Hillsborough cover-up was 'masonic conspiracy'

This from the Guardian...

Senior South Yorkshire police officers who were freemasons orchestrated a “masonic conspiracy” to shift the blame after the Hillsborough disaster in 1989, the inquests into the deaths of the 96 victims have been told.

Maxwell Groome, a constable at the time, said that after the disaster at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Sheffield Wednesday’s football ground, “the word” inside the force was that freemason officers held a meeting to blame superintendent Roger Marshall.

Groome said he heard that the meeting took place in portable cabins at South Yorkshire police’s area office, and was attended by Chief superintendent David Duckenfield, who had commanded the match.

Questioned by Michael Mansfield QC, representing 75 families whose relatives were killed at Hillsborough, Groome said he believed Duckenfield was “a grandmaster of a particularly influential lodge” – the Dore lodge in Sheffield.

Groome also told the inquest that senior officers pressured junior officers to change their statements after the disaster, because they were “terrified” of criticism of the force’s command. He said he was “duped” into agreeing to the changes, because he believed if he did not, he would never be called to give evidence to Lord Justice Taylor’s official inquiry or to the first inquest, and his statement would be “magicked away, dumped in a box, never to see the light of day again”.

Groome said a colleague, PC Brookes – whose first name was not given in court – called the inquiry team at West Midlands police to complain it was “a masonic conspiracy”.

Groome said Brookes told him West Midlands police asked if he could prove the conspiracy. Brookes told them he couldn’t, and Groome said they concluded it would not be investigated.

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Asked why in earlier accounts about the events of the day he did not include the rumoured meeting of freemason officers, Groome replied: “Basically, I’d have been committing professional suicide.”

Marshall, who was in command outside the Leppings Lane turnstiles at Hillsborough, had requested a large exit gate to be opened, to alleviate a crush of Liverpool supporters outside the ground, and allow a large number in. The jury has heard that police did not close off a tunnel inside, which led to the Leppings Lane terrace’s crowded central “pens”, that many of the incoming fans headed down it, and the lethal crush happened in those pens.

Groome said he subsequently heard of the meeting between senior officers, said to have included Duckenfield, superintendents Roger Greenwood and Bernard Murray, Inspector Steven Sewell and Chief inspector David Beal.

“Being unable to prove it, I believe that most of them were masons,” he said.

The coroner, Lord Justice Goldring, sent out the jury of seven women and four men to allow legal discussions after Groome gave his evidence about the freemasons’ meeting. At the end of the day, the coroner referred the jury to “evidence of a meeting said by Mr Groome, on the basis of rumour, to have taken place on the morning of April 16”.

Goldring told them: “I should say this quite clearly to you: we have no other evidence than this rumour, said to emanate from the [South Yorkshire police] area office. It amounts to no more than what the witness described as ‘scuttlebutt’.’”

Groome, who on the day helped Liverpool supporters carry one of the 96 victims, Colin Wafer, 19, on an advertising hoarding being used as a makeshift stretcher, said the police operation as the disaster unfolded was “chaotic”. The inquest was shown Groome’s original statement – typed “recollections” made on plain paper after the event. He said officers were told not to write their accounts in their official police pocketbooks. Groome’s criticisms, which were removed in handwritten amendments after he submitted the statement, included a comment that “certain supervisory officers were conspicuous by their absence”.

Asked by Jonathan Hough, counsel for the coroner, to whom that comment was referring, Groome replied: “Duckenfield”.

Groome had also written: “The control room [where Duckenfield was in command] seemed to have been hit by some sort of paralysis.”

Other criticisms he made in his statement, which were also deleted, included the decision not to delay the match’s 3pm kick-off; reductions in police manpower; staffing of the control room; that “too many officers were sitting around in the gymnasium” and pointed to the removal from command at Hillsborough of the experienced officer, Chief superintendant Brian Mole. The jury has heard that Mole was replaced on 27 March 1989, 19 days before the semi-final which 54,000 people would attend, by Duckenfield, who had never commanded a match at Hillsborough before.

Groome subsequently signed a typed up version of his amended statement, he says, because he feared that it would not see the light of day otherwise.

The “main thrust” of the pressure to change his statement was, Groome said: “They were terrified of junior officers criticising senior officers and therefore, in their eyes, undermining the command structure of South Yorkshire police.”

