supporting local freemasons the craftsmen · 2021. 1. 25. · colt. scientists, inventors and ....

The Craftsmen Newsletter Page 1

The CraftsmenWeek Commencing 25th January 2021 Issue Number Forty Two

Welcome to the forty second edition of the Weekly Round-Up for the Province of Herefordshire.

Supporting Local Freemasons

Thank You to all of our contributors to this issue.

This week we have: • A new question in

‘Would I know, did I know’

• Our regular Fun and Games at T@3 with our curiosities and Word Search revolving around Roman Gods and Goddesses

• The second of a three part article on the history of Freemasonry in the Armed Forces

• The Mason’s deck of cards

• The Lyde Wanderer’s Canon Pyon Walk

• Our weekly feature of Masonic Sound-bytes

Keep safe Brethren and keep in contact.

Cover Picture View across the River Wye to Symonds Yat East, South Herefordshire Sunday 24th January.


Last time I asked: With his recent post on Twitter by Rick Wakeman, how many other ‘Famous’ Masons can you name?

“Great kings, Dukes and Lords have laid down their swords.....”

There are many famous Freemasons across time and across continents, including kings and statesmen, military men, scientists, composers, authors, musicians, entertainers, singers, stars of stage and screen, not to mention sportsmen. I list but a few since there are far too many for today’s thoughts.

Monarchs and Statesmen: Three kings, Edward VII, Edward VIII and George VI and many other members of the Royal Family have made a significant contribution to Freemasonry for more than three centuries, including our current Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Kent. We should also not forget Sir Winston Churchill.

Fourteen U.S. presidents starting with George Washington and James Monroe, two of the Founding Fathers, through to Harry S. Truman and Gerald Ford.

Military Men: From the Napoleonic War, Arthur Wellesley, The Duke of Wellington. From WWI, Field Marshals and Admiral of the Fleet, all later to become Earls Kitchener, Haig, French and Jellicoe. From WWII, Field Marshal Earl Alexander of Tunis, General Reginald Wingate and US Generals McArthur and Marshall, together with Squadron Leader Melvyn ‘Dinghy’ Young, from the Dambuster raid, and of course, Lieutenant Colonel Blair Mayne, a founding member of the SAS.

From the US and the Alamo: Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, Sam Houston, ‘Buffalo’ Bill Cody,

distinguished company?

There are so many more to discover and add to the list, all to be found on Solomon under ‘Famous Freemasons’, and only last week, another Paper of ‘More Famous Masons.’

For next time, let me pose this question:

Masonic Fire: what are its origins and what does it mean? You can always check your thoughts by visiting ‘Solomon’ of course!

If you have not visited the ‘Solomon’ site lately, you should. There are now Videos, Podcasts and Webinars available for more in depth explanations. Useful for future meetings when no candidate is available.

Christopher ‘Kit’ Carson and Sam Colt.

Scientists, Inventors and Innovators: In medicine, Edward Jenner, (smallpox vaccine), Joseph Lister, (antiseptic surgery), Alexander Fleming, (discovery of penicillin). James Watt (inventor of the steam engine), Andre Citroen, Henry Ford, Walter P. Chrysler and Steve Wozniak co-founder of Apple.

Music, the Arts and Entertainment:In music, Sir Irving Berlin (White Christmas), Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan and classical composers Franz Liszt, Sibelius and Haydn, not forgetting Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Band leaders, ‘Count’ Basie, ‘Duke’ Ellington, Edmundo Ross, Louis Armstrong, Al Jolson, Bob Hope and Burl Ives. In the arts, Edward Gibbon (Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire), philosopher Wolfgang Goethe, Voltaire. Novelists Jonathon Swift, Alexander Pope, Sir Walter Scott, Anthony Trollope, Pushkin, Oscar Wilde, Arthur Conan Doyle, Mark Twain, Robert Burns and Rudyard Kipling. Architects Sir Christopher Wren (St. Paul’s Cathedral), James Hoban (the White House) , Bartholdi, (Statue of Liberty) and Borglum (Mount Rushmore National Memorial). In performing arts we find Henry Irvine, Peter Sellers, Richard Todd, Tommy Trinder, Harry Corbett.......... the list goes on and includes Harpo Marx, Oliver Hardy Clark Gable, John Wayne and Harry Houdini.

