PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE
A GREAT SUCCESS
Brethren from around the Province gathered at the Epic Centre on the Linconshire Showground on Wednesday 13th May 2009 to attend Provincial Grand Lodge.
The day started with Provincial Grand Chapter in the morning which was graced by the presence of the 2nd Grand Principle, Most Excellent Companion G. P. Francis. Following this a splendid luncheon was provided which was attended by 456 Companions and Brethren. In the afternoon it was the turn of Provincial Grand Lodge where the numbers in attendance reached some 600!
The Provincial Grand Master, RtW.Bro. Graham Ives, is escorted out of Provincial Grand Lodge
Address by the Rt. W. Provincial Grand Master to Provincial Grand Lodge on 13th May 2009
Brethren, it is indeed marvellous to see so many of you here today at this 216th meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge. This is of course a new venue for our meetings and I trust that those who have not been here before are suitably impressed with the facilities at the Events Centre. This is a new beginning and I feel that we have arrived.
I have already welcomed our Distinguished Guests and also the Heads of other Orders in the Province. Brethen all, I do hope that you are enjoying your day.
I extend my grateful thanks to all the brethren in this Province who have worked so hard in the weeks leading up to this meeting in order to ensure that it is a success. I am not able to mention all of them by name but it is wholly appropriate that I refer specifically to some of them. Worshipful Brother Carroll R. Preston, the Provincial Grand Secretary and the Provincial Assistant Grand Secretary, Worshipful Brother John F. Warwick, have been working continually and enthusiastically for a number of weeks supported by other brethren including of course Worshipful Brother Stewart Oxborough and Worshipful Brother Roy Eaton. As always Mrs Gene Reader has provided invaluable assistance in the Provincial Office.
Our Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, Worshipful Brother Robert M. Holland and his Deputies and Assistants have prepared very well indeed and I am sure that you have been impressed with their work throughout the day. We are of course again indebted to the brethren from the Provincial Grand Stewards' Lodge for their work throughout the whole day. Finally, so far as the Meeting itself is concerned I extend my warmest thanks to the brethren of the Lincoln Lodges and in particular Witham Lodge for hosting the Meeting.
I expressed the view this morning in Provincial Grand Chapter that music is very important to our meetings and I express my thanks to the Provincial Organist, Worshipful Brother Eric J. Wayman, for his magnificent playing which has richly enhanced our enjoyment.
It has been a great delight for me to invest so many brethren today to Provincial Grand Rank either by way of first Appointment or Promotion. The investiture part of the meeting is central to it and of the utmost importance. It is on these occasions that we are able to recognise and celebrate service which brethren have given to the Province already and also to signify my wishes that they will continue to provide service in the future. I congratulate you all and wish you well.
I was proud to be present at the Annual Investiture Meeting of Grand Lodge at the end of last month when certain of our brethren were honoured by First Appointments and Promotions to Grand Lodge. They were invested by our new Pro Grand Master, the Most Worshipful Peter Geoffrey Lowndes, who of course installed me as Provincial Grand Master last June at this Centre. The Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Very Worshipful Brother W. John Hockin, was promoted to Past Grand Sword Bearer. Worshipful Brother John G. Adams was promoted to Past Junior Grand Deacon. Worshipful Brother Geoffrey J. Hunt was also promoted to Past Junior Grand Deacon. The Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, Worshipful Brother Robert M. Holland, was invested to the rank of Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies. The Provincial Grand Treasurer, Worshipful Brother Ian M. Pounder, was invested to the rank of Past Grand Standard Bearer and the Provincial Grand Charity Steward, Worshipful Brother David B. Richardson, was invested to the Rank of Past Grand Standard Bearer. I am sure that you agree, brethren, these Promotion and Appointments were very well deserved and I do know that these brethren will continue to have a central role in the working of our Province in the years ahead.
I thank the outgoing Provincial Team for its support and efforts during the course of the last year. I have had a number of very happy evenings in the company of acting Provincial Officers. The outgoing Wardens, Worshipful Brother Stephen J. Morley and Worshipful Brother V. Peter Brookes, have clearly enjoyed their year very much and I am grateful to them for not only representing me at regular meetings throughout the Province but also in providing very helpful and comprehensive reports. They have worked very hard and each Lodge in the Province has received a visit from them. I also thank the Grand Officers who have represented me at Installation Ceremonies and I thank them for their essential work as Liaison Officers. I have very much enjoyed my official visits, and unofficial visits around the Province. I have always been met with warmth and friendship which is much appreciated.
