Author: Brian Cole

The Hall Stone Jewel

With the joining of the two Dalhousie and Call Sign Lodges we have been honoured for our Masters to wear the Hall Stone Jewel.

The Jewel came about at the end of the Great War and to celebrate the ensuing peace, Prince Albert, His Royal Highness The Duke of Connaught and Strathearn K.G., P.C., K.T., K.P., G.C.M.G., etc. The then M.W. Grand Master innated the jewel.

The jewel is in the form of a cross, symbolising Sacrifice, with a perfect square at the four ends, on the left and right, squares bearing the dates 1914-1918, the years in which the supreme sacrifice was made.

Between these is a winged figure of Peace presenting the representation of a Temple with special Masonic allusion in the Pillars, Porch, and Steps. The medal is suspended by the Square and Compasses, attached to a ribband, the whole thus symbolising the Craft’s gift of a Temple in memory of those brethren who gave all for King and Country, Peace and Victory, Liberty and Brotherhood.

Within Great Queen Street there is a list of all the Lodges of Masons (See Above) who lost their life during the Great War and as you can see Dalhousie is such a Lodge where todays Master is privileged to wear such a Jewel during his year. (See Below)

Brethren, The following has been posted on the PGLM website, yes you’ve seen it before but now with Provincial.

https://middlesexfreemasons.org.uk/news

If you scroll a little further down you will also find a Middlesex Mason in Macedonia.

On Saturday 8th June at Dalhousie And Call Sign Lodge No.865 our newly installed worshipful master W.Bro Dejan Kocev had a special visitor from Bulgaria, Bro Orlin Kaliv a representative of “Sofia Friends Lodge No.96 United Grand Lodge of Bulgaria attended as a personal guest at the installation meeting providing a letter of good standing, allowing bridges to be built between the two Lodges receiving a warm welcome from Lodge members Bro. Orlin Kaliv was presented with two books on behalf of United Grand Lodge of England, namely, “A History of the Masonic Province of Middlesex 1870 – 2020” and “A History of the Royal Arch Province of Middlesex 1872 – 2022” which was gratefully received. Bro. Orlin attended the festive board after which was a joyous occasion including his joining in with the singing of the Masters song.

Congratulations and wishing our new Worshipful Master for the year 2024 – 2025 all the very best.

View this email in your browserWhy not make a day of it? 2024 Annual Convocation of the Provincial Grand Chapter of MiddlesexDear Companions, Companions are invited to attend the Annual Convocation of Provincial Grand Chapter of Middlesex which will be held in Temple 10, Freemasons Hall, Great Queen Street, London, WC2B 5AZ on Monday 24th June 2024 Seated For 3.45, Convocation commences 4.15pm Meal Booking concludes on 14th June. Provincial Grand Chapter will open at 4.15pm, please be seated by 3:45pm. The convocation will be followed by a Festive Board in the Grand Hall of Grand Connaught Rooms at 7pm, preceded by a cash bar in the adjacent Grand Ballroom. Seating in Temple 10 is limited so do not delay booking in! Why not make a day of it? Prior to the AGM, Middlesex Installed Mark Masters Lodge No 1218 will meet in the same Temple 10 at 1:30pm – 2pm. At 2pm there will be a captivating talk from the distinguished British Soldier, Warrant Officer Class 2 Johnson Gideon Beharry, VC, COG, recipient of the Victoria Cross. This talk is open to all R.A. Members as it is taking place after the Mark Meeting has concluded. Andy Wright PGStB, Provincial Grand Scribe EProvince of Middlesex CLICK HERE TO BOOK SEND APOLOGIES Menu Starter:Smoked salmon with red onion rings, capers and a micro cress salad Main Meal:Saltimbocca chicken with hot German-style potato salad; fine bean, black olive and tomato fricassee. Dessert:Lemon and ginger cheesecake (Vegetarian alternative)Starter:Avocado, tomato and mozzarella tricolour salad tossed in balsamic Meal:Sweet potato, courgette & shiitake, coconut curry Dessert:Lemon and ginger cheesecake Tea/Coffee & After Dinner Mintsincludes 1/3 bottle of wine It’s cheaper with friends… Cost of £50 per head for individual bookings. Cost of £48 per head for a table of 8+ booking AGM Seated by 3.30 pm – Dining 7.00 pmInformation on appointments Click to view ACTIVE RANKS FIRST APPOINTMENTSPROMOTIONS This email is being sent to all Members of the Provincial Grand Chapter of Middlesex on behalf of the Provincial Communications Team – Please do not Unsubscribe from this List, otherwise you will receive no further Provincial communications. Copyright (C) 2024 Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex. All rights reserved. Website Link : https://www.pglm.org.uk Email Provincial Office : updates@pglm.org.uk Phone Provincial Office : 020 8891 3300 Our mailing address is: Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe

View this email in your browser Brethren, The Acacia Club This was formally launched to all Middlesex members of the Craft on 24th May and initial responses (although so far small in number) have been universally positive. A small number of wives, widows and partners have already shown interest in being part of the management of the club, and very encouragingly, a couple of them have professional skills that are absolutely relevant to what the club hopes to achieve for its members. It is however very early days, and much work still needs to be done to ascertain the extent of interest in the club and to identify those who will run it. In summary, a good start has been made, and anyone wanting to be involved with it, either as a member or as part of the team managing it, should contact Hugh Saville (hugh.saville@pglm.org.uk) New coordinator for “Network & Friendship” pillar A special welcome to W. Bro. Andy Elliott who has joined the team recently. You will hear a lot from him regarding his concept and plans on this pillar. Travel and Transport An offer of transport to the Royal Arch Annual Convocation at Freemasons Hall on the 24th June 2024 has been sent out to all Companions within the province. We are currently awaiting further responses to enable us to assess the requirements for this. It has also been decided that a more targeted approach is required to help identify all those who would benefit from this assistance going forward. We would like to contact individual Lodge Almoners/Secretaries in the near future to seek help in identifying individual members within their lodges who would benefit most from such transport facilities. Sincerely & Fraternally, Ivan Chu, ProvGAlm. This email is being sent to all Members of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex on behalf of the Middlesex Cares Team – Please do not Unsubscribe from this List, otherwise you will receive no further Provincial communications. Copyright (C) 2024 Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex. All rights reserved. Website Link : https://www.pglm.org.uk Email Provincial Office : updates@pglm.org.uk Phone Provincial Office : 020 8891 3300 Our mailing address is: Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe

Dalhousie And Call Sign Lodge No. 865 representatives Bro. Dario & Bro. Haytham at Great Queen Street following acceptance of their invites. Looking forward to a very enjoyable day.

