A statement on the Provincial Grand Lodge of Berkshire website reads as follows:

The Most Worshipful The Grand Master, His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, has appointed V W Bro Martin Peters to succeed R W Bro Michael Hooton as Provincial Grand Master for Berkshire with effect from 1st August 2011.

Bro Martin joined Berkshire Freemasonry in 1986 when he joined the Ashley Hill Lodge No 7861, of which he was Worshipful Master in 1995. He was initiated into the Harlowbury Lodge No 7795 in the Province of Essex in 1968 and was Worshipful Master in 1976. He joined the Old Radleian Lodge No 5200 in London in 1972, being Worshipful Master in 1978 and again in 1997. In 1988 he joined Berkshire Masters Lodge and in 1990 he joined Berkshire Provincial Grand Stewards’ Lodge, becoming Worshipful Master in 1999. He is also a Past Master of Castle Lodge of Harmony No 26 and a member Methuen Lodge No 631 in Buckinghamshire and of Grand Stewards’ Lodge.

He was appointed a Provincial Grand Steward in Essex in 1977, being promoted to Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon in 1980. He received London Grand Rank in 1988. In 2002 R W Bro Digby Woods appointed Bro Martin as Assistant Provincial Grand Master and in 2005 R W Bro Michael Hooton appointed him Deputy Provincial Grand Master.

The M W The Grand Master appointed Bro Martin to Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in 1994 and promoted him to Past Senior Grand Deacon in 2003. In 2006 he invested him as Grand Sword Bearer and in 2007 as Grand Steward.

Bro Martin was exalted into the Royal York Chapter of Perseverance No 7 in 1980, serving as MEZ in 1986 and again in 1996 and received London Grand Chapter Rank in 1998 and Senior London Grand Chapter Rank in 2008. He is also a member of Mark, Royal Ark Mariners and The Ancient and Accepted Rite.

RW Bro Mike Hooton said “I am delighted that VW Bro Martin Peters is to succeed me, having given me so much support as my Deputy since 2005 and I am sure you will all join me in wishing him well in his new responsibilities.”

© 2011 Grand Lodge Berkshire

Our next meeting is in April, where we will be Initiating a new member.

It was a good meeting, well attended, and we have two new members. We wish them both an enjoyable career in Freemasonry!

Shortly after our next meeting two of our members will receive honours at the annual meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge. W Bro D. C.  Allen will receive an active first appointment of Provincial Grand Pursuivant, and W Bro D. A. Burden a promotion to Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon. Congratulations to them both.

We hope you all have an enjoyable year ahead.

However the sheer number and quality of the prizes we had to offer, together with our persuasive skills, meant that we were able tempt the customers to buy our tickets to such good effect! We would not have been able to do this without the donations of bottles from lodge members.

Tuesday 8th June saw our Installation. It is the second time Bro W. C. Hurley PPAGSuptWks (Middlesex) has been in the Chair of Ashley Hill Lodge No. 7861.

The evening was well attended, including the Assistant Provincial Grand Master of Berkshire, W Bro John W Nixon, PSGD.

A first for Ashley Hill, a photograph was taken after the Installation of our new WM, and lodge members. Our new WM, W Bro Hurley, is pictured on the right and we all wish W Bro Hurley a great year ahead. You can see a larger picture by clicking the image.

Our list of Officers has been updated, which can be accessed through the menu above.

Ashley Hill meets again in September, the start of our new Masonic year, where we will be Initiating a new member.

The meeting will take place at the Berkshire Masonic Centre, Sindlesham, at 5pm on Tuesday 8th June. Masons wishing to attend should get in touch with our Secretary.

The race starts in Green Park, 250m from the race site at Madejski Stadium. The route will be exactly the same as in 2009. For more information visit the Reading Half Marathon website at www.readinghalfmarathon.com.

Week two is on Charity with W Bro John Nixon AstPGM and W Bro Gerry Hann Prov Charity Steward and will discuss our charitable giving and some of the benefits we bring to the community.

Week three is on the history of Freemasonry with RW Bro Mike Hooton PGM and W Bro Tony Barstow Past AstPGM and other general information will also be discussed.

Week four will be a question and answer session attended by W Bro Chris Connop Information Officer at Grand Lodge and others.

Update:
Since the above broadcasts, the recordings are now no longer available on BBC iPlayer.

[Show as slideshow]

For information on the United Grand Lodge of England, or to arrange a visit, go to their website at www.ugle.org.uk.