There was a particularly important meeting in Bourne at Hereward Lodge in February. I was delighted to attend with other senior brethren of the Province to present a Certificate commemorating 70 years of service to Craft Masonry by Worshipful Brother Raymond Leonard Ringrose, Past Junior Grand Deacon. This is a considerable achievement in itself and you will all be aware of the substantial contribution Worshipful Brother Ringrose has made throughout the whole of his masonic career in Lincolnshire, not only in Craft Masonry, but of course in other Orders as well. His contribution towards freemasonry in Lincolnshire will never be forgotten and he is a truly great Lincolnshire Freemason. I am sorry that he has not been able to be with us today.
I must place on record the magnificent support and advice which I continue to receive from my predecessor, Right Worshipful Brother Gordon Walkerley Smith, and indeed Right Worshipful Brother Geoffrey Mawer Cooper. Both of them continue to play an active role within the Province and it is very reassuring and a great comfort to me that they do so. Their considerable experience can only continue to be of benefit to this Province.
Brethren, I am very comfortable indeed and happy with the team which I have around me. I trust that you feel the same way.
I have appointed two brethren today to new ranks in Provincial Grand Lodge. Worshipful Brother Geoffrey J. Hunt, Past Junior Grand Deacon, has been appointed to the Office of Provincial Grand Mentor and Worshipful Brother the Rev. John D.R. Spriggs, Assistant Grand Chaplain, has been appointed to the Office of Provincial Grand Orator. These new Offices are enthusiastically encouraged by Grand Lodge and are of substantial importance.
I am particularly interested in mentoring. The foundations were put in place by my predecessor with the assistance of others including Worshipful Brother Timothy G. Kelsey, Past Grand Standard Bearer. My Deputy and Worshipful Brother Hunt have prepared several documents so that the principles of mentoring are embraced further and actively pursued in all Craft Lodges. Each Lodge has been asked to appoint a mentoring Co-ordinator. I shall be meeting with the Provincial Grand Mentor and others in a short period of time in order to discuss and agree the way forward. My proposer into Freemasonry was a very experienced freemason. Sadly he is no longer with us. I believe that I am the only Initiate he proposed into Freemasonry. He was immediately my mentor in Freemasonry and I would not be in the position that I am in today if I had not received mentoring from him over many years in the form of advice and guidance. So please, brethren, support the initiatives which we shall be suggesting in the months ahead and which I believe are essential to the future of Freemasonry.
So far as the Provincial Grand Orator is concerned it is my intention that the Provincial Team, including of course myself, will accompany him to three Lodge meetings during the course of the next year so that he can deliver an Oration or Orations. These will therefore, hopefully, be spectacular occasions and there will be a meeting in the south, the centre and the north of the Province. I hope that as many of you will attend as possible.
Each Lodge has now appointed a Royal Arch Representative and I have asked Worshipful Brother J. Terry Little, the Provincial Senior Grand Warden, to oversee the arrangements in this respect. I trust, brethren, that you will support your Royal Arch Representative and encourage all Master Masons, who have not done so, to complete their journey through Pure and Antient Freemasonry by being exalted into Royal Arch Masonry. This is of fundamental importance.
Brethren, I am aware that I have only been in office for a short period of time and already I am asking the Lodges to make various appointments and embrace certain initiatives. I am very conscious of the fact that masonry is to be enjoyed and it is not intended that any of the initiatives should detract from our enjoyment and pleasure. The initiatives are intended to unite us in the grand design of being happy and communicating happiness. I am aware that brethren have different expectations and needs from their Freemasonry. All of the initiatives should be placed in that context and tailored to the requirements of the brethren generally and individually.
I have asked the Provincial Assistant Grand Master, Worshipful Brother Timothy F. Dodds, to oversee the Lodges of Instruction with the assistance of the Provincial Assistant Grand Secretary, Worshipful Brother John F. Warwick. I consider the Lodges of Instruction to be of importance not only in preparing brethren to take office within their Craft Lodges but also in terms of education, and mentoring will play a significant part in Lodges of Instruction. I thank the Provincial Grand Officers who represented me during the course of the last year at the Lodges of Instruction and I thank them for their very helpful reports.
