ATP Summer 2016

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Summer Edition 2016 page 1 Celebrating 300 Years Cathedral Service confirmed Provincial Grand Lodge Summons Charity - it’s in our DNA Across the Plain

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Province of Wiltshire Magazine

Transcript of ATP Summer 2016

Page 1: ATP Summer 2016

Summer Edition 2016 page 1

Celebrating 300 Years

Cathedral Service confirmed

Provincial Grand Lodge Summons

Charity - it’s in our DNA

Across the Plain

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I am often reminded of that wonderful phrase in the Charge to the Initiatewhen we remind him of that virtue which can justly be denominated thedistinguishing characteristic of a Freemason’s heart - I mean Charity. As I journeyaround the Province I am made aware of many selfless acts of kindness and see formyself the open hearted generosity of our Lodges. Whether it is in the form of a giftto the Lodge widows or a collection made on behalf of a local charity or good cause,the kindness of the Brethren and their families makes me very proud to be the headof such a wonderful Province. With this in mind I am delighted to give my totalsupport to the theme charity - it’s in a freemason’s DNA a message you will seerepeated in our new display stand and message boards.

We need little reminding that the world economy is far from stable, or that eventsin a far off country can have a seismic effect for both good and bad on our nationaland individual prosperity. For some the ability to withstand anything but the most

fleeting of fluctuations in their personal circumstances is all too apparent. It is true that for many there is a singlewage packet between survival and penury, something we recognise when we remind the new Freemason that thereare some who, from circumstances of unforeseen calamity and misfortune, are reduced to the lowest ebb of povertyand distress. However, I take great comfort in the knowledge that Lodge Almoners are fully aware of those in needof help and support. Please let me take this opportunity to remind you that John King the Provincial Grand Almoneris always available to assist Lodge Almoners in any way he can.

The new Masonic Charitable Foundation has made its first grants, this new organisation has been formed through anamalgamation of the four principal Masonic charities and it will rely on the generosity of Freemasons for its fundingjust as the Masonic Samaritan Fund depends on the support provided by the Wiltshire 2017 Festival, incidentally,Peter Winton has some really good news on the Festival which you can read on page 12.

In February I was thrilled to host a reception at Calne Masonic Hall for some of the many charities the Provincesupports. All the recipients do sterling work in the local community and provide essential services to the young, themore mature, those in sickness and despair and the vulnerable in society. It was a pleasure to meet so many peopleand hear first hand how our help and support makes a difference. I would also like to thank the Brethren and familymembers who attended the event, it is something I would like to develop as it provides a superb opportunity for usto showcase who we are and what we do.

Talking of which, can I say how pleased I am to hear about the wonderful contributions being made by Lodges to the300 hours for 300 years initiative. I was particularly delighted to read how members of Downton Lodge No.9064helped their local school by arranging to paint a classroom, ensuring the pupils returned to a bright new environmentafter the half term holiday. Members and families of Vale of Avon Lodge No.8432 undertook an exciting projectbuilding a goat enclosure at the Leonard Cheshire Home at Kington Langley and Brethren from Gooch Lodge No.1295gave up their Saturday leisure time to refurbish the dining tables at Swindon’s Olive Tree Cafe a charity providing helpand support to people recovering from mental illness by providing them with positive, work-related opportunities.These are just a few of the fantastic examples of Freemasons working in and for the community.

Stephen Bridge APrGM is keen to hear from Lodges who are planning an event which will demonstrate the practicalside of Freemasonry in the community which might include helping with local Scouting or Guiding groups. TheTercentenary is a wonderful opportunity to raise the public profile of Freemasonry and I am confident that Wiltshirewill benefit from the positive exposure which will be generated by the numerous events and activities planned for theyear. You can read about the Tercentenary Banner Run being undertaken by Brethren from Wiltshire and seven other‘neighbouring’ Provinces, and if you want to be part of the team why not speak to Stephen who will be delighted toadd your details to his ever growing database. Plans are already well advanced with regard to a reception and lunchto celebrate the Tercentenary and the end of the Masonic Samaritan Fund 2017 Festival.

The Provincial Grand Master

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Sally Bullock invites youto make a Christmas Swag

Sally will show you how to use all your artistic andcreative talent to make a Christmas swag, a festivecane tree, a Christmas wreath and a table decoration.

The cost of £25 (all day) or £15 (evening) includes allthe materials you will need to make your festivedecorations - base, ties, cones, ribbon, wires, caneand some baubles and decorative pieces. If you havea particular item you wish to incorporate in yourdecoration, please do bring it to the Session.

For more information call Sally Bullock on01380 813625

Sunday 4th December 10.00 am - 3.00pmFreemasons’ Hall, Crane Street, Salisbury

Thursday 8th December 6.00pm - 8.00pmThe Masonic Hall, Stanier Road, Calne

Sunday 11th December 10.00am - 3.00pmThe Masonic Centre, The Planks, Swindon

Wednesday 14th December 6.00pm - 8.00pmThe Masonic Hall, Market Place, Warminster

Please bring an apron and a pair of secateurs

Tea and coffee will be provided but please do bringyour own packed lunch

Supporting the Masonic Samaritan Fund 2017Festival

Regrettably we had to cancel the Provincial Summer Ball whichwas to be held in Trowbridge. The evening was intended toprovide an opportunity for us all to let our hair down and enjoysome terrific swing music provided courtesy of the Salisbury BigBand. Sadly the confirmed interest was not sufficient for us toproceed with the event.

One event I am particularly delighted to confirm will take placeis a Tercentenary Cathedral Service in the Cathedral Church ofSt Mary, Salisbury on Sunday 3rd September 2017. I lookforward to welcoming many members of the Province and theirfamilies to this wonderful occasion. Please do ensure the dateof this wonderful event, which will be a highlight of ourTercentenary celebrations is reserved in your 2017 diary.

On Thursday 6th October 2016 Provincial Grand Lodge willmeet in Salisbury. It would be nice to fill City Hall to its capacityand I would therefore ask every Brother to make a concertedeffort to bring a friend or two to Salisbury. A record number ofBrethren will be receiving Provincial Honours and I am sure youwill join me in wishing them well on this very special occasion.

We have made some changes to the venue which we hope willmake the day’s experience more pleasant, including theprovision of a new robing room on the first floor which will allowBrethren to enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere in the vestibulearea.

