Written by: Gerry Crawford

Published: 29 August 2017

It is with great sadness that the Passing to the Grand Lodge Above of WBro Peter Jones PSGD is reported.  He died at the Great Western Hospital Swindon on Monday 28 August and had been in poor health for some time, becoming frail and confused.  He was 86 years old.

With his lifelong friend WBro Dennis Rideout, he was initiated in the Lodge of Remembrance meeting at Swindon in the Province of Wiltshire on 1st April 1964.  He progressed through the various offices and became WM in 1981.  

His work in the house building industry took him to Northampton.  There, on 25 March 1991, he became a joining member of Grey Friars Lodge No 4990. 

On 3rd August 1992 he became a founder member of Sulgrave Lodge which meets at Rushden and became its WM in 2001.

He achieved Grand Rank in 2004 and was promoted in Grand Rank to Past Senior Grand Deacon in 2005.

In a distinguished Masonic career an important event was his service as the Assistant Provincial Grand Master of Wiltshire from 2004 to 2007.

In 2014 he received from both his home Province of Wiltshire and also this Province Jubilee Certificates marking his 50 years in Freemasonry.

Although he had lived in Swindon for much of his life that did not hinder his enjoyment of Masonry in this Province.  Over the years he travelled many thousands of miles back and forth between Wiltshire and his Lodges in this Province.

He was one of life's true gentlemen and will be greatly missed.

Written by: Simon Key

Published: 01 September 2017

On Friday the 1st of September 2017, the Provincial Webmaster and Master of Lactodorum Lodge No. 8526, WBro Simon Key, together with Bro Des Morris, also of Lactodorum, were pleased to attend the home address of 15-year old Eloise Whitlock in Bugbrooke, and present her with a cheque for £200 in support of her bid to take-part in World Challenge India 2018.

Eloise was born severely deaf but wasn't diagnosed as such until she was nearly 3-years old.

Since then, and with specialist teaching-support, Eloise has been able to attend Bugbrooke Pre-School, Bugbrooke Primary School and her current school, Campion.

The members of Lactodorum were made aware of Eloise's bid as a result of an inspirational letter she sent to Bro Des, who is a near-neighbour. 

Eloise wrote:

As a result of my deafness, I have had issues with self-esteem/worth and it has taken me a very long time to realise that most things are possible for me but extra support/equipment may be needed.

With my confidence growing, I have decided to push myself out of my comfort zone and do something that would benefit others and show me that I can achieve anything I put my mind to.

Eloise Whitlock with Bro Des Morris (left) and WBro Simon Key

World Challenge expeditions are designed to develop important life skills; they help students to:

• Hone teamwork and leadership skills
• Gain confidence and self-esteem
• Become more globally aware
• Enhance their employment prospects

Students taking part in World Challenge are required to raise the money needed by fundraising and sponsorship. 

Eloise has earned money by doing jobs for friends and family (including grass cutting), dog walking and selling homemade cakes. She has also taken part in a sponsored abseil down the National Lift Tower (previously called the Express Lift Tower and known locally as the "Northampton Lighthouse").

The members of Lactodorum Lodge are thrilled to be able to assist Eloise in her endeavour and send her their very best wishes for her trip.

Written by: Simon Key

Published: 23 August 2017

Two events in the Province have made the news on the Freemasonry Today website.

Firstly, the Tercentenary Parade at Peterborough on Sunday the 11th of June, 2017 -

 Secondy, the donation made by Daventry Masons to Friends of Danetre Hospital -

Written by: Simon Key

Published: 12 August 2017

On Sunday the 30th of July 2017, the Masonic Province of Warwickshire hosted the Midlands Central stage of The Classic 300 car rally, an event organised by the Masonic Classic Vehicle Club to showcase three-hundred years of English Freemasonry. 

The first stage of the event took place on Sunday 21st May 2017 with a gathering of 2,000 people and a large number of classic vehicles at Windsor Great Park. They were waved-off by the Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Kent.

Different stages of the rally have been taking place across England and Wales during the year. Travelling gavels made from con-rods are carried throughout. Participants have visited many famous motor-racing circuits and motoring venues including the Isle of Man’s TT circuit. 

The event will conclude on October the 1st 2017 when the last stage of the rally will arrive at Brooklands motor circuit in Weybridge, Surrey.

Three areas - the North, South and Midlands - have each been made responsible for organising and operating a 300-mile run for 300 vehicles. 

The Midlands Central stage of the event was organized by Phil Morris, Phil Egginton and the Midlands Regional Organiser, Peter Manning, who is the Assistant Provincial Grand Master of Warwickshire.

Entrant number 172 was WBro Tony Pointing, who navigated for Jason Sheppard in his 1996 Mini Cooper 1275GT.

Jason's Mini 1275GT

Unfortunately, the wheelchair of Jason's father, WBro Mike Sheppard, wouldn’t fit into the Mini, so WBro Mike had to drive the support vehicle with his wife Anna, Tony’s step-mum Bridget, and Rosa the mascot. 

From left, Bridget, Rosa the mascot, Anna, Jason and Tony

WBro Pointing was originally a Warwickshire Mason, having been the first initiate of Heartland Lodge No. 8990., which meets at Guy’s Cliffe in Warwick. That said, WBro Tony is also the current Worshipful Master of Danetre Lodge No. 8594, which meets at Daventry. To ensure that the Province of Northants & Hunts Province was properly represented, the Mini sported magnetic signs on its doors proudly displaying the Provincial logo together with the Coritani and Danetre lodge-badges.

The Mini's door-sign

The entrants met at the British Motor Museum at Gaydon. The Mini was in some seriously elegant company with an E-Type Jaguar, a range of MG’s spanning more than 70-years, several Porsches (including a number of Boxsters and a 911), a Maserati, a couple of Morgans, an Austin Healey (Mike's favourite, after the Mini), a Bentley and a Morris Minor. They all put-on a fully polished and gleaming display.

View of the classic cars parked outside the British Motor Museum

After having had a quick tour of the museum and taken-on supplies of bacon butties and coffee, they came under the starter's flag and set off for the finish at the Transport Museum in Coventry.

Jason and Tony under starter's orders

The route took in plenty of England’s fine scenery and spectacular villages. It included a stop-off to view the Vulcan Bomber at Wellesbourne Airfield as well as visits to Charlecote Park, Shakespeare's birthplace, Packwood House, Wroxall Abbey and Kenilworth Castle. A picnic lunch took place at Ryton Pools Country Park, just outside Coventry. With the weather staying dry and warm, the event made for a very relaxed and enjoyable day.

Vulcan Bomber at Wellesbourne Airfield

The last Midlands route yet to take place is the Eastern stage, which commences on Sunday the 27th August 2017 and is being hosted by the Masonic Province of Northants and Hunts. The organisers are WBro Dermot Bambridge (Treasurer for the Midlands routes) and WBro John Harmer. Both brethren are members of Silverstone Lodge No. 9877.

The Midlands Eastern stage will start at Towcester Racecourse before travelling between two historic places linked to two of the most famous Freemasons in history: George Washington and Sir Winston Churchill. Refreshments will be taken at Sulgrave Manor near Banbury, the ancestral home of the Washingtons. The stage will then pass through Warwickshire and Gloucestershire, taking-in some of the finest parts of the Cotswolds and the Cotswold Motor Museum. It will finish at the Blenheim Palace Festival of Transport near Woodstock, Oxfordshire. For those with an interest in classic vehicles, the event is well worth a visit. Blenheim Palace is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.