Craft News
- Written by: Gerry Crawford
At the Quarterly Communications meeting of Grand Lodge held on Wednesday the 14th of June 2017, the Pro Grand Master, MW Bro Peter Lowndes, congratulated the Province on having no less than eighty-eight members present.
After the ceremony, members enjoyed lunch with a guest of honour, Simone Enefer-Doy CEO of LifeLites. The Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Max Bayes, presented Simone with a cheque for £10,000 and a second cheque for £2,000 from an undisclosed Masonic donor.
The Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Max Bayes, with Simone Enefer-Doy
The PGM said:
We are keen to support this wonderful organisation - LifeLites - that does so much for children in difficult circumstances. Lodges and individuals in the Province have contributed and we know the money will be put to very good use.
Simone Enefer-Doy gave a notice of thanks to the PGM saying:
We are most grateful for your continued support which does make the lives of these children so much more fulfilling. We know that you are going into Festival next year but thank you for the wonderful you have given us so far.
- Written by: Simon Key
On Sunday the 18th of June 2017, Stamford Freemasons participated in the annual mayoral procession and church service.
Braving the heart, the public turned-out to line the streets and witness this ancient tradition, which is held at the inauguration of every Stamford mayor as they enter into their year of office.
Stamford Freemasons have joined the mayoral parade before, but not for many years. This year, to mark the United Grand Lodge of England Tercentenary, members of the Stamford Craft Lodges, wearing their full Masonic regalia, joined other civic bodies and local dignitaries as they walked from the Town Hall, up St Marys Hill, through Red Lion Square, and ending at All Saints Church.
Senior Group Officer WBro Philip Collins, PAGDC leading the parade's Masonic contingent
Following the service, Masons, together with their families and friends, were able to meet at the second of two Stamford Masonic Centre open-days. which were held over the weekend to give visitors the chance to learn more about Freemasonry and the work done by the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF), including the recent success of the Stamford Carers Sitters Service in securing an MCF grant of at least £4,000. Visitors were able to enter the lodge room where experienced Brethren were on-hand to explain the symbolism contained therein and answer questions.
These events were the perfect opportunity to highlight that Freemasonry has been in Stamford for over 150 years and to thank our community for their support over all that time.
- Written by: Simon Key
On Wednesday the 7th of June 2017, WBro Tony Harvey PAGDC attended the meeting of Northants & Hunts Lodge of Installed Masters No. 3422 at Corby and gave his 2012 Prestonian Lecture entitled Scouting and Freemasonry: Two Parallel Organisations?
The lecture was well received by all of the brethren present, and the Provincial Grand Master, RW Max Bayes, who is the current Worshipful Master of Lodge of Installed Masters, gave WBro Harvey his sincere thanks.
WBro Tony Harvey (left) with the Provincial Grand Master, RW Max Bayes - WM of Northants & Hunts Lodge of Installed Masters
In addition to the lecture, the brethren and visitors of the Lodge welcomed a number of Installed Masters as new members, and WBro Norman Pope PAsstProvGM, PSGD was declared as Master Elect.
- Written by: Simon Key
On Tuesday the 6th of June 2017, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, WBro David Burton, was interviewed during the Craig Bunday Afternoon Show on Peterborough Community Radio with regards to the forthcoming Masonic Parade to be held at Peterborough on Sunday the 11th of June 2017 in celebration of the tercentenary of the United Grand Lodge of England.
WBro David Burton, AsstProvGM, PSGD
The last major parade held in Peterborough was on the 18th May, 1922 when the combined Provinces of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire, Leicestershire and Rutland, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk joined forces to support a major restoration of Peterborough Cathedral.
Video footage of the 1922 Masonic Parade
A total of £1,500 was required to build a buttress on the north-east wing of the Cathedral. Insufficient funds were raised on the day but subsequently the full amount was raised and the work completed.
Peterborough Cathedral
The parade to be held on the 11th of June will be broadly in line with the arrangements made some 95 years ago, an indication of the history and traditions of the Masonic Province of Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire and its continued close association and support of the cathedral, a truly wonderful building.
The public parade will commence at 2.00pm from Peterborough Town Hall after which its participants will join the Peterborough Cathedral congregation for a Choral Evensong service at 3.30pm. Masons will be dressed in full regalia throughout and will be parading some of the Province's very historic and beautiful lodge-banners.
To listen to the full radio interview with WBro David Burton, click on the play button in the control below -
{mp3}17-06-07-asstprovgm-freemasons-parade{/mp3}
Background Information
The United Grand Lodge of England's 200,000 members come from all walks of life and meet as equals whatever their faith, ethnic group or position in society. For many, this spirit of fellowship is what is valued most, making new friends and helping others. Freemasons contribute over £33 million a year as one of the UK`s largest charitable givers. Raising funds largely through voluntary donations, they support individual members, local communities and global emergencies.