NEWS AND VIEWS
The Grand OfficersÕ team and Norrie Millen (centre)
COMMITMENT REWARDED WITH INITIATION FOR DAVID A meeting about business management led to David Carter being initiated into Meridian Lodge, No. 5060, Province of Cheshire, aged 18.
David approached David Heathcote, manager of Stockport Masonic Guildhall, to interview him on business management for his college work, and the subject soon turned to Freemasonry. David asked if he could become a mason, and was told that if he still felt the same in six months it might be considered. He showed his commitment by volunteering to help at open days, Guildhall events and even in the office, leading to his initiation by Meridian Lodge Master Barry Cooper Stevenson in January. David Heathcote made enquiries at the Provincial Office and, after a meeting with Provincial Grand Master Steven Adcott, dispensation was given for the ceremony.
BENEVOLENT LODGE, NO. 303, TEIGNMOUTH DEVON
IS THIS A RECORD?
Fellow Craft Norrie Millen had a rare raising in Benevolent Lodge, No. 303, which meets at Teignmouth in Devon, when the entire ceremony was conducted by Grand Officers in the absence of the Master, Don Harrison, who was on holiday.
David Carter (second left), Master Barry Cooper Stevenson and other initiates after the ceremony
Don received a big surprise from his wife Edna, which left the lodge with a raising to perform while he was away on holiday. It seemed a good idea to hold a Past Masters night and invite the Grand Officers of the Lodge to undertake the work. Benevolent Lodge was blessed
with enough members of that rank to fill all offices on the night. The out-turn was a truly remarkable event with a ‘sell-out’ of visitors to witness a ‘top draw’ ceremony the like of which the candidate, Norrie Millen, is unlikely to witness again. Searching the Lodge archives since 1794, no record can be found of the Lodge having ever undertaken a ceremony entirely conducted by Grand Officer members. The Provincial Grand Master for Devonshire, Michael Penny, didn’t believe it had happened before in the Province of Devonshire.
KEEPING THEM MOBILE ON ISLE OF WIGHT Local Freemasons have presented the new charity – Isle of Wight Shopmobility – with a high-specification, four-wheel electric scooter for use by disabled people visiting Newport.
Handing over the scooter to Shopmobility
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Funding was provided by a £750 grant from The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Masonic Grand Charity (Tom Langton Fund) following an application by Freshwater-based Needles Lodge, who provided a further donation of £100 from the members of Needles Lodge. Isle of Wight Shopmobility loans manual and powered wheelchairs and electric scooters to members of the public who have mobility issues. Coastal Mobility has donated electric scooters and will look after repairs and servicing for the fleet of vehicles.