Source 63

RCE SO

ThenewsletterofWorcestershireFreemasons

EDITORIAL

Thiseditionseesabreakfromourtraditional monthlyelectronicversion,beingaprinted versionsenttoallFreemasonsintheProvince, intimeforProvincialGrandLodge.Asofcourse timelinesforphysicalproductionandsending outaremuchmoreelongatedthanusual,our contentthistimearoundhastoreflectthat,and areofamoregenericnature.

Theprintingdeadlinetogotopresswasby necessity,beforeanyannouncementonthe finalFestival2022total,sofingerscrossedI hopewedidachieveourtarget-notguaranteedofcourse,butgiventhehardworkthathas beenputinoverthelastsixyears,bynotjust theFestivalChairmanandCommittee,butmore importantlyalloftheBrethrenthathave participatedinraisingwhatIʼmsureisa fabulousfinalsum-whetheraboveorbelow target!

Wehopeyouenjoythisedition,asitcontains detailsofsomeofourspecialinterestactivities outsideofCraft,thenewAPGMsindetail-and othernotifications.

Thiseditionisbeingsentoutinconjunctionwith thesummonsfortheAnnualMeetingof ProvincialGrandLodge,whichifyouhavenʼt beenbeforeandareeligible,iswellworth attending-tonotonlytowitnessthesplendour andgrandeuroftheevent,buttorepresentyour ownlodge,andtoshowsupportofourPGM, thenewAPGMʼsandallotherBrethren attending.

FromtheRWBroStephenJWyer,ProvincialGrandMaster

Igenuinelycannotbelieve,thatitisnearlyayearsinceIwasinstalledas the17thPGMforWorcestershire,on14thMay2022.Thetimehasflown byandwhatayearithasbeen!Justbrowsingthrougholdcopiesofthe Source,remindsmeofwhatavibrantandhappyProvinceweareall privilegedtobelongtoandlongmaythatcontinue.

Duringtheyear,wehaveenjoyedvisitsfromboththenewProGrand MasterandDeputyGrandMaster,andtherehavebeentoomanyevents andnotablemeetingstomention.Iwilldomybesttosummarisethemat ProvincialGrandLodge-andIdohopethatyouwillbeabletojointhe RulersandyourfellowmembersattheUniversityon17thJune,to supporttheProvince,andallthosereceivingappointmentsand promotionsthatday,notablyourtwonewAPGMs-WBro'sPaulWong andJustinParker.

BeforethenofcoursewehavetheclimaxtoourFestivalinsupportofthe MCF,andifyouhavenotyetbookedyourplaceattheGaladinner,thenI urgeyoutodoso.Itpromisestobeaspectacularnightandletushope thatthefinaltotalwillbeoneofwhichwecanbejustlyproud.

EnjoytherestoftheMasonicseason,andIlookforwardtobeinginyour companyagainsoon.

StephenWyer

New Wardens

Asistradition,attheJanuarymeetingof WorcestershireInstalledMasters'LodgeNo. 6889thePGMwaspleasedtoannounce thatWBroDerekOwenandWBroRobert JohnsonwouldbeappointedProvincial SeniorandJuniorWardensrespectivelyat ProvincialGrandLodgeon17thJune2023.

AfullBioforeachoftheWardenswill appearinthenexteditionofWorcestershire Source!

PLAN 7YEAR

AttheJanuarymeetingofWorcestershireInstalledMasters' LodgeNo.6889,wewereprivilegedtohaveinattendancethe MostWorshipfulBrotherJonathanSpence,ProGrandMaster, whopresentedthenewsevenyearstrategyforFreemasonry.

Hestatedthat"theobjectiveisforfreemasonrytothrive,to enableallmemberstoenjoytheirmembership,irrespectiveof rank.Freemasonryshouldbeanorganisationthatattracts peoplewiththerightskillswhichshouldberecognisedand supported,includingweretheMembersPathwayschemeis essentialforthefuture-toengagewith‘LightBlueʼBrethrento ensuretheirinclusion,andtapintotheirenthusiasm.