Please can I remind you to keep free Sunday 23rd October 2016as this is the day of the Provincial Church Service which onceagain will be held at St Mary the Virgin Church, Calne when theRev Canon Richard Hancock Chaplain of Pleydell Lodge No.4687will preach the sermon. As is traditional a carvery lunch will beserved at Calne Masonic Hall immediately prior to the service.

I am often asked by some Master Masons, “Can I attend GrandLodge?” To which the answer is ‘yes you can’ and I am pleasedto advise plans are in hand to organise a visit to QuarterlyCommunication on Wednesday 14 December 2016.

I have been particularly moved by the work of Bro Kevin Loganwho has been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. Not only has hedemonstrated a strength of character which I can but admire,more importantly he has developed a plan to enable PSA testingto be conducted at our Masonic Halls. I am grateful for thesupport you have given to him.

Finally Brethren - be of one mind and live in peace with oneanother, above all have a wonderful summer break.

In this edition of Across The Plain is the Summonsfor Provincial Grand Lodge. I hope to see as manyBrethren as possible in attendance. I offer myhearty congratulations to every Brother who hasreceived a Provincial appointment and lookforward to investing you on Thursday 6 October2016 at City Hall, Salisbury.

I have been pleased to appoint Bro Larry Baldry andBro Mervyn Johns as Provincial Senior and JuniorGrand Warden respectively. Larry and Mervyn willalso be Invested at Provincial Grand Lodge inSalisbury on Thursday 6 October 2016.

I know you will join me in wishing them well in theirterm of office, and I am equally certain you will givethem a warm welcome when they visit your Lodge.

Join us at Salisbury Cathedral

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Larry Baldry  Provincial Senior Grand Warden

While attending the regular meeting of Lodge of Good Fellowship No.8388 Philip Bullock PrGM took the opportunityto announce the appointment of Bro. Larry Baldry as the next Provincial Senior Grand Warden.

Larry is married to Siobhan who he met while both were serving officers in the Metropolitan Police Service and uponretiring to rural Wiltshire have lived in Manningford Abbots near Pewsey for 20 years. His hobbies include fly fishingand clay shooting.

Initiated into Arnold Lodge No.1981 (Surrey) in 1994 he became a joining member of Lodge of Good Fellowship No.8388, which meets in Marlborough. He was Installed in the Chair in 2004. As a Royal Arch Mason - Larry was Exaltedinto Methuen Chapter in 1997 and served as MEZ in 2006.

Larry has served the Ancient and Accepted Rite (Rose Croix) as District Recorder since 2007. He is looking forward tohis year in office and the opportunity to visit extensively in the Province.

Lance Andrews AFM

Meet the Provincial Wardens for 2016/17

Mervyn Johns Provincial Junior Grand Warden

Highworth Lodge No.9009 located at the most Northern part of the Province and meeting in a local community centrewas the next port of call for Philip Bullock PrGM where he invited the Director of Ceremonies to 'summon the Tyler'.Merv Johns having been presented, the PrGM announced his appointment as the next Provincial Junior Grand Warden.

Born in Cornwall and educated at Penzance Grammar School, Merv joined the Royal Air Force and after trade trainingwas posted to Wiltshire.  He enjoyed a 22 year career of serving around the world which included a 3 year posting toHong Kong.  Upon retirement he settled in Swindon founding Chromatic Arts in 1987. Merv has been married to Celiafor 35 years and they have identical twin boys now aged 32.

Initiated into the Highworth Lodge No.9009 in 1996 he was Master in 2002 and again in 2010. A keen Royal ArchMason, Merv Joined Vale of White Horse Chapter at Faringdon in 2003 and became MEZ in 2009.

A keen golfer, albeit playing off a ‘dodgy’ handicap, Merv is Secretary of the Wiltshire Masonic Golf Society andconstantly on the lookout for recruits to join them in matches against other Provinces.

Make a note in your diary - Thursday 6th October 2016 - Provincial Grand Lodge

Larry Baldry Mervyn Johns

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When Emma Naylor and her family including two year old daughterCharlotte travelled from Scotland to Swindon for a family wedding thefurthest thought from her mind was that her little girl would end up at thelocal hospital. A trip to Lydiard House and Park was one of the highlightsof the journey South but disaster befell the family when Charlotte took anasty fall and had to be taken by ambulance to the Great WesternHospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit.

Medical staff were concerned with hersymptoms which included bleeding fromthe ear and nausea. Worried motherEmma said “Charlotte was rushedstraight to resuscitation where she was

inconsolable, a lovely receptionist brought her a TLC teddy, this calmed her downstraight away allowing the medical team to treat her. As a mum who was shakingand scared about losing her baby girl I can't thank you enough. I asked aboutleaving a donation but the hospital staff said no. If there is anything myself andCharlotte can ever do to help please just say. We honestly can't thank yourorganisation enough”.

Charlotte is doing well and is none the worse following her accident but she now hasa constant companion who never leaves her side ‘Cuddles’ the Masonic bear and Iam sure we are all delighted to see her looking so well.

Teddies for Loving Care is a very special charity offering comfort to some of the most vulnerable children upset andalarmed at being in hospital. Wiltshire Freemasons are delighted to support the clinical teams in the Accident andEmergency Departments of our General Hospitals located in Swindon and Salisbury by providing a soft toy which actsboth as a distraction and a comfort.

To ensure the Teddies for Loving Care initiative continues its great work we need to raise £5,000 every year whichwe can only do through the generosity of every Lodge in the Province.

A recent letter from the Children’s Sister/Nurse at Salisbury District Hospital outlined how much a Teddy Bearmeans to a sick child.

“It is difficult to find ways to express our gratitude - our task is made somuch easier when we deal with sick and injured children when we areable to offer them comfort, excitement and something lovely that istheirs to keep - which happens when we give them one of the colourfulTeddies for Loving Care bears!

It becomes an important  part of their recovery and turns a horridfrightening experience into something that isn't quite so bad after all.So, rather than the memory of frightening 'things' being done to them -they go away - be that home/to a ward/to the operating theatre - clutching their very OWN bear”.

Teddies for Loving Care

A very happy Charlotte withCuddles

A poorly Charlotte but Cuddlesis very close

If every Lodge in the Province raises just £150 each year for Teddies for Loving Care we can continue to supportthe two main Accident and Emergency departments in Salisbury and Swindon

W Bro John King - Provincial Grand Almoner.

