Arthur Conan Doyle.

Arthur was a Scottish writer born on 22 May 1859 and would go on to become famous as the creator of the detective Sherlock Holmes. 

He studied at the University of Edinburgh's Medical School where he achieved the Bachelor of Medicine and Master of Surgery qualifications. Whilst he was a medical student, Conan Doyle was profoundly captivated by the skill of his professor, Dr Joseph Bell, in observing the minutest detail regarding a patient's condition. This approach of diagnostic deduction inspired Conan Doyle's literary creation, Sherlock Holmes.

Sherlock Holmes made his first appearance in 'A Study of Scarlet', and its success encouraged Conan Doyle to write more stories involving the detective. Successively, Conan Doyle focused his work on non-fiction, including to military writings, such as The Great Boer War (1900) and The British Campaign in France and Flanders, 6 vol. (1916–20).

Conan Doyle was initiated in Phoenix Lodge No. 257 in Portsmouth in 1887 and resigned from the Lodge in 1889. He re-joined the same Lodge in 1902 and remained a member until 1911.

You may not know, but some of the filming for the 2009 Sherlock Holmes film starring Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law took place at the United Grand Lodge of England’s headquarters Freemasons’ Hall in London.

 

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

A CYCLIST
Name: Jason Giller
Age: 53
Joined: 1996
Lodges: Manor of Swanburn

Jason is a triathlete and cyclist and has completed the Paris Roubaix Challenge in 2022, this mean feat is aptly named the Hell of the North, and is 170km in total! He cycles 100 miles weekly average and races every week locally.

Jason's favourite aspect of Freemasonry is the masonry. As an experienced mason of 27 years and a DC of his own lodge, he enjoys taking charge of the work done within the lodge room and in Manor of Swanburn.
Freemasonry has helped Jason to become more confident, as a DC or Director of Ceremonies, you are responsible for making sure the masonry in the room itself is of a good standard and things go smoothly. 
Jason uses his cycling to keep him fit and healthy, which he believes keeps him sharp in the lodge room. Jason mentions that masonry helps you improve your focus and ability to concentrate when you need it most.

The Director of Ceremonies is one of many brilliant offices and an opportunity to shine if you are good with your masonry and want to take a leadership role.

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.

m will be in touch.  

 
Earlier this week, Mark and Chris visited Beaconsfield Lodge in Slough to support their meeting and to meet their newest initiate.

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Peter  was installed by Phil  in style and a very buoyant festive board followed.  

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Another great evening, well done everyone, including Jim for taking the chair of King Solomon.

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WM Simon, of Wineslai Lodge and 65 golfers raised nearly one thousand pounds for his chosen charity for the year; McMillan Nurses in Buckinghamshire. A cracking day out was had by all.

Perhaps the Province needs a golfing lodge! In the meantime, you could consider joining the Bucks Masonic Golf Society. 

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/info
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Lodge meetings are at the Marlow Masonic Centre on a Saturday - 4 times a year.

Outside of lodge meetings, the members like to undertake walks, occasionally linking in with charity fund raising.

The lodge is an all round sporting lodge with its main event being a monthly country walk in various locations, (walking technically a sport) so far they have walked in Turville (Vicar of Dibley), Hambleden and Marlow, with several more planned.  The walks are open to family & friends as well as Masons, so a great community spirited get together.

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

With a splendid ceremony, Seer Green Lodge welcomed Bro Scott in to Freemasonry last week at Beaconsfield Masonic Centre.

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We will have a very short Installation Meeting, followed by a white table event and fantastic evening entertainment. Guests and partners will be hosted in the Members Bar area with a drinks reception whilst we are in the very short meeting. We will then all dine together and have a live music performance from the brilliant band “Maddison Heights” to take us through the rest of the evening.

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: 

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8197 balloted for a joining member and 2 initiates.
Dave joined his brother-in-law Matt  in the Lodge both having come from Five Points Chapter. This goes to show that the indissoluble link between Craft and Royal Arch isn’t all one way.

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Scores of history are contained within the fibre of this Lodge. Lord Kitchener, four VC recipients, Royalty and a host of other honourable Brethren have called this Lodge their own.

