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Helping the community—one step at a time

Conrad Evans, a Buckinghamshire Freemasons, is about to embark on an epic adventure to raise funds for . Over the following eight days, he will trek 95 miles from Milngavi to Fort William. This path, known as the West Highland Way, is one of the most difficult cross-country walking trails in Britain.
This charity walk will be a strenuous endeavour, but the reward of raising funds for Buds is essential to Conrad because of his personal experiences. Conrad states in the film that his mobility challenges caused by cerebral palsy, right hemiplegia, and epilepsy will not prevent him from completing the gigantic trek.
@everyone, please wish Conrad luck on his walk; you may follow him on his channels; and if you do support him, know that every penny he receives will be gratefully received and faithfully applied.
https://donate.givetap.co.uk/f/masonic-charitable-foundation/l5637-pegasus-lodge/conrad-is-walking-the-west-highland-way

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php
https://www.instagram.com/conradswesthilandway/

Helping the community—one step at a time

Conrad Evans, a Buckinghamshire Freemasons, is about to embark on an epic adventure to raise funds for . Over the following eight days, he will trek 95 miles from Milngavi to Fort William. This path, known as the West Highland Way, is one of the most difficult cross-country walking trails in Britain.
This charity walk will be a strenuous endeavour, but the reward of raising funds for Buds is essential to Conrad because of his personal experiences. Conard states in the film that his mobility challenges caused by cerebral palsy, right hemiplegia, and epilepsy will not prevent him from completing the gigantic trek.
Please wish Conrad luck on his walk; you may follow him on his channels; and if you do support him, know that every money he receives will be gratefully received and faithfully applied.
https://donate.givetap.co.uk/f/masonic-charitable-foundation/l5637-pegasus-lodge/conrad-is-walking-the-west-highland-way

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php
https://www.instagram.com/conradswesthilandway/

Could you lend a hand to support a charity in Buckinghamshire?

This week, the head of charity for the Buckinghamshire Freemasons', Mark, and colleague Ameet paid a visit to a charity called Woodrow High House in Amersham, Buckinghamshire.
When Mark and Ameet visited them, they had a full house, four separate schools, and an over-60’s football team who were using their Astro turf pitch.
Woodrow High House looks after children and the elderly using their outdoor pursuit facilities 365 days per year.
They have a swimming pool, sports hall, gym, archery, abseiling, cycling track, camp fires, yurts, etc.
They operate from a Grade II listed manor house with over 26 acres of land, which was gifted to them after the Second World War by the Worshipful Goldsmiths Guild and Freemen of the City of London.

Like many organisations, they would appreciate help to continue doing what they do best: improving lives.
Volunteering improves the experience of children and young people who visit Woodrow. They would welcome both individuals and company volunteers who wish to assist them in delivering more (and better) outdoor learning experiences; they never turn down any assistance!

You can find out more here:
https://woodrowhighhouse.org/support-us/volunteer/

Happy Star Wars Day!

May the 4th Be With You …

Congratulations to Provincial Scribe E

Andrew Ludlow on his first appointment of Past Grand Standard Bearer and John Power on being promotion to Past Assistant Grand Sojourner.

Dagmar 2262: From Russia to Rugby, with Love

The Dagmar Lodge No. 2262 was consecrated at the Anglers Rest Hotel, Wraysbury on Thursday, 5th July 1888 by the V.W. Bro. Rev. J.S. Brownrigg, ProvGChap, Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Berkshire & Buckinghamshire (Berks & Bucks became separate Provinces in 1890). The Lodge was established due to the desire of members within London Lodges to continue their Masonic activities during the summer months. A group of Masons from Lodges in the East End of London approached a local Lodge, Brownrigg No. 1638, to sponsor the petition to Grand Lodge to form Dagmar Lodge. Meetings were held at the Anglers Rest until 1922, though installation meetings were often held in London under dispensation. During 1923, meetings were held at the Manor Hotel, Datchet, and in 1924, the Lodge settled in the Masonic Hall, Slough, until 2022, when it relocated to Bletchley.

The Lodge is named after Maria Feodorovna (26 November 1847 - 13 October 1928), born Princess Dagmar of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, who became Empress Consort of Russia as the spouse of Emperor Alexander III. She was the second daughter of King Christian IX of Denmark and sister of Queen Alexandra (wife of the Prince of Wales, later Edward VII). The Danish princesses were popular in Victorian London and noted for their good works. During the Great War, she served as president of Russia’s Red Cross, and the cross on the banner reflects that fact. The hearts on the Dagmar Lodge crest come from the Danish Royal Coat of Arms.

In 2022, Dagmar Lodge 2262 embraced the spirit of rugby, becoming a special interest lodge that celebrates both the camaraderie of the sport and the brotherhood of Freemasonry. If you share a passion for rugby and are looking to engage in a friendly 'away match,' they welcome you to reach out. Contact the Secretary of Dagmar Lodge 2262 to arrange a visit and experience the unique blend of tradition and teamwork that defines them.

If you would like to be part of a Freemasons' lodge in Buckinghamshire that has a special interest in rugby, please use this link to express your interest: https://buckspgl.org/join

lodgebanners bucksmasons rugby

Supporting charities in our community

MK SNAP Registered Charity No: 1013148 began in 1992, offering work training to vulnerable adults. After moving to new premises in 2004 which include a kitchen, cafe, and garden, they expanded into education, learning, and life skills in 2012. They now offer 22 course subjects to a growing number of learners with a wide range of disabilities.
BMCFhave donated £3,883 to give support enabling the purchase of ten, 9th generation iPad’s with cases and chargers and have recently received the following testimonial:
“The lightweight, portable iPads have been used on-the-go indoors and outdoors to boost the learning and IT confidence of people with learning disabilities at MK SNAP. We have already seen an increase in our learners’ confidence, communication and IT skills.
We’ve also seen an increase in enjoyment of using this new technology, especially due to the accessibility of engaging quizzes, assignments and exercises – this enthusiasm has made it hard to get a look-in sometimes! Before the new iPads, MK SNAP only had one set for one group of learners to use at a time. This donation means double the number of learners have access to equipment that enables them to fully participate in sessions through features such a voice-over, screen reading, and speech selection, (text to speech).
The ability to customise settings, such as text size, font, and contrast, has also made content more accessible and easier to read, especially for those with reading and writing challenges and those with dyslexia or visual impairments. We’re finding the interactive and multimedia content has also made learning more engaging and effective for learners with ADHD or executive function disorders. The iPads will allow for integration of text, images, audio and video, providing a more holistic approach to learning.
“We can’t thank the Bucks Masonic Centenary Fund enough for the generous donation which has made these new opportunities possible. See our learners in the photograph.”

More about the Bucks Masonic Centenary Fund:
What is the BMCF?
The Buckinghamshire Masonic Centenary Fund was first set up in 1991 with the objective of helping non-Masonic Charities, groups or individuals within Buckinghamshire.
The Buckinghamshire Freemasons are solely responsible for funding the donations, which go to deserving causes that receive little to no support from national charities. The BMCF is a great example of Freemasons caring for the local community.

Eligibility Criteria
All requests are fully considered by the Centenary Fund Committee, which consists of 8 members who are all Freemasons. This ensures donations are only made to genuine needs and where they can be most effectively used.

The qualifications of our awards are:
Non-Masonic charitable causes dealing with poverty and distress with strong Buckinghamshire connections.
Specific projects or facilities rather than general appeals or requests to fund routine activities.
Buckinghamshire charities that deal solely with causes in Buckinghamshire.
Buckinghamshire charities that also have connections in adjacent areas.
Individual causes within Bucks or individual cases outside Bucks only if there is a strong Buckinghamshire connection.

Apply now:
https://buckspgl.org/BMCF

Our Buckinghamshire Freemasons Live Event is THIS TUESDAY!

Discover Freemasonry and Discover Yourself.

You could be part of an organisation that brings people from all walks of life together to benefit the community. Come along and discover a 300-year-old mystery that’s steeped in history.

Book your place at our live event in Slough and enjoy an evening of conversation and discovery.

Tuesday 30th April 2024, from 7:00pm.
Slough Masonic Centre, SL1 2PX

Book here:
https://buckspgl.org/events/provincial-events/discover-slough-2024

Buckinghamshire has 117 lodges that meet at 16 Centres across the county throughout the year

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.

DID YOU KNOW HE WAS A FREEMASON ?

SIR ALEXANDER FLEMING

Sir Alexander Fleming was born in East Ayrshire, Scotland, on 6 August 1881 and he is best known for having discovered penicillin, which is still used to treat bacterial infections today.

In 1909 at the age of 27, Fleming was initiated into Sancta Maria Lodge No. 2682, which met in London. He served as Senior Warden in 1922 and Master in 1924. He became a joining member of London Scottish Rifles Lodge No. 2310 in London in 1911 and Misericordia Lodge No. 3288 in London in 1925, where he served as Master in 1935.

