Lectures
Since 1988, the Lodge has been presenting an interesting series of Masonic Lectures, compiled by Masters of the Lodge. These Lectures were originally worked within the Lodge but in order to widen Masonic learning and to support our Provincial Grand Master’s nominated charity, we are very pleased to offer them, on request, to any Lodge.
Each Lecture lasts between 35 and 45 minutes and is worked either by an individual or by a team of five or more Provincial Stewards. To book a lecture or for further information, please contact the Lecture Committee Chairman via the Contact Us link at the top of the page.
| Lecture | Synopsis |
|---|---|
|
Atholl |
THE ATHOL LECTURE – The Ceremony of Initiation based on an 18th Century working – an interesting and light hearted look on the way things used to be done.
Team Leader – W Bro Ian Jenkins |
|
Combined |
COMBINED LECTURE – Selection sections of the First, Second and Third Lectures. Contact Lecture Committee Chairman |
|
Everything in Freemasonry has a meaning… |
Contemplates the relevance of the numbers 3, 5 and 7 within Freemasonry. Given by V W Bro Alan Berman PGSwdB |
|
First |
FIRST LECTURE – An explanation of the First Degree Tracing Board incorporating parts of the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh Sections of the First Lecture. Team Leader – W.Bro Des Scott |
|
Historical Landmarks of Craft Masonry |
HISTORICAL LANDMARKS OF CRAFT MASONRY – A synopsis of the works of various historians’, “notable items in Freemasonry”, from Anno Lucis, through King Solomon’s Temple and the more recent 300 years. |
|
Progression |
MASONIC PROGRESSION – A light hearted look at the progression through Freemasonry, from Entered Apprentice to Provincial Grand Master! Team Leader – W Bro Mark Gannaway |
|
Second |
SECOND LECTURE – A lecture devoted to the study of human science, incorporating parts of the second, third, fourth and fifth Sections of the Second Lecture. Team Leader – W.Bro Steve Saunders |
|
Seven Ways to Take an Obligation |
SEVEN WAYS TO TAKE AN OBLIGATION – Covers the history of the Bibles and texts sacred to the multiplicity of our Brethren and including a brief outline of their uses in our ceremonies. Team Leader – W Bro John Peterkin |
|
Symbolism – A view from the door |
SYMBOLISM – A VIEW FROM THE DOOR – This reflects the changes made from a team questioning style to a direct presentation style. Given by W Bro George Mars, PAGDC |
|
Third |
THIRD LECTURE – A contemplation on aspects of the Third Degree and its Tracing Board incorporating aspects of the Third Lecture. Team Leader – W Bro Elliott Penn |
On the 14th of March 1974 at Freemasons’ Hall, Knole Road Bournemouth, Mr Allan Bryan Daniel Drake was Initiated into Cerdic Lodge No.7030. On March 14th 2024, exactly 50 years later, in the same Lodge room and probably the same spot in the East, W.Bro. Bryan was presented with a certificate to celebrate this tremendous achievement. As W.Bro. Bryan is both a Past Master of the Hampshire & IOW Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge No.9263 and in the past had also been the Leader of the First-Degree Lecture Team, it was decided to celebrate this special event in the appropriate manner.
Led by W.Bro. Bryan, eleven fellow Past Masters of the PGSL as well as the current Worshipful Master, W.Bro. Andy Castell, who coincidentally is also a member of Cerdic Lodge, worked the First-Degree lecture. Included in the lecture team was the Founding Master, R.W.Bro. Mike Wilks and the DepPGM V.W.Bro. David Perkis. In front of a crowded Lodge room, the Past Masters worked the lecture to the high standard expected in the PGSL, which was enthusiastically acknowledged by the brethren present. For those who are interested in such statistics, this particular lecture has now been worked over 260 times by teams from the PGSL. Possibly a record somewhere?
