PROVINCIAL
GRAND LODGE JUNE 2008
SPECIAL MEETING OF PROVINCIAL
GRAND LODGE AND PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER INSTALLS NEW
PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER, PROVINCIAL DEPUTY GRAND MASTER
AND GRAND SUPERINTENDENT
Tuesday
the 24th. June 2008 was a memorable day for the Province
of Lincolnshire when some 650 Freemasons attended Provincial
meetings at the new Lincolnshire Events Centre at the
Lincolnshire Showground, Grange-de-Lings, Lincoln.
The day started with a Meeting of Provincial Grand Chapter
at 11.30am, after which luncheon was taken by 450 Masons
enjoying a wonderful meal in pleasant surroundings.
In the afternoon it was the turn of the Craft to hold
its Provincial Grand Lodge and see Rt.W.Bro Graham Ives
(pictured later in his wonderfully ornate regalia) installed
as Provincial Grand Master.
W.Bro. John Board the Assistant Provincial Grand Master
and other Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge entered
in procession and he then opened Grand Lodge in due form.
The Rt.W. Deputy Grand Master, Peter Geoffrey Lowndes,
and the visiting Officers of Grand Lodge, Present and
Past, were received in procession after which the Rt.W.Deputy
Grand Master took the Chair.
Following the usual Masonic ceremony the Provincial Grand
Master designate, W.Bro. Graham Ives, was escorted into
Provincial Grand Lodge and following the benefit of prayer
was duly Obligated, Invested and took his place in the
Chair.
After further Masonic ceremony, the Provincial Grand
Master appointed, Obligated and Invested W.Bro. John Hockin
as his Deputy Provincial Grand Master - who then took
his place in Provincial Grand Lodge.
The Provincial Grand Master then announced the names
of the Brethren he intended to re-appoint as Assistant
Provincial Grand Masters. Following their Obligations,
W.Bro. John Board and W.Bro. Tim Dodds were Invested as
Assistant Provincial Grand Masters and took their places
in the Lodge.
The appointment of the other Officers of Provincial Grand
Lodge was confirmed and then the Bylaws presented to the
Provincial Grand Master.
The Provincial Grand Master then rose to Address the
Brethren.
ADDRESS
GIVEN AT PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE BY RT. W. BRO. GRAHAM
IVES, THE PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER
Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master, Distinguished Guests,
and Brethren:
Welcome to this Special Meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge.
I am overwhelmed to see so many of you here today. I am
so well supported by the Brethren of this Province and
numerous distinguished guests. Thank you all very much
for your attendance and I hope that you are enjoying your
day as much as I am. Some of our visitors have travelled
long distances to be with us. 
Our Principal guest and Installing Officer is of course
the Deputy Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother Peter
Geoffrey Lowndes. We are deeply honoured to have you here
today, Sir. I am particularly indebted to you for Installing
me as Provincial Grand Master for Lincolnshire with such
dignity and courtesy. I have had the pleasure at previous
Installation Ceremonies in other Provinces, and indeed
in this Province, of hearing the reading of Patents by
the Assistant Grand Secretary, Worshipful Brother Graham
F. Redman. His readings are unique and special in Freemasonry.
It did not occur to me that one day he would read a Patent
for me and I am sure that those who have heard such a
reading for the first time will remember it for some time
to come. Thank you very much, Brother Assistant Grand
Secretary.
The Acting Grand Director of Ceremonies, Worshipful Brother
James M. Long, has worked with his team very hard and
efficiently throughout the whole of the day. It is a long
day for the Grand Directors of Ceremony and all of us
have enjoyed and been impressed by their work both during
the rehearsal and during the meeting. Hence, as well as
thanking the Acting Grand Director of Ceremonies I also
thank his Deputies, Very Worshipful Brother Andrew F.C.
Wigram and Worshipful Brother Bruce C.T. Clitheroe.
The hard work and assistance of the Grand Tyler, Worshipful
Brother Malcolm Brooks, has been very impressive and considerably
enhanced the colour and dignity of the Ceremony. All in
all I hope that those in the team from Grand Lodge are
enjoying their visit to the Province of Lincolnshire as
much as we have enjoyed having them with us.
What a pleasure it was for me and the Brethren of Lincolnshire
to see the two senior visiting Provincial Grand Masters
taking part in my Installation Ceremony. Both of them
are old friends of the Province and in particular our
immediate Past Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master,
Gordon Walkerley Smith. I am of course referring to Right
Worshipful Brother Michael H. Roalfe, the Provincial Grand
Master for the Province of Leicester and Rutland, and
Right Worshipful Brother William Barrington Hall, the
Provincial Grand Master for the Province of Northamptonshire
and Huntingdonshire.
