On Sunday 15th October, “The Stephens Walk” took place in Hambleden to mark the One Year Anniversary of Stephens Lodge - the Provincial Walking Lodge

An enjoyable Sunday morning of incredible views and landmarks such as Culham Court on the Thames path, followed by a lovely lunch in the Stag and Huntsman.

The lodge would like to take the time to thank every person who has come along to support the lodge and it’s special interest by laughing, eating and rambling with us for an entire year.
Here’s to another 🍻

The next walk will be on Sunday 19th November and will be another scenic tour around Frieth, with a *free* bacon roll and drinks at the end.

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to get involved!!

If you would like to start your journey into Freemasonry please join us by following this link: https://mtr.cool/netqlfupsu

After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch.

The Hall Stone Province Celebrates in Style!

On Saturday 7th October 2023, the annual meeting of Buckinghamshire Freemasons was held in Freemasons’ Hall in London.

The meeting was attended by 650 members, their wives, partners and family along with the heads of many other Provinces for the highlight of the Masonic year. 

The head of Freemasonry in Buckinghamshire had the pleasure of appointing a new deputy and a new assistant to join the existing team of Executives.

Various other officers were also appointed to assist in the smooth running of the Province with awards presented for outstanding work throughout the Province and in the Community.

Buckinghamshire is at the forefront of innovative ideas including the new Project Transform light and sound system along with initiatives such as “Bring a Friend” to introduce new members and the “Twelve Days of Christmas” to enable more members to join.

Buckinghamshire lead the way in special interest Lodges including Rugby, Curry, Wine, Cricket, Classic Car, Motorbike, Caravan, Beer and Shooting meaning there are many reasons to join.

Buckinghamshire Freemasons also lead the way in raising tens of thousands of pounds for charity with bike rides, runs, walks and even fire-walks. As the head of Freemasonry in Buckinghamshire often says "Be an inspiration to younger people in your community, and lead by example. We are Freemasons who volunteer our time to help charitable organisations in need. We excel in helping others!"

If you are interested in becoming a Buckinghamshire Freemason then apply here:https://buckspgl.org/join
https://youtu.be/Zg5L6ALV1zo

JOIN FREEMASONS IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

Have you ever been interested in Freemasonry?

Now is the time to GET INVOLVED

On Wednesday 25th October we are holding a free-to-attend Join the Freemasons event in Slough Masonic Centre on Ragstone Road on Wednesday 25th October starting at 7 pm.

The Join the Freemasons event will be evening of conversation and discovery. We've planned an insightful tour, engaging presentations, and interactive sessions where your questions about Freemasonry will be warmly addressed.

Plus, there will be a complimentary buffet to enjoy in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. If what you learn resonates with you, our membership team will be on hand to guide you through the next steps of your Freemasonry journey.

This is a great chance to ask any questions you may have. 

This event is free of charge but please register yourself by emailing the organisers at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Over 28,000 Poppies boxed up today!

BIG thanks to Brickhill Lodge, Emergency Services and Longueville Lodge for Volunteering to help today.
Now we need a few volunteers to deliver them.

If you would like to start your journey into Freemasonry please join us by following this link: https://mtr.cool/wckxknugby
After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch.

Fun & Laughter at Hughenden Lodge (the craft beer special interest lodge), on Friday 13th October

Following the ceremony the Brethren had an Oktoberfest themed Festive Board with tomatencremesuppe, German Goulash and a dessert of apple strudel.

Home brewed Pils was drunk with the meal and a guest Paulaner beer at the bar.

The new master announced his main charities for the year would be Thames Valley Air Ambulance and Florence Nightingale House Hospice in Aylesbury.

£250 was raised in the raffle.

Provincial Grand Master's Address PGL 2023

Provincial Grand Master

Brethren,

Welcome to the 2023 AGM of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Buckinghamshire which is taking place on a Saturday for the first time to eliminate the need for our working members taking annual leave to attend. I extend a very warm welcome to over 650 friends, brethren, and honoured guests for coming to London to share today with us.

“This is a fantastic turnout for us, beating even the BIG day by 30 attendees.”

My personal thanks go to our partners for their support and my own thanks particularly to my wife Sarah for the many things she has given up these past 6 years to help me.

A great event is always delivered by a great team, and I thank Tim Anders, Ian Bailey, Bill Smithson, Steve Pratt and those who always help to make this day special. I thank the Provincial Grand Stewards for the work they do both here and during the year and our very hard-working XO’s and Visiting Officers.

I congratulate those who have received their appointments and promotions today. Wear your new regalia with pride and be a leader in your Lodge. Remember, “We need entrepreneurial leaders, not caretaker managers.”

In June Graham Dearing, our Grand Superintendent of the Royal Arch, launched “BIG RED” and they have Exalted 54 new members in September. This has again created an unmistakable energy in the province.

Hugh Douglas-Smith and Gary Brodie have now stepped down but will continue to work on our behalf, with Hugh as head of IT at UGLE and Gary continuing to work on Project Transform Phase 2, which he is pioneering at our Slough centre. I am sure that they will both be very proud of the difference their efforts have made in our province. In all their years of service Hugh and Gary travelled the country in support of Lodges and dedicated thousands of hours of their personal time and their own resources to support Brethren in every single one of our 117 lodges.

Today I welcome our new Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Neil Robertson, and Assistant Provincial Grand Master Matt Perkins.

I thank Bill Smithson who has stepped down due to illness. Bill has been a superb Director of Ceremonies and a driving force in the province in recent years, delivering magnificent events such as the 2022 Festival Ball with his wife Sue. After some time to recover, I am hopeful he will be back on the Executive team. Steve Pratt has stepped up to take Bill's place and I welcome him onto the team today.

Pro Grand Master, Jonathan Spence has made many changes and improvements since taking up his new role and we are inspired by his modern forward thinking. Taking the last Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge to Wales was a great success. Our strategy fully embraces his vision, and we will continue to work hard to deliver on our own strategic goals. In the last 18 months once again, we've had a record number of initiations.

Project Nurture has continued to reduce resignations in 2023 by being aware of members absence using dining records and making sure our elderly friends can always continue to attend and are looked after.

Project Transform will soon reach the completion of its first phase with new light and sound systems now installed at all our centres. This adds a wonderful sense of theatre.

“At this point the lights went out and the room was filled with spotlights and sound from the magnificent organ.”

The new lighting captivates new initiates as well as entertaining our members. I have personally delivered many double Third Degree Ceremonies this year with the new lighting and sound systems and on most occasions, all other parts of the ceremonies were carried out by the “Light Blues Brothers” who have all been in Freemasonry less than 3 years. This is an exceptional team put together by APGM Matt Eaton and is a great example to us all of what is possible.

I congratulate all the members of that team and others who received the Don Varney award today for excellence in ceremonial before going through the chair. I also thank the 350 plus members of our Northeast Corner Club for the work they have done in presenting new initiate packs under the guidance of John Palman.

Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Gary Brodie is undertaking a pilot for Project Transform Phase 2 at Slough to improve the environment and further enhance the membership experience. The transformation currently taking place in the dining room and main lodge room are magnificent.

Our Communications team led by Grae Laws consistently hit the targets laid down in our strategy of 100 joining enquiries every month. As a result of this success some lodges have stopped looking for perspective members closer to home.

To address this, today I am launching a new project called “Bring a Friend” headed up by James Blackhurst. The first event is scheduled for this month on the 25th of October at Slough. All are invited! There will be a complementary bar, barbecue and some sharp presentations from our Exec, Comms and Membership teams (When we last had an event like this at Bradmoor Farm in 2021, 14 people signed up for the BIG 100 Day). The event will run bi-annually at Bletchley and Slough.

To complement “Bring a Friend” we will also be repeating the “Twelve Days of Christmas”.

12DX23 will help to initiate some of those in the backlog of ceremonies and enable those wishing to join after the “Bring a Friend” event.

If your Lodge is not already signed up for 12DX23, then speak to Lloyd Harrison or Dan Cunningham. There are candidates available for lodges that wish to take part and embrace the opportunity.

Soon we will be consecrating a Football themed lodge to complement our already successful Rugby, Curry, Wine, Cricket, Classic Car, Motorbike, Caravan, Beer and shooting lodges. The details for becoming a founder can be found on the provincial website.

Our Provincial Charity Steward Mark Duncan has been relentless, since the end of the festival, in raising tens of thousands of pounds with bike rides, runs, walks and even fire-walks.

