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Buckinghamshire Freemasons BIG 123 Event: A Historic Day at Freemasons' Hall

Buckinghamshire Freemasons have once more made Masonic history. Saturday, June 29th, 2024, saw a once-in-a-lifetime occasion where Buckinghamshire Freemasonry took over the entire Freemasons' Hall on Great Queen Street for a day filled with ceremony, tradition, and progression.

A Day of Degrees and Special Moments

The essence of the BIG 123 event lay in its unique approach to our cherished rituals. We conducted First, Second, and Third Degree ceremonies simultaneously across every temple within Freemasons' Hall. This ambitious undertaking was a testament to our commitment to the craft and an unprecedented opportunity to welcome new brothers and elevate our brethren along their Masonic journeys.

A truly special moment occurred during the event when the newly appointed Assistant Provincial Grand Master Tim Anders initiated his father into Freemasonry in the Grand Temple. This poignant ceremony added a deeply personal touch to an already historic day, highlighting the intergenerational bonds that Freemasonry fosters. It was a powerful reminder of how our fraternity spans not just years, but lifetimes and generations, binding families in shared values and traditions.

Honouring Tradition and Embracing the Future

Freemasonry is built on a foundation of history and tradition, and the grandeur of Freemasons' Hall, with its rich architectural heritage, served as the perfect backdrop for such an event. This historic building has witnessed countless ceremonies and has been a cornerstone of Masonic activity for over three centuries. Our gathering there on Saturday was a nod to the enduring values and principles that have guided Freemasons through the ages.

DID YOU KNOW HE WAS A FREEMASON ?

GEORGE WASHINGTON

George Washington was an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797.

Washington joined Freemasonry in the Lodge at Fredericksburg, Virginia at 20 years old, November 4, 1752.

The lodge’s surviving minute book records Washington attending only 4 meetings after he joined: 3rd March 1753, 4th August 1753, 1st September 1753, and 4th January 1755.

Washington’s “Mother Lodge” was renamed and numbered as Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4 after the creation of the Grand Lodge of Virginia in 1778. It continues to meet today.
In 1794, Alexandria Lodge No. 39, of which Washington was an honorary member, commissioned William Williams to paint Washington dressed in Masonic regalia. After Washington’s death the lodge changed its name to Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22.
Interesting fact:

Although President Washington oversaw the construction of the White House, he never lived in it. It was not until 1800, when the White House was nearly completed, that its first resident, President John Adams moved in.

AND THAT’S A WRAP !

Yesterday Buckinghamshire Freemasons made Masonic history … AGAIN.

All 3 ceremonies carried out at Freemasons Hall, London using every temple by 47 Lodges.

A truly BIG event !

We look forward to sharing images from the day in the coming week.

AND THAT’S A WRAP !

Yesterday Buckinghamshire Freemasons made Masonic history … AGAIN.

All 3 ceremonies carried out at Freemasons Hall, London using every temple by 47 Lodges.

A truly BIG event !

We look forward to sharing images from the day in the coming week.

TOMORROW'S THE BIG 1-2-3 DAY

Buckinghamshire Freemasons making masonic history yet again !

The whole of Freemason Hall , Freemasonry's national home in Central London, occupied by Buckinghamshire Freemason Lodges carrying out private ceremonies in all the temples throughout the day.

This event marks a historic milestone for Buckinghamshire Freemasonry and promises a memorable day for all.

584 attending
47 Different Lodges

https://youtu.be/PjRL8kjNKeA

FREEMASONRY IN THE COMMUNITY

Saturday night through to the early hours of Sunday morning saw Buckinghamshire Freemasons step forward to marshal the local Florence Nightingale Charity Hospice Midnight Walk.

Over 400 walkers took to the streets of Aylesbury to either complete a 5 or 10 mile route while raising money for the charity. To guide the routes through the night, over 40 Freemasons from 20 different lodges of Buckinghamshire stood at points to cheer the walkers on and ensure their safety.

