Life after the Lodge

Posted: 20 September 2023

Anna Baker Cresswell, founder and executive director of the charity HighGround, hosted Provincial Grand Master for Bedfordshire Tony Henderson along with Steve Attwood and David Hargreaves at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC), Stanford Hall on 6 July when they visited to present her with a cheque. 

 

HighGround helps service leavers, reservists and veterans work out how their military skills and experience might complement work in the land-based sector, and how they can access employment and self-employment opportunities in the UK and overseas. Bedfordshire Freemasons collected £2,350, which will fund one serviceman to undergo a rehab programme in the specially adapted garden that HighGround has built through donations to the DMRC. The money will also help towards buying more equipment and further development of the garden. 

During the event, Group Captain Chris Rowley, commanding officer of DMRC Stanford Hall, graciously invited everyone to Beating Retreat, a special occasion where the guest of honour was Air Marshal CS Walton who was four days into her new job as director general Defence Medical Services. The weather was perfect for the Red Devils’ display and the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas topped the Sunset Ceremony. 

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International Relations - District Grand Lodge of Namibia

Posted: 20 September 2023

 

In May, Deputy Grand Master Sir David Hugh Wootton and Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Paul Grier visited Namibia. 

The reason for the visit was to conduct the installation of the incoming District Grand Master for the English Constitution in Namibia Gernot Piepmeyer, as the previous District Grand Master Alan Simmonds’ term of office had ended. 

The installation weekend was attended by Freemasons from all corners of Namibia, as well as visitors from the English Constitution from Zambia, the Northern Cape, Western Cape and Central Divisions of South Africa. Also in attendance were representatives from the Provincial Grand Lodge of South Africa and a delegation headed by the District Grand Master of the Scottish Constitution in Namibia. 

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Local Heroes

Posted: 20 September 2023

Michael Graham Donne, a member of Flambard Lodge No. 6874, and his wife Ruth have been awarded Durham County Council’s Chairman’s Medal. This award is the highest civic honour the county council can bestow and was awarded for ‘outstanding voluntary services to the community’. 

 

The presentation took place at County Hall in Durham, by the Chair of Durham County Council, Councillor Joan Nicholson. 

Councillor Nicholson’s citation read, 

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Show and tell

Posted: 20 September 2023

In July, East Lancashire Freemasons Doug Smith and Russell Perks attended St Paul’s Church Hall in Norden, Rochdale, to deliver a presentation about Freemasonry to 30 members of Norden’s Women’s Institute called ‘Do you want to know a secret?’ 

 

During the presentation, Doug highlighted the traits that both the Women’s Institute and Freemasonry have in common and dispelled the myths, misinformation and conspiracy theories that circulate about Freemasonry. He explained that Freemasonry is committed to universal brotherhood and self-improvement, enabling you to develop social skills. He also stressed that becoming a member inspires a desire to support and bring happiness and helps forge lifelong friendships. 

Doug described the charity work that Freemasons do for both Masonic and non-Masonic charities and how Freemasons have donated to local and national charities and international relief funds for natural disasters worldwide. He also explained that charity can mean donating money or giving your time for volunteering work. He broadly explained what happens in the Festive Board and the Lodge room. Both are an essential part of any Masonic meeting, allowing members to enjoy the social side of Freemasonry and the more formal ritual. The presentation was brought to an end with a Q&A session, refreshments and a display of Masonic regalia.

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"Big Red" Pegasus 13th September.

Pegasus. Emergency meeting on Wednesday 13th September. Exalted Bro. Mark Humphrey, a member and secretary of Misbourne Lodge. E Comp Phil Blacklaw DepGSupt escorted by E Comp Paul Lear, MEGS Graham Dearing was in attendance and acted as ADC. Excellent ceremony conducted by MEZ Andy Dench.

Hall Barn welcome Comp Christopher Richardson "Big Red"

 Hall Barn. Emergency meeting on Monday 11th September. Exalted Bro. Christopher Richardson, a member of Hall Barn Lodge, a teacher at Royal Grammar School High Wycombe. Proposed by Andy Sutton, Seconded by Barry Sparks. Phil Blacklaw acted as SN, Stephen Knight acted as J, Simon Iley acted as H, Joseph Le-Roi Smith acted as PS, Paul Lear esco...

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Popular Buckingham Chapter Support "Big Red"

Buckinghamshire Chapter No 591 our oldest and much respected Chapter, founded in 1870 at the George Hotel in Aylesbury, 21 years before the Royal Arch Province of Buckinghamshire was formed. On Thursday the 14th September 2023, Buckingham Chapter held an emergency meeting, at the Masonic Hall, Aylesbury, the meeting was in support of the Provinces ...

