When Gordon Smith was initiated at a Freemason on April 16th 1963, he could hardly have imagined what career lay before him. Sixty years later, and with his 90th birthday just celebrated, he has been a central figure in Lincolnshire Freemasonry for decades.

The current Provincial Grand Master Dave Wheeler made a surprise visit to St James Lodge to present Gordon with his 60 year certificate, and to celebrate the 90th birthday. He said: "It really was a very special occasion, not only to be able to present RW Gordon Smith with his 60 year certificate but, despite the surprise nature of the visit, to witness an exemplary third-degree ceremony for Brother Ian Lindley, who's now a Master Mason. 

'It was a privilege, as always, to hear Gordon speak so eloquently about his personal journey and his reflections on Freemasonry. His comments were very well received by all present. It was also a pleasure to belatedly celebrate Gordon’s 90th birthday and to be able to recognise his wonderful contribution to Lincolnshire Freemasonry.'

Gordon was initiated as a member of St James Lodge 7415 in Grimsby, and has been a member ever since, having been raised on April 21st 1964.

He is an honorary member of numerous Lincolnshire Lodges - Saint Mary; Sir Joseph Banks Daylight; Fenland Daylight; Wellow Abbey, of which he was also a founder member; Vermuyden; Trent Valley Daylight; Glanford Vale; Daylight; Provincial Grand Stewards; the Bicentenary Lodge of Installed Masters, and Mizpah in London.

His career in the Royal Arch is almost as long, since he was exalted in Lincolnshire as a member of Astral Chapter in December 1965. He was a Founder member of Wellow Abbey Chapter, and is also a member of the Geoffrey Cooper Royal Arch Chapter of Installed First Principals in Lincolnshire as well as Mizpah and the Clerkenwell Chapter of First Principals in London.

Milestones in Gordon's career in the Craft saw him in the Chair of his Lodge in 1976, then given the rank of Past Assistant Grand Superintendent of Works in 1986 before becoming Lincolnshire's Provincial Grand Secretary in 1990. Promoted to Past Junior Grand Deacon  in 1994, he became Deputy PGM in 1997, which was followed by another grand rank appointment as Past Grand Sword Bearer  in 1998, and PGM in 1999.

In the Royal Arch, he was Provincial Grand Scribe E between January 1987 and New Year's Eve in 1994; promoted to Past Grand Standard Bearer in April 1989; Past Assistant Grand Sojourner in 1999, followed by an active rank as Grand Sojourner in 2001, and Past Deputy Grand Sword Bearer in 2005.

Gordon has also served 55 years in the Mark degree, having been Lincolnshire's PGM for the Mark between 1993 and 2007, and he has also been a member of Rose Croix for 50 years.

Overmonnow is a Community Primary School situated in the historic market town of Monmouth, known as the Gateway to Wales. Around 400 children attend the school, and in addition to the primary school buildings, there is a nursery and Special Resource Base (SRB).

Recently, the SRB was the beneficiary of a £4,000 grant from the Monmouthshire Masonic Trust Fund established by Freemasons in the Province of Monmouthshire during the late 1990s to benefit local people and organisations. The Masonic Province of Monmouthshire comprises 11 masonic centres and 29 lodges that meet throughout an area roughly equating to the old county of Gwent.

The money was donated to the registered charity supporting the Base, called ‘Meeting the Needs’. The Charity was formed in 1999 to specifically support the pupils of Overmonnow Special Resource Base and enable them to access funding that may not otherwise be available.

Pupils in the Special Resource Base have complex additional learning needs, including Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Severe Learning Difficulties, and Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties. The Special Resource Base offers an environment appropriate to the needs of the pupils, who require a different approach to their learning and the use of specialist approaches.

Many pupils benefit from the provision of specialist equipment and resources to support their access to the curriculum and enhance their learning and development. 

Monmouthshire Freemasons Richard Beavan and Huw Williams recently visited the Special Resource Base to view the impact of the £4,000 grant. The Base used the money to purchase a large touchscreen plasma TV and additional supporting materials to enhance the learning experiences of the twenty-two Monmouthshire pupils attending the Special Resource Base.

The pupils, who have complex additional learning needs, are already making excellent use of the new equipment, which is prominent in one of the classrooms.