Worshipful Brother Reginald L. Brittan, Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies, is of course the Provincial Co-ordinator for the Historical Records Survey. This is an initiative which was launched by the Past Pro Grand Master and the Board of General Purposes. It is a survey of Lodges and Chapters in England and Wales to ascertain what records they hold and the accommodation and conditions in which they are kept. I am delighted to announce that due to the hard work of Worshipful Brother Brittan and others supporting him, this Province is doing very well in providing the relevant information. However, a small number of Lodges and Chapters have not yet done so. I urge those Lodges and Chapters to provide the information in the immediate future. It is most important for the future of Freemasonry generally.
The Provincial website goes from strength to strength under the able management of Worshipful Brother Stewart Oxborough. His management of it is first class and instant. I suspect that photographs of the meetings today, together with reports, will appear tomorrow and in the days ahead. The Lincolnshire Link magazine sadly ceased to exist a number of months ago. However, I am very pleased to inform you that "The New Link" will be launched during the course of the next few months with its first edition. The initiative for this has come from the Lincolnshire Provincial Social Committee under the Chairmanship of Very Worshipful Brother Raymond Powdrill Windsor. I urge the brethren to support it not only by reading it but also in financially supporting it by way of advertisements. It is intended that it should be supplied without charge to all brethren and the only way in which this can take place is by it being self supporting through advertising revenue. I believe that "The New Link" and the website can compliment each other. Worshipful Brother Stewart Oxborough has agreed to be the Editor of "The New Link".
I am of course very grateful to all who work upon the Provincial Social Committee. It is a very happy and enthusiastic Committee under the chairmanship of Very Worshipful Brother Raymond Powdrill Windsor. He conducts the meetings with efficiency and his usual humour. I urge all brethren to support the ventures of the Committee wherever possible. It is to play a very important part in raising funds for the Festival.
I have already spoken to you about the importance of the 2014 Festival in support of the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys. I know, brethren, that you will fully support the Festival.
I want to pay tribute to the work of Worshipful Brother Roy Eaton and Worshipful Brother Norman Hannigan in producing the Provincial Year Book. This is an all year round job and involves hundreds of hours of work. It produces for me, and I suspect many other Brethren, a working tool which I refer to on several occasions most days. They do of course rely upon many brethren for the information to ensure that the entries are accurate.
You will be aware that each year during the course of the last few years we have asked each Lodge to nominate a local charity for a grant from our New Provincial Benevolent Fund. This has proved very successful. We have made grants of between £40,000.00 and £50,000.00 per annum. This has also led to good publicity. The foundations are in place for grants in these sums to be made from the said fund during the course of the Festival. Hence, non-masonic local charities will not be ignored and will benefit from our funds. However, I urge you brethren to channel most, if not all, of your charitable giving during the course of the Festival to the Festival itself. I hope that you agree the contributions from the new Fund will enable you to do so. However, I am mindful of the fact that some Lodges traditionally support non-masonic charities and I would not in any way wish to interfere with that. I just ask you to reconsider your policy in the light of the years ahead concerning the Festival. All Lodges should consider where their priorities lie with regard to charity.
In conclusion, brethren, we face great challenges ahead. I do consider that it is important we present our facilities, and in particular our Lodge buildings, as attractively as possible. If we are to encourage younger men to join us as masons we must present our image, and in particular our facilities, in as good a light as possible. I know that there are some centres facing greater difficulties than others. All I ask is that we work together in harmony under the umbrella of the traditional masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth. The Province, under my leadership, will do everything it can to support you in your endeavours. I am sure that if we all join hands together we can meet the challenges ahead and go from strength to strength.
Since I became Installed as Provincial Grand Master last June my life has of course changed. I can tell you that I am thoroughly enjoying myself and it is a great honour for me to serve you all. I continue upon a magical masonic journey and I invite you all to walk side by side with me throughout this journey.
I thank you all for attending. I hope that you have enjoyed your day. Please have a safe journey home and god bless you all.
Rt.W.Bro. Graham Ives Provincial Grand Master
NEW FACES AT PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE
RT.W.BRO.
