Provincial News
- Written by: John Fergusson
Twenty five years ago, March, 1991, a young Barry Howard was duly initiated into Eleanor Cross Lodge. Twenty five years later on 11th March 2016, W Bro Barry had the most wonderful pleasure of marking this anniversary by personally initiating his son Luke into the same Lodge, during his third tenure as Worshipful Master of this fine old Lodge.
For father and son, this evening was very special, comprising of fine ritual, and on occasions was quite emotional as one would expect. Many personal friends of the Worshipful Master were invited, including the Provincial Grand Master RW Bro Max Bayes and Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master, VW Bro Wayne Williams, who delivered the Charge to the Initiate in a most eloquent and exemplary manner.
W Bro Barry Howard (right) pictured above with his son, Bro Luke Howard.
The Festive Board which followed was indeed a very warm and celebrative occasion which included a fine and indeed memorable rendition of the Initiates Song by Eleanor Cross Lodge member, Bro Roby Kenna. Bro Luke responded to a very heartfelt and emotional toast by his father in a very confident and concise manner, leaving little doubt that he really is a ‘chip off the old block’. What next, one may wonder, in this Howard family saga in another 25 years’ time?
Bro Luke Howard (centre) pictured below with his father, W Bro Barry Howard, the Provincial Grand Master,
RW Bro Max Bayes, VW Bro John Pagella, Grand Superintendent of Works & Past Assistant
Provincial Grand Master, VW Bro Wayne Williams.
- Written by: John Fergusson
ST IVO CHAPTER INSTALLATION – 9th March
On an extremely wet day, the like of which hasn’t been seen for many a year, members of St Ivo Chapter 2684 installed their Three Principals for the ensuing year. E Comp Esmond Edwards, after serving as DC for ten years, had the honour for the third time of being installed as MEZ of this very fine Chapter. Comp Richard Anderson moved up to H and Comp Jeremy Allen was installed as J.
All present appreciated the excellent work by those taking part in the ceremony, the IPZ particularly being commended on the very capable and sincere manner in which he installed his successor. Particularly pleasing was to see Companions David Evans and Barry Smethurst invested as Principal and 1st Ass Sojourners respectively, the 2ndAss being unavoidably absent. So good to see all Sojourners in progression which bodes well for foreseeable future of this vibrant Chapter.
Present in an official capacity was 2nd Provincial Grand Principal George Clayton accompanied by PrAGDC Tony Winn, together with several Grand and Provincial Grand Officers. The evening concluded with an excellent Festive Board, much enjoyed and appreciated by all present on this most enjoyable, yet very stormy evening.
The newly Installed Principals of St Ivo Chapter pictured with the 2nd Provincial Grand Principal
left to right: E Comp Tony Winn, E Comp Richard Anderson, E Comp Esmond Edwards,
E Comp Jeremy Allen and E Comp George Clayton.
- Written by: John Fergusson
On Tuesday 16 February 2016, prior to a meeting of Peterborough & Counties Lodge, a cheque from the Provincial Grand Charity in the sum of £2500.00 was presented to the Trustees of Nene Valley Care Trust by W. Bro. David Burton, Assistant Provincial Grand Master. The Trust provides young care leavers with practical support to help them secure the necessary education, training or employment to enable them to become independent and improve their future life prospects. Young people are referred to the Trust by Leaving Care Social Workers from Peterborough City Council and Northamptonshire County Council.
Pricilla Padley, Chairman of Nene Valley Care Trust said “On behalf of the Trustees we would like to thank you for the overwhelming generosity of the Masons of the Province for choosing our charity and donating this wonderful cheque for £2500. 00 for our work. The size of the gift was totally unexpected and will make a huge difference to our mentoring projects for young care leavers in Peterborough and Northampton.”
The Assistant Provincial Grand Master was supported by Worshipful Brother Mervin Roberts, Charity Steward, Petriburg Lodge No.8767 and Worshipful Brother Barry Webb, Worshipful Master, Peterborough & Counties Lodge No 2996.
Pictured, left to Right. W Bro Mervin Roberts, W Bro David Burton APGM, Lady Anne Arculus Founding Trustee NVCT, Priscilla Padley Chairman
NVCT, W Bro Barry Webb, Quentin MacDougall Treasurer NVCT, Rachel Taylor Trustee NVCT.
- Written by: John Fergusson
It was a very special evening at Lodge of Merit on 15 February and it involved no less than two Past Provincial Grand Masters of this Province. RWBro Barrie Hall PPGM presented RWBro Nicolas Hart PPGM with his Golden Jubilee Certificate, offering his personal congratulations to commemorate 50 years in Freemasonry.
RWBro Hart was initiated into the Ermine Lodge No. 2351 in 1966 in Lincoln, and on moving to Stamford in 1969 joined the Lodge of Merit. He became Worshipful Master of Ermine Lodge in 1974. He was the Founder Chairman of the Vale of Welland Lodge consecrated in 1978. In the Lodge of Merit, he held the office of Treasurer from 1982 and, for some years, also Charity Steward until relinquishing both offices in 1990.
He was appointed Provincial Junior Grand Warden for this Province in 1984, exactly 50 years after his father held the same office. In 1990 he was appointed our Assistant Provincial Grand Master and promoted to Deputy in 1994. He was installed as Provincial Grand Master in October 1997 holding that office for eight years until his retirement in 2005.
His son, WBro Edward Hart, who became the fourth generation of Harts to be associated with the Lodge of Merit when his father initiated him in 1989, joined him for the evening. This long family association with one Lodge must be unique in this Province.