The visitors thanked the headteacher, Mrs Child, and Special Resource Base Leader, Mrs Whittington, for hosting the visit. They left confident that the Freemasons of Monmouthshire would be delighted to hear that the grant has been put to such good use and look forward to supporting this and other such worthy causes in local communities.  

Freemasonry provides a structure for members to come together under the common goals of Integrity, Friendship, Respect and Charity, enabling people to make new friendships, develop themselves and make valuable contributions to charitable causes. Freemasons are one of the largest charitable givers in the country.

For more information on Monmouthshire Freemasons, please visit their website.

Companions, it is a great pleasure for me to preside over this meeting in these magnificent surroundings and to see the Grand Temple so full.

As the Presiding Officer, I offer my congratulations to all those whom the Most Excellent First Grand Principal has appointed to and promoted in Grand Rank today. All such elevations are well deserved but, as has been stated at previous Investitures, they should be seen not solely as a reward for past contributions to Freemasonry and the Royal Arch in particular but also as an expectation of future service.

The Annual Report for the United Grand Lodge of England for 2022/23 was published earlier this week and highlights the critical role the Royal Arch plays in the delivery of the Strategy for Freemasonry launched at Grand Lodge’s Quarterly Communication in December. For the Royal Arch to play its part requires both a consistent, compelling story about the Royal Arch and a clearer explanation of why every Master Mason should aspire to complete their journey in Pure Antient Masonry by becoming a Royal Arch Mason.

The Committee of General Purposes has  been working on these matters over the last year or so and we are starting to see the fruits of all their labours. The first is a booklet called “Discover More”. It is aimed primarily at Master Masons, although it is suitable for Entered Apprentices and Fellow Crafts, and complements the light blue “Discover Freemasonry” booklet with which most of you will be very familiar. 

This new booklet refers to the fact that whilst you ‘Discover Freemasonry’ in the Craft, you ‘Discover More’ in the Royal Arch and goes on to describe in greater detail what it is that you discover.  It explains that the messages contained in the Royal Arch, and the discoveries you make (many of which are deeply personal) are still relevant today – and it does so without attempting to rewrite the preliminary declaration, the Book of Constitutions or the ritual.

This is just the start of a wider communications strategy being prepared by the Committee that will also provide more detailed materials suitable for Exaltees, as well as more materials for Solomon.  The messages highlight the existing themes within the Royal Arch which should be recognisable to all Freemasons, while emphasising the values of companionship and the enjoyment we all experience in the Royal Arch.

At the risk of stating the obvious, it is an accident of history the Royal Arch is administered separately. The Craft and Royal Arch share far more than just a common leadership, administrative support, and the same magnificent building. In reality the journey in Pure Antient Masonry represents one journey, administered by one organisation, from Initiation in the Craft to Exaltation in the Royal Arch.

The ‘Discover More’ booklet and the other documents that will soon become available will be followed by the release of Archway later in the year. The resources it provides will assist Chapters to shape and plan their future, grow their membership, engaging their members, and ensuring they enjoy themselves in the process.

The next 12 months will , I hope, be an exciting time and in due course we hope to reveal other more practical ways in which the Craft and the Royal Arch can work together and can be seen to be working seamlessly for the benefit of all our members. It is something I am strongly encouraging both the Committee and the Craft’s Board of General Purposes to develop together. 

Companions, this investiture meeting always seems to proceed smoothly, and this is largely due to the enormous amount of work put in by the Grand Scribe Ezra and his staff, most of it behind the scenes, as well as by the Grand Director of Ceremonies and his team. All of them deserve both our thanks and our congratulations.

Thank you Companions. 

In early 2022, some members of The West Lancashire Masonic Clay Pigeon Shooting Society (WLMCPSS) were competing in a friendly but competitive shoot in Selkirk against The Grand Lodge of Scotland Shooting Society.  

As they were staying in the same hotel, an idea was launched to form a new Country Pursuits Lodge back home in West Lancashire.  Some of the team were already members of the Lodge of Country Pursuits No.9898 in the Province of Cumberland and Westmorland. Mike Casey, Secretary of the WLMCPSS was asked to find out how a new lodge was formed.