We are also honoured by the presence of
distinguished guests from other Provinces. They are of
course most welcome and many of them are old friends of
the Province. On this occasion they will not be announced
individually but their importance to us at this meeting
cannot be overstated.
The new Provincial
Grand Master with the Installation team
I am also grateful for the support of heads of other
Orders within this Province. Several of them are present
and again I don’t intend to mention them by name on this
occasion. Not only am I appreciative of their support
today but I am also very grateful to them for supporting
Craft Masonry generally. However, it is wholly appropriate
that I should welcome individually Right Worshipful Brother
Geoffrey Mawer Cooper, a Past Provincial Grand Master
for this Province. It is always a great delight to have
him with us.
I was a very long serving Deputy Grand Superintendent
in Charge but I have been a short serving Deputy Provincial
Grand Master and indeed Deputy Provincial Grand Master
in Charge. I have been “in charge” since the 1st June
after the formal retirement of my predecessor. It follows
from this that the arrangements for this meeting have
been prepared at short notice. I am considerably indebted
to all the Brethren in this Province who have taken part
in the arrangements for this meeting. I am not able to
mention all of them by name but there are some Brethren
who I must specifically refer to.
In
particular Worshipful Brother Carroll R. Preston, the
Provincial Grand Secretary, and the Provincial Assistant
Grand Secretary, Worshipful Brother John F. Warwick, have
worked so hard for me in the arrangements for this meeting.
They have been supported by several other Brethren, including
Worshipful Brother Roy Eaton and Worshipful Brother Stewart
Oxborough, and of course Mrs. Gene Reader in the Provincial
Office. Nothing has been too much trouble for them. Our
Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, new to the Office,
Worshipful Brother Robert M. Holland and his Deputies
and Assistants have been brilliant in the preparation
for today and in their work throughout the today itself.
It has been a great comfort to know that they have been
there and that everything has been properly prepared for
and dealt with so well on the day. Moreover the assistance
of the Brethren from the Provincial Grand Stewards’ Lodge
has been essential to the smooth running of the day.
I again thank the hardworking Worshipful Brother Geoffrey
Greenhough and his colleagues who have provided and managed
the excellent sound system. As always his hard work and
dedication is much appreciated.
I extend my thanks to Brother Malcolm Forrest for providing
his own Organ for the Ceremony. Worshipful Brother Martin
Pettit of Lincoln has worked very hard yesterday and today.
The said Provincial Officers have liaised closely with
the Secretariat of Grand Lodge during the weeks leading
up to today. Whenever they have requested assistance and
advice it has been forthcoming. Moreover, the Secretariat
has played a proactive and very efficient part in the
preparations. It would have been impossible for us without
that assistance and I thank them all.
This Address cannot pass without me paying tribute to
my predecessor, Right Worshipful Brother Gordon Walkerley
Smith. Looking back he has taken a keen interest in me
from the date of my Initiation in 1973. Over many years
he has supported and guided me. Since I was installed
as his Deputy Provincial Grand Master he has worked very
closely with me and has done all that he can to prepare
me for this high Office. He has done his best to transfer
to me all the benefit of his considerable experience and
ability. I am sure that this will stand me in good stead
in the future. Moreover, I have inherited from him a robust
and strong Province. Over his very successful and happy
term of office he has introduced a number of new initiatives
and he presided over a very successful Festival. I intend
to build upon his initiatives and ideas. We wish him well
in his retirement and I am sure that we shall see him
taking a prominent part in Craft Masonry and Freemasonry
generally in this Province in the years ahead.
It would be inappropriate for me to set out in this Address
my hopes, aspirations and plans for the future. Suffice
it to say that there will be no drastic changes because
such changes are not necessary. I have around me a very
experienced and competent team. I look forward to working
closely with them and indeed with all the Brethren of
this Province. I intend to involve as many Brethren as
possible in the responsibilities and great challenges
ahead. Brethren you can rest assured that I shall do all
I can to ensure that this Province continues to flourish
in the years ahead and that we always unite in the grand
design of being happy and communicating happiness. Since
I was Initiated into Freemasonry on the 15th March 1973
I have entered upon a continuing magical journey. I invite
you Brethren to continue that journey with me during the
years ahead. Thank you all very much for listening to
me. It has been a wonderful day for me which I shall never
forget and I do hope that you all have a safe journey
home.
Rt.W.Bro. Graham Ives
Provincial Grand Master
Following the Provincial Grand Masters Address
to the Brethren, Provincial Grand Lodge was closed in
the usual Masonic manner.
