News

Bro. Kit King on being made a Master Mason

April 2024

April marks the halfway point in our Masonic season. We now have a recess over the summer and will restart our Masonic duties at Burford in September. We hope to have a number of events over the summer period and I will document them on this page as they happen, both involving our Burford Masonic Centre and further afield.
On 18th April we gathered to raise our Brother Kit Ling to the degree of a Master Mason, it was as splendid occasion and one which truly demonstrated our core values of unity, friendship and brotherly love.

Pictured from Left to Right

Bro. Yevgeniy Chaplgin - Steward
W. Bro. Jon Paine - IPM and Lodge Membership Officer
Bro Christophe Arcalis - Senior Deacon
Bro. Kit Ling -
W. Bro. Kevin Smart PPrAGDC - Worshipful Master
W. Bro. Jon Hitchcock PPrGStB - Junior Warden
W. Bro. Mike Clarridge PPrGStB- Lodge Mentor
W. Bro. Eddie Hillier PPrAGDC - Inner Guard and Senior Steward
W. Bro. John Hussey PPrJGW
W. Bro. Allan Peates PAGStB PPrSGW - Senior Warden and Asst.Sec.
Bro. Haydn Gidlow - Junior Deacon

W. Bro. Alan Baverstock, Deputy Provincial Grand Master
M. W. Bro. Jonathan Spence DL, Pro Grand Master
R W. Bro. Prof. Stephen Tucker, Provincial Grand Master
W. Bro. Paul Buck, Assistant Provincial Grand Master

27th March 2024

On the 27th March 2024 a number of the Wychwood brethren were delighted to attend the installation of the new Provincial Grand Master in and over the Province of Oxfordshire, R. W. Bro. Prof. Steven John Tucker M.A. D. Phil.

It was a momentous occasion with the installation ceremony being conducted by the Pro Grand Master, M. W. Bro. Jonathan Spence DL, in the presence many distinguished guests. A occasion which our new PGM said, was a very special moment and one that he will always treasure.

Our new PGM stated the he is very fortunate to have such a strong and able executive surrounding him, and with the clear direction provided by the new Strategy for Freemasonry, he looks forward to implementing the Strategy throughout Oxfordshire.

We look forward to supporting our new PGM in his future endeavors and helping him create an environment in which every masonic member will be proud to call themselves an Oxfordshire Freemason.

Brother Yevgeniy Chaplgin on being made a Master Mason

March 2024

Another fantastic evening at the Wychwood Lodge this month. Our Brother Yevgeniy Chaplgin was raised in to the Third Degree in Freemasonary and made a Master Mason. We all congratulate Brother Yev on this milestone and wish him many happy years in the lodge.

Pictured from Left to Right

Bro. Haydn Gidlow - Junior Deacon
Bro. Yevgeniy Chaplgin
W. Bro. Eddie Hillier PPrAGDC - Inner Guard
W. Bro. Kevin Smart PPrAGDC - Worshipful Master

W. Bro. Steve Willoughby with his Large Fork to mark his 27 year service to the Wychwood Lodge as Senior Steward.

February 2024

The Wychwood Lodge was pleased to conduct a passing ceremony for one of our members this month. In addition, as a mark of esteem to W. Bro. Streve Willoughby PPrJGW, who had served the lodge as Senior Steward for the past 27 years, Our Worshipful Master, W. Bro. Kevin Smart, PPrAGDC, sourced and presented a Large Fork to Brother Willoughby a gift which he will treasurer forever.

Wychwood Lodge 132nd Installation Festival

January 2024

The Wychwood Lodge held its 132st Annual Festival on the 18th January 2024 where W. Bro. Kevin Smart was installed as the Master of the Wychwood Lodge for the second time. We were pleased to have a number of officers of Provincial Grand Lodge with us. The Deputy Provincial Grand Master was accompanied on this occasion by W. Bro. Yanto Evans the Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies.

Pictured from Left to Right
W. Bro. Peter Smith PSGD, PAsstPGM
Bro. Bill Pinkerton (Treasurer)
V. W. Bro. Graham Peter Ellis PGSwdB DepPGM
W. Bro. Allan Peates PAGStB, PPrSGW (Senior Warden)
W. Bro. Kevin Smart PPrAGDC - Worshipful Master
W.Bro. Jon Hitchcock PPrGStB (Junior Warden)
W.Bro. Jon Paine (Immediate Past Master)
W. Bro. Nick Carter PAGDC, ProvSGW
W. Bro. Alistair Eden PPrSGD, ProvGOrg (Assistant Director of Ceremonies)
W. Bro. David Portman ProvJGD
W. Bro. Michael Smail ProvGChap

Members of the Wychwood Lodge December 2017

December 2017

I was recently reminded of this picture taken at our December 2017 meeting to mark our 125th anniversary. It is particularly special as five of the brethren pictured are no longer with us. Their enthusiasm and dedication to The Wychwood Lodge is a daily reminder to us of how we can strive improve ourselves.

Pictured from left to right:

Back row: W. Bro. Allan Peates, W. Bro. Mike Claridge, W. Bro. Jon Hitchcock, Bro. Jasvinder Jugdev, W. Bro. Alan Jenkins, W. Bro. John Hussey, W. Bro. Monty Shayler, W. Bro. Owen Kernahan, W. Bro. John Englefield.
Middle Row: Bro. Ivan Pushnik, W. Bro. Chris Walker, Bro. Stuart Peates, W. Bro. Pierre Macke, W. Bro. Alistair Eden, W. Bro. Kevin Smart, W. Bro. Stuart Norridge.
Front Row: R.W. Bro. Allan Englefield, W. Bro. Roger Freeman, W. Bro. Tony Raven, W. Bro John Keen, W. Bro. Jim Lazenby, W. Bro. Richard Slade, W. Bro. Peter Smith, W. Bro. Brian Hall.

December 2023

The First Degree Tracing Board

Once again the brethren of the Wychwood Lodge celebrated our Christmas meeting in traditional form, with an explanation of the symbolism of First Degree Tracing Board, this was followed by a lovely traditional Christmas meal complete with Carol Singing and mince pies.

Wychwood Lodge, Officers 2023

We would like to express a hearty thank you to our Worshipful Master for his expert guidance over the past year we look forward to January when he will install his successor.

The Wychwood table enjoying the Almoners Christmas Lunch

Almoners Christmas Lunch 2023

We hold two annual Almoners lunches at the Witney Masonic Hall, one at Easter and the other at Christmas. On the 26th November Terry and Mary Williams arranged this years Christmas lunch. There were over 98 dining with the tables arranged according to Lodge. The Wychwood table was well represented and our Worshipful Master Jon Paine gave the opening address.

Initiation at the Wychwood Lodge

November 2023

On Thursday 16th November the Wychwood Lodge was opened at 6pm promptly and our Worshipful Master Bro. Jon Paine proceeded to initiate his close friend and now our Brother into our ancient and fraternal society. We were pleased to receive a Provincial visit from W.Bro. Ron Barnett PAGStB, PrGReg and W.Bro. Stephen Hignell PrGMen, along with a goodly number of visiting brethren. The Ancient Charge to the candidate was delivered perfectly by W.Bro. Kevin Smart PPrAGDC to the acclamation of all the brethren present. We are very pleased to welcome our new Brother into our number and wish him many enjoyable years in Freemasonry.

Pictured from left to right

W.Bro. Chris Walker PPrSGW, W.Bro John Keen PPrGStB, W.Bro Martin Fricker PPrAGDC, Bro. Kit Ling, W.Bro. Allan Peates PAGStB, W.Bro. Kevin Smart PPrAGDC, W.Bro. Stephen Willoughby PPrJGW, W.Bro. Jon Paine, Bro. Initiate, W.Bro. John Hussey PPrJGW, W.Bro. Monty Shayler PPrJGW, Bro. Christophe Arcalis, W.Bro. Mike Claridge PPrGStB, W.Bro. Jon Hitchcock PPrGStB, W.Bro. Tony Raven PPrJGW, W.Bro Eddie Hiller PPrAGDC, Bro.Yevginy Chaplgin, Bro Tye Yusuff (Whitson Lodge No. 2943), Bro Haydn Gidlow.