If you would like to be part of a global community that has has hand 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/join
After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch

Happy St George's Day!

The legend of Saint George and the Dragon describes the saint taming and slaying a dragon that terrorised local communities. 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 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://i.mtr.cool/eujessugmc
After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch.

First Principals Demonstration and Explanation

BucksPGC

On 19th April 2024, Buckinghamshire First Principals Chapter No. 3305 demonstrated the ceremony of joining the Royal Arch with a narration explaining what was happening to a packed Chapter room of almost 80 Companions at Bletchley Masonic Centre.

The head of the Chapter John Stribling, assisted by Andrew Hunter, performed an excellent demonstration of the Exaltation ceremony, which is what happens when a new Companion continues their Masonic journey and joins the Supreme Degree of the Royal Arch.

To further enhance the meeting, the Project Transform Lighting and Music systems were utilised to dramatic effect by Tim Anders.

At various points throughout the meeting, the head of Royal Arch Masonry in Buckinghamshire, Graham Dearing, imparted many interesting facts and gave the origins of the various parts of the ceremony. Everyone left with an advancement in their Masonic knowledge.

Also at the meeting, Manor of Swanburn Chapter No. 8647 returned the travelling Altar of Companionship back to its starting place, having left 7 years earlier. It has been passed on between every Chapter in the Province and it will now start another voyage for a second visit to each Chapter in Buckinghamshire.

Teddies for Loving Care

The head of charity In the Buckinghamshire Freemasons, Mark Duncan, visited a local children's accident and emergency unit in Bucks. He took Leo, his grandson, with him to help carry some of the fantastic teddies provided by .
During his visit, Mark met Arthur, who had fallen off his bike and received a nasty bump for his troubles. Upon receiving his teddy, he soon brightened up. The nurse on duty explained to both Arthur and Leo that when a patient is treated, the teddy gets exactly the same bandaging.
In research about the importance of play during the hospitalisation of children, researchers discovered the following:
The bandaged teddy bear provides psychological and emotional support to the child patient, helping them cope better with the medical treatment and have a more positive overall experience. This can lead to better clinical outcomes as well as improved patient well-being.
When a child is injured or ill, they can feel scared, anxious, and distressed. The teddy bear acts as a transitional object, providing a sense of security and familiarity during the medical treatment.
Bandaging the teddy in the same way as the patient helps the child feel understood and cared for. It shows the medical staff are attuned to the child's emotional needs, not just their physical needs.
This practice can help reduce a child's distress and fear during procedures. The teddy bear becomes a source of comfort and companionship, making the experience less traumatic.
Research has shown that the use of therapeutic toys like bandaged teddy bears can have positive psychological benefits for paediatric patients, including reduced anxiety, improved cooperation with treatment, and faster recovery times.

You can find out more about this charity here:
https://teddiesforlovingcare.org.uk/

50 years of brotherhood in St Giles!

St Giles Lodge celebrated its 50th anniversary by raising Bro. Brian on behalf of Hartebeestpoort No. 8545 based in South Africa.
The lodge was formed due to the extended waiting lists for membership of established lodges and the insufficient capacity to meet the increasing demand for membership. The first meeting to discuss the formation of a daughter Lodge by Watling Street Lodge No. 1639 was held on the 11th of April 1973. It was agreed that the new lodge would meet six times a year, probably on the 3rd Wednesday of the chosen months. The officers of the new Lodge were decided for the first year, and it was agreed that the officers of the Lodge would provide their own collars and jewels and present them to the Lodge. By-law No. 6 was an Initiation fee of £20, which was after a vote changed to £30. The annual subscription to the lodge would be £7.50, exclusive of the dining fee. It was also decided to have a non-dining fee and a country member fee of £3.
The name of the new lodge was decided at the next meeting on the 11th April 1973, and it was proposed, Seconded, and carried at the meeting that the first Master of St Giles would be W. Bro. R Selick. Over 8 subsequent meetings, it was decided, amongst many other items, that the start time of meetings would be 6.15 p.m. (now 6 p.m.), except for the installation meeting, which would be 5 p.m.
The Consecration meeting for St Giles no. 8555 was held on Saturday, April 1974. 50 Years later, St Giles is still going strong and is a happy and friendly lodge of brothers
It is worth noting that St Giles is a common name for churches and lodges, and it is derived from the name of the Parish church of Stony Stratford. Many churches were dedicated to St Giles around this period, and the church was built in stages, with the priest’s door and the double square piscina and aumbry in the Early English style, which generally corresponds to the period c.1200 to c.1280

If you would like to be part of a Freemasons' lodge in Buckinghamshire, please use this link to express your interest: https://buckspgl.org/join

Cowper and Newton Lodge No 2244 is the millers and...

Cowper and Newton Lodge No 2244 is the millers and brewers lodge

The lodge was named after William Cowper and John Newton, who together penned 348 hymns, including Amazing Grace. Together, Cowper and Newton left a lasting legacy through their hymns and their respective contributions to literature and social reform. Their lives were intertwined through their work and friendship, each influencing the other in significant ways.

Local brewers and millers formed the lodge; their Masonic meetings often reflected this 'appreciation' of final ales. Local sign writers connected to the nearby breweries created the original lodge banner. It was replaced in 1995 with a near exact replica. R.W.Bro., the Reverend Canon Richard Tydeman, who was known for his masonic literary skills and had experience in crafting masonic regalia, agreed to create the banner at commercial rates but only charged for the materials, donating any surplus to the Grand Charity.
The banner was completed by Canon Tydeman and he was invited to consecrate it at a regular meeting of the Cowper & Newton Lodge in Olney in 1997. The Provincial Grand Master of Buckinghamshire, R.W.Bro. Eric J. Deung, was present at the ceremony. During the dedication, Canon Tydeman pointed out a fault in the original banner design where the colour on the rear of a scroll was inaccurately depicted. Although he attempted to correct this, he ultimately followed the original design as it appeared visually better.
This banner holds special significance as it is the only one that Canon Tydeman had the pleasure of both making and consecrating himself. The Lodge regards the banner as a masonic treasure, a testament to the craftsmanship and dedication of one of the most prominent masons
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 the link in the bio.

Freemasonry History Breweries AmazingGrace

Supporting charities in our community

The Buckinghamshire Freemasons are proud to work with some incredible charities and support organisations across the county. This past Sunday, the Bucks Masonic Centenary Fund had the pleasure of hosting an event where 100 guests highlighted the transformational impact of Buckinghamshire Freemasons grants on their charity work. The event included incredible stories and meaningful conversations with community volunteers committed to making a difference.

Being in the company of such selfless people was extremely humbling, and we wish them all the best in their charitable endeavours. Our responsibility as Freemasons in the community is clear: to encourage and enable these extraordinary people to do even more amazing things.

To everyone who participated, our message is simple: keep excelling at what you do, and know that we will be there for you every step of the way.

More about the Bucks Masonic Centenary Fund:
What is the BMCF?
The Buckinghamshire Masonic Centenary Fund was first set up in 1991 with the objective of helping non-Masonic Charities, groups or individuals within Buckinghamshire.
The Buckinghamshire Freemasons are solely responsible for funding the donations, which go to deserving causes that receive little to no support from national charities. The BMCF is a great example of Freemasons caring for the local community.

Eligibility Criteria
All requests are fully considered by the Centenary Fund Committee, which consists of 8 members who are all Freemasons. This ensures donations are only made to genuine needs and where they can be most effectively used.

The qualifications of our awards are:
Non-Masonic charitable causes dealing with poverty and distress with strong Buckinghamshire connections.
Specific projects or facilities rather than general appeals or requests to fund routine activities.
Buckinghamshire charities that deal solely with causes in Buckinghamshire.
Buckinghamshire charities that also have connections in adjacent areas.
Individual causes within Bucks or individual cases outside Bucks only if there is a strong Buckinghamshire connection.

DID YOU KNOW HE WAS A FREEMASON ?

PETER SELLERS

Born in 1925, Peter Sellers was an English film actor, comedian, and singer. He performed in the BBC Radio comedy series The Goon Show and became known to a worldwide audience through his many film roles, including Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther series of films.

Sellers was initiated as a Freemason in the same Lodge as his father, Chelsea Lodge No. 3098 in London on 16 July 1948.

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=sellers

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

FamousFreemasons

Head of Freemasonry delivers for Buckinghamshire

In Freemasonry, the leader of most regions (AKA county, province, district, or overseas territory) is called the Provincial Grand Master (PGM). In Bucks, we know that person as simply John. He is a grafter and leads by example, acting as an inspiration to us all.
For example, in a recent seven day period, John did the following:
Friday: Meeting with Exec in the morning, setting up the lodge room for Marcellians Lodge meeting in the evening.
Saturday: Rehearsal for Saxon Lodge in the morning, Lunchtime planning meeting with Provincial Team and then Bourne End Ladies Night in the evening.
Sunday: Temple Manor Ladies Lunch and then kitchen table rehearsal with Sarah, his wife. Project planning meeting for BIG 1-2-3 in the evening.
Monday: Call with the Exec team in the morning. Delivered an entire double 1st degree initiation ceremony in the evening at Magiovinivm Lodge. LOI in the car journey home for the next day's ceremony.
Tuesday: Delivered an entire double third degree ceremony, with a surprise in-field promotion for Saxon Daylight Lodge. LOI in the car journey home for the next day's ceremony.
Wednesday: UGLE steering group meetings in the morning. Delivered the inner workings for the Eric Deung Daylight Lodge installation. Plus, surprise in-field promotion.
Thursday: Call with Communications team. Provincial admin. Project planning meeting for BIG 1-2-3.

John has promised Sarah, his wife, that after many years of learning, rehearsing, and delivering ceremonies, he will stop doing them this year. This is fair enough, as last year alone he performed nearly 90 entire ceremonies, including 3rd degrees to launch Project Transform and over thirty complete 1st degrees in one week alone for the Pretty Big initiative!

He is not ready to park his blue book quite yet, though, a few days after his epic week, he flawlessly delivered an entire 3rd degree ceremony for Bro. Ant at St. George's Lodge in Wolverton. This meeting also acted as the launch of Project Transform in that meeting centre and was quite a sight to see.
Well done John, for all your hard work. We look forward to seeing you deliver your final pièce de résistance at the BIG 1-2-3 event in London on June 29th.

If you would like to be part of a Freemasons' lodge in Buckinghamshire, please use this link to express your interest: https://buckspgl.org/join

Herschel Lodge No 1894 is the Astronomers Lodge

The Lodge was named in honour of Sir Wilhelm Herschel, the esteemed astronomer who discovered the planet Uranus in 1781. He lived and ran an observatory for many years, just a few hundred yards from the Slough Masonic Centre. A portrait of Sir Wilhelm, gifted by his grandson, graces the Slough Masonic Centre, establishing a direct link to the lodge's namesake.
The lodge itself was consecrated on Wednesday, 14th September 1881, within the then-combined Province of Berks and Bucks, at the Crown Hotel in Slough, under the sponsorship of Windsor Castle Lodge No 771. At that time, Buckinghamshire was home to only five lodges.

The original lodge banner, presented in 1888 by W.Bro. F. Charsley, is rich in symbolic detail. It features the Pentalpha, or Five-Pointed Star, in its right and left-hand corners, a symbol of significant ancient and universal importance, denoting health and widely used as a Mason's Mark in mediaeval times, as well as being the traditional seal of King Solomon. The banner also depicts an eagle atop a demi-terrestrial sphere, symbolising the highest aspirations and achievements. Additionally, it showcases an azure chief with the astronomical symbol for Uranus and Herschel’s Badge of Ulster as a baronet, centred around a representation of the 40-foot reflecting telescope, beneath which lies the motto ‘Coelis Exploratis’ or ‘The Heavens Explored’ in English, encapsulating the lodge’s homage to astronomical discovery and exploration.

You can read more about Herschel's 40-foot telescope here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/40-foot_telescope

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

Freemasonry History Astronomy

Engaging the Mursley community in physical activit...

Engaging the Mursley community in physical activity and recreation

Founded in 1963, the Mursley Sports Association is a registered charity with the number 300307 that offers a variety of sports and activities to people of all ages in Mursley and surrounding areas. This includes children, adults, and those with special needs.
The goal is to foster a sense of community among the villages after COVID-19 and to stimulate physical and mental activity in the new region, which will be particularly helpful for the elderly and more isolated residents who will have easier access to exercise facilities.
A multi-user activities area, two youth football fields, and a full-size, award-winning football pitch are all part of the amenities. A communal space, a Village Coronation Sports Day and Dinner, a yearly fireworks show, and Christmas carols are all provided by the facilities, which also serve three nearby schools.

The Buckinghamshire Masonic Centenary Fund has made a generous donation of £1,225 to cover the necessary operating costs for the upkeep of all areas and equipment.

Look out each week for informative community service and charity news from the Hall Stone of Buckinghamshire.
You can find out more about the Buckinghamshire Masonic Centenary Fund here: https://buckspgl.org/BMCF

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