In Freemasonry, the leader of most regions (AKA county, province, district, or overseas territory) is called the Provincial Grand Master (PGM). In Bucks, we know that person as simply John. He is a grafter and leads by example, acting as an inspiration to us all.
For example, in a recent seven day period, John did the following:
Friday: Meeting with Exec in the morning, setting up the lodge room for Marcellians Lodge meeting in the evening.
Saturday: Rehearsal for Saxon Lodge in the morning, Lunchtime planning meeting with Provincial Team and then Bourne End Ladies Night in the evening.
Sunday: Temple Manor Ladies Lunch and then kitchen table rehearsal with Sarah, his wife. Project planning meeting for BIG 1-2-3 in the evening.
Monday: Call with the Exec team in the morning. Delivered an entire double 1st degree initiation ceremony in the evening at Magiovinivm Lodge. LOI in the car journey home for the next day's ceremony.
Tuesday: Delivered an entire double third degree ceremony, with a surprise in-field promotion for Saxon Daylight Lodge. LOI in the car journey home for the next day's ceremony.
Wednesday: UGLE steering group meetings in the morning. Delivered the inner workings for the Eric Deung Daylight Lodge installation. Plus, surprise in-field promotion.
Thursday: Call with Communications team. Provincial admin. Project planning meeting for BIG 1-2-3.

John has promised Sarah, his wife, that after many years of learning, rehearsing, and delivering ceremonies, he will stop doing them this year. This is fair enough, as last year alone he performed nearly 90 entire ceremonies, including 3rd degrees to launch Project Transform and over thirty complete 1st degrees in one week alone for the Pretty Big initiative!

He is not ready to park his blue book quite yet, though, a few days after his epic week, he flawlessly delivered an entire 3rd degree ceremony for Bro. Ant at St. George's Lodge in Wolverton. This meeting also acted as the launch of Project Transform in that meeting centre and was quite a sight to see.
Well done John, for all your hard work. We look forward to seeing you deliver your final pièce de résistance at the BIG 1-2-3 event in London on June 29th.

If you would like to be part of a Freemasons' lodge in Buckinghamshire, please use this link to express your interest: https://buckspgl.org/join

Founded in 1963, the Mursley Sports Association is a registered charity with the number 300307 that offers a variety of sports and activities to people of all ages in Mursley and surrounding areas. This includes children, adults, and those with special needs.
The goal is to foster a sense of community among the villages after COVID-19 and to stimulate physical and mental activity in the new region, which will be particularly helpful for the elderly and more isolated residents who will have easier access to exercise facilities.
A multi-user activities area, two youth football fields, and a full-size, award-winning football pitch are all part of the amenities. A communal space, a Village Coronation Sports Day and Dinner, a yearly fireworks show, and Christmas carols are all provided by the facilities, which also serve three nearby schools.

The Buckinghamshire Masonic Centenary Fund has made a generous donation of £1,225 to cover the necessary operating costs for the upkeep of all areas and equipment.

Look out each week for informative community service and charity news from the Hall Stone of Buckinghamshire.
You can find out more about the Buckinghamshire Masonic Centenary Fund here: https://buckspgl.org/BMCF

Last week, Bro. Chris was installed as the head of Haddenham Lodge for the first time by his school & cadet friend of 35 years, Bro. Lee. Bro. It was a very special evening for these good friends, that saw Bro. Bill oversee the first part of the ceremony before turning it over to Lee for the main event.

Bro. Lee proposed, and Bro. Richard seconded Chris' entry into Haddenham Lodge in May 2016, which made the ceremony special for Chris.

APGM Matt Perkins delivered a flawless address to the master and a fantastic toast at the meal after the meeting. Lee then presented Chris with a miniature set of working tools with a brass plaque marking the date.

