On a wet Saturday morning, the luminaries of the Paralympics and the world's media descended on humble Stoke Mandeville Stadium, the birthplace of the Paralympics, for a far-from-humble event: the lighting of the Paralympic Flame.

Buckinghamshire Freemasons were asked to volunteer to aid in the organisation and running of the event; taking up positions as marshals, traffic wardens, stewards and even diplomats.

We're very proud to have been in attendance of this ceremony of global significance and of the praise received from those in attendance, with one member of the press remarking "I've completely changed my mind about what you are!" In a world of scepticism and cynicism, this is among the finest of compliments a Freemason can receive from their community.

But the day was not one for sceptics nor cynics; even as the rain lashed and the winds howled, the spirit of hope, togetherness, and strength extolled by the Paralympics could not be extinguished. The flame was lit to rapturous applause, the torch carried with due reverence, beginning its journey to Paris and drawing onlookers and excitement from every quarter.

The Paralympic flames will make their final appearance during the Opening Ceremony, where they will be used to light the cauldron to symbolise the start of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games tomorrow, 28th August.

Aylesbury played its part well, and the Buckinghamshire Freemasons will forever be proud to have helped it in doing so.

Why Stoke Mandeville?

The small village on the edge of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, is the birthplace of the Paralympic movement. It is where Dr Ludwig Guttmann first dreamt of a sporting event for World War II veterans with disabilities to aid in their physical and mental rehabilitation in a fun, but competitive way. A mindset & idea to push the recovery process.

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://buckspgl.org/join
After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch. 

On Saturday June 29th, over 150 people took their next regular step in Freemasonry. 650 people attended this once in a lifetime moment.  BIG 1-2-3 was four months in planning and 14 hours in the delivery with a core team of 25 people, supported by over 50 lodges in the province.  
For Daniel, it was a a magical experience to take his second degree in the company of his husband Abdul.
"The Egyptian temple where my Second Degree took place was stunning, with purple and turquoise creating a unique atmosphere. Our lodge members supported us along with so many brothers from across the county and overseas. We had memorised our parts, feeling nervous and excited about presenting them to the DPGM. The ceremony went smoothly. Provincial Grand Stewards gave us tips on how to stand and present ourselves. The tracing board was interesting, with symbols teaching us about morality and masonry. As a new Freemason, I learned a lot. Seeing multiple ceremonies deepened my understanding of masonry. I met great new brothers and made connections. It was a long but rewarding day."

If you would like to join the Freemasons follow this link: https://buckspgl.org/joinAfter filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch.

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. 

Discover how the  is harnessing technology to elevate the experience for its members.
This engaging webinar features Hugh-Douglas Smith, the Chief Information Officer of UGLE, and an esteemed Freemason hailing from the Hallstone Province of Buckinghamshire. Hugh is at the forefront of Project 2023, a pioneering initiative to develop a membership system designed to empower members by giving them direct control over their own data.
 
Gain insight into the innovative measures implemented by Hugh and his team to modernise the way Freemasonry is experienced.
🎟 Book now for 19.30 on Tues 10th September ➡ https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3917235409272/WN_PHQf_A4HTYeqVBzuDquT-g

On Saturday June 29th, over 150 people took their next regular step in Freemasonry. 650 people attended this once in a lifetime moment.  BIG 1-2-3 was four months in planning and 14 hours in the delivery with a core team of 25 people, supported by over 50 lodges in the province.  
For Lawrence, it was a whirlwind chain of events.
"As a 4-week-old head of Verney Lodge, I had the privilege of initiating a new brother at Freemasons' Hall in a beautiful temple. It was a remarkable experience for both of us. Cosmin is from Romania and I am from South Africa, which shows the universality of our fraternity. Freemasonry transcends borders, cultures, and languages, and unites us with a common bond of brotherhood and values. Whoever you are, wherever you are from, you can find a home in Freemasonry."

If you would like to join the Freemasons follow this link: https://buckspgl.org/joinAfter filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch.