In summer 2016 we will have given 50,000 Teddy Bears since the project started in 2006

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charity - it’s in a freemason’s DNA

300 Hours for 300 Years W. Bro Stephen Bridge PJGD, APrGM

Derek Robins, Almoner of Lodge ofFriendship and Unity No.1271 presented anew Projector Screen to the Mainly Musicgroup in Bradford-on-Avon.

Around 30 under fives turn up every weekwith their parents and enjoy two hourssinging and dancing. It's very popular andrun completely by volunteers.

The children and their parents were verypleased with the new screen presented bythe Lodge which meets in Bradford-on-Avon. Three of the ladies in the picture areFreemasons’ wives. They are Janet Brown,Sue Lavis and Marlene Haffenden.

The Lodge is making a good start in building up their Community hours in support of the Assistant Provincial GrandMaster's 300 hours for 300 years initiative. They also open up their doors every Thursday in support of the local CreditUnion. Well done Lodge of Friendship and Unity No.1271

Stephen Bridge JGD

Wearing their best decorating clothesand equipped with obligatory brushesand rollers the painters from DowntonLodge No.9064 approached the taskof decorating a school classroom withthe unbridled joy and enthusiasm ofbudding Michelangelos. Fortified onlyby regular cups of strong tea andcopious numbers of doughnuts kindlysupplied by the Master, Robin Neave,they completed the job over aweekend.

The school is one of the principalcommunity focal points in Downtonand Alison Small the head teacher was extremely grateful for the Lodge’s offer of assistance, the donation of all thepaint used and the finished product. I think it safe to assume the pupils were pleased to return to their newlydecorated and sparkling classroom and a fresh start to a new school term.

We particularly liked the report on the contribution of the chief overseer Richard Hallin who 'cracked the whip' - yetsomehow managed to avoid any real work whatsoever, clearly a Freemason destined for a grand rank.

Stephen Bridge - Assistant Provincial Grand Master said "I really am very proud of the efforts of all Lodges not justto achieve 300 hours but more importantly to show how Freemasons can make a significant contribution in their localcommunities, something which both Downton and Friendship and Unity have proved - well done to them”.

Helping others is what we do and defines who and what we are

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The Masonic Charitable Foundation will take over thework of the four central Masonic Charities, providing awide range of grants to Freemasons and their familieswho have a financial, health and care or family need.

The Foundation will also award grants to othercharities, medical research studies and disaster reliefappeals.

Funded entirely through the generous donations of theMasonic community, the Foundation will have anannual charitable expenditure which places it amongstthe largest charities in the country.

The Masonic Charitable Foundation will be financiallystrong, well-resourced and able to respond moreeffectively to the changing needs of Masonic familiesand other charitable organisations.

What type of support will the Masonic CharitableFoundation provide?

The Masonic Charitable Foundation will provide the fullrange of grants currently awarded by the existing fourcentral Masonic Charities.

Those seeking support from the Foundation will notnotice any difference in the types of support availablebut will find the process of applying simpler and easierto understand.

The introduction of a simplified application process willenable support to be more readily accessible and re-sponsive to the multiple needs of Freemasons and theirfamilies.

Beyond Freemasonry

The Masonic Charitable Foundation will look beyondFreemasonry, making significant grants to othercharities, improving countless lives across the countryand overseas. If you want to learn more about the newMasonic Charitable Foundation and what it can do foryou contact your Lodge Charity Steward or visitwww.mcf.org.uk

One of the most satisfying acts of human nature is beingable to help someone in time of need. A recent studydiscovered that Britain’s community spirit is thriving withover three-quarters of those questioned reporting aneighbour had helped them in some way. Two thirdsbelieved neighbourly spirit is alive and well and one in tensaid their neighbourhood had become a kinder place overthe past decade.

Reading this study gave me a warm glow and reinforcedmy opinion that deep down people are generally verynice, but there are exceptions and sometimes unthinkingneighbours can be a challenge especially if they are noisy,block a driveway or park in the wrong space.

As Freemasons we are taught the importance of beingcharitable or to put it another way - to be kind. In theFirst Degree Long Closing we are reminded that ‘everyhuman creature has a just claim on your kind offices’ andby extending kindness to all we prove to the world ‘thehappy and beneficial effects of our Ancient andHonourable Institution’.

In March of this year I joined the Provincial Grand Masterin welcoming fifteen charities toCalne for a very special eveningwhen we presented representativeswith a cheque. For the first timeever we invited the charities to putup a display and tell us what theydid. The evening was a greatsuccess with well over seventyFreemasons and their partnersattending the event.

The theme for the evening was simple and yet veryeffective. Using the Masonic Charitable Foundation logosurrounded by the DNA double helix the message was‘charity - it’s in a freemason’s DNA. This was reinforcedby a series of story boards and thenew display unit all featuring thewords and image.

Helping others is so important butwe should never forget that withinthe Masonic family there is also agreat need and I am delighted toreport on this page the work of theMasonic Charitable Foundation.

Charity - it’s in a freemason’s DNA W.Bro Ian Priest PAGDC, PrGChStwd

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I wonder if like me you can hardly believe how quickly the past yearhas flown by; it really is difficult to absorb the fact that in the Summer2015 edition of Across The Plain I was able to pen the words‘Companions, it is my great pleasure to write to you for the first timeas your Grand Superintendent’ - today I am a delighted veterancontributor with two editions of the magazine already under my belt.

Re-visiting my words of twelve months ago I noted how fortunate wewere as a Province to have enjoyed a net gain in membership duringthe year. I am delighted to be able to write the same words today.To achieve new members is quite incredible particularly at a timewhen many factors play a part in what men choose to do with theirleisure time. I have little doubt the growth in our numbers is due inno small part to the Talking Heads initiative and I wish to express mygratitude to the team who have taken this amazing project to Lodgesacross the Province. The results speak for themselves.

I have enjoyed the company of good men and witnessed acts ofkindness which confirm to me that the principles of Freemasonry arealive and well in Wiltshire. With this in mind I join with the ProvincialGrand Master in commending to you the theme of the newlydesigned Provincial Display charity - it’s in a freemason’s DNA.

The Tercentenary of the coming together of the two Grand Lodgesaffords us an incredible opportunity to raise the profile ofFreemasonry throughout the Province, and I am pleased to see the incredible efforts being undertaken to make surethe public is aware of who we are and what we do.