The inquests continue.

Freemasonry in Costa Rica

This is taken from the Coast Rica Star...

At a recent gathering that took place in the capital city of Costa Rica,men wearing ceremonial garb over their business suits conferred about topics such as apprenticeships, fellowcraft, medallions, seals, rituals, and the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns. This special meeting was presided by a special guest from a faraway land who bore gifts, including a medallion that was placed in a museum dedicated to holding artifacts belonging to a fraternal order that people often associate with mysticism.

Freemasonry in Costa Rica dates back to 1865. By 1871, a handful of Fraternal Orders had been established around the country, and they adopted abstract names such as Charity, Hope, Fatih, Progress, Wonder, Concord, Providence, etc. As with other Freemasonry organizations around the world, the Fraternal Orders in Costa Rica are thick with symbolism, allegory and ritual, but they share similar goals with regard to promoting fraternity between members and undertaking business, educational and charitable undertakings.

The “secret society” sophism of the Freemason movement in Costa Rica is intrinsic to the Roman Catholic constitutionality of our country. In the past, the Vatican has condemned Freemasonry (perhaps fearing a power struggle), and thus at one point Freemasonry was not particularly welcome and was ignorantly associated with heresy. It is interesting to note, however, that Freemasonry was introduced in our country by a Roman Catholic priest.

The following report was “secretly shared” on the Facebook Timeline of the Club Masonico Internacional of Illinois:

International Lodge Visit To Costa Rica

Report of Grand Lodge of Illinois Grand Representative, R.W.B. Joseph F. Loayza (Past Master of Glenview United Lodge No. 1058, Glenview, Illinois), for the Grand Lodge of Costa Rica.

R.W.B. Joseph F. Loayza made an official visit to Lodge La Luz No. 3 in San Jose, Costa Rica. This lodge was chartered in the late 19th Century, before the Grand Lodge of Costa Rica was organized in 1899. He was a special guest in the East for the evening. His visit coincided with the conferral of an Entered Apprentice Degree, and a Grand Lodge of Costa Rica visit.

La Luz Lodge No. 3 has green bordered aprons, and uses the ritual as established by the Grand Lodge of Scotland which R.W.B. Loayza is familiar with since he also saw a Fellowcraft Degree conferred in Edinburgh, Scotland when he visited the lodge of the famous Scottish Poet, Robert Burns, on a previous European trip.

Additionally, R.W.B. Loayza presented the Illinois Grand Master’s Recognition of Unity Medallion to a PGM of the Grand Lodge of Costa Rica who was representing Grand Master Hirish that evening. There was a formal exchange of greetings on behalf of both Grand Lodges and assurance that the medallion would be placed in the Museum of the Grand Lodge of Costa Rica recognizing the fraternal bond between both Grand Lodges. After the Degree Work, a dinner was held and toasts were made to both Grand Lodges.

The picture [herein] is of R.W.B. Loayza in the back row with a member of the Grand Lodge while the current dais officers are in the front row.

Respectfully Submitted,

R.W.B. John Loayza

Assistant Grand Chancellor

Grand Lodge of Illinois, A.F. & A.M.

Old apron goes under hammer

This apron - described as late 18th or early 19th century - is going under the hammer at the Reeman Dansie saleroom in Colchester, Essex.

It has an estimate of £150-200.

Mason in amazing sense of smell recovery

I know this guy is a Mason, because it's me.

This is from the Daily Mail

A man who has been unable to smell properly for 20 years sniffed out a major gas leak just days after a kick to the head during a rugby match restored his lost sense.

Edward Baker's ability to smell gradually deteriorated throughout his adult life after he repeatedly broke his nose playing his favourite sport.

He has even undergone surgery to fix the problem, without success. 

During a recent game of rugby, he received a kick to the face which left him with another bruised and bloody nose.

Incredibly, after the swelling went down, he realised he was able to breathe properly and that his sense of smell had been restored.

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Edward Baker had not been able to smell for 20 years due to a broken nose, but recovered his lost sense after being kicked in the head in a rugby match (pictured)

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Just days after recovering his sense of smell in the  match between Poole and New Milton (right) he sniffed out a gas leak next to a school (left)

The 41-year-old marketing director put his newly-restored ability to good use when he smelt a gas leak near a school in Bournemouth, Dorset just days later.