On return from Scotland, Mike, together with Ian Heyes met with the Provincial Grand Secretary, Peter Taylor who told them that rather than form a new lodge a better idea would be to take over an existing lodge that was struggling.   Coincidentally, Mike was a member of Kirkham Lodge No.6615, in The South Fylde Group that had recently made a decision to hand in its warrant at the November 2022 meeting.  It was agreed to ask the members of Kirkham Lodge if they were willing to continue as a specialist country pursuits lodge.

A further meeting was held with the Provincial Grand Secretary along with four members of Kirkham Lodge to find out the procedure for converting Kirkham Lodge no.6615 into the specialist Country Pursuits Lodge of West Lancashire No.6615. This was raised at the February 2022 meeting when the proposition to close the lodge was withdrawn.

Mike Casey chaired a meeting at the end of March 2022 for interested brethren, keen to assist in the formation of this new peripatetic lodge (travelling lodge), at The Longlands Hotel, Carnforth. Twenty brethren attended this meeting which led to an Extraordinary General Meeting at Kirkham Lodge where information was relayed to lodge members by Mike Casey.  It was apparent that if a new lodge was formed under the same number rather than surrendering it’s warrant then the history of Kirkham Lodge would be preserved. Alongside celebrating 75 years in 2023, the new lodge would still come under the group structure of The South Fylde Group, a simplified lodge treasurer and charity accounts process could be adopted, Kirkham Lodge members would become Honorary Members of the new lodge and the responsibility for the support of Kirkham Lodge widows would be carried over into the new lodge.

Members of Kirkham Lodge unanimously voted to accept a new lodge under the same Kirkham Lodge number.

As well as revising the bye-laws, a new and contemporary themed logo was created by John Topping that maintains elements of the former Kirkham Lodge and is a fresh vision for the future of the Country Pursuits Lodge of West Lancashire No.6615.  

A set of beautiful Antler Headed Wands and Antler Gavels have been skilfully designed and made by member Bob Reeves who officially presented them to the lodge at its first regular meeting at Silverdale Masonic Hall.  Ian Heyes, Senior Warden said, 

‘They certainly create a very special Country Pursuits feel to lodge business and ceremony; during which this first regular meeting saw 58 members and visitors experience an excellent ceremony of Initiation’. 

The once failing lodge now has a vision for the future focusing on participation and involvement. Mike Casey said, 

‘Country Pursuits is a wide-ranging theme that has something to offer for everyone interested in nature, the countryside and conservation.  We intend to schedule and deliver fascinating topics of discussion at our three regular lodge meetings that will be different, educational and enlightening; that engages with a conservation-minded community.  We will examine and better understand the laws around activities such as hunting, shooting, fishing, rambling, walking and climbing.  For example, exploring which seasons when you cannot hunt particular animals or catch certain breeds of fish; or listening to experts from the National Trust or BASC (British Association for Shooting and Conservation) giving information on access to open country, public rights of way or areas of outstanding natural beauty. We will involve our own members in sharing their own specialist interests and experiences, for example how the Dad’s and Lads Fishing Club was set up and how it can be further developed.  Some members have experience in keeping ferrets and falcons … there will be opportunities for all members to share their hobbies and make presentations at our meetings’.

Mike continued, 

‘We have a growing number of members who work in schools and this link with young people will ensure that we can focus, throughout the year, on Conservation in its widest sense, developing small scale projects such as Bird and Bat Box making and tree planting; that will enable Freemasonry and the local community to come together in partnership. Wherever we can we will celebrate and promote the work of the Country Pursuits lodge within local media and through social media platforms’. 

The social and charitable side of the lodge will further the existing strong links with Clay Pigeon Shooting and look to develop and nurture Fly Fishing, Falconry Days, Archery Taster Days, 4x4 Off road driving, which will hopefully encourage participation and engagement from family members and friends. 

The mission was essentially to deliver first hand, much needed humanitarian aid to homeless migrant families stranded in the west of Ukraine (clothing, bedding, medicines, food, even two new petrol generators, one to a local hospital, the other to a local medical centre). 

The plan was, two large vans and a trailer, fully loaded, destination Sokal - Humanitarian Depot, a round trip of eight days. 

