CIRCUIT OF SERVICE LODGES MINUTES OF THE AGM HELD AT FREEMASONS HALL LITTLEOVER, DERBY FRI 3 RD NOVEMBER 2017 AT 4PM PRESENT WBro. S Braden Chairman (Victoria Rifles Lodge No 822) VWBro P Sharpe President (St Eligius Lodge No.8295) WBro. D Swain Vice President (Navy Lodge No. 2612) WBro. J Wood Vice Chairman (United Services Lodge Derby No 3933) WBro. M Weobley Vice Chairman (Navy Lodge No 2612) WBro C Huxtable Fitzroy Lodge No 569 WBro P Brindle Victoria Rifles lodge No 822 WBro. P Chambers Secretary/Treasurer (Victoria Rifles Lodge No 822) Apologies were received from: WBro J Ingham-Clark Vice President (Victoria Rifles Lodge No 822) WBro G Wady Secretary Reserve Forces Lodge of Northumbria No 2666 WBro R Simpson Vice President (Victoria Rifles Lodge No 822) WBro J Powis Navy Lodge No 2612 WBro R Robson Wakefields of Hythe Lodge 6059, WBro P Moss Nil Sine Labore Lodge No. 2736 WBro M Tomlinson Pro Patria Lodge No 9952 WBro R Thornton Queensman Lodge No 2694 WBro C Brookes Elsthorne and Middlesex Lodge No. 2094 OPENING REMARKS The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming the representatives present and thanking them for making the journey to Derby. He noted that this was the first time that and AGM had been held outside London. He then gave a reprise of the past year that he had deliberately extracted verbatim from his Chairman s Report. PREVIOUS MINUTES. Minutes of the AGM on 14 th October 2016 had been circulated and been approved at Committee; there were no matters arising not already the subject of an Agenda item. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN AND OFFICERS There being no volunteers or alternative proposals for Office it was agreed that the present incumbents would remain in post as follows: VWBro. P Sharpe would continue as President; RWBro R Stuart Paul would continue as Past President; WBro D Swain would continue as Vice President; WBro J Ingham-Clark would continue as Vice President; WBro SA Braden would continue as Chairman; WBro R.G. Simpson would continue as Vice Chairman;
WBro J Wood would continue as Deputy Chairman. WBro P Chambers would continue as Secretary and Treasurer. New Officers were proposed by VWBro Sharpe and seconded by WBro Braden as follows: WBro M Weobley to be appointed as Vice President; WBro P Brindle to be appointed as Vice Chairman; The vote was unanimous CIRCUIT PROGRAMME Bro Chairman announced that had not been a favourable take-up for a visit to the Arnhem Battlefield in September 2017 and he had shelved the planning for this. He would explore other options, probably a WW1 site again. The Victoria Cross Stones (Tue 25 Apr 17): a very well attended and successful event followed by a very convivial lunch at the United Services Club that was enjoyed by all. The future programme was: The Remembrance Day Parade (Sun 12 Nov 17): Currently 32 in the contingent and invitations had been distributed to participants. Ypres/Somme (July 2018): arrangements are complete with 44 or possibly 46 attending. The programme has been established and deposits paid for hotels and transport. Armistice Weekend 2018: The Chairman reported at length on the proposed format of the Weekend. This is summarised in Annex A. The Chairman requested that if any Lodges had specific sites or events they wished to visit they should speak up and inform any of the Committee; all suggestions would be welcomed and considered. Of particular note was what would be suitable events for 2019; suggestions welcome. TRAVELLING GAVEL Bro Secretary reported that the Travelling Gavel had been travelling. It seems to have generated a lively rivalry and has already changed hands four times and is set to change hands again later this month. FINANCES Bro Secretary stated that there was approx. 650 in the account and that the sale of the new lapel badges had moved in to profit. They had proved so popular that additional batches of small badges had to be procured. Including the value of stock in hand, the value of total assets was approx 1175. The President suggested that an asset value of a minimum of 1000 should be a target to be maintained for the future. NEW MEMBERSHIP Lodges. Applications had been received from two Lodges, Bloomsbury Rifles Lodge No 2362 Pro Patria Lodge No 9952 Bro Secretary proposed both be accepted in to the Circuit, seconded by WBro Brindle. The proposal was approved unanimously by those present. Individual Members. Bro Secretary reported that there had been a steady flow of applications throughout the previous year and the total of individual members was now in excess of 50.