At our recent Annual Convocation I had the immense pleasure to appoint to and promote in Provincial Grand Rank, anumber of Companions. Each one was deserving of the office they now hold having rightly earned the accolade forthe contribution and commitment to their Chapters. However, it does not stop there, it carries an expectation thatCompanions will continue to support the Province in promoting Royal Arch Masonry in their Craft Lodges whilstencouraging Master Masons to consider completing their journey in Pure Ancient Freemasonry. To the activeProvincial Officers there is an added responsibility to support the Provincial Executive when and where you can. ThisProvince has for many years been exceptionally well represented at Chapter Installations, inter Provincial visits andmany other special occasions, your attendance is very much appreciated and well received by all the Companions.

Having visited all the Chapters in the Province during the past I am delighted to say your Chapters are in good heartand I congratulate you on the standard of ceremony and ritual being delivered to our Exaltees, in particular themanner in which the work is being shared, allowing as much participation from your attendees as possible. Theenjoyment shown in your ceremonies is infectious and I believe now is the time to contact those members who wehave not seen for some time and encourage them to attend and enjoy the ceremonies and Companionship of ourOrder. Let us all make an extra effort to contact Companions who are absent from our meetings and encourage themto return to share in the Royal Arch experience we all enjoy. Companions the Provincial Executive in conjunction withthe Working Group is working hard to help improve our knowledge to make our meetings more meaningful.

Are you interested in joining a local Chapter ?www.pglwilts.org.uk/royal-arch/royal-arch-news/

The Grand SuperintendentPhotograph by W

Bro Adrian Wooster

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Talk to your Lodge Royal Arch Representativewww.pglwilts.org.uk/royal-arch/royal-arch-news/

Provincial Convocation Address

I have been privileged to visit a number of Craft Lodges atwhich the ‘Talking Heads’ team has made a presentationon the Holy Royal Arch. The presentation standard hasbeen very high indeed and this is reflected in the level ofinterest generated amongst the Freemasons present.

On each of the three outings we have attracted newCandidates and it is worth noting we averaged twoExaltees per Chapter last year, an increase from previousyears. Since the beginning of this year Convocationswithout an Exaltee have been the exception, this tells methe Holy Royal Arch in Wiltshire is becoming an attractiveOrder in which to belong.

Companions you will all be aware of the Provincialwebsite. The Royal Arch communication team workedclosely with the Craft team in planning and developing theRoyal Arch page, in particular being represented on thefront page. I am delighted that we have a significantpresence on the website and that each Chapter has adedicated micro site. Some of our Chapters have takenthe opportunity to place a Google calendar showing thedates of meetings and other Chapter activities - please doview the site and consider following their example.

In order for the NEWS page to be relevant it requires asteady source of input from Chapters. I am sure we allhave a tale to tell, a few words with a photograph will keepthe website fresh and interesting, this is our shop windowproviding a showcase to the Order of which we are soproud. Please do send news items with a picture [email protected]

Please do follow the Chapter Twitter site which providesinstant news of events as they happen.

My very best wishes to you all

First we introduced the Janitor’s card followed by theSojourners’ readings, both I am pleased to say have beenreceived extremely well in those Chapters that have hadthe opportunity to deliver them. For those Chapters thathave yet to introduce the readings I strongly recommendyou consider their introduction. In addition we have justcompleted a commentary on the Royal Arch Ceremonywhich will be available to your Chapters and again isintended to increase the knowledge and understandingof our ceremonies.

Companions at my installation, I encouraged you all tovisit one another’s Chapters in an attempt to increaseour support to each other. So to further encourage this Ishall be introducing a travelling silver ‘Quaich’ to betransferred from Chapter to Chapter and could be usedat the after proceedings. A Quaich, is a drinking vesselused to offer a welcome drink at a gathering betweenfriends and strangers which incorporates trust betweenthe giver and receiver, I am sure you will agree it is afitting representation of the Companionship of ourorder. There will be more details to follow.

Moving on to charitable giving, I am well aware that asindividuals our major charitable giving is via our CraftLodges but I did ask for your support through yourChapters, where you could, to support the 2017 Festival,the beneficiary being the Masonic Samaritan Fund. Asalways Companions your support has been mostgenerous and I thank all those Chapters that havedonated thus far and those that have propositions ofdonations pending on their agendas.

Last year under the theme ‘Children at Christmas’ wedistributed two hundred Christmas Selection Boxesbetween three charities. Warminster Food Bank, theWomen’s Refuge, and Children’s Hospice - Julia’s House.

Companions, the response from these charities was sopositively overwhelming it is the Provincial Executive’sintention of building on this success by repeating theinitiative by once again supporting two or three differentChildren’s Charities. We would be delighted to receiveany suggestions you would like us to consider. John

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I know it’s a tired and worn out cliché but isn’t it true - time flies.It may surprise you to know that editing the Provincial Magazineis like painting the Forth Bridge, you finish one edition and beforethe ink is dry, you start another. The difference of course is thatyou can’t use the same colour scheme on Across The Plainwhereas you can if you are painting the Forth Bridge.

I am often asked where we get the material for the content andhow do we decide what to use. That’s two good questions. Toanswer the first is easy; we rely on Brethren from across theProvince to submit articles, comments, questions and pictures,and from them we select those we think will most interest thereaders. From the comments we receive it would appear we getit right more often than we get it wrong.

However, the second question does require a little more of ananswer as it is the case that some articles have to be trimmedbefore we publish them and that can cause a difference ofopinion. In simple terms a page of text with a point size of 11 inthe magazine consists of approximately 800 words and fewer ifthere is a picture in the mix. Clearly if an article word countexceeds the available space there are two decisions to be made,do we trim the article or do we give it more space, if it’s the latterthe next consideration is what do we leave out and with only 24pages that’s a tough choice. I am sure you are all saying, well wecan do without the editor’s page and you could be right!

Thankfully, we are always able to reach a compromise and to-date hopefully we have not alienated anyone and if we have, Ido profusely apologise.

Across The Plain intends to communicate, educate, inform andentertain which I am sure you will agree is no mean ambition fora Provincial magazine which only appears biannually.