GORDON WALKERLEY SMITH HONOURED AT SPECIAL MEETING
A rainy night in Lincoln could do nothing to spoil the
wonderful celebration held at a special meeting of St
James Lodge No:7415 in the Assembly Rooms on Friday the
5th September 2008 for the special task of celebrating
the remarkable service to Freemasonry of Rt.W.Bro. Gordon
Walkerley Smith, the Immediate Past Provincial Grand Master.
The meeting under the St
James Lodge banner, Rt.W.Bro Smith's own Lodge, was opened
in the usual manner by the Master - W.Bro. David Smith,
assisted by his Wardens.
It should be noted that
the Worshipful Master is not related to Rt.W..Bro. Smith
- who has a son called David and who was also present
on the night.
The Provincial Grand Director
of Ceremonies then entered the Lodge Room to announce
the arrival of the Provincial Grand Master, Rt.W.Bro.
Graham Ives, along with his escort.
An impressive entourage
of very senior officers which included (among others):
W.Bro. W.J. Hockin, Deputy Provincial Grand Master; W.Bro.
J.C. Board, Assistant Provincial Grand Master; W.Bro.
T.F. Dodds, Assistant Provincial Grand Master; V.W.Bro.
R.P. Windsor; Immediate Past Deputy Grand Master and the
Officers of the Provincial Team then entered to join the
other Grand Lodge Officers, Provincial Grand Lodge Officers,
distinguished guests from outside the Province and Brethren
from the Province already assembled in the Lodge Room.
W.Bro. Smith welcomed the
Provincial Grand Master on this very special evening and
offered the gavel, which was accepted.
The Provincial Grand
Master stands with Rt.W.Bro Gordon Walkerley Smith, Senior
Provincial Officers and Grand Lodge Officers after the
special meeting.
Following the reading of the Dispensation to hold the
Meeting and the usual formalities, the Provincial Grand
Master rose to make his address to the Brethren.
Address to the
Special Meeting by Rt.W.Bro. Graham Ives:
Worshipful Master,
Brother Wardens, and Brethren.
Brethren, this is a very
important and special meeting. We meet here today to express
our gratitude to Right Worshipful Brother Gordon Walkerley
Smith and to honour his very successful and happy term
of office as the Provincial Grand Master for the Masonic
Province of Lincolnshire. I am very pleased to see so
many Brethren present and I do of course extend to you
all a very warm welcome.
When
we decided to hold this meeting several months ago we
considered that it was wholly appropriate for the meeting
to be held under the auspices of St. James Lodge No. 7415,
which is of course the home Lodge of Right Worshipful
Brother Gordon Walkerley Smith. I liaised with him concerning
the venue for this meeting. Obviously we considered that
Grimsby might be an appropriate venue. However, for a
variety of reasons we concluded that the most appropriate
meeting place would be the Assembly Rooms in Lincoln.
Firstly this building has the space and facilities to
host such a meeting. Secondly it is a very grand and impressive
masonic centre which is placed in one of the most picturesque
areas of England. I am always delighted to be close to
the beautiful Cathedral in Lincoln. You will know, Brethren,
that Right Worshipful Brother Gordon Walkerley Smith,
in his capacity as Provincial Grand Master and Head of
Knights Templar, has had a long and happy association
with the Cathedral . Moreover, the Assembly Rooms are
centrally placed in our Province which is geographically
large in size. We are therefore deeply indebted to the
Brethren of Lincoln, and of course the Worshipful Master
and Brethren of St. James Lodge for facilitating the arrangements
for this meeting.
Right
Worshipful Gordon Walkerley Smith was our Provincial Grand
Master from November 1999 until his retirement at the
end of May this year. He has always united with us in
the grand design of being happy and communicating happiness.
He is a friend and brother to us all.
Where do I start so far
as his Masonic career is concerned? The obvious place
to start is the date of his Initiation which was on the
16th April 1963 into St. James Lodge. The Ceremony will
have taken place in the Old Masonic Hall in Grimsby. He
was Installed as Worshipful Master of that Lodge on the
16th March 1976. Incidentally, Brethren, that was my 26th
birthday and by that time I was a Master Mason. I don't
know whether there is anything significant in that!
