Wyggeston Lodge goes Clay Shooting – The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

On Saturday 5th September 2015, members of the Wyggeston Lodge of Freemasons, along with their family and friends, went along to Kibworth Shooting Ground, Leicestershire for a morning of clay shooting.

After a short safety brief, an introduction to shooting including stance, gun mounting as well as the all-important safe handling of the gun was covered by the instructors. It was then straight into shooting 25 clays in four different traps including left to right, right to left and rabbit.

Whilst many hadn’t shot before, plenty of clays were successfully hit although some faired better than others:

The Good – After all clays were shot, the results were calculated and it was announced that James Marvin, son of Senior Deacon Bro. Paul Marvin, managed to hit the most clay with an impressive 22/25 clays. Lodge Chaplain, W.Bro. Simon Oldfield and the son of a forthcoming Initiate, Martin Morris, came joint second with 18/25 clays. The top lady was Sue, wife of Secretary W.Bro. Andy Green. All winners were presented with prizes and took their rightful place on the podium.

The Bad and the Ugly – Master of the Lodge, W.Bro. Jamie Mollart, had a less than successful day and ended up with the lowest score out all of those attending managing to hit only 3 clays.

The full results were:

Position Name Hits
1 James Marvin 22/25
2= Simon Oldfield 18/25
2= Martin Morris 18/25
3= James Riley 17/25
3= Sunnay Chauhan 17/25
3= Paul Bodycot 17/25
4 Andy Green 16/25
5 Rob Morris 15/25
6 Tom Bodycot 14/25
7 Oliver Oldfield 12/25
8 Dipak Chauhan 11/25
9= Sachin Patel 10/25
9= Lehan Edirisinghe 10/25
10= Yogesh Patel 9/25
10= Sue Green 9/25
11= Sam Mollart 8/25
11= Paul Marvin 8/25
11= Lyn Bodycot 8/25
12= Ben Oldfield 5/25
12= Kim Marvin 5/25
13 Jamie Mollart (WM) 3/25

After the celebration, the shooters all took the short trip to Boboli Pizzeria & Restaurant in Kibworth Harcourt for an Italian lunch and a well deserved drink.

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Our thanks go to the Kibworth Shooting Ground and their Instructors for holding a superb event.

Wyggeston Lodge Go Karting Championship

The Wyggeston Lodge of Freemasons held it’s inaugural Go Karting Championship on Saturday 9th May 2015.

Some 14 brethren, partners, family and friends arrived at the indoor circuit at Wymeswold Airfield, Leicestershire, ready and excited to participate in some all action motor racing.

A nice indoor circuit, 400m in length with a raised cross over at one end, we had both left and right turns to cope with, including some hairpins, which all sounds very easy and innocent until you realise that karts don’t have power steering and healthy biceps are useful for turning the wheel. Apparently a good lap time is 24 seconds………..

The crew at FIK Karting decided that we would be best handled in two groups of half hour solid racing per group, with the fastest lap time determining the winner.

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After much hilarity trying to find racing overalls to fit we sat through the safety briefing to ensure we understood the do’s and don’ts of go-karting, racing lines and all that technical stuff. With the final briefing out of the way, we were onwards to the race helmet selection and into our groups ready to race. We all had black race helmets which all seemed normal, apart from one amongst us who had brought his own white helmet. Had The Stig from Top Gear lost his way and ended up in the wilds of Wymeswold? Apparently not, it turned out to be no-other than Bro. Paul Marvin – clearly one to watch on the track (Is Paul The Stig of Wyggeston Lodge? – read on).

Racing for the first group got underway, most of the drivers being a little cautious at the beginning, before getting into a groove, some definitely faster than others – mostly the lighter weight ones amongst us. Gradually confidence overcame the driving skills, and we certainly kept the F1K karting marshals busy putting on the yellow warning lights, waving yellow flags and disentangling the various collisions. The half hour racing passed by far quicker than it seemed, although a few of us were glad when it ended after having such a work out with the arms.

The second group had a similar experience to the first group, cautious at the start before the action really started – definitely more than one collision, and the yellow flags in action more than once.

It had been noticed that a lot of overtaking had been done by some more than others – a few blaming lack of speed on the extra ballast accumulated from many excellent festive boards.