PROVINCIAL
GRAND LODGE PHOTOGRAPHS
The new Provincial team of W.Bro. John
Hockin, Deputy Provincial Grand Master; Rt.W.Bro. Graham
Ives, Provincial Grand Master; W.Bro. John Board, Assistant
Provincial Grand Master and W.Bro. Tim Dodds, Assistant
Provincial Grand Master.
The Provincial Grand Master with the Sword
and Banner Bearers
Left to right: W.Bro.S.J. Morley, Provincial
Senior Warden; Rt.W.Bro. Graham Ives, Provincial Grand
Master; W.Bro. R.C. Preston, Provincial Grand Secretary;
and W.Bro. V.P. Brooks, Provincial Junior Warden
The Provincial Grand Master took time
out to thank Jacqueline Vear of the EPIC Centre for all
her assistance in making the event such a success.
Left to right: W.Bro. A.A. Greswell, Deputy
DC; W.Bro. R.M. Holland, DC;and W.Bro.S.S. Marwaha Deputy
DC can relax after a job well done.
The Rt.W. Deputy Grand Master, Peter Geoffrey
Lowndes accepts a gift of Grimsby salmon and commemorative
glasses engraved with Lincoln Cathedral from W.Bro. Graham
Ives at the Festive Board.
The Rt.W. Deputy Grand Master, Peter Geoffrey
Lowndes explains the significance of the Kent Cube as
he presents it to W.Bro. Graham Ives prior to his Installation
as Provincial Grand Master.
W.Bro Robert Holland, DC for the Craft
and E. Comp David Bird, DC for the Holy Royal Arch rest
after a job well done.
PROVINCIAL
GRAND LODGE MAY 2008
The
Provincial Grand Lodge Meeting was held a the Beachcomber
Complex, North Sea Lane, Humberston DN36 4ET on Saturday
17th May 2008 and was followed by luncheon.
The Meeting came to order as the Grand Lodge
Officers entered to a wonderful processional march played
by W.Bro. Eric Wayman on an organ loaned for the proceedings
by Bro. Macolm Forrest.
The visiting Provincial Grand Masters and
Officers from other Provinces then processed in with the
Provincial Grand Master, his Deputy and Assistant Provincial
Grand Masters.
The Provincial Grand Master extended a warm
welcome to all the Brethren and then proceeded to open
and conduct the business of Provincial Grand Lodge.
Report of the Provincial Charity
Committee and Lincolnshire Masonic Charity Association
During the usual proceedings of the Provincial Grand Lodge,
the Report of the Provincial Charity Committee was made
by V.W.Bro. Raymond Powdrill Windsor and W.Bro John Hockin
gave the report of the Lincolnshire Masonic Charity Association.
Following approval of both reports the
Provincial Grand Master said..."In thanking V.W.Bro
Windsor and W.Bro.Hockin for the wonderful support they
give to the various charities, I would also like to support
them in their report given to you today.
The Province, as you have heard, are now
preparing for a challenging 5 year festival for the Royal
Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys. This leads us to ponder
over our other charities which have, over the past 5 years
occupied our attention.
It has been no mean feat for the Province
to have raised, during that period, over £600,000
for the New Lincolnshire Benevolent Fund allowing us to
hand over £150,000 given to the community and has
guaranteed, during the next 5 year period of the festival
campaign, to allow approximately £50,000 per annum
for their chosen charities.
This leads me to ponder over the choices
that lodges will undoubtedly be thinking about and whilst
I fully appreciate their wish to continue from their funds,
to support as before, I do urge caution in this desire
- praiseworthy though it is.
I
have in mind the problems that I foresee in the future
and I refer to our 21 Masonic Centres. Many are in good
order, many are in need of attention and some require
serious re-thinking as to their future. I am not advocating
closure but I am saying that Lodge Management Committees
should seriously consider what is best for Freemasonry
in the future in the long term.
Clearly lodges must totally support the
Festival but I suggest, as I have tried carefully to explain
that as we have planned generously to support the community
through the Festival and therefore any spare donations
which would have, in normal circumstances, have supported
local lodge choices it is now, I suggest, channelled into
a building fund.
We must all remember that costs for building
can only be sourced from the Brethren and that, in real
terms, means an increase in lodge subscriptions. We owe
it to our predecessors to look after our assets so that
our successors can continue to enjoy their Freemasonry
in comfortable surroundings and our building should reflect
the image of Freemasonry and we ourselves should be comfortable
and happy to welcome our family, friends and visitors
to them. We can only do this with confidence if it feels
and looks right. Buildings are really no different to
human beings. They breath the same air, suffer Autumn,
Winter, Spring and Summer and grow old just like human
beings. And just like human beings they need regular attention.
