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The Province produced a series of leaflets to support the
event including one which explained the horticultural aspects
as they related to Freemasonry. A leaflet entitled What’s the big
Secret? … It’s no Secret targeted those who may have wanted
to know more about Freemasonry.
The Grand Charity series of leaflets including the
Tsunami and hospice grants, to name but two, dealt with
charitable work. Almost 50,000 leaflets were distributed to
members of the public, who without exception welcomed
this new approach by Freemasons to communicate with
the community.
What impressed so many of the visitors was that, unlike
so many of the other display gardens at the show, which were
to be sold or broken up, the Cheshire garden was given as a
charitable donation to the Hospice of the Good Shepherd
near Chester.
Indeed, one lady, when visiting the garden, said “What a
lovely garden. This will be a lasting tribute for others to enjoy.
I am delighted that it is going to a hospice. I visit this hospice
and will certainly look out for it next time I visit”
In addition to the garden, the Province had a display in
the Arts and Garden Design Marquee which equally attracted
a large number of visitors. The stand, which depicted a
snapshot of a Lodge room with an ancient Master’s chair
(courtesy of the Lodge of Unanimity No. 89), provided a
glimpse of many rare and important artefacts, including the
Provincial Sword, Provincial banner and Provincial Grand
Master’s personal standard.
Supporting information told of famous Cheshire
Freemasons, charity work and the teddy bear project operated
in many Provinces across the English constitution – TLC.
The Provincial Grand Master Timothy Richards got in on
the act when visiting both the garden and stand on one of the
build up days. In his own words, as the Grand Master
Overseer of Mark Master Masons, he said: “This is fair work
and square and such as we have agreed” – praise indeed!
The garden not only attracted the public, but many Masons
from far and wide. Almost every Province and many overseas
jurisdictions were represented, with several Masons
accidentally stumbling across the garden and stand, clearly
delighted at what they found.
Other members of the Cheshire Special Projects team for this
initiative included David Heathcote, Eric McConnell and David
Thomson, assisted by the Provincial Grand Secretary, Peter Carroll,
and the office team, together with many brethren from the Province
as volunteers.
David Heathcote is Media and Public Relations Officer for the Province
of Cheshire
Cheshire County Council chairman Neville Price
and his wife talk to David Heathcote, Media &
PR Officer and Harry Wright, Special projects
chairman of Cheshire Masons
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Copyright 2002-2007
MQ Magazine
Web site created by Mark Griffin
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