Shrine at Freemasons Hall

Remembrance

As we approach Remembrance Sunday I thought I would share the picture I took of the Shrine at Freemasons Hall in London. The Shrine was created by Walter Gilbert and stands on four figures, Moses, Joshua, King Solomon and St. George. On the top, in the centre is a scroll which holds the names of all the Brothers of the United Grand Lodge of England who fell during the First Word War. Surrounding the scroll are four figures who represent the four branches of the Armed Forces. You will notice the stained glass window above depicting the symbol of Freemasons Hall, The Hall Stone Jewel, which is an Winged Angel holding a representation of Freemasons Hall itself.

We will remember them.

Our Fraternal visit to the Whitson Lodge in Bristol to witness the initiation of Brother Taoreed (Tye) Yusuff

Wychwood Lodge Visit Bristol

It is with real pleasure that we can report on our fraternal visit to the Whitson Lodge who hold their meetings at the Freemasons Hall in Bristol. This is a unique historic building on Park Street the Lodge building itself is a Province all of its own. The Provincial Grand Lodge of Bristol.

The ceremonies in Bristol are very special differing from those carried out in many other masonic lodges in the English Constitution, they are more dramatic and elaborate. You will notice that the Bristol Worshipful Master wears a 'cocked hat', worn fore and aft. This is a custom dating back to the sea captains who were Masters of their Lodges in the middle of the 18th century.

Pictured from Left to Right
W.Bro. John Keen PPrGStB, Bro.Yevginy Chaplgin, W.Bro. Eddie Hiller PPrAGDC, Bro. Haydn Gidlow, W.Bro. Jon Paine, W.Bro. Suresh Chouthi SLGR (Richard Eve Lodge No.2772). Bro. Taoreed (Tye) Yusuff, W. Bro. Alessandro Bellafiore (Whitson Lodge), Bro. Reg Paine PPrGStwd, W. Bro Jasvinder Jugdev ProvGStwd, W. Bro Kevin Smart PPrAGDC, Bro. Christophe Arcalis, Bro. Kit Ling.

Select members of the Wychwood Lodge October 2023

October 2023

Our candidate for initiation this evening decided that it was not the right time for him to join Freemasonry. We respect his decision. It is very important that prospective candidates for Freemasonry are given the time and space to make sure the Freemasonry is right for them at this stage of their lives.

If you are interested in building great and enduring friendships by joining an organisation that is completely different to from anything you have probably experienced before. Participate in something with centuries old traditions and timeless values while helping your local communities and learning more about yourself as an individual. Please consider contacting us for an informal chat you will find us to be very approachable who knows you may find that Freemasonry adds a whole new dimension to your life.

In light of the above we were delighted to conduct a full demonstration of the Initiation Ceremony, we were pleased to receive a large delegation from the members of the Wittas Island lodge along with the Masters of the Buttercross Lodge and the Master of the Oxfordshire Lodge of Provincial Grand Stewards.

Pictured from Left to Right

W.Bro. Roger Freeman PPrAGDC, Bro. Kit Ling, W.Bro. John Keen PPrGStB, W.Bro. Kevin Smart PPrAGDC, W.Bro. Chris Walker PPrSGW, W.Bro. Alistair Eden PrGOrg, PPrSGD, W.Bro. Jon Paine, Bro. Christophe Arcalis, W.Bro. Dr. Jasvinder Jugdev PGStwd, Bro. Haydn Giddlow, W.Bro. Peter Smith PSGD, PAsstProvGM, Bro. Reg Paine PPrGStwd.

Congratulations to W.Bro. Alistair Eden and W. Bro Jasvinder Jugdev on their Provincial appointments.

