Newsletter

AmazonSmile Festival Fundraising

A special thanks to all of our Brethren purchasing their shopping on AmazonSmile with the Oxfordshire Mark Masonic Benevolent Association as their registered charity; the Festival has already benefitted £11.71 for the first 3 months in 2021. This is a modest start and, the more Brethren who set this up, the higher it will climb.

Shop through AmazonSmile at
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/ch/1122908-0
and Amazon will donate to Oxfordshire Mark Masonic Benevolent Association, at no cost to you. All of these funds will be passed on to the Mark Benevolent Fund Annual Festival 2025, Oxfordshire.

It's Not All About The Words!

In the history of Freemasonry there have been Brethren from all trades, professions and walks of life. Many have been military men, theatricals, educators and others well-versed in precise movement and public speaking. Others with lesser experience are less blessed.

When one joins the Brotherhood, it becomes immediately apparent that there is a requirement for the learning of words, some passages of which are lengthy and couched in obscure language. Consequently, many hours are spent learning and rehearsing words whenever and wherever possible. Members of one's immediate family are pressganged into service as sounding boards as they take on a variety of roles as surrogate Wardens, candidates and, if particularly honoured, Worshipful Masters. Tapes are made of the words to be memorised, to be played in the car, at the office and during sleep, this latter in the forlorn hope that the words will be magically transferred into the brain during the hours spent in the arms of Morpheus.

Then the day of reckoning comes, and you are quietly confident that all will go well; and it will, unless like me on one never-to-be-forgotten occasion you forget something.

There was a full Temple for a Mark Advancement; the PGM and his Provincial team were there in all their finery. I conducted the candidate round the Temple and somehow contrived to lose him ... twice; on the second occasion he was with the Junior Warden, and I was alongside the Register of Marks. Hugely embarrassed and red in the face, I scurried back to fetch him and carried on, making a faultless conclusion to my 'performance'.

I sat down, relieved that it was over. The then Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies tapped me on the shoulder and whispered, "I think you just about got away with that, boy!".

Provincial Grand Charity Steward's Report

As you know, The Mark Masonic Province of Oxfordshire is currently fundraising for the 157th Mark Benevolent Fund (MBF) Festival. Our Festival period ends with a celebratory banquet and it is hoped that this will be held in July 2025 in the Oxford University Examination Schools, which is a magnificent venue. More details will be sent to you in due course.

All Mark Masons and Royal Ark Mariners in the Oxfordshire Province are invited to contribute generously to our Festival fundraising. At the bottom of this article is a form that you can use to initiate your contribution.

The Mark Benevolent Fund came into existence in 1868 on the suggestion of the Reverend Canon George Raymond Portal, who was at that time the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons. It is worth remembering that the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons only came into existence in 1856, and that the Charity was established only twelve years later is a credit to the foresight of M.W. Bro. George Portal. The fund was established with the sole objective of providing immediate financial aid to eligible Mark Master Masons or their close family, who may be in distress. Significantly, it was to encourage all Brethren to practise the morals of donating freely and without hesitation. The Motto of the MBF is: -

Bis dat qui cito dat

He gives twice who gives promptly

Nowadays, as well as helping individual Mark Masons and their families, the MBF is open to helping other worthy causes and registered charities. The charity is administered by the "The Worthy Causes Committee" who meet two or three times a year at Mark Masons' Hall to examine applications for financial support. The MBF also accepts applications from Mark Provinces & Districts wishing to support suitable registered charities or other charitable causes.

Typically, a Province will host the Festival about every 40-50 years and the Festival is preceded by a fundraising effort of a period of up to nine years. As Oxfordshire only became a separate Province in 1994 it has never hosted a Festival before. Indeed, the last time the Province was involved in an MBF Festival was in 1978 as part of the Province of Berkshire and Oxfordshire when the sum of £103,511 was raised, which in today's money would be around £536,000, and a total of 1,107 Stewardships were awarded. In 1978 there were only 23 Lodges in the Province. In 1947, Berkshire and Oxfordshire held the MBF Festival and £23,658 was raised, which in today's money would be £829,000. At that time, the Province only consisted of 10 lodges but there were 1,964 Stewardships bought.

So far, the 2025 Festival has raised a total of £72,000 including a recent donation of £1,000 from the Province of Devonshire Mark Master Masons. This is a good start, especially when one considers that we have had Covid to contend with and that we have not met physically for several months. Please support your Festival by giving generously and by attending events put on by your Lodges and the Province.

Provincial Class of Improvement Testimonials

Rusty Ritual? I don't know about you, but I rely on practice to get my ritual to stick. You can read it over and over, but without someone else to play the other parts, which I rely on as a cue, it is very difficult. Mark Ritual No 1 is very new to me, as is RAM Ritual No 1; I haven't even seen the Ritual No 2s – I’ve only been in these Orders for a little over 5 years and with just 4 Mark Meetings a year, including an Installation and just 2 RAM Meetings, also including the Installation, my exposure to date has been minimum. Moreover, we only have 1 practice, two days before each meeting – It's the Wychwood way! Nonetheless I have progressed through the ranks and I'm about to become SW in Mark and WC in RAM.

I personally think Ritual has a massive impact on Candidates. Delivered correctly and confidently, it can be awe-inspiring. There have been some memorable moments for me, the Candidate’s face when the JW attempts to do his ‘special duty’, or when the item he has carried is ‘rejected’. The ‘Steps’ in the RAM Degree. All significant pieces of Ritual that make the Ceremony what it is.

All these very meaningful pieces of Ritual completely lose their impact if not delivered correctly; we owe it to the Candidates to do our very best.

