Freemason of Florida

Launching into his third year as Master, Colin welcomed a new member into London Haven Lodge, No.7300, and, with his Officers and Brethren, ensured Owen enjoyed a memorable experience as he took his first step in Freemasonry.

Colin and Past Masters delivered an impressive ceremony when Immediate Past Master Alan presented the Charity Charge, Secretary Richard presented the Working Tools and visitor Ian presented the Charge After Initiation. The evening was further enhanced when Chris, whose work had taken him away from Dorset, was welcomed back as a re-joining member.

London Haven Lodge, No.7300, meets at Kinson Freemasons Hall on the third Saturday of the month, details from Richard at [email protected]

Photograph courtesy of Dan Rouse

At the Installation meeting of the Lodge of St. Cuthberga No. 622 in Wimborne on Tuesday, Barry Hobbs was presented with a Distinguished Past Master's jewel from the Lodges Distinguished Past Masters committee.

The jewel is made of 18-carat gold and has a fine ceramic depiction of St. Cuthberga. It was originally purchased by the Lodge and presented to Robert Gordon Cave in 1901. The engraving on the reverse of the attached Square reads, 'Presented to Lieut Robert G. Cave PM 622, PPGDC Dorset, by the Members of his Mother and Neighbouring Lodges as a mark of their esteem and in Admiration of his conduct as a Man, a Mason & a Soldier. June 3rd 1901'.

Robert Cave was initiated into the Lodge of St. Cuthberga in 1885 and became Master in 1895. He had a distinguished career with the Dorset Imperial Yeomanry, fighting in South Africa during the Boar War, which earned him a Commission awarded by Queen Victoria.

Robert Cave unfortunately passed away on 5th December 1926, and his beautiful jewel was never returned to the Lodge. It remained lost for 93 years until, remarkably, in September 2019, one of the members, David Sims, saw it for sale in a Wimborne jeweller's window. The jeweller, Roger Bently, a member of the Fernhill Lodge No. 7707, agreed to return it to the Lodge and came to present it back in January 2020.

The history of the Distinguished Past Masters jewels

The present tradition of awarding a Past Masters Jewel to the Master after he has completed his year in office is a relatively new tradition adopted by the Lodge of St Cuthberga. Until this change was made a jewel was only awarded to Past Masters many years after they had vacated the Chair and after they had continued to give outstanding service to the lodge. In the first 100 years of the Lodge of St Cuthberga's existence, only 12 jewels were awarded and 4 of them including Lord Shaftesbury who was also the Provincial Grand Master each had to wait over 50 years for their jewel.

It was considered in those days a truly great honour and it constituted a Roll of Honour. The original jewels were of gold but later ones were of gilt and it was hoped that the jewels would be returned to the lodge after the recipient had passed to G.L.A.

In 1980 there was only one member who had the privilege of having been presented with a jewel and it was realised that with the changing circumstances of that period it was unlikely any future brother would have the opportunity of rendering the length of service that in the past might merit a P.M’s Jewel. In June of that year the P.G.M. attended the lodge and presented jewels to those brothers who had been accorded that honour – with somewhat reduced criteria. (Hannays words).

It was decided also that the original PM jewels were still to be awarded when appropriate and that the recipients would be selected by a sub committee of three – each one of whom would be the holder of the jewel. The jewel would be known by the new name of Distinguished Past Masters Jewel.

This jewel is no doubt the highest honour that a past master of the Lodge of St Cuthberga can receive. The new Past Master Jewel introduced in 1992 has been awarded to every PM of the lodge

• The majority of this article has been reproduced from articles published in The History of the Lodge of St Cuthberga by Dr J Hannay and Bridging the Centuries by David Owen both of whom were distinguished past members of our lodge.

David Lake and David Smith
Lodge of St Cuthberga No. 622


https://wimbornefreemasons.co.uk

Craig Poate was recently exalted into the Royal Arch by Freemasons at Verwood Chapter No. 9177 in Wimborne, a special event that was witnessed by his proud father Fred.

Verwood Chapter was Consecrated on 10 April 1997 at Sherbourne. The Chapter regularly meets in the Freemasons Hall located in the Corn Market, Wimborne.

Gary Haskell
1st Principal
Verwood Chapter No. 9177

The Lodge of St Cuthberga No. 622, which is the oldest Lodge in Wimborne, witnessed a momentous event as a new Master, Robert, was installed into the Chair of King Solomon.

The ceremony was conducted with consummate ease by the Installing Master, Graham, in the presence of the Assistant Provincial Grand Master and his team, which added an extra special touch to the occasion.

Robert had previously served as the Master in 2014 and had an excellent year in office. He has promised to make this year even better.

The Lodge has two upcoming meetings which are initiations.

Richard Hendry
Communications Officer
Lodge of St Cuthberga No. 622


https://wimbornefreemasons.co.uk

At the May meeting of the Chapter of St Martin No. 7986 the new principals and officers were installed in the presence of a Provincial Team headed by Fred Poate, 3rd Grand Principal of Dorset.

In an unexpected twist caused by illness, plans changed at the eleventh hour with Mark Giddings taking the chair of First Principal with literally less than five minutes' notice!

Mark being the senior past principal of the chapter, advised the companions present that due to the lack of notice, he would be referring to the ritual book during the ceremony, however this was a wasted statement as he hardly needed to refer to it whilst installing Brian Jaeger as First Principal in a very sincere and dignified manner.

During the meeting Shaun Tarrant was installed as 2nd Principal and Paul Root was installed as 3rd Principal.

The Chapter being vibrant and full of many relatively new members meant that all the progressive officers were filled with companions who are keen to pursue their journey through Pure and Ancient Freemasonry.

Following the meeting the companions enjoyed a very convivial festive board which had a terrific atmosphere enjoyed by all present.

The Chapter of St Martin No. 7986 meets at Wareham four times a year and epitomises all that is enjoyable about Freemasonry. New members and visitors are always welcome!

Mike Parkes
Scribe Ezra

'The Mike Whelan Keystone'
I am currently on board a ferry, sailing towards the shores of England. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout this journey. In particular, I owe a debt of gratitude to my dear friend Bob Grace, who has been a constant source of encouragement and support. Without his help, I would not have been able to make this trip.

Just three weeks before he passed away, my friend Mike Whelan said to me, 'Please take a stone for me.' Those words have stayed with me and given me the strength I needed to keep going. As I approach the end of my journey, I am reminded of his words and I am filled with a sense of peace and gratitude for the people who have helped me along the way. If you're interested in joining click on the WhatsApp link.

John Donoghue

South West Area of Hampshire & IOW Freemasons
Dorset Mark Master Masons

The Knowledge Of Good And Evil, Collection.

The Knowledge Of Good And Evil, Collection.

The choice of masons🔺👁️🔺