Published: 11 October 2016

As part of Piscator Lodges’ Charity fund raising for 2015 season, W.Bro Mike Howells,  accompanied by the Lodge Treasurer W Bro Mike Long, recently presented a cheque for £3,000 to Mrs Sue Wright, Fundraising Manager for the Hope Centre.

The Hope Centre are based in Oasis House Northampton, and work to relieve poverty and tackle the causes of homelessness in Northampton. This donation will go a long way in helping the Hope Centre with their renovations, and in developing their training and enterprise Hub.

Pictured Left to Right, W.Bro Mike Howells, Mrs Sue Wright, W.Bro Mike Long.

Written by: Simon Key

Published: 15 October 2016

Following the recent appointment of WBro. Peter Robinson PProvGStwd to Provincial Communications Officer, WBro Neil Langford has been appointed as the new Local Information Officer for the area of Kettering and Thrapston.

Neil was initiated into Rockingham Forest Lodge No. 9491 in 2006. He was installed as WM in 2013 and is now Secretary. He is also WM of Iris Lodge No. 2545 (which meets in London), and Secretary of the Kettering United Lodge of Instruction.

In addition to his Craft memberships, Neil is MEZ of St Crispin Chapter No. 5627, Treasurer of Perseverance Preceptory No. 218, Treasurer of Powys Lodge of Mark Master Masons No. 685, and a member of Perseverance Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners.

Having held various positions in the railway industry during his 35 year career, Neil retired from London Midland in 2015 at which time he was General Manager for the West Midlands region.

Neil married his wife, Jane, in 2012 and they have six children between them. They enjoy holidays together, typically experiencing new places or seeking-out steam trains in Eastern Europe.

In addition to the time he devotes to Freemasonry, Neil volunteers for many activities, including the role of `Racemaker` for large events at Silverstone (as pictured below.)

We welcome Neil to our Communications Committee and wish him every success!

Written by: Simon Key

Published: 17 October 2016

On Wednesday 12^th October 2016 Bro Rhys Derreck Perrin was initiated into Vale of Nene Lodge No. 7006 aged 22 years. Both Rhys's father and grandfather were freemasons in Essex but have since passed away. As a result of talks he'd had with his father, Rhys was keen to carry on the family tradition once he became old enough.

Three members of his father’s Lodge, Stanford-le-Hope Lodge No 5217, secretly travelled to the Peterborough Masonic centre at Ellindon to surprise Rhys at his initiation.They presented him with a gift from his grandmother: his grandfather’s Masonic wristwatch.

Published: 22 October 2016

WBro Bill Reason had a good reason to celebrate this week, after being presented with a 50 Year Certificate. Not only is WBro Bill celebrating 50 years in Freemasonry, but he is soon to be recognising his 70th year in Scouting!

WBro Bill was initiated into St Johns Lodge 3972 on 17th October 1966, and became Worshipful Master in 1982. Bill has held many offices in the Lodge during his 50 years, including Treasurer, Almoner, and Charity Steward, as well as going back in the chair as master again in 1994. Bill attained Provincial Grand Steward in 1984, PPGSuptWrks in 1988 and PPSGW in 1944.

Outside of Masonry, Bill has had an even longer interest in Scouting. Bill's first warrant was as Assistant Scout Master at the 36th Northampton St Matthews Troop, July 1947 - March 1956. Bill then became Scout Master from 1956 to 1960. Bill has remained as a member of the organisation in many roles; as a member of the County Executive, District Chairman for many years, and District Present. Bill has achieved many awards over his 70 years in Scouting, notably the Medal of Merit in 1973, The Silver Acorn in 1997, The Bar to the Silver Acorn in 2005, and in April 2013 Bill was awarded the Silver wolf - the highest award in Scouting.

To help mark the special occasions, two of Bill's scouting friends, WBro Bunny Ingram and WBro Barry Weigleb both attending the recent St Johns lodge meeting wearing their scout regalia.