COUNT BASIE

Jazz icon Count Basie, the “King of Swing,” was a member of Wisdom Lodge No. 102 in Chicago, Illinois. 
The great jazz pianist and composer William James "Count" Basie helped establish swing music as one of jazz’s most popular styles. Brother Basie was known for his good humor, relaxed demeanor, and passion for his craft.

He was born in Red Bank, New Jersey, in 1904 and began learning the piano at a young age. Always focused on his love for music, he began touring and playing professionally in his teens. He moved to New York City in 1924 and began rubbing elbows with other great musicians of the time, including fellow Freemason Fats Waller.

In 1935, Basie formed Count Basie Orchestra, the band he would lead for nearly 50 years. As his career advanced and he gained more renown, he became known for how his style compared to his contemporaries. Compositionally, Basie’s songs were often straightforward, built off simple melodies over which his band members could solo.

For his unique contributions to the world of music, he won nine Grammy awards during his life. He received an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music, was inducted in the Blues Hall of Fame in 2019, and also was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

If you would like to be part of a global community that has 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. 

St. Martin's Lodge, No. 2812, located in Fenny Stratford, has a rich history intertwined with the local community and broader Masonic traditions. The lodge was established with ten petitioners, and its consecration took place on July 21, 1900, at the High Street Schools in Fenny Stratford. The ceremony was led by The Rt. Hon. Lord Addington, the Provincial Grand Master, with W.Bro. Col. Alexander Finlay serving as the Primus Master and Rev. Henry Oliver as the first Chaplain.
According to the Bucks Standard, which highlighted a moving speech by Rev. Bro. V. P. Wyatt, the consecration event was significant.

Following the formalities, the members gathered for a banquet at the Town Hall, where a musical "Glee Party" was performed under the direction of Bro. Herbert Schartau.
Herbert Schartau was a composer and musician known for his contributions to music in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was of Swedish descent but was born and raised in Kent, England. Schartau was a professional singer and also a society entertainer at the piano, composing several songs throughout his career.
His works include songs like "Fairy Song" and "Daisy Dell," and he was active in the musical scene, contributing to events where pianoforte solos and part-singing were featured. Schartau's music was part of the Victorian and Edwardian sporting song tradition, as seen in collections like "Play the Game: Victorian & Edwardian Sporting Song".
In addition to his musical career, Schartau was involved in Masonic activities, having attained a prominent position within the organisation by the late 19th century.

Throughout its history, St. Martin's Lodge has maintained strong ties with the community. In 1909, the Earl of Orkney was appointed Provincial Grand Master shortly after leaving the Chair in St. Martin's, further cementing the lodge's significance. 

The lodge moved into the Queensway Masonic Hall in 1982, a facility secured by the Bletchley Masonic Hall Company Ltd., with St. Martin's Lodge as a major shareholder. This move marked a new chapter in the lodge's history, providing a dedicated space for its meetings and activities. The lodge's banners, depicting Saint Martin, reflect its historical and cultural heritage, celebrating the legacy of its namesake, a Roman soldier who became a Christian saint known for his compassion and charity.

If you find the idea of becoming a Freemason in Buckinghamshire intriguing, you can express your interest by contacting the local membership team. To apply, you must reside in or near Buckinghamshire. Please use this link to make contact: https://buckspgl.org/join

On Saturday June 29th, over 150 people took their next regular step in Freemasonry. 650 people attended this once in a lifetime moment.  BIG 1-2-3 was four months in planning and 14 hours in the delivery with a core team of 25 people, supported by over 50 lodges in the province.  
For Cosmin, it was a life changing event.
"The day I joined Freemasonry at Freemasons' Hall in London was unforgettable. Entering that historic building, I felt awe and respect for the fraternity I was going to join. The initiation was thought-provoking and very beautiful. It stressed values like honesty and kindness, which resonated with me. I reflected on how to apply these principles in my life. What stood out was the community; I was surrounded by fellow Freemasons who shared this experience and supported each other. It was amazing."

If you would like to join the Freemasons follow this link: https://buckspgl.org/joinAfter filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch.

