Deputy Provincial Grand Master’s remarks at a reception for Norfolk civic leaders - opening the celebrations for the 250th Anniversary year of the Norfolk Masonic Province – 13th Jan. 2009
The 13th January 2009 marks the 250th Anniversary of Edward Bacon, MP and Recorder of Norwich, receiving the Patent of Office designating him the first Provincial Grand Master of the Masonic Province of Norfolk. But what is Freemasonry all about? What actually are its Objectives? Freemasonry offers a Lifestyle and its aims include:
· To encourage high moral standards in its members lives.
· To encourage members to serve their community and fellow men.
· To encourage members to support their religion, without imposing a bias as to what that should be.
· To enjoy each others company and promote team spirit.
· And with the aid of the Masonic ceremonies; to emphasise how life can be lived in order to become fuller and better human beings.
So you will see that Freemasonry is not solely a Charity Fund Raising Organisation but an organisation that encourages in its members a deep sense of Integrity, of Compassion and of Charity.
In approaching its 250th Anniversary the Norfolk Masonic Province decided to celebrate it on three fronts.
First; Freemasons wanted to commemorate the occasion with something lasting, something that would be appreciated by the Brethren (members) of future generations. As a result, and in keeping with the historic nature of the organisation, a new and attractive 250th Anniversary Banner was commissioned. A number of civic dignitaries, members of the Press and other media have had a sneak preview of it before its official unveiling the same day at a meeting of Social Lodge No 93, one of the founding Lodges of the Province of Norfolk and this will mark the start of our year of celebration.
We have also commissioned a new book, which is currently at the printers, detailing the 250 year History of our Province. This reference book will be of great interest both to our members and to Masonic scholars alike (there is now a degree course at Sheffield University in Masonic Studies).
Second; Freemasons wanted the members of the Norfolk Masonic Province to be able to enjoy the celebrations this year. To that end a series of events have been arranged including a Celebratory Summer Ball for Members and Partners at Sprowston Manor Hotel in July.
There will be, at various times during the year, Open Days held at our meeting places throughout the Province, giving the general public an opportunity to look round our lodge rooms and to ask any questions they may have. Information will be passed to the local media prior to these openings.
On Sunday 6th September, the date of the first meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Norfolk, we will celebrate by joining the congregation at Norwich Cathedral for a Service of Evensong, led by the Bishop of Norwich.
Third; what better way of sharing the celebrations with the local communities could there be than by supporting the building here in Norfolk, of a Brand New Residential Hospice Facility. To that end the Provincial Grand Master launched a 2 year appeal with the aim of raising the sum of £100,000.
With 4 months still to run, and due to the overwhelming support of the brethren (members), their wives, partners and families; through Fun Walks, Variety Shows, Choral Evenings and all kinds of general fund raising that end willbeachieved. The result of all that is that at the 250th Provincial Grand Lodge meeting on Thursday 28th May of this year, representatives of the Norfolk Hospice will receive a very substantial cheque.
Charity is very close to the hearts of all Freemasons and all the funds available for charitable purposes are raised from within the membership of the organisation. At a National Level the Grand Charity made donations in 2007 of around £5,820,000, over £3,000,000 of that going to Non Masonic Causes.
During the past few years The Provincial Grand Lodge of Norfolk has, in partnership with the Provincial Grand Lodges of Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, made significant donations to the East Anglian Air Ambulance. This has resulted in the square and compass (the Masonic logo) being displayed on the tail of both of their helicopters.
Significant donations have also been made to Prostate Cancer Research at the Norfolk & Norwich Hospital, to Quidenham Children’s Hospice, to the Hostery Appeal at Norwich Cathedral, to the Royal Anglian’s 1st Battalion’s Afghanistan Memorial Fund, to name but a few.
At a very local level the 75 individual Lodges have continued to support small local charities and good causes. During the past three year Norfolk Lodges have made donations of over £1/4 millon to more than 200 good causes spread throughout the county.
Therefore - As a part of our 250th Celebrations and in addition to our major donation to the Norfolk Hospice, the Norfolk Masonic Province will make at least 250 donations of at least £250 to small Local Good Causes and Charities. For some of the smaller local “hands-on” Charities, particularly during these difficult financial times, these donations could make a real difference.
Any local Norfolk Charity that feels it has a project that could benefit from one of these donations can contact the Secretary of the Norfolk Masonic Charities Committee at 47 St. Giles Street, Norwich NR2 1JR who will advise them how to apply and put them in touch with their nearest local Lodge.
Freemasons in Norfolk are proud of their Freemasonry. With 250 years of History behind them, why shouldn’t they be? Much has changed in those years, and yet, the three pillars on which Freemasonry is based have not; Brotherly Love or to put it another way Caring for fellow human beings, Masons and Non Masons alike, Relief or Charity - and Truth – striving to live life doing that which is right – these are timeless principles; as relevant today as they have always been throughout the centuries.