"ProgressingtheStrategywillneedtoaddresswhyFreemasonry islosingmembers.AseriesofroadshowswithPGMsand MEGS,identifiedtherequirementforustobealearningand innovativeorganisation.TheMembershipChallengehighlighted thatweneedtoaddressresignationsandunderstandthe reasonsforthemtoinformfuturereductions".

MWBroSpencestressedtheindissolublelinkbetweentheCraft andRoyalArch,statingthatbothwereintegratedcomponentsof oneorganisationandteam.Hereportedthattheleadershipteam wereseekingincrementalstepsofimprovement,suggestingfor example,thatmeetingsshouldwherepossiblelastnomorethan 90minutesandthatlargepiecesofritualcouldbesplitinto smallerparts,suchastheChargetotheInitiate;which couldbesplitintofiveparts-thusenablingateamofbrethrento participate,makingiteasierandlessonerousforthemto participateinproceedings.

TheMWBroSpenceconcludedbyemphasisingthatweneedto adoptthemantraof‘Yes,if!ʼtopromotepositivethoughtsand actionsandweshouldnotcreatebarrierswiththeexcuseof‘No, because….ʼ;Technologyshouldbeusedtohelpinnovation,and individualsshouldnotbeoverloadedwithmasonicwork. QuarterlyCommunicationsmayonoccasion,beheldinthe Provincesinfuturetoenablegreaterparticipationfromthose whomaybeunabletotraveltoLondon.

Asfortheplan-whydoweneedastrategy?

Ouraimissimple:tocementourreputationasaforceforgoodin ourcommunitiesandsocietyatlarge,andasathriving organisationwithpeopleaspiringtojoinus.

Freemasonryhasbeenanimportantpartofthedevelopmentof oursocietyformorethan300years.Theimpactofourcharitable effortsandmembercontributionscannotbeoverestimated. However,aslowbutsteadydeclineinourmembershipnumbers threatensourrelevancetoawidersocietyandourabilitytohave apositiveimpactonlocalcommunities.

Onaverage,therehasbeena2.5percentannualdeclineinour membershipeachyearacrossEngland,Wales,theChannel IslandsandtheIsleofMansince2008,takingusfromaround 200,000members10yearsagotoalittlemorethan150,000 today.Whilewehavemadegreatprogressoverthepastyear withinitiations,thisisreallyonlyreversingtheimpactofthe pandemic.

Oneparticularstatisticisthat17percentofnewinitiatesarelost withinthreeyearsofjoining.ThisisanaverageforUGLE.Insome Provinces,thefigureis30percent.Allofthisisavoidable.

TheTempleissetuponstrongfoundations–thesearethepracticaland logisticalelementsthatUGLEandtheProvincesneedtodeliverforyouasa best-in-classorganisation.Ontopofwhichtherearethreepillars:

ThefirstisThrivingMembership,whichiscriticaltotacklingthemembership challengeandisaboutattractingnewmembersandensuringtheirexperience keepstheminFreemasonryforlife.Italsosetsouthowwecanengagewith existingmembers,ensuringthatFreemasonryremainsrelevantandenjoyable forthem,particularlythosewhoattendtheirLodgeinfrequently.

Thesecondpillar,CoherentOrganisation,setsouthowwe,acrossalllevelsof ourorganisation,mustactasoneindeliveringthestrategy.Everyone,fromthe GrandMastertothenewestenteredapprentice,hasadutyandaresponsibility tosupportthesuccessofourorganisation.Withoutourmembershippullingin thesamedirection,thestrategywillfail.

Thethirdpillar,CommunityEngagement,iswhatwealreadydosowell.We mustbuilduponourcharitableworksandmembercontributionstotheir communitiesandwidersocietyasawhole,toensurewecontinuetopromotea positiveandattractiveprofileandimageforFreemasonry.

Theaimistogrowthemembershipby1percentperannumbyyearthree,and 2percentperannumbyyearseven–whichmarkstheendofthestrategy period.Thisshouldsetusonasustainablegrowthtrajectoryasanationally relevantandthrivingmembershiporganisationforthenext300years.

