The other week saw a number of Derbyshire Brethren, head to North Derbyshire to dangle off a bridge, Millers Dale Viaduct in particular. This was all in the name of charity!
Derbyshire are in full on Festival Mode, trying to raise their set target for Charity, all by 2025.
The event was organised by Worshipful Brother Danny Brown and had about ten Freemasons take part and one wife. All watched over by our Provincial Grand Master.
The two members from Hartington Lodge, were Worshipful Brother Craig Whittle and Brother David Johnston.
Last night saw Hartington Lodge Raise Brother David Johnston to the sublime degree of a Master Mason.
The Lodge was well attended with eleven visitors and one Master in the Chair, who is also the current Provincial Senior Grand Warden and the Master of Cornucopia Lodge of Provincial Grand Stewards of Derbyshire Freemasons.
Over thirty Brethren were in attendance, which was Hartington Lodge’s last meeting before the summer break.
It was announced that an emergency meeting will be held in September, to try and get through the current back-log the Lodge has to do.
It was announced that a substantial sum of money be taken from the Lodge Charity Relief Chest, to go towards purchasing a new kit for Repton Casuals Under 11 Football Team.
Last night, Hartington Lodge No 1085 in the Province of Derbyshire, conducted a Raising for Brother Christopher Keresztury. This was carried out on behalf of Wigan Lodge No 2326, at Derbyshire Freemasons Hall.
Unfortunately a number of the members were unable to attend, due to illness, so a number of Officers stepped in to assist.
The Lodge was blessed with seventeen visitors and three Masters in the Chair. A number of Brethren had travelled down from the Province of West Lancashire, to witness the Raising. As Brother Chris is a member of Wigan Lodge, but moved back to Derbyshire.
An enjoyable night was had by all who attended, and there was a great buzz at the Festive Board afterwards. Times are starting to fell a little more normal again.
Last night saw Derbyshire Lodge of Installed Masters, host the 2022 Prestonian Lecture.
This years Lecture is entitled “The Royal Family and Freemasonry” by W. Bro. Dr. J. W. Hawkins PJGD.
The lecture travels through the years of Freemasonry, building links between the members of the Royal Family and the Craft in particular. It’s well worth a listen, if you’re able to go and hear this.
The Lodge has two Prestonian Lecturers, already members so Worshipful Brother Hawkins was in good hands!
On Saturday 12th March, the Worshipful Master and Immediate Past Master, visited the Rudyard Kipling Lodge in Horncastle, Linc’s.
They were treated to a past masters demonstration of an initiation. The Immediate Past Master, had been previously asked if he would deliver the Junior Wardens Charge at the meeting, which he duly did.
The festive board afterwards was also a delight with the usual meeting of new brethren, great food and a wonderful atmosphere. They are both sure they will be going back, only next time the Worshipful Master can drive!
On Tuesday night 9 brethren from Hartington Lodge 1085 attended an emergency meeting of Cornucopia Lodge No 9925. To witness the dedication of the new provincial banner. An event that has not happened since 2002 we believe.
The Provincial team supporting the PGM looked splendid in their regalia as they processed in.
The PGM gave an explanation of the banner, how it came about and it’s symbolism after which the provincial Chaplin gave a reading and prayer.
After the dedication, cornucopia lodge then proceeded to pass our very own Bro. Dane Mullis on behalf of Hartington Lodge. The ceremony was very good and his answers to the necessary questions were exemplary, including an additional question given to him by another W.Bro when asked by the WM if anybody else had one to give!
The following festive board was busy and lively and a good time had by all.
Hartington Lodge has recently donated £300 to the Parent Teacher and Friends Association (PTFA) for the Mease Spencer Academy Primary School in Hilton.
Pictured below Bro Ian Johnson’s son, started at the school in September 2021. Whilst talking to members of the PTFA he learnt how Covid has made it unable for the PTFA to operate and raise funds, in order to provide activities to the children. He wondered if Hartington Lodge could assist.
With opening in 2019 and only taking on one school year at a time, it meant that after the first 6 months of being open, they had to close their doors and were not able to put on any events to raise funds until the 2021/2022 academic year started. Now with three school years and the world returning to normal, the school really wants to push events in order to do more activities for the children and raise money to buy a school stage.
This donation was greatly received by Sarah Irvine (left) PTFA Treasure and Julia Hart (right) headteacher. Wasting no time the school is doing a film screening and providing popcorn and hot chocolate for the children one evening soon to celebrate valentines day.
Back in September unfortunately Hartington Lodge were unable to meet, due to a Provincial Meeting of the Knights Templar.
With this in mind a handful of our members decided to get their Freemasonry fix by attending the Centenary Meeting of Saint Werburga Lodge No 4147.
The members from Hartington Lodge were their Worshipful Master, One of their newest Initiates Eke, is Proposer and his Mentor.
The meeting was a wonderful occasion and very memorable for all who attended, including the Provincial Grand Master of Derbyshire, Steven Varley, who was presented with a signature book of the Lodge which included his family members, who had also been Master of Saint Werburga many years ago.
There were no less than four Provincial Grand Masters in attendance and here they are handing over the Centenary Warrant to the current Master.
Cast your minds back to August, when most of us were sunning ourselves on holiday, the Brethren of Hartington Lodge were busy putting all their summer practice to good use!
After a summer of practice, we were Initiating not one but two Brothers into the wonderful world of Freemasonry.
Both Initiates thoroughly enjoyed the ceremony and the experience and have been regular attendees since.
Yesterday the Magnificent Seven, a team of seven intrepid explorers, ventured over the boarder into the neighbouring Province of Staffordshire. We were greeted by Royalty (in a Masonic sense), which consisted of both Derbyshire and Staffordshire’s Provincial Grand Masters. Staffordshire also had their Deputy Provincial Grand Master – David Thomas present, the brainchild behind this initiative and Derbyshire had their Assistant Provincial Grand Master – Martin Giles, who was willing to get involved with the walking!
The idea behind the walk, was to raise money for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Charities in the name of the Universities Scheme, something Hartington Lodge is very proud to be a part of. The aim is to walk 2021 miles in 2021, in the form of a relay, travelling through all Provinces with a University Scheme Lodge, visiting numerous Freemasons Halls.
The walkers and Support team were all treated to breakfast by Staffordshire and Derbyshire, where we tried oat cakes and breakfast fillings. We’re told they’re a local Staffordshire delicacy. Not bad at all, the tastiest pancakes we’d ever had!! Our PGM, opted for the lighter, healthier option and had a full English instead!
The David Kenneth Williamson cup was presented from Staffordshire Province to Derbyshire.
The walkers set off, full of spirit on their 18 mile stroll! They ventured through glorious sunshine, heavy rain, thunder storms and were even graced by a rainbow!
There were times when we had to dodge tractors and articulated lorries, but this wasn’t a problem due to our diligent support team, warning the traffic of our presence.
After a short while we stepped foot on to hallowed ground and crossed the border into the Province of Derbyshire.
After a while, the walkers started getting thirsty, so a pub was in order! Our first was a sign for the Ostrich, however this was just a farm, with a sick sense of humour, leaving two empty kegs for us to admire!
After a few more miles, we did find a pub, where we all enjoyed a quick pint!
Another mile or so and we stumbled across another watering hole, so thought we’d pop in there for a drink!
After the beers, it was time to start pounding the Mile’s again and get this cup to the heart of Derbyshire Freemasonry.
We arrived back at The Grange Banqueting Suite, at about 18:00, where we were greeted with a cold beer and a tasty curry.
A representative from Daybrook Lodge from our other neighbouring Province of Nottinghamshire, was also there to greet us and take care of the cup, in its next leg of the walk.
In total we walked about 38, 594 steps, which was about 19 miles. A great day was had by all who attended and a sum of money was raised for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Charities and the Derbyshire 2025 Festival.
If anyone feels inclined to sponsor us, then please get in touch.