On Sunday 15th December the annual East Midlands District Pre-Christmas lunch was held at The Boat Inn, Stoke Bruerne. Every Council in the District was well represented with over 90 guests in attendance, all treated to a fine Christmas menu in beautiful surroundings and well looked after by Illustrious Companion Andrew Woodward and his team. In between courses the merriment continued with carols being heartily sung, orchestrated throughout by Illustrious Companion Geoff Phipps and culminating with the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas, each table taking up the mantle of singing one verse including suitable, yet sometimes questionable, actions!

^{< Members of Olney Council and bearers of the five gold rings ^ The main dining room}

Having raised the bar on a number of occasions, given the generosity of both the members of the District and the three Craft and Holy Royal Arch Provinces of Bedfordshire, Leicestershire & Rutland and Northants & Hunts from which the Royal & Select Masters District of East Midlands draws its membership, the District Grand Master was pleased to announce that the District had surpassed the self-imposed target set for the Grand Master’s 150th Anniversary Celebration Appeal and more pleasingly, the District had applied for grants for local charities that exceeded the amount that the District had raised. A fine effort all round.

As always, a wonderful afternoon of friendship and merriment, all are looking forward to next years’ event that will take place on Sunday 21st December 2025 at the The Boat Inn.

Book early to avoid disappointment, get in touch with the Deputy District Grand Master, Illustrious Companion Ian Knox on ian@theknoxes.com for further details.

On Wednesday 20^th November Charles Herbert Perram Council No. 66 welcomed the District Grand Master Right Illustrious Companion Martin Wilson accompanied by nine Officers of the East Midlands District to the Masonic Centre in Dunstable.

The District Team were treated to a memorable evening of Cryptic Masonry including the District Grand Master presenting Companion Paul Hogan with his Grand Council Certificate after which Companion Anthony Bandy was chosen as a Select Master and honoured as a Royal Master, the Companions of Charles Herbert Perram Council ensuring that every aspect of the ceremony was executed with precision and reverence. The meeting was followed by an excellent and happy festive board enjoying a menu of roast pork and syrup sponge, a perfect foil for the cold weather on the evening.

The meeting was also a reminder of the close and important bonds that tie all the various masonic orders together being attended by a number of distinguished Brethren and Companions of the East Midlands District.

Left to Right: Ill. Comp. Nicholas Edwards (PGM & MEGS Bedfordshire), Ill. Comp. Jim Boughton (MEGS Northants & Hunts), Comp. Clive Walsh (DepPGM Bedfordshire), R. Ill. Comp. Martin Wilson DGM (2ndPrGP Bedfordshire), Comp. Tony Green (Provincial Grand Secretary and Scribe E Bedfordshire), Ill. Comp. Philip Marshall (PGM Nottinghamshire), Comp. Robert Curson (Deputy Grand Superintendent Bedfordshire)

Thursday 14^th November was a very busy night of Cryptic Masonry for Towcester Council No. 131 as they welcomed two new members, Companions Martyn Sear and Charles Brice, a visit from the District Grand Master Right Illustrious Companion Martin Wilson and a delegation from Peterborough Council No. 243 bearing the Travelling Trowel.

Companions Sear and Brice were chosen as Select Masters in an exemplary manner by the Thrice Illustrious Master, Illustrious Companion Martin Holiday and then honoured as Royal Masters with Companion Simon Brown as Principal Conductor of the Work excelling on both occasions.

The Travelling Trowel having been warmly received will remain with Towcester until the New Year when it will be continuing its journey around the District to Charles Herbert Perram Council in Dunstable.

The Festive Board was held at The Boat Inn in Stoke Bruerne enjoying a fine menu including Roast Lamb with Illustrious Companion Woodward and his team making it a very enjoyable occasion.  The Boat Inn is the location for the annual Christmas luncheon which this year is being held on 15^th December 2024.  There are very limited places left for this popular event, please get in touch with the Deputy District Grand Master Illustrious Companion Ian Knox for further details; ian@theknoxs.com

At the Festive Board the District Grand Master provided an update on the Sesquicentenary appeal.  The District has currently raised £19,400 a fantastic effort indeed, but with now 2 meetings left before the end of the appeal if the District could reach £20,000 it would be a major milestone.  If you would like to contribute to the appeal on behalf of the District, please scan the QR code below with your mobile device and it will take you to the givetap.co.uk website where you can make your donation at any time between now and the end of the appeal on 31^st December.

On Wednesday 26 June the regular meeting of Charles Herbert Perram Council took place at Dunstable Masonic Centre on a very hot day. Fortunately due to the air conditioning in the building the Companions were able to undertake their various duties in the comfort of a suitably cooled building.

The Council was due to undertake the ceremonies of Most Excellent Master and Super Excellent Master on two candidates but unfortunately due to illness and holidays neither could attend. The Installation ceremony of Ill Comp Stuart French was able to be undertaken which was done in an exemplary fashion by Ill Comp Robert Venn.

After the work of the evening had been completed the Companions retired to enjoy cold meat salad which was ideal for the weather conditions

Pictured is the District Grand Master and Ill Comp Stuart French

On Saturday, 18 May the East midlands District held its Annual Meeting at The Griggs Centre, Sheaf Close, Northampton with 115 members of the Order in attendance.

At the meeting were 16 Right Illustrious Companions travelling from all over the Country. Also present was Right Illustrious Companion Michael Jolley, Custodian of the Ninth Arch, Past District Grand Master.

After the usual business of the meeting had been conducted the District Grand Master, Right Illustrious Companion Martin Wilson, then reappointed Illustrious Companion Ian Knox as his Deputy and then appointed Illustrious Companion Ian Johnson, previously the District Recorder, to be his Principal
Conductor of the Work. Silver Trowel certificates were then presented to six Companions and the District Grand Master to congratulate the recipients. The District Grand Master went on to congratulate those Companions of the District who were appointed or promoted in Grand Council in April. Following the close of the meeting all retired to the bar for liquid refreshment followed by lunch.