January 2026

I am pleased to confirm that we are in the process of creating an interactive digital museum and will be loading a digital record of all our artefacts onto a purpose-built website to be accessible via the Provincial website. In 2014 and further to the closure of Stirling Road, a careful and audited programme, led by W Bro Richard Barker and his team, relocated its precious museum and artefacts to their locations in the various museum facilities within our masonic meeting rooms across the Province. Whilst much of the Museum items are available to be viewed and enjoyed by all brethren in their locations, it is often not possible for a Brother to research or see the full range. The new online museum is a very important next stage in the history of our museum, and which is now well underway and will allow brethren to carry out research without needing to physically travel to a location. Following an appeal for assistance from Brethren of the province, I am delighted to announce that we have created a new “uncollared office” to support this important work. I am therefore delighted to announce that the first “Provincial Museum and Artefacts Officer” is, W Bro Richard Kennedy. Many of you will know Richard and he is a member of Three Spires Lodge no 6940. There will also be a small team of brethren who have volunteered their assistance and knowledge of masonic items to assist the newly created position. Richard has commenced working on the project and has also begun to bring interesting articles into “The Bear”. I am sure you will join me in congratulating Richard on his appointment, and we will be bringing more details of when we will be launching the Museum website soon. Peter Clarke