On Friday, the historical Bulwers Lodge of Cairo changed its chairman, (the Worshipful Master) a ritual we call an "Installation" that takes place at the same time each year

This lodge is different from many, in that the brethren wear Fez's at the festive board and was founded overseas.

Bulwer Lodge of Cairo No 1068 was granted its Warrant on 7th June 1865. According to Grand Lodge records, their first meeting was Monday, 8th February 1865 - some four months earlier, for which no reason is recorded.

On 16th October 1895, a major fire broke out in the Lodge premises, destroying all the records and the Warrant of the Lodge. Most of the nearly-new furniture was also destroyed. It appears to be at this time, with the issue of the Warrant of Confirmation, that the "of Cairo" was inadvertently dropped from the name by the United Grand Lodge of England.

Further records were lost in 1956 when the Brethren were forced to leave Egypt during the Suez crisis. Many members had to flee for their lives. All of the Lodge furniture and most of its records, which were kept at the Temple, were sequestered by the Egyptian government and have, to this day, not been recovered.

Sir Henry Bulwer, later William Henry Lytton Earle Bulwer, Baron Dalling & Bulwer, was born in London on 13th February 1801. Following his education at Harrow and Downing College, Oxford, he joined the British Diplomatic Service. In 1824, he was sent to Morea, the southern most part of the Greek mainland, by the Greek community in London to finance their War of Independence.

In 1849, Bulwer was chosen as Ambassador to Washington, where he concluded the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty. This Treaty, also signed by John Clayton, Secretary of State of the U.S.A., provided a basis for what is now known as the Panama Canal to be built. It set out that neither power should have exclusive control over the canal, nor colonise any part of Central America but both would guarantee the protection and neutrality of the canal.

Want to know why everyone is wearing a fez?
Want to know more about this Historical Provincial Lodge?

This is the lodge's history page, containing more details:

https://www.bulwer1068.org.uk/history 

On Friday, the historical Bulwers Lodge of Cairo changed its chairman, (the Worshipful Master) a ritual we call an "Installation" that takes place at the same time each year

This lodge is different from many, in that the brethren wear Fez's at the festive board and was founded overseas.

Bulwer Lodge of Cairo No 1068 was granted its Warrant on 7th June 1865. According to Grand Lodge records, their first meeting was Monday, 8th February 1865 - some four months earlier, for which no reason is recorded.

On 16th October 1895, a major fire broke out in the Lodge premises, destroying all the records and the Warrant of the Lodge. Most of the nearly-new furniture was also destroyed. It appears to be at this time, with the issue of the Warrant of Confirmation, that the "of Cairo" was inadvertently dropped from the name by the United Grand Lodge of England.

Further records were lost in 1956 when the Brethren were forced to leave Egypt during the Suez crisis. Many members had to flee for their lives. All of the Lodge furniture and most of its records, which were kept at the Temple, were sequestered by the Egyptian government and have, to this day, not been recovered.

Sir Henry Bulwer, later William Henry Lytton Earle Bulwer, Baron Dalling & Bulwer, was born in London on 13th February 1801. Following his education at Harrow and Downing College, Oxford, he joined the British Diplomatic Service. In 1824, he was sent to Morea, the southern most part of the Greek mainland, by the Greek community in London to finance their War of Independence.

In 1849, Bulwer was chosen as Ambassador to Washington, where he concluded the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty. This Treaty, also signed by John Clayton, Secretary of State of the U.S.A., provided a basis for what is now known as the Panama Canal to be built. It set out that neither power should have exclusive control over the canal, nor colonise any part of Central America but both would guarantee the protection and neutrality of the canal.

Want to know why everyone is wearing a fez?
Want to know more about this Historical Provincial Lodge?

This is the lodge's history page, containing more details:

https://www.bulwer1068.org.uk/history 

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

Freemasonry In The Community

Magiovinivm Lodges Charity Steward, W.Bro Mark Dennaford, and their IPM W.Bro Brian Sweet, had great pleasure in presenting a cheque for £2,000 to the Milton Keynes branch of the Motoneuron disease support group.

This is a small charity with an annual budget of around £12,000, so they know this will make a positive impact on the fretwork they do.

Discover Women's Freemasonry

Women Freemasons have been meeting across the country for more than 100 years.