EveryFreemasonhasaparttoplay,nomatterwheretheysitinour organisation.

*Ed-Theaboveisaprécisofthe7yearplan,whichcanbereadinfullonthe UGLEwebsitehere

NEWAPGM’s

JustinParker

"IwasbornandbroughtupinBewdley,Worcestershire,attendingschoolsinthe townuntilIlefttoreadLawattheUniversityofReading.

Followinggraduation,IstudiedformyprofessionalexamsatWolverhampton, whereImetmywifeAmandawhowasdoingthesamething,althoughwisely decidedlaterthatthelawwasnotforher!InduecoursewemovedtoCleobury MortimerinShropshireandhavetwodaughters,AnnaandRuth,whoare delightfullydifferent.

MylateGreatGrandfather,twoGreatUnclesandGodfatherswereallFreemasons andsoIwas,unsurprisingly,interestedintheCraftfromanearlyage.

TimMorrisandChrisHart,wellknowntomefromchurchandchoralcircles,were kindenoughtorespectivelyproposeandsecondmeintoWyreForestLodgeNo 8653,inwhichIwasinitiatedattheageof27,attainingtheChairforthefirsttime in2004.

AppointmentasaProvincialStewardandPastProvincialJuniorGrandDeacon followedinduecourse.Severalyearslater,Iwassurprisedtoreceiveacallfromthe thenDeputyPGM,toenquirewhetherIwouldbewillingtoserveasProvincial SeniorGrandWarden,ifaskedsotodo.Youcanimaginemydelightandanswer!

Sixdemanding,butrewardingyearsfollowed‘onthecircuitʼ;Iwoulddoitallagain tomorrow.

Asmostwillknow,IamalsoaPriestintheChurchofEngland.Ihavealwayshada senseofcallingandvocationtothepriesthood,andeventuallycouldavoiditno longer-undertakingtrainingparttime,andbeingordainedatHerefordCathedral nearly12yearsago.Iamnow,whilestillworkingasaSolicitor,theRectorofeight ChurchesandsixParishesinShropshire.AppointmentasProvincialGrand Chaplainfollowed,whichdutyhasbeenapleasureandprivilegetodischarge.

IwasdelightedtobeofferedtheappointmentasanactingAssistantGrand Chaplain,anofficeIhastenedtoacceptandmuchenjoyed.

InotherOrders,IholdtheequivalentofProvincialorGrandRank,servingasGrand Chaplain(orequivalent)inMark,AlliedMasonicDegrees,SRIAandtheMasonic OrderofAthelstanandsimilarprovincialofficesinRedCross,KTamongstothers.

AcallfromourPGMleftmespeechless(arareevent),whenheindicatedhiswish toappointmetoserveasAssistantProvincialGrandMaster.Iambothexcitedly andrathernervously,lookingforwardtothisnewchallenge-butdonotdoubt,that thesupportandfriendshipIhavealwaysencounteredamongstthebrethrenofour fineprovincewillseemethrough.

PaulWong

"IwasborninBradford,WestYorkshire,butgrewupinLeek,Staffordshire.but havelivedinHalesowenlongerthananywhereelse.Ihavebeenmarriedto Joannesince1988,afterwemetatarugbyclub!-andwehavetwosons;David (33)andMatthew(26)andoneGranddaughtertoDavidandAmy-Ada (21months).

I'mveryactiveinScouting,havingbeenayouthmemberinLeek,andbecame anAssistantCubScoutLeaderthereaged17.In1986becameaVentureScout Leader,anAssistantDistrictCommissionerandthentheDistrictCommissioner forHalesowen.

In2008IwasappointedastheCountyCommissionerforscoutingintheWest Merciascoutcounty,andin2016appointedasanAssistantRegional Commissioner-lookingafterthetrainingofadults,specificallymanagerand commissionertrainingacrossStaffordshire,Shropshire,Birmingham,Coventry, Solihull,WestMercia,Warwickshire,HerefordshireandWorcestershire.

