Month: November 2017

Friday night saw the newly Installed Worshipful Master of St Werburga Lodge Initiate his first candidate in exemplary fashion, even whilst feeling a little under the weather.
Ritual was superb and any Lodge would have been proud of it.
The Initiate was treated to an excellent ceremony and he himself conducted himself very well.
Not only was the Initiation second to none, but the Festive Board was most enjoyable and the Visitors made to feel most welcome.
The toast to the Initiate was one of the most sincere I’ve ever seen and the response was too.
I’m sure the candidate will turn out to be an excellent Mason. It was an honour to be a part of this special evening and a proud moment for Derbyshire Freemasonry.

Worshipful Master and the newly Initiated Brother.

(L-R) Worshipful Master of Hartington Lodge, Worshipful Master of St Werburga Lodge, the Initiate and the Worshipful Master of Tyrian Lodge.

Thursday 23rd November was a special evening at Belper Masonic Hall.
The Master Elect was Installed in to the chair of King Solomon by his step father, a special evening for both members and for Beaureper 787 in particular.
Beaureper was supported by a number of visiting Masters, including Hartington Lodges, accompanied by his two Wardens and the Lodges Secretary, who is also D of C at Beaureper.
An enjoyable and welcoming evening was had by all those who were present.

Sunday 12th November 2017, saw seventeen Derbyshire Freemasons meet at the Royal British Legion in Repton.
From here they marched to St Wystan’s Church for an absolutely packed Remembrance Service. The vicar gave a special welcome to those in Uniform, naming some in particular – which included the Derbyshire Freemasons.
After the service the wreaths were laid, including one from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Derbyshire, which was laid by Brother Anthony Waddington, who served in the army up until a couple of years ago.
The parade then marched back to The British Legion.
Thanks go to the Brethren of Bretby Lodge for welcoming Brethren from other Lodges, including Hartington Lodge and Trisantona Lodge. With special thanks going to W. Bro Terry Hough for organising.

Friday night saw a special meeting for United Service Lodge, not only was it their Annual Rememberance Meeting, but they also had the pleasure of Initiating three candidates. 
A triple Initiation is something that doesn’t happen that often, but to have it happen on one of the most special evenings of their Masonic calendar is even better. I guess that explains why there was approximately 90 brethren present including the Provincial Grand Master of Derbyshire, who took the Chair to open the Lodge in exemplary fashion. 
All the Officers who took part in the ceremony did extremely well and gave the three candidates a memorable evening and entrance to Derbyshire Freemasonry.
The Festive Board was as moving and special as always, with the Bugle calling the Brethren to dinner and playing the Last Post.
To anyone who’s not been to the Rememberance Meeting, it’s well worth a visit.

The three candidates and a number of the Officers.

The Right Worshipful, Provincial Grand Master – Steven Varley, presenting the three candidates with a Derbyshire Freemasonry Rememberance Tie.

The 31st October saw the Finale of the Tercentenary Celebrations of United Grand Lodge of England.
It started with an epic journey for our Worshipful Master who had to fight with the traffic, as a result of one of the bridges in Burton-On-Trent being closed and the surrounding roadways full to bursting! Eventually arriving at Burton-On-Trent Railway Station, only to find his train had been delayed, which subsequently meant the connecting train from Tamworth was missed.
Eventually arriving in London, he made his way to the Hotel where he and a number of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire Masons were all staying, where they had a few drinks and then made their way on to the Royal Albert Hall.

 
After taking a few photo’s we made our way in side to one of the bars, for another drink or two.

 
We were then asked to put our regalia on and make our way into the Royal Albert Hall and were greeted with the view of 4000+ Masons and a stage which had clearly taken a lot of preparation and hard work.

 
The show started and what a performance it was, narrated by Sir Derek Jacobi, Samantha Bond and Sanjeev Bhaskar OBE, with performances from Fleur De Bray, Jihonn Kim, Richard Suart, Clive Rowe, Laura Darton, Cat Simmons, Amelia Adams-Pearce, Stephen Aintree to name but a few.

 
After some great performances the Grand Master – His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, processed in, accompanied by the Pro Grand Master – Peter Geoffrey Lowndes, Deputy Grand Master – Jonathan Spence and the Assistant Grand Master – Sir David Wootton, the Grand Chaplin – The Rev. Canon Michael Wilson, expertly Directed in of course by the Grand Director of Ceremonies – Oliver Lodge.

 
A new reconstructed Ark of The Masonic Covenant was also dedicated, as designed by the Architect Sir John Soane.
During the ceremony the Brethren also sung I Vow To Thee My Country, Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah, Jerusalem and The National Anthem.
A superb ceremony was had by all.
We then had transport to take us to The Battersea Evolution, where we had a Champagne Reception and meal which consisted of Lobster Tortellini, spaghetti of vegetables caviar and white wine cream, crisp leeks. Followed by Treacle Roast Fillet of Beef, watercress and horseradish emulsion, glazed carrots, anna potatoes, bone marrow crumble and red wine sauce. Traditional Sherry Trifle for desert with toasted almonds and shortbread biscuits, followed by a Cheese Board.

 
We then caught taxis back to the hotel where the partying carried on into the early hours of the morning.