Dib Dib Dib: Five of Nine Club go visiting!
Saturday 10th February saw the Five Of Nine Club go visiting! Freemasons Hall, Bristol is a truly stunning building and a real "hub" for Masonry in the area. The substantial exterior opens onto an impressive high ceiling reception area where we were greeted and made exceptionally welcome by numerous members of the Scoutcraft Lodge.
Saturday 10th February saw the Five Of Nine Club go visiting!
Freemasons Hall, Bristol is a truly stunning building and a real "hub" for Masonry in the area. The substantial exterior opens onto an impressive high ceiling reception area where we were greeted and made exceptionally welcome by numerous members of the Scoutcraft Lodge.
Along with the sumptuous surroundings, it was obvious the effort and dedication of the members of the Lodge, under the guidance of W Bro Phil Wills, the Worshipful Master. With 60 Brethren in attendance, it was a superb ceremony in splendid surroundings and all from a Lodge that was only consecrated a year ago! Truly exceptional.
If you have not witnessed Bristol Workings, it would be spoiling the spectacle to reveal too much. Needless to say, there were many differences and quirks, with nods to ancient workings and a fair few surprises for even experienced Masons, let alone the candidate!
We were honoured to be at the initiation of Brother Butters. He gave an excellent account of himself in a superbly directed and performed ritual. It was more extensive than our Warwickshire (Emulation) workings and with a greater emphasis on the Worshipful Master who conducted his team splendidly and performed some excellent work. It was wonderful to see such an obviously close-knit and dedicated Lodge welcoming their new Brethren, supported by a number of the Provincial team.
After the ceremony, we were treated to a tour of the hall and its many rooms by the Club Secretary of our Bristolian counterparts for New and Young Masons, the Dunkerleys. The respect and pride in their facilities were obvious by the fantastic commentary and history provided with a nod to the Brethren who personally assisted in the maintenance and restoration of the rooms and the furnishings.
Along with a truly splendid and plentiful lunch (I am certain there were some passengers napping on the way back!) and fantastic speeches we were also treated to a Bristolian "Yell". The Scoutcraft Lodge hold their heritage dear and the after meeting (festive board) is no exception.
It truly was a superb day, from the atmosphere and surroundings, the splendid Temple, presentation of ritual and the total fraternity of the Lodge, their visitors and guests.
Experiencing the Bristol workings was far more than a day out. It's a must-see and we're looking forward to a return visit on the Five of Nine Calendar.
NYMCC 2017
Saturday 13th of October saw the New and Young Mason’s Club conference landing in Birmingham, in the beautiful Severn Street Masonic Lodge Rooms. Along with 100 attendees, from 35 Provinces, we were honoured to receive speeches from Provincial Grand Masters, RW Bro David Macey and RW Bro Gareth Jones and exceptionally privileged by the attendance of Deputy Grand Master RW Bro Jonathan Spence both attending and giving the keynote address.
Saturday 13th of October saw the New and Young Mason’s Club conference landing in Birmingham, in the beautiful Severn Street Masonic Lodge Rooms
Along with 100 attendees, from 35 Provinces, we were honoured to receive speeches from Provincial Grand Masters, RW Bro David Macey and RW Bro Gareth Jones and exceptionally privileged by the attendance of Deputy Grand Master RW Bro Jonathan Spence both attending and giving the keynote address.
"There was an obvious buzz and excitement from the presence of our esteemed guests".
The day was a fantastic opportunity to meet other young Freemasons, network and socialise, however, there was a serious theme to the event.
New and young Freemasons will constantly consider how to engage with new members, our families and communities while learning and growing as Freemasons. This is exceptionally pertinent in our Tercentenary year and as we look towards the future.
The theme of the day was “Building and maintaining the foundations” and was split into three presentations and focus group activities to take advantage of the experience and creative ability present.
Wbro Dan Thomas, Chairman of the Five of Nine Club, did an excellent job in hosting the day and introducing our first speaker.
RW Bro David Macey thanked the organising Five of Nine Club Committee and introduced the first topics of the day. The attendees split into groups to discuss and generate ideas on 4 key areas: Sustainability, Governance, Marketing and Events.
Following lunch each group feedback their key discussion points, providing learning for all. It was excellent to see a number of “ah-ha” moments of assistance to Clubs looking to generate ideas, get support and benefit their members.
