Provincial News
- Written by: Simon Key
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!
WBro Neil Langford working hard at Silverstone and hating every minute!
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: John Fergusson
On 7 October 2016, our Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Max Bayes, surprised the Past Provincial Grand Orator, W Bro Michael Gorrod at the Lodge of St James Installation meeting. W Bro Michael had been expecting to be part of a Q&A lecture that he has delivered many times with W Bro John Harvey.
However, the Provincial Grand Master had other plans and decided that this was a suitable occasion to present him with his Certificate of Merit along with an immediate promotion to Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden. This promotion was made to reflect W Bro Michael’s massive contribution to Freemasonry in this Province and he was rendered speechless and not a little surprised by this significant and rarely given promotion.
In 2011, the Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Barrie Hall appointed W Bro Michael as the first Provincial Grand Orator and it was a very challenging role. It was a challenge that he relished and over a period of four years he transformed the role and its perception through a range of interesting, informative and educational talks so that Lodges look forward to receiving them as well as putting in place the structure for the Provincial Orations team to flourish.
W Bro Michael was initiated into Kirkhill Lodge, No 1230, in the Scottish Constitution on 23 March 1961. He travelled widely as a Sales Executive in the shoe industry and eventually settled in Kettering at which point he recommenced his Freemasonry by joining Willowbrook Lodge in March 1993. In 2005, he became Worshipful Master and did a two-year term, his performance as Worshipful Master was rewarded by being appointed to Provincial Grand Steward in 2008.
W Bro Michael is also a member of Palmer Lodge of Provincial Grand Stewards, Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire Lodge of Installed Masters, Richard Sandbach Lodge of Research and Pro Musica Lodge as well as being a Past First Principal of St Crispin Chapter.
The Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Max Bayes, with W Bro Michael Gorrod
- Written by: Michael Genner
WBro Vince Tindale our newly appointed Password Editor was installed into the Chair of Fitzwilliam Lodge No 2533 on Thursday 6th October, 2016.
Over 90 brethren attended a truly memorable evening with guests from the Provincial Communications Committee, the Electronic Media Group (EMG), and even the Bodyguard of Provincial Priory. I am sure we all wish him a very successful and healthy year.
From left to right, WBro Gerry Crawford, PAGDC and ProvGChStwd; WBro Craig Bunday, IPM and Installing Master; WBro Vince Tindale, Master and Editor of Password; and WBro David Burton, PSGD and AsstProvGM