The journey started in Portland at 2am on the Sunday morning, then across the south of England to Dover. 

Alas, whilst in the queue at Dover, the other party called from Maidstone to say that they were having to return to base due to engine failure. Strategically, this was very serious, as the other team have made 12 prior visits, they were the experts, they had all of the contacts for the other end, they knew the way well and, they also had all of the customs and declaration papers with them!

 After some serious consideration, we decided that if we went on regardless and failed for whatever reason, we could live with that more easily than abandoning the mission and thereafter wondering, “what if?”. 

So, ferry to Calais, then onwards through France, Belgium, Holland and as far into Germany as we could possibly get in day one. Up early the next morning, we traversed Germany and on through Poland getting as close to the Ukrainian border as possible.

Next morning, across the border and with a much-needed Ukrainian escort to navigate us, through to Sokal, the principal drop-off depot. 

Whilst unloading, the air raid siren suddenly echoed all around us, the locals just carried on. I can’t say that we were not a bit scared, but we simply couldn't go for cover whilst the locals refused to be intimidated. 

Unless you have recently experienced life in western Ukraine for yourself, you cannot even begin to imagine the life of fear, deprivation, hunger and sense of absolute loss, that pervades the western Ukrainian landscape. It is so easy to think that Ukraine is all about a raging battle in the east, in reality, the effects are all around, even into Poland and Germany with homeless migrant families everywhere. 

Sokal, our principal depot is about 90 minutes across the border from Poland, and is comparable in size and population to my home village of Preston in Dorset. I was then quite shocked to learn that in the first three months of this year, Sokal lost more lives on the front than we in our village lost throughout the two great wars and the Falklands combined, I know because I have in the past read out their names at Remembrance Sunday services, the scale of the loss, in just three months.

We took very few pictures, simply because it seemed somewhat inappropriate and insensitive, cemeteries at the roadsides awash with the colours of Ukrainian flags that each marked the burial place of one of the local young men or women that had died in defence of their freedom. 

Well-dressed adults with children at their sides, scavenging through rubbish bins in the open streets. 

Most of the humanitarian aid that we dropped off had been taken up by refugees within just a few days, queuing early morning in the cold, hand in hand with their children. 

It has given me a totally different perspective on the Ukrainian situation, I had no idea of the impact this dreadful war was/is having on the west of Ukraine. So many displaced families on the streets, 1,800 in the town of Sokal alone. 

There is a desperate need for this aid by people who, just a few months ago, were living out an ordinary existence and have now lost everything.

On the bright side, and courtesy of the quite amazing efficiency of the Grand Chancellor’s Office, we were able to make contact with our Brethren in Lviv, Ukraine’s second largest city. The Grand Secretary of Ukraine was quick to respond and provided details such that we could arrange a meeting. On the off-chance that we would be able to meet up, I asked one of our brethren, Alan Wolsey if he would cut and engrave a perfect ashlar for me from Portland Stone as a gift to our brethren in Ukraine (see picture below).

With a few words of explanation duly translated into Ukrainian by the Worship Master, I presented the ashlar, to their great delight. Trevor Barrett presented a traditional ‘Cable Tow’ as made by Brian Barton, again with a suitable explanation. 

The lodge meeting and ceremony was held in a basement under a church, hence the low level of lighting. You will also note that one of the Brethren is attired in combat clothing, he was on call, welcome to the real world of Ukrainian Masonry!

Alas, time did not permit us to stay for the festive board, as we needed to head off back to Sokal ready for an early start on the journey home. I have nothing but admiration and respect for those like WBro Trevor Barrett who has now completed three of these gruelling trips, and the other team who have now completed thirteen trips in as many months! I also now know what motivates them, and what images they now carry around with them in their minds, as they go about their everyday lives at home, and why they feel drawn back to effect a difference. All in all, a highly successful mission, but also an unanticipated personal opportunity to pause, freeze frame the world around me, take stock, get to know myself, and fully appreciate the blessings of normality, the ordinary, and the freedom to choose!

Perfect Ashlar Presentation to Svitlo Lodge No 5, Grand Lodge of Ukraine

Copy of script:    

'I bring you fraternal best wishes from your Brethren in England. My name is Right Worshipful Brother Harry Barnes, and this is WBro Trevor Barrett.

