News

Lodges in Buckinghamshire have delivered the Gift of Freemasonry to six wonderful people this week! A warm welcome to you all!
Our centres in Newport Pagnell, Stony Stratford, Little Kimble, Marlow, and Slough all celebrated 12DX (the Twelve Days of Christmas) in style.
There were many amazing highlights, including Bro. Robbie acting as Junior Deacon to escort his father, Bro. Gordon, around the lodge and be the first to welcome him into Freemasonry! We extend our heartfelt congratulations to both Bro. Gordon as a new Freemason and Robbie on his newfound status as a Lewis!

In total, Buckinghamshire Freemasons will present the gift of Freemasonry to 65 people during the season. Over 40 lodges are participating between now and the 19th of December. 

For general enquiries about joining:
If you are based in Buckinghamshire, please use this link: https://buckspgl.org/joinFor people elsewhere in the UK and around the world, please use this link: https://www.ugle.org.uk/.../find-your-nearest.../lookup-area

November 15th 1943 was the day seven Freemasons created a Masonic lodge while imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp and in recent times a sculpture commemorating them was unveiled.

Liberté Chérie (French for "Cherished Liberty") was a Masonic Lodge founded in 1943 by Belgian Resistance fighters and other political prisoners at Esterwegen concentration camp. It was one of the few lodges of Freemasons founded within a Nazi concentration camp during the Second World War.

The lodge was created on November 15th, 1943 inside Hut 6 of Emslandlager VII and located in Esterwegen, Lower Saxony, Germany.

Paul Hanson was elected master. The brethren met for lodge work in Hut 6 around a table, which was otherwise used for cartridge sorting. A Catholic priest stood watch, so that the brethren could hold their meetings, and protected their secrecy.

The seven Freemasons who created the lodge were:
Paul Hanson, Luc Somerhausen, Jean Sugg, Franz Rochat, Guy Hannecart, Amédée Miclotte, and Degueldre.

Olney Masonic Club - Making Dreams Come True!

What started as a simple conversation led W Bro Eugene Matthias, our 'Freemasonry in the Community' coordinator, to the Cowper & Newton Museum in Olney and became something extraordinary.

The museum had long dreamed of a new kitchen and a beautifully redecorated shop to enhance the visitors' experience. Unfortunately, rising costs made those dreams seem unattainable.

But dreams do come true! The Olney Masonic Club stepped in, teaming up with Bathrooms by Harpers (Ed & Mario) to bring this dream to life. 

The museum needed £600 to reach its goal, and we were proud to cover the shortfall. Ed and Mario went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect.

To celebrate this special occasion, the museum staff and OMC (Freemasons) marked the presentation in style, dressing up to commemorate the moment.

You may not realise that Freemasonry is made of a number of different 'Progressive Orders'. This series will explain these various Orders and how they are linked.

Royal Order of Scotland 
Authentic documentary proof in the archives of the Grand Lodge gives rise to the popular assertion that the Royal Order of Scotland is senior to every other Masonic system, except for the Craft. The Grand Lodge is recorded as having first met in 1769. 

From the earliest written recordings of meetings, the Order claimed that the King of Scots was the Hereditary Grand Master, and a seat is always kept vacant for him at every meeting of each Provincial Grand Lodge, and all meetings of Grand Lodge. The Order is administered from Edinburgh. 

Membership of this elite Order is highly prized, admission is by invitation only to Master Masons of 5 years and upwards, by two current members of this Order.

You can read more about them here: https://www.royalorderscotland.org/

If you are interested in joining this order within Buckinghamshire, please message us.

Pilgrim's Walk Benefits Florence Nightingale Hospice.

Buckinghamshire Freemasons, under the banner of Freemasonry in the Community, made a 50 mile Pilgrim's Walk in aid of the Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity.

The Hospice wished to purchase new Cuddle beds, which are Hospital-style double beds, enabling partners to sleep in the same bed as their loved ones during their final days and hours, to create an endearing and loving memory.

