Mon, 26th June 2023

2023 Address

Good morning again

Firstly, I am very pleased to be here, many of you will remember that my poor health prevented me from attending last year’s meeting, little did I realise at the time just where that would lead. I am indebted to my Deputy, Ill Kt Jim Mulligan for standing in at short notice

A big thank you the outgoing Divisional Officers for their support during the past year, many of you have made a tremendous effort to travel throughout the Division, to support other Conclaves

My particular thanks to Ill Kt Geoff Watkins, our Divisional Recorder, who is standing down today after 5 years unstinting service in the role, he has worked tirelessly to keep our administration in good order

I also give grateful thanks to Ill Kt Jim Coxon, Divisional Treasurer, who, after 12 years, has decided to stand down. Jim has kept our finances in excellent shape and I thank him for all his efforts during his time in Office

We have a new Divisional Treasurer, P Kt Richard Gale and a New Divisional Recorder P Kt Mark Wainwright. It is convention that newly appointed Officers should be congratulated on their appointments, rather than thanked. However, on this occasion I would like to offer my sincere thanks to both of them for agreeing to take the offices

Congratulations to the new Divisional Officers, I look forward to your support. Apart from the Team Visits, please make the effort to visit Conclaves across the Division and continue to support them. The new Directory will give you all the dates of meetings

At the Grand Imperial Conclave meeting in July last year the Division had the honour of receiving 6 Grand Rank appointments and promotions. Ill Kt Jim Mulligan was promoted to P.G.Chamberlain and Ill Kt Dr Paul Mycock promoted to P.G.Orator. Newly appointed to Grand Office were Ill Kt Robert Vaughan as Grand Sword Bearer, Ill Kts Chris Hallam, Albert Dodd and John Thornton as PGPrefects, congratulations to all of you on your preferment.

I have already mentioned Jim Mulligan’s support as my Deputy Intendant-General, he has been a tower of strength during the past 12 months, attending many meetings when I have been unable to attend. Not only that, he has played a major role in organising today’s meeting, preparing temple seating and table plans, organising signage and printing the new Divisional Directory & Calendar.

He also assembled and collected much of the equipment for this meeting. My sincere thanks Jim for all that you have done. Thank you to the members of Morning Star and St Oswald Conclaves for their assistance in setting up the rooms late night and taking down today

You will have notice that we have a reduced number of Divisional Sepulchre Guards, to some extent this is the result of the lockdown with fewer new Knight-Companions joining the Order. I ask everyone to emphasis to new Knight-Companions who have taken their Appendant degrees, that they are eligible to join the Guard, it is a thoroughly unique and enjoyable experience with great esprit-de-corps. Thank you to the Divisional Sepulchre Guard for their work here today.

On the subject of Appendant Degrees, there has been an element of catching-up and we have performed four ceremonies in the past 12 months. I thank everyone who has been involved for their commitment and support.

I am often told that people join K.T. because they like carrying a sword and they like the charitable aspect of that Order; well Red Cross of Constantine offers the same opportunity, especially for members of the Sepulchre Guard. The West Midlands also has two members who are current members of the Grand Sepulchre Guard, which is a huge privilege, one of the qualifications is to have been an active member of a Divisional Sepulchre Guard

I will touch on recruitment. I have been told by members, on more than one occasion, that I have not found candidates for their Conclave. I can only agree, because that is not the role of an Intendant-General, it is the responsibility of each Conclave to introduce new candidates. I will always support the efforts of any Conclave in their recruitment campaign, but they must identify potential candidates and a personal approach is always the most effective method of generating interest.

I have produced a Power Point presentation, explaining who Constantine was and an outline of the Order, which, with help from the members of Dr Thomas Arnold Conclave, has gradually been fine-tuned. It has generated some interest when presented, but this needs to be followed up, otherwise it is like planting a flower border and then forgetting to feed & nurture it.

Jim Mulligan has arranged the production of a number of ‘pop-up’ Banners. These are available for display in Masonic Halls, when they are allowed, or other events where it would be appropriate to display them.

On the subject of candidates, we must support and promote the Royal Arch, we can only succeed and grow if the Royal Arch is successful. In some cases, it has lost members because they don’t ‘get it’, we should encourage them to stay, it does take time absorb the ritual, don’t let them walk away before they have given time to understand it.