With the results in:

Position Name Best Lap
1 Paul Marvin 0:24:002
2 Brett (friend of WM) 0:24:087
3 Alec Maxfield 0:24:597
4 William Jones 0:24:600
5 Jamie Mollart (WM) 0:24:984
6 Ian Player 0:25:043
7 Toni Evans 0:25:289
8 Oliver Oldfield 0:25:437
9 Paul Bodycot 0:25:571
10 Tom Bodycot 0:25:894
11 Simon Oldfield 0:26:089
12 Robert Jones 0:26:249
13 Samantha Mollart 0:26:283
14 Dick Sutton 0:27:587

The winner turned out to be none other than the Wyggeston Stig – Bro Paul Marvin, who celebrated in the usual manner amongst racing champions with some obligatory fizz.

Bro Ian Player recorded his efforts with his onboard camera


If enough are interested we will have to consider making this an annual event.

The 52nd Master of Wyggeston Lodge Leicester (1961) – George Henry Moore

George Henry Moore – The 52nd Master of the Wyggeston Lodge No.3448 in 1961
George Henry Moore – The 52nd Master of the Wyggeston Lodge No.3448 in 1961

W.Bro. George Henry Moore PPSGW was initiated in the Wyggeston Lodge No.3448 in 1942. His passage to the Chair was much slower than is now customary, 19 years elapsing before his Installation as the Master in 1961. Subsequently he was elected to serve as the Treasurer in 1964.

W.Bro. George was also a member of the Leicestershire and Rutland Lodge of Installed Masters No.7896 and a co-opted member of the Leicester Freemasons’ Hall Finance Committee.

In April 2002 W. Bro. Douglas A. Ball had the very pleasurable duty of presenting, on behalf of the Provincial Grand Master, a Certificate of Sixty Years Service as a Mason to W.Bro. Moore. W.Bro. Ball was assisted by W.Bro. J. R. Morgan and W.Bro. K. D.L. Richmond who had both been initiated by W.Bro. Moore during his year in the Chair of King Solomon.

In October 2002, the Wyggeston Lodge was pleased to present to W.Bro. George a framed photograph taken at the April meeting of the brethren present when he received his Sixty Year Certificate.

In addition to the service rendered by brethren to the Lodge further devoted service has been rendered to Provincial Grand Lodge by W Bro. Moore who was Editor of the Provincial Year Book from 1971 until 1990 and was regarded as one of the most comprehensive, accurate and informative publications of a similar nature. Its preparation entailed many hours of research in dealing with the large number of amendment which had to made very year. In this respect, W.Bro. George acheived a remarkable level of accuracy contributing to the efficient and smooth running of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Leicestershire and Rutland administration.

Active Lodge members in 2001 celebrating W.Bro. G.H. Moore's 60 years as a member of the Lodge
Active Lodge members in 2001 celebrating W.Bro. G.H. Moore’s 60 years as a member of the Lodge

The 22nd Master of Wyggeston Lodge, Leicester (1931) – Edgar Ronald Carr

Edgar Ronald Carr – The 22nd Master of the Wyggeston Lodge No.3448 in 1931
Edgar Ronald Carr – The 22nd Master of the Wyggeston Lodge No.3448 in 1931

W.Bro. Edgar Ronald Carr, an Accountant, was initiated in Wyggeston Lodge No.3448 on the 16th February 1922 and installed nine years later as Master in 1931. He was Treasurer of the Lodge for a total of 31 years from 1933 to 1964.

A special double initiation in the Wyggeston Lodge took place in January 1958 when W.Bro. Carr was permitted to occupy the Chair of King Solomon to initiate his two sons into the Lodge.

In 1926, he became a Founder of Highcross Lodge No.4835 being installed as Master in 1936. He was a full member of the Lodge of Research No.2429 and was its Treasurer for 27 years. In the Provincial Grand Lodge, he was appointed Grand Registrar in 1940 and to promoted to Junior Grand Warden in 1951.

W.Bro. Carr was one of the Provincial representatives on the Committee of Freemasons’ Hall, Leicester and an auditor of the Leicestershire and Rutland Masonic Charity Association. He died in 1971 after a long Masonic life having given devoted and outstanding service to the Province of Leicestershire and Rutland.

The Third Master of the Wyggeston Lodge, Leicester (1912) – John David Johnson

John David Johnson – The third Master of the Wyggeston Lodge No.3448 in 1912
John David Johnson – The third Master of the Wyggeston Lodge No.3448 in 1912

John David Johnson was initiated into Freemasonry in the Commercial Lodge No.1391 on 26th October 1894. He was one of the Founders of the Wyggeston Lodge No.3448 in 1910 and was the first Director of Ceremonies and was installed as Master in 1912. He was subsequently Almoner of the Lodge from 1913 to 1919 and Treasurer from 1924 to 1926 and then took the Master’s chair again in 1932.