Following the lecture, the DepPGM, V.W.Bro. David Perkis presented W.Bro. Bryan with his 50-year Certificate in Craft Masonry. During his presentation he made reference to W.Bro. Byran’s long masonic journey listing the various Chairs he had occupied as a WM and his involvement as Chaiman in the organisation of the 2005 Festival Gala Dinner held in Brighton. W.Bro. Bryan was also presented with an engraved glass bowl by the members of Cerdic Lodge. As a postscript to this occasion, at the next Convocation of Octa Chapter No.4397 later in this month, E.Comp. Bryan will also be receiving his Certificate celebrating 40 years in the Royal Arch!
The Festive Board which followed was the usual lively affair that is the norm in Cerdic Lodge. When proposing the Toast to W.Bro. Bryan, the Secretary of Cerdic Lodge, W.Bro. Peter Martin read out the Minutes of the meeting when W.Bro. Bryan was Initiated. It was certainly a family affair that evening with a number of his relations taking part in the ceremony, including his father W.Bro. Alan Drake who took the Chair.
In his response, W.Bro. Bryan paid tribute to his grandfather W.Bro. Horace Drake citing his involvement in early Bournemouth masonry. He was Initiated into the Lodge of Hengist No.195 and during his time as WM, he Initiated his two sons, Alan and Ron. He also became a Founder of four local Lodges: Octa Lodge No.4397, Aethelberht Lodge No. 4712, Bourne Lodge No.6959 and Cerdic Lodge No.7030. W.Bro. Horace’s name appears no less than 12 times on the honours boards at Knole Road, including side degree involvement as Founder and First Principal of Octa Chapter No.4397. W.Bro. Bryan also paid tribute to his father, and his uncle W.Bro. Ron Drake, as well as his cousin W.Bro. Harold Windebank, who were all heavily involved in local masonry. Finally, he thanked everyone involved in the evening for making it such a memorable occasion for him.
On Monday 4th March 2024, members of the Hampshire & IOW Atholl Demonstration Team travelled to the Masonic Centre in Brighton to work their lecture in the Sussex Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge No.8195. This lecture had been a long time in the making as the initial contact from V.W.Bro. Maurice Adams, DepGM of Sussex, was made back in October 2022. He had heard good reports about the lecture and was looking for something special to present for the 250th Anniversary of the first Provincial Grand Master for Sussex.
As coincidence would have it, the Team were due to work an Atholl demonstration at Whitehill Lodge No.8425 in Bordon the next month, so V.W.Bro. Maurice was invited to attend. This he did, was suitably impressed and issued an invitation that evening. Over the next year or so, correspondence flowed to and fro between the Atholl Team Leader W.Bro. Andrew Weldycz and V.W.Bro. Maurice including a special meeting at Rownhams Service Station to iron out some final details.
The Lodge meeting itself was held at the impressive main temple at the Sussex Masonic Centre in the centre of Brighton. The centre, which is on three floors, has a blue plaque outside recording that Freemasons have met there since 1789. The meeting was very well supported with almost 100 in attendance including the PGM R.W.Bro. Chris Moore and many of the Sussex Provincial Executive. The Atholl Initiation demonstration went well and was afterwards enthusiastically applauded by the watching brethren. Credit goes to the 4 first -time members of the team who had not even witnessed the demonstration before.
At the end of the meeting, the Worshipful Master of the Sussex PGSL W.Bro. Tony Flint presented a donation of £200 to the team. In appreciation of the assistance he had given in setting up the lecture, V.W.Bro. Maurice was presented with a specially engraved Hants & IOW PGSL firing glass. Afterwards, the team members dined well in the convivial company of the local brethren.
Footnote. Part of our Lodge raison d’etre states “to work (not receive) lectures and demonstrations to the highest standard” The members of our Lodge might be interested to learn that our Lecture teams have now worked almost 660 lectures in this and other Provinces, including 6 other Provincial Grand Stewards Lodges. Our Founders would be pleased!
