Widnes Group Dinner 2011

Members of the Widnes Group of Lodges and Chapters had a relatively rare opportunity to put their questions, concerns and comments to a panel of many distinguished and senior Freemasons of the Province at the Widnes group dinner hosted by Group Chairman David Redhead. The distinguished guests for the evening headed by the Deputy Grand Superintendent Steven Reid, were Dennis Rudd, John Hutton, Geoffrey Lee, Edward Mawdsley and Mark Dimelow.
The evening started with a question and answer session in the main lodge room, (McCausland Suite), prior to the dinner, which attracted 44 members, including 11 Masters and First Principals, who raised a number of varied topics for debate.
In response to the first question about the Masonic Hall Appeal, the panel replied by informing the members that there currently nine improvement projects underway. To the next question about disability access to Masonic Halls the panel stated that every hall should check to see if and where necessary improvements can be made.
Concern was then raised that the principals of Freemasonry in some areas are falling away, the panel explained that the world has changed and we must all change with it. In its reply to a question about publicity the panel said that charity giving should be given a higher priority and published in the local press. Giving Days may be one way to improve publicity or leave copies of Freemasonry Today in doctors, dentists and other waiting rooms.
The University Entrance Scheme was the next topic for discussion and the panel said that the scheme is working well with University Lodges expanding. In one case five students joined in one night. There are many students who have joined under the age of 21 after getting dispensation.
To a question about fees paid to UGL and PGL by members of more than one Lodge the panel said that this issue had been looked into but not resolved due to the enormous difficulties involved.
When asked a question about the West Lancashire Freemasons Charity the members were told that the WLFC is paying out twice as much as it is getting in.
Following a discussion on the last question of the evening about mentoring in Royal Arch the panel said that it is being considered and is seen as a good thing, books are now available for new members. The panel were then given a warm round of applause as a show of appreciation for the way in which they answered the questions.