Our installation meeting was held at Bicester today. W Bro Graham Hayward was proclaimed WM and he then conducted a superb 3rd degree Raising ceremony for Bro Jon Waters.

Congratulations  to W Bro David Hull, the Lodge Organist, who today at the Provincial Grand Lodge of Oxfordshire was appointed PPrGStB

W Bro Charles Botting was reappointed ProvJGD

W Bro Andrew Keech was reappointed ProvGChStwd

BEER AND BELLS WEEKEND IN BEDFORD

Members and Partners enjoyed a great weekend of Beer and Bells arranged by Andrew Keech.

Friday evening started in Brewpoint -a brewery and restaurant once run by the Charles Wells Brewery.

An early start on Saturday introduced the Bells aspect of the trip.

The first tower was BLUNHAM.

As our June Country Meeting, scheduled to take place in Nottingham, was cancelled some members had a social get together.

It is with great regret that we record the death of W Bro Edward William Ford PPGSwdB

14th February 1927 – 28th May 2021

Congratulations to  WBro Graham Hayward, our Worshipful Master, who today received promotion to PPrJGD in his home Province of Nottinghamshire.

The Oxfordshire Provincial Grand Lodge held a ZOOM Q&A session tonight.

The two screen shots show a good Clavis Lodge presence

Two meetings were held by ZOOM today – first a Committee Meeting followed by a general discussion about Masonry, Beer and Meetings.

Here are two screen shots of the proceedings.

At the Committee Meeting it was resolved to donate £100.00 to the Oxfordshire branch of MIND. It was also agreed not to meet in Nottingham, or Bicester, in June.

VWBro Ernest Russell Gotham, PGSuptWks, passed away today – he was the founding secretary of the Lodge and was elected to honorary membership in October 1997.

VWBro Russell held high ranks in many masonic orders. He lived respected and has died regretted.

9th June 1935 – 13th November 2020

The Lodge Installation Meeting took place today under COVID 19 restrictions.

Only 6 brethren could be present and in his enforced absence, because Nottingham was in lockdown, W Bro Graham Hayward was proclaimed Worshipful Master for the year 2020-21.

Today would have been the Oxfordshire Grand Lodge meeting and the following brethren of Clavis Lodge have received the following Appointment, Re-Appointment, and Promotions:

W Bro Andrew Keech re-appointed ProvGChStwd

W Bro Charles Botting appointed ProvJGD

W Bro John Couperthwaite promoted to PPrGSuptWks

W Bro Chris Cooper promoted to PPrGSuptWks

and in his home Province:

W Bro Peter Bill promoted to PPrJGW (Devonshire)

Another ZOOM meeting was held this evening – here are a couple of screenshots of those attending.

The Lodge is proud to have qualified for the Silver Award in recognition of our fund raising towards the Oxfordshire Festival 2022.

On Friday 12th June 2020 we should have been assembling in Nottingham for our Country Meeting – this was not possible, so on the 11th we had an informal get together via ZOOM.

Here is a screenshot of those who were able to attend.

A meeting of the lodge committee was held via the medium of ZOOM this evening. 18 members took part.

It was agreed that a donation be made to the Bicester Baby Bank and to The Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust.

A further donation to the Oxfordshire Festival 2022 of £750.00 enabled the Lodge to achieve Silver standard.

Due to the spread of the Coronavirus our April and June meetings will not take place. Further information will be available as and when it becomes known.

We are proud to display our Bronze Certificate in connection with the Oxon 2022 Festival.

On Monday November 18th Oxfordshire Provincial Grand Lodge held a Presentation Evening in the Lodge at Thame. Many Charities were represented and over the course of a wonderful evening   £31,500 was presented to those Charities.  The Lodges gave £17,000, the Province £6,500 and the Masonic Charitable Fund a further £8,000.

Shown to the left is the Provincial Grand Master RWBro James Hilditch opening the evening together with Provincial Grand Charity Steward WBro Andrew Keech who arranged and compered the event.

The Clavis Lodge presented a cheque to Helen and Douglas House the world’s first Hospice for Children which is based in Oxford.

Shown in the second picture are (l-r):

RWBro James Hilditch  – PGM, Lucy Walker –  Fund Raising manager Helen and Douglas House, WBro Martin Kirk –  Clavis Lodge Charity Steward,  and WBro Alan Baverstock –  APGM.

