This post has been provided by Peter Gibbs, SR of Shropshire Conclave.

On taking the chair this year at the Shropshire Conclave, I thought I would like to invite my sons school for a visit.

This may sound a little strange, but he goes to Overley Hall school, which is an independent residential special school.

It was established in 1980 and works mainly with children who have severe autism. It takes 22 pupils and has a staff of about 120.

One of the main ethos of the school is to mix with the community and ready the children for adult life.
My sons class usually goes out on a Wednesday. When I asked his class teacher if they would like to visit the lodge she jumped at the idea.

The lodge room was set up for a chapter meeting, so the children loved all the colour and banners on show. Afterwards they had squash and cake which went down very well.

I personally believe like the children, Masons should take a much bigger part in the community.

All the children got a certificate at the weeks presentation for good behaviour on the visit, what could be better.

I extend my grateful thanks to David Kettle and Harold Loasby who made the visit possible.

A few pictures taken on the day, featuring Peter’s son.

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 Shropshire ‘Beyond the Craft 2015’

The Craft Province of Shropshire held an event on 3rd June 2015 to make members of the Province aware of other Orders in Freemasonry.

The Order of the Secret Monitor was invited to take part and due to the inability of the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler to attend, the Presentation was led and organised by the Deputy Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler, Wy.Bro. Michael Brown. He was ably assisted by several members of the Province including, Wy.Bro. Graham Holden, Wy.Bro. John Marsh, Wy.Bro. Tom Fulton, Wy.Bro. Wally Edwards and Wy.Bro. Russ Dyer.

It is still a little early to know if the event was successful for the OSM but we are hopeful.

R.Wy.Bro. John Leslie Tewson, P.G.Coun.

At a meeting of Evergreen Remembrance Conclave No. 229 meeting at Stirling Road, Birmingham on Wednesday, 25th July 2012, John was honoured with a celebration of attaining 40 years in the Order of the Secret Monitor.

The meeting was attended by a good number of Brethren from all over the country. The numbers were such that the meeting had to be transferred from the normal Lodge room to the main temple.

The attendance was a surprise to John, who had an even bigger surprise when following a report the Acting Grand Director of Ceremonies Wy.Bro. Cliff Bull entered and announced that the Grand Supreme Ruler, Most Worthy Brother Michael William Guest and the Deputy Grand Supreme Ruler, Right Worthy Brother Brian William Price were in attendance and demanded admission. They were escorted into the Temple by five Provincial Grand Supreme Rulers.

After the normal business and a 2nd degree ceremony the Grand Supreme Ruler invited John to sit with him in front of the Supreme Rulers Pedestal. The Grand Supreme Ruler initiated a conversation to discuss various aspects of John’s Masonic Career but more especially his 40 years in the OSM.

John was noticeably a little embarrassed at times when he thought he had monopolised the conversation but needed little encouragement to start again.

The discussion concluded with the Grand Supreme Ruler commenting on how worn John’s Grand Conclave sash was. He then immediately gave John a field promotion to ‘Past Grand Counsellor’ and presented and invested him with a new sash.

After the meeting eighty seven brethren sat down to a most excellent and buoyant festive board during which John was presented with a cake, a cut glass decanter and glasses and a bottle of Gin to help christen them.

The Conclave also made presentation of gifts to the Grand Supreme Ruler and his Deputy which were gratefully received.

The final toast of the evening: that to the visitors was given by R.Wy.Bro. John Tewson in a typical manner. He walked up and down the top table introducing and making comments about each in turn. We were left in no doubt that John could have gone around the whole room doing the same but due to the time limited himself on this occasion.

Wy.Bro. Alan Howls of Shropshire Conclave No. 268 replied on behave of the visitors who summed up all the brethrens feelings about the evening in general and John in particular in an excellent manner.

Members of the Province visited the Tatenhill base of the Midland ‘Air Ambulance’ on Wednesday, 7th March 2012 to present a cheque for two thousand pounds.
The money raised which received matching from the OSM Benevolent Fund was the proceeds from the PGSR’s designated charity for 2010/2011.

The members of the Province  were given a very warm welcome by Amita Patel (‘Air Ambulance’ Fund Raising Manager) and in due course, following the return to base of the helicopter from a mission at Uttoxeter, Brethren were able to chat with the crew and have a close up view of the helicopter.

For those who are interested in figures the helicopter used out of Tatenhill, rigged out as an Air Ambulance, cost £3.25M.

In the picture left to right:

• Ian (Air Ambulance Paramedic)
• Wy.Bro. Mike Butterworth (Provincial Grand Treasurer)
• Wy.Bro. Kenneth Walchester (Provincial Grand Recorder)
• Claire (Air Ambulance Paramedic)
• R.Wy.Bro. John Stevens (Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler)
• V.Wy.Bro. Ron Sutton (Provincial Grand Almoner).