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Furness and South Lakeland Group News
Hospice’s kind care is rewarded
A cheque for £1,242 being a share of the proceeds of a concert held at the Coronation Hall Ulverston and which featured the Irish singer Ann Breen..........<more>
Texan honour for Geoff
In mid June Geoff Waters travelled to Kingsville, Texas for grandchild watching duties and took the chance to renew acquaintance.............<more>
A BLOOMING GREAT TEA PARTY
Gary Neal and Alan Jones took up the challenge of arranging a blooming great Tea Party at the Masonic Hall in Barrow.............<more>
Hawkshead Lodge No 4354 achieve Grand Patron status
The Installation meeting of Hawkshead Lodge 4354 held on the 18th September was attended by over fifty brethren.............<more>
Cruising in the rain
The Furness and South Lakeland Group held its “Charity Rain Dance” otherwise known as its Charity Cruise on Windermere.............<more>
Marathon job for Freemasons
The Grand Charity made a grant of £50.000 to The Brathay Hall Trust for the development of training for disadvantaged young people last year with the money to be given in two instalments..........<more>
Ken, 85, enjoys 40-mile walk
Last year at the age of 84 Ken Honeyman walked the coast to coast trail. A year on and the walking bug is still with him..............<more>
94 enjoy weekend away
Coaches left Barrow and Lancaster with 94 people on board for the annual Masonic fellowship weekend.................<more>
Boxing night is a big hit for charity
The Furness and South Lakeland Group of Freemasons’ Lodges held their 21st Annual Boxing Evening at the Cumbria Grand Hotel.................<more>
Grand Charity cheque for hospice
New format for Group Dinner
The Furness and South Lakeland Group Dinner broke from the previous pattern of the Provincial Team meeting the Lodge Masters and Chapter Principles for tea before the dinner.........<more>
Father initiates son
WBro Bob McMillan was overjoyed with the prospect of initiating his son Scott into Arthur John Brogden Lodge.........<more>
Proud of Festival support
As we approach the end of 2007, the 2010 Festival is still in the forefront of the charitable efforts of The Furness and South Lakeland Group...........<more>
MASTERS OF 2003 HAVE A ROSY GLOW
With the appointment of WBro Russ Greenhow as a Provincial Grand Steward, the Past Masters of the year 2003 took on a distinctive rosy glow......<more>
Ulverston Masonic Hall - celebrates its centenary
The Masonic Hall in Kings Road, Ulverston is looking especially proud of itself with its new gates and railings..........<more>
MARATHON MASONS
Freemasons from two provinces joined forces to act as marshals for a marathon....<more>
A £7,000 knock-out success
The Furness and South Lakeland Group Boxing Tournament is still going strong after 21 years. The latest tournament saw 14 well matched bouts.........<more>
New Banner for Barrow Lodge
Barrow Lodge no. 3928 realised that their Banner, made of silk and of some antiquity, was suffering the ravages of time..............<more>
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Hospice’s kind care is rewarded
A cheque for £1,242 being a share of the proceeds of a concert held at the Coronation Hall Ulverston and which featured the Irish singer Ann Breen was presented to Dora Greenaway of St Mary of Furness Hospice by Rowly Saunders, Chairman of the Furness and South Lakeland Group.
The donation, from the Furness and South Lakeland Group of Freemasons, was given in appreciation of the kind care and attention given to past group chairman JL Whitton and other members and their wives over recent months by the hospice.
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Texan honour for Geoff
In mid June Geoff Waters travelled to Kingsville, Texas for grandchild watching duties and took the chance to renew acquaintance with the local Lodge, Chamberlain No 918 in the Grand Lodge of Texas where to his surprise he was made an honorary member.
The welcome was enthusiastic with several members remembering a previous visit six years earlier. Texas Lodges are alcohol free and reverse our pattern by holding an informal meal at 18:30 followed by the lodge meeting at 19:30. The meal is provided by the Senior Warden and in true Texas fashion was spicy.
The meeting saw the election of the WM for the ensuing year and the lodge bestowing honorary membership on its visitor.
One interesting feature for Geoff was talking to a recent initiate and discovering that he had 12 months to qualify for his passing by learning the answers to the questions, his First Degree obligation and the charge after initiation. Qualification for the Third Degree carried similar demands.