The Midnight walk was first established with the Hospice in 2010, with the exception of the CoViD lock down years, and has raised over £1million pounds from its start, it is the largest fundraising event that they carry out each year.

Buckinghamshire Freemasons have proudly put themselves forward to be involved since its inception, a true Freemasonry In The Community event.

If you would like to be part of a global community that has has hand and still has so many famous members, that has its roots firmly in the ground in Buckinghamshire, please join us by following this link: https://buckspgl.org/join
After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch.

JULY DIARY OF MEETINGS

Buckinghamshire has 117 lodges that meet at 16 Centres across the county throughout the year.

This is the diary for the coming month.

If there is a location & day that suits your home and work life and you are interested in finding out more, please reach out to our membership team who will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

If you would like to be part of freemasonry and a global community, that has its roots firmly in the ground in Buckinghamshire, please join us by following this link: https://buckspgl.org/join
After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch.

DID YOU KNOW HE WAS A FREEMASON !

Sergeant Major Johnson Gideon Beharry, VC, COG.

Sergeant Johnson Beharry joined the British Army at the age of 21. While serving with the 1st Battalion in Iraq, Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, Johnson's armoured Warrior vehicle fell into a trap and his colleagues were significantly injured. He drove under the enemy fire and saved their lives.

After that incident, he was soon caught in another trap, which caused severe head injuries to him and his crew. In a display of extreme courage, he drove out of the ambush before losing consciousness. While still recovering from brain surgery, Sergeant Beharry was awarded the Victoria Cross.

He is involved in charities and he is the founder of JBVC Foundation, which helps young people involved in gang culture rebuild their lives and future.
Sergeant Beharry is a member of Queensman Lodge No. 2694 in London.
Awards and campaign medals.

Victoria Cross - For valour in Iraq.
Kosovo Medal - For service in Kosovo.
Iraq Medal - For service in Iraq.
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal - Presented to all living VC and GC recipients on 29 May 2012.
Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal - Presented to all living VC and GC recipients on 6 February 2022.
Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct (Military) - For 15 years regular army service, 4 October 2016.
Companion of the Order of Grenada.

If you would like to be part of a global community that has has hand and still has so many famous members, that has its roots firmly in the ground in Buckinghamshire, please join us by following this link: https://buckspgl.org/join?

Bucks Classic Car Lodge Installs a First Time Master

W.Bro Mike Pearsall was installed into the chair at Bucks Classic Car Lodge on Saturday 15th June at Beaconsfield Masonic Centre.

Since it’s consecration in 2017 when the Primus master R.W Bro Sir Stuart Hampson took the controls for the first year and then subsequent years the chair has been occupied by past Masters.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Matthew Perkins attended with a host of Provincial officers, along with some newly appointed Grand Officers, W.Bro’s Eraldo Guarino and Carl Freeman.

W.Bro Matt was presented with his BCCL driving licence and obligatory L Plates, in the theme of the lodge's special interest, classic cars.

Some 40 members then dined together at a magnificent festive board which was topped off with a fantastic rendition of the Masters Song by W.Bro Phil (Elvis) Witney.

We now look forward to initiating two new members at BIG123 on Saturday 29th June.

Charity Walk in Association with the Royal Arch and the Craft

Please support this walk which demonstrates the indissoluble link between Royal Arch and Craft Freemasonry in Buckinghamshire.

Fun Day at Slough Masonic Centre

Slough Daylight, The Shooting Lodge, along with Observatory Lodge, held a joint BBQ and Laser Clay Shooting Fun Day at the Slough Masonic Centre.

Over 70 Freemasons, their partners, friends and family were in attendance for the first BBQ to be held at the centre.

After a short Lodge meeting in the moring, the guests arrived for the Laser Clay Shooting held on the adjacent school playing field.

After building up a healthy appetite, a fantastic BBQ followed, utilising the new terrace area of the recently improved Slough Masonic Centre.

This was a highly enjoyable way to spend a sunny Saturday with friends and family and is typical of the many fun social events organised by Lodges throughout the Buckinghamshire Province.