He immediately called the gas board and engineers rushed out to seal off part of the residential road and fix the leak.

Mr Baker said: 'Although I haven't been able to smell gas for years, I still recognised the pungent smell straight away.

'The leak was in a built-up area with a school and nursery just yards away so the guy who kicked me in the face potentially saved a serious situation.'

Mr Baker said he first broke his nose at the age of 14 and then on frequent occasions over the next 25 years.

Eventually he couldn't inhale properly through his nose and his ability to sniff scents and odors completely faded.

Edward Baker recovered his smell after being kicked in the head

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Mr Baker (third from left) gradually lost his sense of smell after repeatedly breaking his nose playing rugby

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He said the player who kicked him to the head did a great service both to himself and those who would have potentially been affected by the gas leak

In a bid to restore his lost sense, Mr Baker underwent an unsuccessful operation last year which involved doctors drilling into his nose to try to improve his breathing.

But, where skilled surgeons failed, a burly rugby player succeeded.

Mr Baker's latest nasal injury happened during a game involving his team, Hampshire-based New Milton III and Poole 1st last month.

He said: 'I've broken my nose a number of times over the years and it gradually got worse and worse until I couldn't breathe through it or smell through it.

'I had an operation last year where they drilled into my nose to make me breathe better through it, but it didn't work.

'So where the surgeons failed this bloke's size 12 boot worked. It was at the end of the game and there was a bit of a melee on the pitch and my nose got kicked.

'As the swelling started to go down about a week later I realised I could breathe and smell again.

'I had sensed it was coming back, and then as I was walked up the road and I could smell gas, something I'd never been able to detect before.

'I called the gas board. What I had smelt wasn't the source but gas was creeping into a chamber nearby. But it highlighted the area and they were able to fix it.'

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Authorities moved into the street in Bournemouth after Mr Baker put his newly-restored sense to good use

Silver matchbox for sale

This silver matchbox is going under the hammer at Matthew Barton in London with an estimate of £100-150.

The catalogue description reads: "A SILVER MASONIC BOX, TOYE, KENNING & SPENCER, BIRMINGHAM, 1989

oblong, the lid with an enamelled panel of Masonic symbols surrounded by a wheatsheaf border, 5cm long; together with a George V silver card case, plain except for the shaped sides and an applied vacant roundel, Saunders & Shepherd, Birmingham, 1910, 9.3cm long; and a Continental silver pill box, rectangular with pyramidal lid, stamped leaf decoration, import marks for London, 1985, 2.7cm long."

Grand Master engraving for sale

This engraving is being sold by Boningtons of Essex and is estimated to sell for between £350 and £500.

It depicts the installation of the Prince of Wales as Grand Master in 1875.

The catalogue description reads:

A 19th Century Masonic Engraving: The Installation Of H.R.H. The Prince Of Wales K.G. As Most Worshipful Grand Master Of The United Grand Lodge Of Ancient Free And Accepted Masons Of England 28th April 1875, H 61 x W 94 cm, gngraved by A. Lurat and Edward G. Hester, printed by McQueens, published Jan 1st 1878 By Bro. E. J. Harty 213 Regent Street

Soane's models go on display

From the Sunday Telegraph

Bank of England architect Sir John Soane's models to go on display

Miniature models collected by the renowned British architect will be unveiled at the Sir John Soane’s Museum next year

The Temple of Zeus or Apollo 

These are some of the models commissioned and acquired by one of Britain’s most influential architects, to form a collection that has remained behind closed doors for more than 160 years.

They include a series of plaster reconstructions of some of the world’s best-known buildings, cork models of ancient ruins in their contemporary state of disrepair and designs used for his own architectural commissions.

Sir John Soane’s collection of 117 architectural models is to go on display to the public for the first time since the room in which it was housed was dismantled after his death in 1850. Soane, who designed the Bank of England and the Dulwich Picture Gallery, used some of the miniature models as teaching tools for his pupils.

They were also a way to transport the classical architecture of far-flung parts of the world and past eras to his busy central London office.

Soane, who was the son of a bricklayer, insisted it was crucial for architects to create models of their designs before construction.

“No building – at least none of considerable size or consequence – should be begun until a correct and detailed model of all its parts has been made.”

Soane, a neoclassicist, had his office in his home at Lincoln’s Inn Fields near Holborn, which is now a museum of his work.

But the room on the second floor of the building where he displayed his collection of miniature models was taken apart after his death, and much of the collection kept in storage.

Now the museum is to restore the collection – the largest of its kind – and unveil it to the public next year.

It includes 14 miniature cork models that replicate ruins of some of the best-known ancient buildings and other archeological sites in Italy.

The use of cork for creating models of ancient structures had been popular since the 16th century, because the texture of the material is similar to that of weathered stone.

The work of cork model-makers such as Domenico Padiglione, who was based in Naples, was brought to Britain by wealthy travellers as souvenirs of their trips. For Soane, who bought them at salerooms in England, they served as a reminder of his own Grand Tour of Italy between 1778 and 1780 and acted as teaching aides in his role as professor of architecture at the Royal Academy.

The cork models include a large model of Pompeii which belonged to his first pupil, John Sanders.

They contrast sharply with a collection of pristine reconstructions of classical buildings and monuments acquired by Soane in 1834. The 20 plaster models were made by the Parisian model-maker François Fouquet between 1800 and 1830.

They include reconstructions of the Roman Temple of Vesta in Tivoli, Italy, the Parthenon in Athens and the Tomb of Mausolus built at Halicarnassus, now Bodrum in Turkey.

The models created for Soane’s own architectural practice were mainly made of wood. They included a lime wood model of Tyringham, a country house he built for William Praed, a banker and MP, between 1792 and 1800.

In total, 44 models were created for the Bank of England, Soane’s first major commission and his best-known work.

Sir John Soane’s Museum is now seeking donors who will adopt individual models to help fund the reinstatement of the model room.

Abraham Thomas, the museum’s director, said: “The models … are powerful, compelling gateways to other architectural ideas and concepts, to other far-flung sites around the world and across time periods ranging from the ancient world to the contemporary setting of Soane’s Regency world.”

Some of the models on show

Temple of Vesta

The Temple of Vesta at Tivoli in Italy was Soane’s favourite ancient building, the ruins of which he said “present an idea of peculiar elegance and rich taste”. This is a cork model made by Giovanni Altieri in the 1770s.

Temple of Zeus or Apollo

(the so-called Temple of Neptune or Poseidon)

The temple was built in Paestum, then in ancient Greece, around 450 BC, about the same time that the Parthenon in Athens was constructed. It is considered one of the best preserved Doric temples. Soane began to incorporate the early Greek Doric designs into his work from 1779.

The Arch of Constantine

One of 14 cork models acquired by Soane of ancient ruins. The Arch of Constantine stands between the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill in Rome, where it was built in 315 to mark Constantine I’s victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge. It acted as an inspiration for the facade of Soane’s Pitzhanger Manor House in Ealing, west London.

Bank of England

This painted wooden model was created as one of 44 for Sir John Soane’s first major architectural commission, the Bank of England. Crafted in 1805, it shows the north-west corner of the bank, which he extended to form the “Tivoli Corner”, based on the ancient Temple of Vesta
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Masons in China

From the South China Morning Post - Hong Kong

 

Masons 'mysterious, not secret', top English Freemason says on Hong Kong visit

Grand secretary of English lodge tries to dispel some of the myths surrounding controversial order as city receives new grandmaster

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Top English Mason Nigel Brown in Hong Kong. Photo: Felix Wong