In Provincial Grand Lodge he was appointed Grand Superintendent of Works in 1907 reaching the position of Senior Grand Warden in 1915. In 1920, W.Bro Johnson was appointed Treasurer to the Leicestershire and Rutland Masonic Charity Association and become Secretary in 1926. He also acted twice as Provincial Charity Steward to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution and was a Life Governor of the Freemasons’ Hospital and Nursing Home at Ravenscourt Park.

In 1934, at the April meeting of the Wyggeston Lodge, the Worshipful Master of Commercial Lodge presented, on behalf of both the Wyggeston Lodge and Commercial Lodge, to W.Bro. Johnson his Grand Lodge clothing upon attaining the rank of Past Grand Standard Bearer (England) in the Grand Lodge.

W.Bro. Johnson died on the 8th January 1943 after an illustrious Masonic career.

The 15th Master of the Wyggeston Lodge, Leicester (1924) – John Harrison Jnr.

John Harrison Jnr - The 15th Master of the Wyggeston Lodge No.3448 in 1924
John Harrison Jnr – The 15th Master of the Wyggeston Lodge No.3448 in 1924

W.Bro. John Harrison Jnr., a Seedsman in Leicestershire, was initiated into Freemasonry in the Wyggeston Lodge No.3448 on the 17th May 1912 and was installed it’s as Worshipful Master in 1924.

He was Treasurer of the Lodge for 7 years from 1926 to 1933, and a total of 20 years as Director of Ceremonies from 1936 to 1942 and again from 1944 to 1958.

He died in December 1974 after spending a fabulous 62 years as a member.

He also joined Lodge Semper Eadem No.3091 in 1942 and was a Preceptor of the Union Lodge of Instruction in Leicester for many years. In Provincial Grand Lodge of Leicestershire and Rutland he attained rank of Provincial Junior Grand Warden.

Leicestershire Freemasons celebrate new varsity generation joining the fraternity with a unique joint meeting

The Wyggeston Lodge No.3448 was part of a unique joint meeting held in Leicester on Saturday 23rd May 2015 along with Castle of Leicester Lodge No.7767 and Lodge of Science and Art No.8429. They met together in the inaugural joint meeting to celebrate their recent successes as Universities’ Scheme Lodges and to conduct each of the three degrees in Freemasonry to timely assist in progressing members.

Since joining the Universities’ Scheme, over 30 university staff, student and alumni have joined the Wyggeston Lodge in four years. The Wyggeston Lodge is the Scheme Lodge for the University of Leicester. The Castle of Leicester Lodge is the Scheme Lodge for De Montfort University and the Lodge of Science and Art is the Scheme Lodge for Loughborough University and have had similar success.

Members of the three Lodges and visitors from across the country gathered in the decorative Holmes Lodge Room at Freemasons’ Hall to witness each Lodge conducting one of the three ceremonies consisting of Candidates from all three lodges.

The United Grand Lodge of England, the governing body of the Freemasons, launched the Universities Scheme in 2005 to forge links with local University students and other young men so that they are able to enjoy membership of our historic fraternal and charitable organisation. A total of 63 Lodges in main university towns and cities across the country have now joined the scheme since its inception 10 years ago and have welcomed many hundreds of new members. The scheme also holds a bi-annual conference and Leicester will be honoured to host the next conference at the Headquarters of the Leicestershire and Rutland Freemasons on London Road in November 2015.

The Acting Master of the Lodge of Science and Art, WBro Peter Legg, started the day’s proceedings with a triple Raising ceremony. After a short break, the Acting Master of The Wyggeston Lodge, WBro Andy Green, assisted by other members of the Lodge conducted a triple Passing Ceremony including our member Bro Kirpal Hundal who joined via the Scheme. Those assisting in the ceremony were Bros Paul Bodycot (Senior Warden), John Harvey (Junior Deacon), Peter Clarke (acting Senior Deacon), Chris Kent (Assistant Deacon) and WBros Tom Bodycot (Acting Junior Warden), Dipak Chauhan (IPM) and Kelvin Johnson (acting Chaplain) together with VWBro Peter Kinder, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, who acted as Director of Ceremonies. The Castle of Leicester Lodge then conducted a triple Initiation with Acting Master, WBro Paul Wallace taking the Chair.

The Lodges were pleased to welcome the Deputy Chairman of the Universities Scheme, WBro Daniel Johnson, who said it was “a marvellous day” and that the Province were seen as huge supporters of the Scheme.

The members of the three Lodges enjoyed a special celebration Festive Board after the meeting and raised several hundred pounds for the Alderman Newton’s Educational Foundation a local charity that offers financial support to individuals and schools to help people access education or training opportunities in Leicestershire.

