Provincial News
- Written by: Simon Key
On Sunday the 11th of June, 2017, over 800 Freemasons from throughout Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire joined together with civic dignitaries, family and friends to help celebrate 300 years since the formation of the United Grand Lodge of England with a specially dedicated Evensong service at Peterborough Cathedral. The service was conducted by The Reverend Canon Jonathan Baker, who welcomed everyone and commented on the common theme of `giving` in all aspects of life.
The service was preceded by a parade of Freemasons in their Masonic regalia from the Peterborough Town Hall to the Cathedral in glorious sunshine, with members of the public lining the route. Each of the 93 member lodges from the Province of Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire were represented and paraded their historic and colourful lodge banners. The parade aimed to replicate the last Masonic parade to be held in Peterborough over 95 years ago. Prior to this, parades were quite a regular feature in many towns and cities, but since the Second World War they had become rare.
The Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Max Bayes, leading the Tercentenary Parade - click here for more pictures
The last parade, which took place in 1922 (click here to view video footage), was held to help raise funds to assist with major restoration works needed in the north-east wing of Peterborough Cathedral. The event raised a significant sum and coupled with other fundraising, the target was reached and the work completed.
The Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Max Bayes, commented -
It is a wonderful day for Freemasonry in general and the Province of Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire in particular. I am sure that all present thoroughly enjoyed the day and were rightly proud of their membership.
Nationally, the 200,000 members of the United Grand Lodge of England come from all walks of life and meet as equals whatever their faith, ethnic group or position in society. For many, this spirit of fellowship is what is valued most, making new friends and helping others. Charity is at the heart of the organisation and Freemasons contribute over £33 million a year as one of the UK`s largest charitable givers. Raising funds largely through voluntary donations, they support individual members, local communities and global emergencies.
In Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire, Freemasons raise over £100,000 each year for Charitable purposes and regularly support the local community with donations to many worthy causes, such as the Sue Ryder Hospice. In addition, The Three Pillars Feeding The Homeless Trust is a registered charity backed by local Freemasons which aims to provide practical help and support to those living on the streets. On several nights each week in Peterborough, volunteers using a catering van distribute warm food, clean clothing and bedding to those in need.
This Peterborough event is just one of many happening up and down the country throughout this special Tercentenary year for Freemasons, culminating with the main event at The Royal Albert Hall in October. To further mark the 300 year anniversary, The Masonic Charitable Foundation is donating £3m to 300 charities throughout England and Wales, with six local charities set to benefit. Further details on how everyone can get involved and vote are available by clicking here.
- Written by: Simon Key
On Wednesday the 7th of June 2017, WBro Tony Harvey PAGDC attended the meeting of Northants & Hunts Lodge of Installed Masters No. 3422 at Corby and gave his 2012 Prestonian Lecture entitled Scouting and Freemasonry: Two Parallel Organisations?
The lecture was well received by all of the brethren present, and the Provincial Grand Master, RW Max Bayes, who is the current Worshipful Master of Lodge of Installed Masters, gave WBro Harvey his sincere thanks.
WBro Tony Harvey (left) with the Provincial Grand Master, RW Max Bayes - WM of Northants & Hunts Lodge of Installed Masters
In addition to the lecture, the brethren and visitors of the Lodge welcomed a number of Installed Masters as new members, and WBro Norman Pope PAsstProvGM, PSGD was declared as Master Elect.
- Written by: Simon Key
On Tuesday the 6th of June 2017, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, WBro David Burton, was interviewed during the Craig Bunday Afternoon Show on Peterborough Community Radio with regards to the forthcoming Masonic Parade to be held at Peterborough on Sunday the 11th of June 2017 in celebration of the tercentenary of the United Grand Lodge of England.
WBro David Burton, AsstProvGM, PSGD
The last major parade held in Peterborough was on the 18th May, 1922 when the combined Provinces of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire, Leicestershire and Rutland, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk joined forces to support a major restoration of Peterborough Cathedral.
Video footage of the 1922 Masonic Parade
A total of £1,500 was required to build a buttress on the north-east wing of the Cathedral. Insufficient funds were raised on the day but subsequently the full amount was raised and the work completed.
Peterborough Cathedral
The parade to be held on the 11th of June will be broadly in line with the arrangements made some 95 years ago, an indication of the history and traditions of the Masonic Province of Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire and its continued close association and support of the cathedral, a truly wonderful building.
The public parade will commence at 2.00pm from Peterborough Town Hall after which its participants will join the Peterborough Cathedral congregation for a Choral Evensong service at 3.30pm. Masons will be dressed in full regalia throughout and will be parading some of the Province's very historic and beautiful lodge-banners.
To listen to the full radio interview with WBro David Burton, click on the play button in the control below -
{mp3}17-06-07-asstprovgm-freemasons-parade{/mp3}
Background Information
The United Grand Lodge of England's 200,000 members come from all walks of life and meet as equals whatever their faith, ethnic group or position in society. For many, this spirit of fellowship is what is valued most, making new friends and helping others. Freemasons contribute over £33 million a year as one of the UK`s largest charitable givers. Raising funds largely through voluntary donations, they support individual members, local communities and global emergencies.
- Written by: John Fergusson
The Province has recently enjoyed a very successful annual meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge along with a similarly successful and enjoyable Past Rank Promotions’ meeting at Three Counties Lodge both of which were very well attended by Brethren from across the Province.
At the Provincial Grand Lodge meeting, our Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Max Bayes, was delighted to appoint W Bro Martin Dimmock as Provincial Senior Grand Warden and W Bro David Butt as Provincial Junior Grand Warden and took the opportunity to thank W Bro Neil Sheppard and W Bro Chris Mullen, the outgoing Provincial Senior Grand Warden and Provincial Junior Grand Warden, for their support during a very successful year. The Provincial Grand Master then proceeded to appoint other Brethren receiving acting or first appointments to Provincial Grand Rank. The meeting was honoured with the presence of RW Bro His Honour, Richard Hone, QC, President of the Masonic Charitable Foundation who was invited by the Provincial Grand Master to address the meeting. He delivered and most informative and enlightening address on the work of the MCF.
The Three Counties Past Rank Promotions’ meeting was a great success and many Brethren who are the backbone of both their Lodges and the Province were honoured with Past Provincial Grand Rank promotions. During the course of the meeting, VW Bro James Newman, Deputy President of the Masonic Charitable Foundation was declared Master Elect of the Three Counties Lodge.
Our Provincial Grand Master addressed both meetings and updated Brethren on many matters and wished all a very enjoyable Summer. You can read his address in full by clicking here.