To celebrate St.David’s Day the Association of Tercentenary Masters (ATM) group visited Segontium Lodge 606 in North Wales and using their example, the concept of a Derbyshire Travelling Gavel to promote Lodge visiting was born.
This visit proved hugely enjoyable and extremely successful, so much so, that the Segontium brethren invited the ATM back for 2019.
Whilst the visiting Worshipful Brethren struggled to sing in Welsh, the group contributed to the evenings singing by a rendition of “Happy Have We Met”
As a memento, Segontium Lodge 606 was presented with a commemorative plaque marking the first visit of the ATM outside our Derbyshire Province.
The concept of the Travelling Gavel was still under consideration, when a call to arms was received that the RW Provincial Grand Master wanted to introduce it at the forthcoming April 2018 Provincial AGM.
The challenge was in less than a month could we put all the ends together to meet the deadline.
At an emergency ATM meeting it was discovered that W.Bro.W.J.A.Auger PPJGW, an ATM member, actually had the necessary skills and craftsmanship to make the gavel.
The gavel was duly commissioned and delivered with its’ case to Derby Masonic Hall on the morning of the Annual General Meeting.
The Travelling Gavel is to be used by the Brethren of the Province of Derbyshire and the purpose of the Travelling Gavel is to promote Friendship, Brotherly love, and the enjoyment of visiting amongst the Brethren within the Province. The rules are simple, the main one is that to attempt to Claim the Gavel a Lodge must visit with a Deputation of at least 4 Members from the same Lodge, and all stay for the Festive board. All meals booked must be paid for. At least one of the Deputation must be a Principal Officer (i.e., the Master or Warden of the Lodge). The Gavel after a successful claim will be presented to the Principal Officer of the visiting Lodge at the Festive board.
The RW Provincial Grand Master presented the Gavel. A full copy of the rules is available on the attachment below.
The Gavel is currently in the hands of Glossopdale Lodge No. 625, having been presented to W Bro Fred Webber at the Provincial Meeting in April.
