Nine Arches Council No. 302 met on Wednesday 9th April at Corby Masonic Centre to welcome 5 joining members and to elect the Thrice Illustrious Master for the ensuing year, Ill. Comp. Peter Dawson. Once the administrative business had been completed Nine Arches Council was closed and the Candidates for the Silver Trowel retired.

A Council of Thrice Illustrious Masters was opened and the degree of Thrice Illustrious Master conferred on Ill. Comps. Terence Stock, Chris Packham, Stephen Tunney, David Docherty, Stephen Orange and Nick Simpson in a superb ceremony.

With all the formalities completed the Companions retired to a most excellent Festive Board being well looked after by the team at Corby.

The East Midlands District of Royal and Select Masters Annual District Grand Officers’ Dinner was held at The Boat Inn, Bridge Road, Stoke Bruerne on Sunday 6th April 2025.

Ill. Comp. Andrew Woodward and his team were once again on excellent form with a fabulous menu and looking after this year’s Officers with their usual effortless blend of professionalism and hospitality that set the perfect tone for the evening.

The District Grand Master thanked everyone for their support during the year with extended thanks to all the Companions in the East Midlands District for their generous donations towards the sesquicentenary appeal.  East Midlands raising a fantastic sum of just over £20,000, averaging £83 per member in the District and being awarded £33,500 in share of the overall funds, the largest number of Charities to benefit from the Fund of any District.

On Thursday 13th March Eaton Socon was a hive of activity when Huntingdon Council No. 130 welcomed the District Grand Master, Rt Ill Comp Martin Wilson and his escorting DC Ill Comp Mark Thompson O’Connor, a delegation from Charles Herbert Perram Council No. 66 with the Travelling Trowel …

… two new Members; Comp Richard Reynolds and Comp Rob McGowan …

.. and still found time to Install Comp Ian Phillips as Thrice Illustrious Master!

An extremely busy but very memorable evening of Cryptic Masonry capped off with a fine Festive Board full of good cheer and laughter.

The Travelling Trowel will continue its journey around the District and is due to be delivered to Corby Council No. 195 on Friday 11^th April.

On Wednesday 19th February Peterborough Council No. 243 welcomed the District Grand Master, Rt Ill Comp Martin Wilson and his escorting DC Ill Comp Kyle Whitbread to Peterborough for a busy evening of Cryptic Masonry.

After opening the Council, the Thrice Illustrious Master, Ill Comp Mick Smith, handed the gavel to Ill Comp Tony Elsey who conferred the degree of Super Excellent Master on Comp Alex Thurlow in a exemplary manner ably assisted by Ill Comp Leo McCormick, Ill Comp David Hilton and Comp Paul Hoffmann explaining the Ark, the Secrets and the History respectively.

The Thrice Illustrious Master then took the gavel and installed Comp Paul Hoffmann as Thrice Illustrious Master with a great deal of warmth and sincerity, Ill Comp Jeff Chambers assisting with a consummate explanation of the Sign and Word of an Installed Master.

After over 17 years of commendable service as the Treasurer, Chaplain and a Founder Member it was proposed that V Ill Comp Phil Collins be made an Honorary Member of Peterborough Council. A distinction that V Ill Comp Collins was delighted to accept.

The Council retired to a festive board of soup, pie and good humour all round.

_{The District Grand Master, Rt Ill Comp Martin Wilson with V Ill Comp Phil Collins along with the members and guest in attendance.}

Charles Herbert Perram Council had a bumper evening on Wednesday 22 January undertaking the Most Excellent Master and Super Excellent Master Ceremonies on three candidates, two from the Council and the other from Towcester Council.

The evening also saw a delegation of six Companions from Towcester Council bearing the traveling Trowel which will be taken by Charles Herbert Perram members to Huntingdon Council on Thursday 13 March.

The District Grand Master was present (his own Council) plus the District Grand Principal Conductor of the Work escorted by the District Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies.

A total of 32 Companions in attendance.