Whilst human beings can have their lives extended by pills
and by-passes, building cannot survive on pills and zippers
and need constant maintenance and refurbishing. In other
words they need financing and the crunch question is how
they are to be financed.
I am afraid there is only one answer -
for we certainly cannot receive outside help and it therefore
has to come from the pockets of the Brethren. This in
turn creates another problem in how best the Brethren
can support a major Festival, local community and charities
and yet maintain their buildings. Something has to give.
I believe the time has arrived, having set up the new
Trust to support local charities (i.e., over £50,000
for the next 5 years) and our 4 major Masonic charities
giving an average of £20m per annum to the outside
world - any other funds which otherwise would have been
given to local charities should now be set aside for the
maintenance and improvements of the centres. If neglected
we are leaving our successors untold problems and it is
not fair to do so. Indeed, how can we attract younger
members if we appear outwardly as a poor neighbour with
an uncaring image. The time has come, I believe in the
short term, in the adage of "Charity begins at Home."
Remember when you are giving to the Festival you are supporting
not only Masons and their dependents but also sons and
daughters of deprived parents and orphans and talented
youngsters who would not have the opportunity to improve
their education.
In conclusion we must not forget the work
of our Lodge Almoners who are working so well and keeping
our lodge members informed of their not so fortunate Brethren.
It is important that they not only follow the progress
of the Brethren who are ill but those noted as missing
lodge meetings - they are just as important to us and
to encourage them to return I believe is one of the duties
of an Almoner. He does, however, require assistance from
lodge members to achieve this objective.
Finally I sincerely thank W.Bro.Keith Slater
and Avis, his wife, who do so much in supporting our less
fortunate Brethren and dependents.
Election of Provincial Grand Treasurer
A new Treasurer was elected in the person of W.Bro. Ian
Pounder. After welcoming W.Bro Pounder, the Provincial
Grand Master said...." I would like to record the
grateful thanks of all of the Brethren of the Province
for the sterling service given by his predecessor W.Bro.John
Adams who retired at the end of last year and was, for
so many years, the Treasurer of both Craft and Chapter.
We owe him a great debt of gratitude for his prudent management
of our affairs for such a long period and we are pleased
that he continuing as Treasurer for the Royal Arch. We
shall miss his wise counsel but pleased to know that he
is still serving us in our charity affairs.
Appointment and Investiture of Provincial Grand
Officers
In the further business of Provincial Grand Lodge, the
Provincial Grand Master appointed and invested his Officers
.
The new Wardens stand by their Chairs after
the Provincial Grand Lodge has closed.
ADDRESS
GIVEN AT PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE BY
RT. W. BRO. GORDON WALKERLEY SMITH,
THE PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER
We have now come to that part of our meeting when I
address you and may I say, first of all, what a great
pleasure it is for me to invest so many of your personally.
I know how much you look forward to this day, having worked
diligently over the years for your lodges and I trust
today will be regarded as some reward for your past services
and I hope that you will continue to support with vigour
and enthusiasm the aims and principles of our fraternity
within your lodge and the Province.
At this stage I would like to thank all those Brethren
who have worked so hard to make today the success which
we all hope it will be. The Provincial Secretary, his
Assistant and all of the staff in the office who have
worked hard to send out the invitations, collating the
replies, attending to printing and the thousand other
jobs which is so necessary to make today just happen and
I would also like to thank the Brethren of the host lodge,
the St Peter's Lodge, for their support and assistance
over the past 2 days.
Finally, and as always, our grateful thanks to W.Bro.
Greenhough who once again has been responsible for the
amplification system which is so important on such occasions
as this.
My thanks also go to the Provincial Grand Director of
Ceremonies and his Deputies and Assistants - and to the
Stewards Lodge for their work in the background. All this
is very much appreciated, and clearly, as this is the
first occasion that the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies
has been responsible for such a meeting, we congratulate
him and his team.
I
would now like to take the opportunity to thank, on my
behalf and on behalf of the Province, the Provincial Wardens
for their work. I trust that they had a
rewarding year in office and I was pleased to receive
the comments and helpful reports following their visits
to your lodges. It is quite clear, from what they observed
and reported, that the Province is in good heart.
I am also always grateful to the Grand Officers who have
represented the Province at Installation Ceremonies and
for their helpful reports.
The Active Officers for the year have all made visits
with me to the lodges and have also been responsible for
attending and reporting on the Lodge of Instructions.
