On the 23rd February 2026, a quartet of PGMs met to commemorate RW.Bro Nicolas Hart's 60 Years of Service as a Freemason.
The PGM, RW.Bro Mark Constant, together with PPGMs RW.Bros Barrie Hall and Max Bayes, visited RW.Bro Hart at his home in Ketton, Lincolnshire to present him with the award. They enjoyed a most convivial afternoon of conversation and tea, remembering historic events in the Province's history, and were very well supplied with tea and cake by RW.Bro Hart's wife Val.
RW.Bro Hart was initiated into Freemasonry in Ermine Lodge, Lincoln, on 26th February 1966. On moving back to Stamford in the late 60s, he decided to join Lodge of Merit as his grandfather, uncle and father had all been members. He became PGM of our Province in 1997, as the Province celebrated its Bi-Centenary. His appointment was at a turning point for Freemasonry when the Fraternity was marking a new era of Openness - one which Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire embraced. With RW.Bro Hart at the helm, so began a period of Initiate Parties for Brethren, wives and partners, public facing events such as garden parties, concerts, a stand at the East of England Show, and the inaugural Carol Concert at Peterborough Cathedral.
Also visiting his parents on the day was WBro Ed Hart who many will remember from his days as an active member of Merit and Chetene Lodges in Stamford. Ed is keeping well and practicing his masonry in South Wales but reassured the PGM that it is not a patch on Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire.