Provincial News
The Lodge of St George No 5978 has become the first lodge in the Province to receive a charitable enhancement from The Freemasons’ Grand Charity. Money raised during WBro Andy Moore's year as Master has been enhanced and Andy was able to make a total donation of £2,500 to local charity The Lowdown.
The Lowdown offers a free and confidential drop in service for youngsters, six days a week, in Northampton. Youths can get the help and support they may need. These funds will provide over 200 one-to-one counselling sessions for local youths in need or distress. One hour can make a massive difference in a child or young adult’s life; in any one hour session, the Lowdown’s counsellors can positively change and sometimes save the life of a young person who is vulnerable or in crisis.
Speaking about the donation, Andy Moore, from The Lodge of St George, 5978, said
“We are delighted to be able to show our support for The Lowdown. Charitable giving is central to Freemasonry, and the Lodge of St George, along with all Northants and Hunts Freemasons, are especially happy to support organisations that give back to our local community. The Freemasons Grand Charity works on behalf of all Freemasons in England and Wales, donating millions of pounds to worthy causes every year; and we are delighted they have joined with us in supporting The Lowdown.”
Every year The Freemasons Grand Charity donates over £7 million to charitable projects across England and Wales.
- Written by: John Fergusson
On Monday 4 April, Companions of Eleanor Cross Chapter 1764 installed their Three Principals for the ensuing year. E Comp Kevin Corcoran was installed as MEZ, E Comp John Fergusson moved up to Haggai, and E Comp Michael Pepper was duly installed as Joshua. Present in an official capacity was Deputy Grand Superintendent, E Comp Mike Coleman accompanied by Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies, E Comp Steve Seward.
All present appreciated the work by all the Principals, the IPZ, E Comp Merrick Bowles installed his successor in very sincere and warm manner. E Comp Trevor Sherman presented the First Principal's Robes and Sceptres in a most commendable way, followed by E Comp Geoff Willis who presented Haggai's Robes and Sceptres and E Comp Ken Briers who presented Joshua's Robes and Sceptres.
E Comp Jeff Lowe presented E Comp Merrick Bowles with his IPZ Jewel in the most dignified and moving manner.
The evening concluded with a wonderful Festive Board.
Above (left to right): IPZ, E Comp Merrick Bowles, E Comp John Fergusson, E Comp Kevin Corcoran, E Comp Michael
Pepper, Deputy Grand Superintendent, E Comp Mike Coleman, Provincial Asst Grand Director of Ceremonies, E Comp
Steve Seward, Provincial Grand Principal Sojourner, E Comp Tony Albrecht & E Comp Geoff Willis.
- Written by: John Fergusson
On Thursday, 7 April, Companions of Benaventa Chapter 2380 installed their Three Principals for the ensuing year. E Comp Richard Hill was installed as MEZ, E Comp David Markham moved up to Haggai, and Comp Keith Hewitt was duly installed as Joshua.
The newly Installed Principals of Beneventa Chapter pictured with the 2nd Provincial Grand Principal. Left to Right:
2nd Provincial Grand Principal, E Comp George Clayton, E Comp David Markham, E Comp Richard Hill, E Comp
Keith Hewitt, E Comp Tony Albrecht and Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, E Comp Jeff Chambers.
All present appreciated the excellent work by all the Principals, the IPZ, E Comp Tony Dicks, particularly being commended on the exemplary manner in which he installed his successor. E Comp Ray Lewis presented the First Principal's Robes and Sceptres in a most commendable way, followed by E Comp Dick Godwin who went on to present both Haggai and Joshua's Robes and Sceptres, with style and articulation.
The Director of Ceremonies, E Comp Tony Pointing, carried out his duties with his usual attention to detail, as well as formally presenting the IPZ Jewel in the most dignified and moving manner. The musical accompaniment was provided by ‘Organist’ E Comp Mike Shepherd, who superbly anticipated the mood of the ceremony with an excellent and appropriate choice of music.
Present in an official capacity was 2nd Provincial Grand Principal, E Comp George Clayton accompanied by PrDepGDC, E Comp Jeff Chambers, together with a representation of officers from both Grand and Provincial Grand Lodges. The evening concluded with a wonderful Festive Board which included traditional, and very ‘light and healthy’ Steak and Kidney Pudding, much enjoyed and appreciated by all present on this very special, yet damp and cold evening.
Above (l to r): E Comp David Markham, E Comp RIchard Hill, E Comp Above (l to r): E Comp David Markham, E Comp RIchard Hill, E Comp
Stephen Hewitt & E Comp Tony DIcks Stephen Hewitt & E Comp Dick Godwin
- Written by: John Fergusson
The day was April Fool’s day, but the occasion was anything but.
On 1 April 2016 at Corby Masonic Complex, the Provincial Grand Chapter Team of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire came out in force to the Chapter of St. Giles No. 8736. The evening’s Convocation saw Brother Eben Viljoen exalted into the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch and complete his journey through Pure Antient Masonry to become Companion Eben Viljoen, with a little more “Pomp and Ceremony” than would normally be the case.
At the start of the evening The Three Principals, E Comp Jack C. Summerfield, E Comp Malcolm Atkins and E Comp David Docherty received the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams accompanied by E Comp John Payne, Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies. Also present was the Deputy Grand Superintendent, E Comp Mike Coleman, The Second Provincial Grand Principal, E Comp George Clayton and The Third Provincial Grand Principal, E Comp Mark Constant, along with 18 distinguished Companions holding Grand Chapter Rank and Acting Provincial Rank in a magnificent display of ceremonial splendour.
The Three Principals Of Chapter of St Giles pictured with the Provincial team led by our ME Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams.
The Three Principals led an excellent ceremony which saw several officers produce some outstanding work. The 1st and 2nd Assistant Sojourners, Comp Garth Coward and Comp Paul McGregor led Companion Viljoen through his exaltation ceremony with great style. The signs were presented by E Comp Arthur Byles followed by the Mystical Lecture, presented in a commendable manner by E Comp Harry Twelvetree, E Comp Mick Wren and E Comp John Webster. It was particularly nice to see the other two Candidates from this season Comp John McMann and Comp Chris Vickers give the readings.
Chapter of St Giles Newest Companiont is pictured above (left to right): E Comp Jack Summerfield, Comp Eben Viljoen
and our ME Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Wililams
With 80 attending the convocation and over 70 sitting down to an excellent and entertaining Festive Board there was a great sense of occasion. In his reply to his toast Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, Wayne Williams advised that he was pleased to see The Chapter of St. Giles continue to go from strength to strength on each of his recent visits to the Corby Chapter, and advised Comp Eben that he will never witness a better ceremony than the one that he had seen that evening. Everyone in attendance had clearly made a WISE decision to attend, and no-one made FOOLS of themselves!