You are all well aware that I totally support the work
of the Lodge of Instructions and believe it is here that
the real teaching, mentoring and learning should be communicated
and discussed, particularly as it is in a more informal
atmosphere and creates a forum for getting to know each
other and developing friendships. It goes without saying
that I believe the sooner a Brother is involved in a Lodge
of Instruction the easier it is for him to be motivated
and interested in our movement. We must teach him that
we have no theology but we should go back to our roots
and explain why we are different from other organisations,
namely that we have a belief In a Supreme Being, that
we try to observe a moral law on a man to man basis and
that we are not a service organisation. We try to improve
as individuals. One can question whether our detractors
follow the same idea! as us.
During the past year many events have taken
place involving the Provincial Team including anniversaries,
dedications and celebrating 50 years of service to Freemasonry
by a number of our Brethren. All have been enjoyable occasions
but I think we must all agree that the most happy of occasions
occurred on the 29tn February this year, when we said
farewell to 3 Brethren who had given tremendous service
to Lincolnshire Freemasonry during the past decade. I
refer, of course, to the Past Deputy V.W.Bro. Windsor,
the Assistant Provincial Grand Master W.Bro. R.Adams and
the Past Provincial Director of Ceremonies W.Bro. Dodds
who was elevated that night as Provincial Assistant Grand
Master.
The Provincial Grand
Master flanked by V.W.Bro. Raymond Windsor (left) and
W.Bro. Ron Adams (right)
It was the end of an era but with the introduction of
new faces and I am quite sure that the foundation is now
in place for a secure future. Clearly by their attendance
and the reception given, the Brethren showed their appreciation
of those I have named and honoured.
The Lincolnshire Masonic Social Committee, under the
Chairmanship of V.W.Bro. Windsor, is doing excellent work
and is bringing our wives and families into Freemasonry
in a most happy and unprecedented way. Clearly they enjoy
their association as a unit and the many activities they
pursue indicates they are becoming a recognizable force
for good in the Province.
The next big event, of course, Is Sunday 1st June at
Market Rasen, when I hope many of you come and support
the Fun Day that has been arranged for those less fortunate
than ourselves. If the past 2 occasions are anything to
go by we are in for another happy and special day.
Last
year we officially launched what we call the Archives
Committee and you will notice on the last years Blue Book
- pages 19 and 20 - not only a Mission Statement but the
proposals that are now well In progress and being developed
under the Chairmanship of W.Bro. R. Brittain. I am most
grateful for the arduous task he and his committee have
agreed to undertake and wish them well and hope all lodges
will co-operate in ensuring the history and records of
the past 200 years in the Province are not only retained
but eventually prepared in such a way that not only we,
but our community, can enjoy their work. One day I am
hoping that it will be possible to have records available
in a suitable centre, to show the public just how influential
Masons have been in the past to the development of their
communities, the arts, science and to the cultural achievements
both locally and nationally. Reading them indeed makes
you proud to be a member of such a fraternity.
The
website, under the leadership of W.Bro. Stewart Oxborough,
has developed over the past year and there is little doubt
that it is one of the best presentations that you will
find. It is full of interest and information to our members
and to the public at large and once again demonstrates
to all and sundry the impact and influence we have in
our local communities in a very discreet and unpretentious
manner.
I would now like to refer to two general matters which
affect our lodges and some of the problems that I have
been aware of in recent times.
Working with the Provincial Office Team has made me realise
just how much times have changed in the last decade. Then
it was possible to manage the affairs of the administration
of the Province by 2 or at most 3 Brethren and a part-time
paid Secretary. Today there are 8 Brethren plus the part-time
Secretary. What is this really saying - simply that the
workload has virtually quadrupled in a very short space
of time i.e., keeping records, computer work, once thought
to save time and effort has merely increased the workload
as I see it, charity work, disciplinary matters, increase
in the number of lodges, Installations, visits, Lodge
of Instructions, Grand Lodge matters such as Almoners,
Orators and mentoring, website plus the constant questions
that have to be answered from Lodge Secretaries and Grand
Officers etc. This all takes time organising and most
unfortunately communicating through the right channels.
If the Province is under such pressure then it follows
that extra work is being placed in the hands of Lodge
Secretaries and the amount of paperwork generated from
all quarters and I can hear the Secretaries groan every
time they open the post. I am therefore saying that I
am concerned at the workload that is now being placed
in the hands of the Lodge Secretaries who, after all,
are only voluntary and not paid members. I have itemised
some of the circulation headings and this causes me to
place the subject on the agenda. May I suggest to all
lodges that they give this matter some serious attention
for Secretaries are generally very conscientious and uncomplaining
and members are unaware of the problems in the background
and only surface when errors are noticed or worst still
there is a sudden resignation due to pressure of work.