Talking of time - I wonder how many of you can recall the lasttime the Province held a service at Salisbury Cathedral, well thegood news is that there will be a Tercentenary Cathedral Serviceon Sunday 3 September 2017. Further details will be madeavailable during the coming months, but please do put the datein your diary as it promises to be a real Masonic highlight and anoccasion you really don’t want to miss.

The Christmas Quarterly Communication meeting of GrandLodge is a very special occasion and Philip Bullock, ProvincialGrand Master invites you to join him at Freemasons’ Hall onWednesday 14 September 2016. If you would like to attend theChristmas Quarterly Communication meeting please contactGary Dolphin [email protected]

Tercentenary Cathedral Service - Sunday 3rd September 2017

Advertisement requests are welcome.

Editor: Philip Mackie. [email protected]

Reviewers: Kevin Logan, Barry Cooper. Francis Wakem

Images: Adrian Wooster, Gary Dolphin, Phil Elliott.

Media Contact: Tony Batchelor.

Reporters: Ian Dunbar, Paul Brown, Mike Wilson,

Royal Arch Communication Officer: Alan Colman.

Follow us on Twitter @wiltspgl

Our cover picture shows a wonderful view of the interior

of the Cathedral Church of St Mary, Salisbury. The high

altar is adorned with one of the Cathedral’s modern

vestments aptly called ‘Energy’ and was designed to

complement the brilliant colours in the Prisoners of

Conscience Window. Salisbury Cathedral is the spiritual

home for many Wiltshire Freemasons . We are grateful

to Bro Philip Elliott, Master of Methuen Lodge No.8692

who took this beautiful photograph.

Editor’s Corner

Important information.

While every care is taken in the compilation of Across The Plain ,errors or omissions are not the responsibility of the Provincial GrandLodge of Wiltshire or the editor. Opinions and views expressed arenot necessarily those of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Wiltshire orthe editor. Products or businesses advertised in Across The Plain donot carry any endorsement or recommendation by the ProvincialGrand Lodge of Wiltshire or the editor. All rights reserved.

All submissions for inclusion in Across The Plain are subject toeditorial approval and the editor reserves the right to review andamend or reject all copy content.

Digital photographs are welcome but must not be less than 300 dpi.Images with a resolution of less than 300 dpi may be acceptable forinclusion on the Provincial website. Any image supplied and usedbecomes the property of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Wiltshire.

Reproduction of any part of the magazine is strictly prohibitedwithout the prior written permission of the editor. All decisions ofthe editor are final.

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Across the PlainAcross the Plain is the only magazine for Freemasons andtheir families in Wiltshire. It is published twice yearlygenerally being posted to the homes of over 2,200Wiltshire Freemasons and their families in June andNovember.The magazine contains a mixture of informative articles,news and views plus a very popular quiz and commentspage. Contributions are always welcome subject toappropriate content and editorial oversight.Advertising and member support ensures we can mailAcross the Plain free of charge to members; if you wish toadvertise please contact - [email protected]

Space H x W in mm One insert Two insertsBack Cover 303 x 216 £300.00 £540.00

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Across the PlainThe magazine of the Masonic Province of Wiltshire

Rate Card 2016-17

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Order of Royal and Select MastersThe Order of Royal and Select Masters is sometimes referred to as ‘TheCryptic Degrees’ in the sense that the word cryptic alludes to the Cryptor Secret Vault as found in the Royal Arch, rather than in cryptology.

Ceremonies of the Order link the building of King Solomon’s Temple,through its destruction and to the building of the second Temple. It isfor these reasons that membership of the Order requires a candidateto have made the journey beyond the Craft but it is not necessary tohave attained the Chair in either Mark of the Holy Royal Arch.

Candidates being received into the Order will take part in some of themost beautiful and mentally stimulating passages of ritual to be foundin Freemasonry. For more information about the Order of Royal and

Select Masters please refer to the Provincial Year Book pages 382 and 383 or contact the Recorder: Michael Farrow.

The photograph shows Philip Bullock receiving the cheque for £1,000 on behalf of the Masonic Samaritan Fund 2017Wiltshire Festival from Geoff Hobbs when the Lodge was ‘called off’ from its normal business.

Masonic Samaritan Fund 2017 Festival

I am sure that many of you will have seen the latest display stand and themed boards produced by the ProvincialCommunication Team. They emphasise one of the most important virtues of our fraternity - charity it’s in afreemason’s DNA. A virtue exemplified by the generosity of Freemasons from many other Masonic Orders.

In March the Provincial Grand Master was the guest of David Nelson, District Grand Master of the Order of Royal andSelect Masters at the regular meeting of St Edmund Council No.155 held in the Masonic Hall, Devizes. Fortunately forPhilip and myself we were not required to play any part in the evening’s ceremony, which was just as well as we reallywould not have known what to do. The purpose of our visit was to receive a cheque for £1,000 towards our 2017Masonic Samaritan Fund 2017 Festival target. It was a very generous gift and it was very gratefully received.

During the presentation we found ourselves surrounded by a sea of familiar faces as each of the Companions is also asubscribing Craft, Holy Royal Arch and Mark Master Mason. As I heard Companion David Nelson speak I was remindedof a comment made by our Provincial Orator who recently spoke of how we are ‘Identified by similarity and definedby difference’. Certainly it is true that we are identified by charity that distinguishing characteristic of a Freemason’sheart and I am constantly moved by the overwhelming generosity of Brethren from every order within the widerfamily of Freemasonry and recognise a fact which can sometimes be overlooked, which is that frequently the poundgiven today is from the same pocket as that given yesterday and will doubtless be from the same pocket tomorrow.

I thanked the Grand Superintendent when he announced the alms from the Annual Convocation of Provincial GrandChapter would be donated to the Festival, simply saying thank you often seems woefully inadequate but it is said witha genuine feeling of gratitude and pride in the selfless generosity of Freemasons throughout the Province.

Having passed the mid-point in our Festival and entering the final ‘furlong’ it is only right that we take a little time toreflect on where we are in terms of achievement. The Province has already received over £650,000 for the MasonicSamaritan Fund, which by any measure is quite an astounding amount from a relatively small Province and I thankeach and every member for achieving so much in so short a time. I am confident that we will meet our target of£750,000 and I look forward to hearing from Lodge Charity Stewards with details of planned activities through 2016.

Peter Winton PGSwdB, DPrGM

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I am delighted to be able to write about three of the really important events which have been planned for theTercentenary celebrations and which involve every member of the Wiltshire Provincial family.

