Oh what a night!
Dunstable Masonic Centre was the venue for a very happy and very well attended occasion on Wednesday 25th June 2025 as 29 members (over 85% of the Council membership [including the Candidate]!) of Charles Herbert Perram Council No. 66 welcomed the Deputy District Grand Master Ill. Comp. Ian Knox accompanied by the District Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Ill. Comp. Leo McCormick for another busy evening of Cryptic Masonry.
After the Council was opened by the Thrice Illustrious Master Ill. Comp. Stuart French, the Dep.Dist.G.M. was admitted and immediately put to work, giving an excellent presentation of Grand Council certificates to Comp. Chris Handley and Comp. Anthony Bandy .
The ballot proving favourable the T.I.M. invited Ill. Comp. Kyle Whitbread P.G.Swd.B. Dep.Dist.G.D.C. to occupy the Chair. Ill. Comp. Whitbread presided over a wonderful ceremony Choosing Comp. Hugh Love as a Select Master, more than ably assisted by Comp. Bob Curson (Captain of the Guard) and Comp. Allen Worrall (Conductor of the Council) with Comps. Steven Joyce, Anthony Green and Clive Walsh all adding a splendid delivery of the History of the Degree.
Retaking (or is that resuming?) the Chair, Ill. Comp. French invited the District Grand Master R. Ill. Comp. Martin Wilson to occupy the Deputy Master’s chair and the Dep.Dist.G.M. to occupy the Principal Conductor of the Work’s chair. After the Director of Ceremonies had presented the T.I.M. Elect over half the room disappeared as 16 Companions of Charles Herbert Perram Council were invited to retire whilst the new T.I.M. was Installed. Another indication of the great strength of the Council that over 50% of those attending had not yet attained the T.I.M. chair.
Ill. Comp. Oneal Thomas was admirably installed as T.I.M. of the Council by Ill. Comp. French. Having been saluted, proclaimed and greeted by the Companions, Ill. Comp. Thomas installed the Officers of the Council for his year in a very warm and personal manner.
Once the Council had been closed, the Companions retired to enjoy a delightful and convivial Festive Board of Melon, Cold Meat Salad, Fruit Salad and Cheese.
A thoroughly enjoyable end to a thoroughly enjoyable evening of Cryptic Masonry at its’ finest.
The Travelling Trowel arrives in Corby
On Monday 9th June, Corby Council welcomed a delegation from The Olney Council with the Travelling Trowel, completing the first leg of its journey around the District, having been entrusted to The Olney Council by the District Grand Master at the District meeting in May.
The Companions present were then treated to a superb ceremony as Comp. John Fowler was honoured as a Royal Master with T.I.M. Ill. Comp. Tony Albrecht presiding over the Council in a exemplary manner, Comp. Roly Hockenhull standing in as P.C.W. delivering a perfect and heartfelt perambulation, one of the very best witnessed, with Ill. Comp. Colin Allanson as well as standing in as DC also presenting an excellent History of the Degree.
The evening was not finished there, Comp. Kevin Savage and Comp. John Fowler were then received and acknowledged as Most Excellent Masters with Ill. Comp. Albrecht once again presiding and Ill. Comp. Allanson again delivering a most splendid History.
Congratulations must also go to the rest of the Officers and Members of Corby Council for their part in an evening of Ceremony at its very, very best.
The Travelling Trowel will continue its journey to Leicester Council on Monday 8th September.
Lutterworth Installation meeting
On Tuesday 3rd June Lutterworth Council warmly welcomed the District Grand Principal Conductor of the Work, Ill. Comp. Ian Johnson accompanied by the District Grand Director of Ceremonies, Ill. Comp. Mark Thompson-O’Connor to their Installation meeting at which Ill. Comp. Jaswant Gohil was installed as Thrice Illustrious Master in an excellent manner by Ill. Comp. Derek Andrews.
Annual Meeting of District Grand Council of the East Midlands 2025
On Saturday, 17th May 2025 at Freemasons’ Hall, The Griggs Centre, Sheaf Close Northampton the East Midlands District Royal & Select Masters held its Annual meeting with 140 Companions present.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Grand Master, Right Illustrious Companion Paul Norman, IX, escorted by the Grand Director of Ceremonies, Right Illustrious Companion Graham Seeman:
At the meeting were also seventeen Right Illustrious Companions travelling from all over the Country and also 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 then re-appointed Illustrious Companion Ian Knox as his Deputy, Illustrious Companion Ian Johnson as his Principal Conductor of the Work and then invested the District Officers for the ensuing year:
The District Grand Master then presented Silver Trowel certificates to six Companions, accompanied by the Deputy Grand Master who also congratulated the recipients.
The Deputy Grand Master and then the District Grand Master addressed the Companions to congratulate all those who were appointed or promoted in Grand Council in April, as well as those appointed and promoted in the District this year.
The Deputy Grand Master then retired after which the District Grand Master entrusted the Travelling Trowel to The Olney Council to begin its journey around the District for this year.
This year’s route for the Travelling Trowel can be found, along with many other useful documents such as the East Midlands District Yearbook, on the Downloads section of this website. You will need a password to access it that should have been sent to you. If you do not have the password please ask your Council Secretary.
Following the close of the meeting all retired to the bar for liquid refreshment followed by a most excellent lunch:
where the District Grand Master presented the Deputy Grand Master and the Grand Director of Ceremonies with a bottle of locally distilled Gin.
Once again, a fabulous day at the Annual District meeting. Remember ALL companions are welcome and indeed encouraged to attend.
See you all next year.
East Midlands District at Grand Council 2025
On Tuesday, 15th April 19 Members of East Midlands District were in attendance at the Royal and Select Masters annual meeting of Grand Council at the Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen Street, London.
The Companions all had a wonderful day supporting those Companions from East Midlands District who received Grand Rank appointments and promotions:
V. Ill. Comp. Nicholas K. Edwards was promoted to Past Grand Lecturer.
Ill. Comp. Robert A. Greenlees was promoted to Past Grand Captain of the Guard.
Ill. Comp. Mark A. Thompson-O’Connor (pictured) was promoted to Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies (Acting).
Ill. Comp. Michael C. A. Caseman-Jones TD was appointed as Assistant Grand Recorder (Acting).
Ill. Comp. Stephen J. Finnigan was appointed to Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies, Ill. Comp. Richard Godwin was appointed to Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies, Ill. Comp. Matthew H. Arnold was appointed to Past Grand Sword Bearer and Ill. Comp. Christopher J. Mullen to be appointed to Past Grand Sword Bearer.
Following the formalities the Companions retired to the Grand Connaught Rooms for an enjoyable Festive Board filled with good humour and friendship.
And the day did not stop there, a few hardy souls staying for a drink in the Cafe at Great Queen Street and then over the road at The George before heading home.
A memorable day out for all those who attended and very many congratulations from the East Midlands District to all the Companions on their well-deserved preferment.
A reminder, Grand Council is open to all Companions. It is a vey enjoyable day out indeed and one that you are all encouraged to attend.