LODGE LISTS & INFORMATION. Bro Secretary reported that no changes had been notified to the Secretary and those currently appointed were to continue in post. He advised that the latest List would be circulated and a review of details would be conducted in the New Year. CIRCUIT CALENDAR Bro Secretary announced that he had created a calendar for the Circuit listing member Lodge meeting dates that he hoped would assist in planning visits. The calendar would be circulated periodically in a similar vein to the Lodge List. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Bro Secretary reported that he had been advised that the Circuit would be included in the next edition of the UGLE Year Book with his details as the contact. Bro Secretary reported that we had been invited to attend an inaugural conference of Lodge Associations on 5 th December. Bro Chairman will be representing the Circuit. DATE OF NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING FEB/MAR 2018 (TBC) DATE OF NEXT AGM OCT 2018 (in London)
ANNEX A: ARMISTICE WEEKEND 2018 Grand Temple Armistice Victoria Rifles Installation Introduction Victoria Rifles 822 will hold its Installation ceremony on Saturday 10 th November 2018 in the Grand Temple. All members of the Circuit of Service Lodges will be encouraged to attend (with personal guests) and it is hoped that each of the 35 Circuit Lodges will present its banner. The C1100 Hallstone Lodges will be invited to send their WM. Lunch will be in the Grand Hall of the Connaught Rooms, with additional rooms if needed. This should ensure a core attendance of 600+. However, with the support of UGLE and the prospect of a wider audience to include leaders of the Provinces and Districts, it is expected that the total audience in the Grand Temple is likely to be 1,000. Concept This will be a private Lodge event hosted by Victoria Rifles. At its centre is an expurgated Installation ceremony with the current Master and Officers remaining in post. Once the Lodge has been opened, and should a Masonic Leader require admission, a procession of invitees will join. It is intended that those entitled to wear uniform and medals will do so, including those serving with the HAC, the Tower of London and the Royal Hospital, Chelsea. In keeping with the commemoration, the Officers of the Lodge will wear WW1 uniform. Any senior members of UGLE would be processed into the Lodge according to their rank. Once the Lodge has completed its work and closed, a period of thoughtful entertainment and commemoration will include a WW1 trench sing-a-long, a sound and light display of the sounds of the trenches and an extended Kohima Epitaph. It is intended to secure suitable professional artistes to assist with the ceremony and the main commands will be given by Bugle. The Lodge Centre-Piece is to be a WW1 Wheeled Machine Gun (implying the time that the Guns Went Silent). It is intended to supply 900 long Poppies for distribution to all in the lower tier to enable them (WM and Principle Guest first) to toss a poppy over the Machine Gun on exit (Peace prevails over war). It is hoped that these poppies could provide the means for a display at the Grand Lodge Entrance on the next day. Main Events List (MEL) Saturday 3 rd November Dress Rehearsals Friday 9 th November Evening: Final Set up and Officers rehearsal Saturday 10 th Nov 09.30 Dress Rehearsals 11.30 Guests seated Officers Take Post ( = Bugle Call). Lodge Opened, all admin completed 11.50 Tattoo Procession enters preceded by: 4 @ Silent Sentinels in WW1 uniform (take up post in the centre of the Lodge around a suitable centrepiece) Silent Sentinels move to lead procession with Pipers of the London Irish Rifles (and maybe the odd football.remember the Loos Football!). Banners of the Circuit Lodges (line the Lodge north and south)
Chelsea Pensioners led by Gentlemen Warders and take seats Hall Stone Masters/Reps received by WM (court nod) and take seats. Ruler to be offered the Gavel Ruler be saluted General Salute All then seated. 12.10 Installation by Proclamation 12.20 Risings taken together (nil unless urgent) 12.30 Close the Lodge Presentation on the Hallstone Jewel. House lights dim, Poem and a reading Music of WW1 (band), Sound and light display Fall In ; Banners form processional arch (dip as appropriate). Act of Remembrance & Kohima Epitaph, Last Post Silence Reveille & Men to Meal 1st Call 12.50 Leader s DC to take charge of exit; DC forms escort; Silent Sentinels move to lead procession with Pipers of the London Irish Rifles (and maybe the odd football.remember the Loos Football!). Leader (and WM) depart (throwing a Poppy over the Machine Gun) followed by Hallstone Holders, RHC, Banners etc (also throwing poppies). 13.00 Move to C Rooms for lunch 15.30 Event Ends. Financial. There will be a small charge for those attending the event ( 5) that would be used to assist attending members of the Royal Hospital for lunch and transport. The Charities of the day would be the RHC and Veterans Outreach Support. The lunch is likely to cost 57.50. Communication. Initial heads up mailings are in the process of being sent out. A communication plan will be formulated shortly. Ante Room Displays. The Masonic Library and Museum have been requested to arrange suitable displays of WW1 Masonic items. Lunch. The Connaught has a maximum capacity in all rooms of some 750. It will be necessary to promulgate alternative dining venues for those not able to be in the CRs. Perhaps alternatives in KH might be arranged should demand warrant.