In total £1600 was presented to the Hospice.

Our Installation meeting took place on Saturday 12th October 2018 at Weyland Hall, Bicester.

We were pleased to welcome W Bro David Charlton PrJGW as the representative of the PGM.  WBro Charlton is also to become our Provincial Visiting Officer.

The Master Elect, W Bro Graham Hayward was Installed as Worshipful Master by W Bro Ray Clarke.

W Bro Hayward appointed and invested his Officers.

During the Ceremony WBro Andrew Keech presented Bro Bill Liebow with his Grand Lodge Certificate.

There followed a superb Festive Board where W Bro Andrew Keech sang The Master’s Song.

The Lodge congratulates the following members who received Reappointments, Promotions and Appointments at today’s Oxfordshire PGL.

W Bro Martin Turner appointed PPrAGDC

W Bro Derek Barrett  promoted to PPrGReg

W Bro Ian Hill promoted to PPrGReg

and

W Bro Andrew Keech reappointed  ProvGChStwd.

Handbells were rung at the Ceremony by W Bros David Cox, Alan Mayle, Graham Hayward and John Couperthwaite.

The 2019 Summer Country Meeting took place in Henley on Thames. W Bro Ray Clarke organised the weekend which began officially with some ringing at Henley.

During a splendid visit to Ieper in Belgium and Dordrecht in Holland members of the lodge rang two peals, both on the new bells at Ieper.

This visit was organised by WBro. Steve Waters and  around two dozen members and partners enjoyed ringing, dining and drinking.

Congratulations to W Bro Andrew Keech PrGChStwd on becoming a Founder Member of the Ruck and Maul Lodge 9974 in the Province of Oxfordshire. 

Congratulations to our Senior Deacon Bro Colin Belsey on being exalted into Winder Chapter, meeting at Kirkby Stephen in the Province of Cumberland and Westmorland.

This picture was taken after the ceremony with Bro Belsey extreme right.

It is with sadness we record the death of our IPM W Bro Stephen James Bateman.

21st July 1953 – 12th November 2018.

Steve was Initiated into Clavis Lodge in April 2009 and was installed as WM in October 2017.

Our Installation meeting took place on Saturday 13th October 2018 at Weyland Hall, Bicester.

We were pleased to welcome the PGM of Oxfordshire the RW Bro James Hilditch.

Unfortunately WBro Steve Bateman WM was not able to join us as he was, again,  in hospital. All the Brethren wished Steve the very best of good fortune in his continued fight to regain his health.

The Master Elect, Bro Ray Clarke was Installed as Worshipful Master by W Bro. Ian Hill and the IPM W Bro Martin Kirk.

W Bro Clarke appointed and invested his Officers.

There followed a superb Festive Board where W Bro Derek Barrett sang The Master’s Song.

Congratulations to the following members of Clavis Lodge who received the following appointments and promotions at PGL earlier in the month:

W Bro Andrew Keech was re-appointed ProvGChStwd

W Bro Alan Mayle was appointed PPrJGD

W Bro Nicholas Parsons was promoted to PPrJGW

The Summer 2018 meeting was held in Bristol over the weekend of the 8-10th June.

A full programme of events was organised by the WM, W Bro Steve Bateman, but unfortunately Steve found himself in hospital on the day of the meeting.

Brethren assembled at lunchtime in The Knight’s Templar and this was followed by ringing at 3 churches in the city centre.  Friday evening saw the Brethren and partners on a river trip round Bristol Docks followed by a meal at The Llandoger Trow.

At the lodge meeting on the Saturday, held in the Bristol Masonic Centre,  IPM W Bro Martin Kirk opened the lodge and W Bro Andrew Keech Passed Bro Bill Liebow to the 2nd degree.

The white table dinner was held at the Centre at which very best wishes were accorded to W Bro Steve for return to full health.

Congratulations to our Assistant DC,  W Bro Simon Glanfield, who has received promotion to PPrJGD in his native Province of Devonshire.

Our Spring 2018 meeting was an Initiation. held at Weyland Hall, Bicester.

Jon Waters was Initiated into the Lodge by WBro Alan Mayle and WBro Steve Waters – his Dad!

Following the ceremony a super Festive Board was held which displayed to our visitors the warm welcome and  great fellowship for which Clavis Lodge is renowned.