We have had a few members who were reluctant to progress through the chair because they are worried by the ritual. Part of the problem is that we push people towards the chair too quickly, be careful that you don’t lose them because they feel pressured to progress.

There are Offices which they can take, without the need to have been enthroned as Sovereign; Treasurer and Recorder spring to mind. The Ritual can be shared and everyone should be encouraged to attempt to deliver it, but in their own time.

We shall have a collection for Charity at the end of this meeting. We continue to support the Grand Sovereign’s Care for Children Fund and part of today’s collection will be assigned to that wonderful cause. I would also like to make a further donation to The Royal British Legion Battle-Back charity, they continue to do incredibly important work, supporting ex-Military personnel who have suffered either physical or psychological injuries. Those who have visited their facilities at Lillishall will have fully appreciated the magnificent work they do. Please help us to support these two important charities

On a lighter note, we held a very successful Sunday Lunch at Wishaw, in May last year. We are holding another one on Sunday 14th May this year at the same venue. Every member of the Division should have received an invitation to this event, if not you can contact Ill Kt John Handley, whose details are in the Directory & Calendar, under Rose of Sharon Conclave. I strongly recommend you book early, last year was oversubscribed and the same is likely to happen this year. I have been asked to make this a fund-raising event, I am resisting this; it is not the purpose of the Sunday Lunch, it is a social event, with no Masonic involvement, very much as a thank-you to our wives and partners for allowing us to indulging our hobby.

Finally, I would like to mention V Ill Kt Desmond Jones, who those present at my Installation meeting in 2018 will remember, the Grand Sovereign presented Desmond with a 50-year Certificate and Breast Jewel.

Desmond completed 55years membership of this Order on 1st January this year, but has now decided to resign. He has been made an Honorary Member of Forum Conclave, of which he was a Founder. He will be 92 in 4 weeks’ time and having moved from Cirencester back to Northampton, he is reducing his Masonic activities. Having said that he is renewing full membership of his ‘Mother-Lodge’, where in May, he will complete 69-years membership of the Craft. I shall always be grateful to Desmond for proposing me into this Order, little did I realise where it would lead.

As I have already mentioned, due to the efforts and with grateful thanks to Geoff Watkins and Jim Mulligan, the 2023-24 Divisional Directory & Calendar some are available today. Please would the person responsible to their Conclave banner make sure that they take their Conclave’s allocation of Directories.

When we leave the Temple, please allow the procession and distinguished guests to leave first. When you get down stairs, we have a complimentary pre-dinner drink organised in Dining Room 2, my thanks to those who have volunteered to serve these drinks

It only remains to thank you for your attention and wish you a safe journey home, whether you are leaving now or staying to dine.

Good Morning

Sun, 15th May 2022

Divisional Sunday Lunch

Following two ‘false-starts’ due to COVID restrictions, the West Midlands Division was finally able to host a Sunday Lunch at the Wishaw Sporting Ground, Sutton Coldfield. A total of 80 people assembled to enjoy a wonderful carvery in unique surroundings. Members, their wives and partners travelled from all over the Division to join in this event which was a ‘first’ for the Division. The guests included senior members of other Masonic Orders in the West Midlands.

The prospect of a successful event was enhanced when, after heavy rain in the early morning, what followed was brilliant sunshine, allowing guests to enjoy pre-dinner drinks on the patio.

The venue has an excellent reputation for good food and it did not disappoint; to judge from the ‘noise’ level in the restaurant, everyone has a thoroughly enjoyable time. This was confirmed by numerous compliment and requests to repeat the event in 2023, this has already been booked for May 2023.

Special thanks must go Ill Kt John Handley, Divisional Registrar, for his unstinting work in organising the event, his efforts ensured that everything ran smoothly and the inaugural Lunch proved such a success – thank you John.

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Fri, 25th February 2022

Buddy Bags Foundation

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Grand Sovereign’s Care for Children Fund – It’s in the Bag!

Rt Ill Kt John Tristram, the Intendant-General and Ill Kt Jim Mulligan, the Deputy Intendant-General, for the West Midlands Division of the Red Cross of Constantine, recently visited the Buddy Bags Foundation to present a cheque for £2500 or support the incredible work being done by the Foundation. The Foundation was created in response to the rising number of children who enter emergency care after fleeing violent situations at home

The Buddy Bag Foundation in the UK was founded in 2015, by Karen Williams OBE, to help make a difference to children entering emergency care. During a visit to Australia, Karen was inspired by an article about the A & M Foundation, which has delivered more than 100,000 Buddy Bags to children in emergency care in Australia. On returning to the UK, Karen researched the facilities available for children in emergency care and discovered a huge need.