Throughoutallofthistime,Ihavebeeninvolvedwith,andhaveperformedin, scoutmarchingbands;wasappointedastheNationalCoordinatorforbands andpublicperformances,andIamcurrentlyresponsibleforselectingand lookingafterthescoutbandswhoperformattheNationalStGeorgesdayevent atWindsorCastle.

InApril2023,IwasawardedtheSilverWolfbytheChiefScout,BearGrylls, whichistheunrestrictedgiftoftheChiefScout,awardedforadultserviceofthe mostexceptionalnaturewhileholdinganadultappointment.

AsforFreemasonry-IwasInitiatedintoNorthfieldLodgeNo,5056inOctober 1995,andwasmasterofNorthfieldLodgein2003and2004,andappointed ProvincialGrandStewardattheverynextPGLmeetingin2006.

InadditionIamaJoiningmemberofWorcesterInstalledMastersLodge, ProvincialGrandStewardsLodge,CustosLodge,PathfinderLodgeandthe LodgeofUnity,PeaceandConcord(MetropolitanGrandLodge)andalsoa foundermemberofWenceslasLodge.HaveservedasMasterofthePathfinder Lodge(2017)andtheLodgeofUnity,Peace&Concord(2019and2020).

AtProvincialGrandLodge,IwasfurtherappointedtoactingAssistantProvincial GrandDirectorofCeremonies,followedbyDeputyProvincialGrandDirectorof Ceremonies,thenActingProvincialJuniorGrandWardenin2016-concluding my6yearsinofficeasawardenandintotal12years‘onthecircuitʼin2022.

ExaltedintoNorthfieldChapterApril1997(justafterthefourweekdeadline) servedasthe1stPrincipalin2006andagainin2019and2020,appointed ProvincialGrandStewardinChapter,currentlyPastProvincialGrandSword Bearer.AlsoamemberoftheWorcestershireInstalledFirstPrincipalsChapter.

I'mamemberoftheStNicolasChapterRoseCroix,havingservedasSovereign oftheStAgnesChapter,currently30thDegreeoftheAncientandAccepted Rite.AlsoanImmediatePastEminentPreceptoroftheBernarddeFrankley PreceptoryofKnightsTemplar,appointedin2020asProvincial1stHerald.

AsamemberoftheBromsgroveLodgeofMarkMasterMasonsandalso BromsgroveLodgeofRoyalArkMariners,IamcurrentlytheActingProvincial GrandSeniorWardenoftheprovincehavingbeenappointedin2022(which dovetailswithhavingjustretiredfromthecraftwardenscircuit,makingit13 yearsonactiveduty!!)

IamtobeappointedPastAssistantGrandDirectorofCeremoniesatthe investituremeetingofGrandLodgeonthe26thApril2023.

CUBITCLUB

TheProvinceofWorcestershirehasanewandyoungmasonsclubcalledTheCubitClub. OuraimoftheclubistosupportnewandexistingmembersalongtheirMasonicjourney, frominitiationtoinstallation.

WeofferMasonicadvancementthroughourClassesofInstruction(COI),whichtravel aroundeveryMasonichallintheProvince.Wehaveclubmentorstohelpandtoanswer anyquestionsyoumayhave.Weareaplacetomeetandhavefun,andalsoarrange lodgevisitsacrossoursandotherProvinces,includingGrandLodgeinLondon.Wehold familyfundaysandeventsacrosstheyear.Oneofsuch,isthequarterlycurryclub,which alsotravelsaroundtheProvince,meetingindifferentvenues.

Allofthis,isdesignedtoallowyoutomeetbrethrenacrosstheProvinceinthesame positionasyouintheirMasonicjourney,allowingyoutobuildupfriendshipsoutsideof yourinitiallodge.

ItiseasytojoinTheCubitClub,andcanbedoneinoneofseveralways:bycompleting theformontheprovincialwebsite,ortheformonTheCubitClubwebsite,oralternatively, speakingtoyourHallAmbassador.