There are two female-only Grand Lodges: The Order of Women Freemasons and HFAF – Freemasonry for Women.
They both follow exactly the same ceremonies and wear the same regalia as male Freemasons, and they often work closely with community and charity projects.

The Order of Women Freemasons is the oldest and largest Masonic organisation for women in this country. It was constituted as the Grand Lodge of the Honourable Order of Ancient Masonry in 1908 and adopted the title 'The Order of Women Freemasons' in 1958. The Order originally included men and women, but in the early 1920s a decision was made to restrict admission to women only, and by 1935 it was an exclusively female organisation.
https://www.owf.org.uk/

Freemasonry for Women, founded in 1913 as The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons, is a Masonic fraternity for women. It has lodges in the UK and overseas, and about 800 members. HFAF is a small but vibrant community of individuals, with members of all ages, backgrounds and religious beliefs.
https://hfaf.org/

Read more here:
https://www.ugle.org.uk/become-freemason/women-freemasons

Happy Australia Day!

Heatherden Lodge sure knows how to have fun at their meetings!
With probably the first raising of an Aussie brother by an Aussie Lodge master this year!
Members and visitors enjoyed an excellent evening. Amongst the high jinx at the festive Board dinner, rather appropriately, an Aussie won the much-contested inaugural running of the “Roo Stakes."
As a Freemason, if you want to join the fun, save the date of March 16th for their much revered St. Patrick’s Day, Irish Night.

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

Looking after our brothers in their time of need

New Urban Lodge 6371 and Emergency Services Lodge 3077 partnered together in order to raise vital funds for the @PTSDResolutionUK. This mental health charity supports our veterans and emergency services personnel.
Lannelli's genuine Italian restaurant in Aylesbury was the venue, and the staff could not have been more helpful. 
What could go wrong when a bunch of friends are entertained by Signor Paulo Frenchini? Suddenly, a gate crasher emerges dressed as a mafia mobster; thankfully, this individual was well known to us all, and after being plied with Chianti, order was once again restored.😂😂
After supper, Bro Ewan spoke about the charity's activities, followed by Bro. Dan who provided a short overview of the therapy offered to those suffering from the psychological symptoms of this form of trauma, many of whom suffer silently. Donations were graciously accepted. If you would like to help this charity, please follow this link: https://ptsdresolution.org/donate.php

If you would like to be part of a Freemasons' lodge that helps local charities in Buckinghamshire, please join us by following this link: https://buckspgl.org/join

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. 

Haggis, Neeps & Tatties !

So the Burns festivities began in Buckinghamshire at Wendover Lodge, with a Passing the Bard of Scotland would have been proud of.

Excellent ritual from W.Bro. Jordan and the whole team followed by a Great festive board, including the talented Ian Knight of Oxford Caledonian Band on the Bagpipes.

The lodge also has meeting planned for March, St Patrick’s Festive Board and April, St George’s Festive Board

“Address to a Haggis” (1787)

Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o the puddin’-race!
Aboon them a’ ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:

Weel are ye worthy o’ a grace
As lang’s my arm.
The groaning trencher there ye fill,
Your hurdies like a distant hill,
Your pin wad help to mend a mill
In time o need,
While thro your pores the dews distil
Like amber bead.
His knife see rustic Labour dight,
An cut you up wi ready slight,
Trenching your gushing entrails bright,

Like onie ditch;
And then, O what a glorious sight,
Warm-reekin, rich!
Then, horn for horn, they stretch an strive:
Deil tak the hindmost, on they drive,
Till a’ their weel-swall’d kytes belyve
Are bent like drums;

The auld Guidman, maist like to rive,
‘Bethankit’ hums.
Is there that owre his French ragout,
Or olio that wad staw a sow,
Or fricassee wad mak her spew
Wi perfect scunner,
Looks down wi sneering, scornfu view
On sic a dinner?

