Tobacco jar

Here's an interesting item: a tobacco jar. It is from the 19th century and is being sold at auction where it is expected to fetch about £90.

The catalogue description reads: "Masonic interest - A 19th Century octagonal lead tobacco jar and cover, worked with panels of symbols, on a beaded stepped base, no tamper, 15cm wide."

It is being sold by Fieldings of  Stourbridge in the West Midlands.

More conspiracy theories

More conspiracy theories about Freemasons. This time in a letter to the Thisisnorthdevon.co.uk website.

SOME of us have long suspected that there is a cabal of Freemason councillors who exert undue influence on the decisions of the district council.

Councillor Kathy Murdoch is to be admired and thanked for her honesty in confirming those suspicions.

Councillor Barry Parsons gives the impression that freemasons are a sociable, jolly bunch of chaps with whom it is a pleasure to associate.

If he thinks that is all there is to Freemasonry he is incredibly naïve.

He should ask himself why they foster an aura of secrecy. Freemasonry is all about using influence to the advantage of the brotherhood, who also vow to help each other.

Because such vows raise the possibility of conflicts of interest it is questionable whether freemasons should serve on district councils.

Perhaps Mr Parsons should also reflect on why he was invited to join the brotherhood. Could it have anything to do with the fact that he is leader of the council?

Secret societies inevitably arouse suspicion.

After Mrs Murdoch's revelation, every controversial decision of the council will be thought to be the sinister work of Masons. That may, or may not, be true.

Local government must be fair, honest, transparent and democratic. That will not be achieved if local councils contain members who have secretly vowed loyalty to some other organisation. It is time for Freemasons to withdraw from councils.

If they decline, the electorate has the power to remedy the situation at a future date.

HARRY RICHES,

Black Torrington.

Leaked list causes row in Guernsey

This is taken from the BBC website and describes problems for the Craft in Guernsey.

 

The head of the Freemason movement in Guernsey has hit out the publication of a list of lodge members in the island.

The list was posted on an internet forum and includes the names of a number of former and present politicians, jurats and bailiffs.

Provincial Grand Master David Hodgetts said the publication of the list raised issues regarding data protection laws.

He said: "It shouldn't be published and if somebody has published something, maybe they'll be prosecuted."

He added that he felt disclosure of membership should be optional.

The list of members was circulated on Twitter shortly after the general election in April.

Jurat Hodgetts said public perception of the group was misinformed, and stated: "I know there's nothing evil about Freemasonry."

He added: "We are in danger of being accused of trying to advance ourselves by saying we're a Mason, and if we don't say we're a Mason then we're secret and we've got something to hide."

He said: "The thing about Freemasonry that people aren't concentrating on is the fact that the only organisation that gives more money to charity is the National Lottery in the United Kingdom."

He said: "We're about trying to make ourselves better citizens, in fact we promise to do so.
"We raise money from our own pockets for charity - that's what Freemasons are about."

Guernsey's politicians are currently not required to declare membership of the Freemasons.

Telegraph tips Masonry

The Daily Telegraph is running a feature titled: 50 of the best unusual museums in London.


And at number 34 is the "Museum of Freemasonry, Covent Garden"


Here's what it has to say.


Anyone intrigued or confounded by freemasonry is welcome to visit the library and museum within the Freemasons’ Hall for edification. Giving some insight into the freemason existence, the museum’s collection includes numerous prints and photographs, artefacts from famous freemasons such as Winston Churchill and displays detailing freemason hierarchy and everyday practices. It’s worth timing your tour to coincide with one of the many free tours of the Freemasons’ Hall Grand Temple and ceremonial areas. 

Masonic cartoon

Dickens auction house in Buckingham, Bucks, is selling this cartoon with an estimate of up to £80. The catalogue description reads: "A B Hooper Jones XX Masonic Gouache Freemason cartoon ` No Madam, We have no odd job masons or bricklayers ( that) could send you` Signed lower right 11 1/2 x 8 1/4"

God Save the Queen!

At every lodge meeting I attend we toast the Queen. God bless her on her Jubilee.