The Tercentenary Banner will be carried through the Provinces ofDevon, Cornwall, Somerset, Jersey, Guernsey & Alderney andHampshire & Isle of Wight before we hand it over to our friends inDorset. We do anticipate considerable media interest in this eventand will be using it as a means to promote Freemasonry throughoutthe South West and particularly in Wiltshire. I am currently indiscussions with various bodies to determine the best location in theProvince at which to formally receive the Tercentenary Banner.

Next year marks not only the Tercentenary of United Grand Lodgebut also the conclusion of the Masonic Samaritan Fund 2017Wiltshire Festival and that provides a great excuse (as if we needone) to hold a party, or in this case a celebration lunch to be held inTrowbridge on 23 September 2017. Please make a diary note as Iam sure tickets to this event will be keenly sought.

After a number of very positive meetings I really am pleased toconfirm that we have been granted permission by the Dean andChapter to hold the Tercentenary Cathedral Service in SalisburyCathedral on Sunday 3 September 2017. This very special eventpromises to be a highlight of the Province’s TercentenaryCelebrations. It will be an honour and a privilege to process into the Cathedral. It is hoped that as many membersof the Wiltshire Masonic Family , together with their friends will join the Provincial Grand Master and Sally on thisvery special occasion to celebrate a milestone in our Province’s wonderful history.

Your support for the Tercentenary events is vital and I thank each of you for the amazing contribution you make.

Celebrating 300 Years W. Bro Stephen Bridge PJGD,

The 300 hours for 300 years challenge has been cheerfully embracedby members of Vale of Avon Lodge No.8432 which meets in Chippenhamand has a special relationship with St Nicholas Special School, and withthe Great House Leonard Cheshire Home where volunteers are alwaysrequired (and welcome) to help in maintaining their extensive grounds.Initial contact was made with the Manager at Great House with atentative "what can we do to help."

It seemed the help required was labour to convert an area of thegrounds into an enclosure for two pygmy goats - the word pygmy andthe number two suggested a fairly 'small' enclosure and so it was theteam volunteered their support.

Little did anyone know how much room two pygmy goats would need torun around in, or just what amount of effort would be required tocomplete the work; but the ‘team’ worked tirelessly to complete theirtask and it was a very proud Stephen Bridge APrGM who formallyopened the Therapy Goat Enclosure at a special reception onWednesday 11 May. As for Daisy and Donald the pygmy goats, they arevery happy in their new home sweet home.

A slightly apprehensive looking Stephen Bridge

holding a somewhat bemused Daisy the pygmy goat

can you guess what Stephen is thinking and win £25

for your favourite charity

Never work with animals or children - we’re not kidding

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He was slain 3,000 years ago… W. Bro Michael Lee PAGDC

As a distinguished builder of the (First) Temple of Jerusalem in 1000 B.C. Hiram Abif features in several of our MasonicOrders. One Degree suggests that He was slain three thousand years after the creation of the world’

Hiram's murder was apparently coincidental with the near completion of the Temple. When our Craft rituals werewritten in 1730 or so, long after the Royal Society had raised searching questions about the age of the Earth, onewonders just why Creation was still assumed to have been in 4000 B.C.?

One explanation may stem from the return of Charles II in 1660 when the Established Church – dispossessed by OliverCromwell – sought to resume its former intellectual authority. The bishops sternly proclaimed that the world aroundus could only be understood fully from between the covers of the Bible, not from any ‘scientific delusions' of the RoyalSociety.

A true Christian seeking the precise age of the Earth could therefore only start from just that one source. Followingthe Seven Days of Creation and the fratricidal feuding of Adam’s offspring, Genesis Chapter 5 lists the subsequentfamily history in remarkable detail. The Gospel according to St Matthew (Chapter 1, verses 1 -17) continues in similarvein. (Apparently an awful lot of begatting went on. The absence of TV clearly had a lot to answer for.) By assessingthe average life span of each descendant a working hypothesis might be established.

Great minds were needed – and where better to find them than, ironically, in the rejected Royal Society? I suspectstill swallowing the indignity hard, its intellectually formidable, but loyally Christian, President, Sir Isaac Newton,calculated the date of Creation as c.4000 BC. Johannes Keppler – of planetary motion fame – refined this to 3992 BCand Scaliger – a respected historian – was even more cautious at 3949 BC. They were all eclipsed in 1656 by the workof Archbishop Ussher of Dublin.

Ussher’s chronology represented a considerable feat of scholarship, founded on an admirable depth of knowledge ofPersian, Greek and Roman history as well as of the Biblical texts. He also drew on an equally impressive understandingof astronomy, ancient calendars and mathematics. The Archbishop eventually calculated that the Supreme Architecthad, so to speak, pressed the button at 9 p.m. (or just after nightfall) on the 23rd October 4004 BC. with the GreatDay of Judgement coming in 2000 AD.

His logic was compelling - to a fellow churchman. In 2 Peter (chapter 3 verse 8) it was stated that ‘one day with theLord is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day’. As God had completed Creation within six of his Days,surely this meant that the Earth could only last just six thousand of Man's years before that Great and Awful Day.

Most scholars had agreed that Christ’s Birth was circa 4 BC. (He died in 29 or 30 AD. and lived for 33 years) ArchbishopUssher therefore concluded that Creation must have occurred not in 4000 but 4004 BC. (The 23rd October and 9 p.m.we will perhaps leave to his own mathematical refinement!)

So Drs Desagulier and Anderson, as Christian Ministers, when writing our Craft rituals around 1730, would have hadpersuasive arguments for believing that if the Temple had been completed – and our Master died – in 1000 B.C. thenit had to be three millennia after the creation of the world.

(Archbishop Ussher has long had loyal supporters not only in Freemasonry. Some American Christian Fundamentalistscontinued to believe even in the C21 that he could not be wrong. At the the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve 2000AD. they dutifully assembled on a Kentucky mountain top to await events. One does so hope, they are no longerwaiting.

Michael Lee is a retired Royal Air Force Officer, married to Hazel they have a son and a daughterand live in the Salisbury area. In 1977 Michael was awarded the OBE and advanced to CBE in 1980.He was awarded the Ecclesiastical Order of St Osmond in recognition of his work for SalisburyCathedral. Michael’s many Masonic honours include being appointed Deputy GrandSuperintendent of the Holy Royal Arch (Wiltshire) an office he held between 1999 and 2008.