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: 

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The story was known in Roman times but has its origins in Greek mythology. We celebrate St. George's Day on April 23 — the anniversary of his death in 303 AD. The patron saint of England has captivated British imaginations since the Crusades and the Hundred Years' War.
The story of St. George is featured in tesserae mosaic tiles on the ceiling of Freemasons' Hall at @UGLE_GrandLodge .

We would like to give one final nod to our very own St. George's Lodge. They meet at Wolverton Masonic centre, and were first consecrated on 22nd April 1936 at the Science and Arts Institute in Wolverton. The lodge has 24 members and meets six times each year.

Freemasonry has an amazing history that spans over 300 years and is looking forward to the next 300 years.
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.

 
 
 

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

A DENTIST
Name: Matt Perkins
Age: 44
Location: Warwickshire
Lodges: Old Wycombiensian, Bucks Stewards, Marcellians, Old Paludians

Outside of Freemasonry Matt is a Specialist Periodontist - a specialist dentist who does gum surgery, bone grafting and the placement of dental implants.

According to Matt, Freemasonry helps him and others to improve their experience and confidence in public speaking "Being more confident and being able to speak confidently is a real skill that Freemasonry assists you to develop and perfect. Freemasonry has also enabled me to do more for charity, experience different cultures and meet brilliant new people." 

In Freemasonry we develop our public speaking both in the lodge room and while we dine, performing to each other and making various speeches in the lodge room and at meals, to both show appreciation to each other as well as to entertain and create a great engaging experience.

Matt's favourite aspect of Freemasonry is our charitable works and meeting new people and friends "I am spending time away from my phone and enjoying the company of many great friends I have made from many walks of life.”

A large part of Freemasonry is visiting. We often visit each others lodges around the province, each time meeting a whole new set of members and friends, we are able to partake in unique experiences at each, enhancing our enjoyment of Freemasonry even more.
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.  

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

A DEER FARMER
Name: Alfie Buckland
Age: 62
Location: Addington
Joined: 2005
Lodges: Circle of friendship, Prince Michael of Kent, Bucks Stewards lodge

Alfie works as a deer keeper outside of Freemasonry. Alfie developed a strong affection for animals while working at Addington Equestrian Centre. He was then offered a job at Addington Deer Park and has been a Keeper there for the past 30 years, claiming he has "the best job in the world." Almost 100 red and 100 fallow deer live in the park, and Alfie enjoys interacting with them from the time the calves are born until they are fully grown stags.

Alfie is as unselfish with his deer as he is with people, and he pursues this love through Freemasonry: "Getting engaged in charitable activities has given me great pleasure knowing that it has helped less fortunate people." One of the largest donors to charity is Freemasonry; we raise money for a huge array of charities and any who are in need through our lodges and at our many social events.

Meeting new people and encouraging them as they begin their Masonic careers is Alfie's favourite aspect of Freemasonry. Alfie has experience as a Freemason and is able to assist younger brothers in their progress. He says, "Having been a Freemason for many years, it is helpful to support junior members in their development.

We support, mentor and steward our members every step of the way, from initiation to installation, and then in perpetuity for the rest of our lives.

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.  

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

A WATCHKEEPER
Name: Grae Laws
Age: 51
Location: Spilsby
Joined: April 2016
Lodges: Eric Deung 9695, Verney 8849, Marcellians 4450 and Buckinghamshire Provincial Grand Stewards 9222

Grae is a volunteer Watchkeeper for the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI). 
Grae is based in Chapel Point, Lincolnshire, almost 60 NCI stations are operational and manned by over 2600 volunteers. They keep watch around the British Isles from Fleetwood in the North West, through Wales, to the South and East of England, to Hornsea, in the East Riding of Yorkshire in the North East.
They are a self-funded, land based component of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, part of UK Search and Rescue, and report to His Majesty's Coastguards. Watchkeepers provide a vital link with all the emergency services and can provide an emergency contact point on land for both sea and shore users. When not on watch, volunteers spend their spare time raising funds to keep the stations operational.

Grae's favourite aspect of Freemasonry is its history, traditions and art. It's more than 300 years old and has produced some incredible pieces of art and literature.
"As an artist, I have really appreciated the creativity and craftsmanship of masonic banners that hang in every lodge throughout the world." Every Lodge has a banner that is different, they each tell a story, often with an interesting local context, and these banners are all hand painted, embroidered and occasionally embellished with gold foil. They take hundreds of hours to design and create, the end result can be displayed and appreciated for over a century.