Provincial Grand Lodge of Oxfordshire Annual Meeting 4th October 2023

It is with great pleasure that we can report two of our Wychwood Lodge brethren have been awarded distinction as Active Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Oxfordshire 2023-24.

W. Bro. Alistair Eden has been reappointed as Provincial Grand Organist in addition to his rank of Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon.

W. Bro. Jasvinder Jugdev has received a first appointment to Provincial Grand Lodge as Provincial Grand Steward. You will notice the colour of his regalia is red. To read about how Stewards got their red regalia please click here.

A new Bench for Burford

It is with great pleasure that we the Freemasons of Burford have presented the town with a new wooden bench on Sheep Street. The old bench had been in-situ for some sixty years, and was in need of replacement.

Sheep Street

On Saturday 23rd September the Freemasons of Burford presented a new wooden bench to the people of Burford we hope that they and the towns visitors make good use of it.

Dedication

The original bench was dedicated in memory of William Baron Percy CBE 1886-1966. We have taken the opportunity to dedicate the new bench further to our own members who we have recently lost to the Grand Lodge above.
W. Bro James Lazenby 1926 - 2019
W. Bro Richard Slade 1937 - 2020
W. Bro. Brian Hall 1932 - 2021
Bro. Ivan Puschnik 1940 - 2021
W. Bro. Michael Florey 1945 - 2023
We miss then all terribly and remember them fondly.

The Presentation

On a beautiful crisp Saturday Morning at 10am a small group of members of the Wychwood Lodge gathered after enjoying coffee and biscuits to present the new bench to the people of Burford. Who on this occasion were represented by:
Peter Higgs - Mayor of Burford
Maggie Andrews - Town Clerk
Cllr. Jennie Craven
Cllr. Sue Lofthouse
Cllr. Sarah Palmer
Cllr. Jo Rushton
Cllr. Jane Westmacott-Tunnell
Cllr. Perryn Bruce
Cllr. Derek Cotterill - District Councillor

The Presentation

The old bench was originally identified as requiring replacement by W. Bro. Allan Peates who organised the charitable collection through all the five lodges who meet at the Masonic Centre in Burford.
Also pictured are:
W. Bro. Chris Walker
W. Bro. Scott Bearman-Brown
Bro. Christophe Arcalis
Bro. Haydn Gidlow
W. Bro. Jasvinder Jugdev

It was a lovely morning and the local councilors thanked us further for the donation we had made towards the refurbishment of the Burford play park.

Bro. Kit Ling on being passed to the degree of a Fellowcraft

September 2023

September marks the beginning of our Masonic season, and we were pleased to pass Brother Kit Ling to the degree of a Fellowcraft Freemason. It was a wonderful evening and a real joy to be back in the lodge. We were blessed to receive a number of visitors and the ceremony was conducted in an excellent manner by W. Bro Jon Paine ably assisted by the Officers and Members of the Lodge. We are once again indebted to W.Bro. Tony Raven who stood in as Junior Warden while W.Bro Jon Hitchcock deals with a family matter.

Pictured from Left to Right

Bro. Bill Pinkerton - Senior Deacon
W.Bro. Kevin Smart PPrAGDC - Senior Warden
W.Bro. Jon Paine - Worshipful Master
Bro. Keith Ling
W.Bro. Tony Raven PPrJGW -
Bro. Christophe Arcalis - Junior Decon

W.Bro Jon Paine receives a donation to the building fund

A Donation to the Building Fund

Over the summer of 2023 the Wychwood Lodge held a BBQ in the Lodge garden organised by the Wychwood Lodge of Mark Master Masons, in order to help raise monies for the Lodge building fund. The event was very well attended and organised and a special mention must go to Brother and Chef, Christophe Arcalis and his wonderful wife Beryl for their excellent food wrangling skills.

The event raised quite a considerable amount of money and W.Bro. David Brown and W.Bro. Stephen Bentall members of the Wychwood Lodge of Mark Master Masons attended our meeting to present two cheques to our Worshipful Master.
The monies were gratefully received and will be faithfully applied to the ongoing maintenance of the Lodge buildings.

