Masonic Province of Yorkshire, West Riding » White Rose – Pride in Communication Skills and fightback follows big revenue blip!

White Rose – Pride in Communication Skills and fightback follows big revenue blip!

Editor John B Gledhill reports

The Province of Yorkshire, West Riding has long considered the art of communication a key priority.

It is 20 years since the first “Blue Book” Newsletter was produced in the spring of 1990; the present A4 format was introduced in autumn 1997, boasting full colour for the first time – and there was a mini re-launch in spring 2006, when our publication was renamed White Rose Masonic News.

A vibrant Provincial Media Committee was established in 1996, coinciding with a new era of Openness for Freemasons, and I wrote then that our Province was at the forefront in presenting a progressive and pro-active lead for others to follow.

A further initiative was the creation of a Provincial website, launched in September 1998. This was followed by the partial re-enactment of a Lodge meeting filmed by Yorkshire Television at Spring Bank Place, which brought Freemasonry into the living rooms of millions of television viewers.

Subsequently, a video entitled “A View of Freemasonry” was produced and included additional material to that shown on television. Copies were sold worldwide.

The Provincial website has now undergone an impressive makeover and the media committee has been re-branded as the communications committee. It continues to help improve the public perception of Freemasonry as well as forging meaningful links with Press and TV in the region.

So, what does the future hold for White Rose Masonic News as we head towards the coming of age of our much vaunted and widely read magazine?

The ravages of the recession bit deeply into finances, with revenue at its lowest ebb since advertisements were first accepted in 1994.

There is renewed hope, and eager anticipation however, as a vigorous new marketing and advertising sales team, led by W Bro Stuart Cadman, provide fresh new impetus.

Also, there is evidence of a growing number of Brethren and Lodges lending welcome support to ensure the magazine’s continued viability and progress. West Riding Masonic Activities chairman W Bro Stewart Carley, whose team are entrusted with the stewardship of the magazine, has been delighted to receive a substantial four-figure donation from a Leeds Mason.

The bi-annual publication aims to be a platform for reports, photographs of events, features, discussion and opinion – and not simply a mouthpiece for Provincial Grand Lodge.

A long cherished ambition is that every Brother should receive a personal copy of the “Newsletter” at no cost to the Province or to individuals. This ideal was championed by the late R W Provincial Grand Master, J Trevor Broadley and is the continued aim of R W Bro John K Clayton, Provincial Grand Master.

Charging a subscription for our magazine, which finds its way into doctors and dental surgeries, libraries and hospitals and is read worldwide, would be unpopular and, possibly, difficult to implement.