Craft News
- Written by: Michael Genner
Our PGM, RW Max Bayes welcomed all and opened the Masonic Bowls Annual Charity Event which was this year hosted by our province at the Rushden Bowls Club.
The organisers David Jones, President of the Northants and Hunts Masonic Bowls Association (Webb Ellis Lodge) and Dick Voller (Hatton Lodge) were delighted to receive 24 teams from 17 different provinces.
The eventual winners were the Leicestershire and Rutland province B team, and our provincial team put up a very creditable performance. RW Barrie Hall was on hand at the end of play to present the prizes and to congratulate all on such a special event.
The result of the day for charity was the presentation of £2000 to the Cynthia Spencer Hospice.
- Written by: Russell Laxton
On Monday 27 July the competition was held at Rushden Golf Club. Mark Dutton (St Ivo) playing off a handicap of 8 scored 39 Points and won the 0-12 handicap division, David O'Neil (also St Ivo) won the 13-28 division wth a score of 35 points. Needless to say they also won the joint lodges championship with a combined score of 74 points.
Mark and David are seen here with Nel Sheppard and Barrie Goulding the Chairman and Vice Chairman of our golf society.
- Written by: Gerry Crawford
Masonic buildings continue to be a concern to the fraternity as a whole and Grand Lodge is rightly concerned about future maintenance costs. Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire has applied themselves to this problem over the past couple of years and much has already been achieved in a number of our centres; this will continue with what will shortly be happening in a planned move in Huntingdon from a High Street location to a Business Park on the edge of town.
The single most significant event was the move from the Provincial Headquarters at St George's Avenue in Northampton to a customised former school building on an industrial edge of Town site. Our efforts have been noticed by the Rulers and we are now asked for advice by other Provinces.
It was a great delight for RW Bro Max Bayes, the Provincial Grand Master, to recently welcome the Past Pro Grand Master, Most W Bro Lord Northampton and his new wife for a view of our Provincial Centre at Sheaf Close.
The Marquess was most impressed and offered congratulations to all who contributed to make the whole project such a success. The current Assistant Grand Master, Rt W Bro Sir David Wootton, has also expressed interest in making a visit and, the Provincial Grand Master is now making arrangements for this to happen. The Provincial Grand Master commented
It is good to know that our efforts are recognised and that our advice for similar projects throughout the country is now being sought.
- Written by: Michael Genner
The Festival was hosted by the Worshipful Master, WBro Michael Raine at Daventry Court Hotel on Saturday 6 June.
WBro Robin Brown gave the Toast to the Ladies and WBro John Wilkes performed an outstanding rendition of the Ladies Song. The Worshipful Master’s Lady Mrs Maureen Raine gave a most sincere response on behalf of the Ladies, followed by the Worshipful Master who said that it was an important occasion that allowed wives and partners to be honoured for their understanding and support in the brethren’s lodge duties.
The Worshipful Master thanked WBro Graham Ballinger the Festival Secretary and WBro Malcolm Payne the Master of Ceremonies for organising the event, and the 138 present for their generosity. He said that it was beyond all his expectations to have raised a total of £936 in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind and other charities.
Following the formal proceeding the evening culminated with live popular music, performed by Brothers United, comprising of WBro Graham Ballinger and WBro John Wilkes (Buckby Castle Lodge), Bro Ray Robins, (a Worcestershire Mason), Mr Terry Ballinger (Graham’s elder brother), and Mr David Hylton of Long Buckby.