News

Heatherden Lodge sure knows how to have fun at their meetings!
With probably the first raising of an Aussie brother by an Aussie Lodge master this year!
Members and visitors enjoyed an excellent evening. Amongst the high jinx at the festive Board dinner, rather appropriately, an Aussie won the much-contested inaugural running of the “Roo Stakes."
As a Freemason, if you want to join the fun, save the date of March 16th for their much revered St. Patrick’s Day, Irish Night.

If you would like to be part of a Freemasons' lodge like this 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

There is a fascinating connection between Freemasons, poetry, dinner and Robert Burns.
Robert Burns is regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic movement, and after his death he became a great source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism, and a cultural icon in Scotland and among the Scottish diaspora around the world. Celebration of his life and work became almost a national charismatic cult during the 19th and 20th centuries, and his influence has long been strong on Scottish literature and Freemasonry in particular.

Robert Burns was initiated an Entered Apprentice in Lodge St. David, Tarbolton on 4 July 1781, at the age of 23. His initiation fee was 12s 6d, and paid on the same date.

On 27 July 1784, he was elected "Depute Master" of the lodge of St. David at the ripe young age of 25.
Burns was a revolutionary of sorts and the poem A Man’s A Man For All That is an plea for international brotherhood and asserts the principles of the French Revolution in this ode to equality and honesty.

Burns was exalted a companion in the Holy Royal Arch Degree in May 1787 at St. Ebbe's Lodge, Eyemouth. The companions unanimously agreed to admit Burns without paying the necessary fees, as they were greatly honoured to have such a great poet and man like Burns as part of their chapter.

Freemasonry's spirit of Brotherhood had a special place in Burns's heart. "For Burns, Freemasonry was a compound of mysticism and conviviality. We can think of no better environment to hear the words of the Masonic Poet laureate than in our Festive Board dinners. Which is why, across the world, millions of Freemasons will be reciting his poetry with their best Mel Gibdon-esque accents.

Robert Burns born 5th January 1759 and passed to the Grand Lodge above on 21st July 1796.

New Urban Lodge 6371 and Emergency Services Lodge 3077 partnered together in order to raise vital funds for the @PTSDResolutionUK. This mental health charity supports our veterans and emergency services personnel.
Lannelli's genuine Italian restaurant in Aylesbury was the venue, and the staff could not have been more helpful. 
What could go wrong when a bunch of friends are entertained by Signor Paulo Frenchini? Suddenly, a gate crasher emerges dressed as a mafia mobster; thankfully, this individual was well known to us all, and after being plied with Chianti, order was once again restored.�‚�‚
After supper, Bro Ewan spoke about the charity's activities, followed by Bro. Dan who provided a short overview of the therapy offered to those suffering from the psychological symptoms of this form of trauma, many of whom suffer silently. Donations were graciously accepted. If you would like to help this charity, please follow this link:https://ptsdresolution.org/donate.php

If you would like to be part of a Freemasons' lodge that helps local charities in Buckinghamshire, please join us by following this link: https://buckspgl.org/join

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. 

Dagmar Lodge, the specialist rugby lodge, started 2024 with a bang this week.
Bro Alan took his 2nd degree and, in doing so, became a Fellowcraft Freemason.
The XV team, under the leadership of skipper Bro. Martin, expertly completed the ceremony.
The lodge also welcomed two new members, Bro. Jake and Bro. Nick. Both of whom are battle-hardened rugby players and lifelong fans of the game.

With more new visitors keen to join and a new head of the lodge taking over in April, the lodge looks forward to another successful year. Their forward plan also includes several extra meetings for initiations, which are in the pipeline too.
This lodge is going to make 2024 their year! 

If you would like to be part of a Freemasons' lodge like this 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

St. Martin's Lodge No. 2812 welcomed three new Entered Apprentice Freemasons into their lodge at their meeting last night. 
Throughout the evening, three separate experienced Freemasons took turns initiating a single candidate each. One observer noted how unusual it was to see each candidate initiated by a different master. "It was a wonderful experience for our three newest members of the province, and the ceremonies were delivered in impeccable fashion."
The brothers of St. Martin's thanked everyone who came to a stunning and vibrant four-course feast.