We are here in Ukraine for a few days to deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine, food, clothing and medical supplies.

We were at your side in February last year, we are at your side now, and our hands of brotherly love will forever reach out to you in your time of need.

Evil may have its day, but in the end, truth and justice always wins over evil.

We pray for the day when your skies will no longer be full of anger, but filled with the bright light of freedom, and that your children will run free.

We bring with us two gifts from your brethren in England.

The first is “cable tow”, made by WBro Brian Barton, which WBro Trevor will explain.

The second is a stone, a perfect cube, it represents the perfect Mason, and it is how we see our Brothers in Ukraine. It has been carved by one of our brothers who is an operative stone mason, WBro lan Wolsey.

The stone is taken from a large stone quarry very close to our lodge building, so it is part of our land, the ground on which our Masonic lodge stands. 

Carved into the stone are the words from our Masonic ritual “Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth”.

Brother love: we will always be at your side.
Relief: we will support your every need.
Truth: we pray that justice, mercy and peace, will soon return to the people of Ukraine.

Also, carved into the stone, is the Ukrainian coat of arms, the emblem of the Royal State of Volodymyr the Great, Prince of Kiev in the 10th century, it is a very powerful Ukrainian symbol of freedom, freedom which we your brothers, pray will soon be restored to your people.'

Have you ever had the chance to drive a Bentley or top of the range Lexus? No? Well neither have many of us but, as you can see from the photographs, Joseph has.

Provincial Grand Master David Chambers, in conversation with friends, found out that in the Rainbow Ward at Scarborough Hospital there were mountings to hold television sets but nothing attached to them. Further enquiries revealed that, whilst TV sets would be greatly appreciated, monitors, play stations and trolleys to move them would be much, much better so the gauntlet was down to buy them!

It did not take long for two Lodges, Leopold Lodge No 1760 (meeting at Scarborough) and St John of Bridlington Lodge No 4434 (which meets at Bridlington), to agree to work together to buy the items and apply for assistance from the Freemasons Charity for Yorkshire North and East Ridings, all of which led to being able to provide Nintendo play stations, games, TV Monitors, and the essential wheeled trollies.

In discussions with the hospital charity’s fundraiser, Maya Liversidge, an even more exciting idea then came to light.

When children have to leave the ward to go for an X-ray, operation or other procedure it can be a very frightening experience which, in itself, is not good for a sick child. To reduce that stress the children can now drive themselves by car and, on the basis that only the best is good enough for the two Lodges and our Province, further funds were raised to purchase a child-sized Bentley and a Lexus.

Not only did Freemasons’ Charity for Yorkshire North and East Ridings view the application favourably but the Masonic Charitable Foundation was able to contribute a further £504. This additional funding will be used to lay an outside circuit in a protected area where the children can go to drive the cars safely and enjoy some fresh air at the same time.

On Friday 31st March 2023 several members of Leopold and  St John of Bridlington Lodges were warmly welcomed into the ward, chatted with Maya and some of the nurses and were really chuffed to see Joseph enjoying himself by putting the cars through their paces, as we captured in our pictures.

From what the members saw it seems clear that, when he reaches seventeen, Joseph will pass his driving test at the first attempt! The Province is very proud to have supported such a worthy cause. 

Husband and wife duo Martin and Sevinc Burt have achieved a remarkable feat in reaching Everest Base Camp.

Standing at a staggering 17,598 feet above sea level, in aid of the Shooting Star Children's Hospices. Martin, a member of Osterley Lodge No 6430, in the Province of Middlesex, is a seasoned adventurer having previously climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Fuji and Machu Picchu among other challenges. This time, he and Sevinc set their sights on reaching the base camp of Mount Everest in March 2023, naming their project "Bottoms Up" after the toast.

Martin and Sevinc prepared themselves for the rigours of walking at high altitudes as altitude sickness can be a severe problem for even the fittest individuals, and the key to success is to maintain a steady pace and avoid going too fast. They outlined their training programme, which included gym sessions, uphill walking on the treadmill, and stair steppers. As the event drew nearer, they increased the difficulty of their training, including carrying loaded-up kit bags and practicing in the Surrey Hills and other areas.

