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Spotlight on Sheffield
When Sheffield Masons presented cheques
to two charities, including the Cavendish
Cancer Care Centre, they little realised that
the result would be that the local Masonic hall
would star in a local television programme.
Harry Gration, presenter of the BBC
Look North evening TV programme is a
patron of the Centre, and was surprised
at the existence of Tapton Masonic Hall,
Sheffield, where the cheques were presented.
He immediately saw a good story, and
local Masons came together to help him put
the programme together about Freemasonry
at the Grade II listed building.
Like many non-Masons he was impressed
with both the building and the activities –
fund-raising in particular – in which
Freemasons are involved. The date was fixed,
the camera crew turned up and on the
evening of the 17th February the programme
went out.
Among the volunteers were Liaqat
Ali Khan, a Past Master of Hillsborough
Lodge No. 5444, Paul Airton, a Fellowcraft
of Sheaf Lodge No. 6990 and David Ayres,
a Master Mason of Furnival Lodge No.
2558, all in Sheffield in the Province of
Yorkshire West Riding, and Mike Teanby,
Area 4 Representative of the Province
Media Committee.
As well as talking about how they enjoy
their Freemasonry and what it means to
them, there was a demonstration of the
procession into the Lodge and a ‘ballot’
to make Harry Gration a Mason.
Locally, Masons are pleased with the
constructive image the programme displayed,
and the feedback in the Sheffield area has
been very positive. The programme shows
the advantages to be gained when Masons
take a positive attitude to publicity.
It all came about from ongoing initiatives
that came out of Freemasonry in the
Community Week, whose committee
decided to support two charities, the
Cavendish Cancer Care Centre and the
Bluebell Wood Hospice for Children.
Committee chairman Chris Watson acted
as the Master in the television programme.
Following three car boot sales and a
sponsored walk along the River Don, passing
the Five Weirs into Sheffield City Centre,
more than £10,000 was raised, with cheques
going to the two charities.
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Dorset Masons go public with a consecration ceremony
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TV shots from the BBC Look North programme
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Consecration Ceremony
It is always a delight to see the Craft in
public, and Dorset Masons were out in
force when they publicly laid the foundation
stone of the Portland Jubilee Gateway.
The traditional ceremony was based on
Sir Christopher Wren’s laying of the
foundation stone of St. Paul’s Cathedral,
and more locally the George III statue and
Jubilee Clock in Weymouth.
The ceremony was led by Dorset
Provincial Grand Master Kenneth Barnes,
and included the Mayor, Councillor Steve
Flew, Portland Town Council members
and Brethren of Portland Lodges.
A time capsule was deposited, the
contents provided by Portland Schools.
The project was principally financed by
Portland Lodges.
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