Just before Christmas, Tracey Batt, IPU Ward Sister said;
Here at the Hospice we never underestimate the power of touch and a hug. We see all the time how being near loved ones, offers comfort when it is needed most and we are so thrilled to have been given the opportunity to purchase two Embrace Cuddle beds which were installed this week.

Being able to now offer patients and those they love, the opportunity to lie side by side, to snuggle children up with parents or grandparents is simply wonderful.

Within hours of installing these new adaptable beds, we were able to use them to their full advantage when a couple stayed overnight together in the bed. We witnessed the emotional impact and benefit of being able to spend precious time, when time is short, hugging closely together and it provided us with an insight into how valuable these beds will really be to the care we provide to our patient and families.

Dagmar Rugby Lodge and MK Alliance Project.

The annual Buckinghamshire Provincial membership scheme, the 12 Days of Christmas (12DX) this year included Dagmar Lodge, which is a Special Interest Lodge with a rugby theme.

At their 12DX meeting, the members and visitors of Dagmar Lodge donated to support the MK Alliance Project, a school and community-based initiative to improve access to high quality rugby in Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas for children of all backgrounds.

It currently involves over 16 Schools and around 70 players, giving both new and experienced players the opportunity to be given free coaching and play competitive rugby. All the coaches and first aiders generously give their time for free.

The donation from Dagmar Lodge enables the players to be provided with a warm meal after games. This also helps them build new bonds and friendships, allowing them to grow their social skills and improve their confidence.

The Alliance is also a 'Safe Place' which gives players the opportunity to share any issues or problems they might have outside of the game in confidence, knowing it is safe to do so.

You may not realise that Freemasonry is made of a number of different 'Progressive Orders'. This series will explain these various Orders and how they are linked.

The Operatives
The full title of this Order is the Worshipful Society of Free Masons, Rough Masons, Walkers, Slaters, Paviours, Plaisterers and Bricklayers, in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Commonwealth, and Territories Overseas. It is often familiarly known as the ‘The Worshipful Society of Freemasons’. 

Operative or Guild Masons were organized in England with royal approval dating at least from as early as the Grand Assemblage of 926 in York, which is reputed to have been authorized and encouraged by King Athelstan. The constitutions of the Society state that the Order was founded in 1913. The ritual of The Operatives as they are familiarly called, is more archaic in form and much fuller than that of the ‘speculatives’, containing practical instruction of which only echoes are found in speculative ritual, thereby providing an interesting field of study for the serious Masonic student. 

Lodge meetings are held in Assemblages.

The degrees of the Society are seven in number. 

The regalia is minimal and consists of a blue cord or blue collarette from which is suspended the badge of the member’s grade.
Badges are simply exchanged as progression is made. All members wear the distinctive Society tie.
 
Qualification for joining is that a candidate must be a Master Mason, a Mark Master Mason, and a Royal Arch Mason.
Find out more here: https://www.theoperatives.org/

Calibre audio: Charity Number 286614 was founded in 1974 to provide audio
Books for people of all ages who are unable to read the printed word which can
be due to visual impairment, special educational needs or challenges in
dexterity with conditions such as dyslexia, arthritis and Parkinson’s disease.
Many are children with SEN and older members with age related visual
impairment which can lead to isolation, their service brings comfort and
companionship and a connection with the outside world. They also supply
streaming and download options and support 396 Members across
Buckinghamshire.

BMCF have Donated £1,000 to buy new memory sticks and were sent the
following Testimonial:

“Our current crop of memory sticks is starting to show their age, so we thank
Bucks Masonic Centenary Fund who very generously awarded us a grant of
£1,000 which will help us to continue our quick turnround of audiobooks. Many
thanks, we really appreciate your support and so will our beneficiaries in the
country.”

Carol Hart

You may not realise that Freemasonry is made of a number of different 'Progressive Orders'. This series will explain these various Orders and how they are linked.

Royal and Select Masters
The full title of this Order is The Grand Council of the Order of Royal and Select Masters of England and Wales and its Districts and Council Overseas. It is more familiarly known as the ‘Cryptic Degrees’.

