The Richard Sandbach Lodge of Research (RSLoR) is the only Lodge in the Province of its kind and uses its meeting to expand on masonic and other matters of interest to masons.
In front of 2 full houses, the Corby Masonic players provided a fantastic 1 1/2 hours of great entertainment for both the youngsters and the not so youngsters at the Corby Masonic Complex on Sunday 2nd December 2017.
Snow White and her 7 Dwarves were delivered to the audience together with a first class script, lots of laughs , crisps and sweets for those near the front and some great audience participation.
Especially welcomed was the fact that the cast ‘found’ themselves 5 Dwarves short , so naturally found some willing volunteers from the audience who had to pass the height test. Helping the audience sing along to “Old Macdonalds farm” was their big moment which they performed brilliantly.
A slightly older ‘volunteer’ in each of the performances was required later in the play with Jim Spence and Stuart Freeman chosen as the ‘victims’.
The entire audience joining in a rendition of the “Twelve days of Christmas” and the distribution of a free selection box to each child rounded off what was a fantastic afternoons entertainment.
Congratulations to the entire cast and we all hope to see you again next year!!!!
A recent guest to a number of the Corby Lodges has been Bro.Daniel Hefft who has recently moved into the area.
Brother Daniel presented 3 roses to each of the masters of the lodges on his visit and has kindly written an explanation for his gift for the website, which can be found below his picture.
I urge you all to read it, as it contains really interesting information about Masonic customs in Germany, and should you ever have an opportunity to visit a Lodge there, you will better understand the reasoning behind the 3 roses.
Daniel on his visit to Thistle & Rose
Three roses (white, pink and red) are common gifts in German masonic rituals.
Three roses: – Artist unknown.
Indeed, the rose is such a powerful symbol in German Freemasonry that many lodges have the word rose as part of the lodge’s name.
For example, my mother lodge is called Zur Rose am Teutoburger Walde (The Rose of the Teutoburg Forest).
The three colours represent:
White – light (the spiritual realm)
Pink – love (the consciousness to wander between these two worlds on earth)
Red – life (the earthly realm)
Three roses are given to the candidate at his initiation (together with two pairs of white gloves; one pair for himself and one for his partner to point out that the sisters are appreciated as well) and placed after his death as a last love gift on his coffin. This last gesture of brotherly love is normally in conjunction with a small masonic poem:
Zu Haupt die sanft Erglühende (rosa Rose),die dunkle niederwärts (rote Rose),die weiße hold Erblühende, die leg ich Dir aufs Herz.
Translation : To the head, the soft glowing one (pink rose),the dark down (red rose),the white, the dainty blooming, I will put on your heart.)
At installation meetings (in German lodges called John’s Day and preferable celebrated on 23/24th June) the temple will be decorated with roses and the WM, assisted by the DC will give each brother a bunch of the three roses, which they decorate themselves.
When brethren are travelling far or are invited to other lodges, the WM will often get three roses gifted (traditionally tied up with a blue ribbon) (often along with another token gift which can be displayed in the lodges). This symbolises that we are all part of a worldwide fraternity and are connected in brotherly love.
On major wedding anniversaries the WM will often gift the brother and his partner a rose pin.
The pin just takes on a custom, which also applies in the mundane life:
The man receives an even number of flowers, the woman an odd. This custom goes back to the Pythagorean number symbolism (6th century BC).
And as we all know , the MMs apron is also decorated with three roses.
This annual event was held this year on Tuesday 11th December and once again, it was very well attended by our widows.
Following the luncheon, a choir was formed by the brothers and Yuletide favourites were “melodically sung” to the attendees accompanied by W Bro Chris Winfield on the keyboards.
On Friday 15th December 2017, the Lodge of Heritage No 9344 was pleased to welcome the ‘Birthday Party’ celebrating the 92nd Birthday of W Bro Arthur March of the Old Kimboltonians Lodge No 7204.
Back row: W Bro David O’Leary, W bro Jeremy Allen, W Bro Jeff Chambers, W Bro Mark Constant, W Bro Jim Spence, W Bro David Jackson, W Bro David Hilton, W Bro Rodney Phillips, W Bro Andy Adamson. Front row: W Bro Berne Docherty, W Bro Jim Boughton, W Bro George Bonham, RW Bro Max Bayes, W Bro Arthur March, RW Bro Barrie Hall, W Bro Tommy Hall, W Bro Barry Cole.
You will see that the party contained a several senior Freemasons, including the current PGM (who sneaked in under a pseudonym) and the Past PGM, amongst others.
Not all the Carols that were sung where deep and crisp and even, but they were all sung with gusto as Thistle & Rose Lodge presented a white table event at the Corby Masonic Complex.
Wednesday 20th December was when the worshipful Master of Thistle & Rose , W Bro Peter Whitworth welcomed the Brethren with their friends and family members to the event.
Following the 3 course meal, the DC for the night , W Bro Steve Burton , introduced W Bro Paul Beard as the pianist and an evening of Carol singing began.
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of WBro Lyndon Cameron Price PAGDC on Tuesday the 26th of December 2017.