If you would like to be part of a global community that has its roots firmly in the ground in Buckinghamshire, please join us by following this link: https://buckspgl.org/join
After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch.

D-DAY - 80th Anniversary

Today, we remember the sacrifices of those who stormed the beaches of Normandy 80 years ago.

“They gave their todays, for our tomorrows”

In Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s speech to Parliament on 4th June 1940, he famously said “We shall fight on the beaches” little did he know then that 4 years later, that’s exactly what we would be doing.

Lest We Forget
https://winstonchurchill.org/.../we-shall-fight-on-the.../

Operation Overlord was the code-name for the Allied invasion of North-West Europe. The assault phase of Operation Overlord was known as Operation Neptune.

Codenamed Operation Neptune and often referred to as D-Day, it is the largest seaborne invasion in history and was undoubtedly a turning point in the Second World War. The operation began the liberation of France, and the rest of Western Europe, and laid the foundations of the Allied victory on the Western Front.

DID YOU KNOW HE WAS A FREEMASON ?

WINSTON CHURCHILL

Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill was a British politician who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the 20th century,

Churchill was also an officer in the British Army, a historian, a writer and an artist. Since its inception in 1901, Churchill is the only British Prime Minister to have won the Nobel Prize in Literature and was the first person to be made an honorary citizen of the United States.

Churchill was initiated into Studholme Lodge No. 1591 (now United Studholme Alliance Lodge) on 24 May 1901.

If you would like to be part of a global community that has has hand and still has so many famous members, that has its roots firmly in the ground in Buckinghamshire, please join us by following this link: https://buckspgl.org/join?

After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch.

ORION "THE WINE" LODGE INSTALL ITS NEW MASTER

As Buckinghamshire's Fine Wine Lodge it was fantastic to see the progress this small but perfectly formed Lodge is making, did we mention its also one of our special interest "Wine" themed lodge?

The evening began with the Installation of W.Bro Philip Witney as WM by W.Bro Roger Chandler. The lodge practices "Logic" workings which were developed in the 1880s by members of the theatrical and performing arts in London. Ceremonies are "performed" and delivered to a high standard in Logic lodges.

The lodge displayed an array of excellent newer masons doing work, in Fellowcrafts Nii Okyne and Michael Lee.

What followed was an Italian themed festive board which paired excellent wines with each course of olives, bread, antipasti, spaghetti and cheese. Each wine was shared and explained by Lodge Sommelier Bro Lee Lee Keeper.

This was a truly excellent evening and a unique experience in Buckinghamshire Freemasonry.

If you would like to be part of a global community, that has its roots firmly in the ground in Buckinghamshire, please join us by following this link: https://buckspgl.org/join
After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch.

Discover Freemasonry: A Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity!

Follow in the Footsteps of Giants �
Are you ready to embark on a journey of self-improvement and community service? For a limited time, Buckinghamshire Freemasons are offering a unique opportunity to be initiated at the World Headquarters of Freemasonry in London. This is your chance to join a fraternity that has shaped leaders and visionaries for centuries.

BIG 1-2-3 takes place on Saturday 29th June at Freemasons' Hall, London. You can be part of it.

�¹ A Historic Experience: Be part of a once-in-a-generation event, walking the same halls as some of history's greatest figures. �️✨
�¹ Personal Growth: Take your first step towards becoming the best version of yourself. Freemasonry offers a path of self-discovery and personal development. �±�
�¹ Community Impact: Join a brotherhood dedicated to giving back. Through volunteering and charitable activities, you'll make a real difference in your community. �❤️
Don't miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to join a legacy of greatness. Apply now and start your journey with the Buckinghamshire Freemasons.
� To guarantee your place for initiation into a Buckinghamshire Lodge, in this amazing London location, apply by June 5th via this link: https://buckspgl.org/join

BIG 1-2-3 - ONE MONTH TO GO

Join us for this incredible once in a lifetime experience where we take over Freemasons Hall for an entire day.

We will be holding 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree ceremonies in every temple at Great Queen Street to bring even more interested candidates into masonry and progressing our many newer members along their masonic careers.

