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THE

he following is an extract from theaddress of the Provincial GrandMaster given at the meeting of

Provincial Grand Lodge on Saturday 19'n

June 2004 which clearly sets out the newrules and procedures governing allappointments to Provlncial Grand Rankwithln our Province from now on.

"As most of you by now know thls is thelast occasion on which such numbers canbe invested in this Province, as GrandLodge has ordained and the Book ofConstitutions now enshrines a new quotasystem common to all provinces. And asWorcestershlre happens to have one ofthe lowest ratios in the country ofmembers to lodges, we wlll suffer one ofthe g reatest reductions.

So there can be no misunderstanding inthe future, let me spell out in detail whatthe changes wlll mean. Although thecurrent Worcestershire system has beenin place for decades, there is surprisingignorance of it. At present, every brotherwho passes through the Chair of his lodgecan, unless he failed to pull his weightwhen Worshipful Master or hisattendance at lodge has severelydeclined, expect a first appolntment toProvincial rank after five years. Six yearslater he can expect a promotion, againassuming that he has attended his lodgeregularly and played a part in its progress.Thereafter promotion is entirely on merit.

In future a first appointment will inltially

WorcestershireSource

still be after five years as at present but,as there will be too few appointments forthe full number of lodges, it will inevitablymean that a proportion each year willhave to wait to the following year.Gradually this backlog will build up so thatin, say, three or four years' time a flrstappointment will not come until after sixyears, and after another four years or sountil seven years, and so on. Secondly,the automatic first promotion after a

fufther six years will have to be abolishedapart from those who have had as flrstappointments active office and allpromotions in future will be entirely onmerit. But, here again, there will beinsufficient available each year for apromotion in each lodge; indeed, therewill probably not even be enough for halfour lodges. All will depend on thenumber of Masons in the Province at thetime.

This is where you, brethren, and yourlodge committees come in. TheProvincial Office has for sorne years beensending out a form with the installationreturns asking for any recommendationsfor promotion. Hltherto lt has beenvoluntary; now it becomes mandatory,requiring one name per lodge nosubmission, no chance of one of thescarce promotlons. This will, incldentally,have the beneficial effeci ofdemocratising the process to someextent. You in your lodges will be able tochoose the brother you regard as mostdeservlng of promotion, and I and my

ISSUE No: 3October 2004

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fellow rulers wlll have the difficult task ofchoosing between lodges to achieve a

balance of promotions. Thus it may bethat you will have to submlt the samebrother's name two or three yearsrunning before he is selected. And thls isalso where those eight additional criteriaattendance at Provincial Grand Lodge,membership of the Royal Arch, etc., etc.published by my predecessor will comein; we shall take them into considerationwhen having to make the invidiouschoices that we shall undoubtedly have tomake.

It is 'the hope of reward that sweetenslabour' so we are told. And, as we allknow, it ls Past Masters in small lodges(such as we currently experience all toooften in this province) who have to workharder to sustain their lodges than dothose In larger ones. They are therefore,it seems to me, more deserving ofpromotion; and yet the new system willoperate in precisely the opposite manner.And so what can we do about it? For mypart I will continue to voice my strongconcerns to Grand Lodge whenopportunity offers. For your part you caneach do your best to increase thestrength of your lodges and thusgradually build up the ratio of members tolodges again. But let us never forget thatwe are all brothers on the square andthat, rewarded or not, we support eachother because we enjoy what we do; if wedid not, then there would be little point In

carrying on."

The llewsletter of Worcestershire Freemasons

NEW RULES ON PROVINCIAL HONOURS

The Ladies'Gift Fund for Masonic Charities - Christmas Fayre

Plans are well in hand for the 52ndChristmas Fayre that is to be held oncemore in November. The Fayre will be heldon Saturday 13th November at 10.30. Thevenue will be The Clarendon Suite, StirlingRoad, Edgbaston.