If you would like to be part of a Freemasons' lodge in Buckinghamshire, please use this link to express your interest: https://buckspgl.org/join

On Tuesday evening, Verney Lodge 8849 welcomed their latest member, Bro. Tommy.
It was an interesting meeting for several reasons.
First off, it was a Past Masters evening, which means that Freemasons who have previously served as lodge heads took the place of the regular officers for the evening. Its a great chance for experienced people to demonstrate their skills in the ceremony, and it's also a night off for regular officers.
Secondly, immediately after the meeting closed, with over a dozen new visitors to Yeomanry Hall, Bro. Grae gave a short talk on the history of Buckingham Freemasonry, the Bucks Hussars, and their connections with the Yeomanry Hall. This lodge is blessed with such a historic and beautiful meeting place. Verney Lodge is one of four Buckinghamshire lodges named after a former Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro. Sir Ralph Verney. His regalia is on display in the main room, his personal standard hangs from the wall, and his family bible is used in every single meeting. 
Finally, at the dinner, after the meeting, the lodge congratulated their honorary member, Tyler Bro. Terry, on his recent birthday, 88 years young!
Verney Lodge 8849 is a thriving lodge; they have welcomed twenty new people into Freemasonry in recent years, but most importantly, they are a very happy lodge. 

If you would like to be part of a Freemasons' lodge in Buckinghamshire, please use this link to express your interest: https://buckspgl.org/join

Last night in Beaconsfield, Bro. Darren, started his year as head of the lodge. This is called an installation meeting and is an important milestone for every lodge of Freemasons. After appointing and investing his team of officers, he went on to announce the Lodges' commitment to two tremendous provincial events in 2024.
Firstly, the lodge will be bringing several people to the next 'Discover Freemasonry' event in Slough. Bro. Darren said, "It will be a great chance for them to meet some newer Freemasons and learn about what we do." Link here for anyone who would like to attend: https://buckspgl.org/events/provincial-events/discover-slough-2024
Secondly, Windsor End Lodge will be attending the BIG 1-2-3 event in Freemasons' Hall. The lodge is looking forward to bringing new people into Freemasonry at this epic event. Check out the teaser video here: https://youtu.be/PjRL8kjNKeA
If you would like to be part of a Freemasons' lodge in Buckinghamshire, please use this link to express your interest: https://buckspgl.org/join

Saturday saw the 250th anniversary of the formation of the Province of Buckinghamshire. Formerly ot was part of a larger Province including Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Winslowshire.
To celebrate this milestone, the Bucks Masons celebrated in style with a spectacular ceremony at the MK Dons Stadium of LED Light. Over 3.950 Freemasons from around the world travelled to see John Clark, Head of Buckinghamshire Freemasonry, ceremoniously kick off the meeting from the centre spot of the pitch. It was a record-breaking meeting, with the world's largest gathering of Buckinghamshire Freemasons in one place.
It seemed appropriate that it was also announced that the Province will have a new football-themed Lodge. Hall Stone United Lodge FC (Fellow Crafts). This new lodge will be peripatetic, will hold all of its meetings on indoor football pitches around the UK, all officers will wear referee and linesman uniforms, and the Head of the Lodge (WM) will be paid for his role from ticket sales generated at each meeting. It will also be founding a Women's Freemasonry equivalent lodge!
After the meeting attendees dined on Ginster pies, chips and gravy.

All in all, it was an unbelievable day for the Buckinghamshire Freemasons.

Onwards and upwards brethren!

Youth Concern, a Registered Charity Number 1175680, has been supporting young people for over 44 years and now has a drop-in centre at the Uptown Coffee Bar on Whitehill Lane in Aylesbury to help vulnerable young people from 13 to 25 years old, specialising in those with additional challenges, who are financially vulnerable to receiving support from health, mental health, or social care services, or who are affected by domestic or sexual violence or abuse. 
The drop-in centre provides a warm welcome to over 700 people a year with a range of services, including table tennis and pool tables, a music studio, free Wi-Fi and access to laptops, and advice on sexual health and substance misuse, education, training, employment, and counselling. The charity provides counselling for 55 young people at a time, has been praised for it’s “gold standard” of service, and also runs two homelessness prevention projects.
The Bucks Masonic Centenary Fund has donated £4864.00 to purchase art & craft materials, fitness equipment, games, and a music studio.

