming year will bring to each of you and your loved ones contentment, good health, prosperity and much happiness.
Peter Magnay – Provincial Grand Master

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

Annual Meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge
This year the Meeting was held on Thursday 10th November, at 3.00pm in the Brandling Suite at Newcastle Racecourse. 392 brethren of the Province attended, 60 brethren received their appointments to Provincial Grand Rank and 36 received a promotion. 17 brethren were reappointed to active posts. 37 brethren submitted an apology.
The Treasurer and Secretary submitted their reports. It was noted that the Annual Subscription would be held for the third consecutive year at £12 per member. The Province had 5,613 members, a reduction of 4.46% from 2008/09, operating in 179 lodges.
The Provincial Grand Master welcomed guests from the five neighbouring Provinces together with W. Bro. Keith Emmerson the Deputy Chairman of the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys who in his address to the meeting thanked the members of the Province for their recent successful Festival. He congratulated the Provincial Grand Master on being made an Honorary Grand Patron and informed the meeting that the Most Worshipful the Grand Master had authorised the Festival Jewel becoming a permanent jewel.
Footnote: The Province wish to express their gratitude to the organisers, W. Bros. John Pescott and David Jeffcock and the members of the Millennium Club who donated £25,000 to the Festival.
New members are still welcome, contact: W. Bro John Pescott, Tel. 0191 2574895.

Provincial Visits - 2010
A list of Provincial Visits for 2010 has been sent to Lodge Secretaries and also appears on the website.
Royal Arch Chapter Ritual
Copies of the new Royal Arch Chapter Ritual are available from the Office at a cost of £6.00 each

Sporting Round-up
Bowling
The Society had three outings this summer. We had mixed fortunes against our neighbours, a win against Cumberland and Westmorland on 4th August but a loss against Durham on 12th August. The Markham Wright Pairs Trophy played on 16th August was won by Ron Hall and Steve Thompson..
Golf
The Society had two outings the first on 21st July at Prudhoe Golf Club when members competed for the Innes Hopkins Cup, the Turnbull Trophy and Louis Douglas Salver when Alan Birkmyre, L4019, John Hannon, L6772 and David Jeffcock, L4019 were the respective winners. The second outing at Arcot Hall Golf Club took place on 16th September for the Napier Clavering Cup and the John Neesham Salver when the respective winners were the pairings of John Bartlett and Alan Keith, L2995, and Eric Fraser and John Kindred, L8213. New members always welcome why not come to the Annual General Meeting: 7.00pm, Wednesday 20th January 2010 at Ponteland Golf Club.

Masonic Motorcycle Association in the Province of Northumberland
A new Masonic motorcycle association has been formed in the Province. The Association called “The Widows Sons” is an international association bringing together motorbike enthusiasts. Chapters are being formed throughout Great Britain, Europe and America. It is open to all Master Masons who own a motorbike over 600cc, or a vintage/classic bike of any size. The Northumberland Chapter have arranged a few rides out this year which included a recent visit to Scarbrough Court, where, to the delight of the residents, they attended a coffee morning.    
If you would like to know more about the association contact W. Bro. Peter Younger on: Tel. 07734989803 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Congratulations:

To: Good Samaritan Lodge No.7654 who celebrate their Golden Jubilee in December.

To: W. Bro. Douglas Alan Wright, PProvGReg of St. Anthony’s Lodge who celebrated 60 years in Freemasonry on 28th October 2009. The occasion was marked at the Lodge meeting on 23rd October 2009 when the Past Assistant PGM, W. Bro. Gordon Scullard, PSGD, presented an Anniversary Certificate to W. Bro. Douglas.

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

News from the other Orders

Order of the Secret Monitor
On 12th November 2009 at Birmingham, MW Bro. Michael William Guest was invested as the new Grand Supreme Ruler by the outgoing Head of the Order MW Bro. Peter Glynn Williams. The ceremony was attended by RW Bro. John Warham Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler for Northumberland and other Brethren of the Province.

Contact Telephone Numbers

Northumberland Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Masons

Secretary: Duncan Elliott . Tel. 01670 822227 (Tuesday & Thursday mornings)

Provincial Priory  Secretary: Christopher Benneworth. Tel. 0191 2903479

Royal & Select Masters  Secretary: John Tomlin. Tel. 01670 514091

Rose Croix  Secretary: Mel Sayers. Tel. 01670 513465

Red Cross of Constantine  Secretary: Peter Layton. Tel. 01670 732800

Secret Monitor  Secretary: Colin Hume. Tel. 0191 2376110

Allied Degrees  Secretary: Jim Neil. Tel. 01661 833599

Knight Templar Priests   Michael Daws. Tel. 01671 515128

Royal Order of Scotland  Secretary: John Tomlin. Tel. 01670 514091