This year I am delighted to say that Rt.Wor. Bro. Richard G.H.Goddard MA.Provincial Grand Master forWorcestershire will be performing theofficialopening.

The "Ladies' Gift Fund" is a product of thework of the wives and ladies of Brethren of

Worcestershire, Staffordshire andWarwickshire Provinces, Our fundraising events are always well suppoftedby the Rulers of the three Provlnces, andby many Brethren and their families.This makes for a very enjoyable socialmorning.

Tickets have been circulated to all LodgeSecretaries and are available for you topurchase. We plan some new ideas thisyear, pafticularly some more attractionsfor children. Please come and supportthis enjoyable day.

Each year the proceeds of our work raisesubstantial sums of money for charity. Iwould like to thank you most sincerely forall the support that you so generouslygave last year to our fund raising events.We were once more able to generatesufficient money to donate 82,500.00 toeach of the three Provinces. We also senta similar amount to The New MasonicSamaritan Fund.

I look forward to seeing as many of you aspossible at this year's Fayre.

Valerie Edwards - Chairman

DONT FORGET THE MASONIC WIDOWS CHRISTMAS PARTY

W Bro Charles M GvuynnProvincial Senior Grand Warden

Charles Gwynn was born at an early age in South Wales on the GowerPeninsular.

However, do not be fooled by the Welsh accent. His Father was born in GreatMalvern and both his Grand parents and Great-Grandparents were born inWorcester.

His education culminated in his Graduating in Medicine at BirminghamUniversity. He later became a Member of the Royal College ofPhysicians.

In his work he specialized in Paediatrics at Birmingham Childrens Hospital withparticular interest in Childhood asthma and Allergic Diseases In addition,Charles spent 26 years as part time Research Fellow at Birmingham University.Following his initial retirement, latterly he has joined an old school pal as a parttime General Practitioner.

Outside his day job, Charles was a Member of the Territorial Army for 23 yearsending his career as a full Colonel in command of a General Hospital. He wasawarded the Order of Saint John (O St J) for services to the army.

His interest in medicine continues and he is a Trustee of the Acorns ChildrensHospice and County Director of the West Midlands St. John Ambulance.

Charles' masonic CV appears to keep him as busy as his medical and militarycareers

He was initiated into Lechmere Volunteer Lodge No.1874 and ls a member ofCyfindra Dewi Sant No.9135, Installed Masters Lodge and Provincial GrandStewards Lodge. He is Zerubbabel elect in Lechmere Hughes R A ChapterNo.1874. In the Mark and RAM degrees he is Provincial Grand Senior Overseerfor Mark Province of Warwickshire and a Past Master of Perseverance R A M

Lodge No.733.

In keeping with his military career, he is a member of a number of religious andmilitary Orders including Halesowen Council No.219 Royal & Select Masters.1st Constable Hales Abbey K T Preceptory No.40B, 1st General Vernon ChapterNo5 in the Rose Croix. In the Order of Red Cross of Constantine Charles is Sen.General Mornlng Star Conclave No.249 and finally in the Allied Degrees he is a

member of Alvechurch Council No174

MENTORINGTHE NEW WAY FORWARD

Does your Lodge mentor new rnembers?The first Training and Education session

this season was on Mentoring. Mentoring is

not a new concept and many Provinces andLodges have been using a Mentor system foryears ln some Lodges using the title, Masterof Novices.

It stems from industry and theprofessions where mentors are the meansby which new entrants to an organisationare given someone who will guide themthrough pitfalls, advise, train and oftenappraise them. In Masonry we see it as themost useful tool there is to ensure retentionof new members to the Craft.

Among the many problems facing us inMasonry perhaps one of the greatest is justthis, retention. Every Lodge can tell a storyabout keen new candidates who afterinitiation, or even after raising, suddenlydrop by the wayside and are never heard ofagain. Sometimes personal affairsintervene, sometimes the exigencies ofhaving to make a living, but often it may beseen that the new entrant has been left tofend for himself in what, we must acimit, canbe a very confusing environment,

Yes, most Proposers and Seconders do a

sterling job in encouraging, helping andinforming initiates, but sometimes this is notenough. Therefore, the PGM has decidedthat we should institute, on a Provincialbasis, the Mentoring system which has beenso successful in certain Lodges in theProvince and in other provinces.