Weverymuchlookforwardtowelcomingyouonboard.

BroJohnFennell

PROVINCIALCHARITYOVERVIEW APRIL2023

TheProvincehasrespondedtomanyrequests,receiveddirectlyfromorganisationsforcharitieswithin Worcestershire.Wearegratefultothoselodgesandmemberswhohavehelped,byprovidingdetailsofwherewe couldgivesupporttothelocalcommunity.

Thegrantsrangedfromafewhundredpounds,toover£20,000.

Wehaveassistedanunder7ʼsfootballteamwithkit&goalposts,agirlʼsfootballteam,newsafetyequipmentfora youthcanoeclub,wheelchairforadisabledchild,daycentrefordisabledadults,childrenʼscancersupport,acorns childrenʼshospice,mentalhealth,motorneurone,presentsfromSanta,andofcoursefoodbanks.

WehavehelpedfundmanyScouts&GuidestoattendtheworldjamboreeinSouthKoreaandtheDukeofEdinburgh award.

OurChristmastreeatWorcesterCathedral,wasseenby50,000visitors.

Thisyearhasseentwomajordonations,insupportofthehealthservice;

InMay22,wepresented“arrivealive”withanewcarbasedatEvesham-allowingthemtoattendemergenciesifan ambulanceorparamedicwasnotavailable.Withinfivehoursofthepresentation,thevehiclewascalledtoan emergency.

InMarch23,wedonated20AEDdefibrillatorstoKidderminster,BromsgroveandWorcesterpolicestationswherethey arereadytogivelife-savingsupport.

TheselasttwodonationsweremadewiththesupportoftheMasonicCharitableFoundation,who“matchfunded”the contributionsmadefromtheProvince.

Shownhere,aresomeoftheorganisationswhichhavebenefittedfrom“FreemasonryintheCommunity”.

WBroDavidDey ProvGrandCharitySteward

KingsHeathLadiesFriendshipClub F�ev�Friends

OneofthecornerstonesoftheProvince,istheLadies FriendshipClubthatmeetsatKingsHeath.Itisathrivinggroup offoreverfriends,muchlovedbyitsmembers,andaplaceof genuinehappiness.Itmeetsat10:30amoneverysecond Thursdaythroughouttheyear,atKingsHeathFreemasonsHall.

FoundedbytheProvinceasTheKingsHeathWidowsClub,its originalpurposewastoofferameetingplacefortheWidowsof WorcestershireFreemasons,wheretheycouldcontinuetomeet andmaintainthefraternallinksandclosefriendshipsthatthey toohadmade.

ThepassingofaFreemasonisalifechangingblow-andthe ClubofferssupporttoaWidowatthismostdifficultoftimes.As outlinedinourfoundingprinciples,Freemasonryowesa continueddutyofcaretoallwidows.TheProvincebelievethat byusingfriendship,alongwithofferingmutualsupportfrom otherwidowsintheformofaClub,istheidealwayofalleviating someofthatgreatlossthattheyfeel.

Overtime,itsdirectionhasbeenmodernisedtofocuson FriendshipforalltheLadiesoftheProvince.Itʼsnowaplace wherefriendsregularlymeet,andonoccasionslunchtogether, whileenjoyingarangeofmonthlyactivitiesthroughouttheyear. TheClubcurrentlyhasover30membersandItcontinuesto welcomenewmemberswhoareWivesorPartnersof Freemasons,Widowsand/orFriendsofFreemasons.Thismakes itarich,vibrantandfriendlygroupofladies.

Intheearly-1990ʼsthelate,renownmasonWBroBillGibbons, (founderRoundTableLodgeNo.7961),approachedWBro William(Bill)Partridge(AlmacantarLodgeNo.7023)andhiswife Kath,toseeiftheycouldkindlyhelpoutonadaytodaybasis withtheClubsorganisationandrunning.Thiswasthestartofa thirtyyearrelationshipofsupportandcarefulstewardship,that stillexiststothisday.WithKathʼscontinualinvolvementsincethe passingofhermuchlovedhusbandBill.