Look out each week for informative community service and charity news from the Hall Stone of Buckinghamshire.
You can find out more about the Buckinghamshire Masonic Centenary Fund here: https://buckspgl.org/BMCF

In the Hallstone Province of Buckinghamshire there are always great meetings, but this one was something else!
Not sure you can beat watching (now) W Bro Leo Kyte going into the chair, done so brilliantly by both the Installing Master Grae Laws and our PGM.

Leo is one of the most beloved characters in Buckinghamshire Freemasonry (and beyond), and his humour and charm really showed throughout the entire meeting. At the spritely age of 89, and exactly 55 years to the day that he was initiated, Leo finally made it!
He is now head of Eric Deung Lodge of History and Research. Created as a lodge on enlightenment, and named after a Past Provincial Grand Master, the lodge symbolically meets on the Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice and Autumn Equinox.

It was an action packed agenda at this Spring Equinox Installation; there was a 50 year certificate presented to David Tremain, a surprise promotion for Leo given by the Past Senior Grand Warden, AND a birthday celebration for Norman Hyde, reaching 98 years of young age on the day!

To finish all that off by raising £1,000 for Leo's charity of choice, a prostate cancer support group in Aylesbury, that supported him through his previous health issues.

They say Masonry is universal, I say that today showed it really is. Combining over 110 different masons into one room, all with different reasons of why they love Leo, but all singing the same chant throughout the day.

Leo!
Leo!!
Leo!!!

Well done to the likes of James Blackhurst and Ewan Forrest Gordon for the work they put into today (so many others too I'm sure) as well as the long line of APOs, members, and visitors that took the time out of their day for a special person.

Have you ever though about becoming a Freemason? If you would like to be part of a global community that has its roots firmly in the ground in Buckinghamshire, you can join us by following this link: https://buckspgl.org/joinAfter filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch.
 

SIR ALF RAMSEY

Known as "the man to whom English football owes its finest achievement", Sir Alf Ramsey led England to victory in the famous 1966 World Cup.

Born on 22 January 1920, as manager of England from 1963 to 1974, Ramsey guided the team to victory in the famous 1966 World Cup, as they beat West Germany 4-2 in the final. He was knighted for his services to football in 1967.

He was initiated into Waltham Abbey Lodge No. 2750 in Essex in 1953, just before he retired as a player.

If you would like to be part of a global community that has has hand and still has so many famous members, that has its roots firmly in the ground in Buckinghamshire, please join us by following this link: https://buckspgl.org/join
After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch. 

The Lodge was consecrated on the 23rd October 1876 at the Cock Hotel in Stony Stratford.
It was named after the important road, built by thr Romans, and a main highway for over 2000 years.
The historical minutes from this meeting, along with other records, are preserved in the Library at the Stony Stratford Masonic Centre, except for one missing minute book covering the years 1905 to 1917. A notable entry in the December 1890 minutes references the production of a lodge banner, with no further details until April 1927, when the Lodge crest first appeared on the Lodge Summons. This suggests the banner was dedicated sometime between the missing years.

The banner's upper portion features a bible, the square and compasses; symbols with clear Masonic significance. The left-hand side, adorned with three castles and a chevron overlaid with the compasses, mirrors the Crest of The United Grand Lodge of England and the Provincial Grand Lodge of Buckinghamshire. In heraldry, a tower signifies Safety and Grandeur, while a chevron represents Protection, Harmony, and Compassion. The right-hand side showcases the Buckinghamshire Swan, a motif common to several Lodge Banners within Buckinghamshire, reflecting the heraldry of the ancient families associated with the region's nobility.

In an interesting twist of history, the Lodge requested a dispensation in 1976 to move their November meeting to the 23rd October, the date of their consecration. However, Grand Lodge initially responded with confusion, stating no record of Watling Street Lodge's consecration existed. It was only after presenting the historical minutes that a centenary warrant was issued. This incident underscores the importance of preserving Lodge records and highlights the unique history and challenges faced by Watling Street Lodge. The design of the Lodge banner, while not explicitly recorded, is speculated to represent a blend of the fundamental Masonic symbols with the emblems of the United Grand Lodge of England and Buckinghamshire's county, illustrating the Lodge's deep-rooted connections and traditions.

If you would like to be part of a Freemasons' lodge like this and a global community that has its roots firmly in the ground in Buckinghamshire, please join us by following this link: https://buckspgl.org/join

Wendover Dementia Support (charity No: 1182184) was set up in 2019 and appears as the Monday Café with a range of activities and live music and provides a space where those, including Dementia, can attend and be supported. The volunteers provide a support service and companionship to those diagnosed with dementia and their carers and families. They are a team of volunteers that bring together different knowledge, skills, and experiences. This team includes two retired GPs, a palliative care nurse and bereavement specialist, a frailty care coordinator, and a dementia champion who is experienced in dementia care. 
A donation of £2,738, from the Buckinghamshire Masonic Centenary Fund, has been used to purchase speakers, projectors and a screen for training and family sessions, plus music boxes preloaded with their own choice of music, which are offered to all.

Look out each week for informative community service and charity news from the Hall Stone of Buckinghamshire.
You can find out more about the Buckinghamshire Masonic Centenary Fund here: https://buckspgl.org/BMCF

Buckinghamshire has 117 lodges that meet at 16 Centres across the county throughout the year.

This is the diary for the coming month.

If there is a location & day that suits your home and work life and you are interested in finding out more, please reach out to our membership team who will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

If you would like to be part of freemasonry and a global community, that has its roots firmly in the ground in Buckinghamshire, please join us by following this link: https://buckspgl.org/join
After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch. 

Last week, RWBro Willie Shackle CBE received his 60 year Long Service Award from the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Neil Robertson.

Willie is the past Grand Secretary as well as being past president of two of the former charities. He is also an active Sussex and London mason and brethren from both those places were in attendance as a surprise to him, including three of the APGMs of Sussex. 

Not one to rest on his laurels, Willie then acted as a deacon for an excellent double raising for Rob and Toby, with the masters work being done by the WM, RWBro Anthony Howlett-Bolton ProvGM of (Berkshire Freemasons).

A fabulous and fun festive board followed and a great meeting was had by all. 

Old Wycombiensian Lodge No. 6754, one of the Provinces "Special Interest Lodges", is the lodge for former pupils, staff, governors and fathers of the Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe.

If you would like to be part of a global community, that has its roots firmly in the ground in Buckinghamshire, please join us by following this link: https://buckspgl.org/join
After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch. 

The Lodge was consecrated on July 1, 1874, at the Town Hall in High Wycombe, emerging as a daughter lodge of Windsor Castle Lodge No. 771. At its inception, Wycombe Lodge was part of the then-combined Province of Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, making it the first Lodge to be established in South Buckinghamshire. The consecration and installation ceremonies were led by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Berks and Bucks, the Rev., and VW Bro. J. Studholme Brownrigg.

The banner of Wycombe Lodge prominently features the 'Buckinghamshire Swan' at its core, symbolising its affiliation with Buckinghamshire within the combined province. Acacia and possibly beech sprigs surround the square and compasses in the center of this emblem. The acacia represents Masonic symbolism, traditionally marking the grave's head of the esteemed Grand Master H.A., guiding the Craft's Fellows to discover the burial site of the three infamous ruffians. The beech, on the other hand, is noted for its use in crafting gavels. The banner's light blue background is a common choice in Masonic banners, signifying loyalty and truth. Above the swan motif, the Lodge’s name and number are elegantly displayed in a scroll pattern, with the entire banner framed by a delicate blue and gold fringe, reflecting the Lodge's distinguished status and heritage.

