13 minute read
Charities Including: Marching Masons, Our Story, Support from the LRMCA
Marching Masons, Our Story
Having read about the planned 105-mile sponsored walk for the Marching Masons, we were keen to show our support, although as octogenarians, we realised that we could not walk 25 miles in a day.
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Having discussed it further, we thought “why not walk the entire length of the Leicestershire Round, and do it over the summer months at a pace we could cope with?” We worked out the logistics involved in each section of the walk, by travelling in our car and meeting our friend, John Millward, at the finishing point. He then transported us to the starting point, to which we returned after finishing our days walk. From April to October 2021, we managed to walk the eleven sections of the Leicestershire Round, and apart from a couple of wet days, the conditions were generally warm and pleasant. The scenery in many parts was interesting and quite often breathtaking, in particular the northern section, with outstanding views from Thorpe Satchville, Burrough on the Hill, Twyford and Launde Abbey. With the exception of several diversions, the route was very well marked. On the last three sections we found ourselves walking eleven or twelve miles, continuing for more than four hours each time before stopping for refreshments. We completed the walk on the 18th October, and for the last leg, enjoyed the company of David Wykes. Our walk into Newtown Linford was marred by persistent rain, although by mid afternoon we had completed the course, feeling satisfied that we had achieved our objective of walking the entire length of the Leicestershire Round in support of the 2022 Festival.
Martin Waddington & Michael Potter
Dale Page, 2022
Festival Chairman said,
Martin and Michael, along with their support team have showed us the true spirit of Freemasonry, a monumental effort and fantastic support for our festival.
DONATE TO THE 2022 FESTIVAL
1. SCAN THIS QR CODE WITH YOUR SMARTPHONE 2. YOU WILL BE DIRECTED TO THE FESTIVAL GIVING PAGE 3. YOUR DONATION WILL BE ATTRIBUTED TO YOU
AND YOUR LODGE
Support from the LRMCA
The Leicestershire & Rutland Masonic Charity Association has been supporting local charities to improve the lives of those affected through social, health, and mental wellbeing problems.
LOROS
Leicestershire and Rutland Masonic Charity Association received a letter of thanks and gratitude from John Knight, Chief Executive of the LOROS Hospice in Leicester, for their generous donation of £13,500 towards the work that LOROS do with those suffering from cancer and terminal illness. The donation has proved to be vital as the charity are admitting more ward, day therapy and outpatients since the relaxing of COVID restrictions. The past year has thrown up unexpected challenges for the Leicestershire charity, and it has had to adapt to a new set of priorities. The charity aims on prioritising high-quality patient care, as well as aspirations to expand further into the community, through engaging staff, patients, carers, and colleagues together to improve and redesign the way care is provided and structured.
Leicester Hospitals Charity
Being in hospital is a challenging time, whether receiving treatment or visiting a loved one. This is where charities such as The Leicester Hospitals Charity become an invaluable resource. The charity received a £2000 donation from the LRMCA earlier this year. Kalmesh Mistry, Community & Events Fundraising manager recently wrote to the LMRCA thanking them for the kind donation towards the Breast Cancer Centre, based at the Glenfield Hospital. She stated that, “The funds you have donated will go to the centre to help benefit our patients who are undergoing treatment.” The charity, covering all three Leicester hospitals, strives to make the environment and the support patients receive the best it possibly can be, by making the wards and departments a more comfortable and pleasant place to be.
Midland Langar Seva Society (MLSS)
Ginda Basra from the MLSS, recently wrote to the LRMCA thanking the Masonic charity for its kind donation of £2000, continuing the support that the charity has received from the association. The donation has contributed to providing meal packs for the local community who were facing hardships during the pandemic. With each meal costing approximately £3.11, this has meant that the MLSS have been able to serve over 600 meals to those most in need. The MLSS were established in October 2013, providing hot food and drink to those living on the street, schools, safe houses, and those living on the poverty line. It operates on the Sikh based ethos of Langar; a general or common kitchen where food is served free, without prejudice, regardless of race, religion, and background.
Headway
On behalf of the national charity, Headway, Mary Goulty, Services Director Headway, Leicester was pleased to receive a grant of £2000 from the LRMCA. The charity, who supports those recovering from Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI) and their families, will use the grant to continue running a Weekly Careers Connect group, enabling those have experienced the effects of ABI to come together and support one another, learn new strategies, and assist them in their caring roles and form new friendships. The group aims to give families a better understanding of the effects of ABI and have a safe place to express their feelings. This model of recovery and care giving is more likely to then have a positive impact on the person living with the injury.