The ritual is basically Scottish Rite ‘through Louisianna’ and is executed with a crispness which springs from fortnightly meetings. Dress is optional and at the time of the photograph (9pm ish) the temperature had cooled to 95 degrees F.
Pictured, left to right, are: Chad Walker Senior Warden and Master Elect, Geoff Waters, WM Jonathon ‘JJ’ Jones, Junior Warden ‘Ike’ Eisenhauer and Grayson, secretary
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A BLOOMING GREAT TEA PARTY
Gary Neal and Alan Jones took up the challenge of arranging a blooming great Tea Party at the Masonic Hall in Barrow.
Part of a nationwide tea party, the event raised funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
Business was brisk and the room soon echoed to the sound of dunked biscuitsthe drinking of tea by the partygoers.
The event raised a worthy £700 for this special cause which is celebrating its 60th Anniversary.
Mrs Walker and Mrs Penny ready with the tea.
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Hawkshead Lodge No 4354 achieve Grand Patron status
The Installation meeting of Hawkshead Lodge 4354 held on the 18th September was attended by over fifty brethren on a beautiful autumn day in the Lake District. Unfortunately the WM W.Bro David Barry is seriously ill in St.Mary's Hospice Ulverston and was unable to install his successor. In David’s absence W. Bro Ralph Fielding installed W.Bro.Roland Shuttleworth as the new master in a splendid ceremony. After the ceremony Roland Shuttleworth presented a further £609 to the 2010 festival on behalf of the brethren to the 2010 Festival Chairman John Stuart Thornber who presented the Lodge with a Grand Patron Certificate.
During the festive board John telephoned David Barry at the Hospice to inform him that the installation meeting had been carried out in splendid fashion by Ralph. David said he was overjoyed that all had gone well and bitterly disappointed that he could not be there.
Pictured: the Acting WM Roland Shuttleworth presenting a cheque to John Stuart Thornber the Chairman of the 2010 Festival with Group Chairman Rowley Saunders looking on.
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Cruising in the rain
The Furness and South Lakeland Group held its “Charity Rain Dance” otherwise known as its Charity Cruise on Windermere. True to form within two minutes of setting sail the thunder, lightning and torrential rain came down. The entertainer singing “Summer Holiday” to the background of thunderclaps was a sight and sound to savour. However, committee members were looking at ways to charge the passengers for this spectacular show, the weather improved and a pleasant evening was in store.
On board, after a sumptuous buffet, the passengers tried their luck at the gaming tables, where the prize for the most successful gambler of the evening was a laptop computer. In the end this was won by Bob McMillan who accumulated more than £20,000 in “funny money”.
The raffle was well supported and the first prize of a gas barbecue was won by a guest. The “Guess the Mileage” competition for a SatNav system was also popular.
A Sporting Chance Draw, for a mystery parcel of sporting and entertainment memorabilia was again well supported.
For non-gamblers there was live music for dancing from Peter Bigland who has proved popular at several group functions.
As a result of the cruise almost £2,000 was raised and this will be divided between the 2010 Festival and the Group Charity Fund. Thanks go to 150 very generous people on board, and in particular the sponsors whose generosity and support helped greatly to the success of the evening.
Buffet Time
Gambling Time
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Marathon job for Freemasons
The Grand Charity made a grant of £50.000 to The Brathay Hall Trust for the development of training for disadvantaged young people last year with the money to be given in two instalments
At last year’s presentation the idea was mooted that the local Freemasons might assist with the Brathay Marathon. As the route around Lake Windermere has its western section in West Lancashire and the eastern side in Cumberland and Westmorland Provinces, it was agreed that the task would be shared accordingly with each side providing up to 50 stewards.
The event was such a success it was repeated this year. Around 50 Freemasons from the Furness and South Lakeland Group turned out to steward the west side of the course. The weather was perfect and the scenery, as ever, breathtaking. Managed by Group Vice-Chairman John Quiggin and Group Charity Steward Dave Grainger stewardship progressed with only minor hitches
Brathay Hall management expressed their thanks for the efficient support.
