The Address given by the Group Chairman at the October Group representatives meeting:

 

I have previously introduced to you the newly appointed members to the Group Executive, but I must place on record my thanks for their services to the Preston Group of  W.Bro.Gordon Payne and W.Bro.Ian Cuerden. Gordon served as Group Treasurer for one year, Group Secretary for four years and Joint Vice Chairman for a further four years. Ian served as Group Treasurer for eight years. I must also thank W.Bro Peter Hadfield, who served as Joint Vice Chairman for two years. Most of you will know that Peter has transferred to Leyland Group to a similar position.

I must now thank all the Group Representatives for your assistance in providing the requested information in connection with the 2007 cycle of Provincial Honours. The nominations have been completed and forwarded to Province. Can I continue to remind you that the request for information should be restricted to and confirmed by the Grand and Provincial Officers in the Lodge or Chapter, and certainly not disclosed to the potential recipient. There have been instances in other parts of the Province where the Brother who was to be appointed to Provincial Rank knew of the Rank he was receiving before he had received his appointment letter. I am confident that this would not occur in the Preston Group and I am also sure that our system of receiving input from Group Representatives is much the preferred method of dealing with the Honours system.

I would however express my disappointment at the number of recipients of Honours in this Group, who did not attend the particular Provincial Meeting to receive their Honour, several of who had previously advised me of their intention to be present. I am aware that last minute changes to commitments can occur, but it is only courteous for the Brother or Companion to advise me in addition to the Province if they are unable to attend the Meeting. Can I ask for your cooperation in this respect?

At the Investiture meetings in April, the Group did not receive any appointments or promotions in United Grand Lodge or Supreme Grand Chapter, other than the promotion of E.Comp.Stanley Oldfield to P.A.G.Soj. in Supreme Grand Chapter.

At our last meeting in January I mentioned that the subject of mentoring would be reviewed at the Group Chairman’s meeting in October. For this review I outlined the system that we operate in this Group where a Liaison Officer attends a Lodge on the occasion of a Brother’s Raising to present “The Introduction to Freemasonry” booklet to the candidate and to continue to monitor his progress. I believe this system is having a significant effect in retaining new members. I would also wish to record my thanks for the welcome that the Liaison Officers are receiving from the Lodges. Once again it should be stressed that the candidates proposer and seconder must be responsible for mentoring their candidate.

I must state of the concern about the relatively low number of Initiates that we are attracting in this Group. I am not sure if the number of Amalgamations we have had in the Group have had an effect on this, in as much as certain Lodges now feel that they do not have to seek out new members as they appear to be comfortable now that they have an increase in their membership. One of the significant benefits of Amalgamation is to create a much more healthy Lodge meeting into which a new member would find attractive. It is important, particularly for the Amalgamated Lodges, take advantage of  this and seek out new members. On a positive note we have had a number of applicants for membership referred to the Group from Province. These have been from men who have pursued their interest in Freemasonry via the Provincial or the Group websites. We have recently received five such applications, two have already been initiated and the other three are being processed. I have found that most of these applicants have carried out some research into the aspects of Freemasonry and have subsequently decided to apply to join. This is an example of the policy of openness and an improvement in public relations and our public perception that has been adopted by the Craft having a beneficial effect. It also shows that there are men available who would be prepared to become Freemasons and I would urge all the Lodges to make a special effort to recruit new members.

At the September meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge, the Provincial Grand Master announced that there was to be a follow up of the New Zealand Programme in the Province entitled “The Discoverer Project” which will be entirely private for individual Lodges. This is something that will give each Lodge and each member an opportunity of considering what he requires from his membership and how they believe their Lodge should progress in the future. Information of this Project is expected to be forthcoming shortly.

With respect to the Holy Royal Arch, I can inform you that the Deputy Grand Superintendent, E.Comp.Steven Reid, is keen to introduce a number of initiatives to encourage an upsurge in the Holy Royal Arch. These are currently in the early stages of development, but I can advise that our Group Vice-Chairman, Stan Rigby has agreed to become involved in these in conjunction with E.Comp.Oldfield.

I would again request that Chapters in the Group consider appointing a Chapter Almoner. This would have the advantage that two eyes are better than one when looking out for Companions who require assistance.

You have already received a report from the Group Charity Steward regarding the 2010 Festival. Can I ask you also to ensure that your Lodges and in particular individual members give full support to this Festival. It is important that we give emphasis to the personal contribution of every Brother to this Festival.

Once again I would request that your members continue to give full support to Preston Masonic Hall, and in particular to the PMH 500 Club, that has raised significant funds to provide many improvements to the facilities at the Hall, for the benefit of all who use the Hall. I have previously advised that the Province held a seminar entitled “Masonic Halls for the Future”. I can advise that following that seminar a working party was established under the chairmanship of one of the Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, W.Bro.John Moore to look at the future of Masonic Halls. Whilst it is early days to assess the progress being made, we shall no doubt hear more in due course. Another initiative that resulted from the seminar was the establishment of a Buying Group, whereby a number of Masonic Halls have joined together to consolidate the purchasing of certain products and services and to subsequently benefit from substantial discounts that are available from a number of suppliers. Preston Masonic Hall joined this Buying Group and are currently purchasing their bar requirements from a nominated supplier.  

With reference to activities in the Group, I would request that you inform your respective members of these.

The Group Carol Service is again being held at Christ Church Fulwood on Sunday 10th December at 2.15pm. Following last years successful format there will again be more participation by the congregation in the singing of the Carols. Once again an ensemble from Old Hall Brass will be providing additional music.

The Provincial Grand Master has decided that attendance by himself or other Provincial Representatives at Group Dinners, would in future be on a biannual basis. With respect to the Group’s Annual Dinner, which will take place on 23rd February 2007, we have invited an eminent speaker from United Grand Lodge to attend. He is W.Bro.Chris Connop, who is the Media Manager of United Grand Lodge. He will speak about the relationships that Grand Lodge has with the media and no doubt will give examples of  the many instances where Grand Lodge have challenged inaccurate media reports. It promises to be an interesting occasion and I would look forward to the full support from Lodges and Chapters. The Group Secretary will shortly circulate full details of the evening, but I am keen that  in addition to the Masters, Wardens, Three Principals and Group Representatives who normally attend, that a number of the newer members in the Group can also be encouraged to attend.

Ian Greenwood
Chairman