Rochford Masonic Hall re-opening
~ UPDATE: May 2021 ~
(Extract from e-mail sent to Secretaries of all units meeting at Rochford Masonic Hall by Paul Goddard, Secretary, on 2nd May.)
Regarding a return to meeting at Rochford Masonic Hall:
Following current guidelines from 17th May we can meet with no dining or bar facilities; limited to 20 people; track and trace; a one way system; sanitising and social distancing in place.
Could you please inform me if you intend to take up your option of meeting in May, as the facilities may be restricted due to refurbishment works. The temple however will be available.
From 1st July full meetings with no restrictions will begin. We are signing contracts with new caterers on 14th May.
As restrictions and guidelines change I will keep you informed of any changes to the availability and facilities at the Hall.
If you have any questions, feel free to email and I will do my best to answer them.
Wishing you all well and looking forward to meeting you all again at Rochford.
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New Provincial Grand Master and Most Excellent Grand Superintendent
We are pleased to report the announcement that Paul Tarrant is to be appointed to the above positions.
Paul succeeds Rodney Lister Bass, who passed to the Grand Lodge above on 14th July 2020.
Installation will take place on Thursday 9th September 2021 at Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ.
The Craft meeting will be held in the morning, followed by lunch and the Royal Arch meeting in the afternoon.
We are sure that all members of the above orders will join us in congratulating Paul on these appointments and wishing him every success in his new roles.
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Rochford Masonic Hall Menus
See the Lodge News page.
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WELCOME TO CENTURION MARK LODGE
Rochford Masonic Hall has welcomed the Centurion Mark Lodge 1804 to its first meeting at its new venue.
8th April was another date in the Lodge's history; a new venue. A very well attended meeting.
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NEW COMPUTER ORGAN INSTALLED
To assist Lodges etc who may be too small to afford an Organist, a "One Touch Organ" has now been installed.
The Screen is password protected so that there can be no expensive mistakes in 'opening and shutting' it down.
On Saturday 4th October, St Katharines Lodge welcomed W Bro John Davies PSGD, APGM.
The Lodge became the first to use the system and it was an apparent success. Bill Knapp was the first member to actually use it in a ceremony and found it easy to use. The (very) few mistakes were taken well.
Once again it is emphasised that for the those Lodges who are fortunate to have an Organist, it is not intended to be a replacement for him; more a facility to enable those Lodges, too small enough to be able to afford one, have an enhancement to their Lodge meetings.
Further details and training evenings are available subject to demand. Please contact Derek Childs.
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LODGE HISTORIES
John Smoothy has published a Brief History of Lodge of True Friendship - Click on the Documents Page above. It is a good example of a 'Brief History'.
It would be a good idea if Secretaries could compile a brief History of their Lodge for inclusion on that Page.
Please send your history, or give Ian Whitley, via the Contacts page, some notes. He will compile an entry for you and re-submit it for your approval.
Banner photos have been taken and will be loaded at some stage, either as a separate page or to replace an existing one. Some histories have been received, but more would be welcome.
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STAIRS, ENTRANCE and OTHER CHANGES
The Stairs and Entrance have now all been recarpeted.
There are new lights and a lowered ceiling downstairs.
Also the light switch for has been moved from the entrance lobby to the bottom of the stairs to make it easier to use by those coming in through the back entrance.
Plans are in place for better hand 'blowers' in the toilets.
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TEMPLE CARPET
Will members please note that no drink is allowed in the Temple, only water.
As has already been commented:
"I am most grateful for the efforts of all concerned in restoring our Temple to better than its former glory. It certainly looks fantastic again."
The Board of Directors have requested Secretaries etc. to remind all members on your 3rd Rising that NO drinks, other than water, should be taken into the Temple; particularly now the new carpets are fitted. This also applies to Lodges, Chapters etc of Instruction.
UGLE have always insisted that no alcohol is allowed into Temples. This means at any time, no matter if there is a meeting or not.
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UGLE REMINDER re TAKING OF PHOTOS
At the Quarterly Communication meeting of 10 September 2014, a new consolidation statement was approved concerning any photgraph or information (whether in the form of text, images or otherwise) by electronic means from within a Lodge Room relating to a meeting in progress there, whether transmission is to a single person or group of individuals, is prohibited.
