It was a memorable meeting on Thursday 7th March 2024 at Fitzwilliam Lodge in Peterborough. March marks the traditional mid term official visit and in 2024 this was to be VWBro Charles Bennett. VWBro Charles had specifically requested Fitzwilliam as one of his ‘bucket list’ visits for his final year as Deputy Provincial Grand Master – a year which completes a 13 year tenure on The Executive of The Province.

The Worshipful Master, WBro Ian Knox, preceded the fourth toast of the evening to The Province by thanking VWBro Charles not only for his service on The Executive, but also his work during Lockdown in 2020, when, together with his wife Adele, he hosted the Inter Lodge Quiz. Particularly poignant were comments from Bro Rob Woolley of Schola Regia Lodge, explaining that Lockdown had been especially stressful for him. putting pressure on his mental health, and the quiz had been one of those things that helped enormously. A gift from the WM for VWBro Charles and his wife, together with a bottle of his favourite tipple from Fitzwilliam Lodge, served to blindside him somewhat as he began his reply to the toast. 

Various Masonic Dignitaries were also in attendance, include the PGM, RWBro Mark Constant, together with the APGM, WBro Tim Almond, The PGM for Nottinghamshire, RWBro Philip Marshall, The Past APGM for this Province, WBro Norman Pope, plus many Provincial acting officers. They saw the initiation into Freemasonry of Mr George Spires-Pinto - grandson of WBro Heaton Spires, a long time member and organist of Fitzwilliam Lodge – who it had to be explained to that, even though Initiation Nights are special, this one was extra special and will live long in the minds of all of those present.