Politician is Essex's new grandmaster

From the Essex Chronicle...

Essex Freemasons appoint Cllr Rodney Bass as new Grand Master to lead into tercentenary year

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  The new Grand Master Rodney Bass

The Essex Freemasons have appointed Essex County Council cabinet member Rodney Bass as their new Grand Master.The former Chairman of Essex County Council will lead the historic organisation into their tercentenary celebrations in 2017.
Cllr Bass served on Maldon District Council for 40 years and will be inaugurated this evening at Freemasons Hall in London.
Presiding over each lodge is the Master, the head member who chairs each meeting from the Master's throne – a grand, ornately carved chair adorned with the gold Masonic square.

Once a deeply secretive movement the all-male organisation now consist of roadsweepers, builders, and office managers and focus on donating to charitable causes in the UK and abroad.

As you progress through the ranks, you are entrusted with new passwords and rituals, that you must only share with other Masons of equivalent rank or higher.

To become a Freemason, there are just three irrefutable requirements:

You must be of good character.

You must believe in a God (but it doesn't matter which one).

You must also have a clean criminal record.

Here is brief history of the freemasons:

Middle Ages – it is not totally clear how the Freemasons started, but the most likely theory is that it originated from a group of stonemasons who built important castles and cathedrals in the Middle Ages

1640s-60s – a Grand Hall was built in London and gentlemen who were not stonemasons began to join the group

1717 – the first Grand Lodge in the world was established in London

1723 – the first rule book, called The Book of Constitutions of Masonry, was being used. Gentlemen met at the Grand Lodge four times a year and recorded their meetings

1813 – the original Grand Lodge and a rival Grand Lodge merged to form the United Grand Lodge of England and Wales (which still exists today). Many of the rituals and regalia were standardised at this point

1814 – there were 647 lodges

1900 – there were 2,800 lodges

1967 – Freemasons celebrated the 250th anniversary of the Grand Lodge at the Royal Albert Hall

A good hearth

This miniature 19th century fireplace is going under the hammer at Burstow and Hewett in East Sussex.

It has masonic designs and an estimate of £40-70. It measures just 11.25 inches.

A flyer's lot

What life is hidden behind these items? A Masonic one, apparently, as they include a jewel from the lodge of harmony.

They are being sold at Omega auctions in Stockport with an estimate of £60-£80.

The catalogue descriptions reads:

WWII - AIR MINISTRY LEATHER FLYING GLOVES & HAT. Included in this lot is a War Medal 1939-45, a silver MASONIC Lodge of Harmony 1796 (in case),a RAF sweethearts pin, RAF cloth hat and cap badge, A pair of Leather Air Ministry issue leather flying gloves (and inner gloves) stamped AM with hand written OST MG 2210874 ,which correlates with the flying goggles (with additional sun lenses) and leather flying helmet. Also included is a selection of associated photographs, both private and of military images.

Squaring the Circle

Squaring the Circle

A businessman is striking out for charity by walking the entire route of the London Underground Circle Line - above ground.

Paul Moriarty, from Holbury near Southampton, believes it will take eight hours to complete the distance.

The 43-year-old is originally from London and used to walk to work during Tube strikes so knows the area well.

He will set out from Liverpool Street early on Saturday, August 29, then complete the circle, stopping at every station on the way.

Although there are 17 miles of track, the journey above ground is about 23 miles and with the roads not following the exact route, Paul will be zig-zagging through the streets.

He is raising funds for the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys (RMTGB), a charity funded by Freemasons that aims to relieve poverty and advance education for children and young people.

It supports young people with exceptional talents and those who need financial assistance in order to embrace life-changing opportunities.

The charity awards grants to both national and local children's charities and provides support to its separate but subsidiary charity Lifelites.

Freemason Paul said: “I came up with the idea in the pub and people have held me to it. I’ve even volunteered my father who will be a witness.

“It doesn’t sound as if it’s very far but the route above ground is about 23 miles and it will take me all day.

“Originally I thought of doing the Central Line, but that would mean getting on a motorway!

“People have been very generous and I have already exceeded my target of £500.”

Paul chose the RMTGB because his Masonic province of Hampshire and Isle of Wight is currently raising money for the charity in a six-year campaign known as a ‘festival’.

It concludes next year and it is expected that millions will be raised.

The Circle Line – coloured yellow on maps - serves 36 stations, including most of London's main line terminals.

According to research carried out by Dr Wayne Osborne, a GP for website Treated.com, Paul will burn at least 1,163 calories during the walk.

You can donate here: https://www.facebook.com/HampshireMasons/photos/a.348928248529987.82500.176887755734038/846292002126940/?type=1&theater

Mason's pedal power

From the Portsmouth News...

George Wilkinson cycled across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, raising more than �3,000

PLUCKY George Wilkinson cycled the length and breadth of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to raise money for charity.

The 48-year-old spent five days in the saddle travelling to every Freemasons’ hall in the county.

These included the ones in Bournemouth because the Masonic province of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight follows the pre-
1974 boundary changes.

In total George, from Portchester, visited 38 lodge halls, covering well more than 300 miles.

So far he has raised more than £3,000, including a gift-aid, for the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys (RMTGB), a charity funded by the Freemasons, which aims to relieve poverty and advance education for children and young people.

It supports young people with exceptional talents and those who need financial assistance in order to embrace life-changing opportunities.

The charity awards grants to both national and local children’s charities and provides support to its separate but subsidiary charity Lifelites.

Freemason George chose the RMTGB because his Masonic province is currently raising money for the charity in a five-year campaign known as a ‘festival’.

It concludes next year and is expected that millions of pounds will be raised.

George, who served in the Royal Navy and now works in IT, said: ‘Although the distance doesn’t seem that far it was difficult terrain with plenty of hills, especially on the Isle of Wight and the South Downs.

‘It took me five days to complete and something of interest happened on every one of them.

‘The hardest part was locating all the Masonic halls, the one in Portsmouth took me half an hour to find.

‘And approaching Petersfield I had to carry my bike through the Queen Elizabeth Country Park due to the rough terrain, after taking a wrong turning – which wasn’t part of my training.’

Despite George completing his challenge his is still collecting money.

To donate visit: www.justgiving.com/George-Wilkinson2
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Liverpool jug for sale

Hartley's Auctions are selling this Masonic jug which dates from c.1790. It includes Masonic verse and has an estimate of about £150.

The saleroom is in Ilkley and the jug is from Liverpool.

Live by the square - no pressure

This barometer from 1820 with Masonic symbols is going under the hammer at Fryer and Brown with an estimate of  £250-350.

The catalogue description reads: A Regency Giobbo mercurial wheel barometer, c1820, 25cm diameter dial with Masonic symbols, calibrated from 28-31, with spirit level below, circular mirror above, the top with thermometer and hygrometer, 104cm max. approx.