Pictured from Left to Right
W.Bro. David Brown PPrGStB
W.Bro. Jon Paine - Worshipful Master
W.Bro. Stephen Bentall PPrJGD

Brother Yevgeniy Chaplygin on his passing at the Wychwood Lodge.

April 2023

April marks the halfway point in our Masonic calendar, as we will now have a summer recess until we resume meetings again in September.

On the 20th April 2023 we were pleased to see Brother Chaplygin passed to the second degree in Freemasonry. He was once again conducted throughout the ceremony with excellent demeanor by our Deacons, and we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Brother Gidlow who stepped in once again as our inner guard. On this occasion were pleased to receive a large number of visitors from the Windrush Lodge 1703 in Witney, we do hope they enjoyed their evening.

The Members of the Wychwood Lodge look forward to resuming our formal meetings in September but in the meantime we will be holding a summer BBQ in the garden of the Lodge and I look forward to reporting on the event in due course.

Pictured from Left to Right
Bro. Bill Pinkerton - Senior Deacon
Bro. Yevgeniy Chaplgin
Bro. Christophe Arcalis - Junior Deacon
Bro. Haydn Gidlow - Steward (Acting Inner Guard)

Brother Keith (Kit) Ling on his Initiation into the the Wychwood Lodge

March 2023

On Thursday 16th March The Wychwood Lodge was opened by the Worshipful Master who then proceeded to initiate his good friend Mr Keith Ling into the lodge. The Worshipful Master was once again assisted by past masters of the lodge. The Worshipful Master expressed his particular thanks to both our Deacons Bro. Christophe Arcalis and Bro. Bill Pinkerton for safely conducting Kit through the ceremony and especially to Bro. Haydn Gidlow for stepping in as Inner Guard at short notice and undertaking the duties with such composure and professionalism. The ceremony was performed in a manner which has been dubbed by some as "The Wychwood Way" and comments by our visitors at the festive board attesting to the high quality of the ceremony were greatly appreciated.

Pictured from Left to Right
Bro. Jon Paine - Worshipful Master (Keith's proposer)
Bro. Keith Ling
Bro. Reg Paine PPrGStwd (Keith's seconder)
Bro. Bill Pinkerton - Senior Deacon

Bro. Reg Paine receives a certificate to commemorate his 50th years in Freemasonary from W.Bro Allan Peates PAGStB.

50 years in Freemasonary

The Wychwood Lodge members in Burford were pleased to celebrate with Bro. Reg Paine PPrGStwd on reaching his 50th year in Freemasonry. Bro. Paine was initiated into the Wychwood lodge on 15th March 1973. Bro. Reg spent many years working abroad but always maintained close ties with the lodge. It is interesting to note that his father W.Bro Reginald George Paine PPrGStB was initiated into the lodge in 1953, he then served as Worshipful Master in 1963 and both he and his wife Mrs Vera Paine designed and made the original Wychwood Lodge banner which is rumored to contain a note, the secret contents of which, will remain unknown, until such a time as the banner requires refurbishment.

Bro. Reg Paine was presented with a commemorative 50 years in Freemasonry certificate by W.Bro Allan Peates PAGStB during an evening which included a first degree ceremony (see above).

Pictured from left to right
Bro. Reg Paine PPrGStwd
W.Bro. Allan Peates PAGStB

Brother Yevgeniy Chaplygin on his initiation into the Wychwood Lodge.

February 2023

On Thursday 16th February 2023 at 6.00pm the Wychwood Lodge was opened and we were was pleased to welcome Yevgeniy Chaplygin to our ancient and honorable society. The brethren present witnessed a most wonderful heartfelt ceremony undertaken by the Worshipful Master who on this occasion was ably assisted by other members of the lodge. The ceremony was performed to a high standard and Brother Chaplygin was expertly guided throughout by our Deacons. The evening was rounded off as usual with a most excellent Festive Board.

