The Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire

News 2007

Torbay Masonic Widows' Association

Thirty-four members of the Torbay Masonic Widows' Association recently met for their
annual Christmas Lunch. Their Christmas fare was ably cooked by Bro.Basil Ashling (89) and all the ladies received a voucher and a Christmas gift. The Masonic Masonic Widows' Assosiation is always looking for new members (!)

Jim Jordan

Local Masons Honoured

W.Bro. Stephen Reading, P.Pr.Asst.G.Reg of The Dart Lodge No.2641 being presented with the Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal by Colonel Tajri, the Defence Attache of the Malaysian High Commission in London. The Colonel, a cousin of the King of Malaysia, presented it to W.Bro Reading on his behalf. The award is in recognition of his Royal Air Force service in Singapore and Malaysia during the Indonesian Confrontation Emergency in the 1960`s. W.Bro. Reading was honoured with this award on 5 November 2007 at the Stonehouse Creek Leisure and Social Club in Plymouth.
W.Bro Reading was the Centenary Master of The Dart Lodge No.2641 and has recently been elected to serve the Lodge once more as its Master in 2008/2009. He will, once again, be installed into the Chair of the Lodge on 23 January 2008.
W. Bro. Reading is also the Almoner of Hauley Chapter 797 and The Dartmouth Lodge of Mark Master Masons 737.

Also presented with the Medal on 5 November 2007 in Plymouth, was W.Bro. Roy Potter (P.Pr.G.Reg) of The Dart Lodge 2641. He served in the Royal Navy during the Malaya Emergency in the 1950`s and also the Indonesian Confrontation Emergency in the 1960`s.
W.B. Potter is also a member of Hauley Chapter 797 and a member of The Dartmouth Lodge of Mark Master Masons 737.

Busy time at Paignton

On 11th October W.Bro.M.P.W.Carrick P.Ass't.G.D.C. celebrated his 40th anniversary in Freemasonry at Courtland Lodge 6706, Paignton. This was marked by a presentation of a silver salver, crystal decanter and whisky glasses. The presentation was made on behalf of the Lodge by W.Bro.P.R.Galt the Deputy Provincial Grand Master.

Also, on the 6th November, W.Bro.Paul Brown the Master of Torbay Masters Lodge 8227 presented a cheque for £200 to Bro Ted Jones the Treasurer of the local British Heart Foundation and on Saturday 3rd November, W.Bro.Brown and his wife Susy hosted an informal
Ladies Night at Courtland Road, PAIGNTON. A small raffle was held and a £100 was raised. This sum will be presented to The Trevor Ward Foundation at Courtland Lodges' meeting on December 13th.
Jim Jordan

100 Not Out!! for W. BRO. W. R. G. LINE, P.PR.J.G.W.

The regular Lodge meeting of Lodge St. John, No. 70 on Thursday 4thJuly 2007 was unique in the Lodge’s 248 year history. The Worshipful Master, W. Bro. Nigel J. Frude had the very great pleasure of welcoming into the Lodge W. Bro. William R. G. Line, P.Pr.J.G.W. to celebrate his 100th Birthday – the first member of 70 to pass that milestone.
A large number of brethren were present together with W. Bro. Maurice Eglintgon, P.S.G.D., Assistant Provincial Grand Master and Rt.W. Bro. Robin O. Osborne, Past Provincial Grand Master.

After the Lodge was opened, Rt. W. Bro. Robin Osborne rose and addressed the Lodge, firstly alluding to the earlier presentation of a Provincial Grand Master’s Certificate of 60 years service to Freemasonry to W. Bro. Bill and then paid generous tribute to his long and distinguished time as a Mason.
W. Bro. Bill Line had been Initiated into Lodge St. John, No. 70 on the 4th January 1944 and, due entirely to the large membership in those days, had to wait no less than 25 years before being installed into the Chair of the Lodge and now, 5 Monarchs and 9 Provincial Grand Masters later, Rt. W. Bro. Osborne was delighted to present him with a commemorative plaque on behalf of his many friends in Freemasonry and his friends and Brethren in Lodge St. John, No. 70 in particular.

W. BRO. W.R.G. Line being presented with a commemorative

plaque by RT. W. BRO. R. O. Osborne

W. Bro. Bill rose and spoke of his many happy memories of his time in his beloved Lodge and the many other Lodges and Orders of which he had been privileged to serve as organist. He regretted that his health would not allow him to attend his Lodge as often as he would wish, but expressed the hope that he would be able to join with his Brethren at the celebrations for the Lodge’s 250th anniversary in 2009.