The Parkinson’s Care charity
Parkinson’s Care and Support UK were delighted to receive a generous donation of £600 from the LMRCA. Even though it is one of the fastest growing neurological conditions in the world, there is no known cure. But with the support of the brethren of Leicestershire and Rutland, through the LMRCA, the charity can fund essential services such as exercise, home-based physiotherapy, mental health support and respite care for those affected by Parkinsons within Leicestershire and Rutland. This donation will ensure those living with Parkinson’s and their families are enabled to live the best life possible despite the condition.
The University of Leicester’s Ernest & Helen Scott Haematological Research Institute has benefited from a grant of £2000 from the LRMCA. The institute, under the leadership of Professor Martin Dyer, aims to expedite the clinical development and assessment of precision medicines for the treatment of lymphoid malignancies. This work will not only help many in Leicestershire and Rutland, but nationally and beyond.
A Special 60 Year Certificate
On Wednesday 10th November 2021, the Holmes Lodge Room was full of well-wishers who arrived to join in the celebrations of Michael Herbert achieving 60 years of service to Freemasonry.
The evening was hosted by Gartree Lodge No.7778, with the Worshipful Master, Anthony Morris welcoming the Provincial Grand Master and his team along with many other guests and visitors. The focus for the evening was on Michael Herbert, who was initiated into Gartree Lodge on the 8th November 1961.
The Provincial Grand Master, Peter Kinder took to the floor armed with his big red book, reminiscent of Eamonn Andrews and Michael Aspel hosting This Is Your Life. Michael was born on 27th December 1932, the son of Edward “Ted” Herbert who ran the family firm of E G Herbert & Sons Boot & Shoe manufacturers, the company Michael eventually joined. Michael is a dedicated family man, married to Nancy for 62 years as of March 7th 2021.
Michael also joined the Leicestershire & Rutland Lodge of Installed Masters No.7896 on the 12th April 1985 and The Lodge of Research No.2429 on 27th April 1995. In the Provincial Grand Lodge of Leicestershire & Rutland, Michael was appointed to the Active Rank of Provincial Grand Steward on 30th November 1979 then promoted to Past Provincial Grand Junior Deacon on 28th November 1980. This was followed by a promotion to Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer on 24th November 1987, and finally on 29th November 1991, to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden. At the Annual Investiture meeting of the United Grand Lodge of England on 29th April 1992 Michael was appointed to the Active Grand Rank of Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies and promoted to Past Junior Grand Deacon on 26th April 2000. This was followed by a promotion to Past Senior Grand Deacon on 24th April 2002 and just last year on April 29th, a promotion to the rank of Past Grand Sword Bearer
The Provincial Grand
Master, Peter Kinder said,
A Masonic career that has spanned 60 years, a truly remarkable length of time for a quite remarkable Freemason who has an astonishing list of achievements behind him.
Pictured Left to Right, Past Provincial Grand Masters, David Hagger and Michael Roalfe, The Provincial Grand Master, Peter Kinder, Michael Herbert, The Provincial Grand Master of Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire, Max Bayes, and the Provincial Grand Master of Nottinghamshire, Philip Marshall
which also accompanies a title of Very Worshipful Brother. At one point, a recorded voice was played over the speakers, that of UGLE’s Deputy Grand Secretary Graham Redman. Graham is a very close friend of Michael, who he first met 33 years ago, but was unable to attend as his duties in London take up all of his time. Or so Michael thought! No sooner had the recorded ended, there was a knock on the door, with our Provincial Grand Secretary, Paul Wallace, escorting none other than Graham Redman into the room. Emotions were running high as the two old friends greeted each other. Friends, visitors, and guests were treated to an excellent festive board, with Michael again thanking everyone for attending and making the evening so special.
50 Year Celebration at Roundhill Lodge
Derek Farr of Roundhill Lodge No.8639 received a certificate celebrating his 50 years of service to Freemasonry. The certificate was presented on the 18th November 2021 by John Townsend.
Derek was born on the 11th September 1929 and is now 93 years old. Derek joined Freemasonry as a Lewis in Friendship Lodge No.3333 in Cheshire on the 1st November 1971, attaining the Chair of King Solomon in 1981. Derek’s first Provincial appointment was in Cheshire, where in 1992 he was pleased to receive the appointment as Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon. In 1976 Derek joined the Roundhill Lodge in Syston, where he held several offices, before being made an honorary member in 2016. His first Provincial appointment in Leicestershire & Rutland was to Past Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in 1989. Derek’s time in Syston also included the setting up of the Syston Lodge of Instruction, where he served as Treasurer and Secretary for many years. Receiving several promotions in Provincial Grand Lodge, Derek now proudly wears the regalia of Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden, which was attained in 2011. Also an active Royal Arch Mason, Derek has shown both his commitment and his enjoyment of Freemasonry.