So how do we learn Ritual when we can’t meet up? Why not join the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies for Mark Master Masons in the Province of Oxfordshire, W.Bro. Ray Harrison PrGDC., for his Classes of Improvement (CoI). All done from the comfort of your own home, you don’t even need to dress smartly, nor wear Regalia. Moreover, you are urged to use your Book! He has been holding them monthly every last Monday at 19:30 on Zoom. You register and he sends you a link – trust me, it’s extremely easy to do. You get to practise the ritual, everyone taking different Offices. You learn how to pronounce correctly those Ancient words and Biblical names; do you really know how to pronounce them properly? The meaning and import of things are explained and discussed and advice is given on delivery and emphasis. We have even been treated to history lessons – discussing various Tracing Boards of RAM Degree – All fascinating stuff.

On the topic of Books – Always make sure you keep your Ritual Books up to date – they change. As proven on one of Ray’s CoI’s, a long-standing Brother got his ritual wrong and he was reading it? Why? His book was 30 years old! Current Issues are:

Mark No 1 Ritual – 2014, Amended 2017, Reprinted 2018 (with corrections) ; 2019
Mark No 2 Ritual – 2015 Edition, Reprinted 2018 (with corrections) ; 2019
RAM No 1 Ritual – 2015, Amended 2017, Reprinted 2019 (twice)
RAM No 2 Ritual – 2010, Amended 2015, Reprinted 2019 (twice)
All available at www.Shopat86.co.uk in MMH.

Brethren, don’t let your Ritual get rusty! – Join us on Zoom for Ray H’s Class of Improvement; it’s also a social event, so don’t forget a glass of your chosen tipple for a toast at 21:00!

Stay Safe Brethren
Bro. Grahame Lee, MBE

 I am a newbie to both Mark Master Masons and Royal Ark Mariners as I have only attended 3 MMM meetings (including my Advancement) and one RAM meeting (when I was Elevated!) I find the online sessions worthwhile, interesting and informative.

It can be confusing at times when we skip certain sections or get distracted onto other topics, but overall it is a worthwhile experience, especially when gems of information are given out that are not written down anywhere.

So far, I have been just an observer but, in the future, I hope to be more of an active participant. I would recommend that all those in these orders, particularly newbies like me, attend as you will learn lots.
Bro. Terry Williams 

 As I am about to become DC in 55 Mark and RAM, I use the Grand Masters Lodge of Instruction and the Oxfordshire Class of Instruction to get a good grip on the detail of the ritual. Ray's discussions are really useful to clarify points and to share ideas.

It is a real pity that more Brethren are not attending the Provincial CoI; as it is so useful and fun!
W.Bro. Matthew Christmas 

A Day at Newbury Races

Our Provincial trip to Newbury Racecourse is rapidly approaching on Friday 13th August 2021.

Tickets are £38 each, which includes a £10 food and drink voucher & £2 Free Tote Bet and Racecard Voucher.

There is Free Parking available in the Premier car park.

The Gates Open at 12:00, with the First Race at 13:50 and Last Race at 17:05.

This is always an enjoyable day, please come along with Masonic & Non-Masonic friends and family. Payment is needed by 20th July, so please book in soon.

On the topic of Races!

W.Bro. Stephen Quant is willing to organise Race Nights or Masonic Quizzes for any Lodge looking to contribute to the 2025 Festival through such an event. Take advantage of this kind offer by contacting him directly donations(at)oxonMBF2025.org.uk.

Provincial Golf Day

We also have our Provincial Golf Day at Badgemore Golf Club near Henley-on-Thames on Friday 17th September 2021.

Tickets are £30 per person, including a bacon roll and tea/coffee on arrival.

All Masons, Non-Masons, Wives and Partners of all levels of experience are welcome to take part.

Payment is needed before 1st August.

This event is almost fully subscribed, so book quickly to avoid disappointment!

Oxfordshire Freemasons & NHS Day

On Monday 5th July, Oxfordshire Freemasons will proudly join a national salute to celebrate the NHS, Social Care and Frontline Workers.

July 5th 1948 was an historic moment in our country’s history. It was the day our pioneering National Health Service (NHS) was born, bringing free healthcare to everyone. We have treasured it ever since, but never more so since March 2020 when the Coronavirus pandemic gripped the UK and utterly changed all our lives.

Nationally, on Monday 5th July 2021 the following events will take place:

10:00 - Fly the flag/ Display Bunting.

11:00 - Two minutes silence remembering the men and women from the NHS, social care and other key services who have lost their lives in the service of others.

13:00 - Nation’s toast to the NHS: "To those who give so much, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, within the NHS, Social Care and Frontlines. We thank you and Salute you!"

15:00 - Afternoon Tea – raising a cuppa to the NHS (This is being supported by the RMBI).

18:00 - Charity Concert followed by an address to the nation. More information to be released later.

20:00 - Evening clap for NHS workers and church bells to ring 73 times – once for every year of our beloved NHS.

Looking to join in the celebration and support the day, five Oxfordshire Masonic centres are providing a full programme, please support them if you can:

Bicester – 8-10 North Street, Bicester, OX26 6 ND

Henley – 61 Reading Road, Henley on Thames, RG9 1AE

Oxford – Cardinal House, 2-4 Baldon Lane, Marsh Baldon, OX44 9LT

Thame and Caversham – 14 High Street, OX9 2BZ

Witney – 20 Church Green, Witney, OX28 4AW;
Witney are holding a two-day event on Sun 4th and Monday 5th July.

Looking for Photographers and Writers

The Festival Communications Committee would like to add Brethren with experience in Photography or Copywriting to their team.

This is an exciting opportunity to support the Festival and your Province!

Any Brethren willing to fulfil either of these roles should contact Bro. Mocky Khan at marketing(at)oxonMBF2025.org.uk.