Written by: Michael Genner

Published: 17 October 2016

The meeting was held on Friday the 23rd September 2016 in the Whitehall State Room of Kimbolton Castle.

There were one hundred and forty seven brethren in attendance including the Assistant Grand Master, RWBro Sir David Hugh Wootton, the Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Max Bayes, and four other Right Worshipful brethren including the Provincial Grand Master of Bedfordshire. Forty Officers of Grand Lodge and ten acting Provincial Grand Lodge Officers were also present.

A fine installation ceremony was led by the Installing Master, WBro Jeremy Allen, and concluded by the Worshipful Master, WBro Michael Herbert, who welcomed three new honorary members: RWBro Max Bayes, RWBro William Barrington Hall and VWBro Graham Redman. There were also propositions for two initiates and two joining members. A busy year is assured!

Whilst replying to the toast to Grand Lodge, the Assistant Grand Master expressed his delight at being present.

Proposing the toast to the WM, VWBro Derek Young spoke fondly of their days at school together and referred to WBro Michael`s glittering Masonic career in some detail.

A special evening concluded with Peace, Love and Harmony, and the Tyler’s Toast.

Written by: Simon Key

Published: 15 October 2016

Following the recent appointment of WBro. Peter Robinson PProvGStwd to Provincial Communications Officer, WBro Neil Langford has been appointed as the new Local Information Officer for the area of Kettering and Thrapston.

Neil was initiated into Rockingham Forest Lodge No. 9491 in 2006. He was installed as WM in 2013 and is now Secretary. He is also WM of Iris Lodge No. 2545 (which meets in London), and Secretary of the Kettering United Lodge of Instruction.

In addition to his Craft memberships, Neil is MEZ of St Crispin Chapter No. 5627, Treasurer of Perseverance Preceptory No. 218, Treasurer of Powys Lodge of Mark Master Masons No. 685, and a member of Perseverance Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners.

Having held various positions in the railway industry during his 35 year career, Neil retired from London Midland in 2015 at which time he was General Manager for the West Midlands region.

Neil married his wife, Jane, in 2012 and they have six children between them. They enjoy holidays together, typically experiencing new places or seeking-out steam trains in Eastern Europe.

In addition to the time he devotes to Freemasonry, Neil volunteers for many activities, including the role of `Racemaker` for large events at Silverstone (as pictured below.)

We welcome Neil to our Communications Committee and wish him every success!

Published: 11 October 2016

As part of Piscator Lodges’ Charity fund raising for 2015 season, W.Bro Mike Howells,  accompanied by the Lodge Treasurer W Bro Mike Long, recently presented a cheque for £3,000 to Mrs Sue Wright, Fundraising Manager for the Hope Centre.

The Hope Centre are based in Oasis House Northampton, and work to relieve poverty and tackle the causes of homelessness in Northampton. This donation will go a long way in helping the Hope Centre with their renovations, and in developing their training and enterprise Hub.

Pictured Left to Right, W.Bro Mike Howells, Mrs Sue Wright, W.Bro Mike Long.

Written by: John Fergusson

Published: 11 October 2016

On 7 October 2016, our Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Max Bayes, surprised the Past Provincial Grand Orator, W Bro Michael Gorrod at the Lodge of St James Installation meeting. W Bro Michael had been expecting to be part of a Q&A lecture that he has delivered many times with W Bro John Harvey.

However, the Provincial Grand Master had other plans and decided that this was a suitable occasion to present him with his Certificate of Merit along with an immediate promotion to Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden. This promotion was made to reflect W Bro Michael’s massive contribution to Freemasonry in this Province and he was rendered speechless and not a little surprised by this significant and rarely given promotion.

In 2011, the Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Barrie Hall appointed W Bro Michael as the first Provincial Grand Orator and it was a very challenging role. It was a challenge that he relished and over a period of four years he transformed the role and its perception through a range of interesting, informative and educational talks so that Lodges look forward to receiving them as well as putting in place the structure for the Provincial Orations team to flourish.

W Bro Michael was initiated into Kirkhill Lodge, No 1230, in the Scottish Constitution on 23 March 1961. He travelled widely as a Sales Executive in the shoe industry and eventually settled in Kettering at which point he recommenced his Freemasonry by joining Willowbrook Lodge in March 1993. In 2005, he became Worshipful Master and did a two-year term, his performance as Worshipful Master was rewarded by being appointed to Provincial Grand Steward in 2008.

W Bro Michael is also a member of Palmer Lodge of Provincial Grand Stewards, Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire Lodge of Installed Masters, Richard Sandbach Lodge of Research and Pro Musica Lodge as well as being a Past First Principal of St Crispin Chapter.