If you would like to be part of a Freemasons' lodge like this and a global community that has its roots firmly in the ground in Buckinghamshire, please join us by following this link: https://buckspgl.org/join

Tuesday night this week saw an initiation involving several family members.

Bro Jesse Wells jnr and Bro Zafar Shah were both initiated into Concordia Lodge (2492). Both Bros were treated to a thoroughly enjoyable ceremony, which brought out all that is good about Freemasonry.

The ceremony started with Concordia welcoming W. Bro Jesse Wells snr of Wendover Lodge (9616) into the Chair of King Solomon so that he could deliver his son’s obligation. After which, Concordia’s Secretary W. Bro Ken Workman took the chair and Bro Zafar was obligated. The ceremony then resumed for both Bros, with W. Bro Ken assisted by an excellent delivery of the North East Corner by Bro Dumitru Marocico, Concordia’s current Inner Guard.

One of the initiates, Jesse Wells jnr, then had other family members conduct work for both candidates, his brothers;  Bro Albert Wells delivering the working tools and Bro. John Wells presenting the charge, both of which had only joined Freemasonry late in 2023.

A ‘lively’ festive board followed which underlined the great camaraderie amongst the members of Concordia and their guests and highlighted how this Lodge should be a certain stop on any ‘visitors’ must attend list! 

If you would like to be part of a global community, that has its roots firmly in the ground in Buckinghamshire, please join us by following this link: https://buckspgl.org/join
After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch. 

Mark Twain

Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as the author Mark Twain, was an American writer and humourist. Today he is readily associated with The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Prince and the Pauper, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, among his many others works. Twain was born on November 30, 1835 in Florida, Missouri. He became an apprentice to a printer at age 12, and shortly thereafter became a Mississippi River pilot - the experience that sparked Twain’s interest in joining Freemasonry.

Mark Twain presented his petition to Polar Star Lodge No. 79 of Saint Louis on December 26, 1860. Polar Star Lodge No. 79 was primarily made up of River Pilots at this time, giving us a hint as to why Mark Twain might have been inspired to join the Craft in the first place.

In a twist of events shortly after Twain had been raised as a Master Mason, he left for the Nevada Territory to work as the private secretary to his brother Orion, who was secretary of the Nevada Territory and was subsequently suspended from his home lodge. Twain’s fraternal activity was put on hold for the most part, and there is not a lot of evidence of Lodge visits or conversations about his Masonic practices during this time. Once Twain returned to “the States” however, his Masonic interests expanded.

In April of 21, Mark Twain petitioned for readmission to his home Lodge and was reinstated.

The beloved novelist soon became a busy man; writing, tours, and the beginnings of fame kept him away from Saint Louis for long periods of time. On one of his first trips exploring Europe and the Near East, Twain is said to have been greatly impressed by Lebanon and its connection to Freemasonry. He ended up retrieving a piece of cedar and had it made into a gavel to send back to the Worshipful Master of his mother Lodge.

According to The Masonic Dictionary, “The Cedars of Lebanon are frequently referred to in the legends of Freemasonry, especially in the advanced Degrees; not, however, on account of any symbolical signification, but rather because of the use made of them by Solomon and Zerubbabel in the construction of their respective Temples.”

Phoenixmasonry.org reports that Twain “sent his lodge a gavel with this note: ‘This mallet is a cedar, cut in the forest of Lebanon, whence Solomon obtained the timbers for the Temple.’
Clemens cut the handle himself from a cedar just outside the walls of Jerusalem. He had it made in Alexandria, Egypt…”
---
Taken from: “Mark Twain and Freemasonry”, by Alexander E. Jones. Source: American Literature, Vol. 26, No. 3 (Nov., 1954), pp. 363-373. Published by: Duke University Press.

If you would like to be part of a global community, that has its roots firmly in the ground in Buckinghamshire, please join us by following this link: https://buckspgl.org/join
After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch. 

