Archived News of 2005

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Ladies' Festival - Saturday 19 November 2005

The Worshipful Master, WBro Gerry Crawford and his lady, Mrs Janine Crawford, said they they were most grateful for all the support they received in connection with their Ladies' Festival and were pleased that the evening had raised over £1,000 for charity

All 157 who attended seemed to enjoy themselves and the special guest appearance of "Elvis Presley" (Chris Moore) enlivened the evening.

The Worshipful Master and his lady greet their guests

The Worshipful Master and his lady toast their guests

Bro John Townley sings the Ladies' Song

Past Masters and Masters of Sister Lodges sing the Tyler's' Song

Other guests .............

............. enjoy the evening

Total of £1,400 Given to Charity - Tuesday 8 November 2005

WBro Bob Farey, Lodge Secretary (far left), the Worshipful Master, WBro Gerry Crawford (behind camera) and WBro Alan Bailey, Lodge Charity Steward (far right) were pleased to welcome to Freemasons' Hall representatives of three local charities to whom they presented cheques on behalf of Grey Friars Lodge. The money was raised during 2004, whilst WBro Alan Bailey was the Worshipful Master.

The charities are

• the Pete Spencer Helping Hands Memorial Trust, represented by Claire Simpson (left) who received a cheque for £400
  
• the Pain Relief Clinic at the Northampton General Hospital, represented by Alison Bennett (centre) who received a cheque for £500
  
• the Northampton Branch of Parkinson's Disease Society, represented by Val Hamblin (right) and Daphne Kennaird (seated) who received a cheque for £500

Initiation of Bro Joe Apea - Monday 26 September 2005

This web site was instrumental in a Candidate's recent initiation.

In 1990 Joe Apea emigrated from Ghana, the country of his birth, to England where he has lived and worked ever since. He now lives with his wife and family in Northampton.

In November 2004 his maternal brother, Bro Ofei Kwasi Ofosu-Apea (pictured right) of the Akwapim Lodge No 860 (Irish Constitution) situated in Accra, Ghana was visiting his brother. Joe was not a Freemason but his brother wished to visit a local Lodge whilst on holiday in Northampton. They did some research, starting on the Internet and finding www.4990.net, contacted Grey Friars Lodge.

After proving himself, Bro Ofosu-Apea visited a Grey Friars Lodge meeting on 22 November 2004. He mentioned that Joe was interested in becoming a Freemason. After the appropriate procedures had been completed, Bro Joe Apea was initiated into Grey Friars Lodge. His brother made the journey form Ghana to be present.

Bro Joe Apea (pictured left) said, "This is a very proud day in his life as I have wanted to become a Freemason for some time - and I am particularly proud that my brother could be here at my initiation."

The Grey Friars Lodge Worshipful Master, WBro Gerry Crawford said, "It was a pleasure to receive Bro Ofei as a visitor to our Lodge last year and an even greater pleasure to welcome him back to the UK to see the initiation of his brother, Joe. We developed our web site in the spirit of openness and to give a greater insight into Freemasonry in general and Grey Friars Lodge in particular. The fact that we have gained a new member through it is an added bonus."

Abseil for Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust - Sunday 31 July 2005

Grey Friars Lodge was pleased to support 19 years old Abigail Waters when she abseiled down the 400 ft high Centrepoint Tower in London (pictured left) to raise funds for the Anthony Nolan Trust.

She and other volunteers raised over £45,000.

Abigail is now somewhat of a veteran abseiler. When her cousin was 16 years old he needed a bone marrow transplant. Abigail started to donate blood and went onto the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Register. In April last year she raised funds for them by abseiling down the Xscape building in Milton Keynes.

We admire her courage and congratulate her on this fine achievement.

Presentation of Provincial Cheque to HemiHelp - Sunday 5 June 2005

Brethren of the Brixworth Masonic Dining Club organised a Sunday lunch to promote openness in freemasonry.

At the lunch our Worshipful Master, WBro Bro Gerry Crawford, introduced the CEO of HemiHelp, John Adams.

On behalf of the Provincial Grand Charity of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire , WBro Bro Crawford presented him with a cheque for £1,000.

In accepting the donation John Adams expressed the sincere thanks of HemiHelp which he said was a Registered Charity run almost entirely by volunteers. He said the money would fund an Activity Day in Northamptonshire which might otherwise not be able to go ahead.

Picture shows WBro Bro Gerry Crawford, Mrs Jan Crawford and John Adams.

Provincial Appointment - Thursday 19 May 2005

At the meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire RW Bro Nicholas Hart was pleased to appoint and invest WBro Alan Bailey to the Provincial Acting Rank of Assistant Standard Bearer.

Grey Friars members offer their sincere congratulations to WBro Alan on this richly deserved first appointment and for all his hard work on behalf of the Lodge.

April Meeting - Monday 25 April 2005

This year, St George's day fell on Saturday, 23 April. This was closely followed by our Meeting on Monday, 25 April. Members and visitors (over 100 in total) attended the initiation ceremony (of Bro mark Gansbeuhler) followed by our ever popular St George's Night themed Festive Board.

During this we celebrated St George's Day, were royally entertained by 'Musical Memories' ably led by Bro John Morris and sang 'Last Night of the Proms' type of patriotic songs.  An excellent night was had by all.

February Meeting - Monday 28 February 2005

At our February Meeting we raised Brother Anthony Howard. We were also pleased to receive WBro Richard Evans, Worship Master of Ceres Lodge No 6977 and his officers. (Ceres Lodge is the daughter Lodge of Grey Friars Lodge.)

We also had a special visitor, WBro John Tristram who was born in Northampton but who is now a Staffordshire Mason, a Past Master of Ethelfleda Lodge 6600 and the Staffordshire Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge 9567 and the Master Elect of De Montfort Lodge No 5155, Henley in Arden, Warwickshire.

His father was a member of Ceres Lodge from 1953 to 1994 being Secretary for 25 years. His maternal Grandfather, George Markie was was initiated into Grey Friars Lodge on 23 February 1931 and died on 2 April 1940.

Our February Meting was therefore a happy occasion on which WBro John was able to renew old acquaintances and make new friends.

Installation of Gerry Crawford as WM - Monday 24 January 2005

The outgoing Worshipful Master, WBro Bro Alan Bailey, installed his successor, WBro Gerry Crawford.

WBro Alan Gerry, "Being elected and installed as Worshipful Master is the greatest honour a Mason can receive from his Lodge. I therefore feel privileged this honour that has been bestowed on me and look forward to the year with great anticipation."

In Memorium - WBro Fred Perkins - 18 January 2005

WBro Fred Perkins was born in Northampton on 19 February 1915 and was a skilled cabinet maker - literally a Master Craftsman - and spent most of his life in Northampton. He was initiated into Grey Friars Lodge on 22 October 1965 when he was 50 years old becoming the Worshipful Master in 1980. He was modest, unassuming and a gentle man. He was also extremely generous and the first to contribute towards the cost of the new Lodge banner. Despite ill health, he managed to attend the dedication of the new banner on 22 December 2003.

He died on 18 January 2005, aged 89 years and we mourn his loss.

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