Freemasonry is not a "secret society" but must still preserve an element of "mystery" as it opens up to scrutiny, a leading figure in the organisation said as he visited the city yesterday.
Nigel Brown, grand secretary of the United Grand Lodge of England, was speaking before yesterday's installation of a new district grandmaster for the Hong Kong Freemasons, a once-in-a-decade transition.
The masonic order has long been fodder for conspiracy theorists - accused of everything from plotting a "new world order" to, more credibly, serving as an old boys' network, with members helping one another advance.
But Brown declared: "We are not a secret society.
"There is no secret handshake," he said, adding that "it is also absolutely true that there is no obligation [to fellow members], no business networking. We are always mindful of the needs of others, so it's caring for others, not 'jobs for the boys'."
Brown was accompanied by Peter Lowndes, pro-grandmaster of the English lodge and second-highest-ranking mason after the Duke of Kent, to oversee the ceremony to install Vivian Lee as Hong Kong's new grandmaster.
About 200 people joined the members-only ceremony at the order's Zetland Hall headquarters in Mid-Levels.
Lee, who works in finance, succeeds lawyer David Fok, grandmaster for the past 10 years.
The succession comes at a time of internal strife for Hong Kong's Freemasons. Many members expressed unease at the handling of a case in which a high-ranking Freemason was cleared in September 2011 of three counts of indecently assaulting a secretary at Zetland Hall. And there were claims of a cover-up over the theft of more than HK$500,000 by a non- Mason bartender at the hall.
On the theft, Brown said "it was a matter that had been taken care of and settled", and on the indecent assault case, he said the accused "was absolutely cleared, so there was no case to answer".
Most of Hong Kong's 27 Masonic Lodges continue to affiliate to the English lodge, with a smaller number affiliated to the Scottish and Irish lodges.
A Grand Lodge of China also exists, based in Taipei.
Describing the Hong Kong chapter as "very important", Brown said: "We could be very inward-looking, but we are outward-looking, and we are very proud of those people in Hong Kong who have wanted to stay in the English constitution."
Hong Kong's "English" Freemasons number about 1,000 and have long included many prominent figures in local society.
And, despite claims by some members that numbers were slipping, Fok said the figures had remained consistent during his decade in office.
And Brown agreed, adding: "We are getting lots of new members. Recruitment is going up. What we've got to do is to make [sure] that everybody who joins is looked after and stays."
But another row is brewing involving John Chynchen, a senior Mason and honorary chaplain at St John's Cathedral, who has been accused of not properly attributing sermons to their original source.
"Plagiarism by a senior Mason is completely at odds with the high standards of morality and ethical conduct expected of a mason," said a member, adding that Fok's failure to investigate "smacks of bias and cronyism".
But Fok, a Mason since 1979, said: "This is nothing to do with masonry. This is a matter for the church."
Brown added: "What sermon is not plagiarised? I can't think of any religious person who doesn't use material from somewhere else. There's nothing here that would have brought Freemasonry into disrepute."
Chynchen did not return calls from the Post.

Masonic Bairnsfather for sale

This original Bruce Bairnsfather cartoon is drawn on the back of a Masonic ladies' night programme and dates from 1917.

It is going under the hammer at Tennants in north Yorkshire with an estimate of £50-£60.

The catalogue description reads: " Bruce Bairnsfather - ``Struth fancy bein` able to wear a shoe like that``, signed, original comic pencil sketch, on the back page of a Masonic Programme of Ladies` Night, Friday October 19th 1917, Ex Libris Lodge."

From Wiki: "Captain (Charles) Bruce Bairnsfather (9 July 1887 – 29 September 1959) was a prominent British humorist and cartoonist. His best-known cartoon character is Old Bill. Bill and his pals Bert and Alf featured in Bairnsfather's weekly "Fragments from France" cartoons published weekly in "The Bystander" magazine during the First World War."

Historic jug for sale

This historic Sunderland-ware jug with masonic symbol is going under the hammer at Les Cotils Centre in Guernsey and is estimated to sell for £500-600.

The catalogue description reads:
A rare and unusual Sunderland pink lustre decorated jug of large size, attributed to Dixon & Co., the front with transfer decorated panel depicting The Iron Bridge at Sunderland, inscribed `A La Foret L`ili De Guernesey` with Masonic symbol, one side with printed transfer showing two sailors with flags, a `Matelot` with Tricolour and a `Jack Tar` with Union Jack (to signify the Alliance between France and England together during The Crimean War which commenced in 1853) the banner above with the legend `May They Ever Be United`, the reverse side with Armorial to commemorate the Alliance with portraits of Queen Victoria and Napolean III, above a black painted name and date `G.W. Allés Ne le 17 d`Aout 1810`, 9½in (24cm) high, (excellent condition apart from a slight graze to inside of handle).

Three candles

These handsome candle holders are going under the hammer at Christie's in London on October 28. with an estimate of £1,800.

The catalogue description reads: "THREE MASONIC BRASS AND MAHOGANY FLOOR-STANDING CANDLESTICKS - FIRST HALF 20TH CENTURY
Comprising three columns, Ionic, Doric and Corinthian, supporting candleholders and drip pans, on stepped wood bases
60 in. (152.5 cm.) high approx."

