PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE AND HEREFORDSHIRE held under the authority of

Transcription

1 PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE AND HEREFORDSHIRE held under the authority of THE GRAND LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS OF ENGLAND AND WALES AND ITS DISTRICTS AND LODGES OVERSEAS Keystone Province Provincial Grand Master: R.W.Bro FREDERICK JOHN GILLO Deputy Provincial Grand Master: W.Bro GRAHAM MARSHALL SMITH, P.G.S.D. Dear Sir and Brother 54 Lower Street Stroud Gloucestershire GL5 2HS Telephone March 2018 By command of the PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER, the Annual Meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge and General Communication of Mark Master Masons of the Province will be holden at Sir Thomas Rich s School on Saturday 2 nd June 2018 at 10.45am. Brethren are requested to be seated by 10.20am. Present and Past Provincial Grand Officers, together with Masters, Wardens, Overseers and Past Masters of the Lodges in the Province, are hereby summoned to attend, and all regularly registered Mark Master Masons are invited to be present. Brethren from other Provinces will be cordially welcomed. Brethren will wear Dark Morning Suit and Full Dress Regalia. I am, Dear Sir and Brother Yours faithfully and fraternally Michael C Parkin, P.A.G.D.C. Provincial Grand Secretary

2 AGENDA 1 To open Provincial Grand Lodge at 10.45am; 2 To receive the Travelling Keystone; 3 To receive a delegation of Royal Ark Mariners; 4 To receive the Assistant Grand Master, R.W.Bro Stephen Davison; 5 Apologies; 6 The Provincial Grand Master will welcome the Visiting Brethren; 7 To confirm the Minutes of the Provincial Grand Lodge meeting held at Sir Thomas Rich s School on Friday 2 nd June 2017; 8 To recall the names of Brethren who have passed to the Grand Lodge above; 9 To call the Roll of Lodges; 10 To receive the Treasurer s Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 st August 2017 (Appendix B); 11 To elect a Provincial Grand Treasurer for the ensuing year; 12 To elect two Auditors, for the ensuing year, W.Bro A. S. T. Body and W.Bro S. F. Smith; 13 To receive a report from the Provincial Grand Charity Steward (Appendix C); 14 To receive a report from the Provincial Grand Almoner (Appendix D); 15 To appoint and invest the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, W.Bro Brian Percival Gargett, P.G.J.D. 16 To appoint and invest the Provincial Grand Officers for the ensuing year and confer Provincial Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank; 17 Presentation of Certificate of Service; 18 The Provincial Grand Master will address the Brethren present; 19 The Assistant Grand Master will address the Brethren present; 20 The Assistant Grand Master will retire; 21 To award the Stanley Moxom Shield to the Lodge with the highest per capita donation to charities in the year to 31 st December 2017; 22 To consider and transact any other business; 23 To close Provincial Grand Lodge; Relief Chest Envelopes will be collected at the door. 2

