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. 

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We have made a transformation to the way we do Freemasonry in Bucks.

Through the implementation of lighting and music systems, which have been installed at a number of our main centres. 
We utilised the music and lighting to enhance all of our ceremonies, with the assistance of W. Bro. Tim Anders leading the project, the Provincial Grand Master, who was in charge of carrying out the ceremonies, the light blues brothers, who were giving assistance, and of course, the many lodges who contributed throughout the province. Our goal was to create the best possible experience for everyone involved, especially our new joining members.

We have installed these incredible systems at Slough, Bletchley, Winslow, Marlow, Beaconsfield, Kimble and most recently we have held launch ceremonies at Denham, Stony Stratford and Aylesbury.

We now look next to Wolverton, Thame, North Crawley finishing with the Swan Hotel.

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

Wednesday night Haddenham Lodge held the raising of Brother Redden. a candidate that was initiated at Great Queen Street as part of the provincial BIG day in September 2021.

James is also a cold weather explorer and recently featured on Aprons Off, being often away on expeditions, the lodge was finally able to carry out his Raising, or 3rd degree.

This ceremony was also particularly special, being that it was the lodge's past masters evening. Also, all offices were occupied by past masters of the lodge, with the Chair of King Solomon occupied by 5 different Masters throughout the ceremony.

A number of distinguished brethren took the chair, the current WM, W. Bro Nick Ray, followed by W. Bros Tony Robinson, Lloyd Davies, Brian Murray, Steve Smirthwaite and Barry Sparks all took the chair as master to deliver a different part of the ceremony, giving each element of the ceremony a real extra level of quality.

As always, the full packed festive board was joyous and fun with many laughs and lovely food.

James has now taken his 3rd step in Freemasonry and is looking forward to the adventure ahead. Well done James, we look forward to keeping an eye on your progress.

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If you want to be a part of a worldwide community that has had and continues to have so many prominent members and has its roots firmly in Buckinghamshire, then join us by clicking on this link: https://buckspgl.org/info=explorerraising

Steve Perry of the Manor of Swanbourne lodge took 2 weeks off work and set himself a challenge, a challenge to conquer the mighty Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa to raise funds for @willenhospice with a group of like minded individuals. The trek took place from 27th Jan to 2nd Feb.

After months of training, this challenging trek would push him to his limits, testing his endurance, resilience, and strength in the face of high altitude and physical obstacles.

Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano located in the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania. It is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest single free-standing mountain above sea level in the world: 5,895 m !

Willen Hospice in Milton Keynes provides compassionate care to those with life-limiting illnesses. They provide comfort, alleviate pain, and lessen anxiety in patients and their loved ones. Every pound donated counts because it allows them to aid more people in Milton Keynes when and when they need it. They receive less than a quarter of their financial support from the NHS, thus the remainder is contributed or raised by great people.

Steve's climb might have ended, but the journey for Willen Hospice goes on. Every donation helps ensure that they can continue offering care, comfort, and support to those in need.  We can provide the link to the fundraising platform should you wish to donate to his challenge & this charity.

If you would like to be part of a global community that has had, 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/info=kilimanjaro

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. 

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 

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

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.

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

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

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. 

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

 

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

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

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.

On Thursday 26th October Thames Mariner lodge performed a raising for Bro Kamandeep Singh Brar, assisted by the Provincial Grand Master and the Light Blues Brothers.

The Light Blues Brothers are a demonstation team comprised of newer brethren before the chair with excellent working skill, all of which have only been members for less than three years.

After matters were conducted the lodge was adjusted, the Light Blues taking all the offices in Bro David Clark(SW), Jordan Parmenter(JW), Ashley Dunnicliffe(SD), Charlie Bitowt(JD) and Chris Richardson(IG). 
An exemplary demonstration of the third degree was conducted finishing with the Traditional History by Bro Clark and the third Tools by Bro Bitowt.

Congratulations Bro Brah on taking your Third step in Freemasonry and for being an excellent candidate.

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.  

 
 

On Wednesday 25th October, Buckinghamshire hosted a bring a friend event at Slough Masonic Centre. There were over 75 filling the centre to the brim with masons and families in attendance, 44 of which being interested candidates.

After a short reception we sat down for a presentation from a wealth of experienced speakers that are Freemasons. The first of which being an introduction by Deputy Provincial Grand Master Neil Robertson, who explained who he is and gave a great insight into what Freemasonry is. The Assistant Provincial Comms Officer Lee Buckingham, followed, explaining the details of who we are, our beliefs, rules and priorities that are so important to us. Provincial Membership Officer John Palman followed explaining the details of what goes on at lodge meetings, including the meeting agenda, ceremony and the all important festive board (dinner!).
PAPGM Phil Blacklaw followed explaining the vast amount of contribution Freemasonry in Bucks has made in recent years, also emphasising that your time is just as important as your donation when trying to make a difference. The evening was rounded up with a closing speech and Q&A with PGM John Clark.

The evening was then finished with an exciting tour of our temple, showcasing the recently installed Project Transform lights, which are now at most of our centres. Every single attendee signed up on the evening making this an outstanding success. 

Buckinghamshire will be holding a similar event in Bletchley soon, so stay tuned!

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.  

 
 

On Wednesday 18th October, Wycombe Lodge celebrated 150 years with a rededication of their banner. 
With over 50 in attendance it was night to remember with a suitable cake to mark the occasion.

Wycombe Lodge Number 1501 was consecrated on 1st July 1874 at High Wycombe Town Hall, the daughter lodge of Windsor Castle Lodge 771.  When consecrated, it was a lodge withing the then combined province of Berkshire & Buckinghamshire.

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

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

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.

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.