Les Preston controls traffic at the Clappersgate junction
Bro Joss Naylor, the foremost fell runner of the age and a trustee
of Brathay Hall, who presented the prizes
The start of the Brathay Marathon
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Ken, 85, enjoys 40-mile walk
Last year at the age of 84 Ken Honeyman walked the coast to coast trail. A year on and the walking bug is still with him so he set out to complete the 40-mile Keswick to Barrow Walk accompanied by his two sons aged 57 and 59.
After 14 hours and 32minutes (including refreshment stops) the walk was done with Ken happily in his stride and ready for more! Not so for his eldest son who decided that the finish was enough and decided on a lie down to discourage further exercise. At 85, Ken is believed to be the eldest person to complete the distance.
Ken raised money through sponsorship for a Motor Neurone Disease Charity.
Ken is a Past Master of Dalton in Furness Lodge No 6828.
Ken Honeyman
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94 enjoy weekend away
Coaches left Barrow and Lancaster with 94 people on board for the annual Masonic fellowship weekend. The group stayed at the Avon Gorge Hotel in Clifton, Bristol, a superbly located hotel, with stunning views of Brunel’s suspension bridge.
This annual event is aimed at providing relaxation and enjoyment, and the opportunity to increase and renew the fellowship and friendship between the Furness and South Lakeland Group and the Lancaster and District Group of Freemasons’ Lodges.
The coaches met at Leyland Masonic Hall, where refreshment of bacon butties were provided to fortify everyone for the trip to Bristol via Worcester.
A packed programme started on Saturday with a visit to the Cheddar Gorge in the Mendip Hills, and the group then continued on to Bath, where following some independent sightseeing time, they returned to the coaches, and with the services of a Blue Badge Guide, enjoyed an excellent tour of the City.
Sunday was spent at Longleat House, Gardens and Safari Park, and Monday saw a visit to Bristol Dockyard, and the S.S. Great Britain, the world’s first iron hulled ship, built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1843.
Departing from Bristol they headed north to The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, where despite a massive thunderstorm, everyone enjoyed the inspiring and thought provoking memorials, particularly the new Armed forces Memorial recently completed.
Other memorials which attracted attention were the Masonic Garden and its neighbour, the Normandy Veterans memorial. The latter features five stones representing the Normandy Beaches. The stones were unearthed near Dalton-in-Furness and donated by the late WBro Allan Cooksey whose son, WBro.David Cooksey is one of the trip organisers.
The trip proved a great success, and was greatly enjoyed by those attending.
Lancaster members share a joke and a bus shelter in Worcester
A brother battles with the wheel of the Great West
Inspecting the Bow of the Great Western
Ralph Walker and Rowley Saunders discuss real engineering.
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Boxing night is a big hit for charity
The Furness and South Lakeland Group of Freemasons’ Lodges held their 21st Annual Boxing Evening at the Cumbria Grand Hotel, Grange and again it was a big hit as far as Masonic and local charities are concerned.
With £7,000 raised from the latest event it means that since the boxing evening started it has raised more than £140,000. On the night the raffle alone brought in £2,500.
Group Chairman Rowley Saunders welcomed the 340 guests to the boxing night.
The evening saw 14 well matched bouts which featured boxers from Barrow, Kendal, Ambleside, Cleator Moor, Spennymoor and Blackburn.
Local boxer Jordan Watson from Barrow Boxing Club won his three-round fight with Delaney from Karman ABC, Bradford. Reece Barnes of Ambleside held off Andrew Donaldson from Cleator Moor in a lively bout and was followed into the ring by stablemate Glen Irwin who lost on points to Hussain Usman of Audley ABC, Blackburn.
Martin King of Cleator Moor took on Gary Dodds of Spennymoor ABC and succumbed to a face cut in the third round of a close fight.
Trophies were presented by Ian Irwin, a retired Great Britain Olympic Boxing Coach.
Jordan Watson receives his trophy from Ian Irwin.
Reece Barnes is declared the winner by the referee in his fight
against Andrew Donaldson.
Martin King connects to the jaw of Gary Dodds but succumbed
to a facial cut in the third round.
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Grand Charity cheque for hospice
Assistant Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker and Rowley Saunders, Chairman of the Furness and South Lakeland Group attended the St Mary of Furness Hospice to present a Grand Charity cheque to the value of £2491. The cheque was received by Dora Greenwood on behalf of the hospice.
