Mind the Gap

I am told that, traditionally, Freemasonry takes a break between June and September each year; that may be so for the majority of Lodges and Chapters which do not meet during the summer months.

But this is not so much the case as far as the Provincial Office staff are concerned; there is much to do to in preparation for the upcoming season.

So, how do we keep ourselves amused during the “Quiet” season? There is always a steady stream of membership queries, Hermes questions and general enquiries to deal with but these are usually of a lesser intensity than during the Masonic Season.

Much of the time is spent in preparing for the upcoming programme of Installations and special events including long service awards, centenary meetings and, unfortunately, closure of Lodges and Chapters.

All involve liaison with several parties which might include the Lodge or Chapter officers, UGLE or SGC the Provincial Directors of Ceremonies, Provincial Registrar and the Provincial Chaplain

A further task during this period is the planning and preparation for the annual social events such as the Master & Wardens supper, Initiates supper, Principals and Past Principals dinner etc etc. Our Provincial Communications Officer, Roger Green and his team are all involved in each of these events as is Mike Reeve, our Provincial Events Coordinator, who oversees all the major Provincial events.

Just to keep us from getting bored we then have to plan and present seminars for acting officers and secretaries and scribe together with briefings for the executive on the various projects and programmes instigated by the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) or Supreme Grand Chapter ( SGC).

Then there is the small task of preparing the background tasks for the Annual Meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge and Annual Convocation of Provincial Grand Chapter, followed swiftly by the Annual Provincial Church Service!

Apart from the above, the Provincial Almoner, Charity Steward and their teams, including Dale Carroll, are continually managing the various demands and requests for help, support and advice – that is one aspect which never changes.

When we have a few minutes, then we have the responsibility of creating an inventory of the documents of this Lodges and Chapters which have surrendered their warrant or charter; once done, then all such materials are boxed up and delivered to Great Queens Street where they are registered and then sent to long term storage.

So, all in all, we are kept reasonably busy, during the “quiet” period but not too busy to turn away any visitor who might wish to deliver chocolate or biscuits!