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Have your sayIs there something you want to knowabout Freemasonry, a question youhave wanted to ask or a comment youwish to make, why not write to theProvincial Grand Master.Letters and emails are subject toeditorial control. Send your email to

[email protected]

Would you like to play a part inpromoting Freemasonry in theProvince, can you write mediacopy? The Communications Teamwould be pleased to hear fromyou. [email protected]

Anagrams(answers on page 23)

Find the Politician

Hunt chronic willsRandom adviceCry Joy Mr BeenThat greater charmSoar downhillCattle elementTanned HoneyGray dreamsEngage flair

ARKARCHMARKROSECRAFTCROIXMASONROYALKNIGHTSECRETCHAPTERMARINERMONITORTEMPLARATHELSTAN

Questions and Answers W. Bro Barry Cooper St Edmund Lodge No.4714

Masonic Word Search - set by Barry Cooper of St Edmund Lodge

Find

the

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ifte

en w

ords

The Provincial Grand Master replies to your question:

Q. I recently attended a Lodge and at the end of the Risings anumber of Brethren gave ‘greetings’ on behalf of their Lodge. I wasunsure of what to say so I didn’t say any-thing, what is the proper procedure?

A. The first thing to say is that some puristswould hold that unless specificallyauthorised, no one but the Master has theright to convey greetings, but there is nodoubt it is quite a nice experience for aBrother to convey greetings on behalf of the Lodge of which he isa member. Remember the purpose of the exercise is to givegreetings, not to congratulate and not to comment on theceremony, that task being in the capable hands of the brother whowill respond to the ‘Toast to the visitors’ at the festive board.Secondly, there really is no need to say ‘the Master, Wardens andBrethren’ as everyone knows the greeting comes from them,simply restrict your words to ‘WM I bring you warm and fraternalgreetings from the [name and number of Lodge] and sit down. Ithink you will be amazed at how popular you will be for being brief.

Good Luck

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A warm welcome to all our new members

Is for young Freemasons in Wiltshire and provides them with an opportunity to meet

and socialise with Brethren of a similar age. Membership of the Club is open to any

Freemason under 40 years of age and whose Lodge, place of work or home is situated

in the Province. Primarily the Club’s role is to organise and host events of a social or

Masonically educational nature to enable younger Freemasons to meet each other in

an environment which encourages them to become more involved and develop their

wider knowledge of Freemasonry, its traditions, ceremonies and ethos.

To find out more about the activities of The Sarsen Club please contact David Little or Mark Shaw - [email protected]

355 Peter Mills 355 James Owers 586 Brian Leake

586 Brian Stevens 586 John Southern 626 Mark Hulse

626 James McKeaveney 632 Michael Boddy 632 Thomas Bowditch

632 Jeremy Russon 632 Clifford Fiander 663 Philip Gay

663 Gregory Durrant 663 Kevin Molloy 1271 Andre Balkham-Jones

1271 Neil Crook 1295 Austin Clarke 1295 Peter Major

1295 Paul Sharp 1478 Peter Brixey-Worrall 1478 Paul O’Connell

1478 Garry Gass 1478 Phillip Henry 1478 Rui Lopes

1478 Liam Reid 1533 Christopher Coyle 1533 John Partington

1533 Harold Kelly 2227 Leonard Noke 2644 Geoffrey Carr

2644 Arion Espinola 2644 Harold Dickinson 2644 Timothy Hutchinson

2644 Garry Roddy 2644 Samuel Webb 2888 Mark Davidson

2888 James Barnicoat 2888 Darren John Tandy 2888 Simon Giddings

3129 Phillip Hawkins 3129 Robert Savage 3129 William Walters

4037 Stephen Hateley 4037 Jonathon Wade 4451 Samuel Cooper

4451 Stephen Lane 4687 Geoffrey Eccleston 4687 Mark Lester

4687 Andrew Webb 4687 Terry Tewkesbury 4714 Kenneth McEvoy

4714 Jesse Karjalainen 4714 Steve Sawyer 4714 Philip Redmond

5908 James Bayley 5908 Richard Green 5908 Tony Oswin

5908 Drew Scott 6114 Andrew Botha 6114 Paul Doyle

6114 Richard Faramus 6114 Duncan Scott 6616 Neil Gray

6616 Andreas Kalogerou 7525 Liam East 7525 Nikolas Hayward

7525 Paul Titheridge 8204 Alejandro Pacheco 8388 Danny Moore

8432 John McGuire 8432 Gerry Peters 8435 David Jones

8435 Michael Poynter 8435 James Williams 8547 Oliver Hender

8547 Steven Judson 8620 Peter Hall’McKenna 8620 Neville Daniels

8620 Thomas Smith 8692 Daniel Harland 8718 Samuel Rudge

8718 Andrew Stewart 8747 Mortimer Bryce 8747 John Iles

8747 Gary Joynson 8747 Simon Thompson 8788 Martin England

8788 Hamish Keith 8977 Jean-Marc Hartley 8977 Jonathon Hollis

9009 Daniel Griffiths 9009 Grant O'Donoghue 9009 Steven Soltesz

9035 Nicholas Harris 9035 Alan Stinton 9064 Paul Greenaway

9064 Christopher McDonald 9090 Philip Jones 9090 Winston Lee

9540 David Bayne 9540 David Wallace 9540 John Calder

9540 Ewen Stuart 9540 David Taylor 9540 Glenn Winchurch

9587 Michael Denning 9587 Matthew Lomas 9587 John Wills

9773 James Sawyer

If we have we missed an Initiate or Joining member from your Lodge - contact [email protected]

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The Loganberry Trust When Kevin Loganwas diagnosed with Prostate Cancer he wasdetermined to do something positive to helpothers. He has set up Loganberry Trust which hasbeen established to raise funds and organise aprogramme of Prostate Cancer screening opendays throughout the Province. Open days havealready been held in Swindon and Chippenhamwhere more than 300 men had their PSA tested.

Support Loganberry Trust [email protected]

Francis Wakem Is the head of TheAncient And Accepted Rite (Rose Croix)in the District of Wiltshire.

Born in Salisbury, Francis is married toDorothy, who is a retired midwiferysister and avid artist, they have twoadult children and a grandson Robert.