Born in Corby in 1942, Lyndon was educated at Kettering and Corby Grammar Schools after which he joined Stewarts and Lloyds as a technical apprentice.
Following a succession of production management roles, Lyndon ended his career as a senior logistics manager working for the Tubes Division of British Steel.
Happily married for 54 years, Lyndon leaves his wife Margaret, his son and daughter, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Lyndon was a keen sportsman during his youth. He continued to follow many sports, particularly Rugby Union, and was a supporter of Leicester Tigers.
In 1973, Lyndon was the second person to be initiated into newly-consecrated Ferraria Lodge No. 8489. He became Master in 1982.
Lyndon was also a joining member of Northants & Hunts Lodge of Installed Masters No. 3422, and an honorary member of Nantahala Lodge No. 9805 and Corbie Lodge No. 9155. He was also a past Preceptor of Corby United Lodge of Instruction.
Lyndon received his first Provincial promotion in 1988 and rose through the ranks to become active Provincial Senior Grand Warden in 2005. He was made Group Officer in 2007, the same year he received Grand Rank promotion to Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.
Lyndon was exalted into Perseverance Chapter No. 455 in 1975. He became MEZ of Thistle and Rose Chapter No. 6644 (of which he was a founder member) in 1999.
Lyndon was also a joining member of Northants & Hunts Chapter of First Principals No. 3422. He was awarded the HRA Provincial rank of PPGSN in 2007.
In addition to Craft and HRA, Lyndon was perfected in Mercia Rose Croix Chapter No. 658 in 1993. He became MWS in 2002.
Lyndon was a very hard-working and well-respected Mason. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
The funeral of WBro LC Price PAGDC ( Lyndon) is to take place at the Edgar Newman Chapel at Kettering Crematorium on Tuesday 16th of January at 11am, following the service refreshments will be served at the Corby Masonic Complex, 27 Rockingham Rd, Corby.
Flowers are limited to the family only, however donations are welcome to Kidney Research UK
On Wednesday 24th January over 80 brethren enjoyed a wonderful triple celebration event at the Corby Masonic Complex.
It was a pleasure to initiate our new brother , Steven Scales into the craft and in particular Thistle & Rose #6644.
Following which was a 50 year service certificate presented to John Hallum by the Provincial Grand Lodge treasurer WBro David Watson, PAGDC.
All of this was topped off with a fantastic Rabbie Burns supper with WBro Cousins tasked with addressing the haggis and WBro Sam Hagen providing both verbal and sung information, poems and songs written by the baird himself. WBro Paul Beard supported on the piano a number of the songs.
On Thursday the 18th of January 2018, a raiding party from Lodge of Unity No. 9495 led by their Worshipful Master, WBro Dave Genner ProvAGDC, descended on the Burns Night meeting of Lactodorum Lodge No. 8526 in Towcester.
A number of distinguished brethren were present including the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, WBro Charles Bennett.
From left, WBro Neil McIlwain, WBro Dave Eaton, WBro Arthur Cairns, Bro John Neal, WBro Dave Genner, WBro Bob Cox, WBro Simon Key, WBro Dave Nixon, WBro Billy Glover, Bro Pete Oliver, WBro George Peel, and WBro Eddie Storey
The purpose of the raid was to seize the Travelling Gavel, which was originally gifted by St. Martin’s Lodge No. 5873, Chatham, Massachusetts to Loyal Lodge No. 251, meeting in the Province of Devonshire.
The Gavel’s aim is to promote Friendship and Brotherly Love by the travelling and visiting of other lodges. Lactodorum had claimed the Gavel from Fitzwilliam Lodge No. 2533 on Thursday the 6th of November 2014 (click here for details).
On behalf of the Lactodorum Brethren, the Worshipful Master for the evening, WBro Simon Key IPM & ADC, gave a warm welcome to the Lodge of Unity Brethren and invited them to be seated for the Raising of Bro Howard Clark.
That part of the ceremony having been conducted, the Lactodorum secretary, WBro Dave Eaton, gave a history of the Gavel and outlined the rules governing its transference to other lodges.
Having satisfied himself that the rules has been complied with, WBro Key declared that Lactodorum was most pleased to relinquish possession of the Gavel and presented it to WBro Genner, who in turn presented the Brethren of Lactodorum with a gift of a Golden Trowel and several bottles of whisky.
WBro Genner pledged that Lodge of Unity would take good care of the Gavel at Corby until it was claimed by another worthy lodge.
The meeting was followed by a fine festive board during which Lodge of Unity’s whisky gift was enjoyed by all.
WBro Dave Genner and WBro Simon Key
WBro Scott Morton did an outstanding job as Piper matched only by Bro Dave Adams’s address to the Haggis.
Bro Dave Adams and Bro John New led the singing, which concluded with a hearty rendition of Auld Lang Syne.
All in all it was a super evening, one whose success was in no small part due to the Travel of the Gavel!
This article first appeared on the Northants and Hunts Provincial Web site .
Once all the tables had been put to the side and the band started to play, the dance floor was filled all night long!!
It was another enjoyable night at the Complex and our hosts the Worshipful Master of Ferraria Scott Macleod and his wife Dawn presided over an excellent evening.
