Promoting the Fraternity across the World
Freemasonry consists of fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local fraternities of stonemasons, which from the end of the fourteenth century regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities and clients. The degrees of freemasonry retain the three grades of medieval craft guilds, those of Apprentice, Journeyman or fellow (now called Fellowcraft), and Master Mason. These are the degrees offered by Craft (or Blue Lodge) Freemasonry. Members of these organisations are known as Freemasons or Masons. There are additional degrees, which vary with locality and jurisdiction, and are usually administered by different bodies than the craft degrees.
The basic, local organisational unit of Freemasonry is the Lodge. The Lodges are usually supervised and governed at the regional level (usually coterminous with either a state, province, or national border) by a Grand Lodge or Grand Orient. There is no international, world-wide Grand Lodge that supervises all of Freemasonry; each Grand Lodge is independent, and they do not necessarily recognise each other as being legitimate.
Our Solent Area FITC team were in action over the weekend when they attended the H.M.S. Sultan Summer Show in Gosport. This is one of the Royal Navy’s main shows of the year and FITC were delighted to be allowed to attend. With so many ex-service personnel in our lodges it’s always good to be able to continue to support our armed forces.
On June 18th, Dave Hendricks, Director of Development and Programs for the Kansas Masonic Foundation, attended the scholarship presentation at Vulcan Lodge in Walnut and presented Brother Mike Carnes with his Platinum Level C-Club plaque and Brother Don Wheeler with his Diamond Level C-Club plaque in appreciation of their continued support of the KMF
The meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge saw Alan Jones step down and be replaced by Peter Schofield as Chairman of Furness and South Lakeland Group. To acknowledge the contribution Alan has made to the group, a dinner was held in his honour at the Fairfield Suite in Barrow-in-Furness Masonic Hall which was attended by 95 brethren
Humber 57 Whiskey Galore: Three Humber 57 brethren wove the magic, as again the Whiskey Galore Stall proved to be it’s usual success
W.Bro. Walter Greenwood, a Past Master of Commercial Lodge No.1391 which meets in Leicester, has recently received the Legion d’Honneur Medal presented by the French Government for his contribution to the liberation of France during the Second World War. The Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur is the highest French order for military merit, established 1802 by Napoléon Bonaparte.
Richard Parks Bland was an Freemason and American politician
Bland was born on August 19th, 1835 in Hartford, Ohio County, Kentucky. Bland came from a prominent Virgina family, both on his mother’s and father’s sides of the family.
To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Marcus Humphrey House, RWPGM Bro. John Miller and IPPGM Bro. David Reid organised a 1st degree to be conferred on one candidate by the Reigning Provincial Grand Masters of the Provinces involved in the Friends of Marcus Humphrey House.
It is around 1755 in Germany that different groups called the Golden Cross, and the Rosy Cross appeared. At this time, none of these groups were real parts of Freemasonry.
It seems that these groups were not organized together and continued to be isolated from each other for some years after their creation. However, close contacts were initiated between these groups and Freemasons interested in esotericism
Stella star Ruth Jones comes home to Porthcawl for a strawberry tea.
On Sunday 12 June 2016 RWPGM Bro. Robert Little, IPPGM Bro. Archie Chalmers, SPGMs Bro. Jim Bell, Bro. Robert Stewart, Bro. Stephen McConnachie and Bro Stewart Cruickshank all attended the Annual BBQ held at Marcus Humphrey House. This year celebrates the 25th Anniversary of MHH coming into being. Numerous donations were presented to the House on the day including a cheque for £200 from Lodge Ayr St Paul No.204. A marvellous day of fun and friendship which was enhanced by the presence of Bro J M Marcus Humphrey of Dinnet, Past Grand Master.