There are any number of innovative and interesting reasons to join Bucks Freemasonry!

For 6 years now it has been my privilege to be your Provincial Grand Master. In that time, we have exceeded all my expectations because we have so many exceptional, driven individuals who are making masonry in Buckinghamshire more captivating and fun than ever.

Let’s not take our foot off the gas now.

I’ll see you all at Bring a Friend and 12DX23.

Once again, I thank you all for attending today and hope that you will enjoy the entertainment and dinner that follows.

John Clark

Provincial Grand Master for Buckinghamshire

Pilgrims' Walk collected £31K for Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity

FNHC Pilgrims Walk

Over 40 walkers completed the 50 mile/110K steps in July 2023. Hospice volunteers, Buckinghamshire Freemasons, and many friends and family members made up the team. Several hundred sandwiches and cakes later, our brave explorers took in some beautiful sights and concluded the trip several hours sooner than intended, despite severe downpours on one hand and nettles on the other!
The Pilgrims collected £31,254 in total, which will allow the hospice to purchase two specialist custom cuddle beds allowing people admitted to the hospice to be with their loved ones in their last days.

New Master for Neleus

Neleus Lodge No. 3062 was one of the first Lodges in Buckinghamshire to embrace the Members Pathway which helps Lodges to organise the recruitment of new members.

Congratulations to Bobby Uppal on becoming Worshipful Master of this historic Lodge with all the main roles within the Lodge being held by the new members they have gained via the Pathway.

One Step Beyond the Craft

You may not realise that Freemasonry is made of a number of different 'Progressive Orders'. This series will explain these various Orders and how they are linked.
Red Cross of Constantine
The full title of this Order is The Masonic and Military Order of the Red Cross of Constantine and the Orders of the Holy Sepulchre and of St John the Evangelist.
Meetings are held in conclaves.
Qualification for joining is that a candidate must be a Royal Arch Mason and believe in the Trinitarian Faith. The joining ceremony is called ‘Installation’. 
The regalia consists of a purple sash and a red cross breast jewel.
 
The Order is based on the conversion of Emperor Constantine to Christianity after seeing a sign from heaven in the form of a special cross. He directed that this cross should be worn on the armour of Christians in his army. A conclave of the knights of the order was formed whose members were the bodyguard of the sovereign. The candidate is admitted and obligated then made a Knight Companion where the history of the Order is detailed. There are two appendant ceremonies where the aims of Freemasonry are revealed.

You can find out more about this order here: https://www.markmasonshall.org/orders/red-cross-of-constantine

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/info
After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch. 

Aprons Off: The Real Freemason

An insight into the life of a Freemason outside the masonic centre.

A COLD WEATHER EXPLORER
Name: James Redden
Age: 52
Location: Chinnor
Joined: 2021
Lodge: Haddenham

James is a cold weather explorer. He often participates in arctic expeditions in some of the harshest environments on the planet. He has skied to the North Pole, skied through Greenland and Norway (twice), and held the world record for sprinting 400 kilometres over the frozen surface of Lake Baikal in Russia for a brief period of time.

The part of Freemasonry that James enjoys the most is being able to help people who are less fortunate via charitable work. James explained that Freemasonry is like a "family of men who all hold similar and strong values." Charity is at the heart of our organisation; during all of our activities as Freemasons, we strive to raise money for charitable causes, albeit the specific causes on which we focus might vary from lodge to lodge.

James' participation in Freemasonry has provided him with insights into many aspects of life that he may not have been exposed to otherwise. This is owing to the large amount of experience and personalities that are a part of Freemasonry, as well as the diverse range of communities and charitable organisations that we are able to lend a hand to.

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/info
After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch.  
 
 