The entire meeting went extremely well and clearly demonstrated the very good heart of the three Universities’ Scheme Lodges within the Province of Leicestershire and Rutland. Andy Green said “It was indeed an honour and pleasure acting as the Master for the Passing Ceremony at this auspicious occasion. I sincerely hope that we will be able to replicate this joint meeting again in the future as it has been a wonderful occasion.”

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Past Master takes Chair after 25 years to perform triple Raising

WBro Robert Hutchinson, who was Master of the Wyggeston Lodge in 1990, took the Master’s Chair once again at our meeting held on Friday 17th April 2015 by kind invitation of our current Master who was unable to attend.

Bros. Tom Grant, Ian Player and Jacob-Charles Diegel, who all joined Freemasonry through the United Grand Lodge of England Universities’ Scheme as Leicester University students, were Raised to the degree of a Master Mason in a superb triple ceremony assisted by many Brethren of the Lodge.

We were also delighted to welcome back to the Lodge the Provincial Liaison Officer for the Universities’ Scheme VWBro Peter Kinder who is also the Assistant Provincial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Leicestershire and Rutland.

This was our last regular meeting of the Lodge before the summer break and concludes a busy winter session with 8 Initiations, 9 Passings and 9 Raisings.

IMG_1018
Three Master Masons

After the meeting, the members enjoyed a festive board consisting of seafood en cocotte, beef & Guinness pie followed by vanilla pannacotta. A total of £115 was raised, via a raffle, for the Harley Staples Cancer Trust which was set up by parents of a little boy who died of cancer to provide a holiday home for young patients.

The Second Master of the Wyggeston Lodge, Leicester (1911) – Henry Jinks Grace

Henry Jinks Grace - The second Master of the Wyggeston Lodge No.3448 in 1911
Henry Jinks Grace – The second Master of the Wyggeston Lodge No.3448 in 1911

WBro Henry Jinks Grace was a very active and highly esteemed member of the Craft in the Province of Leicestershire and Rutland. Initiated in the Granite Lodge No.2028 in 1886, he was appointed Organist and Assistant Secretary in 1887, Secretary in 1890 and as installed as Master in 1894, an hour which his Mother Lodge again conferred upon him in 1916. After his first Mastership he was Treasurer of his Lodge until re-election as Master.

WBro Grace was elected a member of the Lodge of Research No.2429 in 1902, became Master in 1908 and in 1911 was appointed Secretary.

He was a Founder and first Immediate Past Master of the Wiclif Lodge No.3078, Consecrated in 1905 and became Master in January 1918.

In 1910 he was a Founder and first Junior Warden of the Wyggeston Lodge No.3448 and attainted the Master’s Chair in 1911.

In Provincial Grand Lodge, WBro Grace was appointed Standard Bearer in 1895, Charity Steward for the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls in 1902, Senior Warden in 1903 and Treasurer from 1914. He was appointed Past Assistant Director of Ceremonies in the United Grand Lodge of England.

The First Master of the Wyggeston Lodge, Leicester in 1910 – Frederick Billson

Frederick Billson - The first Master of Wyggeston Lodge No.3448 in 1910
Frederick Billson – The first Master of Wyggeston Lodge No.3448 in 1910

Frederick William Billson LLB.Lond. was Initiated into Freemasonry in the Commercial Lodge No.1391, Leicester, on 31st May 1889 in his early 30’s and after serving in subordinate offices was Installed as Master on 30th April 1897. He was a Founder and first Inner Guard of the Lodge of Research No.2429 and was Installed a Master on 26th September 1896. In September 1901, he was elected Treasurer of the Lodge, an office to which he was annually elected until September 1912. He was also a Founder and first Master of the Wyggeston Lodge No.3448 in 1910 and acted as Director of Ceremonies from 1912 to 1919. In Provincial Grand Lodge, WBro Billson was appointed Registrar in 1898 and Senior Warden in 1905.

From 1892 to 1912 he was the honorary Secretary and Treasurer of the Leicestershire and Rutland Masonic Charity Association. He was also, for a number of years, elected annually to represent his Mother Lodge as Preceptor to the Union Lodge of Instruction and on the Committee of the Old Masonic Hall in Halford Street. He was also the Chairman of the Committee of the Leicester Freemasons’ Hall Library and Museum from 1921 until his death in 1946.

WBro Billson was a regular and whole-hearted supporter of the Masonic Charities, having served 17 Stewardships and on two occasions acted as Charity Steward of the Province. He was a Vice-Patron of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls, Vice-President of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution and the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys.

He died on 6th March 1946 at the age of 81 years having been deemed a ‘gentleman’ and a man who lived up to the principals and tenets of the Craft.