A substantial amount of our charitable giving is of benefit to the world outside Freemasonry. This has been the case for many years but is largely unrecognised outside the Craft.
In 1967 the Craft established a fund totalling £594,850, the annual income from which is used to fund surgical research under the direction of the Royal College of Surgeons. In today's money this fund, which is for the benefit of society as a whole, is equivalent to just under £6,000,000. During the year ending in November 1998 the Grand Charity donated £1,043,600 by way of grants for non-Masonic purposes. These included £150,000 to the Prince's Youth Business Trust, £125,000 to the Alzheimer's Research Trust and £251,500 to 178 hospice services. These figures do not include the numerous donations made by individual lodges to local charities outside the Craft.
It is important to recognise that all this money was derived from within the Craft, from our own members' pockets. We do not shake cans on street corners at Christmas-time. We give because giving is part of being a Freemason.
02 Sep 99
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Technology brings "Edutainment to Children's Hospices
On 23rd June 1999 'lifelites,' a scheme aimed at highlighting the benefits computers can make to children in hospice care, was launched by the Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys (MTGB) and the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists (WCIT).
'lifelites' is a charitable project with the aim of enthusing and exciting children by linking up all the hospices across England and Wales and allowing children to interact with one another, where common interests can be explored.
MTGB President, The Rt Hon the Earl Cadogan, DL, said, "The injection of £7.5 million by the MTGB will enable this exciting project to become a reality. It will open up a world to children whose life-threatening conditions would normally allow them to experience all too little of it."
Tricia Drakes, Master of the WCIT, said, "Our members have been delighted to use their IT skills and expertise to create a revolutionary set of features for sick children and their families. We have been inspired by the energy of the people working in this area. From the managed internet access through to the video conferencing, we believe that the 'lifelites' systems will enthuse and enrich the lives of the children, their families and hospice care staff."
Using the financial resources of the MTGB, the 'lifelites' project team will link up and equip hospices across England and Wales to one shared network, including the world wide web and news information. Once all the hospices are set up there will be an inter-hospice network application, including system management, e-mail, community services, educational material, games and video conferencing.
Broadcaster and writer, Martyn Lewis, who chaired the 'lifelites' launch and has worked closely with the hospice movement for sixteen years said, "I view 'lifelites' as opening up the world to children who would otherwise see little of it. Early indications are that the use of computers is positively therapeutic for those involved."
All profits made from the sale of 'lifelites' merchandise, which includes silk ties and scarves, keychains, brooches, cufflinks and badges, will directly benefit children who receive hospice care.
02 Sep 99
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The Mark Degree
The Mark Degree is the largest degree after the Craft and Chapter and whilst the Book of Constitutions states that pure Ancient Masonry consists of three degrees and no more, namely the Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch, this does not take into account the fact that before the Act of Union between the two Grand Lodges of Freemasons in 1813 a form of Mark Degree was being extensively worked in London and the Provinces.
In many countries the Mark Degree still forms part of either Craft or Royal Arch Masonry and candidates can become Mark Master Masons as soon as they have been passed to the degree of a Fellowcraft. However, in England the Mark Degree is totally separate from the Craft having its own Grand Lodge which was founded in 1856.
The Degree itself is one of hope and encouragement, dealing with the building of King Solomon's Temple. Its message is one of contemplation of human strength and weakness. It shows that the wisest amongst us can be mistaken, that the experts are frequently wrong and that the weakest can show more determination than the strongest.
In this Province there are 46 Mark Lodges which are overseen, as in the Craft, by a Provincial Grand Master, a Deputy Provincial Grand Master, an Assistant Provincial Grand Master, a Provincial Grand Secretary and a full supporting Executive Team. The Province is divided into Groups and each has a Group Representative. Each Lodge has a Visiting Grand Officer who is responsible to the Group Representative.
The present Provincial Grand Master of Mark Maser Masons is the Craft Provincial Grand Secretary and in this Province the ties between the Craft, Chapter and the Mark degree have never been closer.
Many of the Craft and Chapter senior officers have been enthusiastic Mark Masons, these include R.W.Bro. Alan Chun, the past Provincial Grand Master, who is a past Grand Warden in Mark Grand Lodge; R.W.Bro. J. E. Bullen, another past Provincial Grand Master, who is a past Grand Master Overseer; and V.W.Bro. R. A. Champion a past Deputy Provincial Grand Master, who is a past Grand Senior Overseer. All these Brethren were active members of Mark Grand Lodge during their year of office. When referring to senior officers of the Chapter it must not be forgotten that the Grand Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Michael Morgan, was the Provincial Grand Master of Mark Master Masons in the Province for ten years and he is still extremely active in the degree.
Like the Craft, he Mark Province is also deeply committed to the pursuit of Charity and recently has been engaged in a Mini Festival to raise funds to assist Shannon Court and Zetland Court, the two RMBI homes associated with the Province. This Festival concluded in March with a Festival Ball which was held in Bournemouth when some 170 brethren and their ladies enjoyed a happy weekend together. The Mark's efforts are now being directed towards support for the 2005 Festival.
Finally, as the Craft has the Chapter, so the Mark Degree has the Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Royal Ark Mariners. This Degree is around two hundred years old, is governed by the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons under the Grand Master's Royal Ark Council and in the Province the Order is managed by the Provincial Mark Executive.
Brethren, if you would like to take a fourth regular step in Freemasonry by becoming a Mark Master Mason do not hesitate to contact your local Mark Lodge Secretary "for among Mark Master Masons you will ever find friends who will administer relief to your distress and comfort in your affliction."
Rt. W.Bro. N. J. Buckingham
Mark Provincial Grand Master
02 Sep 99
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Behind the Wire
Please buy a copy of the limited edition book 'Behind the Wire.' It is a captivating account of Masonic activity by Prisoners of War from 1746, by W.Bro. Keith Flynn, OBE, PAGDC, 1991 Prestonian lecturer from South Wales.
All proceeds will be generously donated to the New Masonic Samaritan Fund towards the 2005 Festival.
Copies of the book are available from your 2005 Festival Group Committe. (See
the Provincial Year Book, page A4, for contact names.) Alternatively, copies
may be obtained direct from the author at
£5 + p & p 50p in the UK, (£1.75 Australia, USA) (payable to Keith Flynn) from Cardiff Masonic Hall, 8 Guildford Street, Cardiff, Wales CF1 4HL.
02 Sep 99
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Gateway Lodge provide Wendy House for Hospice
The words 'Gateway Lodge' took on a new meaning recently when the Lodge its name to a magnificent purpose-built Wendy House.
Members of the Lodge Social Committee felt they had more to contribute to children with a limited life expectancy than just money, so they set about finding an expert who could build a de luxe Wendy House capable of accommodating wheelchairs, which would be one of the finest in the country, to be built at Naomi House, the new Children's Hospice in Sutton Scotney.
The Committee organised numerous functions to raise almost £5,000 to complete the project. After a number of delays the new building was completed and the new facility will assist the caring staff who look after the children and will enable tired parents to get a good night's sleep or even a well-deserved holiday.
Dr. Lee of the Hospice wrote: "The Wendy House is like a 5-star hotel and will provide space and privacy for the children to talk and express themselves and I have no doubt your superb Wendy House will prove a very valuable tool in that process."
02 Sep 99
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