A reminder of Rule 177 of the Book of Constitutions is given. It also points out that whilst the taking of photographs during the after proceedings (and, less importantly, during a reception between a meeting and dinner) is unlikely to offend against any Rule of the B of C, it can nevertheless be intrusive and distracting.
Brethren are remminded that good manners dictate that an agreement of the individuals concerned should be obtained before they are photographed informally in such a context, and that such photographs be taken during the after proceedings only with the permission of the Master or whoever presides at dinner.
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WELCOME TO CANUTE LODGE 3104
Rochford Masonic Hall welcomes Canute Lodge, which will meet at Rochford for the first time once the current suspension of Masonic activities has been lifted.
Details of the Secretary are given on the Secretaries list (see the third column of this page).
We wish the Brethren of Canute Lodge a warm wecome!
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Curious about the Holy Royal Arch (Chapter)?
Want to know what it's all about?
Tabula Rotunda Chapter is hosting what is called a Red Table meeting at Saxon Hall on Monday 10th February.
This is where a Master Mason can visit a Chapter after it has been formally closed so he can see the Chapter, view its regalia and robes, hear presentations about its history, why it's a completion of a Master Mason's journey through ancient Masonry, and ask questions.
You can then mix with the Companions (as they are called) and then dine with the members at a Festive Board (cost 25).
Contact W Bro Frank James to book in or if you have any queries:
thundersleyman@gmail.com
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IMPORTANT CHANGES TO SOUTHEND AND ESSEX MASONIC WELFARE TRUST
Requests for equipment should now be made to 07732 378656 and not the previous number.
Please send any donations to Terry Webb, 63 Branksome Avenue, Hockley SS5 5PG who is Treasurer.
Terry Webb posted a in the CUBE group Southend and Essex Masonic Welfare Trust: IMPORTANT CHANGE OF EMAIL ADDRESS - Please note that to contact the Trust via our secretary W.BRO. MICHAEL WESTWICK the email address to use is: semwt2016@gmail.com : Would you please update your computer address book to make this the default email address.
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PROVINCIAL CUFFLINKS
Details of cufflinks to match new Provincial Tie>> CLICK HERE FOR Amended link with order form
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See Lodge News Page
For an interesting article about a father, son and grandson at St Margaret's Lodge No. 5168
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LODGE WEBSITES
Please see the links on the Lodge News page.
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LIST OF ORGANISTS AND TYLERS AVAILABLE AT ROCHFORD
Alan Harvey OBE has compiled a confirmed list of the above , correct at 30 April 2014
Click this link>> List
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FIRE DOOR BARS INSTALLED
Door push bars have been fitted to the exit door leading from the bar to the door leading to the rear staircase and from the temple fire exit door (to the left of the Masters Chair) to the stairs.
It is no longer possible to gain access to the bar and toilet from this fire exit from the temple.
It's also important that nothing is placed in front of the exit door in the dining room at the bottom of the stairs that leads into the dining room.
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DEFIBRILLATOR
A defibrillator has now been purchased for Rochford Masonic
Hall at no cost to Lodges, Chapters or other Orders meeting here.
It is situated behind the bar.
It is completely automatic.
To boost the confidence of those willing to use it, a free training programme is available at Basildon Eastgate Centre.
This is run by Lee Riches, a member of St Katharine's Lodge.
He is fully qualified and accredited by the British Heart Foundation.
Lodges, Chapters etc are requested to put forward 2 or 3 members who can attend these sessions at no cost to themselves or Lodges.
Please click here to advise W Bro Derek Childs
by email of the names and he will liaise with Bro Lee Riches for a suitably convenient
time. Training/explanation of the procedure will be in small groups of 6.
It is however expected that the Lodge will make a donation of at least 50 to The British Heart Foundation.
These cheques should be taken or sent to Derek Childs at the Rochford Masonic Hall (address above) in an envelope marked BHF.
He will collate them and present them to the Foundation via Bro Lee.
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ROCHFORD TEMPLE ROOF
Please see the page ROOF REPAIRS for updates and pictures.
The work has now finished and the photos show the new roof covering.
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Founding Lodges
Click on the blue link above for more detail.
Disclaimer
It is necessary to include a short 'disclaimer' which also includes some acknowledgements.
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