This implies that each Initiate wiil begiven a mentor whose job will be to guide,advise and help the new Brother tounderstand and enjoy what we know is a

most fulfilling life experience, To that endwe have prepared booklets to be given to theMentoq explaining his role and to the newBrother, one for his Initiation, one for hisPassing and one for his Raising,

The Mentor will discuss the material inthe booklets with the new Brother; willaccompany h!m out of the Lodge room whenceremonies are taking place for which thatBrother is not is not qualified and willgenerally be seen as friend and counsellor.

In this way it is hope that any newBrother beginning to feel himselfoverwhelmed by what is going on in theLodge, or unsure of his commitment willhave someone he knows to talk to and air hisdoubts. And that alone may be enough toprevent that Brother leaving us andMasonry.

It is a challenging job, it reqLlires tact,experience, knowledge and a real interest inthe new mason. It is ideally suited for thoseexcellent past masters who have so oftenshown their mettle, their commitment inceremonies and Provincial work for manyyears and the PGM is convinced that a

concerted effort will enable the Province toretain and develop our Initiates,

Colin YoungEducation and Training Group

ISSUE No: 3

White Table Evenings

Many Lodges struggle to find candidates.Sometimes the media is a positivehindrance with its ill-informed and biasedanti-masonic studies. And sometimesBrethren feel a little unsure as to how toencourage men who seem to be idealcandidates for masonry, There is areluctance to approach such people,despite the fact that Grand Lodge has saldthat there is nothing wrong with doingthat and despite the fact that someLodges even advertise for members! InGuys Hospital there is an advert on themain staff notice board giving details ofwhen meetings are held and thesecretary's name and address for thosewho are interested in joining.

A White Table Evening is one way ofintroducing potential candidates tomasonry without the need for anadvertising agency.

The Training and Education group will beholding a seminar on White TableEvenings on November 1" at the MasonicRooms, Briars Hotel, Kidderminster. Itwill be run by W.Bro. David Bell, theProvincial DC and members of his DCs'team.

Those of you who attended the Directorsof Ceremonies session last season willknow that not only willyou be entertainedand informed but that you will be able totake back to your Lodges all thenecessary literature to hold your ownevening if appropriate and necessary.

Again the PGM is keen to encourageLodges to consider White Table Evenings.You will see when you attend the sessionthat no secrets are given, that theintegrity ofthe ritual is preserved and thatthis is no attempt to Americanise us.Indeed, by inviting wives and partners tosuch evenings, by showing that we havenothing to hide and by being ourselvesmany Lodges have been able to initiate upto four new members in a year and, whatis more, retain them! That can't be bad.

It is understood that some masons maydisapprove of what they see as adeliberate watering down of ourpreviously tightly guarded privacy. Thatreally cannot be the case, not whenrituals are easily available, when Masonicceremonies are described and shown ontelevision and when we ourselves paradewith pride and some excellence in fullregalia at the Cathedral Service and atProvincial Grand Lodge. Put your fears atrest come along on the 1" November andprepare to be persuaded.

Colin YoungEducation and Training Group

OCTOBER 2004

W Bro Irving J HorneProvincial Junior Grand Warden

Born on 24 February 1949, Irving James Horne went to school at St Catherine's c of Elunior School, Horwich followed by seven years at Bolton School (Boys Division), whichexplains the accent.

He was admitted to a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English (despite the accent), Frenchand Theology and was awarded a Certiflcate in Education both in t97l by LondonUniversity. Irving later was awarded and Advanced Diploma in Educational Studies inoctober 1986 and admitted to a Master of Arts Degree in English in December 19g9 bythe Cambridge Institute of Education.