There is only one month to go until BIG 1-2-3 if you have not booked in please do so through this below:
https://buckspgl.org/events/provincial-events/big123

If you would like to be part of a global community that has its roots firmly in the ground in Buckinghamshire, please join us by following this link: https://buckspgl.org/join
After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch.

CONRAD WALKS THE HIGHLAND WAY TO SUPPORT BUDS

Conrad Evans an Aylesbury Freemason from Pegasus Lodge No 5637, walked the West Highland way in Scotland, a distance of 96 miles in 10 days, which is especially hard as Conrad is Disabled meaning that walking is far harder, making this an incredible feat.

Conrad did this in aid of a Charity called BUDS The Buckinghamshire Disability Service, who are focused on supporting disabled people by fixing the biggest issues facing them, click here to find our more about them: https://buds.org.uk/

At the finish line Conrad had raised a massive £3735 and we would like to assist him in reaching his target of £4000 for this brilliant cause.

Well done Conrad you have done us all very proud and made a big difference in supporting BUDS.

Please click the below link to support him:
https://shorturl.at/FmSBW

If you would like to be part of a global community that has its roots firmly in the ground in Buckinghamshire, please join us by following this link: https://buckspgl.org/join
After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch.

JUNE DIARY OF MEETINGS

Buckinghamshire has 117 lodges that meet at 16 Centres across the county throughout the year.

This is the diary for the coming month.

If there is a location & day that suits your home and work life and you are interested in finding out more, please reach out to our membership team who will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

If you would like to be part of freemasonry and a global community, that has its roots firmly in the ground in Buckinghamshire, please join us by following this link: https://buckspgl.org/join
After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch.

DID YOU KNOW HE WAS A FREEMASON ?

THEODORE ROOSEVELT

The 26th president of America, a Harvard-educated scholar, a North Dakota cattle rancher, a politician and civil servant on the state and national level, leader of the famed “Rough Riders” in the Spanish-American War, Governor of New York, noted conservationist who advocated the creation of the National Park System, Nobel Peace Prize winner, an adventurer who always sought new challenges and, of course, President of the United States.

He joined Freemasonry at the age of forty-two in 1901, the year he began his service as President of the United States. He was initiated into Matinecock Lodge No. 806 of Oyster Bay, New York, and spent many years as an active and proud Freemason. Notably, Brother Roosevelt visited lodges in Africa, Europe, and South America and assisted in laying the cornerstone of the Pilgrim Memorial Monument in Provincetown, MA. He broke ground for a Masonic Temple in Spokane, Washington in 1903 and attended the Masonic cornerstone laying of the House of Representatives building in 1906.

If you would like to be part of a global community that has has hand and still has so many famous members, that has its roots firmly in the ground in Buckinghamshire, please join us by following this link: https://buckspgl.org/join?

After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch.

DISCOVERING FREEMASONRY

Buckinghamshire Freemasons hold another highly successful membership event.

Freemasons from Buckinghamshire hosted yet another remarkable live event, inviting a large number of candidates who were interested in Freemasonry to attend an evening where they had the opportunity to learn about Freemasonry from masons who had a great deal of experience.

In addition, it was available to partners and visitors, as well as anybody who had a passing interest in the topic and was eager to learn more about it. In order to accommodate their visitors, the Slough Masonic Centre was filled with a large number of people, including already existing Freemasons to accompany their guests.

At the beginning of the evening, Neil Robertson provided a brief introduction to the concept of freemasonry and discussed the unique aspects that make it so remarkable.
Lee Buckingham, John Palman, and Matt Eaton were among the other individuals that spoke in more detail about who we are and what we do.

The conference came to a close with a presentation on the philanthropic contributions that Freemasonry has made, as well as a special presentation from Dawn Allen of the Henry Allen Trust, which is an organisation that we have recently supported.

The evening was a fantastic success, bringing in a number of candidates we will be welcoming into Freemasonry at our BIG1-2-3 event at the end of June.

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