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Cowper & Newton Chapter and Wolverton Trinity Chapter go Double and then TREBLE !

On Wednesday the 13th September 2023 was a "big night" at North Crawley Institute where Wolverton Trinity Chapter and Cowper & Newton Chapter had their meetings to exalt their respective candidates, followed by a joint festive board. Wolverton Trinity exalted Bro Chris O'Dell, then Cowper & Newton carried out a double exaltat...

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Marlow Chapter a Triple "Big Red" Well Done!

Marlow Chapter set the bar very high on Wednesday the 13th  September 2023 when they exalted three new companions into this excellent Chapter and into the Royal Arch. The Chapter responded to the "Big Red" challenge in the best way possible by making the evening an unforgettable experience for each of the companions. All three had wa...

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Wycombe Chapter 12th September 2023

What a great evening for Wycombe Chapter; a new member exalted in such fine form, Bro Gavin Elbourn of Wycombe Lodge who is the DC of his lodge and really appreciates the finer points of a well-executed ceremony. Tonight he was not disappointed as the Chapter all rallied around him to give him a huge warm welcome into the Royal Arch in Bu...

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Double Date in Beaconsfield for BIG RED

On 9th September 2023, Five Points Chapter No. 8197 and Iver Chapter No. 5254 joined forces for dual Convocations to Exalt Kevin Sly of Five Points Lodge No. 8197 followed straight afterwards by Connor Ell of Heatherden Lodge No. 7345. Due to the current run of unseasonably hot weather, this was another jackets-off occasion but there were still a f...

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Windsor End Chapter celebrate Big Red with Comp Adam joining!

BIG RED continues with Windsor End Chapter exalting Bro Adam McDermott from Christopher lodge. A fantastic enjoyable evening with both the MEGS Graham Dearing and the deputy Phil Blacklaw in attendance with a retinue of other provincial officers. The chapter was on fine form giving Adam a wonderful start to this part of his Masonic journey. Ad...

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Big Red for Happy Bevan Chapter!

Another hot BIG RED meeting at Bevan Chapter, held at Marlow Masonic Centre on Thursday 7th September 2023, saw a superb Chapter meeting  with MEZ Ken White declaring early that this would be a "jackets off" meeting... The fans were doing their very best as Bros. AJ Pharani and Paul Williams were Exalted in a truly brilliant ceremony, wit...

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BIG RED continues at Thames Schools Chapter

On Friday 8th September, the Thames Schools Team may have been small in number, but the quality was incredibly high... Despite the heat in the Temple, Bro. Ashley Dunnicliffe of Marlow Bridge Lodge was Exalted in a superb ceremony conducted by MEZ Joel Nanton, very ably assisted by PS David Morgan - despite him nearly losing his voice. The Second P...

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Buckinghamshire Royal Arch kicks off the new Masonic season with The Big Red

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Following the huge success of initiatives such as the BIG 100 and the 12 days of Xmas, many of those Initiated at those events, and subsequently from the great work of Lodges across the Province, are taking their Third Degree and asking what they should do next to continue their Masonic journey. The answer is the Royal Arch. Wexham Park Chapter got...

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Stephens Multiplying!

Stephens Chapter held their 307th  regular convocation of the Chapter on Saturday 8th of July at Beaconsfield Masonic Centre. The Chapter had the pleasure and honor to receive an official visit from the Province, E Comp Darren Mantell, Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah, escorted by E Comp Stuart Barnard, ProvDepGDC and accompanied by E Com...

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NELEUS See Double and a new Joiner!

On Saturday the 17th March Neleus Chapter which was founded in July 1915, held their 323rd Regular Meeting of the Chapter at the Beaconsfield Masonic Centre, the meeting was very well attend along an Official Visit from our Provincial Grand Scribe E Comp Mel Shah escorted by E Comp Stuart Barnard, ProvGDepDC. The Chapter is growing from streng...

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Buckingham Chapter Travel Back in Time to 1750!

On Thursday 8th June, Buckingham Chapter held a regular meeting at the Aylesbury Masonic Hall. The meeting was very well attended over 70 companions in attendance. The Chapter were pleased to receive an Official visit from our popular Deputy Grand Superintendent Philip Blacklaw accompanied by Provincial Officers of the year, also in attendance...

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Pegasus Chapter Receive the Altar of Companionship and Exalt Mikha !

 On 24th May 2023, it was a great evening for Pegasus Chapter No. 5637 meeting at Aylesbury Masonic Hall.The Province was well represented by Second Provincial Grand Principal Joseph Le Roi-Smith, escorted by Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Paul Bird and accompanied by Deputy Grand Superintendent Phil Blacklaw and Provincial Assis...

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Traveling Altar of Companionship Schedule June 2023

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