He was elected a Fellow of the Royal society for the Encouragement of Arts,Manufactures and Commerce in January 1994.

Irving was a teacher in schools in the London area and then came to Birminghamwhere, for 9 years, he was Head teacher at a comprehensive school. He was presidentof the Birmingham Head TeachersAssociation in 1995-96.

He is a family man with three children two daughters who are both married to doctorsand his son is currently studying at Manchester University. He is also a Grand father toone Grand daughter.

You may have come across Irving when he is in a clearly blind and stupid state i.e. whenhe is refereeing a rugby football match or admitting that he is a Bolton Wanderers fan.

He is better known to us for his piano and organ playing he is guest organist for severalLodges, Chapters and other Orders. He also plays the guitar and ukeleie.

I trust you have not come across Mr Horne in his capacity as a Justice of the peacesitting on the Birmingham Bench.

Irving comes from a masonic family, being a Lewis. His own masonic record is veryimpressive, if not hectic.

Irving was initiated into old Dunstonlan Lodge No. 5662 on 30 April 1973 and wasmaster in both 1980 and 1985. He is a member two further craft Lodges, Lodge of theDesired Haven No. 5948 and Worcestershire Installed Masters t'to. 6849, Having beenMaster of Desired Haven in 1997 and 1999, he was appointed provSGD in 2001. InRoyalArch he was exalted into St. Marks college Chapter No, 2157 on 10 october 19g0and was MEZ in 1988. He joined Kings Norton Chapter No.4001 in March 2000 and wasl4EZin2004. Irving is a member of All Saints Kings Heath Lodge of M M M and RA M.

He is a Member of two Preceptories, The preceptory of King John No. 519 andVarangian Preceptory No. 585, He is also kept busy with St. Martin Chapter Rose CroixNo. 286 and Alvechurch Council No. 174. To complete his cv he is a member ofHRAKTP Mercia Tabernacle KTp No. 10 and KRCC, oHS and St. J the E Morning StarConclave No. 249 and finally Adoniram Council No. 197 in the Royal and Select Mistersdegree.

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WORCESTERSHIRE MASONIC WIDOWS FRIENDSHIP CLUBSBrethren AIl,

YOU CAN ALL HELP

Every Lodge member can be alert and ensure that the Widows of our depafted Brethren are made aware that they are not forgotten/and encourage them to join one of our Masonic Widows Friendship Clubs, now operating in many parts of the Country. They areassured of meeting excellent, understanding company and making new friends, with miny activities, e.g.: Speakers, Day Trips,Lunches and most of all Happy Company.

Our thanks, of course, go to W. Bro. W. E. Gibbons and Doreen for their foresight in setting up the Clubs 22yearsago, and the solidsuppoft from the R. W. Provincial Grand Master, Deputy and Asst. Prov.Grand Masters and ail at provincial Office.

It is great news over recent years of the recognition from The Grand Charity in the importance of highlighting and supportlng theclubs via: "Link" Magazine which is now widely available. But! to reiterate, it is only YOU that can ensure the work is carried out as itshould be.

Grateful thanks are extended to ALL Lodge WM's, Charity Stewards, Almoners and Lialson Officers involved.

Togetherwe can ensure thatthe widows of our respected and well loved departed Brethren are suitably and deservedly honoured.

For further information please contact:Founder.W.BTo, W.GIBBONS.0t2r 4543t90

MASONIC WIDOWS CHRISTMAS LUNCH AT KINGS HEATHWe thank all the Lodges for the wonderful support, which they have given in the past to our Annual Christmas Luncheons. It hasbeen agreed that ALL Masonic Widows of the Province (not just members of the Club) be invited to this years Christmas Luncheon tobe held on: Thursday 9th December 2004 Masonic Hall, Alcester Road South, Kings Heath, Birmingham,

Lodge Almoners are asked to invite widows of their Lodge, (together with 2 or 3 Past Masters or Brethren to assist with transport etc.)and thereby show that these ladies are still in our hearts and minds. Groups attending will be seated together to encourage "a partywithin a pafi!1"

The celebrations begin with a sherry reception at 12.30pm, with lunch at 1.00pm.Cost: - [15.00 per person, inclusive.

