News of 2006

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In Memorium - WBro Peter (Pip) Brewster PPrJGW - Died 27 December 2006

On 27 December, 2006, Grey Friars Lodge suffered yet another sad loss with the death of WBro Peter Brewster, known to us all as Pip. He had fought a long and very courageous battle against cancer and will be sadly missed.

In Memorium - WBro Ted Dowdy PPrSGW - Died 24 November 2006

Unfortunately, Grey Friars Lodge has suffered another sad loss. On 24 November, 2006, WBro Ted Dowdy passed to the Grand Lodge above. He was an Honorary member of the Lodge and had not been able to attend for many years through ill health.

Ladies' Festival - 18 November 2006

Over 140 attended our Ladies Festival and a good time was had by all.

We were superbly entertained by HighTyme

and almost as well entertained by the Masters and Immediate Past Masters of Sister Lodges with their rendition of the Tyler's Song!

Our ladies enjoyed the atmosphere and their ladies' gifts.

During the evening our WM, WBro Gerry Crawford presented to the Northamptonshire branch of MacMillan Nurses three cheques totalling £2,200.

The three cheques were from Grey Friars Lodge (£1,000) the masonic Province of Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire (£1,000) and St John's Chapter No 3972 (£200).

They were gratefully received on behalf of MacMillan Nurses by their County Chairman, Lady Morton, who sincerely thanked all who had contributed and assured us that the money would be spent in the County.

New Cufflinks for Grey Friars Lodge - 23 October 2006

At the Festive Board following the Lodge meeting on Monday, 23 October, 2006, the WM, WBro Gerry Crawford showed members presentation boxes each containing a set of cufflinks and a tie pin. These had been produced for the Lodge and feature a motif which faithfully reproduces the logo of the Lodge as used at our Consecration in 1928.

These cufflinks are available to members of Grey Friars Lodge.

Presentation of Gavel of the Late WBro Jack Haddon - 23 October 2006

At our Lodge meeting on Monday, 23 October, 2006, Bro Glen Brown of Fidelity Lodge No 445 (son-in-law of the late WBro Jack Haddon) presented Grey Friars Lodge with a gavel which had belonged to WBro Jack. Bro Glen said, "This was a prized possession of my father-in-law's and he wanted Grey Friars Lodge to have it."

In receiving the gavel on behalf of the Lodge the WM, WBro Gerry Crawford thanked Bro Glen for the presentation and said, "This gavel will be lasting reminder of WBro Jack who was held in high esteem by the lodge and who will be sadly missed."

The gavel has been taken into use in a setting much loved by WBro Jack - the Festive Board.

New Mentoring Policy - October 2006

Since its Consecration in 1928, the Lodge has had an informal mentoring policy through which new and joining members are supported, encouraged and educated. We have now reproduced this as a written form.

In Memorium - WBro Jack Haddon PPrGSwdB - Died 27 September 2006

We mourn the sad loss on 27 September, 2006, of WBro Jack Haddon who passed to the Grand Lodge above after a long illness. WBro Jack was a larger than life character who was held in the highest of respect by all who knew him. He will be sadly missed.

Promotions for Grey Friars Members

At the meeting of Three Counties Lodge No 9278 on Wednesday, 24 May, 2006, two Grey Friars members were promoted by the Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Barrie Hall. WBro Roy Bates was promoted to PPrJGW and WBro Alan Bailey to PPrGStB.

We offer them both our sincere congratulations.

In Memorium - WBro Gordon Hart PPrGSuptWks - Died 29 April 2006

We were saddened to hear that on Saturday, 29 April WBro Gordon Hart passed to the Grand Lodge above after a long illness. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

St George's Night Meeting - Monday 24 April 2006

In 2006 St George's Day was on Sunday, 23 April. This was closely followed by our Meeting on Monday, 24 April. Over 120 members and visitors enjoyed an Initiation ceremony followed by our traditional St George's Festive Board. This included entertainment by the 'Musical Memories,' ably led by Bro John Morris and with special guest soloist Rick Trainer.

We were honoured at this meeting by a visit form our Deputy Provincial Grand Master, WBro Derek Young.

We were also pleased to welcome the Hertfordshire Wanderers making their first visit to Grey Friars Lodge.

Other very welcome visitors were officers and members of the Lodge of St George No 5978. They were making a reciprocal visit after our visit to them on 1 March (when they celebrated St David's Day at their Festive Board).

Father & Son Serving Lodge - Twice

Grey Friars Lodge is fortunate to have two sets and father and son combinations very ably serving the Lodge.

After our January Installation Meeting Bro John Townley (Jnr) became Senior Deacon and his father, WBro John Townley (Snr) continued in his role as Honorary Organist.

Bro Richard Gansbuehler was appointed and invested as Junior Deacon and his son Bro Mark Gansbuehler as a Steward.

Proclamation of Gerry Crawford as WM for a Second Year - Monday 24 January 2005

WBro Gerry Crawford was proclaimed as the Worshipful Master at the 78th Anniversary and Installation Meeting of Grey Friars Lodge. It is the first time in the Lodge's history that the reigning Master has remained in the Chair for a second successive year.

He said , "If being elected and installed as Worshipful Master is the greatest honour a Mason can receive from his Lodge I feel particularly honoured to have this privilege for a second year. The past year has been absolutely terrific. I've met many new friends and the whole experience has been most enjoyable. If the coming year is half as good I shall be delighted."

WBro Lyndon Price (right centre) representative of the Prov Grand Master, congratulating WBro Gerry Crawford (left centre) on being proclaimed Master for a second year. Also pictured (l - r) WBro Greg Bates, WBro Peter Jones (Asst Prov Grand Master of Wiltshire), WBro Bob Allison & WBro Norman Coulson (Past Asst Prov Grand Master)JW, Bro Mike Britton (left) congratulating WBro Gerry Crawford (centre)with SW, WBro Allen Toppin (right)

During the meeting WBro Crawford presented a cheque for £500 to WBro Arthur Piggins. This was a contribution from Grey Friars Lodge to the efforts of WBro Arthur Piggins to raise money for a scanning machine for Northampton General Hospital.

WBro Arthur Piggins (right) with WBro Gerry Crawford

Provincial Honours for Grey Friars Members - WBros Ron Jennings, Roy Bates & Alan Bailey

We offer our congratulations to three of our members who are to receive Provincial honours later this year.

• WBro Ron Jennings - to be appointed Past Provincial Junior Grand Deacon at Provincial Grand Lodge on Wednesday, 18 May, 2006

• WBro Roy Bates - to be promoted to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden at Three Counties Lodge No 9278 in late May, 2006

• WBro Alan Bailey - to be promoted to Past Provincial Grand Standard Bearer at Three Counties Lodge No 9278 in late May, 2006

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