He was Acting Provincial
Junior Grand Warden of the Province in 1981. He was honoured
with Grand Rank in Craft in 1986. He served the Province
as Provincial Grand Secretary from 1990 to 1993. He was
the Deputy Provincial Grand Master to the late Right Worshipful
Brother Doctor John Allin; he was his Deputy from 1997
to 1999. He was then Installed as our Right Worshipful
Provincial Grand Master in November 1999 after the premature
and sudden death of his predecessor. He rose magnificently
to the sudden role he received as our Provincial Grand
Master. I shall mention more of that later.
He was Exalted into Astral
Chapter No. 3841 in Grimsby and not surprisingly he holds
high office in the Royal Arch both in the Province and
in Supreme Grand Chapter. He served the Province as Provincial
Grand Scribe Ezra from 1986 to 1993. His present rank
in Supreme Grand Chapter is Past Deputy Grand Sword Bearer.
He
has also enjoyed a very impressive career in the Mark
Degree having served the Province as its Provincial Grand
Master for the lengthy term from 1993 to 2006. He transferred
to his successor, Right Worshipful Brother the Reverend
Trevor Walker (pictured left), a very happy and strong
Mark Province.
He was a member of the
Grand Master's Royal Ark Council from 1995 to 2007.
He was Provincial Sub-Prior of Order Knights Templar in
the Province from 1989 to 1995. He has been our Provincial
Prior in the Order of Knights Templar from the year 1995
and he still holds that office. It is to his considerable
credit that the Knights Templar Order has grown from strength
to strength since his involvement. He was a member of
the Great Council of Priory from 1996 to 2008.
He holds High Office in
the Order of Knights Templar Priests. In the Ancient and
Accepted Rite he holds 32°.
Since 2007 he has held
the Rank of Past Grand Senior General in the Red Cross
of Constantine.
In the Order of Royal
and Select Masters he holds the high Rank of Past Grand
Lecturer.
It would be difficult
to imagine anyone else having a more impressive and glittering
Masonic career. Moreover, he is by no means finished yet!
The Brethren present will
not need reminding that he has worked with great efficiency,
poise and style in everything he has been required to
do in Freemasonry. We have been the beneficiaries of this.
I want to now concentrate
upon his term of office as our Right Worshipful Provincial
Grand Master. He picked up the reins of a Festival in
support of the New Masonic Samaritan Fund. It was an extremely
successful Festival, as we all know. It reached its climax
in 2003 and far exceeded the target which had been set
for it. It raised the magnificent sum of 2.6 million pounds.
He was of course supported by all the Brethren of the
Province in the Festival but he was the architect of this
and must bear considerable credit. He has also laid the
foundation for the Festival which is due to start next
year in favour of the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and
Boys. I am personally grateful to him for that.
Freemasonry has gone through
many changes during the course of the past ten years and
he has met and dealt with those changes as they have arisen.
There have been difficult issues to attend to. He has
confronted those issues and dealt with them fairly and
properly when required.
A number of years ago
Grand Lodge initiated Freemasonry in the Community. He
appointed a team to ensure that this project was successful
in this Province. You will recall Brethren that it was
indeed very successful. His considerable work and knowledge
of the local community, which I shall refer to later,
was no doubt of considerable assistance to him in this
project.
A number of other Provinces
have had difficulties with regard to recruitment and retention
in Craft Masonry. Happily this has not been the case in
the Province of Lincolnshire and again Right Worshipful
Brother Gordon Walkerley Smith, with his initiatives and
constant monitoring of the situation, deserves a great
deal of credit for this. Where numbers have been falling
away in other Provinces our numbers have stayed consistent
throughout the term of his office.
As I stated Freemasonry
has changed and is changing. The ladies have been involved
more and more in Freemasonry. Right Worshipful Brother
Gordon Walkerley Smith saw the necessity for this (I won't
hold that against him!). Seriously, Brethren, family life
is extremely important and we have to make sure that our
partners and children are fully supportive of us and involved
as much as possible in Masonic life. Right Worshipful
Brother Gordon Walkerley Smith has tackled this issue
successfully and head on.