The Provincial Grand Master with members of Provincial Grand Lodge and their Ladies are giving their support to this happy occasion.

Bro. Almoners are asked to please identify your paty, (Widows and Lodge Members) and forward the details accompanied by yourcheque not laterthan Thursday 2nd December 2004.Reply to: - Mrs J.Miller, 27, Homepeal House, 231, Alcester Road South, Kings Heath, B'Ham.B14 6DTTelephone : - 0l2t 44L 5493

Liaison Officer - Kings HeathW. Bro. W. E. PARTRIDGE.0l2l 429 5t3s

ffimw Gnared SuBeu"smtemdemt to AppointfSeuns ffifflEeens

On i3 Novetmher 2004 at the nreeting of Wor-cesterslrireinstalled First Fr!ncipais Clr,ao'ier E Conrp j'Victor Ccndlyffe wiilreiire afier many years o'i cur:sian,:iil-iq sei-"-ice to this pr-ovince.

E Cornp Ricrard B \A/ Price vuill appolni E Conrrr Charles Harris asDe0uty Grancr Superiiitenclenr, E Comrr llichard Floare asSerirrrd G:ancl Pnnr:rpal anC E Comn l'{iii-lar:l B Sirnpson as Th!;-ctr

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-[h-*i-e wi]i be e i;il repcri alLi Cofll!.t'ia!tiS lr-r the nexi lssrle ofiiilorcestersh i re Soi,.r r ce.

4

Positive Press Coverage

Did you see the Evening Mail on Friday 25 June 2004?

If you did you wlll have seen approximately a third of a page ofpositive reporting wlth photographs descrlbing the visit of theLord and Lady Mayoress of Birmingham to Cannon Hill park toattend the fun fair again organised by Group 12 ofWorcestershire Associated Masonic Lodges,

The Group have received a very kind letter of thank from theFoundation For Conductive Education.

Well done agaln to W Bro Trevor Barnes, Group 12 and to theEvenlng Mail

ISSUE No: 3

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HOPE AND CHARITY GET TO THE FINNISH

I am grateful to Newshound W.Bro Andrew C T Skidmore, P.M. Hope and Charity 377 forthis report.Tuesday 25'n May 2004. The Lodge of Hope and Charity No. 377 set off for the visit of themillennium. As a member of the Charity Lodges, Hope and Charity regularly travelsaround the Provinces, but a visit to the only English speaking Lodge in Finland promised tobe a real treatlOur IPM, David Oldham has an office in Helsinki and had previously visited Union Lodge134 Helsinki, which falls under the banner of The Grand Lodge of Finland. Founded inseptember 1924 The Grand Lodge of Finland has t47 Lodges and a strong membership of6100. The Grand Master, Arto Uusitalo, and his team have some very exciting timesahead.David asked me if I would like to join him on a visit and 2 soon became 3 and then 8...BarryRead, Brian Kettle, Paul Bowman, Steve Hines, late comer Martin Lawrence and FellowCraft Lee Bond.

There were no obvious challenges with our Fellow Craft, Lee Bond wishing to join us, as the ceremony Union Lodge had planned was aPassing. As required, David wrote to the appropriate parties, requesting authority for the overseas visit. The "OK's" came flooding back,with one slight wrinkle. No Fellow Craft, other than the candidate, could witness a Passing under the rules of The Grand Lodge of Finland .

