For those of you that missed Tony Robinson's Channel 4 programme on Boxing Day evening ‘Decoded: Dan Brown's Lost Symbol’ try this link www.channel4.com/programmes/decoded-dan-browns-lost-symbol/episode-guide/series-1/episode-1 .

I watched it with my son, who is a younger mason, and Australian daughter in law and despite our different perspectives we had similiar responses.

 The programme included some stunning photography inside Grand Lodge at Great Queen Street and an interview with Nigel Brown the Grand Secretary.

Nigel Brown was very natural and open and whilst he admitted that we do indeed roll up our trouser leg during an Initiation ceremony he explained that symbolism of ancient stonemasonry plays an important part in our customs.

The program concluded that whilst Masonic principles and values, including Fraternity and Equality, were indeed part of the American constitution and that many of the founding fathers were Freemasons, these values are shared by many and are not exclusive to Freemasonry.

 When asked if the world was ruled by a Masonic conspiracy, a senior American Freemason quipped "how could that be so when we cannot even agree the menu for Ladies’ evenings?"

All in all a balanced program which sought to differentiate fact from fiction, as well highlighting some Masonic values and principles.   It also contained striking footage of Masonic buildings and Washington DC.

It should help to dispel some popular Masonic myths and is another step towards a more open and welcoming approach to those who would like to understand Freemasonry.

John Thurston
Assistant Provincial Grand Master

Adam and Ruth have been raising money for Send a Cow and the Rainforest foundation by taking part in the Africa Rally 09 - a hot, jungly, 10,000 km road trip accross West Africa.

Read their blog: http://africarally09.theadventurists.com/no-regrets

Rt Hon Lord Cornwallis, OBE, DL

“The Most Worshipful Grand Master has directed that Masonic Mourning  shall consist of the printing of an ‘In Memoriam’ notice on the first summons issued for a meeting of each Lodge under the Grand Lodge following the 8th March 2010; and that the members of each Lodge shall stand in memory of Brother Lord Cornwallis at its next meeting immediately after the Lodge has been opened and before any business is transacted (except for the reading of any dispensation required to regularise the holding of the meeting).

250 visitors see inside historic building to find out more . . .

Cheltenham Masonic Hall is a jewel in the heritage of both Cheltenham and Freemasonry, being one of the first purpose-built Masonic Hall.

On Saturday 24 October, members of the nine Craft lodges which meet there welcomed over 250 visitors into the building. Their interest varied from those who wanted to see the building, to those that wanted to find out more about Freemasonry, to those that were curious or just wanted a cup of tea. Some asked how to join.
 
They were able to visit the Lodge Room, Museum and Dining Room and listen to a most informative presentation on Freemasonry. Members were on hand to field questions and explain both the origin and features of the building, as well as talk about the history of Masonic symbolism and the principles on which it is founded. Many visitors expressed surprise and delight about the open manner in which their many questions were answered and some were surprised at the extent of the help given to organisations in Gloucestershire, with examples of £33k to Maggies and £125k to the Star College.
 
Most visitors were in the building for an hour, some for much longer ~ a good sign that they found their visit interesting. Comments made as they left included:
 
“Fascinating – most enjoyable. Thank you.”
 
“Good to see the open door.”
 
“Wonderful experience. Thank you.”

“An organisation people genuinely admired”

Alastair Hamill is the Lodge Membership Steward of Regency Lodge and was very involved in the event. His comment on the day was: “The number of times I heard members of the public say ‘I didn’t know that! Wow, why isn’t this made more public?’ It was quite unreal and for me it was uplifting to belong to an organisation people genuinely admired.”
 
Chairman of the Cheltenham Masonic Association, Martin Fowler, summed up the day, “Opening the doors of such a beautiful building to make so many people more aware of what Freemasonry is about and why we are proud to be Masons was a really rewarding and worthwhile event. It worked because of the willingness of members to get involved and be so welcoming and open with our visitors. We will do it again next year . . . . . and do it even better!”

Relief Fund

The Gloucestershire Provincial Grand Almoner, Roger Dakin, commenting on the sheer scale of flood damage in Cumbria, described the situation as “Horrendous”. “The Province of Cumberland & Westmorland is facing all of the URGENT questions of what to do and how to progress,” he continued. “By Friday morning, £1,000 had already been dispatched to enable them to establish a Flood Relief Fund from which to dispense immediate funds.
 
“Also, in telephone discussions and email correspndence with the Provincial Grand Secretary of C&W, Michael Davies. we have given them documentation we used in 2007 regarding the process of raising immediate funds from the Lodges, the instructions for Almoners in processing Brethren, widows and dependants in need of 911 emergency relief grants from the Freemasons' Grand Charity,  I have sent them the CAST document prepared by W Bros Tim Henderson-Ross and John Thurston.

Memories of 2007 . . . . .

Faced with similar circumstances here in Gloucestershire in 2007, the Province started with a blank sheet of paper! “Like us, they had no provision in their accounts for such an emergency, so they were so pleased that we could help them with immediate cash,” said Roger.  “They have set up a Flood Relief Fund as of Friday morning and they are also in touch with Freemasons' Grand Charity to assist with donations to local charities.”
 
“I was able to share with them our experiences of making funds available for non-charitable purposes on the basis of benevolence where the need can be proven and recorded. I counselled them that they would not be able to use Gift-Aided funds for any non-Charity Emergency needs and the use of the Grand Lodge Emergency Grant Application process for Brethren with immediate requirements, especially where those affected were uninsured.”