The lodge already has a plan for the year: another initiation in February with two new joining members, and a very special 60th certificate will be delivered to a well-respected Freemason who was initiated in March 1964 during the March meeting.
This lodge is going to make 2024 their year! 

If you would like to be part of a Freemasons' lodge like this 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

In the first meeting in 2024, it was a double celebration at the Lodge of St Barnabas No. 948 on Thursday evening. Not only did the lodge raise Bro Catalin to the sublime degree of a Master Mason, but they also presented £500 cheques to three very worthwhile organisations. Seen here receiving them are Bro Terry representing the Prebendal Close Masonic Housing Association, Bro Bob, a member of St Barnabas Lodge who accepted the cheque on behalf of ,where he volunteers; and W.Bro Paul Halfhide, the Buckinghamshire co-ordinator for .
Also pictured were St Barnabas's newly-raised Bro Catalin, on the right by St Barnabas Charity Steward W.Bro Andy, and at the back by W.Bro Chris Soper, who acted as Master for part of the evening's ceremony. An excellent meeting all round, completed by a Festive Board of roast lamb with all the trimmings!

If you would like to be part of this lodge 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

1787 with the Assistant Grand Master of Freemasonry.

It was more than 200 years ago that the first university Lodge – Apollo University Lodge – was founded at Oxford in 1818.
Isaac Newton University Lodge soon followed at Cambridge in 1861 and since then many thousands of young men have been introduced to Freemasonry through these two Lodges.

It was these very foundations that led to the United Grand Lodge of England establishing the Universities Scheme in 2005 and introducing Freemasonry’s important values to a new generation.

There are now 87 Lodges and seven Chapters pursuing a similar, yet distinct, course across England and Wales, where towns and cities have universities. Based at Yeomanry Hall in Buckingham, Grenville Lodge No. 1787 is partnered with Buckingham University as part of the scheme. 

At last night's meeting of Grenville Lodge No. 1787, they welcomed Yaneesh Jingree, a student at Buckingham University into Freemasonry.

During a wonderful ceremony, well executed by the WM, Secretary and the team at Grenville, Yaneesh was initiated in the presence of his father and over 50 other Brethren.

LET THERE BE LIGHT THEY SAID....

The Provincial Comms team, along with Centre Manager, Gary Brodie have been working on a new lightbox installation for Slough centre.
It was unveiled at the Executive quarterly meeting and got its first official use by the members of Notarius Lodge.

The beautiful lit panel depicts the four cardinal virtues from the Grand Temple at Freemasons Hall in London. I was allowed entry to the Grand Temple in October 2023, to acquire high quality photographs that were used in the final design. The final piece of art was printed by Scott Buckle on flame-resistant material and stretched over an illuminated lightbox.

Slough Masonic Centre Manager Gary Brodie was overseer of the six hour installation process and afterwards said, "This is exactly what I had envisioned for our temple, colour, drama, and spectacle. Project Transform has advanced to the next level."

The unveiling of the lightbox coincided with the launch of the Buckinghamshire Freemasons 2024 Strategy. Which aims to further improve Project Transform by providing a technical support staff as well as properly documented training manuals, implementation plans, and access rights to licenced music.

Are you looking for a new challenge in 2024?
Do you want to be a part of an organisation that brings people from all walks of life together to benefit the community?
Are you interested in a 300-year-old mystery that is steeped in history?

We have an open evening where you can meet new and experienced Freemasons.
Book your place at this live event in Bletchley and enjoy an evening of conversation and discovery.
Tuesday, January 30th, 2024, from 7:00 p.m. at Bletchley Masonic Centre, MK2 2BZ.

This is a ticket-only event, so please book your places here:
https://buckspgl.org/events/provincial-events/new-year-new-you