Sportsmen; Here there are many thousands, but to mention a few; Matthew Webb (swimming English Channel), Sir Malcolm Campbell and his son Donald, Sir Alec Rose, Jack Dempsey, Clive Lloyd, Arnold Palmer and Peter Ebdon.

How does it feel to be in such

Would I know the answer? Did I know the answer?By W.Bro. Dennis W. Roberts, PAGDC Group Leader Information and Guidance Group

You can always check your thoughts by visiting ‘Solomon’ https://solomon.ugle.org.uk

Dennis Roberts - Group Leader Information and Guidance Group e-mail: Dennis Here

https://solomon.ugle.org.ukmailto:roberts.greeba%40btinternet.com?subject=Would%20I%20know%20Question


AGE (of initiate):

Not under 21 years. The B. of C. precludes any person under the age of 21 being made a Mason except by Dispensation.

ALMONER:

A distributor of Alms. In Private Lodges, the officer appointed under the B. of C. wears a jewel consisting of a Script-purse upon which is a heart emblem. His general duties are to distribute the Lodge’s benevolence and charitable gifts. The heart on the jewel denotes the love and kindness of the Brethren’s charity and his own in regard to the recipients. NB: this office does not exist in the USA where a masonic charity committee, usually consisting of three Master Masons designated by the Master, performs the equivalent duties.

All-Seeing Eye Script Purse

ALL-SEEING EYE:

Symbol of the un-sleeping watchfulness of T.G.A.O.T.U and His omnipresence. It is configured on the jewels of the G.M. and Pro G.M and depicted elsewhere. The Masonic use of this symbol indicates the need for vigilance and the purity of life and deed.

Masonic Sound-bytesA new feature to share knowledge and the masonic significance of commonly used words.

WBro Kevin Jones of Coningsby Lodge No 6383

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‘Close Up Challenge’

Last Week’s Answer

Last week’s picture was a close up of the tip of a ball point pen.

Did you get that?

T@3Some light-hearted treats to keep you amused. With thanks to WBro Paul Sabel.

This Week’s Question Can you guess what this object is in the close-up picture?

Answer to Last Week’s Curiosity

Perhaps the most bizarre item in the vintage collection is the “everlasting pill”, which was made from antimony and was reusable. For several centuries, antimony was considered an excellent means of cleansing the body, and for some reason it did not bother anyone that, upon ingestion, it was not digested and exited the body unchanged. People would acquire a single “everlasting pill” for the whole family and, what is most surprising, even passed this questionable medicine on to their heirs!

Paul’s Perplexing Puzzle

This Week’s Question

Do you know what this strange object is for?

Greek Gods & Giants C J I N T P H F C I S A R E S S M O M I N S M R B H A P H R O D I T E U Y M L L N C Q O E G H R S M R V O N E L O R V Q Y L I J R S M A T R U I Z D Q G I G A N T E S N W T Z S U D A L E C N E Y E B Y T P R F Z C S S T C I E M V P P U I J X D O N N A P Z Z B T A S Y K N T S J O K O S G Z I Z Q R N Y D A O Y Q C E O N D W U L S U E Z C O T E W M X V W N R L K Y T T P K Y Y A V G S L N H W Y Q J B E C O I C T I M Q P D B Y S E L S Y T X E V R A A P P L O M X O B P R O W Y N U L S M B P A D G E O A I Y N R T U W A T T E E T Q U P S L P T S J X C E Q J W W S L O E L O Y S O S P G E Y O P K D Y L S A Q A A V P S H J P U S E P C H M B L E T A B X N L N R X I P R G K Z U C O J W V R M Y N H F Y O T O T M Y X K X L Q G M S T X H E E T P N X A D V I E T O L L O P A R F E M U T Q A H O H D T B V R M D S O L A T V A C I M E N E F Y S A E T O G Y I I X C W B M Y U X D R R U G R A E T Z M A J H S U U A N I R N Y Q O V S B E F T A H N M U T P K R V T Q F T Y X M N P S G S G O E B H T B S R P Q X H M N B C T D V U N W W G E U C I N E Q O M K M E W R K E I R R H L W R M G Q E H P W S P V G X N I M B H N L B K F B H E P H A E S T U S L V R A G N L A S

Orion Porphyrion Geryon Argus Typhoeus Polyphemus

Enceladus Antaeus Tityus Polybotes Cyclopes Aloadae

Talos Gigantes Alcyoneus Zeus Hephaestus Artemis

Poseidon Dionysus Ares Hermes Demeter Apollo Hera

Athena Aphrodite


T@3:30Some light-hearted treats to keep you amused.