In2012,WBroAlanWyer(QuarryLodgeNo.7543),who Kathhasknownforover40years,alongwithWBroGerry Jinks(BrandwoodLodgeNo.7679),andWBroDerek Hopper(ArterLodgeNo.2054)wholatermovedto Wiltshire,camealongtokindlyhelpKathruntheClub. Brethren,whatagreatteamtheyareandwhatafantastic jobtheycontinuetodotothisveryday.WonderfulMasons!

WhileKathisstillactivelyinvolvedintheClub,thesedays itsChairisDiJinks,whoissimplysuperbinmaintaining, upholdingandcarefullydevelopingtheClubstillfurther.Di hasaroundherafantasticteam,madeupofPaulineStokes, SandraJohnson,MargaretTurner,OliveShannon,Linda NelsonandAnnetteGough.Allofwhomworksohardin ensuringthateveryoneenjoysitsgenuinewarmth, immensefun,andtruefriendship.

EveryoneʼscommitmenttotheClubissimplyoutstanding.

Atthelastmeeting,theClubranavaluationworkshopby renownedantiquesexpert,StevenBruce.Steveworksfor KinghamsAuctioneersinMoreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire.Hegavealively,entertainingand thoroughlyfascinatinginsighttothecurrentantiques, curiosandcollectablesmarket.Healsogaveanumberof

valuationsonitemsbroughtinbysomeofthemembers. Somepleasantlysurprising,someintriguingandsome genuinelyhilarious!Hemadeitareallysupermorning, veryinteractive,fullofgreatauctioneeringpatter, resultinginamemorableClubeventforallthosewho attended.Theaccompanyingcoffeeandcakesproved verywelcometoo.

Today,theannualClubprogrammeispackedwitha wholerangeofinteresting,excitingandreallywonderful activities.Thereisaplannedtheatretriptothe BirminghamHippodrome;inthesummeradaytripto WindsorandWindsorCastle;alsoatalkbytheNational Trust,ontopofthefamousChristmasLunch.

TheChristmasLunchisofcourseopentoallAlmoners andanopportunitytobringpotentialnewLady Members.AllMasons,theirfamiliesandfriendsare invitedtoo.Itʼsaseasonalcelebrationoffriendshipthat hasbeensupportedbycountlessPastProvincialGrand Masters,seniorbrethrenandbrethrenfrommany lodges.ThereisalwaysaRulerandhispartnerinvitedas guestsoftheClub.ForinstancelastyeartheDeputy PGMWBroKeithM.EvansandhiswifeChristinewerein attendance.

InthesepostCovidtimes.it'splaceslikethesethatare ofimmensevaluetotheworldatlarge.TheClubbrings warmth,friendshipandgenuinehappinesstosomany Ladies.Hence,theimportanceofthesmalldonations thataremadebymanylodgesandchapterstowards therunningcostsoftheClub.Thedonationsareso gratefullyreceivedandensuretheClubremainsa cornerstoneoftheProvince.

Brethren,inthecomingweekstheClubwillbeaddedto theProvincialWebSite.MakingtheClubevents calendar,whichisopentoall,clearlyvisibleforany Ladiesthatmaywishtoattend.Itwillalsohavedates, contactandjoiningdetailswhichallLodgeAlmoners cancirculate.ItʼsahiddenGem!

ArticlebyWBroMarkKeepax,photographsbyBroAdamLewis

Whoistheclubfor?

WorcestershireMasonicMotoringClub(WMMC),wasformedin2008forallmembersoftheprovinceandtheirpartners,who haveaninterestinmotoring.Theaimsoftheclubaretoholdregularsocialeventsandvisitsconnectedwith"allthingsmotoring "(includingmotorcycling),aswellastheoccasionalcompetitiveevent.Youdon'tneedtoownavintageorclassicvehicle,you onlyneedaninterestinmotoring!

Whatdowedo?