Tributes to soldier and Freemason

From the Slough and South Bucks Observer

Tributes to soldier and Freemason

 

TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Coldstream Guard and active freemason who was 'admired by all that knew him’.

Brian Tollington spent nearly eight years serving his country - including Berlin where he guarded Adolf Hitler’s deputy henchman Rudolf Hess in Spandau Prison.

The keen photographer, who after many roles with Slough Borough Council became its official snapper, also spent more than 20 years with the Freemasons based at Chilterns Lodge.

He died from a brain tumour at his Maidenhead home surrounded by close family on Friday, August 8. Loved ones said their final goodbyes to the 58-year-old at his funeral on Tuesday, August 26, which was a celebration of his life with the UK Gospel Choir in attendance.

Eton College, where Brian worked for the last few years as a security guard, flew its standard at half mast as a sign of respect on the day.

His wife Maureen, of Culham Drive, Maidenhead, said: “He was a very smart man, well renowned for his sharp dressing and highly polished shoes and well admired and respected by all who knew him. He certainly did a lot for the community and will be very sadly missed by all. Whatever his circumstances, he always had a smile.”

He leaves behind two children, Lisa and Guy and stepson, Leighton.

Mr Tollington joined the Coldstream Guards as a boy soldier at the age of 15, before going on to serve in the 2nd Battalion, with his last stationing in Windsor. His time in the forces included a stint in Berlin where he helped run a nightclub and later trained to become a professional DJ, which he took up as a hobby in later life.

He worked for the Ministry of Transport in Leicestershire before moving to Slough in the 80s and joining Slough Borough Council, where he worked for more than 20 years. He helped run the street cleaning and rubbish collections, before moving to events and conference co-ordinator then the borough’s official photographer.

He met wife Maureen in December 1990, before moving to Marlow and then Maidenhead. The pair tied the knot in 2000 on a beach in Barbados.

After redundancy in 2009, Mr Tollington become a self-employed photographer. He was also an active freemason and did a great deal of charity work including for Marlow British Legion where he was an active member. He was also the legion’s official standard bearer at remembrance parades and resident DJ.

Toogood to be true?

This case of Masonic books is going under the hammer at Toogood and May auctioneers in Hampshire. The estimate is just £10-20.

Grand Master portrait for sale

This portrait is being sold by Jim Railton in Northumberland and depicts David Liddell-Grainger.

The catalogue description reads: "Segla Yenu, oil on board, waist portrait of David Liddell-Grainger in masonic regalia, signed & framed. (18in x 25in) "

The estimate is £30-40.

The subject is the former Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Scotland.

Mason fights off burglars

Hero Mason fights off three burglars 

This from the Daily Mail...

Imagine what he'd have done if he'd had a heavy maul at hand!

This is the moment a great-grandfather came face-to-face with three armed raiders at his home – and fought them off.

Smartly dressed after a night out, Andrew Adamson, 59, had just returned home with his wife Liz, 58, when he discovered their front door had been forced open.

Moments later, one of the thugs emerged and battered him with a 2ft crowbar, swinging so hard ‘sparks were flying off it when he hit the wall’, followed by his accomplices.

Scroll down for video 

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Andrew Adamson, 59, returned home to find three burglars inside his house and bravely fought them off

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The three masked intruders forced entry to his property in Kettering, Northamptonshire, in December 2010

But the raiders were not counting on Mr Adamson’s remarkable pluck.

Instead of backing down, the businessman tackled the gang head-on, eventually forcing them to retreat.

So bold were his actions that later, in court, even one of his own attackers praised Mr Adamson’s courage.

But the clock and watch repairer, who is 5ft 8in tall and weighs 19 stone, insisted: ‘I was not going to stand by and let them ransack my house – I did what any good husband would do.

‘I wanted to protect my home and my wife. They say an Englishman’s home is his castle but I acted on instinct.’

The CCTV footage from the entrance to the house in Kettering, Northamptonshire – which also shows the thugs breaking in before the couple arrive – led to one being identified and handed a lengthy jail term. Another has been jailed after he was arrested for a separate offence and DNA was matched to a balaclava Mr Adamson snatched off him in the fight.