Peter and St. Pauls' Lodge, No 1410. The Clergyman's Lodge.

The Lodge was consecrated in 1872 at the Anchor Hotel, Newport Pagnell, drawing its name from the local Parish Church. The founding members, friends and family of W Bro The Rev John Studholme Brownrigg, who took on the roles of Primus Master and Secretary, included four clergymen, three of whom served as Worshipful Master (WM) within the first four years.
After relocating six times for various reasons, it has found a permanent home at the Swan Revived hotel in Newport Pagnell.

The Lodge’s banner features the crossed keys of St. Peter on a lozenge, situated between two great pillars, symbolizing the Lodge's connection to its namesake saints. The banner includes several elements: the Lodge name and number in gilt lettering on a red background with gold edging, the all-seeing eye with irradiation, the date of consecration on a pale blue banner with gold edging, and the square and compasses open in the 3rd degree. The chequered pavement, heavy maul, level, plumb rule, and additional square and compasses are also depicted, indicating the Masonic virtues of balance, fairness, and integrity. These symbols are set against a royal blue background, bordered by blue and gold tassels, with cords and tassels in matching colours framing the sides.

If you would like to be part of a Freemasons' lodge like this and a global community that has its roots firmly in the ground in Buckinghamshire, please join us by following this link: https://buckspgl.org/join

Discover Freemasonry and Discover Yourself.

You could be part of an organisation that brings people from all walks of life together to benefit the community. Discover a 300-year-old mystery that’s steeped in history. 

Book your place at our live event in Slough and enjoy an evening of conversation and discovery. 
Tuesday 30th April 2024, from 7:00pm.
Slough Masonic Centre, SL1 2PX

https://buckspgl.org/events/provincial-events/discover-slough-2024

St Martins Lodge had a spectacle of a meeting on the 4th of March 2024. 
On one side, an initiation for newly made brother, Bro Lee Jones, who is their fourth person to join in 2024 alone! He was taken around with grace, and in front of over 60 masons. 

But the night was not just his, with W Bro Michael Ramsbotham celebrating not only 60 years in Freemasonry, but also his 89th Birthday the same day! 

The DPGM VW Bro Neil Robertson was on hand to carry out the presentation of the long service certificate and they were able to give him letters from the Lodges he is an honorary member of, this from being an active provincial officer and part of the consecration team, as well as the two other Lodges he had been Master of, as well as a number of gifts and a new Masters Collar, plated and engraved with the names of all 124 previous Masters, in honour of Michael.

The Festive board had more surprises for him and the newly made brother and we had an amazing evening, raising a nice sum for the Young Carers Charity, of Michael's choosing, through the raffle.

With two more initiates in the pipeline, hopefully for Big123, the lodge is excited for what the rest of this year will bring.

If you would like to be part of a global community, that has its roots firmly in the ground in Buckinghamshire, please join us by following this link: https://buckspgl.org/join
After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch. 

Last week Wineslai Lodge no. 2435 held a meeting for the rededication of their lodge banner.  Founded in 1892, with consecration taking place at the neighbouring Bell Hotel, the lodge still has ties to the establishment for lodge meals, ladies events and social activities. 

Their original banner, which can be seen behind a glass screen, was presented  in 1918 and late dedicated in 1919 by a member of the Burmese Royal household - Crowned Prince Sau On Kya, who had recently been initiated into the lodge.  He was the ruler of the Hsipaw State in Shan Burma (modern day Myanmar) from 1928 to 1938.

Those in attendance were given a fascinating talk about the history of the lodge, its association with the Hall Stone Jewel and formation from sponsor lodge, Grenville Lodge 1797.

The evening saw 100 people dining at the Bell afterwards. 

If you would like to be part of a Freemasons' lodge like this and a global community that has its roots firmly in the ground in Buckinghamshire, please join us by following this link: https://buckspgl.org/join?