Craft News
- Written by: Michael Genner
As a result of a communication received by the Provincial office, WBro Duncan Jolly of St Peter’s Lodge No. 442 reached-out to Bro Arnold Wills of the United Industrious Lodge No. 31, which meets at Canterbury.
Arnold, a Peterborian, Kings School (Schola Regia) pupil and Peterborough Cathedral chorister, had written with regards to his great uncle, George Gaches, and his great cousin, Vernon Gaches, both of whom were past members of St Peter’s Lodge.
Vernon was initiated on the 11th of January 1906, that being the traditional month of Installation at St. Peters.
Due to Vernon's impending return to his country of residence, South Africa, and by means of a special concession, a separate initiation ceremony was held before the Installation commenced.
At the start of World War I, Vernon joined an African regiment and set sail for Europe as part of the huge Commonwealth forces joining Britain and France, who were entrenched in war with Germany.
Vernon paid the ultimate sacrifice, when on the 21st of September 1917, he died at the Battle of Passchendeale, almost exactly 100-years prior to Bro Arnold's enquiry being received by St. Peter's Lodge. His name is recorded in the Cathedral at St Sprite’s Chapel as a past member of Schola Regia.
At the request of Arnold, and as secretary of St Peter's Lodge, WBro Jolly laid a wreath at the Cathedral on the 100th anniversary of Vernon's death.
WBro Duncan Jolly with the wreath commemorating the death of Bro Vernon Gaches
Thanks must also go to WBro John Statham for his time and efforts in helping to find the records of George and Vernon. Copies of those records were sent to Bro Arnold and WBro Tony Elsey so as to facilitate provision of the wreath by the Royal British Legion.
A more detailed article containing copies of the St Peter’s Lodge records pertaining to Bro Vernon will appear in the Spring edition of Password.
- Written by: Michael Genner
On Monday the 23rd of October 2017, WBro Jonathon Hibbins was Installed as Worshipful Master of the Richard Sandbach Lodge of Research No. 9600.
In keeping with the tradition of The Lodge, WBro Hibbins delivered his Installation lecture, which was entitled Was Sir Christopher Wren a Freemason?
WBro Hibbins giving his Installation lecture
WBro Hibbins spoke with a great deal of enthusiasm; it was clearly a subject he had researched in-depth.
Several distinguised brethren were present, including WBro Michael Branch PAGDC, the official representative of the Provincial Grand Master.
From left, WBro R Hibbins, WBro T Cole, WBro Dr CR Clark, WBro M Branch (official representative of the PGM), WBro J Hibbins, WBro D Sandbach, and WBro B Stokes
The Lodge of Research was founded in tribute to RWBro Richard Sandbach, a dedicated and well respected Masonic historian, writer and orator.
The Lodge aims to further Masonic education by delivering orations, presentations and displays to brethren at their meetings, both in Peterborough and elsewhere.
The next meeting of Richard Sandbach Lodge of Research will be at Corby Masonic Centre on the 15th of January 2018, when WBro Dickon Sandbach and his team will perform a demonstration and explanation of salient parts of the First Degree ceremony at Corby to the Joint Corby Lodges of Instruction.
The next annual Richard Sandbach Lecture, which will be entitled From Darkness into Light – A Personal Journey, will be presented by VWBro Wayne Williams on the 19th of March 2018 at Peterborough Masonic Centre.
There will be a more detailed article about the Richard Sandbach Lodge of Research in the Spring 2018 edition of Password.
- Written by: Michael Genner
On the 27th of October there was a very special birthday celebrated at Sheaf Close with a Banner rededication in the presence of the Provincial Executive, led by the Provincial Grand Master RWBro Max Bayes and 130 Brethren. Kingsley Lodge celebrated its 125th Anniversary of its concentration and unbroken run of 1000 regular meeting, quite an achievement and in spite of the 1st and 2nd World Wars.
The Founders of the Kingsley Lodge were drawn mainly from Eleanor Cross Lodge and Pomfret Lodge and mostly lived on what was known as the Kingsley Park Estate, Northampton
The Warrant to form the Lodge was granted on 3 June 1892 and on Monday 24 October 1892, 131 brethren assembled at the Masonic Hall, Princess Street, Northampton when the Provincial Grand Master, the Rt. Hon. The Earl of Euston, proceeded with the ceremony of consecrating the new Lodge.
In the 125 years that have passed since the Consecration one could reasonably claim that Members of Kingsley Lodge had a profound effect on the trade, commerce, government and social life of Northampton.
Many industrialists were members as well as many Mayors of the Town. There cannot be many Lodges who can boast of having two Grand Treasurers, two Deputy Provincial Grand Masters, an Assistant Provincial Grand Master, two Provincial Grand Secretaries, a Grand Superintendent, a Member of Parliament and 14 Mayors. These are high honours of which Kingsley Lodge is justifiably proud. Kingsley Lodge remains in good heart with members who are committed to carrying the Lodge forward for the future.
- Written by: Michael Genner
On Tuesday 31st October 2017, Grand Masters representing over 120 Grand Lodges from across the globe joined together with The Most Worshipful Grand Master, His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, and other esteemed officers and members of the United Grand Lodge of England at the Royal Albert Hall to celebrate the Tercentenary of the Founding of the Premier Grand Lodge.