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New format for Group Dinner
The Furness and South Lakeland Group Dinner broke from the previous pattern of the Provincial Team meeting the Lodge Masters and Chapter Principles for tea before the dinner and threw the meeting open to all comers for a question and answer session.
The Provincial Grand Master fielded questions from some 60 brethren on a range of topics. The first tranche centred on the management of Masonic Halls. The Provincial Grand Master identified one problem being the lack of five-year planning for halls, especially desirable given that most halls are not professionally managed. Proper planning of maintenance and use patterns can generate savings for the members. Individual halls are arranged as independent companies but share the common purpose of Freemasonry so major financial or safety failures reflect on the whole craft. Leyland Masonic Hall was quoted as and example of good commercial use of hall facilities.
Moving on to Charity contributions, the Grand Charity levy was challenged as possibly being ‘forced’ giving that the brethren have no control over the amount or use of the donation. To equal Grand Charity receipts in West Lancashire each member would need to be levied £34 per year. A Voluntary levy was examined by a Grand Lodge Working Group and considered unworkable. It was felt that the hike in Grand Lodge Fees might have exaggerated the situation.
The subject of changes in Chapter ritual and the possibility of a relaxation of dress code was another topic. The Provincial Grand Master expressed the belief that sharing of the ritual is not a reduction or relaxation in protocol but rather an opening up. Likewise the dress code is part of what we do and sets a standard. Whilst on this subject RWBro Wright announced the production of a Provincial Tie for the brethren to wear at ordinary meetings.
The news that lodges were sharing candidates was applauded by the Provincial Team and this led onto the subject of visiting between Chapters. Particularly missing are the newer or ‘younger’ brethren who are conspicuous by their absence. Visiting can promote friendships and does widen a Brother’s experience. Perhaps a first thrust should be for visiting Principals to encourage team members and other companions to accompany him on any visits.
A series of Chapter workshops have been held across the Province and have been considered successful.
The Question and answer session was followed by a banquet attended by some 130 brethren.
The toast to the Provincial Grand Master was skilfully delivered by Bro Nick Howden, Worshipful Master of Semper Sursum Lodge In his reply RWBro Wright reinforced some key points from the earlier question and answer session then wove in some memories of his days as Assistant Provincial Grand Master for the Group with memories of late brethren like WBro Jim Whitton.
He offered encouragement for all brethren to personally commit to the 2010 Festival and congratulations for those Lodges and Chapters which have already qualified as Patron or Gold Patron.
RWBro Wright then introduced a new Provincial initiative named the Discoverer Project which aims to provide Lodge Masters with the tools to canvas opinion from their membership for management of and planning within the lodge.
A charity donation of £ 2010 in favour of the 2010 Festival was made and followed by the presentation of a personal gift to the PGM of two Wainwright Fell Walking Guide Books by WBro Rowley Saunders. The former was gratefully received and applied to the fund. The second was the focus of great delight and pleasure by the recipient who pledged to put them to good use.
The Provincial Grand Master thanks the Group for the gift of two Wainwright Fell guides. Also pictured are Mark Dimelow Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies and Rowley Saunders Group Chairman
The question and answer section
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Father initiates son
WBro Bob McMillan was overjoyed with the prospect of initiating his son Scott into Arthur John Brogden Lodge.
A combination of his communicating his joy to all and sundry, and the fact that Scott has attended Masonic social events for some years and is well known to the brethren, resulted in a full lodge room for the ceremony at the Arthur John Brogden Lodge No 1715.
WBro Northcote supplied Bob with a charge to the Lewis which Bob found emotionally challenging to deliver. Later, at the festive board WBro Northcote supplied another tract relating to Masonic father/son brotherhood which again had Bob emotionally charged.
During his reply to the toast to the initiate, Bro Scott pleaded with WBro Northcote not to give his Dad any more tracts as he could not afford the handkerchiefs!
It was a wonderful evening and rumour has it that Bob is still smiling
Bob McMillan with son Scott
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Proud of Festival support
As we approach the end of 2007, the 2010 Festival is still in the forefront of the charitable efforts of The Furness and South Lakeland Group which has every reason to be proud of its efforts in supporting the Festival.
There have been 183 personal pledges; there are seven Lodge Gold Patrons; five Lodge Grand Patrons, one Lodge Patron and two Chapter Patrons.