Meetings are held in Councils.

Qualification for joining is that a candidate must be a Mark Master Mason and Royal Arch Mason.

The regalia consists of a triangular apron with a crimson edge and a triangular breast jewel.
 
The Order is based on the history of the first Temple at Jerusalem. The four degrees throw light on a sequence of events and demonstrate the essential link between the degrees of Master Mason, Mark Master Mason, and Royal Arch Mason. 

If you are interested in joining this order within Buckinghamshire, please message us.

You may not realise that Freemasonry is made of a number of different 'Progressive Orders'. This series will explain these various Orders and how they are linked.

Royal and Select Masters
The full title of this Order is The Grand Council of the Order of Royal and Select Masters of England and Wales and its Districts and Council Overseas. It is more familiarly known as the ‘Cryptic Degrees’.

Meetings are held in Councils.

Qualification for joining is that a candidate must be a Mark Master Mason and Royal Arch Mason.

The regalia consists of a triangular apron with a crimson edge and a triangular breast jewel.
 
The Order is based on the history of the first Temple at Jerusalem. The four degrees throw light on a sequence of events and demonstrate the essential link between the degrees of Master Mason, Mark Master Mason, and Royal Arch Mason. 

If you are interested in joining this order within Buckinghamshire, please message us.

Twice a year we hold a Bring a Friend event, where current Buckinghamshire Masons can bring a friend / colleague / family member to find out more and ask questions.

Our most recent event was held at the Slough Masonic Centre and focused on some of the province's special interest lodges.

Dozens of brethren arrived at the centre to begin the setup as early as 7 am!  

The teams got to work setting up their promotional tables for the afternoons event, but at approximately 9 am work ceased and the brethren Moved upstairs to the temple for an early meeting of the Buckinghamshire classic car Lodge featuring the fantastic project transform in all its splendour.

Upon completion of the ceremony and Lodge closure, the brethren then retired downstairs to finalise any tables that required setting up but also tuck into a hearty hot buffet style lunch and were able to meet and greet the guests who had began arriving at noon. The guests had time to casually walk around each of the Lodge displays and engage in conversation with the brethren,  the Special interest lodges had set up their tables with promotional information, photographs and videos to provide a visual representation of what their lodges had to offer around the edges of the hall.

At 1 pm, everyone assembled in the main dining hall, which was laid out like a theatre, for the presentation to begin. John King, one of the provincial executives opened the day greeting the guests and brethren before handing over to Lee Buckingham & John Palman who look after the communications and membership side of the province.  Matthew Perkins then delivered a detailed explanation of the charity side of Freemasonry, covering International, National and Provincial aspects of what we do.

Twice a year we hold a Bring a Friend event, where current Buckinghamshire Masons can bring a friend / colleague / family member to find out more and ask questions.

Our most recent event was held at the Slough Masonic Centre and focused on some of the province's special interest lodges.

Dozens of brethren arrived at the centre to begin the setup as early as 7 am!  

The teams got to work setting up their promotional tables for the afternoons event, but at approximately 9 am work ceased and the brethren Moved upstairs to the temple for an early meeting of the Buckinghamshire classic car Lodge featuring the fantastic project transform in all its splendour.

Upon completion of the ceremony and Lodge closure, the brethren then retired downstairs to finalise any tables that required setting up but also tuck into a hearty hot buffet style lunch and were able to meet and greet the guests who had began arriving at noon. The guests had time to casually walk around each of the Lodge displays and engage in conversation with the brethren,  the Special interest lodges had set up their tables with promotional information, photographs and videos to provide a visual representation of what their lodges had to offer around the edges of the hall.

At 1 pm, everyone assembled in the main dining hall, which was laid out like a theatre, for the presentation to begin. John King, one of the provincial executives opened the day greeting the guests and brethren before handing over to Lee Buckingham & John Palman who look after the communications and membership side of the province.  Matthew Perkins then delivered a detailed explanation of the charity side of Freemasonry, covering International, National and Provincial aspects of what we do.