One Step Beyond the Craft

You may not realise that Freemasonry is made of a number of different 'Progressive Orders'. This series will explain these various Orders and how they are linked.
The Operatives
The full title of this Order is the Worshipful Society of Free Masons, Rough Masons, Walkers, Slaters, Paviours, Plaisterer’s and Bricklayers, in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Commonwealth, and Territories Overseas. It is often familiarly known as the ‘The Worshipful Society of Freemasons’. 
Operative or Guild Masons were organized in England with royal approval dating at least from as early as the Grand Assemblage of 926 in York, which is reputed to have been authorized and encouraged by King Athelstan. The constitutions of the Society state that the Order was founded in 1913. The ritual of The Operatives as they are familiarly called, is more archaic in form and much fuller than that of the ‘speculatives’, containing practical instruction of which only echoes are found in speculative ritual, thereby providing an interesting field of study for the serious Masonic student. 
Lodge meetings are held in Assemblages.
The degrees of the Society are seven in number. 
The regalia is minimal and consists of a blue cord or blue collarette from which is suspended the badge of the member’s grade.
Badges are simply exchanged as progression is made. All members wear the distinctive Society tie.
Qualification for joining is that a candidate must be a Master Mason, a Mark Master Mason, and a Royal Arch Mason.
Find out more here: https://www.theoperatives.org/
Next week we will introduce you to The Red Cross of Constantine.

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/info
After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch. 

Special Interest Lodges in Bucks

Household Division - 9545

The Household Division Lodge is one of three Lodges associated to the Brigade of Guards. This includes Household Brigade Lodge 2614 for Commissioned Officers, Comrades Lodge 2740 for senior Sergeants and Warrant Officers and The Household Division Lodge 9545 which serves to provide a Masonic Lodge for all ranks.

In 1993, founding Secretary, W.Bro. Peter Hardwick (former Grenadier Guards) had made a comment that he would like to have a Lodge close to Windsor, which was an ancestral home of the Guards. His comment was met with another that founding Treasurer, W.Bro. Derek Stratford MBE (Former Life Guards) would also like a Lodge with the same foundations as members of Comrades Lodge had grown tired of travelling to London for meetings. With this, the seed was sewn and both met with W.Bro. Reg Clark (former Grenadier Guards) to discuss forming a Lodge to promote Masonry amongst both serving and ex-serving members of the Household Division.

These Brethren that had sought to bring the Lodge to it's present standing received a tremendous amount of help from the Provincial Grand Master at the time R.W.Bro. Lt.Col. The Hon. Lord Burnham, himself a former Scots Guards Officer, who was due to be the first Worshipful Master of the Household Division Lodge.

As the idea grew, commitments were agreed and on 24th April 1993 the first Founders Meeting was held at the Grenadier Club, Windsor. At the meeting it was decided that it would be the intention of the Founders to bring together brethren of all military ranks who have served, or are serving with any of the seven regiments of the Household Division, together with members of other regiments who have served with for not less than twelve months with a unit of the Household Division. Also that members of the Lodge be permitted to wear the Brigade of Guards tie at meetings in place of the usual black tie. This honour being granted dispensation from Grand Lodge following the request by Lord Burnham. As the Lodge moved closer to consecration Lord Burnham tragically died, and therefore the honour of Primus Master was passed to former National Service Grenadier Guards Drummer W.Bro. Reg Clark - in a move seen to demonstrate the true ethos of an all ranks rule for the Lodge.

On 27th Mary 1994 The Household Division Lodge was consecrated, sponsored by Comrades Lodge who later presented the Masters collar. The leather warrant holder which is still used in Lodge today was presented by R.W.Bro. The Hon. Viscount Gough (former Irish Guards) on behalf of Household Brigade Lodge.

On 17th May 2019 the Lodge celebrated their silver jubilee and at the meeting initiated current Senior Warden of the Lodge Bro. Dylan Swart (former Coldstream Guards) - the ceremony being presided over by the Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro. John Clark who took the gavel.

On 26th November 2011, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, V.W.Bro Hugh Douglas-Smith attend the Lodge with a large delegation of Provincial Officers to sign the Armed Forces Covenant. Signed by The DPGM on behalf of Province and Major. Spencer Jones (Coldstream Guards) on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, the covenant is displayed at every Lodge meeting to signify the commitment to the Armed Forces and Veterans.

Approaching its thirtieth anniversary the Lodge is in a strong position with over forty one members, candidates in the pipe line and regular meetings in excess of ninety and one hundred. The Lodges purpose for existing is to maintain a link between Masonry, the Military and the heritage of the Brigade of Guards. Military visitors are encouraged to wear their military ties at meetings, an impressive display of military medals are worn at the festive board. Meetings at the Lodge are enhanced with performances at white tables with military bands, Burns nights with their own Scots Guards Pipers and military speakers.

