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On Saturday, Peter Walklate, our Universities Scheme Representative attended the Universities Scheme Conference at Christleton (Cheshire View).

It was a very informative and enjoyable day with approximately 180 Masons present, all with a common interest – the Universities Scheme.

There were a number of Grand Lodge Officers, including David Kenneth Williamson, Sir David Hugh Wootton, Julian Soper, Andy Green, all of whom have a lot to do with the Universities Scheme and Freemasonry in general.

Our IPM had an in-depth conversation with David Roberts-Jones, the Assistant Grand Chancellor, who was keen to hear how Hartington Lodge No 1085, was getting on with the scheme. He seemed to think we were doing a good job and seemed impressed with how we were recruiting and getting along.

He also had the opportunity to speak with David Thomas, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Staffordshire and Nick Thomas the East Midlands Regional Co-ordinator for the scheme.

There were numerous different seminars throughout the day, and it was difficult trying to decide which ones to attend. All the seminars that were attended, were very well received and very thought provoking.

Both of the Ladies Freemasonry Organisations were also represented this year. The Order of Women Freemasons and The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons. The reason being, they too have a lot to do with the Universities Scheme and often attend with the male organisations at the Freshers Fairs.

The Province of Cheshire should be very proud of their venue and all attendees were looked after extremely well.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable day and very interesting.

Last Sunday was Remembrance Sunday and as always Derbyshire Freemasonry was represented well at Repton – The Historic Capital of Mercia.

Approximately twenty one Freemasons were present, from various Lodges all over the Province of Derbyshire.

We all met at The Royal British Legion with a number of other Uniformed Organisations and marched down to St Wystan’s Church.

The service was informative and enjoyable, even though we were all there to Remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

We then laid our wreaths and Marched back to the Legion for refreshments.

Last night Hartington Lodge No 1085, Passed Brother Adam Bestwick, to the Degree of a Fellowcraft.

We were short on Members, so a lot of people had to step into Office at the last minute, which put a lot of pressure on those involved with the Ceremony.

Never the less, Brother Bestwick had an enjoyable night and was an excellent candidate.

Province was represented by Stephen Jones, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master for the Province of Derbyshire.

The Porchway Club was represented by Brother Gareth Collins, the club Chairman, who was also in possession of the long awaited club ties.

(Left to Right) Brother Jennings, Brother Bestwick and Worshipful Brother Walklate. The Candidates Seconder and Proposer.

Our Worshipful Master Brother Whittle, having one of his moments.

(Left to Right) Brother Collins, Worshipful Brother Walklate and Brother Brett – modelling the new Porchway Club Ties.

On Friday evening after we’d had the Provincial Shoot, many of the participants headed to The Grange Banqueting Suite, for the St Werburga Lodge Installation.

Here we saw Robert Ingram Install the Senior Warden, Alan Draper as the Master of the Lodge for the next two years.

Although Alan is a Past Master and has already been through the Chair, he confirmed it was still a very emotional night for him having three of his School friends present. One of these being our very own Alan Cudworth.

Alan Cudworth, Craig Whittle and Peter Walklate were all present at this very enjoyable and well attended meeting.

A super night was had by all.

Friday saw 37 Freemasons from the Provinces of Derbyshire and Hertfordshire brave the weather for their Annual Clay Pigeon Shooting Competition.

This year it was held in the Province of Derbyshire at Lowes Lane Clay Shooting Ground.

The morning started with breakfast and drinks and then various groups went off to shoot a 50 bird Sporting lay-out.

Derbyshires Provincial Grand Master was present along with Hertfordshire’s Deputy Provincial Grand Master.

The highest ten scores for each Province were added together to give a combined Provincial total.

Derby scored a total of 349, whilst Hertfordshire scored a total of 339. So it was quite a closely shot match in the end.

Two of Hartington’s members scored were counted as part of the top ten and a very enjoyable day was had by all.

On Wednesday evening the members of Hartington Lodge No 1085, returned back after their summer recess.

The highlight of the evening was Brother Marc Patrick Anthony’s Initiation, which went considerably well, considering our Worshipful Master and his team had had two months off!

The Working Tools were delivered excellently by the Initiates Brother-In-Law, Brother Marco Echeverria.

The Ceremony concluded with a Proposition from Brother Gareth Collins and Peter Walklate for another new member.

There was a great atmosphere at the Festive Board and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.

On Monday our IPM attended the Freshers Fair at the University of Derby.

He was joined by some ladies from the Order of Woman’s Freemasonry.

Everyone had an enjoyable day promoting our wonderful organisations.

There was a lot of interest for both organisations from not only students, but also the staff.

On the second day our Worshipful Master also attended and we had a surprise visit from another of our members and the Assistant Provincial Grand Master – Stephen Jones.

Again the day was enjoyed by those who attended and we had a number of interesting discussions.

People have been working on an exciting project that aims to raise significant funds (potentially £25,000) for The Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF).

In direct partnership with Tag Heuer the quality Swiss watch manufacturer, they have developed an exclusive, totally bespoke watch for those involved in Freemasonry. The aim was to produce a watch that was unique to Freemasonry, discretely designed, and personalised on an individual basis for each owner.

The attached poster provides details of the ‘Faith, Hope and Charity’ watch that is now available for a limited period for customers to register their interest and order. Once the ordering window has closed, the watch will be manufactured on an individual basis directly by Tag Heuer at their factory in Switzerland.

A video of the watch is available via the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3a7Mt1bHNU

They believe that this is the first time that a quality watch maker of the calibre of Tag Heuer has commissioned and put their name to a project of this type for Freemasonry.

You may have already seen an advert in the latest edition of the FMT (Freemasonry Today) magazine.

During the Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline leaving party Hartington lodge 1085 were pleased to present a cheque for 1200 pounds.

This will go a long way towards allowing the Derby and Burton Link to host another set of children in 2020.

The cheque was presented by David Greenway the Lodges Charity Steward.

The children and members of the link gave a big thank you to all the members of the lodge for their fundraising efforts.

Last Wednesday was Hartington Lodge 1085’s last meeting before we broke up for the summer.

We were graced with ten visitors, who as always were made to feel most welcome, one of whom was Worshipful Brother Tony Harvey PAGDC, who had come to deliver his talk “Is the Belief in a Supreme Being Really Necessary”. Although the talk has only just been written by Tony, as always it proved both informative and thought provoking. The talk concluded with quite an interesting questions and answer session, which Tony seemed to have been looking forward to.

The Festive Board was quite a social affair with a number of Brethren drinking until quite late on.

It was a great evening, great end to the year and a great night for Derbyshire Freemasonry.

See you all in October.