There have been other
issues from Grand Lodge - pamphlets, mentoring, archives
etc. Whenever there have been initiatives from Grand Lodge
he has been immediate in his response to the same and
involved as many of us as is possible in ensuring that
any initiatives which he supports are successful. This
does not mean that he has automatically followed any initiatives
suggested from Grand Lodge. He has tailored those initiatives
to suit the needs of this particular Province.
Whilst he is a Grimsby
Freemason, he is more than that, - he is a Lincolnshire
Freemason. He has made sure that the whole of our Province,
which is large geographically, is involved in all the
initiatives and pleasures of Freemasonry. Nobody could
ever say that he has not embraced the whole of the Province.
I remember that soon after his Installation as Right Worshipful
Provincial Grand Master he placed high on the agenda the
issue of Communication. He was anxious that all Provincial
matters of consequence should be communicated in the right
way to the Brethren of this Province. Communication has
been a top priority throughout the term of his office.
In preparing this Address
I obviously looked at parts of the Blue Book. I noticed
with awe the number of Lodges he has Consecrated. 
I
was present in 1998 when the Rudyard Kipling Lodge No.
9681 was Consecrated in Skegness. At that time he was
our Deputy Provincial Grand Master. Sadly our Right Worshipful
Provincial Grand Master, Doctor John Allin, was in ill
health. At short notice Right Worshipful Brother Gordon
Walkerley Smith was required to preside over the Consecration
Ceremony as the Consecrating Officer. I recall that I
drove him in my motor car to and from Skegness. Right
Worshipful Brother Geoffrey Mawer Cooper and Worshipful
Brother Chesney Aubrey Brocklesby were also in the motor
car. I wondered whether he was nervous. If he was he did
not show it. When it came to the Ceremony his Ritual was,
to me, perfect and relaxed. It was a very happy day.
Since then he has Consecrated
a number of other Lodges. This is a testament to his efficiency
and enthusiasm. The Lodges he has Consecrated are of course:
The Lincolnshire Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge, No.
9726, which has a substantial continuing role to play
in the affairs of the Province - we have a lot to owe
to him for the Consecration of this particular Lodge;
the Daylight Lodge No. 9748 which meets in Grimsby; the
Glanford Vale Lodge No. 9769 which meets in Brigg; the
Trent Valley Daylight Lodge No. 9779 which meets in Crowle;
the Meridan Daylight Lodge No. 9813 which meets in Grantham;
the Fenland Daylight Lodge No. 9825 which meets in Long
Sutton; the Lodge of Established Order No. 9822 which
meets in Brigg; and the Sir Joseph Banks Daylight Lodge
No. 9828 which meets in Horncastle.
I am pleased to report that all of the Lodges which have
been Consecrated under his term of office are thriving
and doing well. I do not believe that the Consecration
of those Lodges has affected the strength of other Lodges.
If I have to Consecrate
a Lodge I can assure you Brethren that I shall rise to
the challenge but I confess that it is inevitable I shall
be somewhat nervous. Thankfully, taking into account the
Lodges which have been Consecrated by my predecessor,
I may not be required to Consecrate another Lodge for
some time. However, we shall have to wait and see.
He was clearly concerned
to Consecrate Daylight Lodges. This started in Grimsby
and now we have Daylight Lodges spread all over the Province.
The merits of Daylight Lodges are obvious and Right Worshipful
Brother Gordon Walkerley Smith must be congratulated for
what he has done in this respect.
One of the duties and
pleasures of a Province Grand Master is to attend Grand
Lodge Quarterly meetings in London and also to attend
the Annual Investiture Ceremony in Great Queen Street.
United Grand Lodge,
London
I have examined the Quarterly
Communications since his Installation and I cannot recall
a time when he has not attended those meetings. He has
therefore fulfilled all his commitments to Grand Lodge
with energy.
He has also served us
well by visiting neighbouring Provinces on an official
basis. He has always supported the neighbouring Right
Worshipful Provincial Grand Masters and their Provincial
meetings.
I could go on Brethren
about his career as our Right Worshipful Provincial Grand
Master but I think that I have said enough and I think
you are all aware of his great commitment and enthusiasm
in this respect.
What has surprised me is
that he has still had time for everything else in his
life. He is of course supported by a wonderful wife in
Ann. He has a son, David, who I am delighted to say is
here today supporting his father. He has a daughter, Diane.
He has five grandchildren who are all girls. We all know
that he is a very happy family man and despite his many
commitments outside of family life his family has always
been his first priority.
He has been in his career
a very successful Architect. He was a partner in the Sir
Charles Nicholson Group from 1963 and then Senior Partner
from 1983 to 2003. 
He
is still active as an Architect and has acted as such
in his own practice since 2003. He is of course a Fellow
of the Royal Institute of British Architects (whose headquaters
are shown left) and is an Accredited Architect of Conservation.
He has been the Diocesan Surveyor in Lincoln from 1962
to 1992 and in Southwell from 1974 to 1990. He has therefore
had a very successful professional career and continues
to do so.
I have to say, Brethren,
that sometimes committed Freemasons have little or no
other life outside of Freemasonry, their profession, and
their families. There is nothing wrong with that. However,
this is not the case with Right Worshipful Brother Gordon
Walkerley Smith.
His community involvement
is immense. I shall just mention some of it because there
are other issues in the community in which he has been
involved. His experience as our Right Worshipful Provincial
Grand Master has stood him in good stead in this respect.
He was a Justice of the
Peace for Humberside from 1976 to 2003. I appeared before
him regularly as an Advocate and he had no hesitation
whatsoever in sending my clients to jail should they deserve
it! If they did not deserve it then they would receive
his mercy.
He was Chairman of St.
James Choir School, Great Grimsby (my father's old school,
his old school and the old school of my children) from
1985 to 2007 and he was a School Governor for many years
before that.
He was a member of Grimsby
Parish Church Choir from 1943 to 1970 and he served the
Grimsby Parish Church as a Church Warden from 1970 to
1975 and 1982 to 1987. He also became Church Warden of
Barnoldby Le Beck Parish Church in 1993 and still holds
that position.
He was Chairman of the
North East Lines Branch of the NSPCC from 1992 to 1999.
He was Secretary of the Grimsby Civic Society from 1965
to 1972. He was Chairman of that Society from 1972 to
1977. He is a past member of the Local YMCA Committee
and a past member of the Local Hospice Committee.
He became a member of the Pavior Livery Company in 1972
and thereby became a Freeman of London.
Right Worshipful Brother
Gordon Walkerley Smith we do not know how you have done
it all but we are most grateful to you. What shines out
from what you have done is that you are above all else
a very kind and caring person who wants to provide service
to those who need and deserve it, both in Freemasonry
and in the Community.
I have heard him speak
many times during Masonic Meetings and at the Festive
Board. He has a wealth of knowledge of the individual
Brethren in this Province not only now but in the past.
He has always taken a keen interest in individuals and
their needs.
I have inherited from Right
Worshipful Brother Gordon Walkerley Smith a very healthy,
vibrant and happy Province. I personally am very grateful
to him for all his support in previous years and in the
support which he continues to give me. I intend to involve
him very closely in the affairs of the Province in the
future and I am sure, Brethren, that you agree with me
that that is the appropriate course of action. He has
been very kind and supportive of me but of course I am
just one of the Brethren in this Province who falls in
that category.
I am delighted therefore
to proceed to make a presentation to him on behalf of
all the Brethren of Lincolnshire.
Rt.W.Bro.
Graham Ives,
Provincial Grand Master
The Provincial Grand Master
was then escorted onto the floor of the Lodge by the Provincial
Grand Director of Ceremonies and then asked that V.W.Bro.
Brother Raymond Powdrill Windsor, W.Bro. Ronald Adams,W.Bro.
Chesney Aubrey Brocklesby and W.Bro. Carroll Preston be
escorted up to join him. He then asked the Provincial
Grand Director of Ceremonies to escort Right Worshipful
Brother Gordon Walkerley Smith to him.
The Provincial Grand Master
then said that although many Brethren had been involved
in the career of Rt.W.Bro. Smith over the years, these
four Brethren had been very close to the Immediate Past
Provincial Master in that they were his Deputy Provincial
Grand Master, Assistant Provincial Grand Master and the
two Provincial Grand Secretaries during his time in office.
He then proceeded, with their assistance, to make presentations
to Rt.W.Bro. Gordon Walkerley Smith of a beautiful decanter
with inscribed plate and two glasses. Since the decanter
would accept whisky or port a bottle of each was also
presented. The Provincial Grand Master then presented
a cheque from the Province with the wish that perhaps
Rt.W.Bro. Smith and Mrs. Smith could enjoy a holiday.