The playground is set back from the road and enclosed with traditional children’s play equipment, adult fitness equipment and picnic benches.  

After the BMCF Contribution, the Roundabout which had been condemned, is now working again with new parts, seats and fibrefall resin bound recycled rubber mulch surfacing also new surface under the swings and new steel feet added to the chain traverse, the wooden activity trail and climbing post.

BMCF have donated £400 towards the renovation and resurfacing and the following letter of thanks was received from Helen Holman: "We found the funding application process very straightforward and after completing a grant application form online I was kept updated by emails of the application’s progress and EPC received the funding within a couple of months to use towards our playground repairs."

On Saturday June 29th, over 150 people took their next regular step in Freemasonry. 650 people attended this once in a lifetime moment.  
For Tim Anders initiating his 85-year-old father into Freemasonry in the Grand Temple was something he will never forget. 650 Freemasons were there to witness Tims brother Chris function as Junior Deacon, guiding their father through the ceremony. All other offices were filled by our Light Blues demonstration team - all of which had been in Masonry less that 4 years.
It was an emotional moment, watching them together and feeling the solemnity of the occasion mixed with their family pride.
To cap it all off, The PGM invested Tim as his fourth Assistant Provincial Grand Master. Tims newly initiated father and brother functioned as cushion bearers in that ceremony. It was the perfect end to an incredible day.
Tim said "As Freemasons in Buckinghamshire, we are known for our innovation and creativity. BIG 1-2-3 was a remarkable example of this. We pulled off a series of firsts in one day, creating a memorable and meaningful experience for everyone involved. It took months of planning and preparation, but the result was well worth it."

If you live in or near Buckinghamshire, and would like to join the Buckinghamshire Freemasons, follow this link: https://buckspgl.org/joinAfter filling out the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch.

On Friday 26th July Stephens "The Walking" Lodge set off on a stroll that would span the length of the province in aid of the British Heart Foundation and Brain Cancer Trust.

Setting off from Bletchley Masonic Centre at 9:05am and progressing all the way to the finish line at Slough Masonic centre on Sunday at 2:45pm.
Steve Pratt, David Clark and Andrew Murray assisted by Jim Hunt, Ian Young, Chris Barton and followed by an array of Ramblers on different days managed to successfully walk the long 68 miles.

The Ramblers successfully trudged across canals, roads, fields, hills, rivers and to the finish line where Slough Masonic Centre was opened up.
They shared memories, laughs, and much needed pints of beer.

Well done to all the helpers, especially Jim Hunt, who organised the whole event and supported them every step of the way with the “Tuc Shop” in the back of his car.

Thank you also to those who took part in the walk and kept us company for over 26 hours.

But we don’t stop here. 

So far we have raised £9000 including donations from other lodges.

We are looking to reach to £10,000 by the end of September so please consider donating using the link below.

https://donate.givetap.co.uk/f/masonic-charitable-foundation/l3089-stephens-lodge/a-wee-stroll-through-the-provinceUxEczggI_pFlcQVOWw_aem_Fp-FKB-1a13zs8aVvuD6cA

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. 

RUDYARD KIPLING.

Rudyard Kipling was well-known for his poems and novels, including The Jungle Book. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907.

He was born in India in 1865 and later lived in the UK. Kipling was initiated at the age of 20 in the Lodge of Hope and Perseverance No. 782 in Lahore in 1886.

He was immediately appointed the Lodge's Secretary because, as a young journalist, he possessed a typewriter. He later joined the Lodge of Independence with Philanthropy No. 391 in Allahabad.

Involved in the War Graves Commission after the First World War, he was a founder member of both Builders of the Silent City Lodge No. 12 (Grand Loge Nationale Francais) in St. Omer, France, in 1922, and Builders of the Silent Cities Lodge No. 4948 in London in 1925.

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. 