Conference partners Toye Kenning and Square Events gave fantastic presentations on their businesses that support Masonry. Our gratitude to both Nick and Guy for their input and support.
RW Bro Gareth Jones then set a challenge in the second presentation – how we maintain the quality of engagement, community, expectations and introduction to the Craft.
This led to some passionate group discussion as to how to involve and improve membership and the key aspects of Freemasonry – family, community and charity. Again, this was feedback to the Conference to benefit all attendees and respond to the Provincial Grand Master’s challenge.
We were exceptionally privileged to have RW Bro Jonathan Spence, Deputy Grand Master give the keynote address. It was inspiring to have one of the most senior Freemasons in the World recognise the challenges to today’s New and Young Masons and provide a thoroughly entertaining and articulate synopsis of the day, seemingly delivered off the cuff!
"I have no doubt everyone present will agree it was a fun, vibrant and stimulating day".
Finally, we found out that the 2018 New and Young Masons Clubs Conference was to be hosted by the Provincial Grand Lodge of South Wales NYMC The Colonnade Club, we wish them well with their preparations and look forward to renewing friendships in a years’ time.
The Conference closed with a well-earned social event in Pennyblacks in Birmingham’s trendy Mailbox, with many of the visiting Brethren staying for a beer and to further discuss the opportunities discovered during the day.
By Dan Norman
Warwickshire's PGL Meeting May 2017
The Provincial Grand Lodge Meeting on Saturday 25th May 2017 proved to be an historic event, one that our Five of Nine Club members were lucky to be a part of. Not only with this being the 300th year of Freemasonry but the first time in 300 years that our wives, partners, friends and family were able to join us at the Provincial Grand Lodge AGM, not only were they able to do this, but they were able to do this at the home of English Freemasonry, Freemasons Hall, Great Queen Street, London.
The Provincial Grand Lodge Meeting on Saturday 25th May 2017 proved to be a historic event, one that our Five of Nine Club members were lucky to be a part of.
Not only with this being the 300th year of Freemasonry but the first time in 300 years that our wives, partners, friends and family were able to join us at the Provincial Grand Lodge AGM, not only were they able to do this, but they were able to do this at the home of English Freemasonry, Freemasons Hall, Great Queen Street, London.
Making it that little bit more special was that our Chairman WBro Dan Thomas was set to receive his first appointment to the Acting Rank of Provincial Grand Steward and one of the members WBro Howard Smith was to be promoted to Acting Rank of Provincial Junior Grand Warden, fantastic recognition for our Club and a very proud moment too.
To make the most of this most historic event, a number of the committee made the decision to travel down to the capital on the Friday morning, arriving at the hotel where we met new and old Masonic friends who had also decided to make the most of the weekend, bags dropped off and straight to Covent Garden sampling the food and beer of London (and their prices). After a full day of touring the drinking establishments, and a great evening meal with friends, an early night was in order for Saturday's early start, especially for those actively involved in the meeting.
Saturday morning saw our committee and members with brethren from our respective lodges, wives, partners and friends ascended on Freemasons Hall and what a great sight it was too! Walking into Freemasons Hall was a fantastic experience which we believe our members will never forget. Topping it off being seated in the Grand Temple seeing it in all of its glory.
As we sat in our seats the looks on our partners faces as they took their seats was a picture to remember watching as they took in the splendour of the fantastic building, and then it was straight into the business of the day with various brethren receiving appointments and promotions, with our very own WBro Howards being one of the first to receive his, and what an incredible achievement to see a Five of Nine Club member sat as Provincial Junior Grand Warden and very well deserved too. It was also a great honour to have the Provincial Grand Master RWBro David F Macey (Patron of The Five of Nine Club) mention in his address how proud he was of the club and the progress that it has made since its launch last year.
To top off an absolutely incredible morning we made our way to the stunning Grand Connaught Rooms where we sat for luncheon, and what a great occasion it was, a grand room to say the least! With great food, great wine and more importantly great company. Once the business of the day was over it was a quick change and back out to sample some of the sights and local drinking establishments around Convent Garden and later into Soho, where we met up with old and new friends as well as joining up with some of our other members we certainly made the most of the evening.
A great weekend was had by all and it was certainly an experience to savour as it may probably never be repeated again.
By Bro Carl Foster