It is in the interests of not only the Lodge but the Secretaries
also, for more involvement in administration matters to
be shared by members of the lodge. This not only helps
the Secretaries but gives experience to future Secretaries
and educates them more in the business side of Freemasonry.
There is now one sad note that I wish to refer to and
that is the number of blackballing of candidates which
appears to have increased in the past 2 or 3 years. This
should never happen as we have a perfectly good system
and procedure to follow and when such incidents occur
it not only reflects on the candidate but causes embarrassment
to the proposers and often disharmony with the Brethren.
The solution is simple - we must be careful not to introduce
anyone as a candidate who is unlikely to meet our standards
and the responsibility of avoiding such unpleasantness
lies entirely with a vigilant Lodge Committee and constantly
to remind themselves of Dr Oliver's advice given over
a Century ago and which still applies. I stress that when
the ballot is taken it should be a mere formality if the
proper procedures have been adopted. Lodge Committees,
I urge, should review their procedures.
And now to a more pleasant task. I have been fairly economical
with issuing Certificates of Merit as PGM and I believe
the last one was some 4 years ago. I have therefore given
this very careful thought and I wish to acknowledge the
work over a long period of time of 2 Brethren within the
Province. Those that I will be presenting with the Certificate
of Merit have worked very diligently and hard on one of
the subjects I have raised today i.e., the looking after
of the Masonic Centre. I refer to W.Bro. Askew of the
Crowle Centre, and W.Bro. Beard of the Boston. I would
now ask the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies if
you will kindly conduct them to the rostrum. (The Provincial
Grand Master then presented the Certificates of Merit
to the two Brethren who were warmly applauded by the Brethren).
Another pleasant duty I have to perform is for a Brother
Initiated 50 years ago (in February) the Past Provincial
Grand Master – Geoffrey Mawer Cooper. It is a particular
matter of pride that on my last occasion I congratulate
you on 50 years in Freemasonry. You are respected and
loved by a Province you have served so well. I remember
with affection your time as Provincial Grand Master. (The
Provincial Grand Master then presented Rt.W.Bro. G.M.
Cooper with a ‘50 Years in Freemasonry’ Certificate which
was warmly greeted by the Brethren).
Rt.W.Bro. Geoffrey Mawer Cooper,
the Past Provincial Grand Master, with his 50 Years in
Freemasonry Certificate and the Provincial Grand Master,
Rt.W.Bro. Gordon Walkerley Smith.
Now I come to the point, Brethren, that
I know is of great interest to you all and that is my
impending retirement and the appointment of my successor.
I can now formally announce that I have sent in my retirement
letter which terminates at midnight on Saturday 31t May
2008. On 24th June, significantly the same day of St John
The Baptist, my successor will Installed. The venue is
the Lincolnshire Showground which is a new building and
is vastly superior to where we have met previously. I
can now name my successor as W.Bro. Graham Ives and his
Deputy, W.Bro. John Hockin. I wish them both every happiness
and a successful period in office.
Pictured left (immediately
after the Provincial Grand Lodge Meeting) W. Bro Graham
Ives, the next Provincial Grand Master for the Masonic
Province of Lincolnshire, and his future Deputy W. Bro.
John Hockin.
I believe this is a wonderful and indeed
inspiring time for Freemasonry ahead, the foundation of
which already has been laid in the new initiatives created
during the past decade, including an improvement in the
image of Freemasonry with the community.
I personally look forward to seeing and witnessing the
progress of Freemasonry in Lincolnshire with my usual
enthusiasm and belief in what it stands for to the individual
and in particular the influence it has, in general, on
the world.
Clearly I have much to be thankful for and it is very
difficult for me to say nothing but simply and sincerely
thank you to all of you who have been so helpful, loyal
and understanding. If I were to thank all of the individuals
who have helped me then I am sure to miss one or two but
I believe that all who have worked with me know that I
have appreciated very much their friendship and I trust
we all can part with happy memories.
All I ask now, having thanked you all sincerely for what
you have meant to me and Anne and my family, is that you
give the same support, loyalty and commitment to my successor.
And my final thanks must go to the Provincial Grand Masters
and other Officers of the adjoining Provinces who have
supported Lincolnshire on every possible occasion. I have
valued their friendship and company on the many visits
to their Provinces and likewise in this Province. I wish
them and their Brethren every happiness and success in
the future.
Rt.W.Bro. Gordon Walkerley Smith
Provincial Grand Master
PROVINCIAL
GRAND LODGE PHOTO GALLERY MAY 2008
W.Bro Tony Miller (left) in the last few
moments of his year as Provincial Grand Senior Deacon
stands with W.Bro. Ian McLean who had left the Chair of
St. Peter Lodge No:7648 just 48 hours previous. Provincial
Grand Lodge was held under the Banner of St. Peter Lodge
this year.