 

The gang got away with £400 cash and the briefcase Mr Adamson had been carrying.

Mr Adamson, who has three children, four grandchildren and a great-grandchild, told of the moment he arrived home.

He said: ‘The next thing we know the chap comes out with the iron bar. Sparks were flying off it when he hit the wall, he was really trying to whack me. I was trying to force him off.

‘I followed them out onto the street and I got hold of the other fella but the taller assailant came back for him and pulled a razor out, so I decided that was the time to let go.

Great grandad in tuxedo ejects three thugs from his house

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Mr Adamson returned home from a social event dressed in his dinner suit and carrying a briefcase when he noticed the door of his home had been forced open. CCTV footage captured the struggle which followed

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The father-of-three didn't let the fact the intruders were armed with crowbars stop him from trying to fight them

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At one point one of the intruders even pulled out a razor blade, but Mr Adamson fought them until they ran off

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Mr Adamson tried to protect himself from the crowbar wielding intruders (left) before fighting them off (right)

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Liz Adamson (left) was also caught up in the incident but fled to get help when she realised they were being attacked. She had been the first to enter the property but it was her husband who defended them from danger

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Brave Mr Adamson managed to take on all three of the intruders one-by-one until they fled the property

‘I got hit several times over the side of the head and had to have seven stitches. I was bleeding like a stuck pig.

‘If my wife had been on her own that night I dread to think what would have happened.’ The 87-second clip from December 18, 2010, enabled police to identify Duncan Berry, from Kettering, now 23.

He admitted aggravated burglary at Northampton Crown Court and was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in 2011. This year a DNA check linked David Jarvie, 53, to a balaclava at Mr Adamson’s home.

Jarvie, also of Kettering, admitted aggravated burglary and actual bodily harm and was jailed for five-and-a-half years on August 28.

Jarvie’s defence barrister William Fanshaw, told the court that even his client was amazed at Mr Adamson’s courage: ‘He says himself that the victim was a very brave man to stand up to a whole group of men, some of whom were armed.’

Mrs Adamson, who raced to get help during the raid, said: ‘I didn’t find out until I watched the CCTV what Andy had done. I am very proud of him.’

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: ‘He’s a very polite man – not the sort you expect to take on three yobs. What he did was amazing.’

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Grandfather-of-four and father-of-three Mr Adamson said: 'I was not just going to let them stand by and ransack my house - I did what any good husband would do. I wanted to protect my home and protect my wife'

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The masked men forced their way into the Adamson's house in Kettering, Northamptonshire, before the ruckus

Optical illusion

This optical illusion is going under the hammer at Christies in London on September 3 with an estimate of £600-800.

The catalogue description reads:

A MASONIC LODGE CANVAS WALL-HANGING LATE 20TH CENTURY
Of rectangular form, with white and black chequering within a red and blue triangular border, together with a grey storage tube with type-written labels 'SUB URBAN CHAPTER OF INSTRUCTION'
121 ¾ in. x 62 in. (309 x 158 cm.)

Masonic Canadian folk needlework from 1899

This interesting item is going under the hammer at James D Julia inc in Maine US, and is an example of Canadian folk needlework. The estimate is $10,000-15,000.

The catalogue description reads:


Late 19th century Canada. Signed by Mrs. W. Horton, Carlton Place, May 1st 1899. Featuring on one side a commemorative scene ""God Save the Queen, Memory of William III 1690"" with finely crafted needlework picture in wool yarn on wool panel with a large picture of William of Orange on horseback in full regalia and other figures having appliqued banners featuring contemporary military slogans. The reverse side is decorated with the slogan ""Slow to take offense, offering none"". Featuring the central portrait of T.L. Hackett, surrounded by religious and masonic iconography. Along bottom lower left, beaver, ""Ellisville L.O.L. #485"", lower right has maple leaf, all elements are needle work. Ellisville, possibly Ellisville, Ontario. Surrounded by wool fringe with wood and forged iron hanging rod at top. SIZE: 72"" x 82"" CONDITION: Commensurate with age. Losses, moth damage and repairs. Overall very good. 9-93221

The Craft makes it in a Private Eye cartoon

100 not out

Thanks to Durham Masons for this yarn!

