Provincial Grand Lodge 2023 was held at York Racecourse on Saturday 13 May. A delightful occasion blessed with good weather and fine company.
A selection of informal pictures from the day are on the right. We thank WBros Chris Harland and John Rees for these images. Click an image to enlarge it.
The Provincial Grand Master's address to the brethren:
Brethren, let me start by thanking you all for giving up your Saturday to attend Provincial Grand Lodge and of course to extend the same to all our distinguished guests for travelling, in many instances, significant distances to be with us. They were all introduced to you as they came into Provincial Grand Lodge, and I will not therefore do more than ask you to acknowledge them with a further Yorkshire North and East burst of applause.
What I haven’t yet done is to introduce distinguished visitors from other Masonic Orders which I wish to do to emphasise that we are all part of a Masonic Family and that we support each other, indeed at the most basic level we are all sprung from the same stock, Craft Freemasonry!
Brethren I would therefore ask you to recognise those who are here today, not only as members of the Province but more specifically to bring the good wishes of those orders in which they hold high office. I am sure neither they nor you will object to my referring to them in a somewhat informal manner and for asking you Brethren to reserve your applause until they have all been recognised. To avoid them needing to perform too many gymnastics, whilst they may well be members of the other orders represented, perhaps they might restrain themselves and just stand for the Order by which they are introduced.
Please welcome:
- From the Mark and Royal Ark Mariners Bob Clancey PGM, Ian Murdock APGM, Clive Copley PDPGM and Geoff Nicholson Provincial Secretary.
- From Rose Croix Steven Robinson, Inspector General and Stan Thompson, District Recorder.
- From the Red Cross of Constantine David Roach, Intendent General.
- From the Allied Masonic Degrees Brian Butterfield, District Grand Prefect.
- From the Scarlet Cord Chris Barker, Provincial Grand Summus, Steve Cox, Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies and Allan Armbrister, Deputy Grand Registrar.
- From the Royal Order of Scotland Eric Brown, Provincial Grand Master.
- From the Operatives Stephen Priestley Deputy Grand Master.
- From Knights Templar, Steve Allen, Provincial Sub Prior Durham.
- From the Order of the Secret Monitor, Steve Cox Deputy Supreme Grand Ruler and Malvin Sharpless, Provincial Grand Recorder, and
- From the Ancient Masonic Order of Alfred the Great, Chris Ansell, Grand High Chancellor.
Brethren you can now show your welcome by rapturous applause.
And finally, Brethren a visitor about which you will hear more latter and who isn’t in a position to response to even prolonged and mega rapturous applause, welcome to Barney the Travelling Bear.
Brethren all addresses need a theme and mine today is that of change.
We are surrounded by change in so many aspects of our lives, whether internationally, nationally, or local, that at times it leaves you in a spin, well it does me. Add to this changes in Freemasonry in both Grand Lodge and in the Province and it could be said that we have the perfect storm.
Whilst change seems to assail us from all sides, I hope you agree that Freemasonry provides us with an anchor and that our fundamental principles will carry us through these rapidly changing times.
I had the privilege at the start of April of attending a two-day workshop at Great Queen Street where I was able to discuss with five other new PGMs, the Pro Grand Master, along with the other principal officers of Grand Lodge and Supreme Grand Chapter, what is unfolding by way of what might be viewed as the “resetting of Grand Lodge” to meet the world in which we now live.
In Grand Lodge we have a new Pro Grand Master, who has set out a detailed agenda for the future which heralds a number of changes. His vision has been very widely publicised. His overriding wish is that we ensure we are relevant to society whilst retaining our traditions and history, both of which ensure that we can continue to enjoy our Freemasonry as we have come to know it, albeit with some changes and tweaks. This is no different to any other aspect of our lives in the way we adapt and change to our individual circumstances.
The strategy for the future of the Craft and Royal Arch has been clearly set out. It is not possible, and I am sure you will agree certainly not desirable, for me to try to provide a detailed commentary. My analysis of the top five priorities, which as they say on television are not in any particular order, reveals:
- The link between the Craft and the Royal Arch
- Addressing the Membership Challenge
- Masonic Rank should not be a pre-requisite of involvement
- “Yes If” rather than “No Because…”, and
- Freemasonry should be fun and communicate enjoyment
This Province is already forging ahead with these issues, so for us it is not such a step change.
