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Lincolnshire Freemasons helped to extend a Derbyshire Masonic tradition stretching back to 1854, and interrupted only by WW2 and Covid, when Lincolnshire PGM Dave Wheeler took on the role of President of the Lecture Festival at the Cornucopia Lodge of Provincial Grand Stewards of Derbyshire.
He was accompanied by Pete Adams, current Master of the Lincolnshire Stewards’ Lodge and a number of our Province’s Provincial Stewards to the meeting at Long Eaton Masonic Hall, when almost 100 packed into the Lodge Room for a meeting described by Steve Henman as amazing and inspirational.
Eleven light blue masons delivered their respective sections of the Third Degree Lecture flawlessly, under the watchful guidance of the Preceptor Dale Bywater, Derbyshire’s Learning and Development Officer. Steve said: “All the brethren had obviously put in a huge amount of effort learning and delivering their pieces, with each of them congratulating each other with a smile and a well done before delivering their own sections. At the end of the Lecture, before handing the Lodge back to the Worshipful Master of Cornucopia, Dave Wheeler, congratulated each Brother individually and presented them with their pin badges.
“After all the Lodge business we headed for the Festive board, allowing for genuine fellowship and joyful interactions. The shared experiences and lighthearted moments at the festive board reinforced the bonds among the brethren, making the conclusion of the evening as memorable as the events in the temple.
“As Lincolnshire’s Provincial Stewards we sat with Pete Adams, who is working diligently to encourage stronger bonds between our Provincial Grand Stewards’ Lodge and those in other Provinces, especially nearby ones. As well as creating new inter Province friendships, it widens vision, to be able to learn from what others do and question whether we would want to do anything better or differently.
“In September many members of Cornucopia Lodge will come to the Lincolnshire Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge; clear evidence of the success of this vision. During our initial meeting, we gathered as friends, most of whom had never met before. However, by the end of the evening, we departed as Brothers, united by a strong sense of connection and camaraderie. We found that we held similar perspectives and shared a common purpose: our deep appreciation for Freemasonry. This experience beautifully illustrated the principle that we are united in one journey and one organisation, further reinforcing the bonds within our fraternity. It was a truly memorable and enjoyable evening.”
The story of Derbyshire’s Craft Festival started in the Province of Warwickshire. In 1854, Howe Lodge 587 created their General Lodge of Instruction; a forum for the instruction, teaching and development of aspiring Freemasons, in matters of ritual, floorwork and Masonic etiquette. Howe Chapter 587 and the Royal Arch were soon added to the mix.
Remarkably, the historic General Suspensions of Freemasonry in World War 2 and the recent Covid pandemic aside, the Howe Lodge has run its General Lodge of Instruction continuously since that date.
In 2007, W. Bro Peter Bennett moved to the Province of Derbyshire, and inspired by Howe Lodge, developed and presented as Preceptor, the inaugural Derbyshire Craft Lecture festival. Which, Covid aside, has run continuously ever since in Derbyshire.
The Festival prides itself on presenting the Craft Emulation Lectures to the same high standards as that of Emulation Lodge of Improvement, running continuously since 1823. Junior Brethren learn and present their respective sections in time-honored catechetical (question and answer) form and will do for many years to come.
