The Travelling Trowel

The Travelling Trowel Scheme
The Provincial Grand Master believes that it would be advantageous to Lodges and to the Province to introduce a Travelling Trowel scheme. Such a scheme was introduced twenty years ago in the Mark Province of Somerset and has proved both successful and perhaps more importantly, popular with the Brethren. Provincial Grand Chapter has also recently introduced a travelling Sceptre scheme.

The aims of the Scheme
1. to encourage a wider sphere of visiting between Somerset lodges and increase masonic links and friendships
2. to bring the Province closer together by fostering a spirit of mutual support and fraternity
3. to encourage less experienced Masons to visit other Lodges

The scheme will also help to support those lodges that are perhaps small in membership as well as those who receive relatively low numbers of visitors. Visits to Installation meetings will be avoided so that any Master Mason will be able to join in. The intention is to create growth, harmony and enjoyment rather than to introduce a gimmick or burden on brethren. The commitment for each Lodge will be to undertake one visit roughly once in three years.

How will it work?
The Province is split into four groups (A,B,C,D) of 22 Lodges, each with its own Trowel. Lodges are allocated to a group and each group will, over time, encompass most of the geographical area of the Province through their visits. The scheme will commence in January 2012 and will be completed in 2014 when all the trowels will be returned to PGL at the Provincial meeting to be held on Thursday 3^rd April. The first Lodges in their respective groups will be formally presented with their Trowel before the close of 2011 according to the following schedule:
Group A. Ray Guthrie will present to Tennyson Lodge on 18^th November
Group B. David Medlock will present to St Lukes Lodge on 21^st October
Group C. The PGM will present to the Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge on 15^th October
Group D. John Winston will present to the Alfred and Guthrum Lodge on 8^th November

These four Lodges will deliver the trowel to the next lodge on their respective list and so on down the list on the dates indicated in the link below. The presenting Lodge will send a deputation of as many brethren as it can muster to support their Worshipful Master who will formally present the Trowel in open lodge. The presenting Lodge will be formally greeted by the receiving Lodge and the presentation will be an item of business on the Summons.

The presentation will be made using a specific form of words which it is hoped the WM will be able to learn and recite. These can be found following the link below. Before handing over the Trowel the Master should enter his name and the number of brethren accompanying him on the record sheet that will accompany the Travelling Trowel.

Use this link to find the list of Lodges and their respective dates
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AjBBOQTK_jhSdHZlYnVGUk5fTXVvY0VWTEFpX3A3YVE&hl=en_US#gid=0
Use this link to find the Presentation details and the words for the WM
Travelling trowel Procedure and words

Please note
The brethren of the presenting Lodge will be expected to pay for their own meals. The secretary of the visiting Lodge, or a brother allocated by the secretary should make sure that the host Lodge is informed in good time of the number attending and any special dietary requirements of visiting brethren. If a brother books in and fails to turn up the visiting Lodge will be responsible for the dining fee.