Pictured from Left to Right
W.Bro. Kevin Smart PPrAGDC - Senior Warden
Bro. Yevgeniy Chaplygin
Bro. Jon Paine - Worshipful Master
W.Bro. Jon Hitchcock PPrGStB - Junior Warden

A momentous occasion. W. Bro Jon Paine ascends to the position of Worshipful Master of the Wychwood Lodge sixty years after his Grandpa, W.Bro Reginald George Paine PPrGStdB held the office in 1963.

January 2023

The Wychwood Lodge held its 131st Annual Festival on the 19th January 2023 where Bro. Jon Paine was successfully installed as the Master of the Wychwood Lodge for the ensuing year. We were pleased to have W.Bro. Bernie Wegerhoff the Provincial Grand Secretary in attendance, who on this occasion was representing the Provincial Grand Master R.W.Bro. James R. G. Hilditch. W.Bro. Bernie Wegerhoff was accompanied by W. Bro. Yanto Evans the Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies.

Pictured from Left to Right
W.Bro. Kevin Smart PPrAGDC - Senior Warden
W.Bro. Bernie Wegerhoff PGStB PrGSec
Bro. Reg Paine PPrGStwd
Bro. Jon Paine - Worshipful Master
W.Bro. Jasvinder Jugdev - IPM
W.Bro. Jon Hitchcock PPrGStB - Junior Warden

The Wychwood Lodge - ready to dine.

December 2022

As is usual at The Wychwood Lodge our December, Christmas meeting was held in traditional form with an explanation of The First Degree Tracing Board (this is the longest and most extravagant of the three in terms of allegory). The meeting was followed by a wonderful traditional Christmas meal with carol singing to close the evening.

Congratulations to Bro. Chima Anyanwu and Bro. Trevor Wicks on their passing to the degree of Fellocraft.

November 2022

The Wychwood Lodge was pleased to be asked by the WM of the Witta’s Island Lodge, W.Bro. Tom Vaughan to carry out a double passing ceremony for two of their recent new members and we were pleased to support them with their request. Not within living memory has a double ceremony been conducted at Burford, and we were also delighted on this occasion to receive an official visit from the Provincial Grand Master R. W. Bro James Robert Guy Hilditch who also assisted in the ceremony.
We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the PGM for his visit and of course for his support during the meeting.

Pictured from left to right - Wittas Island Lodge members in the background;
W. Bro. Andrew Trueman, PAGStB, PPrGSwdB
W. Bro. David Hutton PPrGReg
W.Bro. Tom Vaughan
W. Bro. Anthony Taylor PJGD PPrSGW
Bro. Chima Anyanwu
Bro. Trevor Wicks

In the foreground
Bro. Dr Jasvinder Jugdev WM
R.W. Bro. James R. G. Hilditch PGM.

Remembrance Sunday

November 2022

W.Bro. Tony Raven PPrJGW, the Immediate Past Master lays a wreath on behalf of the Wychwood Lodge of Freemasons at the Burford cenotaph.

Photographs credited to Mr Peter Gould

Last Updated 20sth April 2024

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April 2024

27th March 2024

March 2024

February 2024

January 2024

December 2017

December 2023

The First Degree Tracing Board

Wychwood Lodge, Officers 2023

Almoners Christmas Lunch 2023

November 2023

Remembrance

Wychwood Lodge Visit Bristol

October 2023

Provincial Grand Lodge of Oxfordshire Annual Meeting 4th October 2023

A new Bench for Burford

It is with great pleasure that we the Freemasons of Burford have presented the town with a new wooden bench on Sheep Street. The old bench had been in-situ for some sixty years, and was in need of replacement.

Sheep Street

Dedication

The Presentation

The Presentation

September 2023

A Donation to the Building Fund

April 2023

March 2023

50 years in Freemasonary

February 2023

January 2023

December 2022

November 2022

Remembrance Sunday

November 2022

Last Updated 20sth April 2024

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