Category: Uncategorized

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.

Could we ask for your help in raising money for the Movember Charity? To those of you that don’t know Movember is a Charity, which raises money for all Mens Health issues, whether that be Prostate Cancer, Testicular Cancer, Mens Mental Health or any other male related illness.
https://uk.movember.com/?home 
Statistically too many men die at too young an age, because they are too proud to talk about their health issues. Movember has been going for quite a few years now and is all about raising this awareness and raising money for mens health. This is an organisation close to my heart, having had male friends relatives, finding themselves in these situations.
With this in mind I was wondering whether I could ask as many members as possible to sign up to Team Derbyshire Freemasons and get involved in the event. You can Grow a Mo, to save a Bro! If you’re not wanting to grow a mo, you can sign up and pledge to do some exercise every day for the month of November and get sponsored for your troubles. You are able to sponsor on this website as well, if the bank balance permits.
https://moteam.co/team-derbyshire-freemasons
Derbyshire Freemasons have joined in for the past few years and we have raised substantial amounts of money, considering we’ve not had the support of a large team, which I feel shows the generosity of our organisation. It would be great if Team Derbyshire Freemasons, could get higher in the Rankings of the National Sponsorship Table in our Tercentenary year and really show the public what Freemasonry is all about.
If you are able to join the cause by Growing a Mo to save a Bro, or pledging to exercise it would be great to have you as part of the team.
 

Monday Night saw Burlington Lodge Raise one of their members to the Degree of a Master Mason.
The ceremony was carried out by a number of accomplished ritualists, giving those present the chance to witness various people’s work.
A lot of hard work must have gone in to this and on behalf of those present we’d like to thank you for it, as a most enjoyable evening was had by all.

Tuesday Evening was a special evening for Royal Alfred Lodge No 1028, which saw its Worshipful Master Bro James Shaw Initiate his son in exemplary manner.
Carrying out an Initiation as a Master is special in its self, but for the candidate to be your own Son must be an excellent experience.
The Worshipful Masters ritual was faultless and so was that of all other Officers who took part in the ceremony. The brethren of Royal Alfred put on an excellent evening. 
A number of visitors were present, including quite a few Masters in the Chair, who are all part of the ‘Association of Tercentenary Masters’ or the ‘ATM Gang’.
The Festive Board was thoroughly enjoyable too, eating in the new Dining Rooms at Alfreton Masonic Hall.
All in all at great night was had by all who were present.

Friday night saw three Brethren (WM, PM & EA) from Hartington Lodge 1085, visit Harrington Lodge 5098 over at Long Eaton Masonic Hall, for a very short meeting. The Worshipful Master opened, carried out the Business of the Lodge and closed in excellent fashion!
The Lodge then welcomed a number of members of Glittering Star Lodge where they carried out an Exemplification of a First Degree Ceremony Irish Constitution, after Balloting for a joining member.
The Ceremony was both interesting and informative to all who witnessed it. A lot could be learnt from this, in the way they gave a lot of explanations of the ceremony, to the candidate.
An enjoyable evening was had, by all who were present!

Wednesday 4th October saw Hartington Lodge Pass Bro Daniel Illsley to the Second Degree.
The Lodge was supported by the Assistant Provincial Grand Master W. Bro. Ian Copestake, the Provincial Assistant Grand Secretary W. Bro. Martyn Bailey, a number of Grand Lodge Officers, eleven Brethren from Spencer Lodge and visiting Masters.
The Lodge was opened by Bro. Peter Walklate – Worshipful Master of Hartington Lodge 1085 and Brother Illsley was Passed to the Degree of a Fellowcraft, assisted by the IPM W. Bro. Mark Campbell.
Once the Ceremony had concluded, the APGM gave an Account of Bro Geoff’s (who is also a Founding Member of Spencer Lodge) history and 50 years in Freemasonry. Although travelling extensively throughout his career, he has always remained loyal to the Craft. The 50 years Certificate was then read out by the ProvAGS on behalf of the Provincial Grand Master – Arthur Steven Varley.
All in all a great night was had by everyone.

Hartington Lodge 1085, are proud to be being represented at the Tercentenary Celebrations.
We will be travelling to London for the celebrations at The Royal Albert Hall and the Battersea Evolution.
Tickets came yesterday, so we’re all ready to go.

On Monday 18th September 2017, the members of Royal Sussex Lodge, travelled from their usual meeting place at Winshill, to meet at Derby Masonic Hall. For those who were present, the number of Brethren made it clear as to why the move was needed!
It was a great night and the Worshipful Master, lead his Lodge well, even with the added pressure of having the Provincial Grand Master and a Provincial Team, shortly followed by the Deputy Grand Master and his team present.
A lot of work had gone into the evening, not only with the Ritual, but also the research of the Lodge, which had clearly been carried out in some detail. The ceremony was both interesting and entertaining.
The Festive Board was most enjoyable and there was a great atmosphere throughout the evening. It was a great night for Derbyshire Freemasonry and Royal Sussex Lodge in particular.
 

The Deputy Grand Master, Provincial Grand Master and Worshipful Master taking wine with everyone present.
 

The Festive Board starting to fill up.

Well the summer is over and the Masonic season is starting again. On the 5th September eight members of Hartington Lodge, headed North of the Province to watch one of their members Passed to the Second Degree.
Dorothy Vernon Lodge 2129, which meets in the small market town of Bakewell, volunteered their services to Pass Brother Marco Echeverria, on behalf of Hartington Lodge 1085.
The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, thought he would Grace his presence and make this an Official Provincial Visit, accompanied by a team of Provincial Officers.
Dorothy Vernons ceremony was excellent from start to finish, with Brother Marco, demonstrating clear proof of his proficiency and the Ritual from all Officers superb. A unique version of the Tools was presented to Brother Marco, followed by a faultless Presentation of the Second Degree Tracing Board.
Everyone who witnessed the ceremony agreed that the Dorothy Vernon Lodge had done the Hartington Lodge proud and all Members of the Hartington Lodge present are sincerely grateful for the quality of the ceremony given to Brother Marco.
The Festive Board was followed, which proved as entertaining as the ceremony and everyone present thoroughly enjoyed themselves. A raffle was help raising £251 for Charity, topping the previous Dorothy Vernon raffle record by £1, kindly donated by the PGM.

Seven of the Hartington Lodge Members who attended the meeting, including the Worshipful Master of Hartington Lodge and the Worshipful Master of Dorothy Vernon Lodge and not forgetting the evenings Candidate Brother Marco.
 

Just back from Spencer Lodge, where we witnessed a fine Installation Ceremony by W. Bro Lark, who flawlessly Installed his successor W. Bro Fox, in exemplary fashion.
Welcome Bro Fox to the Assocoation of Tercentenary Masters – The ATM Gang!
Hartington Lodge 1085, was represented by the Worshipful Master – Peter Walklate, Immediate Past Master – Mark Campbell, Senior Warden – Craig Whittle and Junior Warden – Stuart Brett.
An enjoyable evening was had by all those who were present.