Craft News
Thursday the 8 January 2015 was a special night in Delapre Lodge. Every initiation is special but there was a bit of extra fun welcoming to the Lodge during it’s 800th meeting Bro David Mason, whose father and grandfather practised the Craft in Lancashire.
Later a personal milestone for the Lodge’s longest serving active member was recognised with the presentation of a 50 year Jubilee certificate to WBro John Witts by the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies and Lodge member, WBro Charles Bennett.
John is a well known figure in Northampton Masonry - holder of the PGM’s Certificate of Merit and organist, or Honourary Organist for Delapre, Pomfret, Kingsley, Lodge of St George, Anglo Scottish, Harmony and Towcestrian Lodges – plus three Chapters!
John was initiated into Delapre on 15 January 1965, became Master in 1972 and has been Lodge organist since leaving the Chair - over 40 years.
He was Provincial Grand Organist from 1978 to 1987 and has risen through the ranks of Provincial Grand Lodge, culminating in the rank of Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden and being honoured with the Provincial Grand Master's Certificate of Merit in 2010.
(l to r) WBro Trevor Sidall PProvJGD (Warks) WM of Delapre Lodge, WBro Charles Bennett PrGDC and WBro John Witts CoM PPrSGW
- Written by: Gerry Crawford
Many Masons from this Province made the supreme sacrifice in military service during the Great War of 1914-1918 (for fuller details please see the UGLE Masonic Great War Project - Roll of Honour 1914 -1918).
It is therefore fitting that the Provincial Grand Charity has made a donation of £5,500 to the local county branch of the Royal British Legion in Northamptonshire.
This was presented on 7 January 2015 by the Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Max Bayes, and the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, VWBro Dr Viv Thomas. They made the presentation to representatives of the Royal British Legion, Colonel Ian Keers OBE DL, County President, and Bill Rose, County Chairman.
Colonel Keers said
We are very grateful to the Masons for this very generous donation and I can assure you the money will be put to good use in the work we do in support of members and veterans of our Armed Forces.
Congratulations to Bro Michael Greene on winning the recent Bottle competition. The correct answer was £131.82. He guessed the amount in the bottle was £132 and wins one year’s subscription to his Lodge - Petriburg Lodge No 8767.
Even better news for the Provincial Grand Charity is that Bro Michael has donated his winnings to the Charity. Thank you Michael and also a big thank you to all who took part and helped to raise £750 for the Provincial Grand Charity.
The Lodge of St George has celebrated their 500th meeting on 7 January 2015, with a 2nd Degree ceremony, followed by a banner re-dedication. The WM, Bro Danny Hunt carried out a fine ceremony and passed Bro Mark Rigby to the 2nd degree.
PGM, RWBro Max Bayes, then took the chair and conducted a very enjoyable banner re-dedication. The Lodge was also treated to a short presentation of some of the history behind the Lodge of St George by the ProvGChaplain WBro Rev Ray Hemmingway. (A more detailed history can be found here.)
There were in excess of 120 brethren present to support the Lodge on this very special night and the banner re-dedication team did a superb job, with excellent support from Grand Lodge Officers and Provincial Grand Lodge officers. To see the Lodge and Festive board packed to capacity was a wonderful sight.
WM, W.Bro Danny Hunt, with the Provincial Grand Master and the newly dedicated banner.