The bulk of the day's proceedings consisted of a series of informal 'break-out' sessions where small groups of brethren discussed the subject matter, supported by an expert facilitator. The sessions repeated throughout the day so each delegate was able to attend a total of 3 out of the 5 sessions.

1 British Freemasonry in the International Context - WBro John Belton

This topic encompassed some masonic history which was of interest to many. Closer to today was the fact that Scotland and Ireland, the other two of the Home Grand Lodges, offer a different take on freemasonry. They have always worked closely together because one can travel from one to another by going up the M6 to Gretna Green, cross the Tweed at Berwick or get a ferry across the Irish Sea. The scope of their interests spans all those parts of the globe once coloured red in schoolboy atlases. And across the English Channel is France where freemasonry is multi-stranded, colourful and confusing.

The whole matter of visiting lodges in distant places seems rather daunting but with simple preparation can be a rewarding activity. puzzling rules and regulations were explained, how to dress and make contact, and how to be ready for testing by the Junior Warden, Deacon or Tyler in a Lodge when language is a problem.

For some talk turned to problems maintaining masonic peace in our own back yard.

The sessions were not planned around any pre-thought formal structure – rather more a participative workshop around the general theme. Questions from the audience were collected and explored together. John endeavoured to answer whatever the participants were puzzled by. Each session was very different, and much was learned in the process of discussion.

2 Landmarks, Stumbling Blocks and Milestones - WBro John Acaster

The title was designed to suggest a progressive journey.

Is that what Freemasonry implies to you?
Through the three degrees, perhaps, but beyond?
Is there a widening and a deepening to be had?
In what ways?
Does Freemasonry have an aim?
Have you noticed yourself developing?
Has Freemasonry itself developed?
What should be its direction?

John started with Landmarks. The Master at his Installation promises “...I will not...permit or suffer any deviation from the established Landmarks of the Order...”.  Unfortunately “the established Landmarks” are not clear-cut. Harry Carr held to two tests. A landmark must have existed from time immemorial and is an element in the form or essence of the Society of such importance that Freemasonry would no longer be Freemasonry if it were removed.

He listed:
(a) a belief in God;
(b) an open VSL when at labour;
(c) a mason must be male, free born and of mature age;
(d) a mason owes allegiance to his Sovereign and the Craft;
(e) a mason believes in the immortality of the soul (implied)
.
But do these produce or define Freemasonry? When applied to land, the purpose of landmarks is to determine and divide. Is the list above sufficient to determine Freemasonry from the profane? What would?                                                   
Should the concept of Landmarks be used merely to restrict and confine? When applied to navigation, landmarks serve to determine and guide the way. Should not landmarks, in the modern day, be seen as things helpful and positive to follow, once they have been recognised? Can you see the beacons? 

Next, John turned to Stumbling-blocks. Somehow, masons do not seem to recognise stumbling-blocks—they do not appear in Craft ritual. A stumbling-block is, of course, an obstacle to progress. The dictionary can also define it as ‘a cause of perplexity or error’. John suggested that stumbling-blocks should also be looked-for and, once identified, tackled.

If, of course, there is no progress, you will find no stumbling-blocks.
                              
If there is a journey there should be Milestones. In the history of English masonry the obvious milestones could be listed as:

What additional milestones could be suggested from the past?  What milestones would be desirable in the future? What are your personal milestones? How could you be helped to progress?

All of the above were discussed with different approaches with each Group. the conversation diversified for each session and this was clearly a subject that could be pursued further for hours and hours.

3 Freemasonry! What's the Point? - WBro Kai Hughes, Provincial Grand Orator

In this modern day era many of the activities we associate with freemasonry centre around raising money for charity.  In fact it would not be uncommon to hear in reply to the question “What is Freemasonry?” that it is about “raising money for charity” or “making good men better”.  If it is about raising money for charity, what makes Freemasonry special compared to say Rotary or the Lions?  If it is about making good men better, how does this work in practice? 

This was an interactive workshop designed forthe delegates to ask questions and explore just exactly what is the point of Freemasonry.  For without this knowledge, Freemasonry really is no different to Rotary and Lions but armed with this knowledge we can hope to understand the deeper, inner meaning of Freemasonry and bring an additional dimension to your Freemasonry.

The delegates indeed explored the meanings of the Degree ceremonies. Do you really understand how important the 2nd Degree is and that the hidden mysteries of nature and science relate to the understanding of yourself. Do you realise that the old cliche 'making good men better' is far more profound than that. The deeper meanings of ritual imply that God wants us to work towards being more like him. The workshop discussion focussed on all of this and more, including similarities between Freemasonry and Buddhism etc.

4 What does Freemasonry mean to you; what does it mean to others? WBro Martin Roche, APGM

Before we can explain Freemasonry to someone else we must understand it ourselves and know what it means to us. Can we really articulate enough about Freemasonry to our friends to give them an understanding and how do we know whether they are the right people to become Freemasons? Do we get acquainted enough with potential candidates to know that Freemasonry is right for them?

This workshop explored each person’s own understanding of Freemasonry, helped them see how others view Freemasonry and put all this together to create a reality that allows the appreciation of Freemasonry in the 21st Century.

Try this yourself now: I know nothing about Freemasonry - explain it to me in a way that is immediately engaging, provocative and will make me want to join! Or to put it another way: Freemasonry possesses great and invaluable privileges - tell me what they are. This workshop would have made this easy for you!

Masonic etiquette in the Modern World - WBro Fred Lomax

In today’s hectic world we forget sometimes that there are certain standards to be met in any organised society. Is etiquette to be disregarded in modern day Freemasonry and is it an old fashioned concept? This workshop examined whether we as Masons are overlooking this important side of Freemasonry to our detriment. There was far more to the discussions therein than one may initially think. It is incumbent upon us only to bring men of quality into the Order. Is drinking lager from the bottle ok at the Festive Board in modern times? What about Dress code? What about the formalities in Lodge and at the Festive board - ranks, toasts, ceremonial, table manners.

Etiquette is about thoughtfulness for the concern of others, treating others with respect, being punctual, ensuring solemnity within the ceremonies, observing rules and regulations (not discussing religious dogma or political views), refraining from vulgar language, jokes and stories. Are we failing Freemasonry if we let standards slip. Do we not attend Lodge to escape negativities of the outside world?

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