We have for the last few years made it noticeably clear that Craft and Chapter are conjoined, and the Provincial Executive reflects that relationship and will continue to do so. We have a new Provincial Executive line up in Chapter whose members were because Provincial Chapter honours will be made in September, invested at Londesborough Chapter two days ago to ensure that the new Executive team are up and running from today. I know you will have seen the names of those appointed but just in case you haven’t Richard Smedley becomes the 2nd, Mark Iveson the 3rd Provincial Grand Principals and Trevor Collinson the Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals. They all are now members of the Provincial Executive with responsibilities for various duties within the Province. Jimmie Kerr has been invested as the new Chapter Director of Ceremonies and Martin Monaghan as Registrar.
As a Province we will continue to treat Craft and Chapter as equal partners and look at how we can ensure that they both feature in what we do and how they will both play a part in our future.
Turning to the Membership Challenge. Our Membership Team has made great strides in addressing how we continue to bring in new members but importantly retain existing ones.
One of the things that irks me in life is when an organisation, of which you have been a lifelong member, offers better terms to attract new members but misses out the loyal ones. Every year I bristle when the renewal comes in for the AA and declare “that’s it I am off.” I don’t because a phone call provides the opportunity to point out the error of their ways and the inevitable rapid drop in the cost.
In just the same way we need to ensure that we strike a balance between new members and those who have enjoyed our company as we have enjoyed theirs for years. I know that we will all be keen to look after each other.
In terms of new members, you only need to look at the recent article in Freemasonry Today, about this Province, to see the impact our approach is having in our response to the National Digital Marketing Campaign. This is resulting in Lodges needing to plan their programme for initiations in light of the number of referrals made. But Brethren what we can’t become is complacent and rely solely on others to provide new member leads for us. We need to combine the benefits of Grand Lodge working on our behalf to generate initiates via what I refer to as the “conventional route” and who are “home grown.”
There is a membership challenge for the Craft in general, but we must compliment this by all of you as individuals, plus your Lodges, looking to identify new members BUT make sure you don’t forget to support your existing Brethren in the quest for growth.
We need to be as proactive as Grand Lodge in making sure that those who we believe would be good Masons know that we are here and that they and their families are welcome. But again, I reiterate look after those who are already part of our Masonic family!
The third item on the list is that Masonic rank should not be a pre-requisite to involvement. Absolutely right!
I reiterate what I said last July and again on every visit that I have made to a Lodge or Chapter since then. “I am not interested in your current rank, status or length of service, involvement is not determined by “having got some in.” It is dependent on what skills you have to offer, what time you can commit and your enthusiasm to be part of a team.” Our Provincial Management Groups are infinitely expandable, and each is committed to bringing in new members who have innovative ideas coupled with a belief that they as individuals can help to make a difference. So, Brethren, if the cap fits wear it, and make yourself known! This is another challenge that the Province is ready to pick up and run with.
Moving on, there is no scope for the idea that we do what we have done since Hiram was a lad.
Simply put this is not going to guarantee our future. We have arguably been too tied to what we have always done hence the importance of the mantra “YES IF,” i.e. the complete antithesis of “NO BECAUSE.”
We need to innovate and for me one of those innovations is to look at how we ensure we are relevant to our families who support us in so many ways.
Today you will note a notable change since, although we have a largely “traditional” Provincial meeting, from this year it’s one of two. This year I accept it largely follows established lines, although we have had the benefit of being able to showcase one of our own who has contributed his expertise, not just regionally, nationally but internationally in his work as a consultant public health specialist.
It is anticipated that we will continue having a speaker from our ranks in future years so that we can recognise those who enhance our reputation and who will I am sure act as a magnet for those who see Freemasonry as an organisation where good men congregate. Brethren there is no shame in bathing in the reflected glory of our members of substance.
But we can go further in looking at how we innovate in terms of our Provincial meetings and involve our families. The intention is to configure our Provincial meetings from next year so that families can be involved and see a husband, dad, partner or relative receive their honours! I had hoped we would have been the first to do it, but Metropolitan Grand Lodge sneaked in under the cover of darkness and have just done it, along with one or two more Provinces. It matters not, however, that we are merely following suit, what is important is that we move on with things that make a difference to our enjoyment of Freemasonry.
This has in part already started because, on the last three occasions long service certificates were presented it was done with family and friends present and it made for a special evening where, for a change, we left home with our families rather than going off on our own!