Membersenjoyattendingavarietyofeventsthroughouttheyear,allwithamotoringtheme.Forexample,thisyearclubmembers willbepayingavisittotheBritishMotoringMuseumatGaydon-followedbyacountry-publunch.(Diningfeaturesheavilyatour events!).Laterintheyear,therewillbeadrivingweekendinNorthWales,andthereareothereventsplannedfor2024.

Whatdoesitcost?

LifetimeMembershipcostsonly£25.00,andyouwillreceiveafreeaccessoriesbagandmembershipcard.Visittheclubʼs websiteathttps://www.worcsmmc.orgformoredetails.

Whoarewe?-QuitesimplyweareallMasterMasons withapassionforMotorbikesandFreemasonry.

Whatareweormoretothepointwhatarenʼtwe?AsawholegroupwearenotaLodge,aRoyalArch Chapter,oraConclave,(ordefinitelyNOT“wannabe HellsAngels”!)wearesimplyagroupoflike-minded Freemasonwhohaveformedanassociationknownas THEWIDOWSSONSMASONICBIKERS ASSOCIATION.WhichistheonlyMotorcycle AssociationrecognisedandapprovedofbyUGLE

Whatdowedo?-WemeetasFreemasonsandwe ridemotorcyclesasBrothers,raisemoneyforcharity andhavefun!

Howdiditstart? -TheWidowsSonsoriginatedintheUnitedStatesofAmericain1998withthefirstgroup(inbiking circlesknownasa‘Chapterʼ)beingorganisedandcharteredinIllinois.Therearenowsome170Chaptersacross40 StatesoftheUSAwithamembershipofover15,000;andnowChaptersinCanada,Brazil,ThePhilippines,Japan, Mexico,SouthAfrica,NewZealand,Australia,Denmark,Finland,GermanyandItaly.

In2004,acharterwasissuedbytheFloridaChapteroftheUSWidowsSonsMasonicRidersassociationtoformthe FirstWidowsSonsMasonicRidersAssociationintheUK.Therearenowover30Chapters(alignedbymasonic province)intheUK,withalmost2,000members.

TheWorcestershireChapterwasgranteditsCharter,on31stMarch2021,fromtheNationalChaptertothefounding PresidentWBroAndyPhilpott.WealsohaveveryclosetiestotheWestMidlandsChapter,fromwhomthefounder membersofWorcestershireoriginated,andalsototheLodgeofProgressNo9893,whichisWorcestershireʼsBiking Lodge.

TobeafullypatchedmemberoftheWidowsSonsyouneedtobeaMasterMasoningoodstanding–however Worcestershirehasits“PearDrops”associatemembershipforthosemasonswhoareworkingtheirwaythroughthe threedegrees,orfornewmembersinterestedinFreemasonry;andalsoformember'spartnersandwivestojoinand participateinthesocialevents.

Interestedinjoining?Feelfreetojoinanyofourrideoutsorsocialeventstotryusout–detailsareonourfacebook page(“WidowsSonsWorcestershireChapterWSMBA”),andwebsite(Worcs.wsmba.uk),alternativelydropanemailto secretary@worcs.wsmba.ukforanymoreinformation.

WBroAndyPhilpott

PresidentWorcsWSMBA

7thMarch-GoodRootsDisplay

"GoodRoots"isaverypopularcaféin Worcester,whichissituatedrightnext totheHenrySandonHallandthe RoyalWorcesterPorcelainMuseum. Sometimeagowewereofferedspace toputadisplayofobjectsfromour Museum.Nowsetup,theyweremet withthesealofapproval-andhave provedtobeapointofinterestforall thevisitorstothecafé.Indeed,we havehadvisitorsmaketheirwayupto themuseumatRainbowHilltovisit ourmuseum.Sincethen,wehave beenofferedadditionaldisplay cabinetstoenlargeourexhibition.An offerweshalltakeupshortly!