Strange you might say, but their rules and structure of opening in the 3'd degree and working only in 2"d or 1" when a candidate was to beeither passed or raised make it difficult. Confused, we were!Keith Hall, the Worshipful Master of Union Lodge, in conjunction with David Oldham, wrote to the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge ofFinland, Brother Risto Rydman. So much so was the feeling that Lee would not be able to attend, that he decided to cancel his flight. Justin time Union Lodge's Worshipful Masteremailed informing us that "The Grand Secretary has agreed that Brother Lee Bond could attendthe Lodge under special dispensation". This simply meant that Lee would be brought in to the Lodge as Keith and his officers closed downto the 2"d.

The festlve board was an experience. Toasts and speeches were traditionally to be kept very short. I was asked by Keith Hall to make ashort reply on behalf of the visitors, which, unknown to anyone, led in to the whole Hope and Charity delegation rising to parade theMasters Song. OK, we had lmpressed our hosts with the Worcestershire Choir version (Ok the H & C reserve team effort) and had earneda good night out. The fact that their Worshipful Master is a professional Jazz drummer meant that most of the remaining night was in theundergroundjazzclubnottoomanyindirectpacesfromtheLodgerooms. Sufficetosay,"Ajollygoodtimewashadbyall". Areturnvisit(or was it challenge) is very much on the cards,Visiting a foreign lodge, where culture and ritual are so very different is exciting in itsself,but to witness such a beautiful city and see such a superb ceremony has undoubtedly leftan impression on allthe visitors, none less than our very fortunate Fellow craft Lee Bond.

Provincial Grand Carol Service

At the request of our new ProvincialGrand Master, for the first time theProvince of Worcestershire will be holdinga Provincial Carol Service in the eveningof Monday 13'n December2004.

There can only be one place to hold thisservice and, of course, it wlll be held at StMary and All Saints Church,Kldderminster where "Deborah", the belldonated by the Freemasons of theBorough of Kidderminster and theProvince of Worcestershire supported bya major contribution from the GrandCharlty will be heard.

Government AssistsMasonic Donations

Have you signed andreturned your Gift Aid

form to your LodgeCharity Steward?

ocToBER 2004

Do you regularly monitor the provincial website? If not, why not?

If you have access to the world wide webyou can keep in touch with news and eventswithin the Province of Worcestershire bylogging on to the provincial website at theaddress above.

In this lssue of Worcestershire Source thereis an article by W Bro Colin Young onMentoring and there is a report on theLodge of Hope and Charity's visit to Helsinki.

If you log onto the website and look at Newsyou will find more information on mentoringfrom the Provincial Training and EducationGroup; a notice of the next meeting of theWorcestershire Masonic Study Circle;information about the Scouts Christmascard competition in aid of the AcornsChildren's Hospice Trusu a report on theLodge of Endeavour Garden Party;conflrmatlon of the emergency grants madefollowing the flooding in Cornwall and SouthAsia; an emergency grant made by theGrand Charity to the British Red Cross forwork in Sudan; the Lodge of Hospitality'strip to visit the Lodge of Hospitality No 4 inSlovenia organised by the well knownmember of both Lodges. Bro Nick Plotnekand many other'items.

Keep up to date and be informed. It is yourProvince and Province is keeping you intouch with what your fellow masons aredoing AND what is being done in your nameand on your behalf.

5

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STOURPORT MASONICHALL MAJOR EXTENSION

Introduction and Background :

For over seventy years, the StourportMasonic Hall has served local freemasonryvery well and will continue to do so for a

fufther hundred years or more.

Stourport Masonic Hall is in the enviableposition of being owned by local masonswith no encumbrances/ serving five wellsupported lodges, two chapters, newlyintroduced Mark and Ark Mariners lodgesand a secret monitor Conclave to beconsecrated at the end of 2004. It needsto do just that to increase its income andsecure its future.

The Project:The project was to erect a two storey rearextension and a single storey sideextension to the existing lodge buildingwhich has provided an additional meetingroom, an extension to the dining room,ladies toilets, plus a disabled toilet facility.

Planning approval was given in lateSeptember 2002; work commenced inJune 2003, and was completed in January2004. The total cost was in the region off 150,000 (t10,000 provided by ProvincialGrand Lodge as a loan/ to be repald over 5years), Lodges have collected in excess off25,000 since June 2003 and projects arecontinuing to add to this figure.