Francis served with distinction in the Wiltshire Constabulary firstas a cadet and latterly as a senior officer in the rank of ChiefSuperintendent. Her Majesty The Queen honoured Francis withthe Queen's Police Medal in recognition of his service to theWiltshire Constabulary and the community in general.

Bite size news

Tercentenary Cathedral ServiceSunday 3rd September 2017

Philip Bullock PrGM invites you tojoin him as he leads the WiltshireMasonic Family in the Province’scelebrations at this very specialTercentenary service in themagnificent Cathedral Church ofSt. Mary, Salisbury.

Summer Edition 2016 page 17

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Paul Connor

PAGDC

Charity - it’s in a freemason’s DNA

Members of the West of England Youth Orchestra withPhilip Bullock PrGM.

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One of Wiltshire Freemasons' hidden gems is theRoyal Sussex Lodge of Emulation DemonstrationTeam, a group of enthusiastic young Freemasonsled by Director of Ceremonies, Stephen Mansfield.

The Demonstration Team use the concept of 'streettheatre' to perform Masonic ceremonies usingpresentational techniques which include the use ofvisualisation, acting and choreography blendedwith part speaking and interactive dialogue.

Their work has a number of objectives includingencouraging new members to take an active part inLodge ceremonies, while educating and preparingthem for Lodge office as well as promoting and developing a deeper understanding of what we do and why we do it.

Stephen Bridge APrGM said “These objectives are in perfect alignment with the work of the Provincial MentoringTeam in recognising that education is not what we should do only when we have nothing else to do”.

The Provincial Grand Master has asked Stephen to form a Provincial Demonstration Team able and willing to extendtheir appearances to the entire Province and to recruit members to the team from across the Province. If you areinterested in joining the Provincial Demonstration Team contact Stephen Mansfield [email protected]

Provincial Demonstration Team

Did you know ? 63 the average age of a Freemason in Wiltshire. 43 the average age of an Initiate in Wiltshire.

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News in Brief and dates for your diary

Be Proud - Be Loud

If you’re out and about this summer watch out for the new Provincial Display Stand - it is designed to attractattention and contribute to our policy of ‘being proud and being loud’ and will be in Trowbridge for the WiltshireArmed Forces and Veterans Celebrations weekend 25-26 June 2016. If you have a few hours to spare and can helpto erect or man the Display Stand please contact the Provincial Communications Officer [email protected] orMike Wilson on 07753 602171

Provincial Grand Lodge. Thursday 6th OctoberCity Hall, Salisbury. It really would be nice to fill the City Hall.Provincial Church Service. Sunday 23rd OctoberThe church of St Mary The Virgin , Calne (pictured opposite) ThePreacher will be the Rev. Canon Richard Hancock - Chaplain ofPleydell Lodge No. 4687

We really would like to hear from you andfind out what you think we could be doingto make your membership of the Provinceeven more worthwhile. Why not [email protected] with your views onwhat

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During the 40 years I have worked in and been involved with Information Technology the most amazing changes haveoccurred in the past 10 years. Our daily lives are impacted, enriched or damned by what my work colleagues call‘digital disruption'. The influence of social media, sometimes referred to as 'Omni channel communications' is now anecessary and at times essential part of all our lives in some shape or other and I suggest will continue to become moreinvasive over the coming decade.

I would guess that one question we all ask ourselves is whether those advances in technology have added any valueto our daily lives, or have they taken away the art of conversation and the traditional way in which we go about bothour personal and business activities? I am of the view that our lives are enriched as we now have convenient andgreater access to information which benefits us on an a daily basis. For example we have moved on from having towrite on the calendar or in a diary the dates of the next rehearsal, Craft or Chapter meeting, Ladies’ Night or WhiteTable function. The Digital Masonic Calendar is alive and kicking on www.pglwilts.org.uk with information availableonline with a click of a mouse.

I am reminded by a recent comment from a good friend regarding the growth in social networking. His response tothe exposure to the likes of Twitter was - “When I was a kid, my social network was called ‘outside’”. Never a truerword spoken, as a youngster in the 60’s I remember fondly the playground that was outside my own front door andhow I used to be out and about with my friends for many hours; come rain, snow or sunshine 'Our street was my socialworld'

However the way in which we go about our daily lives today and the impact that digital technology is influencing us allcannot and should not be ignored. For example, I am grateful that I do not have to queue at the bank anymore andthat access to banking services is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. I can pay my Masonic subscriptions online(although I am still trying to sort out the dining - but hey, Rome wasn’t built in a day!) I can now book an appointmentto see my GP online and my prescription is delivered electronically to my nominated pharmacy. I keep in touch withmy two sons using Facebook, WhatsApp and E-Mail as they travel the world as part of their jobs. E-Mail enables meto receive and respond to Lodge minutes, rehearsal reminders and Ladies’ Night booking forms.

We have instant access to a world of information on everything from a bus timetable to restaurant bookings toordering a takeaway and importantly, what is happening in the Masonic world that is Wiltshire and beyond.

The capability to reach out to past friends who have moved on in our lives and to re-establish the relationship wasrecently illustrated in a conversation I had with Bro Andrew Tiffin who was recently contacted via Masonic socialmedia by an old friend who he worked with in the Army Reserve. The world has become smaller as a result of SocialMedia, so where next is this journey to the digital world taking us?

The latest buzz words are the “Internet of Things” (IoT) and the “Internet of Everything” (IoE). You only have to lookat the devices that we can wear on our person, a device to record our daily steps, what we eat and drink, monitor ourheart rate and blood pressure, calorie intake, blood sugar levels, etc. All designed for us to gain a greaterunderstanding of our health and wellbeing. Think about how this could change the way we manage our lifestyle toavoid actively doing something which could lead to a hospital admission; surely a positive step forward.

In Freemasonry, our own Province has its own website designed to provide information on what is happening, whereit is happening and when it is happening. It is not pervasive nor intrusive but provides an access point enhancingMasonic knowledge and connects us with a wider circle of Brethren and it's available 24 hours a day. If like me, youenjoy reading “Across the Plain” then I encourage you to embrace the website and use it as an extension of thiswonderful magazine. We should use social media where it has a positive impact and can enhance the way we run ourlives, use it for our own convenience but, above all else, do not to let it take over our lives.

Social networks are still very much alive and still reside outside that front door!

If you have an article which you would like published in Across The Plain send it to [email protected]

My Social Network was Outside Bro Stephen Kirwan - Lodge No.4037

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