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The Devonshire Demonstration
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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 Cornish Hamoaze Lodge No.8513
W.Bro. Chris Hodgson Lodge of Obedience No. 1753
W.Bro. Paul McNally St. Michael’s Lodge No. 8168
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. Chris Hodgson of the Lodge of Obedience No. 1753
W.Bro. Bob Darbyshire of Tormohum Lodge No. 6449
Bro. Werner Lothmann Concilliation Lodge No. 3483
W. Bro.
Mike Yeo Harmony lodge No. 156 |
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See also the Three Companions
Demonstration Team |
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2013 Programme
Mon 2nd
September. Fidelity Lodge No. 230
22nd November, P & D Masters No. 5898. Plymouth
2014 Programme
Thurs 6th
April, Lodge of Concord No. 1135. Ilfracombe
Tues 17th April, Sir John Hawkins No. 3704. Plymouth
Tues 4th March, Cornubian Lodge No. 450. Hayle
Wed 5th
Nov. Lodge of Brotherly Love No. 329. Yeovil
2015 Programme -
3rd Degree
Ceremony
Mon 23rd February Obedience Lodge No. 1753 Okehampton
Thurs 26th March, St. John the Baptist No. 39, Exeter
Tues 4th
August, Fortitude No. 105. Plymouth
Wed 9th
Sept. St. Peters No. 1125.
Tiverton
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