To ensure as many children as possible can benefit from the Buddy Bag scheme, Karen set up The Buddy Bag Foundation and launched the Buddy Bag appeal in the UK, with the help and support of The A & M Foundation

Every year 48,000 children in the UK require emergency care. Restoring a sense of safety & security into a child’s life during a traumatic time is one of the first steps towards recovery They supply these children with a Buddy Bag containing essential items to help restore a sense of comfort and love. By providing these children with a few essential items. It is Buddy Bags mission to help make the transition into emergency care a little easier.

Although Buddy Bags is based in Sutton Coldfield, it operates throughout the UK. The foundation is run by a team of volunteers and ambassadors so that 100% of the money raised goes to the cause. The Buddy Bag brigades provide a unique opportunity for volunteers to get hands-on and support the cause. 

Following the presentation of the cheque Karen said “Thank you for visiting the Buddy Bag Foundation, it was a pleasure and a massive thank you again for your kind donation, making a difference to 100 children in emergency care. Please pass on my sincere thanks to the group.  

Sat, 6th June 2020

Letter of thanks From Jigsaw Thornbury

Worthy Knights please see the letter of thanks received from JIGSAW of Thornbury for the recent grant awarded by the Grand Sovereign’s Care Fund for Children

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Fri, 17th April 2020

Grants for Children’s Charities

The Grand Sovereign’s Care for Children Fund has just awarded three grants for the following Children’s Charities within our Division with £2,500 to each Charity

1. Jigsaw Thornbury Childrens Charity https://www.jigsawthornbury.org.uk/

2. Winston’s Wish Children’s Charity https://www.winstonswish.org/

3. Pied Piper Appeal for Children https://www.piedpiperappeal.co.uk/

Our sincere thanks to the Grand Sovereign’s Fund for these donations

Fri, 17th January 2020

Presentation of First Certificate of Merit to David Leigh

Very Illustrious Knight David J Leigh, Past Grand High Chancellor

The St Chad Conclave No 320 of the Order of The Red Cross of Constantine recently celebrated a very special occasion. In recognition of his long and dedicated service to the Order, their Marshal, Very Illustrious Knight David J Leigh, Past Grand High Chancellor, was presented with a ‘Diploma of Merit’ by the Intendant-General for the West Midlands Division, Rt Ill Kt John J Tristram.

The Intendant-General gave a brief summary of David’s history in the Order of the Red Cross of Constantine. He was Installed as a Knight-Companion in Saye & Sele Conclave No 122 London in December 1975, and was Enthroned as Most Puissant Sovereign in that Conclave in 1989. David remains a member of that Conclave and is their current Marshal. He was also a Founder member of the Guild of Freeman Conclave No 483 and is currently their Recorder, an office he has held for 9 years

David was a Founder member of St Chad Conclave, Stafford in 1977 and became Most Puissant Sovereign in 2014. He was appointed to Grand Rank in 1988 and has received a number of Grand Rank promotions in recognition of his service, eventually coming a Very Illustrious Knight on his appointment to the rank of Past Grand High Almoner in 1999. In 2013 David received a further promotion, to Past Grand High Chancellor, the rank which he holds today

The Intendant-General said that David’s support for the Conclaves in Staffordshire and his dedicated service to the Order deserved to be acknowledge and rewarded and he was delighted to present David with his Diploma of Merit, the first to be presented in the West Midlands Division. Congratulations to David

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Fri, 15th November 2019

Acorns Cheque Presentation

On Friday 15th November John Tristram the Intendant-General, accompanied by Jim Mulligan the Deputy Intendant-General, Jim Coxon the Divisional Treasurer and Geoff Watkins the Divisional Recorder, was pleased to be able to present a cheque for £2500 from the Grand Sovereign’s Care Fund for Children to Acorns Children’s Hospice ‘Black County Hospice Appeal’. The hospice has been under threat of closure due to severe financial constraints and we were pleased to be able to make a contribution towards their appeal

By coincidence, on the same day as our presentation, Acorns announced that due to the success of the Black Country Appeal, they have been able to keep the hospice open. We wish them every success for the future

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