This brings the total donated by Group, Lodges, Chapters and Individuals to £157,432
The Chapter Patrons are particularly noteworthy as brethren have generally already given most generously in their Lodges.
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MASTERS OF 2003 HAVE A ROSY GLOW
With the appointment of WBro Russ Greenhow as a Provincial Grand Steward, the Past Masters of the year 2003 took on a distinctive rosy glow. Four of them are now proudly wearing “t’pink pinny”. WBro Dave Grainer (PM 6828) unwittingly began the trend in 2004 and was followed by WBro Gary Rogerson (PM7828), WBro David Jopling (PM 1715) and now Russ (PM995).
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Ulverston Masonic Hall - celebrates its centenary
The Masonic Hall in Kings Road, Ulverston is looking especially proud of itself with its new gates and railings.
The hall was celebrating its centenary and was looking good, ready for the party. The gates and railings were made and installed by WBro Ron Jackson and marked the completion of a programme of extensions and modification which have rejuvenated the building to increase the facilities offered to members.
Modification was not without difficulty. The front corner was underpinned soon after the building was first built so it was deemed necessary to drive piles for the extension. Originally planned as three metres deep the deepest actually made 17metres!
The hall was formally opened 100 years ago by the Provincial Grand Master, The Earl of Latham, who is the grandfather of WBro Whitaker, a Past Master of the Lodge of Furness No 995 and who was present at the rededication.
Lodge of Furness played host to the Centenary Celebrations and welcomed a Provincial Team to carry out the rededication of the building. In recognition of the other Craft lodges who share the Building, the respective Worshipful Masters, Bro G Hudson (Ulverston No.7872) and Bro A Doherty (Thurston No. 2525) acted as Wardens for the ceremony.
A large Provincial Team was headed by the Provincial Grand Master.
A brief historical retrospect of the hall and its origins was given by WBro Barrie Crossley. The Provincial Grand Chaplain, WBro WRD Alexander, rededicated the temple to God’s service and the use of the Brethren.
WBro Ron Jackson who made the special gates is pictured at the centenary celebrations with the Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Colin Penty Wright.
The special gates which were made to mark the centenary of Ulverston Masonic Hall.
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MARATHON MASONS
Freemasons from two provinces joined forces to act as marshals for a marathon.
Members of West Lancashire’s South Lakeland Group were joined by Freemasons from the South Lakeland Group of Cumberland and Westmorland Province for the Brathay Hall Marathon. The task of the 120 volunteers was to keep motorists and the 1,100 runners separate and safe.
The Furness members controlled a large section of the route from Hawkshead to Bowness including the junction at Newby Bridge.
The Cumberland and Westmorland Province also sponsored prizes for the race which were presented by WBro Harry Hogarth, Deputy Provincial Grand Master.
Communications Officer Geoff Waters with his display of information about the Furness and South Lakeland Masonic Group at the Brathay Hall Marathon.
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A £7,000 knock-out success
The Furness and South Lakeland Group Boxing Tournament is still going strong after 21 years. The latest tournament saw 14 well matched bouts featuring boxers of all age groups and weights from schoolboy to seniors from a wide area. Matchmaking was again in the capable hands of the Kendal Boxing club under the leadership of Mr A Willoughby.
The highlight of the fundraising was the Horse and Cart rented out this year to WBro Bob Macmillan for a magnificent £650.
The event raised more than £7,000 which has been distributed to Masonic and local charities.
Chairman of the Boxing Committee, WBro Gary Rogerson, congratulates Kain Hussain who won the final bout of the evening.
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New Banner for Barrow Lodge
Barrow Lodge No. 3928 realised that their Banner, made of silk and of some antiquity, was suffering the ravages of time. They were determined to replace it with a newer model and on Thursday 14th September a fine , new and large banner was consecrated in a simple ceremony conducted by W.Bro. Peter Hosker and a Provincial Team.
The banner design is that of the original scaled up and manufactured from modern material. W.Bro. Derek Palmer served as banner bearer and the banner was blessed and consecrated for lodge use by W.Bro. Rev. WRD Alexander.
The banner was then presented to the Worshipful Master Bro. Bill Glassey who caused it to be placed in the east
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