Answers to the Word Search from the 18th January. This week’s is on page 6.


This Weeks Word SearchCan you find the Roman Gods and Goddesses and do you know who is the Roman God of hope?

Roman Gods and Goddesses D M J M Q C R H Z Z N Q D O W I M N B C X N V A S F J S Q V A K F U I I G I Z I Z J A J M L E N I L J R R D T S E P S F L K N G N Y V D I B U U P P K J Y P S B K D O P R E M M Q M E Y N Z A T O S E R E C E R E R Z D R R N E P T U N E M P R M B H P T J V O P N A V T L E S R N P J T V O O P N S U N U A F A M A X T L N T U C Z N O E L F O S V M O X Y C R E M S K G R X I L U J R N L Q N N A N I W L M F D N E C M U V F P E R S U O S A U H L S U P E C I H D S E T V T V U A Y S G A E O A Y V F Q T E P Y U R T A F A W K J C C N T Z N B P C T V L L U H K R R S T N N C T N T Y I Y S G P T J L Z Y C M P P B Z E G J O S A F X R C Y B E L E N G C F U L U L R H U H S L M S V E A O M E Y N D A C O U M C G W N X R U E L F D V Z W M L I X B S V T P M N D O A D K V U G E G E L C F C L V U A O E N N U B X J O S G K F W B K G R H S I S T L R S F F X T I B S Q J F O B M M Y Q B D B X B P U R H M M R V U U X T Z P H K A P R O S E R P I N A E R C B Y O N D D B P J I R G E O J X U L Z R H U T J M L P A Z I Y J S I S F C Z V O A C X A U R O R A B S J I A V R K W M L V S C R E C V L A Y C Y J I C Z F N U D E B A E A M D B Z P C B Y G V L K I U E T A U A Q Y J

Pompona Proserpina Vulcan Vesta Veritas Venus Terra

Spes Saturn Pluto Nyx Neptune Minerva Mercury

Mars Jupiter Juno Janus Fortuna Faunus Diana

Cybele Cupid Ceres Caelus Bellona Bacchus Aurora

Apollo


Army Lodges There were well over several hundred Army travelling lodges constituted under the English, Irish and Scottish Grand Lodges. *The 1815 Constitution made it clear that permission of the commanding officer was required to form a lodge and he had the power on closure and decided who could be admitted. Very few COs allowed other ranks to join.

*No Military Lodge shall on any pretence initiate into masonry any inhabitant or sojourner in any town or place at which its members may be stationed or any person who does not at the time belong to the military profession nor any military person below the rank of Corporal, except as serving brethren or by dispensation from the Grand Master or some Provincial Grand Master.

The first by coincidence was the 1st of Foot ** - later known as Royal Scots who petitioned the Grand Lodge of Ireland in 1732. In all to date 581 Warrants have been issued to the Armed Forces. (557 of them to the Army)

** Until 1743 regiments were known by their Colonels name

During the 18th and 19th century Regiments came and went as their nation stood them down only to resurrect them when needed, consequently warrants also came and went.

Regiments that settled in garrisons for long periods surrendered their warrants as travelling lodges and set up as an immovable lodge mostly under the province in which they were garrisoned. The spread of Masonry overseas was greatly enhanced by the Army.

The 29th of Foot (Worcestershire) (Minden Lodge), for example, from

The Military Influence in Freemasonry The Second of a Three Part Article on Freemasonry in the Armed Forces By W.Bro Alan Tydeman PPrGReg Delphis Lodge No7769

1756 for the next 100 years moved around 14 different countries. The 46th of Foot (2nd Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry) (Social and Virtue Lodge) was sent to Sydney, Australia and the 20th of Foot (Lancashire Fusiliers) (Sphinx Lodge) was posted to Japan in 1864. Interesting Asides In the Newcastle Courant on the 4th January 1770 the following appeared. This is to acquaint the public that on Monday the first instant being the Lodge (or monthly meeting) night of Free and Accepted Masons of the 22nd Regiment held at the Crown near Newgate (Newcastle) Mrs Bell the landlady of the house broke open a door with a poker that had not been open before some time past, by which means she got into an adjacent room, made two holes through the wall and by that stratagem discovered the secrets of Freemasonry, and she knowing herself to be the first woman in the world that ever found out the secret is willing to make it know to all her sex. So any lady who is desirous of learning the secrets of Freemasonry by applying to that well learned woman (Mrs Bell that lived fifteen years in and about Newgate) may be instructed in the secrets of Freemasonry