Can’t read this email properly?Better Lives Magazine, Issue 13 is out now!Our bi-annual magazine, featuring real stories from the people we help, advice for anyone thinking of applying for support, and news from the MCF has now been published. This issue focuses on our support for children and young people, from travelling scholarships to grants for daily living costs and helping access to SEND assessments. There are some really incredible, heartwarming stories in this issue so we hope it’s been worth the wait!READ MOREMental health supportThe Mental Health of Children and Young People in England 2023 report, published by NHS England, highlighted that one in five children aged 5-17 years old were identified as having a probable mental health condition. Read our monthly blog post about just two of the young people who have received mental health support as a result of reaching out to us.READ MORECharitable giving near youIf you’ve ever wondered how much your Province has helped your local community, click the link and filter by your area to find out more about its impact.READ MORECould we help you with daily living costs?When Gus was 17 years old, his father died suddenly, leaving behind Gus, his mother, and two sisters. “We got in touch with the MCF, and they gave me a grant which helped massively because my mother was a single mother, and it was often difficult for her to afford the things I needed and to help me out as much as she wanted to.”GET SUPPORTNational Walking MonthThe month of May was National Walking Month, and we couldn’t think of anyone better to talk to than Freemason, Chris Jones who is walking the entirety of Britain for charity. Listen to what he had to say about the benefits of getting out when you can.LISTEN HERESupport for young people in povertyChildren from low-income households often struggle to maintain wellbeing progress in comparison to similar age groups from households in more affluent areas.      Around 600 local children and their families struggling with poverty and isolation will be given the support they need thanks to a £60,000 grant to the Footprints in the Community charity.READ MORENews from the ProvincesTeddy makes it to Mount Everest Base Camp Jez Hyland, APGM and Lincolnshire 2025 Chairman, together with Rob Wright, who is currently Master of the Franklin Lodge in Boston, Lincolnshire, travelled to Everest Base Camp to raise money for the 2025 Lincolnshire Festival. TLC Teddy joined them on the trek up 5364m (17,600 ft)!READ MOREAround the Province in four days!Starting on 6 June, Mark, Robert, Ronnie, and Darren will be cycling to all 23 centres in the Province of Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire to raise funds for the 2024 Festival.  This mammoth challenge will see them cycling about 240 miles! READ MOREIn case you missed it…Introducing our brand new WhatsApp Channel, the only place to get a look behind-the-curtain and receive all MCF updates before anyone else! Keep an eye out for some great insider knowledge coming your way.FOLLOW USCONTACT USThe Masonic Charitable Foundation is the national charity of Freemasonry under the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE). UGLE is the governing body of Freemasonry in England, Wales, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and some Districts overseas. To find out more about Freemasonry, visit ugle.org.uk© 2024 Masonic Charitable Foundation.Charity Number 1164703 Company Number 09751836Unsubscribe

View this email in your browser The Middlesex 1870 Committee proudly present the Middlesex Fun Day that is being held at the Great Cockcrow Railway in Chertsey. Just 2 miles from junction 11 of the M25. FOR PARKING USE POSTCODE KT16 0AD(Lynne Village Hall)Vintage Buses will will transport you to the event.DISABLED PARKING and Drop Off Use Postcode KT16 0AD This event is open to All Middlesex Freemasons, Family & Friends. Entry is FREE, and the train rides are Free but donations will be greatly appreciated. All Proceeds will be donated to Shooting Star Childrens Hospices. The trains will be running from 2pm, and the gates open at 1pm. BBQBeer TentRefreshmentsSide Stalls We hope you can support this great event and the Pro Provincial Grand Master, R.W. Bro. David Allan. Please register if you are coming to enable us to plan the day better. RSVP Would your lodge or Chapter  like to run a side stall? Please contact paul.lowery@pglm.org.uk or complete this online enquiry form For the latest up to date information visit our website here Register Planning To Attend HereStall Holder Booking Form HereTo Download The Flyer Click HereThis email is being sent to Secretaries, Scribe E’s and Hermes Administrators on behalf of the Provincial Office – Please do not Unsubscribe from this List, otherwise you will receive no further Provincial communications. Copyright (C) 2024 Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex. All rights reserved. Website Link : https://middlesexfreemasons.org.uk/ Email Provincial Office : office@pglm.org.uk Phone Provincial Office : 020 8891 3300 Our mailing address is: Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe

View this email in your browser Brethren, The Acacia Club is part of the “Middlesex Cares” initiative being rolled out across the Province. It will be a club for Middlesex Masonic widows, wives, and partners to provide them with practical support, social events, and a newsletter. It will neither supersede nor replace existing social groups in the Province, nor the work of Lodge almoners, but will provide a distinctive range of services for their exclusively widows, wives and partners across the Province. Similar clubs to this (principally for widows) operate very successfully in other Provinces, so we are taking that concept and are expanding it. Ultimately the club may have a presence at Twickenham, Harrow and Uxbridge Centres and will be administered by its members, although each branch will have a Middlesex Freemason as their Masonic liaison representative linking back to the Province. This briefing is to explain what the Acacia Club will provide, also, to seek your feedback about it. For example, do you have a wife or partner would she be interested in joining? WHY SET UP THE CLUB, AND WHAT WILL IT OFFER? Masonic widows, wives and partners are sometimes overlooked by the Masonic community, hence links with them will depend upon the proactivity and sociability of the Masonic unit of which their partner is (or was) a member. Some units are more inclusive than others, so wives, partners and (less frequently) widows will join Lodge social events and Ladies festivals etc, resulting in closer links between the Masonic community and their families and widows. The Acacia Club will provide a distinct range of services, including: Signposting for advice and support: A woman is sometimes more comfortable receiving assistance from or talking about their concerns with another woman – particularly in times of emotional stress or loss. To meet that need, the Acacia Club intends to identify and appoint selected members as “Advocates” trained in listening skills to provide support to other members at challenging times – for example following the death of a Masonic husband or partner.  Should an Advocate identify any situation where support from the Masonic Charitable Foundation or the RMBI may be appropriate, they would (with the permission of the member concerned) refer the matter to the Provincial Almoner.   Further support (also provided by Advocates) will be offered to wives and partners of Freemasons who are being looked after at home or in care homes or on an ongoing basis in hospital after diagnosis with chronic long-term health issues, that have left the wife/partner to manage the family affairs alone. This can be a very unsettling time for them.   Social events: Widowed or otherwise, many women don’t feel comfortable socialising on their own, so the club will arrange visits where a woman might not want to go alone but would be happy to go as part of a group. For example, a visit on one’s own to Wisley Gardens, or to a theatre matinee might be out of the question, but it could be a very different matter to go in a group with other women with an opportunity to share and talk about the experience. Meals out (pub lunches etc) may also be provided, especially as a woman on her own will rarely countenance visiting a pub or restaurant alone, yet it might be something she and her husband did together when he was alive, so she misses it. Alternatively, she may still have a husband or partner and just want to go out for lunch with other females. Meetings: Acacia Club members may meet for lunch or tea at the Centres, and such occasions could include guest speakers featuring a range of general subjects of interest, or matters of specific relevance to women and especially women on their own – for example, talks on security issues (scams, email phishing, unwanted phone calls etc) the importance of setting up Lasting Powers of Attorney and making Wills, support available from the MCF or RMBI, health issues etc. Newsletters to link with and inform other members. These would include information on past and future club activities, as well as news from the Province (including upcoming Provincial events) Profile at Provincial events: When the Province holds an internal event with stalls representing Masonic units, there may be a stall for the Acacia Club where members can meet and chat over a cup of tea. That would greatly increase the profile of the club and should encourage new members. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? The Acacia Club is still in the early days of being set up, so this note is to provide members of the Middlesex Province details of it. The next steps will be: To receive feedback from members of the Province. All members of the Middlesex Craft will be contacted with a request that (if they have a wife or partner) they ask them whether they are interested in being a member of the Acacia Club. All Middlesex units will be asked to provide lists of their widows, so they too may be approached about the club. Upon receipt of expressions of interest from potential members, steps will be taken to set up the club. It is most important to note that the Acacia Club will be managed by its members and not by Middlesex Freemasons. Hence Provincial role is to support its formation and then be approached for ongoing support and access to Masonic resources if and when required.We hope you will find this introduction to the Acacia Club helpful, and we welcome all comments or suggestions. These should be sent by email to Hugh Saville at: hugh.saville@pglm.org.uk Thank you. Sincerely and Fraternally, W. Bro. Ivan Chu ProvGAlm This email is being sent to all Members of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex on behalf of the Provincial Communications Team – Please do not Unsubscribe from this List, otherwise you will receive no further Provincial communications. Copyright (C) 2024 Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex. All rights reserved. Website Link : middlesexfreemasons.org.uk Email Provincial Office : updates@pglm.org.uk Phone Provincial Office : 020 8891 3300 Our mailing address is: Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe