- PIO Group Home Page
- Role of the Information / Communications Officer
- PIO RESOURCES
- Contact List
- News
- News Archives
- Items of Interest
- Items of Interest Archives 2010
- Items of Interest Archives 2009
- Events at FM Hall London
- Charity News
- Archived Charity News
- Tips from One
- Useful Links
- Provincial Web Sites
- STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
- Introduction
- Audiences
- Channels & Vehicles
- Strategy
- Plan
Items of Interest - Archive Jan - Dec 09
Obituary
Many will have been saddened at the recent death of WBro Rodney Pitham, PSGD, PAPGM. Rodney was a brilliant Provincial Information Officer for Warwickshire, for many years. His funeral was extremely well attended - in excess of 100, who came to pay respects, had to sit outside the church because of his popularity. It is heartening to see references to Freemasonry appearing more often in the press, and particularly in obituaries. This was seldom the case 10 years ago.
and this below appeared in the Evening Post:
This item appeared in the Manchester Evening News on 25th April 2009.
There are increasing numbers of items related to Freeemasonry appearing in a number of publications which are not negative and assist in raising our profile.
From East Lancashire
"Reconnection with the Community" is really taking effect in Ashton & Mossley and Audenshaw Districts. After much work by the District Team over a prolonged period, and following the recent Giving Event much has been achieved in developing positive relationships with local Civic Leaders - Read on:
After decades of mistrust and suspicion, much of it due to earlier Masonic secrecy, the Freemasons of Ashton, Mossley, and Audenshaw are at last beginning a dialogue with the leaders of the Community in which most of us live, work, and play.
Over the last two years, the Mayors or their Deputies have attended our Christmas Carol Services and Charity Giving Nights. Following the most recent Giving Night at Audenshaw, when £67,000 was donated to Charity, the Worshipful the Civic Mayor of Tameside, Councillor Jack Davis, reciprocated by inviting a small party of Freemasons to visit Ashton Town Hall on Tuesday Evening 5th May.
APGM Stephen Blank, APGP Norman Clarke, and District Chairmen Ian Casson and John Pearson, together with four of their District Officers and all their wives, were received by the Mayor and the Mayoress, Mrs Carole Davis, and entertained in the Mayor's Parlour with a generous supper and liquid refreshment. After a trip to the Council Chamber and an explanation of the protocols and working practices, we returned to the Mayor's Parlour, where we were treated to an enlightening and educational description by the Mayor's Attendant, of the furniture, paintings, and other works of art within the Parlour. He also explained their significance and importance in the history of Tameside, which now includes former towns in both Lancashire and Cheshire.
During our conversation with the Mayor. we identified that we have a number of mutual interests. As much of our Masonic effort is for the benefit of our local communities, we agreed that the end results should be complementary to the work of other localand civic organisations, irrespective of creed or political colour.
On departing for our homes after a delightful and entertaining evening, we were all most appreciative of the Mayor's gesture and generosity, and we very much hope to foster and further develop a promising relationship for the benefit of us all.
From the Province of Cheshire 16 Dec 2009
This is from the Link Up Magazine, published for the staff of Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust,
which is read by 3,250 staff across the Hospital Sites.
Minster Lodge’s Masonic Hall in St Saviourgate to open its doors to raise funds for Yorkshire Cancer Research
Charity Steward Keith Bell in the Lodge Room
at the Minster Lodge in St Saviourgate
Click here to view or right click to download the whole article
‘The Lost Symbol’
The letter from Dan Brown below proves that Dan Brown had no intention at all of showing hostility to Freemasonry in his latest book.
The authenticity of the letter has been verified.
Portrait of a Provincial Information Officer - 2
Brian Wright - Provincial Information Officer, Essex
Brian Was born on 8th June 1943 in Harrogate, Yorkshire. His family moved to Essex in the early 50’s. He trained as an electrician with a local company and at East Ham Technical College. He served 35 years with Ford Motor Company at Dagenham, the last seven where spent supervising the engine evaluation laboratory. He took early retirement on 31st December 2003.
As a teenager Brian took up the sport of Archery and represented his club and county for a number of years. He was East Anglian Champion in the early 70’s. Brian was a National Coach for 25 years and completed a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in sports coaching in 2000. He was Director of Coaching for UK Archery for 11 years.
His particular interests are performance psychology and bio-mechanics. Using his background in coaching and performance psychology, in the spring 2001 edition of Freemasonry Today Brian published an article entitled ‘Preceptor or Coach’ which considered some of the parallel aspects of these closely related activities.
He is a Freeman of London and a Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Bowyers.
Brian has been married to Felicity for almost 40 years and has two daughters. Stephanie and husband John have a daughter Aoife (eefa) who is 6½ and Susan and husband Finian have a son Aedan who is almost 6.
Brian was initiated in Cranbrook Lodge No. 4609 in 1975 and became Master in 1984. He was also Master of the Guild of Freemen Lodge No. 3525 in 2000. He was appointed PPJGD in 1992, PPGSwdB in 1999 and PAGDC in 2000.
Brian was joint editor of the Masonic history of Essex , a 600 page volume which was published early in 2007 and is now the benchmark for provincial histories. He was the first secretary of the Essex Media Committee when it was formed in 1997 and has been Provincial Information Officer since 2002.
From the Province of Cumberland and Westmorland - Aug 12 2009
It is good to see that Provinces are building links and forging relationships with the local press. This notice will appear in two local weekly newspapers on two occasions in the Province of Cumberland and Westmorland.
Portrait of a Provincial Information Officer - 1
Eric Moody - Provincial Information Officer, Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Eric was born on 7 June 1941 and educated at Peter Symond’s School, Winchester. He then attended the College of Air Training at Hamble and on graduation in 1965, joined BOAC where he flew long haul first for BOAC and then for its successor, British Airways for some 32 years. He retired in 1996 as a Senior Captain flying the Boeing 747 as he had done for 20 years.
In 1983, in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, Eric was awarded The Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air, for his part in flying a Boeing 747, without engines running, through a volcanic eruption from Mount Galunggung in Java. This incident resulted in Eric also being honoured as a Man of the Year in 1982, receiving a gold medal from the British Airline Pilots Association, the Hugh Gordon Burge Award from the Guild of Air Pilots and a commendation from the British Airways Board, the latter two awards for outstanding leadership and airmanship. Lloyds of London also showed their appreciation with a presentation tantalus.
Eric had much experience dealing with the media during his career as the media spokesman for BALPA for three years. Since his retirement, he has made a second career as an aviation expert, speaking frequently on radio, television, after dinner and advising the written media.
Eric has been married to Pat for more than 43 years. They have a son who has followed in his father’s footsteps, or rather his slipstream, and now flies for BA, a married daughter and two beautiful grandchildren. He is a member of Camberley Heath Golf Club.
Eric was made a Mason in the West Gate Lodge No. 7387 in the Province of Hampshire and Isle of Wight of which he is a Past Master and still an active member, in October 1979. Since his appointment as a Provincial Grand Steward in 1995, he has been a leading member of the Hampshire and IOW Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge No. 9263. In July 2000, he was appointed Provincial Senior Grand Warden and since 2002, has been a most diligent and effective Provincial Information Officer.
He was awarded Grand Rank as Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in 2004 and now we must congratulate him on his recent appointment as Assistant Provincial Grand Master, having been installed on 1 July at the Provincial AGM at the Guildhall in Southampton.
From the Province of Yorkshire North and east Ridings:
Communications with the Local Press
I thought you would like to read this report written by a brother in the Province of Yorkshire, North and East Ridings. It is certainly relevant to the work of Provincial Information Officers.
Chris Connop
LEFT CLICK TO VIEW RIGHT CLICK TO DOWNLOAD
Essex Mason in Library reading rooms
The Essex Mason magazine, which is published three times a year, is in future to be donated for distributed to library reading rooms across the County. Freemasonry has made significant steps in recent years, in shaking off its reputation of secrecy and silence and this is yet another step along the road of increased openness.
This is thought to be the first time that an in-house Masonic magazine has been made available to the public in this way and Essex Libraries are pleased to be leading the way. Reading rooms in the following libraries will have copies of the magazine. Southend, Thurrock, Chelmsford, Colchester, Clacton, Braintree, Basildon, Harlow, Loughton, Brentwood, Billericay, Rayleigh, Saffron Walden, Witham, Maldon, Canvey Island, Wickford.
The magazine is known as ‘The Essex Mason’ and is an in-house publication which has grown from a simple news sheet 22 years ago into a glossy colour magazine today. The magazine is written and produced by Essex Freemasons for distribution to their 11,500 members. Through this agreement members of the public who may be curious about the organisation will be able to gain a greater insight into Masonic activities. The magazine is published 3 times each year and will be distributed via the library service to all major library reading rooms in the county.
Presentation of the first copies of the magazine was made to Mr Martin Palmer, Principal Officer Libraries, Essex County Council, by the Provincial Grand Master for Essex, Right Worshipful Brother John M Webb.
Martin Palmer & John M Webb