Fortunes of War (Herefordshire Regt cira 1780)When a regiment moved often at short notice the lodge box was sometimes lost in transit. The 25th Foot (KOSB) were thus deprived on its move to Germany in the Austrian Succession War, and a new one consecrated in Berwick in 1763. The 46th of Foot (Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry) was luckier in the American War of Independence when its box was captured by the opposition, only to be return under a flag of truce by Brother George Washington.

In 1764 the 22nd of Foot (Cheshire) lost their warrant to an Indian tribe,

then during the American War of Independence General Parsons authorised the return of the Lodge chest belonging to the 17th of Foot (Leicestershire), the Dragoon Guards also had theirs back under a flag of truce with a guard of honour.

In Gibraltar in 1764 the Spanish captured the warrant of the 59th of Foot (East Lancashire). In the Flanders campaign in 1794 the 6th Dragoons, the 28th of Foot (Gloucestershire) and the 38th of Foot (South Staffordshire) lost theirs to the French.

Two Scottish lodges lost their charters the Scots Greys and 23rd Foot (Royal Welch Fusiliers) in the Seven Years War 1756-1763.

Two troopships were wrecked in a storm off Ireland in 1812, after which both the 2nd Battalion of the 59th of Foot (East Lancashire) Regiment and its Lodge chest ceased to exist.

Warrants for SaleIn 1815 the 28th of Foot (Gloucestershire) Regiment sold its warrant in Plymouth and was erased from the Grand Lodge of Ireland. A woman in Limerick in 1781 sold the warrant of Lodge 36 to the 36th of

The Military Influence in Freemasonry contdFoot (Worcestershire) Regiment who were keen to obtain it as they were working as Lodge No 542.

Travelling lodges working far from High Masonic Authority issued their own dispensations such as Irish Lodge No 74 gave a copy of their warrant to local civilians in Albany New York, allowing them to act during their absence or until they procure a warrant for themselves.

The Grand Lodge of New YorkThe present Grand Lodge of New York is indebted to regimental lodges which were there in 1781. Three static Lodges were joined by several travelling lodges, three Antient, one Irish, one Scottish and another working under dispensation. The Grand Lodge of London then warranted a Provincial Grand Lodge of New York No 219, and one of the first officers was John Studholme Brownrigg a member of

the Irish Lodge in the 38th of Foot (South Staffordshire) Regiment as Senior Grand Warden.

European Military LodgesSweden, Russia, Germany, Holland and Belgium all had military lodges with appropriate names such as Iron Cross Lodge, Shield of Belgium, Lodge of the Swedish Army, Victorious Eagle, Militaire du Bourbonnois.

Part Three Next Week.


One evening a Lodge Mentor retired with a young Brother who could not witness a ceremony in a higher degree. The Mentor produced a pack of playing cards and said to the younger Brother, “Did you know that you can learn a great deal about Freemasonry from these?” “No, indeed,” said the young Brother. “What can they teach me?” “They are useful for improving your memory,” said the Mentor. “Look here, now.”

The ACE it reminds me of the Great Architect of the Universe. The TWO reminds me of the two great pillars at the entrance of King Solomon’s Temple. The THREE reminds me of the 3 who rule the Lodge, the WM, the SW and the JW. The FOUR reminds me of our progression in the Craft

• Entered Apprentice,• Fellow Craft,• Master Mason,• and Worshipful Master

The FIVE reminds me of the 5 noble orders of Architecture,

• Tuscan,• Doric,• Ionic,• Corinthian,• and Composite.

The SIX reminds me of the 6 principles of our order,

• Brotherly Love,• Relief,• Truth,• Faith,• Hope,• and Charity

The SEVEN reminds me of the 7 liberal arts and sciences,

• Grammar,• Logic,• Rhetoric,• Arithmetic,• Music,• Geometry,• and Astronomy.

The EIGHT reminds me that we have members from all faiths. Muslims believe that there are 8 paradises, signifying God’s mercy. In Buddhism 8 is a lucky number.

The NINE reminds me of the working tools. Three for each of the three degrees.