Freemasonry has helped Grae both socially and professionally, Grae has expanded his circle of friends whilst gaining key skills useful in his profession- "I have made friends close to where I live, and professionally, it has given me confidence to give speeches, presentations, and lectures". As Freemasonry has such a ranged age demographic, there is fantastic opportunity to seek expertise and experience from other generations, whilst also developing social and professional communication skills, useful in both our personal and professional lives.

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.  

History of its use.
The property had previously been used as a Fives Court, which is a sport that crosses squash with handball. In 1880 it was purchased by Buckingham Lodge for £200. The building work was completed in 1882, which date is still displayed on the front wall. The original building was set back from the road, having a small forecourt with a wall and iron railings in front. 
It was built in the Victorian Gothic style and combines red brickwork with stone dressings. The building is symmetrical with a central two-storey bay protruding slightly forward of two side wings. The windows are lancet in shape with stone surrounds and the central doorway is decorated with stone columns topped with ornately carved capitals. This is a local building of note within the Conservation Area of Aylesbury.

Venue for Consecration.
It was consecrated by Buckingham Lodge no.591, the first lodge to be consecrated and remain in this Province. It also provided the venue for the first meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Buckinghamshire on the 17th of July 1890.

The Great War.
In 1902 the fascia of the building was removed, the building extended to the pavement and the frontage rebuilt as it is today. This gave an enlarged entrance hall, ante room and kitchen. In 1914 the lower hall was requisitioned by the War Department, forcing the festive boards to be held elsewhere for the time being. The hall was being used by a number of different lodges at the time, however it was owned and run by Buckingham Lodge. In 1947 Aylesbury Masonic Hall Ltd was created and the hall ownership was transferred to the company.
It remains in use to this day with 10 Craft Lodges meeting there.

Objects of interest.
The interior includes stunning stained-glass windows at each end, ancient globes in the corers and many artistic objects of interest throughout. There are over 20 banners hanging on the walls.

Join today to experience the mystery and history that is Freemasonry.
We have many incredible things to see and experience in Freemasonry. They are waiting for you to discover.
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: 
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After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch.

 
 
 

Eid Mubarak is an Arabic term that means “Blessed feast/festival'”. The term is used by Muslims all over the world. Internationally Muslims use it as a greeting on the feast. In the social sense, people usually celebrate Eid al-Fitr after Ramadan and Eid al-Adha in the month of Dhul Hijjah (the 12th and final Islamic month).

Eid al-Fiṭr - 'Holiday of Breaking the Fast'

The religious holiday is celebrated by Muslims worldwide because it marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan. It falls on the first day of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar; this does not always fall on the same Gregorian day, as the start of any lunar Hijrimonth varies based on when the new moon is sighted by local religious authorities.

The holiday is known under various other names in different languages and countries around the world. The day is also called Lesser Eid, or simply Eid.

Buzz Aldrin.

The historic Apollo 11 tour went down in world history, and will always be known as one of the most important space missions of all time. The moonwalk was spectacularly important for NASA, science, and society as a whole. In addition,the first trip to the moon was also important for Freemasonry. Why? Because the Apollo 11 mission to the moon was piloted by none other than Buzz Aldrin, an active Freemason.

Brother Aldrin was initiated into Freemasonry at Oak Park Lodge No. 864 in Alabama and raised at Lawrence N. Greenleaf Lodge, No. 169 in Colorado. He is also a member of York Rite and Arabia Shrine Temple of Houston.

On the crest of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon, The Grand Master of Texas approved Brother Aldrin’s request to open a Representation of the Grand Lodge of Texas on the Moon and, thereby, establish Masonic Territorial Jurisdiction there. He also asked Buzz to carry a special deputation on his journey. Aldrin signed this deputation and confirmed that it was, indeed, carried to the moon.

Aldrin also carried a handmade silk Masonic flag with him on his space journey, embroidered with the words, “Supreme Council, 33°, Southern Jurisdiction, USA.” After his mission on September 16, 1969, Brother Aldrin visited the House of the Temple in Washington, DC, and presented the flag to Grand Commander Luther Smith. The flag is now located in the archives of the House of the Temple.