In addition to their training, the couple have been raising funds for the Shooting Star Children's Hospices through various charitable events, including sponsored swims and skydiving. They are also organizing the Osterley Lodge Ladies Festival to be held on May 6th, with all proceeds going towards the charity. To date they have raised in excess of £13,500.

Martin is currently serving his second term as Worshipful Master of Osterley Lodge and his chosen Charity is the Shooting Star Children’s Hospice.

Both Martin and Sevinc have been able to visit the Hospice at Hampton to see the work that is being done to support the children. They were given a brief tour and met some of the team.

Martin said that it was a most humbling experience and it had been difficult to hold back the tears when one fully takes on board what some of the children and their families have to endure. This experience has strengthened their resolve even further.

‘Shooting Star is one of the nearest charities we have to the Twickenham Masonic Centre and a most worthy recipient of our support’

Martin and Sevinc's dedication to supporting charities through extreme events is inspiring, and their efforts have earned them the admiration of their fellow Brethren in the Province. Martin's chosen charity, the Shooting Star Children's Hospices, will benefit from all the funds raised, and he and Sevinc will cover all costs associated with their Everest Base Camp challenge.

The meeting of Dormer St Margaret’s Lodge number 5588 on the 17th of March 2023 was an extra special celebration.

The event was to mark the 50th anniversary of Allan Cooke, initially planned for last year, Allan unfortunately became ill the week of the meeting and passed away.

After consideration and the support of Alan’s family, the Area and Lodge would plan a posthumous celebration. This meant the family and friends could come and celebrate the fantastic achievement of 50 years in Freemasonry.

Ian MacNeil took the chair for the evening and opened the lodge in due form. Following a report, Harold Cooper, Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, entered the lodge and announced that Peter Hegarty, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master for the City West Area, was outside the lodge and that he demanded admission.

Once the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, accompanied by a City West Area Delegation, was seated, Ian MacNeil offered him the gavel, which he was delighted to accept on this occasion.

The Assistant Provincial Grand Master introduced the members of the Area delegation, which included Chris Armstrong, Area Chairman for the City West Area, Andrew Foster, Area Mentor; Peter Tonge, Area Treasurer, Ben Davies, Area Communications Officer, Ian MacNeill, Area Charity Steward, John Roberts, Royal Arch Area Officer, Mick Dugdill, Deputy Area Mentor and Eric Baker Area Deputy Charity Steward, many of whom were members of the lodge.

The Assistant Provincial Grand Master called the lodge off and asked the Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies to invite the family and guests into the Lodge. Once the Family and guests were seated they were welcomed by the lodge.

The Assistant Provincial Grand Master asked the Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies to place Marjorie and her daughter in the centre of the lodge. Once they were seated comfortably he gave a personal tribute about Allan.

The celebration planning was at an advanced stage when Covid struck and stopped Allan’s Masonic activity. Unfortunately, Allan’s health deteriorated, but even while in the hospital, he was concerned about how he could attend this celebration.

Allan was born in Longsight in 1938. He was the second son of Lawrence and Gertrud. The family were living in Timperley when he attended Altrincham Grammar School for Boys. He joined the scouts with his older brother Lawrence and loved playing cricket and football. His football passion has always been Manchester City where he supported them through thick and thin mainly thin.

At 18, he was called up to national service in Germany, where he entered the Medical Corps having been promoted to Corporal, he went on to arrange air transfers to bring injured soldiers home to the UK it was here that he met Marjorie who was also stationed in Germany completing her nursing training.

After leaving Germany, Allan and Marjorie returned to the UK and moved to Altrincham he took a job with Heinz in Stratford in 1964 Allan and Marjorie married and settled into life in Lymm over the next seven years they were blessed with four daughters Melanie, Amanda, Cheryl and Heidi.

Alan was certain after three girls; he would get the son he wanted to take to the football. This was not to be, and he happily accepted that he was to be taking his girls to Maine Rd, the cheer on the Blues.

Time went by, and he started work for shell in Carrington he was an enthusiastic five-aside player unfortunately, he broke his ankle, and that put an end to that.

