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The Devonshire Demonstration
Team |
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The
Devonshire Demonstration Team was formed in the year 2001 and
since that time has given a considerable number of presentations
in many Provinces. The largest number has been in Devon and
Cornwall but the team has been privileged to give presentation
in Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and Warwickshire.
The first presentation was entitled “A Plymouth Lodge Night”
followed four years later by “An 18th Century Initiation”. To
mark the 10th anniversary the team decided to present a 2nd
Degree, based on the year 1762. (Current bookings for this
presentation can be seen at the end of this article). |
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There are a number of demonstration
teams throughout the country, in particular presenting 18th
Century variation of the 1st Degree, but teams presenting
the 2nd Degree are more limited. The reason for this is probably
that the amount of material available is more limited. In 1943 a
book called “Early Masonic Catechisms” by Knoop, Jones & Hamer
was published and among the various items researched was Samuel
Pritchard’s “Masonry Dissected” which first appeared in the
Daily Journal on the 20th October 1730. In 1963 the late W.Bro.
Harry Carr, a prolific Masonic writer, and one time Secretary &
Editor of the premier research lodge – Quatuor Coronati wrote,
in his preface to the 2nd edition of “Early Masonic Catechisms”
that some sections of this particular book were extremely useful
if read aloud with perhaps two or more Brethren sharing the
Question & Answers. He also mentioned that in lodges or lodges
of instruction it would give a great deal of simple instruction
and entertainment in the early development of lodge ritual. We,
the members of the Devonshire Demonstration Team, on studying
the relevant documents agree with this statement, hence our
production.
As in previous productions we give the impression that we are
meeting at the Three Crowns Tavern, Sutton Harbour, Plymouth but
with one interesting variation – it is Christmas Day! We all
know that today this would not happen but in those far off days
if your regular lodge meeting fell on Christmas day you would
still meet, but at 10 o’clock in the forenoon instead of in the
evening, Just imagine if that were to have continued to the
present day, what would our ladies have said?
Over the past 10 years there have been a number of changes to
the team and for a full production we need 9 members taking part
but we also need at least two reserves to cover holidays,
sickness, etc. If any Brother is interested in joining the team
please contact the secretary: W.Bro. Keith Vallance, 01626
205748 or e-mail kavallance@blueyonder.co.uk and he will ensure
your name is added to the waiting list.
The current team are as follows:
W.Bro. Ben Bennett The Lodge of Fortitude No. 105, W.Bro. John
Brooks Sutton Lodge No. 6580
W.Bro. John Cornish Hamoaze Lodge No.8513, W.Bro. Chris Hodgson
Lodge of Obedience No. 1753
Bro. Werner Lothmann Concilliation Lodge No. 3483, W. Bro. Paul
McNally St. Michael’s Lodge No. 8168
W. Bro. Paul
McNally St. Michael’s Lodge No. 8168, W.Bro. Ian Passmore The
Trinity Lodge No. 2595
W. Bro. Keith Quick Huyshe Lodge No. 1099, W. Bro. John Redman
The Elms Lodge No. 1212
W.Bro. Keith Vallance St. Michael’s Lodge No. 8186, W.Bro. Nigel
Watts The Lodge of Fortitude No. 105 |
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See also the Three Companions
Demonstration Team |
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2012 Programme
Monday 27th February, Obedience Lodge. No. 1753, Okehampton.
Monday 19th March, The Lodge of St. Peter in Exeter No. 5806
Tuesday 7th August, Fortitude No. 105, Plymouth.
Monday 5th November, Conciliation No. 3483. Holsworthy.
2013 Programme
Wednesday 6th March, Zetland Lodge No. 1071. Cornwall.
Friday 12th April, Benevolent Lodge No. 303, Teignmouth.
23rd November, P & D Masters No. 5898. Plymouth (TBC)
2014 Programme
April, Lodge of Concord No. 1135. Ilfracombe (date to be
confirmed)
April, Sir John Hawkins No. 3704. Plymouth (date to be
confirmed)
Tuesday 4th March, Cornubian Lodge No. 450. Hayle.
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