John Townsend,
The award I am about to present is testament to the regard in which he is held within the Province, as well as in his Lodge.
Provincial Grand Lodge 2021
The Annual Communication of Provincial Grand Lodge took place on Friday 26th November 2021 at Freemasons’ Hall, Leicester. The meeting was very well attended by those receiving appointments as well as other guests and visitors. Our Province was well supported by the Provincial Grand Masters of sister Provinces, including Philip Marshall from Nottinghamshire, Tony Henderson from Bedfordshire, and David Wheeler from Lincolnshire, together with other distinguished brethren and Heads of Orders, who were all greeted warmly. The Provincial Grand Master, Peter Kinder, was not only pleased to appoint his officers for the year, but also to spring a surprise on two unsuspecting members of the Province. Peter began by reading a resume of achievements before calling upon the Chairman of the Leicester Square Committee, Jim Williamson to the floor. The surprise could clearly be seen on Jim’s face, as he was presented with the Provincial Grand Masters Certificate of Merit, for service to the Province since his joining Freemasonry in March of 1966. Not often lost for words, Jim thanked the Provincial Grand Master and resumed his seat to rapturous applause. The Certificate of Merit is only rarely given, and only to a few worthy recipients, of which there have only been eleven others. It is even rarer to see two presented on the same day. It was then the turn of John Townsend of St Wilfrid’s Lodge No.8350 to be called forward by the Provincial Grand Master. John also joined Freemasonry in 1966, starting in Surbiton Lodge in Surrey before joining St Wilfrid’s in 1979. The Provincial Grand Master thanked John for his hard work and commitment to the Province over the years, which was equally well received by the brethren. Provincial Grand Lodge was closed with everyone retiring to the Festive Board, only after grateful thanks had been given to the team of DC’s, Stewards, Secretariat, and others who had ensured the day had run so smoothly.
Pictured left to right: Certificate of Merit recipients, Jim Williamson and John Townsend
Where We Store Our History
Among the most precious pieces of property held by a Lodge of Freemasons are its memories. Who were its founders and what were their motives? How did they attract their new members and what part has the lodge played in the communities amongst whom the lodge worked? How did they dine and how did the members of the lodge relax?
Answers to these questions and many others are often to be found in the lodge or committee minute books or the various pieces of ephemera, such as dinner menus or notices of Ladies’ Nights accumulated over the years. They are easy to accumulate but almost as easy to lose. But so important are the minute books that any lodge surrendering its Warrant to Grand Lodge must transfer its minute books as well. And yet too often these records have gone missing. We have instances of a lodge Secretary failing to hand over all its records to his successor. We have even instances of a lodge Secretary dying in office and his family coming across all this bulk of paper and just putting it all into the bin. With the loss of such records, it is not only the lodge that suffers. Grand Lodge has recently been celebrating its Tercentenary, and vital to our understanding of how Grand Lodge developed has been the possibility of discussing the past records of the lodges during these early years. It is because of such losses that in 2006 the Provincial Grand Master launched a survey of lodge records in this Province and urged all lodges to deposit all records not required for current use in an Archives repository in Freemasons’ Hall, London Road, Leicester. Here they are placed in suitable Archive Boxes and the Repository comes under the general supervision and care of the Provincial Museum and Archives Committee. Over the years sixty lodges have placed their records in the Archive room, and the Provincial Grand Master is anxious that the remaining lodges follow that example. Deposit in Freemasons’ Hall, Leicester as distinct from placing them in a solicitor’s office or even in one of the other Halls in the Province. For example, in one of our Provincial Halls, a cupboard was discovered, and when it was opened the long-lost and certainly forgotten archives of our lodges were revealed. They are now safely in Freemasons’ Hall, Leicester. Even when housed in the Archive room the records remain the property of the lodge and can be accessed only with the permission of the lodge. Details of how and when the record repository can be visited need to be arranged in advance with the Archives sub-committee.
For further details, please consult the Chairman of the Committee, Donald Peacock, the Provincial Archivist, Aubrey Newman, or the Deputy Archivist, David Hughes via email at library@pglleics.co.uk
Professor Aubrey Newman
Michael John 'masons' Quarter Page.pdf 1 26/11/2021 10:56