Allan was a man of integrity. He was intelligent, honest, hard working, selfless, caring and loyal. It was these attributes which led him to explore freemasonry. His father Laurence and good friend Harry introduced him to Dormer St Margaret’s lodge, where he was initiated on the 18th of February 1972

Masonry was a large part of Allan’s life here Marjorie enjoyed the social activities and made many lifelong friends in the early 80s Allan was promoted and travelled to different oil terminals around the UK.

Eventually, he was offered a permanent promotion at the BP terminal in Falmouth. After two years of commuting, the family was relocated 340 miles taking the youngest two daughters with them.

Allan continued to travel once a month to visit his lodge in Salford and became the Worshipful Master in December 1988.

At 55 years old, Allan retired as the Falmouth of operation was closed, and he devoted his time to local charities, including his local health centre.

He was on the committee which set up the Special Olympics for Cornwall and was also an active member Of the friends of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly health authority Alans support and friendship were highly valued by all who knew him.

Allan had kept in contact with the Area while in hospital discussing how he and Marjorie would attend their celebration with their family we are sure he would have been delighted to see you all here in this place where he spent so many happy hours.

Allan’s wife Marjorie and daughters Melanie, Amanda, Cheryl and Heidi, along with their husbands and Alan’s nephew Harry also a freemason, are all here this evening to celebrate on behalf of Allan. It is an evening mixed with pleasure, huge pride and tinged with sadness.

Peter Tonge then read the letter from the Provincial Grand Master to the family before the Assistant Provincial Grand Master presented Marjorie with the certificate celebrating 50 years in Freemasonry.

The Social board that followed was expertly coordinated by the Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, Harold Cooper.

More personal tributes were paid to Allan and thanks given to the family for coming from so far away to help celebrate this special occasion with the Lodge.

Jeremiah’s Journey is a Plymouth-based charity which started in 1996 that provides free support to children, young people and their parents/carers who have or are about to experience the death of someone special. 

Currently, they directly support over 700 grieving children each year, and there are circa 2000 wider beneficiaries from the work they do. The demand on the charity has grown steadily over the last five years and now, nearly half of the children and families that they support are bereaved through sudden and often traumatic causes of death, like suicide and road traffic accidents.

Nearly a third of the children that they support, are bereaved through long term illnesses, such as cancer. Sadly, almost 50% of those in their care have lost or are facing the loss of a parent.

How the Charity supports Young people

Just as the way that children and young people express their feelings about the death or terminal illness of a significant person is different and unique to them, so will their coping strategies.

One of the key aspects of the approach is to ask children and young people directly about what works best for them. This could include talking, art, music or sport. The organization believes that by taking the time to understand what individuals want or need, they can provide targeted and effective support.

The organisation is keen to ensure that children and young people have a trusted person to talk to when they are feeling upset. This could be someone that they already know or a particular friend that they feel comfortable with. The organization is asking individuals to think about how they will let their chosen person know that they need some time with them and whether there are certain times when that person is available.

 Another key aspect of the charity's approach is to provide a safe space for children and young people to go to when they need some quiet time. This could include a 'time out' card or a bean bag in their 'upset' colour. They are encouraging children and young people to think about how they will let others know that they need some quiet time. 

The charity is committed to providing support and assistance to children and young people in need, recognizing that even as grown-ups, we don't have all the answers.

Nick Ball the new Leader of Devonshire’s Freemasons said:

'I've known about the great work and support offered by Jeremiah's Journey for many years. 
When I learnt of the scale of the challenges they face in supporting an ever larger number of Children we had to help in some way and a donation of £15,000 will, I hope provide some essential funding to continue their fantastic work.'

Tanya Woodland CEO of the Charity added: 

'Jeremiah's Journey provides free support to children, young people and their families who have or are about to experience the death of someone special. The charity directly supports approximately 720 grieving children each year with wider beneficiary numbers of circa 2,000. Their work focuses on grieving children and young people, aiming to help them through challenging and uncertain times, with the belief that no child should be alone in their grief.

The charity is overwhelmed by the grant from the Masonic Charitable Foundation and the Freemasons from the Province of Devonshire, this wonderful sum of £15,000 (over 3 years) is amazing! The grant will cover the cost of over 300 therapeutic hours for one of our highly trained bereavement team to invest in the local children who need our help.'