W.Bro. Bill Seymour-Jones

A Special Double for Sun Lodge No.106 Exmouth

At the August meeting of Sun Lodge a special occasion occurred when W.Bro. Keith (Keito) Graham took the chair and initiated his sons Michael and Mathew. This is the first occasion the Lodge has held a double first degree ceremony since 13 February 1989 when W.Bro. Tony Jeffery (our current
Director of Ceremonies) and his son Ian were initiated by the then WM (W.Bro. Dennis May)

W.Bro D Greenaway

Prestonian Lecturer

On Tuesday 4th September, Torbay Masters Lodge 8227 were hosts to Rt.Wor. Bro.Dr.R.B.Khambatta the Prestonian Lecturer for 2007; The Past District Grand Master of Pakistan.
Whilst this was not an "official" lecture, there was a full house to hear a very interesting talk on Grand Secretaries from 1813 to 1980.
In attendance were W.Bro.P.Louis Baycock and W.Bro.Derek Webber the Assistant Provincial Grand Masters and Rt.Wor.Bro. Robin Osborn the Past Provincial Grand Master.
After the meeting at the Festive Board,the Lecturer was presented with a copy of the History of the Province of Devonshire which had been signed by the 3 attending Grand Lodge Officers and he was also presented with a cheque for £200 by the Worshipful Master W.Bro.Paul Brown, for the Charity of his choice.

Jim Jordan P.Pr.J.G.W.
Torbay Masters Lodge

Kindred Lodges Association (KLA) Autumn Festival
The (KLA) was formed in 1952 to encourage Masonic Lodges formed by, or including, Masons who are, or were, involved in Youth Work to link together. The prime activity, other than encouraging inter Lodge visiting, is to hold two Festival meetings each year. The dress for these meetings is the uniform of their youth organisation for those entitled to wear it.
On the Saturday 8th September 2007 the Brownsea Island Lodge no 9689 (Province of Dorset) hosted the Autumn Festival of the The Kindred Lodges Association.
Several things made this meeting very special, Brownsea Island is the site of the Baden-Powells experimental Scout Camp that occured 100 years ago in August 1907 and Brownsea Island Lodge, who usually meet at Wareham, Dorset had arranged this meeting actually on the Island.
The Scout Lodge no 9783 is a member lodge of the KLA and took 10 members and 1 future joining member along for the day. (The largest representation from any visiting Lodge) We joined nearly 170 other Masons from all over the Country at the quay in Poole and were ferried across to Brownsea Island. After the opportunity to explore the Island and enjoy an excellent packed lunch, it was time for the Lodge to meet in a large marquee in the middle of the Island. Only then did some appreciate how important this meeting was to those there, Scout Uniform was worn by a good half of those there including the Master and many of his Officers of the Brownsea Island Lodge. The host Lodge delivered an excellent lecture on the first Scout Camp made all the better knowing it had occurred a mere handful of yards away.
Returning to the mainland a Festive Board was enjoyed by the Brethren and £2000 was raised towards supporting the continuing development of Scouting and Guiding facilities on Brownsea Island
Membership of the KLA is either through being a member of a subscribing member lodge, or as an individual Associate Member. Although we'd be delighted if you wished to join The Scout Lodge we'd be pleased if Brethren in the Province interested in Scouting and other youth organisations became Associate Members. If interested in finding out more about the KLA or in joining us at the next KLA Festivals - April 12th 2008 Compass no 8765, Leicestershire and Autumn 2008: Red Scarf no 8448, London, please contact Mark Bendell enquiries@thescoutlodge.org.uk, or visit our website www.thescoutlodge.org.uk

Devonshire's New Provincial Grand Master

Rt. W. Bro. Michael T. Penny was installed into the office of Provincial Grand Master for Devonshire at a meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge on the 3rd July 2007, held in the Great Hall, Exeter University. The meeting was officiated by the R.W. Bro. The Deputy Grand Master, Peter Lowndes

Following his installation, The new Provincial Grand Master, appointed W.Bro. Peter Galt, PSGD, as Deputy Provincial Grand Master. He then reappointed W.Bro. Colin Turner P.S.G.D., W.Bro. Rev. P. Louis Baycock, P.S.G.D. and W.Bro. Maurice Eglinton P.S.G.D, as Assistant Provincial Grand Masters. The Provincial Grand Master then appointed W.Bro. Derek Webber, P.A.G.D.C., of Churston Ferrers Lodge No. 8779, also, as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master.

Following the new Executive appointments, The Provincial Grand Master appointed
W.Bro. Peter Keaty, PProvGSwdB, as the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies.

Rt. W. Bro. Michael T. Penny then addressed the Brethren details of which can be found on the Annual Address page.

Installation photos by W.Bro. Steve Waterhouse, PPrGSwdB

Hauley Lodge No 797 – August 13th 2007

A somewhat rare Masonic occasion took place at the August meeting of Hauley Lodge No. 797 at Hauley Hall, Dartmouth.

The Worshipful Master, WBro Stuart Bilverstone initiated his younger brother, Andrew into the Lodge.

