Provincial News
- Written by: John Fergusson
The Convocation of the Chapter of Installed First Principals marked the beginning of the new Royal Arch season in very fine form at Peterborough Masonic Centre. As always at this particular meeting, turnout was high, the event being well supported by Companions from across the widest reaches of the Province.
The highlight of the evening was a presentation entitled The Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests and Order of Holy Wisdom, delivered in a most entertaining manner by E Comp Christopher G Maiden – Grand High Priest of the Order. E Comp Maiden produced a perfect balance of content and humour throughout his presentation which was warmly received by all present. Accordingly, a vote of thanks, richly deserved, was addressed to E Companion Maiden on behalf of the audience by MEZ, E Comp Phil Collins.
Finally the evening concluded with a sumptuous Festive Board for which the Peterborough catering team must be warmly congratulated. An excellent choice of menu, cooked to perfection, marking the perfect ending to a memorable evening.
- Written by: Simon Key
Thanks to St Wilfrid Lodge No. 4453 and Graham Milton Lodge No. 9796, SERV OBN (Service By Emergency Rider Volunteers - Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Northamptonshire) are proud recipients of a new motorcycle.
Members of St Wilfred Lodge and Graham Milton Lodge take delivery of the new motorcycle
SERV OBN is a registered charity providing a professional blood and blood-product delivery service. It is run by a team of highly-trained volunteers including two riders from Graham Milton Lodge: Bro Alan Pollock and Bro John Mason. Two other Graham Milton brethren, Bro Barry Coleman and Bro John Allen, have ridden for SERV in the past.
The idea to fund a “blood bike” was born In early 2017 when WBro Steve Marshall and WBro Alan Cox (both members of St Wilfrid and Graham Milton lodges) discussed finding a highly tangible, medium-to-long-term cause to benefit the community and mark the Tercentenary of the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE).
From left: WBro Graham Sands, WBro Steve Marshall, Bro Alan Pollock, Bro Steve Saunders and WBro Mike Walton
The monies subsequently raised by each lodge were boosted by an additional donation made by the Province.
The new motorcycle bears the banners of both lodges together with that of the Province
All of the SERV OBN fleet vehicles are named after women who have made significant contributions in the field of medicine. The motorcycle funded by St Wilfred Lodge and Graham Milton Lodge is named Cecilie after Brigadier Dame Cecilie Monica Golding, DBE.
Brigadier Golding was a British Army Nurse who rose to Colonel Commandant, Matron-in-Chief and Director of the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC).
Brigadier Dame Cecilie Monica Golding, DBE
Provision of the new motorcycle will make a significant difference to the operations of SERV OBN particularly as their older vehicles are subject to increased maintenance and repair costs.
The brethren of St Wilfrid and Graham Milton lodges are congratulated on their substantial contribution to a very worthy cause.
- Written by: Simon Key
The outcome of voting for Masonic Charitable Foundation Community Awards within the Province has been announced -
| Charity | Award | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Crazy Hats Breast Cancer Appeal | £25,000 | Northamptonshire |
| Daventry Area Community Transport | £15,000 | Daventry & district |
| Acorn Cancer Support Group | £13,168 | Huntingdon, St Ives and Ramsey |
| Carers Sitter Service | £4,000 | Stamford, Bourne, Deeping, Rutland and East Northants |
| Northampton MENCAP Society | £4,000 | Northampton |
| Peterborough Riding For the Disabled | £4,000 | Peterborough |
Please click here for full details of the Awards nationally.
The Provincial Grand Charity Steward, WBro Gerry Crawford, said:
We are grateful for these Awards in this special year during which we are celebrating 300 year of Freemasonry. Hopefully this will help to show our proud place in society and the tremendous good we do.
- Written by: John Fergusson
Prostate Cancer Awareness
August 2017
One in seven men contract Prostate Cancer. It is unfortunately a well proven statistic and it is the UK’s most prevalent cancer in men. There are over 40000 diagnoses each and every year – a frightening statistic, isn’t it.
There are however currently ELEVEN Provinces under UGLE/Supreme Grand Chapter undertaking a series of PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood-testing sessions at various local Masonic centres for those Companions and Brethren who seek re-assurance by a simple blood test under the direction and guidance of the Graham Fulford Charitable Trust, a registered Charity. This initiative was first launched in 2014.
The blood sample is forwarded to a Consultant Urological Surgeon for analysis who then reports back to the participant within a period of 7-10 days, confirming the results of the blood test and giving any further, appropriate guidance that might seem necessary. PSA testing is seen as a reasonable guide, now more reliable than ever before but not necessarily 100% accurate in all cases as certain extenuating and personal circumstances may come into play.
But so far, there have been well over 5000 Companions/Brethren who have participated –
- 89% have been advised that there has been no apparent problem.
- 222 participants have been assessed as “border-line” with a recommendation that further advice should be sought from their own GP as soon as can be arranged,
- But most importantly, over 300 participants have been identified as having an immediate problem with an early consultation with their GP strongly recommended. Of those, immediate medical/ surgical procedures have been necessary for 46 participants.
I do feel that these statistics alone warrant our further consideration and involvement in the PSA testing initiative and with certain charitable funding available within the Royal Arch Provincial Charity, we are in a position to underwrite the project initially. As a Royal Arch Companion therefore you will shortly receive further details and guidance from our Provincial Grand Charity Steward, E Comp Mike Green, advising of the Centres and dates at which testing will be available in the months ahead to those wishing to participate and with a suggestion that you may also bring along with you a Brother from your Lodge who would wish to participate, even though not a Royal Arch Mason.
It is true that such a test can be demanded from your own GP on the NHS but I just question how many of us actually take the time and trouble to make an appointment with our Doctor for this very purpose? Those 46 Companions/Brethren mentioned above might tend to agree – did they know, were they aware? I have to confess, Companions, I haven’t been tested but I shall be the first in line when the initiative comes to Northampton.
E Comp Mike Green will be in touch with you individually and Chapter Scribes will also be fully briefed.
Yours sincerely & fraternally,
Wayne E Williams
ME Grand Superintendent