Following the official introductions to the W.M. and his wife in the temple it was back to the main function room for the 145 guests for dinner.
The resident chef, Gary, provided a great meal consisting of Pate to start , Roast Beef and all the trimmings followed by Profiteroles and topped off with Cheese and Biscuits along with Teas and Coffees.
An abundance of completely empty plates going back to the kitchen was proof enough of just what the diners had felt about the meal!!
In between the speeches came a number of songs with everyone joining in.
After which, the Hall was re-arranged to create the dance floor in the middle , the entertainment for the evening, the wonderful POINT BLANK came on stage.
It was then the dancing started, and continued right up until midnight with people on the dance floor all night.
Thanks must go to John Lyman and his team for organising the whole event.
Here are a few photos from the evening. ( Send me any photos you would like me to add via info@corbymasoniccomplex.co.uk)
Ready for the Top Table to enter the Hall
Scott and Dawn MaCleodPoint Blank warming up ready to start
Corby Masonic Centre, Rockingham Road, Corby, NN17 1AD
On Saturday 2nd June 2018
Details
Arrival from 5pm onwards
Reception at 5:45pm
Dinner at 6:30pm
Cocktail or Evening Dress, Dinner Jackets, White Shirts/ highland Attire, Regalia without jewels.
Carriages at Midnight
Dancing to New Vintage Plus
Closing Date to purchase tickets is : Saturday 19th May 2018
Please contact Jeff Conisbee for tickets and further information.
A great evening was had by all on Monday 26th February 2018 as The Lodge of Unity No. 9495 held their Silver Jubilee Celebrations.
The Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W Bro D.J. Burton PSGD accompanied by W Bro T.S. Webster, ProvDepGDC were Official Visitors on the evening. RW Bro W.B. Hall, PProvGM was also in attendance, who took part in the Consecration of Lodge on 20th February 1993 in his role of Prov SGW.
After the Worshipful Master W Bro D. Genner had opened the Lodge The original minutes of the Concentration Meeting was read out to those present. WM D. Genner then graciously passed on the work for the evening to the Founders of the Lodge to conduct the 2nd Degree ceremony.
It was apt that W Bro JS Spence PAGDC Senior Group Officer for Corby first took to the helm on the evening as he was the Founding Worshipful Master of the Lodge. Other founders that took part were W Bro H.S. Twelvetree PPSGW Group Officer for Corby, W Bro B. Ball PPSGW and W Bro A.A. Cairns PPAGDC all of which proved that the intervening 25 years had not diminished the quality of their work This was greatly appreciated by the Bro A.S. Roderick on the occasion of his passing.
The Lodge Almoner, W Bro R. Stone PPSGW, also a founder of the Lodge who has served the Lodge as Almoner for the whole 25 years, then read out the names of those founders that have sadly since passed to the Grand Lodge above.
The recently acquired Travelling gavel was also proudly on display following the successful raiding party to from Lactodorum Lodge No. 8526 in Towcester.
Also present on the evening was W Bro M.R. Constant, PProvSGW, newly appointed Group Officer for Corby as well as a very good number of Acting Provincial Officers also marking this occasion.
Over 75 diners enjoyed a very resplendent festive board which included a birthday cake to add to the celebrations.
Unity’s 1st and Latest WM WBRo Jim Spence and W Bro Dave Genner with the travelling Gavel.WM APGM PPGM W Bro D.J. Burton, PSGD, AsstProvGM, W Bro D Genner ProvAGDC , RW Bro W.B. Hall, PProvGMWM and officers W Bro W.B. Glover PProvAGDC, W Bro R. Stone PPSGW, W Bro G. Hall, PPGReg, W Bro B. Ball, PPSGW, W Bro JS Spence PAGDC, WBro D Genner ProvAGDC, W Bro K.G. Martin PPJGW, W Bro H.S. Twelvetree PPSGW, W Bro N.C. McIlwain PPGSwdB LGRWWM and Founders W Bro H.S. Twelvetree PPSGW, W Bro R. Stone PPSGW, W Bro JS Spence PAGDC, WBro D Genner ProvAGDC, W Bro B. Ball PPSGW, W Bro A.A. Cairns PPAGDCWM and Prov Team W Bro M. Warren PPGStwd, W Bro J.R. Annetts, ProvGStwd, W Bro P.M. Henry PPGStwd, W Bro JS Spence PAGDC, W Bro T.S. Webster ProvDepGDC, W Bro D.J. Burton, PSGD, AsstProvGM, W Bro D Genner ProvAGDC , RW Bro W.B. Hall, PProvGM, W Bro L. Orsi, PAGDC, PProvSGW, W Bro M.A. Deane, ProvSGD, W Bro M.R. Constant, PProvSGW, LGRWM and DCs W Bro N.C. McIlwain PPGSwdB LGRW, W Bro JS Spence PAGDC, W Bro D Genner ProvAGDC, W Bro W.B. Glover PProvAGDCWM and Wardens Bro A. Swartjes Junior Warden, W Bro D Genner ProvAGDC WM, W Bro G.M. Peel Senior Warden
All together now!!Festive BoardFestive Board25 Years and Counting !!!Saying it with Flowers