Poor devil! see him owre his trash,
As feckless as a wither’d rash,
His spindle shank a guid whip-lash,
His nieve a nit;

Thro bloody flood or field to dash,
O how unfit!
But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed,
The trembling earth resounds his tread,
Clap in his walie nieve a blade,

He’ll make it whissle;
An legs an arms, an heads will sned,
Like taps o thrissle.
Ye Pow’rs, wha mak mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill o fare,
Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware

That jaups in luggies:
But, if ye wish her gratefu prayer,

Gie her a Haggis

 

News from the provincial touchline

Dagmar Lodge, the specialist rugby lodge, started 2024 with a bang this week.
Bro Alan took his 2nd degree and, in doing so, became a Fellowcraft Freemason.
The XV team, under the leadership of skipper Bro. Martin, expertly completed the ceremony.
The lodge also welcomed two new members, Bro. Jake and Bro. Nick. Both of whom are battle-hardened rugby players and lifelong fans of the game.

With more new visitors keen to join and a new head of the lodge taking over in April, the lodge looks forward to another successful year. Their forward plan also includes several extra meetings for initiations, which are in the pipeline too.
This lodge is going to make 2024 their year! 

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

Three initiations by three masters!

St. Martin's Lodge No. 2812 welcomed three new Entered Apprentice Freemasons into their lodge at their meeting last night. 
Throughout the evening, three separate experienced Freemasons took turns initiating a single candidate each. One observer noted how unusual it was to see each candidate initiated by a different master. "It was a wonderful experience for our three newest members of the province, and the ceremonies were delivered in impeccable fashion."
The brothers of St. Martin's thanked everyone who came to a stunning and vibrant four-course feast.

The lodge already has a plan for the year: another initiation in February with two new joining members, and a very special 60th certificate will be delivered to a well-respected Freemason who was initiated in March 1964 during the March meeting.
This lodge is going to make 2024 their year! 

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

Three charities were supported in one evening!

In the first meeting in 2024, it was a double celebration at the Lodge of St Barnabas No. 948 on Thursday evening. Not only did the lodge raise Bro Catalin to the sublime degree of a Master Mason, but they also presented £500 cheques to three very worthwhile organisations. Seen here receiving them are Bro Terry representing the Prebendal Close Masonic Housing Association, Bro Bob, a member of St Barnabas Lodge who accepted the cheque on behalf of ,where he volunteers; and W.Bro Paul Halfhide, the Buckinghamshire co-ordinator for .
Also pictured were St Barnabas's newly-raised Bro Catalin, on the right by St Barnabas Charity Steward W.Bro Andy, and at the back by W.Bro Chris Soper, who acted as Master for part of the evening's ceremony. An excellent meeting all round, completed by a Festive Board of roast lamb with all the trimmings!

If you would like to be part of this lodge 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

A very special night at Grenville Lodge No

1787 with the Assistant Grand Master of Freemasonry.

It was more than 200 years ago that the first university Lodge – Apollo University Lodge – was founded at Oxford in 1818.
Isaac Newton University Lodge soon followed at Cambridge in 1861 and since then many thousands of young men have been introduced to Freemasonry through these two Lodges.

It was these very foundations that led to the United Grand Lodge of England establishing the Universities Scheme in 2005 and introducing Freemasonry’s important values to a new generation.

There are now 87 Lodges and seven Chapters pursuing a similar, yet distinct, course across England and Wales, where towns and cities have universities. Based at Yeomanry Hall in Buckingham, Grenville Lodge No. 1787 is partnered with Buckingham University as part of the scheme. 

At last night's meeting of Grenville Lodge No. 1787, they welcomed Yaneesh Jingree, a student at Buckingham University into Freemasonry.

During a wonderful ceremony, well executed by the WM, Secretary and the team at Grenville, Yaneesh was initiated in the presence of his father and over 50 other Brethren.

The meeting was supported by the Assistant Grand Master. RW.Bro David Medlock, the Provincial Grand Master RW.Bro. John Clark, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master V.W.Bro Neil Robertson and a number of Provincial Grand Officers.

If you would like to talk to one of our team members about becoming a Freemason, just follow this link and fill out the short form: https://buckspgl.org/join 

New Look Slough Masonic Temple

LET THERE BE LIGHT THEY SAID....

The Provincial Comms team, along with Centre Manager, Gary Brodie have been working on a new lightbox installation for Slough centre.
It was unveiled at the Executive quarterly meeting and got its first official use by the members of Notarius Lodge.

