Post by Tamrin on Sept 13, 2012 7:06:56 GMT 10
From, Masters' and Wardens' Association of Newcastle Districts, "A History of its First 75 Years: 1896 - 1971," Chapter 11
The Newcastle Masonic Study Circle
With the decline in the number of candidates petitioning the craft in recent years after the influx following a return to peaceful ways in 1945, the question was raised in April, 1957 of the need for a panel of speakers to supplement the lectures being given by Grand Lodge lecturers. The scheme was finalised in the following July under the title of Speakers Panel. Grand Lodge sanction was not received for such a panel, approval being given for another venture, a study circle.
It was a small step to form the projected speakers panel into a Masonic Study Circle in October, 1957 under the auspices of the M. and W. Association with V. Wor. Bro. A.G. Downey as its President (an office he continues to fill [in 1971] with enthusiasm and with the unfailing support of the circle members), whilst Rt. Wor. Bro. C. Chandler acted as its secretary until 1969 when ill health forced him to resign from the office. Wor. Bro. A.E. (Tim) Casey has capably filled the vacancy. The object of the "circle" is to research various masonic subjects, prepare the material into papers, which after editing by a select panel, are published for the education of the brethren.
It is the proud record of the Study Circle that it has never failed to provide a speaker for a lodge requesting one, quite often at very short notice of but an hour or so. This service which reaches the eighty mark annually, caters to the needs not only of the craft but Mark Lodges, Royal Arch Chapters and, on occasions, other degrees, and has indeed fulfilled the expectations following its foundation.
Quoting from the minutes of 1957 "it may be regarded as the Associations most valuable contribution to masonry in this district during the year (1957). More will be heard of this Study Circle as time goes by."
With the decline in the number of candidates petitioning the craft in recent years after the influx following a return to peaceful ways in 1945, the question was raised in April, 1957 of the need for a panel of speakers to supplement the lectures being given by Grand Lodge lecturers. The scheme was finalised in the following July under the title of Speakers Panel. Grand Lodge sanction was not received for such a panel, approval being given for another venture, a study circle.
It was a small step to form the projected speakers panel into a Masonic Study Circle in October, 1957 under the auspices of the M. and W. Association with V. Wor. Bro. A.G. Downey as its President (an office he continues to fill [in 1971] with enthusiasm and with the unfailing support of the circle members), whilst Rt. Wor. Bro. C. Chandler acted as its secretary until 1969 when ill health forced him to resign from the office. Wor. Bro. A.E. (Tim) Casey has capably filled the vacancy. The object of the "circle" is to research various masonic subjects, prepare the material into papers, which after editing by a select panel, are published for the education of the brethren.
It is the proud record of the Study Circle that it has never failed to provide a speaker for a lodge requesting one, quite often at very short notice of but an hour or so. This service which reaches the eighty mark annually, caters to the needs not only of the craft but Mark Lodges, Royal Arch Chapters and, on occasions, other degrees, and has indeed fulfilled the expectations following its foundation.
Quoting from the minutes of 1957 "it may be regarded as the Associations most valuable contribution to masonry in this district during the year (1957). More will be heard of this Study Circle as time goes by."