Present at the meeting were some 90 members and their guests, including W.Bro. Derek Webber the newly installed Assistant Provincial Grand Master and many Grand Officers and present and past members of Provincial Grand Lodge.

Adding to the already emotional nature of the meeting was the presence of WBro Brian Ridalls PGJD for the first time in 3 years due to illness and the sad loss of his dear wife Christine.

At the end of the Festive Board, various coaches return Brethren back to their mother lodges duly refreshed and with many a happy smile!

St John the Baptist Lodge No. 39 275th Anniversary

On Thursday the 26th July 2007 St John the Baptist Lodge No. 39 celebrated 275 years of continuous working in Exeter.

At a special meeting the Lodge was supported by the Grand Junior Warden of the United Grand Lodge of England, Rt. W Bro Captain Norman Lloyd-Edwards. Rt. W Bro Lloyd-Edwards informed the Lodge that he was present at the express wish of the Grand Master. He spoke in glowing terms of the diligence and commitment the Lodge had shown during its long and distinguished history, being the oldest Lodge outside London.
The Lodge was further honoured by the presence of Rt .W Bro MT Penny Provincial Grand Master, W Bro P Galt Deputy Provincial Grand Master, W Bro CC Turner, W Bro Rev PL Baycock, W Bro M Eglinton and W Bro D Webber Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, Rt W Bro RO Osborn Past Provincial Grand Master, W Bro RDM Penny Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master and W Bro M St J French Assistant Grand Registrar. Also present were W Bro I Kingsbury Provincial Senior Grand Warden, W Bro Colin James Provincial Junior Grand Warden together with many officers of Provincial Grand Lodge.

W Bro P Galt read the Warrant of Deputation of the Lodge. It is one of only four of its kind known to exist and is the oldest of those four. It is the only document known to bear the signature of the then Grand Secretary, W Bro Will Reid.

The Lodge was pleased to receive a brief history written and delivered by W Bro John Cornish PAGDC and an Oration given by W Bro Rev G Usher Provincial Grand Chaplain, both of which were received with much applause.

Following the meeting the Brethren enjoyed a sumptuous banquet after which the Junior Grand Warden and the Provincial Grand Master both spoke of their pleasure at being able to support the Lodge on this very special occasion.

Grand Junior Warden of the United Grand Lodge of England,

Rt W Bro Captain Norman Lloyd-Edwards; Master of the St John the Baptist Lodge No. 39. David Richards; Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire, Rt W Bro MT Penny.

Royal Marines Plymouth Lodge No 9528

The Royal Marines Plymouth Lodge No 9528 have adopted and supported their local Royal Marines Volunteer Cadet Corps unit based in Stonehouse Barracks, Plymouth for many years. Recently the Lodge has been successful in petitioning for a donation of £750 from the WAKE Fund for the cadets through the successful application of Almoner Bro Sandy MacLeod BEM MSM a former Royal Marine Colour Sergeant and our Charity Steward WBro Cliff Hartley. The Lodge has added to this £250 to round the sum up to £1000.00 with money raised in the Lodge. The cheques were presented to the Royal Marines Volunteer Cadet Corps at the top of the Dewerstone Rock on the edge of Dartmoor close to Bickleigh Barracks home of 42 Commando RM. The reason for this unusual presentation venue is that for many years Royal Marines would have to run to the top of the Dewerstone in order to collect their pay. History (almost) repeating itself !

Leading from the Front

On the evening of the 25th Anniversary of the re-capture of the Falkland Islands, Wbro. John Ginty was installed into the Master’s Chair of the Per Mare Per Terram Lodge No. 9355. For John, this was the fifth time he was Installed into the Masters Chair. Initiated in to Middlesex Century Lodge No. 5837 in 1989, he rose to the Masters Chair in 1997 and then went onto serve as Master of the Service in Unity Lodge No. 7843 (London) , Wexham Park Lodge No. 8171 (Bucks), St. Andrews Lodge No. 4097 (Devonshire) and now Per Mare Per Terram No. 9355 (Devonshire), which maybe a record for a record for a Devonshire Mason. The Per Mare Per Terram Lodge was founded primarily for former Royal Marines, and members of the Armed Services that have served along side the Corps. The Armed Services have always produced a high numbers of Masonic Candidates, especially the Royal Marines, of which John formally served as a Drum Major until 1981.
Pictured below is John during his career in the Royal Marines and also on the night of his fifth Installation.

Devonshire Masonic Widows Association

The photo above was taken at Provincial Grand Lodge on 21st.April 2007. The PGM meets with representatives from the nine branches of the Devonshire Masonic Widows Associations. Later, Provincial Grand Lodge was "Call Off" and they were welcomed into the meeting at Exeter University to hear a brief talk about The Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys given by V.W.Bro. Andrew Stebbings, President. Prior to the meeting the Ladies attended the Provincial Luncheon and were warmly received by our PGM and the Brethren.

C.C.T.