The beautiful lit panel depicts the four cardinal virtues from the Grand Temple at Freemasons Hall in London. I was allowed entry to the Grand Temple in October 2023, to acquire high quality photographs that were used in the final design. The final piece of art was printed by Scott Buckle on flame-resistant material and stretched over an illuminated lightbox.

Slough Masonic Centre Manager Gary Brodie was overseer of the six hour installation process and afterwards said, "This is exactly what I had envisioned for our temple, colour, drama, and spectacle. Project Transform has advanced to the next level."

The unveiling of the lightbox coincided with the launch of the Buckinghamshire Freemasons 2024 Strategy. Which aims to further improve Project Transform by providing a technical support staff as well as properly documented training manuals, implementation plans, and access rights to licenced music.

Keep up-to-date on all of our activities in one convenient location

This QR code will take you to a list of all of our channels. So, whatever social networking site you like, you'll find this a simple way to get there from here. Simply scan the QR code with your phone, or click here: https://t.ly/Rw8Wg

Dr David Staples from UGLE , Interviewed by Sky News



After 300 years, the United Grand Lodge of England is publishing its first Annual Report.This video is of an interview given by Dr David Staples the CEO of U

A Perfect Day for Bucks Freemasons



So, when Freemasons get bored they get musical. Here are members of Vale Lodge from Aylesbury, entertaining themselves, and now their YouTube audience#BucksF

Scenes from the Royal Albert Hall



During the arrival and seating of guests, videos from Charities were shown, demonstrating the diversity of Masonic Charity.

New Year, New You!

Are you looking for a new challenge in 2024?
Do you want to be a part of an organisation that brings people from all walks of life together to benefit the community?
Are you interested in a 300-year-old mystery that is steeped in history?

We have an open evening where you can meet new and experienced Freemasons.
Book your place at this live event in Bletchley and enjoy an evening of conversation and discovery.
Tuesday, January 30th, 2024, from 7:00 p.m. at Bletchley Masonic Centre, MK2 2BZ.

This is a ticket-only event, so please book your places here:
https://buckspgl.org/events/provincial-events/new-year-new-you
 
 

A special Christmas Message from the head of Freemasonry in Buckinghamshire 

2023 has been the busiest year ever in Buckinghamshire with so many new members joining us. In the 12 days of Christmas (12DX) event alone we have welcomed another 60 new members to enjoy the theatrical nature of our ceremonial, social activities, and of course the lifelong friendships that follow.

Now is the time to rest and spend time with your families.

This Christmas will be the second since the passing of my lovely mum. Christmas for our children has always been at Nan's house in Burnham and everything always stopped for the Queen's speech.

Things are very different now and we are learning to accept and embrace the change while still maintaining the wonderful spirit of Christmas as Mum would have wished.

Sarah and I are fortunate to be with our family during the festive period. We will be thinking of you all and although it’s natural for freemasons to look after others, I once again ask you to keep a watchful eye on those living alone or recently bereaved at this time. Please give them a call, invite them over, or just tap on the door, have a chat, or drop a card in the letterbox. Please make sure they are not lonely over this festive period and let the Provincial Almoner know via your lodge Almoner if anyone needs our help.

You and your families are the true spirit of Freemasonry in Buckinghamshire, and I am very proud of the great things you do.

Enjoy this festive time, relax, be merry and come back refreshed for some very exciting times in the new year.

Yours sincerely,

John Clark
Provincial Grand Master for Buckinghamshire

It's a Christmas wrap, guys!

Buckinghamshire's festive initiation project comes to an end, and what a journey!
60 people became Freemasons in Buckinghamshire during 12DX, with six more set to join in January 2024.

Buckinghamshire, as a whole, had an incredible few weeks. "Well, that was probably the greatest experience in my time as a Freemason!" exclaimed John Clark, the head of Freemasonry in Buckinghamshire, during the wrap party yesterday evening. "This evening, guys, it's a free bar, and the drinks are on me!"
Thank you especially to our organisers, Bros. Lloyd, Dan, and Mark. They worked tirelessly to ensure that our freshly minted brothers enjoyed an unforgettable evening with each of their individual lodges.
They are all now placing their cases in the cupboard for the remainder of 2023 and taking a well-earned winter break!

If you would like to talk to one of our team members about becoming a Freemason in 2024, just follow this link and fill out the short form: https://buckspgl.org/join