The Griggs family has been associated with Freemasonry in Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire for many years. In the 1970’s, when Peter Palmer was the Provincial Grand Master, there were times when the Province was very short of money. WBro William Griggs was always prepared to assist when called upon.
In the 1990’s, William’s son, WBro Max Griggs, funded the conversion of the fallow temple at St Georges Avenue and created a lodge/dining room that was known as the Griggs Room.
In more recent times, Max and his son, WBro Steve, assisted with the original funding of Sheaf Close. They also assisted greatly with appeals for Fotheringhay Church and also the Prostate Cancer Research Appeal.
WBro Steve Griggs with his father, WBro Max Griggs
In July of 2021, WBro Max passed to the Grand Lodge above, just days after the passing of his wife Barbara.
WBro Steve has now provided substantial funds to create a memorial to his father. These funds have enabled virtually all of the debt on the Sheaf Close property to be cleared. All that remains is a modest bank loan which will be cleared when the sale of the adjacent land has been sold.
In view of the amazing support that the Griggs family has given to the Craft over so many years, I am pleased to advise that in future, the Sheaf Close building will be known as The Griggs Centre. This will create a permanent recognition of their generosity and support.
The full address of our Provincial Centre will now be:
Freemasons Hall
The Griggs Centre
Sheaf Close
Lodge Farm
Northampton
NN5 7UL
RWBro Max Bayes
Provincial Grand Master