On Saturday June 29th, over 150 people took their next regular step in Freemasonry. 650 people attended this once-in-a lifetime moment.  BIG 1-2-3 took four months to plan and 14 hours to deliver with a core team of 25 people, supported by over 50 lodges in the province.  
For Nii, who took his third regular step in Freemasonry, it has opened up a massive friendship network.
"Words fail me in describing my raising at BIG 1-2-3. It was an incredible experience. Just as I exited the Covent Garden station, I saw loads of the brethren. There were men dressed in black, all masons, and all headed to the Big 1-2-3.  The raising ceremony that made me a Master Mason was humbling, and steeped in the old traditions of operative masons. It took place in the main temple, with its high ceilings, beautiful architecture, and golden thrones across the altar. The scale, the music, and the lights completely blew me away! I have no idea how they managed to choreograph this, but I am truly thankful and humbled to be in the company of so many other masons on such a memorable day; I am proud to call you my brothers."

If you would like to join the Freemasons, follow this link: https://buckspgl.org/joinAfter filling out the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch.

A "Wee Stroll" Through the Province of Buckinghamshire in aid of the British Heart Foundation and Brain Cancer Trust

David Clark, Steve Pratt and Andrew Murray have undertaken this challenging task and have committed to walking the full length of 68 miles and they need your help.

They are looking for enthusiastic ramblers to join them, just for part, or even the whole length, this will be a gruelling 22 miles each day totalling 68 miles, which is two and a half marathons! There will be many stops along the way for refreshments and break stops detailed in a schedule below. 

Day 1 - Bletchley to Aylesbury Masonic Centre - (22.8 Miles)
Stops include- The Three Locks pub, Toot Toot canal parking, Gables Masonic Hall, Cook's Wharf car park, The Red Lion, finishing at Aylesbury Centre.

The all-Important Link is as below.
https://donate.givetap.co.uk/.../a-wee-stroll-through-the... 

We're thrilled to announce that in the past 12 months, we've welcomed an incredible 267 new members to our ancient and esteemed institution—our highest annual figure ever! 
Joining the Freemasons isn't just about becoming part of a historic organisation; it's about embarking on a journey of personal growth and community impact. Here's what you can expect:
• Expand your social circle and influence
• Create lifelong friendships and lasting memories
• Meet fascinating individuals from all walks of life
• Boost your confidence and self-discovery
• Give back to your community in meaningful ways
• Experience unique ceremonies and pageantry
• Be part of something truly special
From broadening horizons to becoming the best version of yourself, Freemasonry offers a path to personal enrichment and societal contribution.
Curious about joining? Reach out to learn more about how you can be part of our thriving community!
https://buckspgl.org/join

On Saturday June 29th, over 150 people took their next regular step in Freemasonry. 650 people attended this once in a lifetime moment. 
A number of remarkable events took place, one of which was Brentham Lodge conducting an initiation ceremony for a father and his two sons concurrently. Marcel and his sons, Tavi, and Gabriel were overjoyed to participate in the initiation, all having attended a Discover Freemasonry recruitment event just a few months earlier.

If you would like to join the Freemasons follow this link: https://buckspgl.org/joinAfter filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch.

Newton Longville Primary School - Charity No 310535 is based near Milton Keynes and their motto is as above.

The children thrive, blossom and leave this school ready for their next stage in life. This is supported by values of Compassion, Respect, Aspiration, Friendship and Thankfulness. The varied and active curriculum is based on sticky knowledge, so that the children know more and remember more, ready to help them be successful and make a meaningful contribution to the community.  

The school is set on large grounds in the heart of the village with a fantastic playing field, playgrounds, gardens and outdoor learning areas for reception and year one children. We are currently raising money for an outdoor classroom in order to enable even more outdoor learning. 

BMCF have Donated £4,000 to help the school achieve this and the following letter of thanks was received from Ben Dimmock:

  “On behalf of the students, and staff at Newton Longville Primary School, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the BMCF for their generous financial donation to build the new ‘Forest Shelter’ outdoor classroom.
The BMCF support has made a significant impact On, providing the school with a unique space that will enhance their educational programs and bring learning to life in a natural setting. The new outdoor classroom will serve as an inspiring environment for hands-on learning, environmental education, and creative exploration”.