The Lodge is well represented by the majority of the regiments from the Division. With members coming from both serving and former members of the Life Guards, Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Welsh Guards - at present their are no Blues and Royals or Irish Guards. Their have been Worshipful Masters from all regiments, save for the Irish Guards. The Lodge has had many honours bestowed on it's members, including the Military Cross, the Military Medal, Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) and the British Empire Medal.

Today the Lodge maintains the high standards set by the Founders. With firm desire to enhance Freemasonry with the style and panache of the Guards. Whilst offering serving soldiers and veterans a mix of their military and masonic worlds.

Meeting at the Slough Masonic Centre

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://my.mtr.cool/kuacclaurv

After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch. 

Aprons Off: The Real Freemason

An insight into the life of a Freemason outside the masonic centre.

A&E INJURY CONSULTANT
Name: Jim Weavill
Location: Aylesbury
Joined: 2016
Lodge: Grenville

Jim began his career in emergency medicine nearly twenty years ago with Warwickshire Ambulance Service. Beginning as a Trainee Technician, he qualified as a Paramedic and then as a Specialist Paramedic in Urgent Care.
During these two decades he served with Warwickshire, London and South Central Ambulance Services, and likely attended some 25,000 999 calls.
Incredibly, he was awarded the Queens Platinum Jubilee Medal last year.
He then moved into the ED Minors Department as a Minor Illness and Injury Practitioner of a local Hospital, while now studying to progress to an ED Advanced Care Practitioner.

Jim's favourite aspect of Freemasonry is the masonry. More specifically learning about the lore of the organisation and the history behind it. Jim enjoys learning the reasons behind having our various tools and symbols within the lodge room, which are key to Freemasonry.
Freemasonry is based on a set of principles on which we were founded. These are brotherly love, relief and truth. Jim mentions he has been able to apply these to his own life, which has helped him become a better person, by being more loving, upright and honest in both his personal and professional lives.
It has been difficult fort Jim with having such a busy role working in the ED department, however masonry and Grenville Lodge have been very supportive allowing him to progress in his career, as well as enjoy Freemasonry.

The great thing about Freemasonry is that you can take a break at anytime, be it for work, personal life or other, and then return to it. So why not give it a try today.

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/info
After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch.  
 
 

Aprons Off: The Real Freemason

An insight into the life of a Freemason outside the masonic centre.

A DRUMMER
Name: Rik Upjohn
Age: 37
Location: Staines
Joined: 2016
Lodge: Heatherden

Rik has been a drummer since 1998. He started while in secondary school, passing his Rockschool exam in 2001 with merit. 
Rik has been in a few bands over the years. In a previous band Rik was able to play for the Royal Household staff summer party at Windsor Castle playing 'Don't stop me now' by Queen for her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth. Rik is currently in a band playing hits from the 50s to the 90s and has played at many masonic functions. 

Rik's favourite aspect of Freemasonry is the strong sense of community that Freemasonry fosters. He feels a sense of camaraderie and happiness as a result of his membership in Freemasonry. In some ways, it is very much like living in a family, which is a wonderful sensation. Because of this, it inspires Rik to keep going and try to improve themselves. 

It has allowed Rik's confidence to significantly develop. It has made Rik a more confident person when dealing with colleagues and stakeholders. This has helped Rik to realise what is important in their life. It has also helped him in his band as he also now sings with the band while drumming.

Freemasonry will help improve your confidence significantly, to be comfortable publicly speaking and allow you to be adept in conversation, giving you that voice you never knew you had.

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/info
After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch.  
 
 

One Step Beyond the Craft

You may not realise that Freemasonry is made of a number of different 'Progressive Orders'. This series will explain these various Orders and how they are linked.
Allied Masonic Degree
The full title of this Order is The Grand Council of the Order of the Allied Masonic Degrees of England and Wales and its Districts and Councils Overseas. It is more familiarly know as the ‘Allied Degrees’.
Meetings are held in Councils.
Qualification for joining is that a candidate must be a Mark Master Mason and Royal Arch Mason.
The regalia consists of five breast jewels, one for each degree.
The Order is based on a collection of orders that had no central authority. The five degrees give various moral lessons including integrity and fortitude, humility, the danger of hasty judgement and the importance of truth.

Next week we will introduce you to The Operatives.

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/info
After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch. 

