Craft News
- Written by: Rob Taylor
WBro Alan Kersley was born on the 30th March 1958 and called to the Grand Lodge Above on the 21st March 2017 after a fight against cancer. Alan was married to Moraid and they had three children: Matt, Coll and Rhiannon. He also had three grandchildren: Lexi, Logan and Rae Eryn.
WBro Alan Kersley PPSGW
Alan started his working life at East Midlands Allied Press much to his father’s disgust. He wanted him to become an architect, but Alan decided to earn his keep instead of studying for a few more years.
After leaving EMAP and moving from South Wales to Peterborough, Alan started his own business. He sold this some time ago and formed another just before he was diagnosed with cancer.
For those that did not attend the service at Peterborough Crematorium on Thursday the 6th April, Alan wrote his own eulogy, which was read-out during the service. It was a very moving history of his life, and his sense of humour was still very evident. During the piece, Alan told how he had at last been promoted to the “Grand Lodge Above”, but with this promotion he would not have to buy an apron!
Alan had a distinguished career in Freemasonry. He was initiated into Peterborough and Counties Lodge No. 2996 on 18th December 1990 and became Master in 2001. He held various offices at Provincial level including the acting ranks of Assistant Director of Ceremonies, Sword Bearer and Junior Warden. He also joined the Richard Sandbach Lodge of Research where he held the office of Secretary. It was through RSLoR that he launched the Daily Advancement website, which he ran right up until the time of his death.
Alan was exalted into the St. Peter’s Chapter No. 442 in 1993 and occupied the 1st. Principal's chair in 2007 when he obtained the rank of Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies.
Alan was also a Mark Master Mason. He was advanced in the Norman Rolfe Lodge of Mark Master Masons No. 1643 in 1995 and became Master in 2005. He held the office of Registrar of Marks up until his death. He also held the rank of Past Provincial Grand Junior Overseer.
Alan was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2015 and underwent treatment up until December 2016. During the period of his illness, Alan remained very positive, cheerful and active.
He attended his mother lodge on Tuesday the 21st February 2017, whereupon he was paid a living tribute culminating with a promotion to the rank of Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden by the Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Max Bayes.
Alan also attended St. Peter’s Chapter in February, where he was Director of Ceremonies. He informed the companions that it would be his last meeting.
Alan will be sorely missed by us all. He certainly lived respected and died regretted. May he rest in peace.
Russell Laxton
April 2017
- Written by: Michael Genner
On Thursday the 20th of April 2017, the team of WBros Glenn Brown, Danny Wilson and John Westlake visited the Duke of Normandy Lodge No. 245 in Jersey. The occasion was the start of the procession of the Tercentenary Banner through the eight provinces of South-West England and the Channel Islands.
The team were received in a most brotherly manner and with wonderful hospitality. In addition, the team were asked to convey greetings to the Lodge of Fidelity and the Province of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire.
From left, WBro Glenn Brown; WBro Danny Wilson; WBro Christian Edwards, WM of Duke of Normandy Lodge; and WBro John Westlake
- Written by: Rob Taylor
On the evening of Thursday the 6th April 2017, the Worshipful Master of Fitzwilliam Lodge, WBro Vince Tindale, presented a cheque for £500 to WBro Ged Dempsey in support of Three Pillars Feeding the Homeless Trust.
From left to right, WBro Rusell Laxton, WBro Vince Tindale, WBro Ged Dempsey, WBro Jon Hibbins, and Bro Brian Downs
- Written by: Rob Taylor
On the 15th of November 2016, just after 7pm, a fire gutted the boathouse at Wicksteed Park which was home to 800 Naval Air Squadron Kettering Sea Cadets. It represented 10 years of investment and effort by the unit, with equipment such as sails & rudders lost in the fire, but more importantly the Safety Boat which was worth between £8,000-£10,000
WBro David Watson, Provincial Grand Treasurer, and WBro Stuart Ogilvie recognised the invaluable work and opportunities the Sea Cadets provide and started the ball rolling, having secured a contribution from the Lodge of Perseverance 455 and with the Support of WBro Jason Brice, Charity Steward of Cytringan Lodge 4048, requested support from the other Kettering Lodges, which having been happily effected, the Provincial Grand Charity added to this making a combined total of £6,000.
On Thursday the 6th April 2017, Commodore Andrew Kyte (WBro Jeff Kyte’s son) as Kettering’s highest ranking serving member of HM Royal Navy visited the Kettering Sea Cadets on an official visit. This seemed an ideal opportunity to make the presentation on behalf of the Freemasons of Kettering.
Pictured left to right, WBro Neil Langford, Commodore Andrew Kyte (HM Royal Navy), Lieutenant Marc Pether (Sea Cadets Commanding Officer), WBro Jason Brice, WBro David Watson, WBro Barry Rogers, WBro Tom Stockley