17/11/2013
Assistant Provincial Grand Master Jon Clipsham resigns after being judged and accused for the actions of another person.
When has it ever been right to judge one person for anothers actions ? What gives Lancashire freemasonry the right to think itself above the law to judge Jon Clipsham for my actions.
I withheld the sum of £120 pounds from a local scout group following my son being beaten on two occasions. I withheld the subs money in the hope of answers as to why and how this had happened to my child. Instead of an apology and reassurance that this would not happen again to my child or any other child - that proper care and attention would be taken - I recieved an email threatening me with court action. When i did not reply to the threats Jon Clipsham received a phone call from the chairman of the scout group who knew Jon in a masonic capacity. As well as being the vicar of St Saviours church in Bamber Bridge, Reverend Graham Halsall is the Provincial Chaplain of the West Lancashire freemasons. Jon explained to Graham that the matter of withholding subs was not his decision it was mine. There was never any intention not to pay the subs once I had received a reply. Jon did pass on the message that I would like to speak with the group scout leader to discuss the issue of the subs and that of the two incidents concerning my child. Graham himself said he could see no reason why his involvement was necessary and both Jon and Graham felt this was a matter for myself and the group scout leader.
Several days later we received a call from Graham asking about the subs, which confused me as he had already said he did not want to be involved in, so why was he on the phone again?
I can only assume that he was ringing me out of concern, after all he is a minister, though I have to say that at no point in time was the question of the bullied child's welfare was get asked.Tthe whole thing had become about the £120 subs!
Jon was shortly afterwards asked to attend a meeting with the Deputy and the Provincial Grand Master. At this meeting they asked why had Jon not paid the subs. Jon was surprised to find a confidence in the Vicar had been broken, and subsequently explained what had taken place and he had no part in it other than to stand by me.
The reason i am telling this story is because Graham Halsall has acted in a way which is an abuse of his position not only as a minister to break my confidence but also his masonic position, for whatever ends that was to serve. Graham felt it was better that the issue should be (in his words) " its best out in the open"
Freemasonry is supposed to be a caring, supporting organisation, yet all that mattered to them was £120 pounds owed not to them but to a scout group .It has been alleged that the so-called good name of the freemasons has been brought into doubt and that rumours of bad conduct by Jon are circulating around the church. For that to have happened someone must have broken confidences.
I am writing this for the following reasons
:
- when did the welfare of a child become less important than money
- Jon Clipsham was told his integrity (a key principal which masons try to uphold) was brought into question because I DID NOT PAY. When did freemasonry become above the law to make one person responsible for anothers actions.
Jon has been hounded out from an organisation he was passionate about. He has helped, guided, supported and encouraged thousands of freemasons.
In my view freemasonry is an organisation that is not built on truth and honesty, but on power, money, deceit, and a need to demonstrate to the public that it is 'whiter than white', rather than showing that it encourages its members to be good, caring people.
This post is made because my child does actually matter and in the spirit of openness.
Assistant provincial grand master Jon Clipsham resigns from office .
What a loss to freemasonry.
Photo: Assistant provincial grand master Jon Clipsham resigns from office . What a loss to freemasonry.