WorcestershireMuseumofFreemasonry

Amonthinthelifeof…

14thMarch-WorcesterHeritageForum

ThecuratorattendedameetingofTheWorcester HeritageForum.Thisisagroupformedfromthe curatorsandmanagers,ofthevariousheritage siteswithinthecityanditssurroundings.We meet,tokeepeachotheruptodate,andtoplan jointeventsduringtheyear-forexample“Love WorcesterWeek”,duringFebruaryhalfterm.

16thMarch-MasefieldLodge

ThecuratormetwithWBroPhilSymes,tocollect severalartefactsfromMasefieldLodgeNo2034. Thiswasasadoccasion,asthereasonthatthese itemswerebeingdonatedtothemuseum,was becausethelodgehadtosurrenderitswarrant andclose.Butmemoriesofthelodgewillbe curatedatthemuseumforfuturegenerations.

25thMarch-StLaurenceLodgeNo.2724

OnthisSaturdaywehostedavisitfromthe Brethren,LadiesandfriendsofthebrethrenoffSt. LaurenceLodge.Havingbattledtheirwaydown theM5carparkbeforearrivingatRainbowHill.

Theyspentanenjoyablecoupleofhoursinthe LodgeRoomonthemuseumbeforereturningto KingsHeath.ThreemembersoftheMuseum Teamwerepresenttoanswerquestionsanddirect theirattentiontoitemsofinterest.

30thMarch-PGMInitiatesDinner

Itwasadelighttoseesomanynew masonsofdifferingagerangesat thisannualevent.Alljoinedwith ProvincialOfficersatthisrelaxed yetinformativeeveningwhich includedtheMuseumbeingopen andmannedbymuseumstaff.Roll onnextyear!

“Sometwentyyearsago,Iboughtasmall collectionofVictorianMasonicbooks;inthe midstofwhichIfoundawell-worncopyofa cataloguepublishedin1884foraMasonic ExhibitioninWorcester.Theprojectwasknown asTheMasonicSoiree&Exhibition,andwas heldinTheGuildhall,Worcesteronthe27th August1884andfollowingdays.TheExhibition washeldundertheauspicesofSirEdmundA.H. LechmereBARTMP,theRWPGMof WorcestershireandHisWorshiptheMayorof WorcesterWBroWilliamBlizzardWilliamson. Theveryextensivecataloguerecordedsome 1172exhibits;thelastofwhich,No.1172,isthe medalstrucktocommemoratetheeventshownonthefrontpageofthecatalogueand availableinsilverat10/6,bronzeat3/6orwhite metalat2/6.This,quiteclearly,iswheretheidea ofaMasonicMuseumoriginatedallthoseyears ago,andalsogaveaninitialideaoftheextentof Masonicmaterialsthatwerethenavailable relativelylocally.

Ofcourse,throughoutthemonththeTeamhavealsocarriedonwiththeirworksorting,recording,displaying,cleaningandallthose jobsnecessarytokeepmuseumintiptopcondition.

AnyMasonictraveller,withaninterestintheartefactsofFreemasonry,whofindsthemselvesanywhereclosetoWorcester,should contactthemuseumontheire-mail–info@worcestershiremasonicmuseum.co.uk,andarrangeavisit.Themuseumisopenbetween thehoursof10.00AMandNooneveryTuesdayandThursday,but,ifyouletthemknowthedaysthatyouwillbenearby,theymaybe abletofacilitateyourvisit.

WBroBobJames

Curator-WorcestershireMasonicMuseum www.worcestermasonicmuseum.co.uk

24thMarch-RWBroRobertBashford PGRep.(IrishConstitution)visited

Ourpre-lovedRegaliashophasbeenbusierthan everthisyear.Wehaveregaliaforallordersandranks althoughnotnecessarilyingreatquantityforsome orders.Ourregaliaisofgoodqualityandatvery affordableprices.Proceedshelpfundingforthe Museum.

ContactMikePearmanonm.pearman@yahoo.co.uk or07931871474.

Sunday9th July

ProvincialCathedralService-WorcesterCathedral

Sunday16th July

ProvincialRegatta

Sunday3rd December

ProvincialCarolService-PershoreAbbey