Written by: Simon Key

Published: 14 November 2016

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of W.Bro John Witts PPSGW to the Grand Lodge above.

WBro John was initiated into Delapre Lodge on 15 January 1965, became Master in 1972, and served the lodge as organist since leaving the Chair of KS.

He was extremely well known among Northampton Masons being either the organist or honorary organist of Delapre Lodge, Pomfret Lodge, Kingsley Lodge, Lodge of St George, Anglo Scottish Lodge, Lodge of Harmony and Towcestrian Lodge. He was also organist of three Northampton Chapters as well as a number of Mark lodges.

WBro John was Provincial Grand Organist from 1978 to 1987. He rose through the ranks of Provincial Grand Lodge, culminating in the rank of Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden. He was honoured with the Provincial Grand Master's Certificate of Merit in 2010.

WBro John's funeral will take place at 11am on Tuesday 6 December, 2016 at St Andrews Church, Harlestone Village, Northampton NN7 4EN and afterwards at Sheaf Close from 12.30pm to 1.00pm.

He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Written by: Michael Genner

Published: 30 November 2016

At the October meeting of Trinity Lodge No. 9165, Worshipful Master, WBro Jim Annetts called-off the Lodge so that the Brethren could receive a presentation from Det. Chief Superintendent (Ret) Bob Thorogood. The presentation was entitled “Beyond the Call of Duty: A Policeman's Story."

Bob gave a very interesting talk on his life, from his birth in Northampton through his time as a bricklayer and onto his career in the Police as well as his input into the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) and his role at the beginning of the BBC series Crimewatch.

After the presentation WBro Annetts thanked Bob Thorogood for his talk. Bob then left the lodge room and the meeting was called on. This being the meeting before Installation, Bro Darren Garley was elected Worshipful Master for the ensuing year. His Senior Warden will be WBro Martin Thorogood, Bob Thorogood's son, who is also a policeman. After the meeting the Brethren and guests enjoyed the Festive Board.

Written by: Simon Key

Published: 13 November 2016

The inspection of the Naval Cadets taking part in the Kettering Remembrance Day procession was undertaken by Commodore Andrew Kyte RN. Andrew is the son of WBro Jeff Kyte, PM of Cytringan Lodge No 4048. Andrew was educated at Kettering Boys School before going to University College Cambridge and then attending Dartmouth Royal Naval College.

Written by: Simon Key

Published: 14 November 2016

We are pleased to confirm the appointment of a new Local Communications Officer, W. Bro Nigel Dickens of Kingsley Lodge 2431. Nigel replaces W Bro Tony Potter who has retired from the role after many years of distinguished service. Nigel will work with the other Northampton Communications Officer, WBro Andy Moore, to facilitate communications to/from the Northampton Lodges. 

Nigel was initiated into Apollo Lodge 7886(EC) in the District of Cyprus in October 1988 while serving in the RAF, but because of his posting back to the UK in 1990 and the arrival of his first daughter, his progression in Freemasonry paused for a time.

However, on leaving the RAF in 2002 and settling back in Northampton, he became a joining member of Kingsley Lodge, working his way through the ranks to become Master in 2011. He is currently Lodge Mentor.

Nigel was Exalted into Kingsley Chapter in 2007 and is presently 2nd Principal. He is also a member of Northampton Castle Mark and Victory Preceptory No 207 Knights Templar and is currently the Deputy Commander of the Provincial Priors Bodyguard.

Nigel married his wife Helen in 1979 and they have two grown up daughters. Since leaving the RAF, he has been working as an IT and Information Security specialist and is currently a Cyber Security Consultant.

We are very pleased to welcome Nigel to our Provincial Communications Team.