The Masonic Hall achleved CharitableStatus in 2003 allowing it to have its ratesreduced to 20o/o of its commercial ratablevalue. This also enabled subscriptions tobe gift aided generating a further 28o/o oftheir value.

Fund Raising:There is strong marketing to let thebuilding and car park for commercial andother purposes to increase revenue.Building Fund Bond Certificates have beensold to brethren of the lodges, to be repaidover 5 or 10 years.

Lodges have been asked to provide theproceeds of one raffle, or collection, eachyear, and each lodge to contrlbute f500 tothe Building Fund on an annual basis tohelp to repay the t100,000 loan obtainedfrom the Bank.

The Future:We expect to meet our commltments andencourage other lodges and degrees tojoin the thriving Stourport Masonicfraternity.

For any further information contact theMasonic Hall Secretary, John McGann, onStourport (01299) 825285.

ACORNS FAMILY CARE DAY

On lune 19'h it was the Provincial Grand Lodge meeting. I couldn't attend this yearbecause the date clashed with the Acorns Family Care Day, which was held at theWest Midlands Safari Park.

We arrived at Bewdley at 11 am to a very warm welcome from Acorns Staff andvolunteers who had arranged for an action packed day out for 400 children andparents. We were directed to a special car parking area and issued with V.I.P. daypasses for the whole family.

The sun shone for most of the day and everyone enjoyed themselves with a tour ofthe safari park and an afternoon at the funfair. I don't know which was the morescarey/ the risk of being savaged by the "extremely ferocious" African wild dogs ortaking my youngest daughter on the notorious Log Flume.

It was also a very good day to check out the latest modlfications- and I do not meanengines- and to catch up on the news from old friends who have shared so manygood and sad times. But it was really just a day to forget all our worries and join inthe fun.

Our daughter, Emma , is 12 and severely dlsabled. We were accepted by Acorns threeyears ago and you can imagine what it means for a parent to apply to a hospice forsupport for their child, A hospice by definition cannot give hope for the future, but itcan provide practical help and lovlng support and, for us, Acorns gives more. It givesus the absolute assurance that Emma, when entrusted to their care, will receive thelove and constant attention she gets at home,

Acorns at Selly Oak, there is also a hospice in Walsall, has ten beds of which two arealways kept free for emergencies.

With over 500 families on their register you can easily see why we consider ourselvesvery fortunate to receive even a few days respite care.

It costs about f 5 million pounds a year to fund the Acorns Trust of which only aboutf500,000 comes from Statutory Sources, which is why donations are so veryimportant.

Worcestershire freemasons have been really marvellous in their support and, as aparent, I can assure you of the lmmense gratltude we feel for your continuingsupport and generosity,

Acorns are building their new hospice in Worcester which may make things a biteasier for us, but we know only too well that as soon as it opens the 500 families willgrow as the catchment area expands because, sadly, there are so many children wlthlife threatening illnesses for whom a future cannot be guaranteed.

On behalf of the familles who receive help from the Acorns Trust we say to all of theFreemasons of Worcestershire ... THANKYOU... foryourcontinuing supportand to allof the Staff and volunteers at Acorns. We thank you for everything you do - it meansso much to us all.

Royston Foster Elgar Lodge9254

PS There was another absentee from P.G.L.Bro. John Ovefton the Chief Executive ofthe Acorns Trust who was also seen enjoying the Log Flume.

Published by The Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire.Provincial Office,94 Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, 861 oDF

Afticles may not be reproduced without written authority,Editor: Keith Blizzard would be pleased to receive articles, news and photographs for publication -

Challinors Blizzard, Edmund House, 12-22 Newhall Street, Birmingham 83 3EFTel: 0121 233 8610 Email: kb@challinors.co.uk

Don't forget to log ISSUE No: 3