A bouquet of flowers had also been presented to Mrs. Smith
from the Province earlier in the day.
All the Brethren rose and
gave a standing ovation to this man who had led the Province
so well.
Rt.W.Bro. Gordon Walkerley
Smith gave a clearly emotional reply during which he thanked
his successor and the Brethren of the Province for their
support, loyalty, and kindness.
Following the presentation,
the Provincial Grand Master returned to the Chair and
handed the gavel back to the Master - W.Bro. David Smith.
In due course, the Provincial Grand Master and his escort
then left the Lodge Room in procession. The Lodge was
closed in the usual manner and the Brethren retired.
At this point the staff
at the Assembly Rooms did a wonderful job of transforming
the Lodge Room for the Festive Board.
During the ensuing meal,
the Rt.Worshipful Provincial Grand Master paid further
tribute to Rt.W.Bro Gordon Walkerley Smith expresssing
his and the Province's thanks for all the work done on
our behalf. He also gave the Brethren some amusing anecdotes
from their shared experiences over the years.
The Provincial Grand
Master, Rt.W.Bro. Graham Ives, recounts an interesting
anecdote about Rt.W.Bro. Gordon Walkerley Smith, Immediate
Past Provincial Grand Master watched by Rt.W.Bro. Geoffrey
Mawer Cooper , Past Provincial Grand Master.
The Provincial Grand Master
recounted that, acting in his capacity as counsel in courts
of law, he had often been before Rt.W.Bro Smith when acting
in his capacity as a Justice of the Peace. He remarked
that Rt. W.Bro. Smith had shown, quite rightly, absolutely
no favour whatsoever - regularly sending his clients to
jail!
It was, of course, a night
to thank our Immediate Past Provincial Grand Master for
his service to the Province and after the fullly warranted
plaudits it was the turn of Rt.W.Bro. Gordon Walkerley
Smith to reply. In a wonderfully entertaining speech filled
with memories of his years both Masonically and elsewhere
he displayed all the skills he has in reaching out to
his audience. Happy and sad times were recalled, thanks
given to those who had supported him throughout his years
as our Provincial Grand Master and a promise to continue
to be involved in affairs of the Province. Saying that
while his time as Provincial Grand Master had come to
an end, he looked forward to new challenges and opportunities.
The Provincial Grand Director
of Ceremonies surprised Rt.W.Bro Smith by presenting him
with an unexpected and amusing present on behalf of W.Bro.
Malcolm Coates, a good friend of the Province and proprietor
of Humberside Masonic Supplies. It was a doll in Masonic
attire which was designed as an aid to stress relief.
The accompanying poem, read by W.Bro Robert Holland, is
not available but directed Rt.W.Bro. Smith to beat the
stuffing out of it should tensions rise.
Rt.W.Bro Gordon
Smith looks in amusement at the doll as W.Bro. Robert
Holland reads the accompanying poem while the Provincial
Grand master looks on.
Rt.W.Bro Smith looks
to see W.Bro. Malcolm Coates at the far end of the table.
Rt.W.Bro. Gordon Walkerley Smith also paid tribute during
his response to the outstanding support given to him by
his wife Ann and his family and also recounted some amusing
anecdotes concerning what she had put up with over the
years. He has, of course, been a great advocate of involving
wives and families in Freemasonry and the role they can
play in furthering the fraternity.
Among the Brethren attending to pay their respects was
W.Bro. David Berisford who has just retruned to Masonry
after a serious illness but would not miss this opportunity
to pay his regards to his good friend. As was stated previously,
Rt W.Bro Smith was educated at St James School and later
became a Governor and Chairman. W.Bro. Berisford was for
many years the Headmaster of St James.
W.Bro. David Berisford
listens intently to Rt.W.Bro. Gordon Walkerley Smith.
Sadly the night had to come to an end and on the conclusion
of Rt.W.Bro Gordon Walkerley Smith's response the Brethren
rose with one accord to give him a standing ovation.
Following the usual Masonic routine, the Brethren departed
in Peace after a wonderful night of tribute and thanks
to Right Worshipful Brother Gordon Walkerley Smith.
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)