W.Bro. Carroll Preston, the Provincial Grand
Secretary, is clearly happy at the way the Provincial
Grand Lodge went.
W.Bro. B.J. Hinds the Provincial Grand Sword
Bearer prepares to lead in the Brethren for the last time
in his year of office.
W.Bro. Mel Barrowcliffe welcomes a prospective
customer to the Lincolnshire Provincial Regalia stand.
W.Bro. Meharban Singh Jutlla L.G.R. of
St. Olives Lodge No:2764 London (left) congratulates W.Bro.
S.S. Marwaha on his promotion to Provincial Grand Deputy
Director of Ceremonies.
W.Bro Cliff Reeves (left) and W.Bro. George
Burrows enjoy a trip to sunny Cleethorpes from Pharos
Lodge No:6450 in Scunthorpe.
The Provincial Grand Master keeps the Brethren
entertained during the Festive Board.
(Provincial Grand Lodge Photographs courtesy
of W.Bro. Stewart Oxborough)
SPECIAL
PROVINCIAL MEETING FEBRUARY 2008 SEES APPOINTMENT OF NEW
SENIOR OFFICERS AND GLOWING TRIBUTES TO THOSE RETIRING
FROM OFFICE
The new Provincial
Team and their predecessors. Left to right: W.Bro Robert
Holland, V.W.Bro. Raymond Windsor, W.Bro Graham Ives,
Rt.W.Bro. Gordon Walkerley Smith, W.Bro. John Board, W.Bro.
Tim Dodds and W.Bro. Ron Adams.
A special Provincial Grand Lodge Meeting
was held at the Assembly Rooms, Lincoln on Friday the
29th February, 2008 for the specific task of appointing
a new Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Assistant Provincial
Grand Master, and Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies.
The Provincial Grand Master, Rt.W.Bro. Gordon
Walkerley Smith, considered that the good work carried
out by the present generation of officers could only be
continued into the future by building on the foundations
already in place by adding new faces to the Provincial
team. He also felt that it was most important that those
retiring from office should have their services recognised
and wanted it to be a happy and memorable occasion.
The Rt.W. Provincial
Grand Master flanked by the new Provincial team and existing
Provincial Officers. (Left to Right) W.Bro. A.A. Greswell,
Dep.D.C.; W.Bro. G. Ives, D.P.G.M.; W.Bro. B.J. Humphrey,
S.W.; Rt.W.Bro. G.W. Smith, P.G.M.; W.Bro. M.F. Bilton,
J.W.; W.Bro.J.C. Board, A.P.G.M.; W.Bro. R.M. Holland
D.C.; W.Bro. T.F. Dodds, A.P.G.M.; W.Bro. V.P. Brookes,
A.D.C..
Accordingly, a special meeting of the Lincolnshire
Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge No:9726 was called and,
after opening in the usual manner and at the appropriate
time, the Provincial Grand Master entered in procession
with the Provincial team.
The Worshipful Master of the Lincolnshire
Provincial Stewards Lodge, W.Bro. Colin Brader, welcomed
the Provincial Grand Master and offered him the gavel.
The Provincial Grand Master thanked W.Bro Brader for the
warmth of his welcome, accepted the gavel and took the
Chair. He then opened Provincial Grand Lodge in the usual
manner.
The Provincial Grand Master welcomed the
Bethren, who filled the Assembly Rooms to capacity, to
Provincial Grand Lodge and remarked that this was a special
night to introduce new members to the Provincial hierarchy
but that it was also tinged with sadness as we were saying
goodbye to three others.
The end of an era
as the Provincial Grand Master, Rt.W.Bro. Gordon Walkerley
Smith, stands with V.W.Bro Raymond Windsor (left) and
W.Bro Ron Adams (right) after a moving ceremony at Lincoln.
He recalled the history of how he had come to the office
of Provincial Grand Master 
and
how he then needed to look for two loyal and experienced
men to support him in his task. He had never regretted
the appointment of V.W.Bro Raymond Windsor and W.Bro.
Ron Adams who had served him loyally and well.
Before commenting further on these two officers,
the Provincial Grand Master referred to the other officer
standing down from office - W.Bro. Tim Dodds who was relinquishing
the post of Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies.
He said that W.Bro. Dodds had served the
Province well and must take credit for the very high example
he set in the numerous Provincial Meetings and Consecrations
that he had participated in during his time as Provincial
Grand Director of Ceremonies. He also paid tribute to
the very high standard of work W.Bro. Dodds had instilled
in the Directors of Ceremony throughout the Province.
