| FORTHCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS |
| DISTRICT DIARY - 2012 |
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SOUTHERN AREA FESTIVAL DINNER ADDRESSED BY THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE RMBI
VWBro Chris Caine PGSwdB and the APGM Stephen Blank PDepGDC
Our APGM, WBro Stephen Blank, organised a Festival Dinner at Stanley House for Lodge and Chapter Festival Reps and their ladies. The surprise speaker before an audience of more than 80 was the Deputy President of the RMBI, VWBro Chris Caine PGSwdB. He was accompanied by his partner, Sally Ann. Festival Chairman Dave Thompson, ProvGChStwd Brian Sigsworth and Southern Area DFRs Paul Waring and Brian Reynolds also attended.
Chris was appointed a Trustee of the RMBI in 1999 and spent six and a half years as its Chairman. He was subsequently appointed Deputy President in October 2010.
Following Stephen’s introduction, Chris gave his talk on a subject clearly close to his heart; Dementia. He has made a detailed study of this disease and is trained and qualified in dealing with residents who suffer from this dreadful illness. He is enthusiastic about what can be done at the RMBI Homes, without the use of anti-psychotic drugs, and he clearly enjoys speaking on the subject.
Chris showing and example of a Memory Board used in the treatment of Dementia
In his speech he included many examples of the problems that carers meet and how they can be dealt with. He gave examples of modern signage, why it was needed and why it was designed the way it was. He also spoke about the ‘Memory Box’ which helps sufferers to be sure that they are in their own room.
He received a standing ovation when he finished which was then turned into a Q and A session at which his skills were once again in clear view. We hope to have a précis of his talk up on the web site before long. Audenshaw District Chairman John Pearson proposed a vote of thanks and we all went home considerably wiser on this subject and our Care Homes in general – also well fed and entertained!
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THE PERFECT ASHLAR CLUB
Young Club Members: The future of Freemasonry
Saturday December 3rd, 2011, could well turn out to be a most significant day in the ongoing story of Freemasonry in the Southern Area. On that day we held the inaugural meeting of the Perfect Ashlar Club, a new Masonic Club for recent initiates into the craft. At the moment, anyone who has joined the craft in the last five years, from any Lodge in the Southern Area, is entitled to join the club, though that condition might change.
The first meeting of the new club was held at Stanley House, Audenshaw and was called by W Bros Tony Davies and Barry Dickson, the District Mentors for Audenshaw and Ashton & Mossley. It followed on from a highly successful series of hosted Lodge Meetings which have explored aspects of the first and second degree ceremonies, and which have previously been reported in these pages.
The meeting attracted a small, but enthusiastic, group of men ranging from those who have been members for less than one year, to those who have been active in the craft for more than four. W Bro John Pearson, the Chairman of Audenshaw District, opened the meeting by explaining a little about his role within the District and introduced some of his officers. They then also talked about the jobs that they do, and the way that their jobs impact on the general membership of the craft in our area.
Then those of us who are too long in the tooth to be considered for membership of the new club retired for a short while, and left the founder members to create their own organisation. On our return, after our temporary absence, they had created the structure of the club. The first Chairman of the Perfect Ashlar Club is Bro Andy Cummins of Dignity Lodge No 8304 and his Deputy will be Bro Jim Scanlan of Mossley Lodge No 6577. The Secretary of the Club is Bro Scott Davies of Lodge of Union No 268. We send our heartiest congratulations to them and wish them every success in the future.
In concluding the meeting, John Pearson said, "This Club is intended to help you on your journey together through Freemasonry. Tell us if you need further explanation of any aspect of our ceremonies or help of any kind. Discuss your queries or concerns with each other. Invite friends who may wish to know more about our Order before asking to join. Above all, please enjoy the benefits of self-development which will follow as you make a daily advancement in your masonic knowledge."
So, if you are quite new to Freemasonry, and meet in a Lodge in the Southern Area, the new Perfect Ashlar Club is for you! It is still early days for the club, and a full programme of meetings has yet to be devised, but they will welcome you with open arms. Take it from me, they may be relatively new to freemasonry, but the future of the craft is well and truly in the hands of masons like them, and it is in safe hands. You will receive a warm, fraternal greeting from these men. To contact the Club you can telephone the Secretary, Scott Davies, on 07968206271 or email him at scottd435@googlemail.com.
Further reports on the future progress of this exciting venture will follow, here, in due course.
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If you have any new stories you would like to see published here, please contact
WBro Peter Bibby, District Communications Officer for Audenshaw District.