Monday 11th August 2014 was an important night in the history of Derwent Lodge, which meets in Chopwell, special for one man in particular and indeed for anyone lucky enough to be present on this marvelous occasion.

At the end of January 2014 the Lodge Secretary made representation to the Provincial Grand Master, that they were desirous of holding an emergency meeting in August 2014. They had a very good reason for wishing to hold such a meeting. The Lodge’s oldest and longest serving member

Harold Rutter, reached his 100^th birthday on Sunday 10^th August 2014 and the Lodge wished to celebrate this outstanding achievement. The Provincial GrandMaster was delighted to accede to this request and so granted the dispensation. The Brethren of Derwent Lodge sent out their summons, advertising this emergency meeting, and were delighted when about 70 brethren indicated their desire to join together to celebrate Harold’s centenary. Among the Brethren present were the Provincial Grand Master, Norman Eric Heaviside, and the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, George Clark, who had visited Derwent Lodge as recently as Monday 23^rdDecember 2013, when he presented Harold with a certificate congratulating him on 60 years continuous service to Derwent Lodge.

After the Worshipful Master had opened the Lodge and the Secretary had read the dispensation for the meeting, the Director of Ceremonies asked the ‘Guard of Honour’ consisting of Harold’s good friends, Colin Urwin, Ronnie Noble, Winston Ridley and Edwin Stanger to retire. After a few moments the Brethren were re-admitted accompanying the man of the moment and guest of honour, Harold Rutter to a thunderous standing ovation by the Brethren present. The Director of Ceremonies then walked the floor of the Lodge to collect Harold and present him to the Worshipful Master, informing the Brethren that Harold was the Director of Ceremonies, when he was initiated into the Lodge, in 1981, and he was scared of Harold at that time, to which Harold quipped back that he knew the feeling as he was scared of the DC now!

Harold was presented to the Master, who congratulated him on his milestone anniversary, informing him that he would be honoured if Harold would take the chair of Derwent Lodge once again. Harold graciously accepted this honour and the Director of Ceremonies called on the Brethren to offer suitable salutation to the centenarian, to which Harold thanked them for the warmth of their welcome.

After calling upon the Brethrens generosity in the way of a collection in aid of Masonic Charity, Harold closed the Lodge in true Director of Ceremonies fashion, not missing a beat or a word!

The Brethren were once again asked to be upstanding, in order to receive the other special guest of the evening, Harold’s daughter Margaret Rutter, there to share in her father’s extra special evening. After photographs the Brethren and Margaret adjourned downstairs to the Festive Board.

After occupying the Chair of the Lodge, Harold also added a first, as he became the first official user of the new stair lift that had been installed by the Lodge in Chopwell Masonic Hall, so that members who found stairs a challenge were able to get from the ground floor to the Lodge room on the first floor and to the Banquet room and bar on the lower ground floor. It is hoped that this chair lift will aid brethren who are infirm attend their Lodge meetings. Also in recognition of this auspicious anniversary the new toilets on the ground floor were named after Harold. They would be known as the “Harold Rutter Centenary Restrooms” for the foreseeable future.

65 brethren joined Harold and his daughter, Margaret, for an excellent Festive Board of Harold’s favourites. These dishes were thoroughly enjoyed by all the Brethren present. On the completion of the meal the Immediate Past Master of Derwent Lodge, Dr. Paul Mundell, stood to deliver the toast to the special guest, by outlining his life and achievements, both personal and Masonically. To read the toast in full click here. Paul also read an email from Peter Kipps, President of the River Lodges Association. In the email he wishes Harold a Happy Birthday and informed him that the greeting was also posted to their Twitter account reaching 18,500 followers.

At the completion of the toasts and being a Birthday Party after all, the birthday boy received his presents and a fabulous birthday cake on behalf of the 

Lodge and his many friends, before being visibly moved as the Brethren stood and sang Happy Birthday to him. In his reply Harold thanked everyone for coming, but felt overwhelmed by the turnout. He thanked the Brethren of Derwent Lodge for their friendship over the years and Margaret, well just for being there!

At 10pm Harold and his daughter took their leave, mentioning that even at the age of 100 years old he still needed his beauty sleep! He left to a standing ovation!

All of the Brethren present on this magnificent occasion had spent the evening in the company of a very special man and Mason and a true gentleman in every sense of the word!