Published: 17 May 2017

Local artist and Freemason, Martin Taylor, from Spelhoe 8576 has been selected by United Grand Lodge of England to have his work featured in a art exhibition running at Great Queen Street.

The United Grand Lodge of England, in partnership with the Library and Museum, will host an exhibition of emerging artists' work in June to mark this years Tercentenary celebrations. All artwork will be created on site at Freemason's Hall, with artists granted unprecedented access to the building and organisation to capture contemporary masonic life. The artworks will capture key initiatives taking place in 2017 and bring different views of Freemasonry to life through a variety of different mediums. 

Martin's description of his painting follows.

"I decided to paint the building as much of the Freemasons' ideology is based around buildings and their construction as an allegory or metaphor for how we live our lives. On the day I did my study the building seemed powerful, stoic and upright with good light. I chose to be accurate in showing the blue hoarding which places the painting in a particular timeframe. The people who occupy the foreground brought the scene to life and showed it to be busy as a meeting place as well as giving a sense of scale."

Martin Taylor was born in 1954 and is based in Northamptonshire. He studied at the Ealing School of Art, Wimbledon School of Art and Goldsmith’s College. Martin’s work reflects his love of nature, played out in exquisitely detailed studies of the countryside surrounding his studio, a converted stable on a farm. Every season brings fresh inspiration, and to achieve the precision and focus so characteristic of his work Martin paints ‘en plein air’, returning to the same position for weeks at a time even in deepest winter. The combination of intricate detail and careful composition in his work celebrates nature on every scale, from the twigs on the forest floor to the clouds skimming the vast skies. Martin also pays the same attention to detail in his representations of buidings and townscapes.

Martin works in oil and watercolour and continues to practice the art of drawing, through studies and the use of the sketchbook.

Taylor has won two RWS (Royal Watercolour Society) awards: the Chris Beetles award (1988) and the Jeffrey Archer award in (1989). He has shown at the Royal Academy, and had numerous dedicated exhibitions in Northamptonshire and London, and is widely collected in the UK and USA. Martin Taylor is currently represented by Gladwell & Pattersons, 5. Beauchamps Place, Knightsbridge London.  

Written by: Simon Key

Published: 13 May 2017

There has been a change of Local Communications Officer for Wellingborough and Rushden, with WBro Trevor Cook now taking over from WBro Rob Mallett, who has performed several years of service.

Born and raised in Wellingborough just a stone’s throw from the Masonic Hall, WBro Trevor is well known in the area. He was educated at Victoria Junior School on Mill Road and then at the Grammar School in Wellingborough, before working for Unilever at Colworth House in Sharnbrook, for over 40 years.

WBro Trevor was Initiated into The Gates of Billing Lodge in 1999 and passed through the respective offices before being installed into the Chair of King Solomon in 2006. Whilst this means that his “mother tongue” for ritual is Taylor’s working, he is also fluent in Emulation being a Joining Member of John Pyel Lodge, also in Wellingborough.

A keen member of The Holy Royal Arch and several other Orders based mainly in Wellingborough and Rushden, WBro Trevor has also been a member of the Provincial Demonstration Team since its formation in 2008 and has performed with the group at many Masonic Centres across the Province and further afield.

We thank WBro Rob Mallett for all his past hard work and wish WBro Trevor Cook the very best in his new role

Written by: Simon Key

Published: 01 May 2017

WBro David Hawkins (Wolverton Trinity Lodge, Bucks), WBro Mick Hull (Roman Way Lodge, Bucks) and Bro Chris Knight (Lactodorum Lodge, Northants & Hunts) entered a "Three Clubs and a Putter" competition at Aspley Guise and Woburn Sands Golf Club in support of a fund raising event for Polio Research. All three are members of Bucks Masonic Golf Club.

The dynamic trio, which went by the team name "Brothers Three" won the event and were presented with a trophy to commemorate their victory.

From left, WBro Mick Hull, WBro David Hawkins and Bro Chris Knight

Written by: John Fergusson

Published: 27 April 2017

On Wednesday 19 April, a most enjoyable event in the calendar of Northants and Hunts Provincial Grand Chapter occurred on the occasion of the Annual Principals evening, which was held at Corby Masonic Centre. This brought together Chapter Principals from across the Province, supported by practically the entire Provincial Team, led by the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams and accompanied by his Executive

On replying to his toast, the Grand Superintendent gave an extensive overview of the state of the Province which is clearly in very good heart. Of particular interest to all was the news that our Province exalted in excess of 60 new Royal Arch members over the last calendar year; growth on previous year is almost unprecedented and the MEGS paid tribute to all those present, having contributed to what is an extraordinary result.

This evening also saw the introduction of the new static Royal Arch displays, produced by E Comp Andy Moore, designed to publicise the vital fourth stage in completing the journey through Pure Antient Masonry. These were shipped to ten centres in our Province on that very evening, ensuring that they will be immediately highly visible, thus raising the Royal Arch profile to all Master Masons.

A very warm and convivial atmosphere was most apparent throughout the evening, both in the temple and at the excellent Festive Board, culminating in an extremely happy and memorable evening for all present.