Newsletter
Spring 2004
From: W Bro Philip Hoy Provincial Information Officer
A Bedtime Story ...
At the beginning of September 2003 the plight of James, a young Hertfordshire boy with special needs, came to the attention of W Bro George Coxwell of East Herts Mark Lodge No 683. James was in need of a particular and therefore expensive bed.
It is well known that one of the wishes of RW Bro Keith Emmerson, Provincial Grand Master of Hertfordshire, is to help people in the local community. With this is mind, James' case was put to East Hertfordshire's Mark Lodge. They spontaneously voted to assist and petitioned the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Hertfordshire for help. The response was swift and a large boost to the cause was forthcoming.
As word moved through the Masonic network, London Lodges and Chapters gave freely, equally helped by other lodges in Hertfordshire.
Special bed for James
On 14 November 2003, less than eight weeks from hearing about the need for a special bed for James, RW Bro Keith Emmerson presented a cheque to James' foster parents at the Radlett Masonic Centre. Present were representatives of the various Orders that also contributed. To everyone's delight, James was also well enough to attend.
Presenting the cheque from Left to Right: John Wigmore - East Herts Mark 683, Peter J Rushbrooke - Jubilation 8831, PGM Keith Emmerson, Ted Benabo - East Herts Mark 683, Carlton Carr - Earl of Clarendon Lodge 1984, Foster Mother Anne, Warren Vinecor - East Herts Mark 683, George Coxwell - East Herts Mark 683, James, Foster Father Peter, Nigel Sweeney - Arthur Williams 3052, Henry Ginger - Provincial Almoner
East Hertfordshire Mark Lodge are overseeing the fund, and grateful thanks have been received from both the foster parents and Hertfordshire Social Services.
Contributions to the fund thus far are Hertfordshire Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons, East Hertfordshire's Lodge of Mark Master Masons, Jubilation Lodge, Arthur Williams Lodge, Earl of Clarendon Lodge, Polaris Lodge and also Polaris Chapter.
A New Royal Ark Mariner Tie
In order to assist with a final "push" towards our target for the Ambulance Appeal, the Province has launched a Royal Ark Mariner tie. This will be given to any brother who is prepared to donate at least £10 to the Provincial Mark Benevolent Fund. Gift Aid Forms are available to enable the Fund to reclaim tax amounting to £2.82 for each £10 donated - all of which will be credited to the individual brother concerned and to his nominated Lodge. In future, brethren requiring Mark ties will also receive them free of charge in acknowledgement of a gift aid donation of a minimum of £10.
The RW Provincial Grand Master has agreed that the ties can be worn at all Royal Ark Mariner meetings in the Province of Hertfordshire and, mindful that brethren may not wish to change from one tie to another when meetings of RAM and Mark are held on the same day, he has agreed under these circumstances to permit brethren to wear the RAM tie at the following Mark meeting should they so wish.
The 1st day of December 2003 marked the beginning of the third and last year of the Ambulance Appeal, and the Provincial Grand Treasurer, W Bro Colin Hellyer is delighted to inform us that, as of December, we currently have £36,000 of the required £50,000 specifically donated for that purpose. We are on target and, thanks to the continued generosity of the Mark brethren of Hertfordshire, he has no doubt that we shall be in a position to make the presentation to the Order of St John in the Autumn.
Mauls and Plinths
To date sixty-three mauls and plinths have been earned along with nine sceptres . Since the Festival, a further 167 Regular Payment Promises (the old covenant) have been made totalling £33,434 (before tax) and £102,001 in cash has been received by the Provincial Benevolent Fund including £9,162 in tax reclaimed under Gift Aid.
Click here to see how your Lodge has done!
Notice of increase in Provincial dues
At the Provincial meeting in July last year the Provincial Grand Treasurer gave notice that he intended to propose a motion at our meeting to be convened on 13th July 2004, to increase fees payable by Lodges to the Province. The level of the new fees was at the time subject to various factors, which have now been resolved.
In order to enable Lodge Treasurers to plan any changes you may be making to lodge subscriptions and advancement or elevation fees, the Provincial Treasurer wanted to let you have information about the new fees at the earliest possible moment. The following is of course subject to agreement by the members at the meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge
Fees payable to the Province on 1st September 2004 in respect the year ended 31st August 2004
Mark degree:
Annual dues for each member on the roll during the year £3.50
Advancement fees £4.00
Joining fees £2.00
Royal Ark Mariner degree:
Annual dues for each member on the roll during the year £2.00
Elevation fees £3.00
Joining fees £1.50
Fees of honour will also be increased for those being appointed or promoted in 2005.
These are the first rises in 3 years (Sept 2001) for the per capita fees and since the early 1990's (at least) for the advancement, elevation and joining fees. Any increase is of course regrettable but costs, particularly in respect of our annual meeting, are also increasing and these rises are necessary to enable the Province to function effectively.
Calling all Golfers
The MMM Charity Golf Day this year will be held at Chesfield Downs Golf Club on Wednesday 23rd June. The first Tee Off will be 12:02 pm. Information has already been circulated but if you wish to play, or just come along for the dinner, you need to book your place.
A Policeman'slot can sometimes be a happy one!
On 28th February, Stanstead Abbotts Lodge of Mark Master Masons No1809 held a charity evening at the Stansted Manor Hotel Birchanger. The evening was a fund raising event for the local Bishops Stortford Mencap society and the PGM's Ambulance appeal. Organised by the WM W Bro Philip Hoy and his wife Shirley, the evening was a black tie dinner followed by light operetta from Mr James Miller accompanied on the piano by Mr Christopher Redman.
The Photograph shows the chorus line for the song 'A Policeman's Lot Is Not A Happy One' which was specially requested for the RW Provincial Grand Master, an ex-police officer.
Line up left to right: Keith Emmerson, Philip Hoy, Jack Franks, Jon Kerr, Barrie Owens with Mr James Miller in front
Despite being less than 4 years old, Stanstead Abbotts Lodge have made their Mark with regard to Charity. W Bro Philip Hoy was delighted to present a cheque for £350 to Mrs Ann Fuller, President of Bishops Stortford Mencap and for £750 to the RW Provincial Grand Master for his Ambulance appeal.
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Items for inclusion in the Provincial Newsletter should be sent to Philip Hoy at info@hertsmark.org or by fax to 01279 817793.
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