CAST

During and as a consequence of the Gloucestershire floods, Gloucestershire Freemasons have established a Community Action and Support Team under the leadership of Ray Drew, details of which are being shared with other organisations.

Stop Press:

Sunday 22-Nov-09: A further £4,000 has been made available at immediate notice by the Gloucestershire Provincial Executive for the purposes of unrestricted relief of flood-related distress in the affected communities.  RW Bro Norman Thompson, the Provincial Grand Master for Cumberland & Westmorland said, “We are all most appreciative of your quick response.”

An initial £1000 has already been sent to the Freemasons of Cumberland and Westmorland to provide immediate help to affected families.

The Provincial Grand Almoner Roger Dakin said, “Clearly, the news of the scale of the emergency in Cumbria is horrendous.  As we were nearly 3 years ago, so the Province of Cumberland and Westmorland is now facing all of the URGENT questions of what to do and how to progress.

When the Gloucestershire floods occurred we found we had few funds that were eligible for relieving immediate distress of the people of Gloucestershire so on Friday we sent an initial £1000 from our own Relief Fund to enable them to provide immediate help to establish their own Fund.

I have shared with them how we raised funds and processed claims for emergency relief grants from Freemasons Grand Charity."

The Provincial Grand Secretary of Westmorland and Cumberland, Michael Davies, said, “We thank you for your instantaneous and generous support. In addition your advice and experience have assisted in formulating our own strategy.”

During, and as a consequence of the Gloucestershire floods, the Gloucestershire Freemasons have established a Community Action and Support Team under the leadership of Ray Drew, details of which are being shared with other organisations.

Noel O’Driscoll, who was installed into the chair of Tyndall Lodge last November, died suddenly just a few weeks later. The Cork City man and ex-British soldier, was a staunch supporter of British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association (BLESMA) over the years and this was naturally his and his wife Pat’s chosen charity for 2009. 
In Noel’s memory, four of his “brothers” decided to emulate one stage of a mammoth fund-raising walk he had undertaken for BLESMA back in 1987. They would walk from Cherbourg to Pegasus Bridge in Normandy.

"Oh non, il pleut!"

It took Bros Richard Harris, Steve Bullen and Phil Green of Tyndall Lodge and Bro Shaun Harris of Kingswood Chase Lodge just over four days, to complete the 112 mile challenge and in doing so they are well on the way to achieving their £10,000 objective for BLESMA.
 
Weather for the first two days was atrocious, with high winds and flooding. “Only five miles in and we were wet to the skin, even questioning the wisdom of what we had taken on” said Bro Phil. Bro Rich ‘Bomber’ Harris added, “We had trained hard all through the summer, but not for rain like this! Here we were on Day One with wet boots and now sure to get blisters.” How right he was!   
 
A spectacularly sign-painted support Land Rover, driven by serving fire-fighter Mike Hopkins, attracted much attention along the route and drew interest in BLESma from Brits and French alike. HQ was under canvass, Mike proving to be an invaluable member of the team, taking them to their camp each night and serving up the right proportions of calories and protein.
 
From Day Two onwards, two car-loads of friends would appear unannounced along the route to offer support. “If our heads were ever down,” said Bro Steve, “the sudden flashing of headlights, blowing of horns and yells of encouragement were all that was needed to spur us on.” Some vehicles were not so welcome, however; Bro Shaun being only millimetres from being taken out by an overtaking vehicle on one occasion!
 
Undaunted, at precisely midday on Saturday 10 October, holding up a stream of (mostly) supportive motorists, the quartet marched across the replacement Pegasus Bridge, to be met by a large and enthusiastic group of supporters including Noel’s widow, Pat, and his sister Dolores, who had made the trip from Ireland, together with Brother Robin Jones who Noel had accompanied on that first walk 22 years previously, long before either had contemplated their separate journeys into Freemasonry.

Mission accomplished ~ Pegasus Bridge!

Then just across the road to the “Memorial Pegasus” where the original Bridge is now located. Over 50 members of Winchester Army Training Regiment happened to be visiting the museum and roundly clapped and cheered the guys into the grounds.  The French press was in attendance and curator, Mark Worthington (ex-RAF), laid on a champagne reception and personal tour of this magnificent museum. As they departed, a large throng of French tourists burst into spontaneous applause.
 
That night, a table for nineteen at Au Coin du Port restaurant in Ouistreham included M and Mme Claude Portier. (Claude was in no small way one of those local people responsible for saving the old Pegasus Bridge for posterity.  Along with Noel and Robin, in the 80s and 90s, they became close friends of Major John Howard who led the glider-borne assault on the bridge in 1944 and those survivors of that daring and so-important action. Speeches, presentations and a feast of Fruits de Mer and red wine followed!
 
Back on the ferry on Sunday, much of the time was spent tending to battered feet. One thing is for sure; Noel would have been proud of his “Band of Brothers”!
 
Donations are still coming in and can be sent by arranging first with Richard Harris at: richard@harveyshopfitters.co.uk

or by visiting: http://www.justgiving.com/pegasus2009/ where you also see more photos.

You may read more about the taking of the two bridges at Bénouville at: http://www.westwindproductions.co.uk/catalog/pdfs/PegasusBridge.pdf

and the “Memorial Pegasus” at:
http://www.memorial-pegasus.org/mmp/musee_debarquement/index.php?lang=uk