The
Provincial Grand Master then referred to W.Bro. Ron Adams
who he had known well before his appointment. W.Bro. Adams
had links with United Grand Lodge and had been tasked
with the job of Provincial Information Officer.
W.Bro Adams had, as part of this work, become
involved with communications for the Province, the Provincial
web site, and also more recently the issue of archiving
of Masonic information.
Finally the Provincial Grand Master came
to his Deputy and said that V.W.Bro. Raymond Windsor had
served him extremely well and loyally.
He continued by mentioning the Lincolnshire
Provincial Social Committee which, under V.W.Bro. Windsor's
direction as Chair, had flourished and become a credit
to the Province. 
Their
events included bringing together Brethren and their ladies
and involved Caravan rallies, socials, and the Fun Day
to name but a few.
V.W.Bro. Windsor was also very active in
the Province's charity work acting as link man between
the Province and Almoners.
The Provincial Grand master ended his tribute
to the three retiring offers by saying that the Province
owed a great deal of gratitude to these worthy Brethren
and he asked that the assembled Brethren show their appreciation.
This they resoundingly did.
The Provincial Grand Master then proceeded
to the appointment and investiture of the new Provincial
officers.
The
first new appointment was of W.Bro. Robert Martyn Holland
who was promoted from the post of Deputy Director of Ceremonies
to Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies. The Provincial
Grand Master remarked that Robert had been under the guidance
of W.Bro Tim Dodds for five years and he would be a difficult
act to follow. However, the Provincial Grand Master was
sure that he would stamp his authority on the office and
make it his own. He warmly congratulated W.Bro Holland
on his appointment and investiture.
W.Bro. Holland had no time to catch his
breath as there was a knock at the door and, to the amusement
of the Brethren, the Provincial Grand Master said "Here's
your first job".
The next appointment and investiture was
that of the new Deputy Provincial Grand 
Master,
W.Bro. Graham Ives. The Provincial Grand Master remarked
on W.Bro. Ives' Masonic career to date from his Initiation
in the Earl of Yarborough Lodge, his climb up the ladder
to the Chair and later the office of Director of Ceremonies,
his subsequent promotion to Provincial Rank and duty as
an active Warden, and then eventually the honour of being
appointed to Grand Rank.
The Provincial Grand Master remarked that
not only had W.Bro. Ives been honoured by an active Grand
rank but he was also the Grand Superintendent Designate
for Lincolnshire in the Holy Royal Arch.
W.Bro. Ives was then invested as the new
Deputy Provincial Grand Master for Lincolnshire. The chain
of office was placed about his neck by his predecessor,
V.W.Bro. Raymond Windsor.
The
final appointment and investiture was for that of Assistant
Provincial Grand Master and the Provincial Grand Master
said he had great pleasure in offering this appointment
to W.Bro. Tim Dodds.
Rt.W.Bro. Gordon Walkerly Smith said that,
as a result of all the work done around the Province,
W.Bro. Dodds was probably the best known Mason in the
Province. W.Bro Dodds had the chain of office placed about
his neck by his predecessor, W.Bro. Ron Adams, who took
the time to say that the appointment was richly deserved.
This completed the appointment and investiture
of the new Provincial officers.
The Provincial Grand Master then took a
moment to thank all the Brethren of the Province for the
care and love shown to him and his wife during his illness,
treatment and recuperation. He said that the wonderful
support had encouraged him to return to his duties - perhaps
a little before he should!
The proceedings of Provincial Grand Lodge
being completed, it was closed and the Provincial Grand
Master handed the gavel back to W.Bro Brader of the Provincial
Grand Stewards Lodge. The Provincial Grand Master and
his officers formed procession and were escorted from
the Lodge Room.
The Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge then
proceeded to close in the usual manner.
The newly appointed
and invested officers stand with the Provincial Grand
Master. (Left to right) W.Bro. Robert Holland, W.Bro.
Graham Ives, W.Bro. Gordon Walkerly Smith, W.Bro. Tim
Dodds.
The Meeting was followed by a splendid meal
where the Provincial Grand Master made further reference
to the wonderful work done by V.W.Bro Windsor and W.BroAdams
- both of whom received a standing ovation from the assembled
Brethren.
The Provincial Grand
Master during his speech at the Festive Board
The Provincial Grand Master also extended
a warm welcome to W.Bro. Ives, W.Bro. Dodds and W.Bro.
Holland, assuring them of his support and pleasure at
making their appointments.
We offer our warmest congratulations to
those newly promoted Brethren and sincere thanks and appreciation
to those who have retired after serving the Province so
well for so long.
