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On Saturday four of our Members travelled south to go and visit Oxford, but more importantly Apollo 357.

This was one of the Universities Scheme visits – organised by Worshipful Brother Daniel Hayward and also organised as part of the New and Young Masons Clubs.

Hartington 1085 was represented by the Worshipful Master, Immediate Past Master and two of our more junior Brethren (two Stewards).

It started off with a couple of drinks in the Oxford Students Union, then a short walk to the Macdonald Randolph Hotel to watch two Brothers being Raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason.

After the ceremony we were treated to a Champagne reception and a tasty Festive Board.

Following this, it was back to the Students Union for a few more drinks, then off to a couple of clubs in Oxford.

An excellent day was had by all………..same time again next year?

Three members en route.

David and Peter in their way to the Union.

The Randolph Hotel.

IPM, WM and Steward in the Union.

Hartington 1085 and their new friend.

Hartington, before the start of the meeting.

Hartington 1085 at the Champagne reception.

Ready for the start of the Festive Board.

One of the speaches (in French no less).

Hartington 1085 and Apollo 357’s JW.

Hartington WM, 2018 Prestonian Lecturer, IPM, Apollo 357 WM, two Hartington 1085 Stewards and last, but by no means least W. Bro Hayward (the instigator).

David and his new German friend.

David and Peter back in the Union.

Their WM and our IPM

Our IPM in his study.

Last Thursday was the Festival Essentials Event at Pride Park.

The event was aimed at Charity Stewards, Festival Stewards and Worshipful Masters of the Lodge and it was hoped all Lodges in the Province would attend.

The evening started with paying our respect to those who took part in the D Day Landings to mark the 75th Anniversary.

Surhail Alam, of the Masonic Charitable Foundation was in attendance, who gave an informative overview of what the MCF was all about and how it has a huge impact on a lot of people’s lives and ways in which we’re able to raise more money from our donations.

The Provincial Grand Master announced that we have already raised £262,000 towards our target, whilst still donating to local charities.

An enjoyable evening was had by all those in attendance.

Well these last couple of weeks have been busy, considering we’re supposed to be winding down for the summer break.

Last Friday our IPM visited St Werburga Lodge to see his friend Rob Ingram conduct his first – Third Degree.

Rob’s currently in the Chair for his second year and this is the first opportunity his Lodge and the Province have seen him perform. All I can say is, we’ve all been missing out! Do I detect a possible Silver Matchbox contender in the making?!

It was a great ceremony and he did everyone proud. He was also well supported by his fellow ATM.

The ATM gang at St Werburga

Tuesday night saw our IPM visit Tyrian Lodge No 253, for a Raising of Brother A. P. Broadist. The ceremony was carried out by the Worshipful Master Brother Rob Walmsley and an excellent time was had by all.

The IPM wasn’t actually booked in for the Festive Board, as he’d missed the cut-off with the Assistant Secretary. However, he still managed to secure a place at the Festive Board, where he had to respond on behalf of the visitors. Despite being surrounded by a number of Aston Villa fans he still had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. It was also nice seeing the toast to the Worshipful Master given by the Senior Warden, who happens to be his Father.

Back from Hartington Lodge where we Initiated Brother Adam Bestwick.

Brother Adam had been Proposed by W. Bro. Peter Walklate and Seconded by Bro. David Jennings.

Harrington Lodge was graced by numerous visitors and a number of visiting Masters all of whom had an enjoyable evening…….we believe.

A great night for Derbyshire Freemasonry in general, and Hartington Lodge in particular.

Worshipful Brother John Rooks tickling the ivories!

A number of Hartington Lodge members and officers.

(L-R) Brother David Jennings (Seconder),

Brother Adam Bestwick (Initiate),

Worshipful Brother Peter Walklate (Proposer),

Worshipful Brother Craig Whittle (Worshipful Master)

A few from the Festive Board

Hartington Lodge’s IPM made a visit to Trisantona Lodge 3962 to hear a talk by a good friend of his – W. Bro. M. Maxted.

The talk was entitled – “What every EA should know – but is seldom told”

This was based on a Lecture from a Canadian Mason from around 1995 (if my memory serves me correctly – it seldom does). W. Bro. Maxted re-wrote the talk as a lot of it was relevant for UGLE.

There were a number of younger Masons present who had come to hear the talk and an enjoyable evening was had by all.

Thanks must also go to W. Bro. D. Osborne for his hospitality and the members of Trisantona for theirs.

Saturday saw the Annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Derbyshire. Freemasons from all over the country gathered together to see a number of Brethren be given Provincial Appointments and also the launch of the 2025 Derbyshire Festival.

This was also an opportunity to purchase the new Derbyshire Festival Tie.

A target has been set by the Provincial Grand Master to raise £1.5 million for the Masonic Charitable Foundation and it was a great surprise to find out that we’ve already raised over £150,000.

The new tie is being modelled by three of the Province who were selling it on the morning.

Our Senior Warden, Worshipful Master and Immediate Past Master, all wearing their new ties.

The temple starting to fill up before the proceedings started.

As can be seen from the photos, it was a packed temple and an enjoyable time was had by all those who attended.

The after proceedings concluded with the Festive Board and a couple of sociable drinks in the bar!

Wednesday 3rd April was a great night for Derbyshire Freemasonry in general, but Hartington Lodge in particular.

The evening started off with a successful ballot, for a new Initiate. His Proposer and Seconder can be seen below. He will be Initiated into Hartington Lodge on Wednesday 1st May, if anyone’s interested?

Next we welcomed our newest joining member Brother Adam, from Duchess of Portland Lodge in our neighbouring Province of Nottinghamshire. He can be seen below with his Proposer and our Worshipful Master.

The evening concluded with the Raising of Brother Ian Johnson, carried out in an exemplary manner, by our Worshipful Master and a delegation of Past Masters. He can be seen below being congratulated by the Worshipful Master.

The final part of the evening was a tasty Festive Board, where we had pie. Our Worshipful Master likes his pie!

A great night for Derbyshire a Freemasonry in general.

Wednesday 27th March was a great night for Derbyshire Freemasonry, but for Derbyshire Lodge of Installed Masters in particular.

As always the meetings are very short, as the main purpose of the evening is to receive a talk.

March was no exception and we received a talk from W. Bro. A. R. Baker, entitled “What makes Bristol so special”. W. Bro. Baker is an esteemed Mason, being a Past Master of Quatuor Coronati Lodge, so he’s all too familiar with presenting Lectures and very interesting it was too.

The Lodge was well supported, but unfortunately the Worshipful Master wasn’t able to attend, having had an operation on his foot.

Present were a number of the Association of Tercentenary Masters (shown below). One of which being our Immediate Past Master. They are pictured with W. Bro. Baker (centre).

The last Regular meeting of Hartington Lodge, saw an informative talk on “The Sword” by Worshipful Brother Steve Fraser-Burton, an ex-Officer of The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment.

The talk was very interesting and captured the attention of all those present and also proved quite an emotional evening, with the odd heart warming story.

Three joining members were also balloted for successfully, one of whom was present and admitted that evening.

The meeting concluded with a Proposal for a Candidate and a tasty Festive Board.

All in all it was a great evening.