3 Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Gloucestershire and Herefordshire Provincial Grand Master: R.W.Bro Frederick John Gillo Deputy Provincial Grand Master: W.Bro Brian Percival Gargett, P.G.J.D. Provincial Officers Senior Warden W.Bro R. G. Dakin 1420 * Junior Warden W.Bro W. Winn 1420 * Master Overseer W.Bro T. F. Putterill 1449 * Senior Overseer W.Bro S. G. Allan 10 * Junior Overseer W.Bro I. L. Southcombe 439 * Chaplain W.Bro I. L. Lever 1420 * Treasurer W.Bro D. H. Duggan ProvGTreas R 1677 * Registrar W.Bro P. C. Clements PPrGJD R 1039 * Secretary W.Bro M. C. Parkin P.A.G.D.C. R 1039 * Director of Ceremonies W.Bro J. W. Lane PPrGSD 439 * Almoner W.Bro A. J. Comber P.A.G.D.C. R 340 * Charity Steward W.Bro D. J. Hedley PPrGSO 1677 * Inspector of Works W.Bro A. I. Moss 1387 * Sword Bearer W.Bro R. K. Wilson R 10 Deputy Chaplain W.Bro J. F. Coleman 1374 Deputy Secretary W.Bro A. K. Fautley PPrGStwd 1039 * Deputy Director of Ceremonies W.Bro B. Cummings P.G.St.B * Senior Deacon W.Bro D. Solanki 439 * Senior Deacon W.Bro M. S. Evans 1420 Junior Deacon W.Bro G. Kousouros 1338 Junior Deacon W.Bro R. K. Stubbs 1374 Assistant Director of Ceremonies W.Bro G. R. Allen 1134 * Assistant Director of Ceremonies W.Bro P. A. Thomson PPrGJD 1420 * Organist Bro C. J. Capaldi ProvGOrg R 1374 * Standard Bearer W.Bro L. R. Williams 1803 Assistant Standard Bearer W.Bro R. D. Cooksley 340 * Inner Guard W.Bro M. T. Trigg 439 Steward W.Bro J. M. Hawkins 10 Steward W.Bro M. W. Rees 1134 * Steward W.Bro D. R. Peckham 1238 Tyler W.Bro C. Cresswell 1387 * Past Rank First Appointments Past Provincial Grand Senior Deacon W.Bro N. P. Graham 1650 Past Provincial Grand Senior Deacon W.Bro P. J. Wood 1349 * Past Provincial Grand Junior Deacon W.Bro D. S. Roberts 1449 Past Provincial Grand Junior Deacon W.Bro N. G. Ship 218 Past Provincial Grand Inner Guard Bro R. J. Capewell 10 Past Provincial Grand Inner Guard Bro S. J. Parkes 1374 * Past Provincial Grand Inner Guard Bro M. J. Easley 1420 Past Provincial Grand Inner Guard W.Bro C. M. Brown 1677 Past Provincial Grand Steward W.Bro S. F. Smith 243 Promotions Past Provincial Grand Senior Warden W.Bro D. L. Walters 1349 * Past Provincial Grand Senior Warden W.Bro D. I. Rees 1134 * Past Provincial Grand Junior Warden W.Bro M. R. Oxenham 218 Past Provincial Grand Junior Overseer W.Bro R. N. Howells 1420 Past Provincial Grand Junior Overseer W.Bro T. P. Smith 1039 Past Provincial Grand Registrar W.Bro S. F. Barton, T.D. 243 * Past Provincial Grand Insp.Wks. W.Bro J. A. Kelly 1134 * Past Provincial Grand Insp.Wks. W.Bro N. M. Greenwood 1387 * 3

4 Promotions Rule 78 Past Provincial Grand Senior Warden W.Bro L. M. Mitchell P.G.J.D * Past Provincial Grand Junior Overseer W.Bro L. R. Fletcher PPGJO (Herts) 1677 * Past Provincial Grand Senior Deacon W.Bro R. T. Kerby PPAGDC (London) 1134 * Past Provincial Grand Senior Deacon W.Bro R. M. Green PPGSD (Kent) 243 * R - Reappointment * - Royal Ark Mariner Provincial Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank W.Bro M. A. I. Williams 243 W.Bro J. E. Benee 439 W.Bro T. F. Putterill 646 W.Bro K. D. Bennett 1238 W.Bro J. A. Kelly 10 W.Bro J. A. Norris 243 The Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Royal Ark Mariners There are many Degrees in Freemasonry and, as you will be aware, many have follow on degrees. Being a Member of the Honourable Degree of Mark Master Masons you are entitled to be elevated to the Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Royal Ark Mariners. The Degree is over 200 years old and is based on allegory and parable following of the Ark being built by Noah for the preservation of mankind. We are taught that, out of chaos and catastrophe, mankind can survive and that we should face adversity together and assist in looking after those less fortunate than ourselves. The Degree is governed by the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons under the Grand Master s Royal Ark Council, and is managed in this Province by our own Mark Provincial Executive. Why not consider joining this Ancient and Honourable Fraternity? In general, most Royal Ark Mariner Lodges hold three meetings each year. In every Mark Lodge there are many Royal Ark Mariners, identified by the distinctive Breast Jewel with a Rainbow coloured ribbon, who would be pleased to discuss this Degree with you. Why not consider joining NOW! Royal Ark Mariner Lodges in Gloucestershire and Herefordshire Lodge No Warrant Granted Meeting At Gloucester st February 1962 Gloucester Lyegrove nd July 1964 Downend Tewkesbury Abbey nd September 1965 Tewkesbury Cheltenham and Keystone 10 5 th May 1966 Cheltenham Stow-on-the-Wold th May 1976 Stow-on-the-Wold Avon th January 1977 Avonmouth Royal Forest of Dean th July 1978 Newnham-on-Severn St Ethelbert th February 1991 Hereford Stroud th February 1991 Stroud Installed Commanders Lodge of Reflection th June 2000 Wotton-under-Edge Meeting at shown in italics indicates that the Lodge meets around the Province by Dispensation. 4