The TEN reminds me of the 10 Commandments on which our order is based. TEN was also the Pythagorean symbol of perfection or completeness.

The JACK reminds me of the word we share in the Fellow Craft Degree.

The QUEEN reminds me of the widow who bore the famous son and, also our Sovereign.

The KING reminds me of King Solomon the principal figure of our order.

There are TWELVE FACE CARDS which remind me of the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 signs of the Zodiac.

There are TWO COLOURS which remind me of Night and Day. Good and Evil.

There are FOUR SUITS which remind me of

• Prudence,• Temperance,• Fortitude• and Justice.

“I am most grateful,” said the young Brother. “I will never forget all that you have said.

But tell me, there are two cards which you haven’t yet explained.”

“Oh, those,” said the Mentor. “Those are the TWO JOKERS who Proposed and Seconded you after telling you that it would take no more than one evening a month!

The Mason’s Deck of CardsBy W Bro David Hudson PPrGSwdB ProvGMentor Coningsby Lodge 6383


The Lyde Wanderer’s Canon Pyon Walk By W.Bro Paul Sabel ProvGStwd- Dean Waterfield Lodge 8089

Canon Pyon and neighbouring King’s Pyon have a nice, dignified ring to their names. Surprisingly, pyon means ‘gnat’s island’, our predecessors not being the type to mince words. Nowadays the village, as insect-free as anywhere else, stretches out along the A4110, a route north out of Hereford since at least Roman times.

The Nags Head may have a somewhat shorter history, but nevertheless exudes a gently rustic character and is situated in the friendly village of Canon Pyon and has recently been taken on by Steve and Sharon who are local to the village and realise the importance of having a good local! A warm welcome awaits all who visit. The Nags Head boasts a large beer garden and children’s play area. The food is locally sourced and prepared on site.

This walk starts at the Nags Head in Canon Pyon and takes us out of the village, to the ‘leaning’ church. We then gently climb the flanks of Pyon Hill, where legends of ancient heroes and giants abound — and there is the bonus of good views. From here the route descends and returns at a lower level via field paths and a quiet country road.

The WalkWith your back to the front of the pub, walk across the road to the junction straight ahead. Follow the road for about ¼ mile, then go over a stile on the right at a footpath sign. Keep the hedge to your left, crossing a small stream and climbing the opposite side of this very gentle valley. When you come to the road go left. Pass the immodestly-named, late-Georgian Great House — it has nice wrought-iron gates. At a sharp right-hand bend go through the churchyard gate ahead. The church stands well outside the village but is more remarkable for what you’ll find inside. The arcades of columns on either side of the nave lean most alarmingly. It is perfectly safe, having been in this condition since the 15th century, and there are reassuring buttresses to take the weight. There are also some charming carvings of animals, such as a fox, a goose, a pelican and so on. These are said to have been taken from the abandoned abbey at Wormsley, to the south-west, upon the dissolution of the monasteries. On emerging from the porch, bear left to return to the road, where you go left up the gentle slope. Towards the top of the rise there is a bridleway sign, pointing to the right. Go through the adjacent gate and continue to ascend gradually, keeping the hedge to your left. You are now climbing the flank of Pyon Hill and if you look back you will see its twin, Butthouse Hill.

Towards the top of the rise pass through a gate marked with a bridleway sign. This is a lovely spot, the gradual gain in height being rewarded by views forward to Westhope Hill

and back to Garnstone Hill. Alas, now we descend, just left of ahead, with Crookshill Wood to the left. Another sign guides you to a stile by a gate and then, with the hedge on the left, down to the road, which is gained by means of a pedestrian gate. Turn left, along the busy A4110, a far cry from its Roman origins. Be careful, as there is no footpath. Fortunately, after about 100 yards you can go right at a bridleway sign. Keep the hedge to your left again, to come to a minor road. Cross, then proceed ahead over a field, with Fullbridge Farm to your left. When faced by two gates, go through the one on the left and continue ahead, now with the hedge to your right. Pass through two more gates, after the second of which the hedge is on your left — ignore a stile and footbridge on that side. The next gate leads into an orchard. Keep to the left to arrive at a minor road. Go right to return to Canon Pyon. Just before the junction is the car park at the rear of the Nags Head. Once the restrictions have been lifted you could always pop in for a quick ½ and a bite to eat.


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The CraftsmenPublished every Monday

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