Ashley Hill News


Our 50th anniversary meeting

Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013

We have celebrated the 50th anniversary since the consecration of our lodge. It was an extremely successful meeting with nearly 100 people in attendance.

The winter of 1962/63 was one of the coldest on record lasting from early December to the end of February. The summons in Ashley Hill’s archive is printed with the original intended date for the consecration, Wednesday 5th December 1962. Because of the extreme cold and heavy snow (there were 8 foot snow drifts in Kent) the original plans had to be changed in the interests of getting everyone together.

For the anniversary meeting we mimicked the original summons in its style, and festive board menu closely resembled that following the consecration back in 1963.

Smoked Scotch Salmon
Brown Bread and Butter

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Braised Guinea Fowl in Red Wine with Button Onions
Boulanger Potatoes and Seasoned Vegetables

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Fresh Fruit Salad
with Double Cream

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Welsh Rarebit Savoury

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Tea and Coffee

 

Provincial Grand Master Designate

Friday, February 11th, 2011

Last night, our Secretary was delighted to pass on to members of Ashley Hill the news received from the Provincial Grand Secretary, W Bro David Keys – that the Provincial Grand Master Designate, who will take over from RW Bro John Michael Hooton in August, is our very own VW Bro Martin Geoffrey Peters. We extend our warmest congratulations and best wishes to Bro Martin.

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

V W Bro Martin Peters

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

A special meeting

Sunday, February 6th, 2011

We had a very special meeting Tuesday 1st February, our first of 2011, which saw our WM’s son become a Master Mason. The work in temple went well, and was followed by a very enjoyable Festive Board.

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

An Ashley Hill first…

Monday, November 8th, 2010

There was a first for Ashley Hill at our November meeting. Two firsts. We are in the fortunate position of having a few candidates lined up to join the Lodge. To keep waiting time down and to fit in our work, we took the decision to have two firsts – one after the other for the enjoyment of the candidates.

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