Installation of a new Provincial Grand Summus for Durham and Northumberland

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Category: Scarlet Cord

Right Distinguished Companion Michael Allan Jacques (centre left), Provincial Grand Summus for Durham and Northumberland with Most Distinguished Companion Ian Stanley Currans, Grand Summus (centre right)

Most Distinguished Companion Ian Stanley Currans, Grand Summus of the Ancient and Masonic Order of the Scarlet Cord, was accompanied by his Deputy Grand Summus, Assistant Grand Summus and a team of Grand Officers to Byker Masonic Hall in November to Install Michael Allan Jacques as Provincial Grand Summus for Durham and Northumberland.

A typically warm welcome was extended to the visiting team when they arrived and from the outset the atmosphere was one of good cheer. Michael is a well know personality in the Province and as the Grand Summus introduced him into the meeting with some light-hearted comments everyone relaxed and settled in for an enjoyable Installation ceremony.

At dinner conversation and laughter filled the room. When it came to the Toasts Right Distinguished Companion Jacques paid tribute to his predecessor, Right Distinguished Companion Robert Muir Henderson. He then moved on to present the Most Distinguished Grand Summus with a wonderful coal sculpture of a rugby player. The Deputy Grand Summus and Assistant Grand Summus were treated to bottles of “Newcastle Champagne” the famous Newcastle Brown Ale, or “Dog” as it’s known locally.

Given the conviviality both in the meeting and at the after-proceedings it was clear that the Order is in good heart in that part of the Country and will no doubt grow even stronger under Right Distinguished Companion Jacques’ leadership.

Great Priory Meeting, November 2018: Procession

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Category: Order of Malta

West Midlands Division supports the Cirencester Opportunity Group with £2,500 from the Grand Sovereign’s Care for Children Fund

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Category: Mark Masons’ Hall's Charities

Intendant-General for the West Midlands Division, R.Ill.Kt. John Tristram, accompanied by Darren Coleman-Heald, Charities Manager from Mark Masons’ Hall, London and several local members of the Order, visited the Cirencester Opportunity Group (COG) to make a presentation of £2,500. John said, “we delighted that the Fund has been able to assist COG in their vital work with pre-school children”.

This grant will be spent on providing home-cooked meals for the children five days a week, throughout 2019. It will ensure that the children have a nutritiously balanced meal, with many opportunities provided for them to experience and learn about new food tastes and textures to support their development.

COG is a small children’s charity which has been providing a service to the community since 1973. This Specialist Early Years Centre offers inclusive care and education to children and toddlers, and much needed support to their families.

Over 50% of the children must have a special need or a disability and the children who come to the centre have a range of needs including: Autism Spectrum disorders, global developmental delay, genetic disorders and speech and language difficulties.  Some of the children growing up within challenging circumstances and experiencing deprivation. COG is the only group of its kind in the area and is widely respected in its field. The charity serves the town of Cirencester and the surrounding villages within a 15-mile radius preparing the children for school life, through Speech and Language Therapy, Music Therapy, Soft play facilities, offering practical, emotional and one-to-one support.

The West Midlands Division has been pleased to contribute to the Cirencester Opportunity Group and wish them well for the future.

Thanks to John Tristram for the article and Dave Wells & Darren Coleman-Heald for the photos

Issued from the Charities Office, Mark Masons’ Hall, London 15.11.2018

W.Bro. George Reynolds, P.G.S.D. – 100 years young – turns out for the centenary of the Armistice

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Category: Mark Master Mason

Last Sunday saw W.Bro. George Reynolds lay a wreath on behalf of the Mark Province of Monmouthshire at the cenotaph in Newport. W.Bro. George, formerly of the Royal Horse Artillery, the only WW2 veteran on parade and in his 101st year, stepped forward with great dignity and solemnity to pay his tribute to the fallen, assisted by W.Bro. Jonathan Roberts, Dep.G.D.C.

Such is the affection for W.Bro. George among the people of Newport and beyond that his presence at the cenotaph in Newport quickly drew applause when he arrived ahead of the 11 o’clock Act of Remembrance – a true celebrity!

Well done and thank you, George. Your fortitude and determination is a lesson and an encouragement to us all.