In celebration of its 175th anniversary, the Lodge of Merit held its Monday 18 May 2015 meeting at Stamford Town Hall (by kind permission of the Town Council).  It was attended by 120 Brethren including the Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Max Bayes, many other Grand Officers, Provincial Grand Officers and Brethren.  

After the Lodge had been called off, the Worshipful Master, WBro David Stimson, welcomed into the room the Stamford Town Mayor, Councillor Mrs Susan Sandall, and her entourage. 

WBro Alan Breeze presented a brief history of the Lodge which can be seen by clicking here. 

The Worshipful Master presented her with a cheque for £3,000 in aid of her Mayor’s Charity Fund for which she expressed her grateful thanks.

After she had left the room and the Lodge was called back on.  In a superb manner, the Provincial Grand Master and his team then officially dedicated the Lodge’s new banner, to mark the 175th anniversary.

Before the meeting concluded the Worshipful Master presented the Provincial Grand Master with cheques for the Provincial Grand Charity, Teddies for Loving Care, the Provincial Building Fund and Devonshire Court.

The Festive Board was held at the Stamford Masonic Centre with both the dining room and the Lodge Room both being used for diners.  During this part of proceedings VWBro Dr Viv Thomas was presented with a gift as to mark his retirement as Deputy Provincial Grand Master and his contribution to Freemasonry in Stamford.  He is to shortly move to his native South Wales.

Between the 10 and 17 April brethren from the Lodge of St George No 5978 walked 103 miles over seven days raising £1,500 for the Provincial Grand Charity and Cancer Research. Together with funds from earlier in the year, the Lodge has raised £3,000 for these two charities.

The walkers were WBro Danny Hunt, WBro William Diggins, WBro Andy Moore, Bro Richard Williams from the Lodge of St George and WBro Oliver Diggins from the Lodge of Protection, London.  Mrs Sarah Moore also walked the last days 16 miles with the group. 

Do you know that there has been a Freemasons Lodge in Ramsey since 1911? The Lodge has its own premises in the High Street and is called Ailwyn Lodge, presumably after the founder of Ramsey Abbey, Duke Ailwyn. The Lodge meets monthly between September and April with various social functions in between these meetings. Ailwyn Lodge is one of the 93 Lodges in Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire.

Freemasonry will celebrate its tri-centenary in 2017. Freemasonry is the oldest and largest of the secular (non-religious) fraternal societies with 250,000 members in England & Wales and some 6,000,000 members worldwide.

Freemasons give their time, skills and money freely towards helping numerous local, national and international charities. Every year Masons give millions of pounds to non-masonic charities. When natural disasters occur such as earthquakes, tsunamis and floods strike anywhere in the world more often than not Freemasonry is the first to give financial aid. A comprehensive list of these donations is published every year by the United Grand Lodge of England.

Freemasonry is a tolerant diverse fraternity that does not discriminate against members or prospective members because of their religion, race or nationality. It is based on honesty, fairness and kindness of heart. It Is friendly, fun and family inclusive. Therefore enabling its members to develop their social skills and make life-long friendships.

Our ceremonies have been developed in order to explain the duties a Mason should have towards his God, his country, his fellow men and his family. Masonry continually encourages its members to develop and practice these duties in their life outside of the Lodge.

There are many myths, rumours and misconceptions about Freemasonry. If you would like to know the real truth about its traditions, heritage and culture and to see a Lodge fully laid out then come along to our open day on 23 May between 10am and 4pm. Wives and partners are very welcome to have a tour of our Lodge Room, enjoy a cup of coffee, meet some of the members and have those questions answered.

If you would like to know more about the open day or to make enquiries before you visit please contact the Secretary of the Lodge, Gwyn Franksen and he will be delighted to help in any way.

During their recent Coffee Morning, Rushden LAMS saw Caroline Rivett and WBro Jerry Higgins present cheques for £1,200 to The Stroke Association and Northamptonshire Young Carers, their chosen charities for 2014 fundraising. Stuart Grange, a former stroke victim and Louie Robinson of the Young Carers each gave a short presentation of the work of their respective charities. The Provincial Grand Charity had generously enhanced the amount raised by the LAMS and WBro Higgins, who is one of the Trustees, told the members how it worked, how it raised funds and how and to whom these were dispersed.