Congratulations to W Bro Mark Wilson who recently became a Founder Member of The Permanent Way Lodge No. 9951 in the Province of Worcestershire.

The death is recorded of W Bro John Mark Thomas Parker PPrGStB

11th February 1964 – 3rd February 2018

Mark was initiated into Clavis in April 1990 and was WM in 2002.

Bro Duncan Walker – a Steward of Clavis Lodge 0 was installed into the  Chair of Unanimity Lodge No.339 (his Mother Lodge) on Thursday 18th Jan 2018.

Clavis Lodge was represented by our Secretary W Bro David Cox together with Bro Colin Belsey (JD), who sang the Masters Song, and W Bro John Proudfoot.

CONGRATULATIONS DUNCAN FROM THE MASTER AND BRETHREN OF CLAVIS !!

It is with sadness that we record the death of W Bro Aubrey James Phillips PPrGSuptWks – Jim to all who knew him.               

15th April 1935 – 1st December 2017

Jim joined Clavis Lodge in 1984 and was installed in the Chair in 1995.

He will very much be missed as a Mason, Ringer and Friend.

Ten members of Clavis Lodge met at St Thomas’ Church, Oxford to ring a Peal to celebrate the Tercentenary of the United Grand Lodge of England.

Details can be found here:   http://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1198056

At our Autumn 2017 meeting held on October 14th Bro Steve Bateman was installed into the Chair of the Lodge by the Installing Master W Bro Martin Kirk.

The Lodge was honoured by the attendance of R W Bro James Hilditch the Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Oxfordshire.

Our newly installed Master presided over a first class Festive Board to conclude an excellent day in Bicester and the beginning of his year in office.

The Lodge congratulates the following members on their appointments and promotions in the October 2017 Provincial Grand Lodge of Oxfordshire:

W Bro Steve Waters appointed PPrSGD

W Bro Mark Wilson promoted to PPrGSwdB

W Bro Nigel Thomson  promoted to PPrGReg

W Bro Andrew Keech appointed  ProvGChStwd

The Summer meeting 2017 was held in Leominster, Herefordshire on  Saturday June 10th  when Bro. Gareth Jones was raised to the 3rd degree. The following white table dinner was held at the Three Counties Hotel, Hereford.

This formed part of a weekend of activity organised my the WM W Bro Martin Kirk.

Meeting up at  Trumpet Inn on the Friday for lunch, the members and partners enjoyed  leisurely ringing at three churches on the way to Hereford.

Friday evening saw 28 of the group at Weston’s Cider Mill for a tour, tasting and meal.

The Spring 2017 meeting was an Initiation Ceremony and  held at Weyland Hall, North Street, Bicester, OX26 6NE on April 8th at 3.00 pm.

In that ceremony Bill Liebow was Initiated into the Lodge in the presence of the APGM  WBro Alan Knowles. It was an enjoyable day and a super evening with Bro Liebow being received into the lodge in fine style.

Our Autumn 2016 meeting held at Weyland Hall Bicester saw the Installation of Bro Martin Kirk into the Chair of the Lodge. He was installed by the IPM W Bro Andrew Keech.

Bro Steve Bateman and Bro Ray Clarke were appointed and invested as Senior and Junior Wardens respectively.

Pictured are the Deputy Provincial Grand Master V W Bro Neal Spencer and W Bro Martin Kirk.

The Summer 2016 Meeting was held in June and the WM W.Bro. Andrew Keech organised a full programme of Ringing, Masonic and Social activity based in Bedford.

At this meeting, held at the Ampthill Masonic Centre, Bro. Gareth Jones was passed to Second Degree.

As usual at the summer meeting we were joined by partners, wives and friends.

In May 8 members travelled to Broadclyst in Devon where they rang a peal of Uxbridge Surprise Major.

Full details can be found here: http://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1010020

On April 22nd ten members of the Lodge met at Higham Ferrers to attempt a peal.

They were successful and full details can be found here:  http://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1003488

Our Spring 2016 meeting was held, as usual, in April at Bicester and Gareth Jones was Initiated into Masonry by the WM W Bro Andrew Keech

At our Installation Meeting held at Weyland Hall Bicester in October 2015, W Bro Andrew Keech was installed as WM of the lodge by the Installing Master W Bro David Hull.