News of 2009

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Ladies Festival Success

The best attended Grey Friars Lodge Ladies’ Festival for many years took place at Freemasons’ Hall on Saturday 21 November 2009. 160 revellers helped make the night a memorable one for the Worshipful Master, WBro John Townley and his wife, Mrs Isobel Townley.

			Helping to make this a family affair, the Worshipful Master’s father, WBro John Townley (Snr) of Ceres Lodge proposed the toast to the ladies. He was very ably assisted by the Worshipful Master’s two daughters, Claire and Charlotte. After feasting on prime cuts of beef kindly supplied by the Worshipful Master those attending danced the night away to the big band music of Eric Darlington and the John Cleveland Band.
	WBro John Townley, Mrs Isobel Townley & daughters, Charlotte & Claire

National Honours for Lodge Members

Lodge members WBro Mike Britton and Bro Graham Tomkins have won a major national award.

Bro Graham Tomkins & WBro Mike Britton

They have recently set up a community interest company which sources and recycles goods from major retailers for the benefit of public and welfare sectors. The essence of the organisation is to provide affordable furniture to charity and welfare organisations and under-privileged individuals.

Their endeavours have been rewarded with the announcement that they are the 2009 winners of the Social Enterprise of the Year category by StartUpAwards.

We congratulate them both.

Provincial Honours for Grey Friars Members - WBros Peter Broughton & Ron Goodson

We heartily congratulate WBro Peter Broughton on achieving a noteworthy feat. At the Thursday 21 May meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge, he received his first appointment - that of Past Provincial Junior Deacon. At the June meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire he was appointed Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.

We also offer our sincere congratulations to WBro Ron Goodson. At the Wednesday 27 May meeting of Three Counties Lodge No 9278 he was promoted to Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer.

Another Success for St George's Night Meeting - Monday 27 April 2009

St George's Day (23 April) was closely followed by our Meeting on Monday, 27 April when 150 members and visitors attended an Initiation ceremony followed by our traditional St George's Festive Board.

The Worshipful Master, WBro John Townley (Jnr), not only reared and supplied the beef but also helped the Stewards carve it at the table.

The Townley family made a tremendous contribution to the night's entertainment with the Worshipful Master's wife, two daughters, brother, mother and father all taking a part in the every popular bell ringing.

Apparently a policeman's lot is still not a happy one - according to WBro Rick Tabiner who gave his usual excellent rendition of this Gilbert and Sullivan classic.

	The assembled Brethren expended much energy in singing and flag waving which added to the overall enjoymenty of the evening.

Mrs Sue Townley (the Worshipful Master's mother) baked a fruit cake which the Worshipful Master auctioned for £38.

This is typical of the feedback we have received

"This was a most fantastic night. The best ever."

"I've been in Freemasonry for 30 years and I think this was the best Festive Board I've ever been too."

"Thanks to all concerned. What a fantastic evening. You couldn't top that."

In Memorium - WBro Don Wilson PPrSGW, CoM - 16 February 2009

On Monday, 16 February, WBro Don Wilson, holder of the Provincial Grand Master's Certificate of Merit, passed away to the Grand Lodge Above.

He died soon after his 97th birthday and had been living in retirement in Northampton.

Bro Don became a joining member of Grey Friars Lodge on 26 October 1970 and an Honorary Member on 24 November 2003.  

At our Installation Ceremony in January 1971 he became our Honorary Organist.  This was supposed to be a temporary measure but he continued in this role for 31 continuous years until January 2002.

He was initiated into his mother Lodge, the Lodge of St James No 6838, on 1 April 1955 and was a founder member of Spelhoe Lodge No 8576.

On 22 May 1996 he was awarded the Provincial Grand Master's Certificate of Merit.

Freemasonry in general and Grey Friars Lodge in particular owes Bro Don an enormous debt of gratitude.

We therefore salute the contribution he has made.

In Memorium - WBro Richard Dick Cowling PPrAGDC - 6 February 2009

			On Friday, 6 February, WBro Dick Cowling, Past Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies, passed away to the Grand Lodge Above. He had put up a very brave fight against a prolonged illness and was at home when he died. He followed his father into Grey Friars Lodge and was initiated into the Lodge on 22 December 1952.He was installed as our Worshipful Master on 24 January 1966.On 28 April 2003 he received his Certificate celebrating his 50 years as a Freemason.
	The late Bro Richard Dick Cowling PPrAGDC

With WBro Dick Cowling’s passing we lose a last remaining link with the founders of Grey Friars Lodge.  He was born in the year the Lodge was consecrated.  When he was initiated into the Lodge 24 years later many of the founders were still members.  Bro Dick therefore had links that spanned the whole of the life of the Lodge so far.

He was an auctioner and surveyor by profession and well known and much respected in the business community of Northampton and the surrounding area.

Installation of WBro John Townley as WM - Monday 26 January 2009

At the January Installation Meeting attended by over 70 Brethren, the outgoing Worshipful Master, WBro Mike Britton, installed his successor, WBro John Townley (Jnr). The Assistant Provincial Grand Master, WBro Wayne Williams said he had known the Townley family for a long time and it was a particular pleasure for him to see WBro John Townley (Jnr) installed into the Chair of King Solomon.

APGM, WBro Wayne Williams greets newly installed Worshipful Master, WBro John Townley (Jnr)

Members of Grey Friars Lodge with their newly installed Worshipful Master, WBro John Townley (Jnr)

	Worshipful Master, WBro John Townley with (left) JW, Bro Mark Capel and (right) SW, Bro Richard Gansbuehler		Worshipful Master, WBro John Townley with (left) brother, Bro Philip Townley and (right) father, WBro John Townley (Snr)

This was a particularly proud occasion for WBro John Townley (Snr) the Lodge's Honorary Organist and the newly installed WM's father.

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