5 PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE AND HEREFORDSHIRE APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP OF THE KEYSTONE 400 CLUB Date Full Name Address Postcode Lodge Lodge No Telephone No Mobile No Address Membership Number Fee Paid Lodge Representative Please return to: T. Tudge 39 Buttermere Rd Stourport-on-Severn Worcestershire DY13 8NY

6 Appendix B The Provincial Grand Treasurer s Report Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Distinguished Brethren and Brethren. It is my pleasure and honour to present the Accounts and Balance Sheet for the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Gloucestershire and Herefordshire for the year ended 31 st August These accounts having been audited and presented to the Provincial Executive Committee and have since been circulated to all the Brethren of the Province for their perusal and I am pleased to confirm that I have received no adverse comments regarding them. During the Year ended 31st August 2017, the Provincial Accounts have been streamlined only to include Provincial Grand Lodge operating activities and now excludes all transactions and funds of a Charitable nature. More specifically the proceeds of the very successful 400 Club has this year gone directly to the new G&H Mark Charity Account CIO and the balance held as a Provincial Discretionary Fund has been transferred into its own separate Bank Account. The sale of merchandise has continued, albeit not as vigorously as the previous year and thanks must again go to our Provincial Grand Master, Deputy Provincial Grand Master and members of the Executive for their efforts in providing the Brethren with very good quality accessories whilst at the same time maintaining invaluable income for the Province. Once again, the Executive Committee have followed the Provincial Grand Master s lead in not claiming any expenses whatsoever, which is a massive saving for the Province. Should this continue recommendations will be considered to distribute surplus Funds to our Benevolent Fund for distribution to worthwhile causes. The Executive Committee however continue to be cautious and once again agreed to place a further 250 into the reserve set up for future Provincial Grand Lodge meetings so as not to have a too dramatic financial impact on any one year. In conclusion I believe that the Accounts accurately reflect the transactions carried out by the Province during the year and the Balance Sheet its financial position at the Year end. May I close by expressing my sincere thanks to the auditors of the accounts, W.Bro. Tony Body and W.Bro. Simon Smith for their prompt and competent work. Finally, I would like to thank all of the members of the Provincial Executive Committee for their assistance and support through the year as I would the Treasurers and Secretaries of all the Lodges in the Province of Gloucestershire and Herefordshire which I am proud to serve as Treasurer. W.Bro. D. H. Duggan Provincial Grand Treasurer 5th March

7 Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Gloucestershire & Herefordshire Income and Expenditure Account for Year Ended 31st August Income: 4,921 Lodge Dues, etc.: 4, Fees of Honour: Sale of Photographs: Profit on Sale of Ties, Napkins, etc.: Jewel Hire: Year Books: Bank Interest Received: ,500 Keystone 400 Club: Donations , ,105 Expenditure: 4,709 Provincial Grand Lodge Meeting: 5, ,074 Less Income Received: 2, ,635 3, ,353 Year Books PGL Gloucestershire: Year Books PGL Herefordshire: Year Books Grand Lodge: Photographs & Framing: Insurance: Equipment Repairs & Renewals: Website and Publicity Costs: Net Cost of Provincial Church Service and Inter Provincial Meeting: ,000 Donation to Gloucestershire Craft Festival Fund: ,000 Donation to Herefordshire Craft Festival Fund: Presentation Gifts: Royal Ark Mariner Banner & Stand: Provincial Grand Lodge Meeting Reserve Contribution: Postage, Printing & Sundry Expenses: ,133 Excess of Income over Expenditure for the Year: 1, ,105 7, , Balance Sheet as at 31st August Current Assests: 5,708 Cash at Bank: General Account 2, , Day Notice Account: 11, Cash in Hand: ,479 Stock of Ties, Napkins, Cufflinks, etc: 1, ,867 Sundry Debtors & Payments in Advance: 1, Current Liabilities: -2,435 Sundry Creditors & Prepayments ,166 Represented by:- 17, ,920 General Fund Account: 14, ,133 Excess of Income over Expenditure for the Year: 1, ,053 15, ,863 Discretionary Emergency Fund: 3, Less: Charity Distribution Less: Transfer to PGM Discretionary Fund Account 3, Future Provincial Grand Lodge Meeting Reserve: ,166 17, , auditors: A.S. T. Body, AFA S. F. Smith, FCCA P.G. Treasurer 12th October,

8 Appendix C Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Gloucestershire & Herefordshire Benevolent Fund Accounts for the Year Ended 31st August 2017 The accounts as presented are for the year ended 31st August 2017 and are intended to identify the grants from the Provincial Mark Benevolent Fund and the funds held in the Fund on behalf of Lodges. These accounts are presented in a revised format to provide both clarity and meet the requirements of the Charity Commission. The General Funds relate to funds available to the Provence for use within the articles of the Charity, and the Restricted Funds are funds held on behalf of Lodges and Grants received for detailed purposes. Donations from Provincial Funds, were made on the recommendation of the Trustees during the period covered by the Accounts, which included 5,000 to National Star, 1,000 to the Mark Provincial Grand Lodge of Berkshire, 1,500 to the Mark Provincial Grand Lodge of Lincolnshire, for their respective Mark Festivals and 1,000 to the MBF in support of the MBF Charity Walk in the Park held in London during May 2017 at which this Province was represented. As I trust you are aware, the Provincial Mark Benevolent account has been restructured into a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) under the name of, G&H Mark Charity. Registering our Benevolent Fund as a CIO gives us the benefits associated with being both a charity and a company, but without having to register with, and report to, two different regulatory bodies. The charity element of the CIO provides us with better access to funding and sponsorship, and exemption from certain taxes. My grateful thanks goes to W.Bro David Mason for his professional advice and services in managing the transfer and his work with the Charity Commission. It has been established that the Relief Chest Scheme of the MCF operated by the Craft is open to be used by Mark Lodges. The scheme provides its own Gift Aid envelopes, donation forms etc. free of charge, undertakes the Tax Reclaim for Lodges, pays a favourable interest rate on the balance held, issues regular statements and offers an online fundraising platform. The funds held in a Relief Chest can be used, after passing a resolution, to make donations to registered charities, provincial appeals (festivals), or to an individual (relief of distress - brethren, widows and even nonmasons). This is a significant and I believe, necessary change in how we as a Province and Lodges administer our Charity as we move forward. I therefore encourage every Lodge to consider establishing their own Relief Chest. Monies held by the Province can be easily and quickly transferred to Lodge Relief Chests once initiated. As the Benevolent Fund holds monies restricted for the use of Lodges under the Gift Aid Scheme, the Fund itself continues to need disposable income if we are to meet our commitments. This can be done by direct donations to the Fund by lodges or by individual standing orders. I would encourage all the brethren to support the G&H Mark Charity in any way they can. Finally, I would like to thank W.Bro David Duggan, W.Bro David Burrows and my predecessor, W.Bro Peter Williams for their support, advice and guidance in my first year in the role, it has been invaluable and given freely and generously. My thanks also are extended to the Lodge Charity Stewards and Treasurers for their commitment and generous assistance during the year. Presented by: W.Bro David J Hedley, PPrGSO Provincial Grand Charity Steward 8

9 Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Gloucestershire & Herefordshire Benevolent Fund Income and Expenditure Account for Year Ended 31st August Income: General Fund Restricted Fund Total 11,544 Alms Collections: 7, , Regular Donations: 1, , Raffles: ,220 Tax Reclaimed: , , Provincial Grand Lodge 400 Club: 2, , Provincial Grand Lodge Collection: Lodge Donations: 5, , Interest Received: ,934 10, , Expenses: 250 SARA Lifeboat: ,000 Cumbria Flood Appeal: National Star College: 5, , ,893 Mark Benevolent Fund (Incl Collarettes & Jewels): 1, , Donations to other Provinces Festivals: 2, , ,300 Donations on behalf of Lodges: 8, , Sundry & Administration Costs: ,534 8, , , , ,400 Excess of Income over Expenditure for the Year: 2, , , Balance Sheet as at 31st August ,947 General Funds: 1st September, 2016: 49, ,153 Excess of Income over Expenditure for the Year: 2, ,867 Restricted Funds: 1st September, 2016: 30, ,247 Excess of Income over Expenditure for the Year: 1, ,214 51, , ,285 Cash at Bank: Current Account: 32, ,317 COIF Deposit Account: 46, Relief Chest: , ,612 Debtor: Gift Aid: 2, ,214 82, , We have examined the above Income & Expenditure Account & Balance Sheet of the Benevolent Fund of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Gloucestershire & Herefordshire for the Year ended 31st August 2017, and in our view they have been prepared in accordance with the books and records maintained by the P.G. Charity Steward and comply with the regulations laid down in the Charity Acts. Auditors: A.S. T. Body, AFA S. F. Smith, FCCA Charity Steward 3rd March

10 Appendix D Report from the Provincial Grand Almoner During the year a smaller number of cases compared with previously. All cases referred to the Almoner are followed up to ascertain the facts, whether or not assistance is required. When appropriate a letter or card is sent on behalf of the PGM and ALL the Brethren of the Province and according to the situation a bouquet of flowers is also delivered. This year we have not needed to petition the Masonic Benevolent Fund, although some preliminary approaches were made it was not required to take them further. There have been more requests for advice and help over financial matters this year. Can I remind Brethren that seeking advice before difficulties are encountered is preferable to afterwards when it may be too late to provide support. New advice about making visits to Petitioners was circulated earlier in the year. I know that some Brethren found that it was not what they were used to but we must remember that in this day and age scrutiny of one s actions has become commonplace and, some may think sadly, we have to move with the times. Brethren, I am pleased to report that many of you have continued to keep an eye on your fellow Brethren and during the year a number of you reported to me your concerns about others. Often the only response required has been to offer advice or suggest that a watching brief would help. By becoming aware of other s difficulties at an early stage I am sure that a number of Brethren received help before their problems became more severe. It is often the small act of kindness that helps, perhaps some shopping for a Brother temporarily incapacitated or help with hospital visits. During the year many Lodge Almoners forwarded to me a copy of the report they have given to their Lodge and this is helpful as I can follow up on this information, especially when visiting. Finally, may I thank all those Lodge Almoners and others who have given their time to caring about their fellow Brethren and their families during the year. Please continue your good work. W.Bro. A (Tony) Comber, P.A.G.D.C. Provincial Grand Almoner Mark Lodges Meeting in Gloucestershire and Herefordshire Lodge No Warrant Granted Meeting At Cheltenham and Keystone* th January 1862 Cheltenham Lyegrove* th February 1878 Downend St Ethelbert* th February 1879 Hereford Royal Forest of Dean* st June 1884 Newnham-on-Severn Gloucester* th May 1891 Gloucester Avon* nd September 1913 Stapleton Stroud* th October 1945 Stroud Foster th June 1949 Wotton-under-Edge Tewkesbury Abbey* th August 1959 Tewkesbury Purdown rd October 1967 Stapleton The Kyrle th September 1968 Ross-on-Wye Stow-on-the-Wold* th January 1971 Stow-on-the-Wold Old Patesian th January 1972 Cheltenham William Bathurst th February 1974 Cirencester Installed Masters Lodge of Reflection* th October 1974 Wotton-under-Edge Davy th September 1975 Chipping Sodbury Leofric th February 1988 Bromyard Silurean st June 1990 Kington Portus Abonae st October 1998 Avonmouth Mount Sinai th December 1999 Chipping Sodbury Glos & Hfds Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge th November 2017 Stroud Lodges marked with an asterisk* have a Royal Ark Mariner Lodge attached. Meeting at shown in italics indicates that the Lodge meets around the Province by Dispensation. 10

11 Provincial Grand Master R.W.Bro. F John Gillo Mailscot, 15 Burnt Oak, Dursley, Glos GL11 4HD pgm@gandhmark.org.uk Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons for Gloucestershire and Herefordshire Annual Church Service and Luncheon Sunday 7 th October 2018 Provincial Grand Secretary W.Bro. Michael C Parkin, P.A.G.D.C. 54 Lower Street, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 2HS m.parkin908@btinternet.com The Provincial Grand Master invites you together with your ladies, family and friends to attend the Annual Church Service to be held in Tewkesbury Abbey at 3.00 p.m. Preceded by Luncheon to be held at the Abbey Rooms, p.m. for 1.00 p.m. Menu Melon Boeuf Bourguignon with new potatoes and seasonal vegetables (Vegetarian Option will be available) Individual Meringue Nests with Summer Berries Tea & Coffee Cost each, payable in advance and cheques made payable to PGL MMM of Glos & Hfds. Applications for luncheon are limited and will be strictly in order of receipt. Please book in for the luncheon before the Abbey Service: Name (BLOCK LETTERS PLEASE) Rank Lodge No Main (Beef or Vegetarian) I enclose my cheque for Please return this form with your remittance NOT LATER THAN 31 st August to J K Mole, The Hollies, Cliffords Mesne, Newent. GL18 1JW 11

12 [ 19 ]