Brethren I do need to alert you to the fact that we start our Festival in 2024. The charitable aspects of Freemasonry have always been writ large in what we do and to recognise that fact we have made a further change by introducing a Charity Provincial Management Group which will bring together all aspects of charity and community engagement, given that there is such an overlap between the two. Martin Eggermont, who is well known to you all will manage the Group and has a lot of ideas to ensure that we not only make a good fist of our Festival 2024 – 2029 but stay an integral part of our local communities by supporting local charities and good causes through the period of Festival and beyond. Martin and his team will work closely with our own Provincial Charity and MCF, the latter via our two Provincial Representatives Mike Roberts and Les Kirby, who have been elected this morning, and who will ensure that our Provincial interests are well and truly in the thoughts of MCF as we work towards a good outcome in 2029 for them and for our charitable endeavours locally.
In July last year when I started my “tour of duty” I said that I didn’t have the monopoly on knowledge and that remains the case. If the other side of the coin is the wisdom of Solomon, I don’t have that either. What I do have is a determination to do what is right as far as I can, calling on all the advice and assistance that I can muster from the Executive as well as listening and observing what is said and done across the Province.
I hope that everything I have said points to an enthusiasm on my part to take things forward in the Province and in asking others to show their commitment and support I certainly hang my enthusiasm out for all to see.
Brethren no aspect of life is entirely mother and apple pie. There is one issue to which I must ask you to focus our collective efforts to resolve.
It is inevitable in a group of some 3000 plus people there will be instances where disagreements occur and latterly some of these have spilled over to cause disharmony and, in some instances, significant disharmony.
Brethren my overriding wish is that we are kind to each other. We are all volunteers. Some say Freemasonry is a hobby and some a way of life. Whatever it means to you, our membership rests on us all adhering to the principles of tolerance and understanding.
Being a member of the Craft does of course place demands on us all, particularly of time and money – ever remembering of course that Masonry is free!
Often underestimated, however, is the need at all levels to do what you think is right. In doing that there may be disagreements, particularly if your actions or decisions result in someone being disappointed or offended. This is of course why the Book of Constitutions sets out a rationale for dealing with disagreements, and why I appointed and reappointed individuals today using the archaic language for which we as Freemasons are legendary, namely, I appoint / reappoint you during my pleasure. Just as I have been by the Grand Master to my role. Translated this means that we have all been appointed on the same basis and that, for as long as we do what is constitutional, we continue in our role, but we must ensure that we all live up to our obligations.
Few, and I would like to think no, Freemason acts out of ill will, so be prepared to be tolerant and see the other view.
If something is done which is contrary to your view it may be that you have it wrong or perhaps your colleague does but, whichever, confrontation is not the solution. Both need to be prepared to drop a tear of sympathy on the failings of a Brother, if indeed there is a failing! It might be that there is just a difference of opinion.
Frequently differences are the consequence of an omission to do something rather than the commission of something that is calculated to hurt. And remember that phrase from the Charge to the Initiate about doing unto others what you would wish they would do to you or that in the Address to the Master that we show to the world the happy and beneficial effects of being a Freemason.
People don’t always act in this way of course, even Freemasons, because they too are humans and not a super breed!
Perhaps we might all reflect on what we are taught at our initiation and exercise caution and make sure that if a disagreement looms, then stop, think, and consider what do we want to achieve before pitching in and creating a situation which becomes difficult to unravel.
I suppose I could borrow a phrase from those younger than me, well let’s face it most people are, and say, where there are differences then “Brethren simply get over it.” That’s not saying that there is any lack of empathy with hurt feelings, from wherever they emerge, but hurt feelings frequently cut many ways and there is no substitute for the handshake and the comment “Well I guess I got that one wrong then”!
We must live up to exactly what we sign up for and recognise that Province cannot be ACAS and arbitrate on every issue. The Province will publish details of its future approach as soon as it is finalised and agreed at our first Executive meeting, having incorporated its new membership.
Brethren can I thank all those who have worked hard to make today happen. The Provincial Grand Secretary and his team. Having done it I know just how hard and frustrating it is. To the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies and his team. Again, not an easy task. Thanks also to all those, too numerous to mention, who have been working behind the scenes so that the rest of us can enjoy our day. Thank you to them all.
Congratulations to all those who have been appointed, re-appointed or promoted today and I am sure others will share their congratulations with you.
To bring matters to a conclusion, we are making strides in many areas, and I hope that over the coming months you will continue to see the fruits of those strides set out in what has become a very accomplished publication, the Yorkshire Mason, under the direction of Chris Ansell our Provincial Communications Officer. Better described as our communications guru.
Brethren have a good day. “10 months in” I remain proud to be your Provincial Grand Master. I will continue to give my all and I look to all of you to do the same to take us all onwards and upwards.
