News

Dagmar Rugby Lodge and MK Alliance Project.

The annual Buckinghamshire Provincial membership scheme, the 12 Days of Christmas (12DX) this year included Dagmar Lodge, which is a Special Interest Lodge with a rugby theme.

At their 12DX meeting, the members and visitors of Dagmar Lodge donated to support the MK Alliance Project, a school and community-based initiative to improve access to high quality rugby in Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas for children of all backgrounds.

It currently involves over 16 Schools and around 70 players, giving both new and experienced players the opportunity to be given free coaching and play competitive rugby. All the coaches and first aiders generously give their time for free.

The donation from Dagmar Lodge enables the players to be provided with a warm meal after games. This also helps them build new bonds and friendships, allowing them to grow their social skills and improve their confidence.

The Alliance is also a 'Safe Place' which gives players the opportunity to share any issues or problems they might have outside of the game in confidence, knowing it is safe to do so.

You may not realise that Freemasonry is made of a number of different 'Progressive Orders'. This series will explain these various Orders and how they are linked.

The Operatives
The full title of this Order is the Worshipful Society of Free Masons, Rough Masons, Walkers, Slaters, Paviours, Plaisterers and Bricklayers, in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Commonwealth, and Territories Overseas. It is often familiarly known as the ‘The Worshipful Society of Freemasons’. 

Operative or Guild Masons were organized in England with royal approval dating at least from as early as the Grand Assemblage of 926 in York, which is reputed to have been authorized and encouraged by King Athelstan. The constitutions of the Society state that the Order was founded in 1913. The ritual of The Operatives as they are familiarly called, is more archaic in form and much fuller than that of the ‘speculatives’, containing practical instruction of which only echoes are found in speculative ritual, thereby providing an interesting field of study for the serious Masonic student. 

Lodge meetings are held in Assemblages.

The degrees of the Society are seven in number. 

The regalia is minimal and consists of a blue cord or blue collarette from which is suspended the badge of the member’s grade.
Badges are simply exchanged as progression is made. All members wear the distinctive Society tie.
 
Qualification for joining is that a candidate must be a Master Mason, a Mark Master Mason, and a Royal Arch Mason.
Find out more here: https://www.theoperatives.org/

Calibre audio: Charity Number 286614 was founded in 1974 to provide audio
Books for people of all ages who are unable to read the printed word which can
be due to visual impairment, special educational needs or challenges in
dexterity with conditions such as dyslexia, arthritis and Parkinson’s disease.
Many are children with SEN and older members with age related visual
impairment which can lead to isolation, their service brings comfort and
companionship and a connection with the outside world. They also supply
streaming and download options and support 396 Members across
Buckinghamshire.

BMCF have Donated £1,000 to buy new memory sticks and were sent the
following Testimonial:

“Our current crop of memory sticks is starting to show their age, so we thank
Bucks Masonic Centenary Fund who very generously awarded us a grant of
£1,000 which will help us to continue our quick turnround of audiobooks. Many
thanks, we really appreciate your support and so will our beneficiaries in the
country.”

Carol Hart

You may not realise that Freemasonry is made of a number of different 'Progressive Orders'. This series will explain these various Orders and how they are linked.

Royal and Select Masters
The full title of this Order is The Grand Council of the Order of Royal and Select Masters of England and Wales and its Districts and Council Overseas. It is more familiarly known as the ‘Cryptic Degrees’.

Meetings are held in Councils.

Qualification for joining is that a candidate must be a Mark Master Mason and Royal Arch Mason.

The regalia consists of a triangular apron with a crimson edge and a triangular breast jewel.
 
The Order is based on the history of the first Temple at Jerusalem. The four degrees throw light on a sequence of events and demonstrate the essential link between the degrees of Master Mason, Mark Master Mason, and Royal Arch Mason. 

If you are interested in joining this order within Buckinghamshire, please message us.

You may not realise that Freemasonry is made of a number of different 'Progressive Orders'. This series will explain these various Orders and how they are linked.

Royal and Select Masters
The full title of this Order is The Grand Council of the Order of Royal and Select Masters of England and Wales and its Districts and Council Overseas. It is more familiarly known as the ‘Cryptic Degrees’.

Meetings are held in Councils.

Qualification for joining is that a candidate must be a Mark Master Mason and Royal Arch Mason.

The regalia consists of a triangular apron with a crimson edge and a triangular breast jewel.
 
The Order is based on the history of the first Temple at Jerusalem. The four degrees throw light on a sequence of events and demonstrate the essential link between the degrees of Master Mason, Mark Master Mason, and Royal Arch Mason. 

If you are interested in joining this order within Buckinghamshire, please message us.

Twice a year we hold a Bring a Friend event, where current Buckinghamshire Masons can bring a friend / colleague / family member to find out more and ask questions.

Our most recent event was held at the Slough Masonic Centre and focused on some of the province's special interest lodges.

Dozens of brethren arrived at the centre to begin the setup as early as 7 am!  

The teams got to work setting up their promotional tables for the afternoons event, but at approximately 9 am work ceased and the brethren Moved upstairs to the temple for an early meeting of the Buckinghamshire classic car Lodge featuring the fantastic project transform in all its splendour.

Upon completion of the ceremony and Lodge closure, the brethren then retired downstairs to finalise any tables that required setting up but also tuck into a hearty hot buffet style lunch and were able to meet and greet the guests who had began arriving at noon. The guests had time to casually walk around each of the Lodge displays and engage in conversation with the brethren,  the Special interest lodges had set up their tables with promotional information, photographs and videos to provide a visual representation of what their lodges had to offer around the edges of the hall.

At 1 pm, everyone assembled in the main dining hall, which was laid out like a theatre, for the presentation to begin. John King, one of the provincial executives opened the day greeting the guests and brethren before handing over to Lee Buckingham & John Palman who look after the communications and membership side of the province.  Matthew Perkins then delivered a detailed explanation of the charity side of Freemasonry, covering International, National and Provincial aspects of what we do.

Twice a year we hold a Bring a Friend event, where current Buckinghamshire Masons can bring a friend / colleague / family member to find out more and ask questions.

Our most recent event was held at the Slough Masonic Centre and focused on some of the province's special interest lodges.

Dozens of brethren arrived at the centre to begin the setup as early as 7 am!  

The teams got to work setting up their promotional tables for the afternoons event, but at approximately 9 am work ceased and the brethren Moved upstairs to the temple for an early meeting of the Buckinghamshire classic car Lodge featuring the fantastic project transform in all its splendour.

Upon completion of the ceremony and Lodge closure, the brethren then retired downstairs to finalise any tables that required setting up but also tuck into a hearty hot buffet style lunch and were able to meet and greet the guests who had began arriving at noon. The guests had time to casually walk around each of the Lodge displays and engage in conversation with the brethren,  the Special interest lodges had set up their tables with promotional information, photographs and videos to provide a visual representation of what their lodges had to offer around the edges of the hall.

At 1 pm, everyone assembled in the main dining hall, which was laid out like a theatre, for the presentation to begin. John King, one of the provincial executives opened the day greeting the guests and brethren before handing over to Lee Buckingham & John Palman who look after the communications and membership side of the province.  Matthew Perkins then delivered a detailed explanation of the charity side of Freemasonry, covering International, National and Provincial aspects of what we do.

We will be showcasing some of our special interest lodges to prospective new masonic members, giving a chance for an open Q&A session in a relaxed environment and an opportunity to meet freemasons of Buckinghamshire.

Shooting, Camping, Real Ale, Fine Wine, Aviation, to name but a few.

We will be showcasing some of our special interest lodges to prospective new masonic members, giving a chance for an open Q&A session in a relaxed environment and an opportunity to meet freemasons of Buckinghamshire.

Shooting, Camping, Real Ale, Fine Wine, Aviation, to name but a few.

You may not realise that Freemasonry is made of a number of different 'Progressive Orders'. This series will explain these various Orders and how they are linked.

The Red Cross of Constantine
The full title of this Order is The Masonic and Military Order of the Red Cross of Constantine and the Orders of the Holy Sepulchre and of St John the Evangelist.
 
Meetings are held in conclaves.
 
Qualification for joining is that a candidate must be a Royal Arch Mason and believe in the Trinitarian Faith. The joining ceremony is called ‘Installation’.
 
The regalia consists of a purple sash and a red cross breast jewel.
 
The Order is based on the conversion of Emperor Constantine to Christianity after seeing a sign from heaven in the form of a special cross. He directed that this cross should be worn on the armour of Christians in his army. A conclave of the knights of the order was formed whose members were the bodyguard of the sovereign. The candidate is admitted and obligated then made a Knight Companion where the history of the Order is detailed. There are two appendant ceremonies where the aims of Freemasonry are revealed.

You can find out more about this order here: https://www.markmasonshall.org/orders/red-cross-of-constantine

If you are interested in joining this order within Buckinghamshire, please message us.

Next time we will introduce you to Royal and Select Masters.

You may not realise that Freemasonry is made of a number of different 'Progressive Orders'. This series will explain these various Orders and how they are linked.

The Red Cross of Constantine
The full title of this Order is The Masonic and Military Order of the Red Cross of Constantine and the Orders of the Holy Sepulchre and of St John the Evangelist.
 
Meetings are held in conclaves.
 
Qualification for joining is that a candidate must be a Royal Arch Mason and believe in the Trinitarian Faith. The joining ceremony is called ‘Installation’.
 
The regalia consists of a purple sash and a red cross breast jewel.
 
The Order is based on the conversion of Emperor Constantine to Christianity after seeing a sign from heaven in the form of a special cross. He directed that this cross should be worn on the armour of Christians in his army. A conclave of the knights of the order was formed whose members were the bodyguard of the sovereign. The candidate is admitted and obligated then made a Knight Companion where the history of the Order is detailed. There are two appendant ceremonies where the aims of Freemasonry are revealed.

You can find out more about this order here: https://www.markmasonshall.org/orders/red-cross-of-constantine

If you are interested in joining this order within Buckinghamshire, please message us.

Next time we will introduce you to Royal and Select Masters.

Today we held the annual general meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Buckinghamshire at Freemasons' Hall, Great Queen Street,  one of the finest Art Deco buildings in London. 

Over 500 Freemasons of Buckinghamshire, along with Friends and family attended for this great annual event.

The following link will take you to the Provincial Grand Masters address.

https://buckspgl.org/blog/provincial-grand-masters-annual-address-2024