Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire

Archived News from Derby District

City Derby District Newsletter – January 2008

Happy New Year!

ADAS - Following our appeal for ideas last month I am delighted to report that a number of projects have been identified for Manchester Freemasonry to demonstrate our Care in the Community. These are now being reviewed and plans are being put in place for one deserving local charity – The Alcohol and Drug Abstinence Service (ADAS) The Charity requires practical help with renovating and refurbishing properties which will be used for housing.
The response for volunteers from Brethren in Lodges in Derby District has been encouraging and we currently have a pool of twenty to call on. It would be even better if we had thirty so please pass the names of any new volunteers to the District Secretary, Keith Hatton. The Community fund has made a grant of £5,000 to this very worthy cause and the Manchester Districts are giving an additional £500.

Charity Giving Evening - An evening is being organised to give Lodges the opportunity of personally presenting their Non-Masonic Charitable donations to a representative of that charity. This will take place on Friday 9 May 2008. It is hoped that the publicity generated by the event will reflect well on the Craft and stimulate interest in the media especially as Civic Leaders from Manchester and Salford will be in attendance. Lodges which are interested in participating should contact their District Secretary in the first instance and details will be forwarded as they become available.

Short Papers Competition - The City Derby District based Internet Lodge No. 9659, has launched a “Short Papers Competition”. It is aimed at encouraging members of the Craft throughout the world to write a Paper that can be delivered in a lodge in about five minutes. The Paper can be on any Masonic related subject and is likely to provoke thought and stimulate interest and debate throughout the Craft. Entries – which in two principal categories can be up to 500 words in length in one case or up to 1500 words in length in the other - will be eligible for a number of Awards. The Competition has the strong support and endorsement of the Pro Grand Master, who will be present at the announcement of the winning entry. To read the Pro Grand Master's message and for full information about the Competition and the Rules for entry click on the link http://internet.lodge.org.uk and go to “Short Papers”

Broken Column Dinner - Now is the time to be considering your list of Lodge widows for the Broken Column Dinner. Next year's dinner will be held, as usual, at Freemasons Hall, on Monday 19 May.

A Comedy Evening and dinner is being organised for 10 April 2008 with guest Comedians. The title will be “Not Another Sportsman's Dinner – Comedians Only”. It will be organised along the lines of the popular Sportsman's evening but with comedians only. This is a Manchester District function and is open to both Masons and non-Masons alike. Proceeds will go partly to find the Broken Column Evening and partly to other Masonic Charities.

Advertising - The viability of most publications depends upon advertising and the Deacon is no exception. Should you wish to advertise your business to every mason in the Province then please contact Brian Durkin on 01925 763073 or briandurkin@btconnect.com

Provincial Grand Chapter is one of the more colourful events on the Masonic calendar. Tuesday 13 May is the date of the annual Provincial Convocation at St George's Hall, Blackburn, and all Companions are welcome.

ELMC - You are asked to remind Brethren who are members of the ELMC that their annual subscription is now due for renewal. For those who are not members, our own Provincial Charity asks just £60 a year from its members, that only £5 a month, a sum which is well within the means of most of us. Of course you can contribute as much as you wish but a minimum of £60 makes you a member.

The Manchester Lodge of Masonic Research has an extensive, varied and interesting programme for the coming season and visitors are most welcome. Details of their forthcoming events can be found on the website and on http://www.masonicnews.co.uk/ Those without the internet should contact Kevin Horne, 2 Blackburn Road, Burnley BB12 8JZ or ring 01282 772373.

Personal 50th Celebrations On Thursday 24th January John Holmes of Portico Lodge will celebrate his 50th Masonic Birthday. Let's make it a night to remember for John and go along to support him. Please contact the Lodge Secretary, Terry Bussell on 01925 604108 or tandybussell@tiscalli.co.uk for further details.

Yours sincerely and fraternally,

Photo taken 24 Jan 2008 at 22:00hrs - ish, at the celebration of WBro John Holmes' Personal 50th - Portico Lodge, FMH.

Here we see DB enjoying a recital by the George Formby Appreciation Society (Province of North Wales).

"The ukulele is clearly a force for good in a cynical world" - quote from Derby District Secretary.

City Derby District Chairman

City Derby District Newsletter – November 2007

Mentoring

The new Mentoring programme will be formally launched at the Provincial Grand Lodge meeting this month by the Provincial Grand Master, and there has already been a fascinating demonstration given to all Lodge and Chapter Mentors at Bridge Street last month. The Mentoring initiative affects every Freemason in the Province and we ask you all to assist your lodge Mentor in making it a huge success.

Care in the Community

Manchester Freemasons have launched a new project where we can give not only our money but time as well. The Alcohol and Drug Abstinence Service have housing which needs regular renovation and refurbishment. Any Brother who can assist with rubbish removal, decorating, etc. is urged to contact the District Secretary, WBro Keith Hatton for details.

Charity Giving Evening

Watch this space for further details of an exciting opportunity taking place next May for your Lodge to participate in a worthwhile event that will significantly raise the profile of Freemasonry in the local community.

A Comedy Evening and dinner is being organised for 10 April 2008 with guest Comedians. This promises to be a great fun evening and is a major fund-raiser for the Broken Column Dinner in May. Please note the date in your diaries.

Broken Column Dinner 2008 - Now is the time to be consolidating your list of Lodge Widows for the Broken Column Dinner. Next year's dinner will be held, as usual, at Freemasons Hall, on Monday 19th May 2008. Please be mindful of the Widows of Lodges that may have amalgamated or closed.

Personal Golden Jubilees

Please support the following Brethren who will reach their 50 th Masonic Birthdays:

2 nd November 2007 – Eric Firth – Semper Vigilans Lodge

24 th January 2008 – John Holmes – Portico Lodge

If you have a special celebration coming up please let the District Secretary have details.

Publicity We are constantly looking out for interesting stories about what is going on in Lodges. The Deacon is the voice of the province, the City Mason the voice of the City, and the website our face on the world. Items of interest, particularly including photographs, should be channelled through Mike Birks, our Communications Officer, who will submit them to the several editors. Mike can be contacted on 0161 747 5924 manchestermason@btinternet.com . And if something interesting is happening in the future you can publicise it on www.masonicnews.co.uk .

Advertising The viability of most publications depends upon advertising and the Deacon is no exception. Should you wish to advertise your business to every mason in the Province then please contact Brian Durkin 01925 763073 briandurkin@btconnect.com .

ELMC you are asked to remind Brethren who are members of the ELMC that their annual subscription is now due for renewal. For those who are not members, our own Provincial Charity asks just £60 a year from its members, that is only £5 a month, a sum which is well within the means of most of us. Of course you can contribute as much as you wish but a minimum of £60 makes you a member. Details are available from your Lodge Charity Steward.

David Basger

City Derby District Chairman

Manchester Masons recently donated £1000 towards the Booth Centre based at Manchester Cathedral. This worthy charity assists homeless people to get back into society by providing skills to find employment and re-establish their lives. The administrator at the Centre particularly asked if we could fund a new computer system and computer furniture. They have now had the computer installed and are thrilled with how quick and efficient it is and thank Manchester Masons for their generosity. This is a fine example of Freemasonry working in the community and lodges are urged to make suggestions of other worthy causes which we can support. Please contact our District Charity Steward.
W Bro John Holmes of Portico Lodge celebrated his Golden Jubilee on Thursday 25 October and W Bro Eric Firth of Semper Vigilans Lodge celebrated his on Friday 2 November. To them both we extend hearty congratulations and many more healthy years in the craft. David Basger Chairman.

District Representatives' Newsletter – June 2007

The PGM returned to Florida at the end of March for the final stage of his treatment. Those of you who attended Provincial Grand Chapter saw him in good spirits and looking well and although we have learned more recently of a setback in his recovery, the news remains positive. He is very grateful for the support he and his family have received from the brethren of the Province during this very difficult time. So please continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers for a successful conclusion to his treatment.

The District Reorganisation is now complete and you will have also learned that our Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Paul Rose, retired from office on 8th May. We thank him for all he has done for Freemasonry in Manchester and wish him well in the future – a future which we have no doubt will see him continuing in active support of Freemasonry in the Province.

W.Bro Martin Caller was appointed Assistant Provincial Grand Master on 9th May and we all look forward to working with him in the future.

Meanwhile at Provincial Grand Chapter on 29th March, E.Comp. D Brian Howells retired as an Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals. Brian retires with the thanks and best wishes of all brethren and companions in Manchester where he has been in active service for many years.

E.Comp Bill Porter now holds responsibility for all Chapters in Manchester .

The TLC Teddy Bear Appeal initiative is proving very popular with the children at Booth Hall Hospital who have received teddy bears. Brethren are requested to purchase the teddy bear badges for £2 (which buys two teddies) from the Lodge Charity Steward who has details of where to obtain supplies. Donations from Lodges and individuals are most welcome and Lodges are asked to consider this appeal as part of their charity giving.

The purpose of this newsletter which is expected to be updated monthly during the Masonic Season is to give District Representatives a GUIDE to current events for their various reports in Lodges/Chapters. It is not designed to be read out in full.

Internet Lodge No. 9659 installs W Bro. Charles Lewis, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina as its Master

Possibly for the first time in the history of the United Grand Lodge of England a Past Grand Master of an overseas Grand Lodge has occupied the Chair of King Solomon.

On 17 March 2007 W Bro. Charles Lewis, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina was Installed into the Chair of Internet Lodge No 9659 at Freemasons' Hall Bridge Street Manchester. As WBro Lewis had not been previously installed in a chair of the English constitution the full ceremony was conducted by the Installing Master Wbro Larry Porter.

The Lodge has members from across the globe and on the day of the Installation welcomed amongst others joining members from Poland, Serbia and Italy. At the Festive Board the Master's Song was delivered in the traditional manner only to be followed by the Polish version by two of the Polish members.

A happy and memorable day.

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Manchester Freemasons host a Broken Column evening

Manchester Freemasons held their 9th and largest annual Broken Column evening for 189 guests on Monday 15th May. Widows of Freemasons who were members of Lodges and Chapters meeting at Bridge Street mingled with Lodge escorts and the organising District Officers. For the second year running the organisers sent personal invitations to all the widows of Lodges and Chapters that had met in Manchester and subsequently closed, some of whom were delighted to be able to attend again.

After a reception in the Goulburn Lodge room dinner was served in the adjacent dining room. Manchester APGM Robert Mitchell proposed a toast to our guests who all appreciated his praise for their late husbands and our thanks for their support.

Entertainment was provided by a quartet of young musicians from Chetham's School of Music .

The organisers received many letters from guests thanking Manchester Masons for not forgetting them. Many attendees put the date in their diaries as a regular fixture and are always delighted to meet up with old friends and make new ones.

The 2008 dinner date has been announced as 21st May. Manchester Lodge and Chapter Almoners can obtain preliminary details from District Almoners.