Special Interest Lodges in Bucks

Lilly Lodge of Richmond 820 - The Cricket Lodge

Lily Lodge of Richmond, the Bucks Cricket Lodge has gone from six members to 23 with three more waiting to join, plus one home grown initiate in the nets in the short period of it becoming a specialist lodge. All members share a common love of the sport, with get togethers arranged outside of masonic meetings to watch the lovely game.  

When the lodge became a special interest lodge, a limited run of glasses were commissioned, these glasses are used after each meeting for a game of "Firing Glass Cricket", we will share more about this later in the year.

This lodge is one of the oldest in Buckinghamshire, Consecrated in May 1860, Meeting at the Beaconsfield Masonic Centre.

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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://my.mtr.cool/kuacclaurv

After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch. 

Aprons Off: The Real Freemason

An insight into the life of a Freemason outside the masonic centre.

A YACHT RACER
Name: Marc Lonergan
Age: 49
Location: Eastbourne
Joined: 2013
Lodge: Planet

Marc is an Offshore and Inshore yacht racer. He started sailing in 2009 after reading about the hobby and buying his own 28ft boat. Marc over the years has significantly improved, and racing his boat "The Eclipse" he has won international and regional races and titles, claiming numerous awards. Dependent on sponsorship, Marc is looking to take on a massive challenge, completing a famous solo around the world race in 2026. 

Marc's favourite aspect of Freemasonry is the lodge. Like many others he believes the meeting of the lodge is the best part of Freemasonry, he puts his enjoyment down to the "learning and brotherhood" aspects. Like many others coming into something which you can share with new friends, practice, learn, teach and work with others to create something brilliant, and different. Both in and out of meetings.

Freemasonry has helped keep him more grounded and focused. Practicing pieces which we can deliver to each other is incredibly rewarding. Marc has not only improved his mental skill but also his communication skills around others. Being part of Freemasonry enhances your ability to communicate, enhances how you are around other people, but most importantly it enhances your confidence. 

It's definitely something that can only change you for the better.

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/info
After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch.  
 
 

Our 40 walkers completed the 50 miles /110K steps, with the aid of our support crew and volunteers from the

Several hundred sandwiches and cakes later, avoiding torrential downpours on the one hand and nettles on the other, our intrepid explorers took in some incredible views and finished the walk several hours earlier than expected! Hear them tell you in their own words why they did it.
Our target is £15,000, any donation that you make will be thankfully received and faithfully applied.
https://donate.givetap.co.uk/f/masonic-charitable-foundation/e0096a-provincial-grand-lodge-of-bucks-discretionary-fund/buckinghamshire-freemasons-pilgrim-50-mile-walk
 

Triumphant Return for the Provincial Grand Officers Club

On 11th July 2023, the Provincial Grand Officers’ Club was revived by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Gary Brodie, assisted by Paul Williams.

The main event of the evening was a talk by guest speaker Tug Hartley, who was awarded the George Medal for gallantry whilst serving with the 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment of the British Army.
Tug described the Kajaki Dam Incident on 6th September 2006 where several anti-personnel mines left over from the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan were detonated costing the life of one soldier and seven others sustaining serious injuries.

It was a very frank and moving account of what it was like to be in the situation and the subsequent consequences for Tug personally. Everyone present found it to be a fascinating insight into the realities of a war.

The PGO Club is open to all past and present Provincial Grand Officers, of and in Buckinghamshire. It meets in July at Slough and January in Bletchley. There will be a subject of interest at each meeting that you won’t normally get to see.

One Step Beyond the Craft

You may not realise that Freemasonry is made of a number of different 'Progressive Orders'. This series will explain these various Orders and how they are linked.

Royal and Select Masters
The full title of this Order is The Grand Council of the Order of Royal and Select Masters of England and Wales and its Districts and Council Overseas. It is more familiarly known as the ‘Cryptic Degrees’.
Meetings are held in Councils.
Qualification for joining is that a candidate must be a Mark Master Mason and Royal Arch Mason.
The regalia consists of a triangular apron with a crimson edge and a triangular breast jewel.
 
The Order is based on the history of the first Temple at Jerusalem. The four degrees throw light on a sequence of events and demonstrate the essential link between the degrees of Master Mason, Mark Master Mason, and Royal Arch Mason. 
Next week we will introduce you to the Allied Masonic Degrees.

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/info
After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch.