Masonic buildings continue to be a concern to the fraternity as a whole and Grand Lodge is rightly concerned about future maintenance costs. Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire has applied themselves to this problem over the past couple of years and much has already been achieved in a number of our centres; this will continue with what will shortly be happening in a planned move in Huntingdon from a High Street location to a Business Park on the edge of town.

The single most significant event was the move from the Provincial Headquarters at St George's Avenue in Northampton to a customised former school building on an industrial edge of Town site. Our efforts have been noticed by the Rulers and we are now asked for advice by other Provinces.

It was a great delight for RW Bro Max Bayes, the Provincial Grand Master, to recently welcome the Past Pro Grand Master, Most W Bro Lord Northampton and his new wife for a view of our Provincial Centre at Sheaf Close.

The Marquess was most impressed and offered congratulations to all who contributed to make the whole project such a success. The current Assistant Grand Master, Rt W Bro Sir David Wootton, has also expressed interest in making a visit and, the Provincial Grand Master is now making arrangements for this to happen. The Provincial Grand Master commented

It is good to know that our efforts are recognised and that our advice for similar projects throughout the country is now being sought.

The Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire Branch held their latest Masonic Fishing Charity event at Ringstead Island Fishery on 11 June 2015. The twenty participants came from two different schools and one care home.   Sixteen excited children and four adults participated, all of whom have additional support needs.  The sun shone all day and many fish of varying sizes were caught.  

After a fantastic BBQ lunch, the group was joined by the High Sheriff of Northamptonshire, Ahmed Mukhtar.  He is Immediate Past Master of Rockingham Forest Lodge No 9491. 

Certificates and trophies were presented to the participants by a representative from the Province, WBro Gerard Dempsey ProvJGW, and the High Sheriff.

The event was sponsored by the Strangward Trust and the Douglas Compton James Trust with bait being sponsored by the local Gilders Country Sport shop.

Bro Roy Stockbridge of Fitzwilliam Lodge 2533 cycled 83 miles around Cambridgeshire in the Grand Fondo on the weekend of 6 June. Roy raised £670 through sponsorship in aid of Teddies for Loving Care.

Congratulations to Roy and his sponsors for a fantastic effort in providing support for children who need those small but important Teddies to ease them through critical moments in their lives.

For cyclists with an interest in the physical, in 4 hours 27 minutes, at an average speed of 18.6 mph, Roy turned the pedals 21,000 times, climbed 1,500 feet and lost 5 lbs in weight to burn off 3,660 calories.

One day in early June 2015 a lady left an unusual message on the Provincial website about a Brother in distress. 

She had acquired a small stone figure of a man dressed in what she imagined was a Masons' uniform.  Standing on a plinth inscribed Pro Musica Lodge No 9547, he was distinctly unhappy since he had been included as part of a job lot in a car boot sale!

The message was forwarded to the Lodge’s Secretary, WBro Eric Samler, who immediately set about repatriating our lost Brother and restoring his injured pride. 

He opened negotiations with the lady.  After many emails and telephone conversation with her he was finally managed to broker a deal for the lost Brother’s return.  

At a discreet location in Peterborough Bro Eric was pleased to receive from her the returning brother who, would you believe, he had a smile on his face.