Page 3 - EM-Issue-90

Content
DepPGM's Foreword

Brethren, 2020 was a year we will be happy to see behind us and the roll-out
of the vaccine 2021 offers light at the end of the tunnel and the promise of
a safe return to our meetings later in the year. The joy of returning to our
meetings will be tempered though by the number of fellow masons we lost
to the virus.
I imagine that HM Government will phase a return to normality so while the
number of brethren who can attend a meeting might initially be limited I am
optimistic of a full return to normal meetings in September.
Pages Rosslyn Lodge, supported by the Province, have organised an Essex Freemasons Festival of Racing at
Chelmsford City Racecourse on 3rd July, with every race named and sponsored by masons and Lodges.
The late RW Provincial Grand Master’s wife, Margaret Bass, will be presenting a silver trophy to the
4 - Provincial winner of what will become an annual Rodney Lister Bass Novice Chase on the day. Bring your friends
and families for a great fun day out to celebrate the re-opening of our Lodges & Chapters, safe in the
knowledge that if the event has to be cancelled you will receive a 100% refund.
12 - Pathway By the time we meet again many Lodges & Chapters will have a backlog of Candidates to Initiate/Exalt
and Second and Third Degree Ceremonies to perform. In recognition of the support you continued to
give to your masonic centres many of them have already agreed to open during the summer to and
I would ask you to consider holding extra meetings to start to clear any backlog you have because
14 - Charity Grand Lodge will be starting a national attraction campaign in July which could lead to a rise in potential
Candidates later this year.
The other ‘big thing’ of 2021 will be the roll-out by Grand Lodge of the Hermes electronic system that will
20 - Royal Arch
Welcome home Team in Essex and will ensure that every Secretary and Scribe E has been trained in plenty of time before
replace all paper application forms and returns. W.Bro Neil Beverley, APGM, is running the Implementation
the system goes live. I have seen the system and wish it had been available to me when I was a Lodge
Secretary. If you have ever ordered shopping online you will have all the skills you need to be able to use
21 - Hermes
it but W.Bro Neil has formed a large team of IT Support volunteers who will happily work with you if you
need help getting online or using the system.
22 - Almoner Finally brethren, the pandemic has had a significant effect on the funds being raised for Festival 2022 but
our Lodges & Chapters have millions of pounds in their Relief Chests that was collected for charity but is
not being used. If your Lodge or Chapter was able to release just some of those funds we would be able
to fulfil our promise to provide the MCF with the £6m we agreed to provide for them during the period
25 - Cornerstone of the Festival, to enable them to support our brethren and their families in need and deserving charities
Prince Edward in our Province. Please see Colin Felton’s appeal on page 14.
Duke of Kent Court 30 - Communications Brethren, we may be approaching the final hurdle of the pandemic but please continue to stay safe until
we can meet again.
rated ‘Good’ Paul G. Reeves, DepPGM

by CQC Dear Readers,
Welcome to issue 90 of Essex Mason, the Official Magazine for the Province of Essex.
It is difficult to comprehend that this is the third issue of the Essex Mason Magazine since the implementation of the Covid restrictions, but with
April 2020 the use of Zoom video conferencing we are delighted to be able to continue with the compilation and production of the magazine for the Essex
Brethren.
Congratulations to all of the Brethren who have received preferment with Provincial Honours and even though our shop is currently closed due
to the government restrictions our online shop is open for business so please have a look at the Essex Mason website www.essexmason.co.uk for
purchase of your regalia requirements.
At RMBI Care Co. Home Prince Edward Duke “We provide personalised care, along with Since the last issue we have launched two new Rodney Lister Bass Commemorative items, a lapel pin badge and a black Provincial Tie which are
also available on the website, with all proceeds going to the 2022 Festival. This issue has a wide variety of interesting articles and considering that
of Kent Court, we provide residential care unique activities to support our residents’ our Masonic meetings have virtually been on hold from March 2019 it demonstrates that the Corona Virus hasn’t curtailed our Charitable activities.
and residential dementia support for older health and wellbeing.” The next regular issue of Essex Mason will be circulated in August 2021 so please submit articles to be considered for inclusion in this issue to
magazine@essexmason.co.uk with a copy deadline of the 31st July 2021.
Freemasons, their families and people in the Stay Safe Brethren,
wider community. From cocktail evenings in the Home’s bar, Essex Mason Editorial Team
to cinema nights and visiting the Essex Mason Ltd Essex Mason Magazine Essex Mason Shop
& Registered Office
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