BUZZ ALDRIN

The historic Apollo 11 tour went down in world history, and will always be known as one of the most important space missions of all time. The moonwalk was spectacularly important for NASA, science, and society as a whole. In addition, the first trip to the moon was also important for Freemasonry. Why? Because the Apollo 11 mission to the moon was piloted by none other than Buzz Aldrin, an active Freemason.

Brother Aldrin was initiated into Freemasonry at Oak Park Lodge No. 864 in Alabama and raised at Lawrence N. Greenleaf Lodge, No. 169 in Colorado. He is also a member of York Rite and Arabia Shrine Temple of Houston.
On the crest of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon, The Grand Master of Texas approved Brother Aldrin’s request to open a Representation of the Grand Lodge of Texas on the Moon and, thereby, establish Masonic Territorial Jurisdiction there. He also asked Buzz to carry a special deputation on his journey. Aldrin signed this deputation and confirmed that it was, indeed, carried to the moon.

Aldrin also carried a handmade silk Masonic flag with him on his space journey, embroidered with the words, “Supreme Council, 33°, Southern Jurisdiction, USA.” After his mission in 1969, Brother Aldrin visited the House of the Temple in Washington, DC, and presented the flag to Grand Commander Luther Smith. The flag is now located in the archives of the House of the Temple.
If you would like to be part of a global community that has 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. 

The next big Buckinghamshire Craft and Royal Arch joint charitable event is here.

On Friday 26th July, through to Sunday 28th July, a group of intrepid walkers will be joining the Worshipful Master of Stephens Lodge, on a journey through the province, starting at Bletchley Masonic Centre and finishing at Slough over three days.

David Clark, Steve Pratt and Andrew Murray have undertaken this challenging task and have committed to walking the full length of 68 miles and they need your help.

They are looking for enthusiastic ramblers to join them, just for part, or even the whole length, this will be a gruelling 22 miles each day totalling 68 miles, which is two and a half marathons! There will be many stops along the way for refreshments and break stops detailed in a schedule below. We would appreciate any support on the day, whether you are rambling or could assist our support team along the way.

A member of the lodge suffered a heart attack in April, inspiring the team to take positive action by supporting the British Heart Foundation, as well as supporting the Brain Cancer Trust. We are hoping to raise £5000 in aid of these great causes.

Day 1 - Bletchley to Aylesbury Masonic Centre - (22.8 Miles)
Stops include- The Three Locks pub, Toot Toot canal parking, Gables Masonic Hall, Cook's Wharf car park, The Red Lion, finishing at Aylesbury Centre.

Day 2 - Aylesbury to Beaconsfield Masonic Centre - (22.8 Miles)
Stops include- The Five Bells Pub, Boug's Meadow Great Missenden, The Old Oak Holmer Green, Penn Street Village Hall, Winchmore Hill Village Hall, Beaconsfield Masonic Centre.

Day 3 - Beaconsfield to Slough Masonic Centre - (22.1 Miles)
Stops include- The Royal Standard, Marlow Masonic Centre, Jenners Riverside Cafe, Slough Masonic Centre (The Finish Line).

The all-Important Link is as below.
https://donate.givetap.co.uk/f/masonic-charitable-foundation/l3089-stephens-lodge/a-wee-stroll-through-the-province 

GEORGE WASHINGTON

George Washington was an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797.

Washington joined Freemasonry in the Lodge at Fredericksburg, Virginia at 20 years old, November 4, 1752.

The lodge’s surviving minute book records Washington attending only 4 meetings after he joined: 3rd March 1753, 4th August 1753, 1st September 1753, and 4th January 1755.

Washington’s “Mother Lodge” was renamed and numbered as Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4 after the creation of the Grand Lodge of Virginia in 1778. It continues to meet today.
In 1794, Alexandria Lodge No. 39, of which Washington was an honorary member, commissioned William Williams to paint Washington dressed in Masonic regalia. After Washington’s death the lodge changed its name to Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22.
Interesting fact:

Although President Washington oversaw the construction of the White House, he never lived in it. It was not until 1800, when the White House was nearly completed, that its first resident, President John Adams moved in.

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.