History 1980 to date
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In June 1981 Grenville Lodge manned a Bottle Stall at Buckinghamshire Provincial Grand Lodge Garden Party at Hall Barn, Beaconsfield, the home of the Provincial Grand Master, Lord Burnham. Further Bottle Stalls were organised and manned at Garden parties held in 1998 and 2003.
In March 1982 the minutes of 50 years previously were read in honour of W. Bro. H. Mairs who was initiated into Grenville in 1932.
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December 1982 saw a visit by the Master and Officers of Verney Lodge. The next year a similar visit was made by the Master and Officers of the Wineslai Lodge.
In January 1984 Bro. Peter Bullen, Junior Warden, a civil servant, was posted to Germany for two and a half years and all lodge officers moved up one place. Bro. Bullen subsequently became Senior Warden and Worshipful Master of the Star of Saxony Lodge 853, German Constitution. In 1991 he was appointed Past Grand Standard Bearer of the Grand Lodge of British Freemasons in Germany.
In November 1984 the Lodge saluted W. Bro. Peter Wagland and Bro. Claude Riches with three on their appointments as Provincial Grand Junior Warden and Provincial Grand Steward respectively.
On 12th December 1987 the Lodge entertained fourteen widows to sherry in the Lodge and a Christmas dinner in the dining room. This idea was conceived by W. Bro. Tom Crawley and continued as an annual event until Christmas 2001. Due to lack of support from the widows the function was not held in 2002 and 2003 but every year from 2004 a Christmas Lunch as been organised, initially held at the Buckingham Hotel but since 2008 the venue changed to the Villiers Hotel. This got a very good reception, the ladies preferring a lunchtime meal to that in the evening.
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In October 1988 to mark 100 years of Buckinghamshire as an independent Province, the Bucks Centenary (1990) Charity Fund was announced which made provision for donations to be given to non-Masonic charities within the Province. In May 1989 joint fund raising ventures for the Centenary Fund were arranged, including Grenville, Verney and Claydon Lodges.
In January 1990, W. Bro. Roy Norris took on the responsibility of having the old Grenville Banner restored and hung in a method of his own design. The cost was approved by the Brethren, the work was completed and the Banner hung in the Lodge for the October meeting of that year. W. Bro. Norris had also been responsible for overseeing the making of the new banner before the 1980 Centenary Meeting.
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During August 1990 a Masonic Summer Ball was held at Stowe including all North Bucks Lodges as a fund raising event for the Bucks Centenary Fund. As this was so successful a further ball was held in August 1992.
1991 saw W. Bro. Peter Wagland, our Secretary for many years, appointed Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.
In February 1994 the Provincial Grand Master announced a Festival in support of the Grand Charity. Money was to be raised by the end of 1999 in celebration of the millennium. The Grenville target was set at £23,000
Visits to Grenville were made by the WM’s and 12 brethren of Wineslai, Verney and Claydon Lodges in May 1994
At the January 1995 meeting Grenville held a Lodge of Instruction demonstration of the 2nd degree ceremony.
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In 1986 W Bros Peter Wagland, David Spicer and Paul Lewis became founder members of the Claydon Lodge which meets in the neighbouring town of Winslow.
During 1997 W. Bro. Ted Griffin organised a Jazz Festival in Winslow in support of the 1999 Festival for the Grand Charity; over £1,000 profit was made. A second Festival held in April 1998 resulted in additional profit of £800 for the Grand Charity.
In the same month W. Bros. A. R. Cersell, T. W. Stubbings, A. C. Hough and Bro. D. Phelps were Founder Members of the Grand Union Lodge No 9641.
In March 1998 the Grenville Lodge 1999 Festival fund raising had reached £19,000 towards the target of £23,000.
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In December 1998 the Lodge held a “white table” meeting. The Lodge of Instruction demonstrated the Opening and Closing of the Lodge in all 3 degrees followed by the Festive Board attended by wives and partners. These “white table” meetings have since become an annual feature of our December meeting with the singing of Christmas Carols (usually organised by W. Bro. W. Lines) and a traditional Turkey meal being the order of the day.
The Lodge meeting in February 1999 was attended by The Provincial Grand Master, Lord Burnham, who congratulated the Lodge on exceeding its target of £23,000 for the 1999 Festival in aid of the Grand Charity.
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In 2001 the Lodge suffered the tragic loss of W. Bro. Peter Wagland their much loved and dedicated Secretary. W. Bro. Peter had managed the affairs of the Lodge impeccably for 26 years. The Assistant Secretary, W. Bro. Roy Norris, also of 26 years service and life-long friend of W. Bro. Peter managed Lodge duties until W. Bro. John Morris, who was himself not at all well, stepped into the breach and did an excellent job as caretaker Secretary until W. Bro. Peter Bullen was appointed as Secretary in 2002.
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In October 2002 W. Bro. Tony Cersell was requested and elected to continue as Worshipful Master for a second year. Coincidentally, on relinquishing the Chair in October 2003 he was appointed Provincial Junior Grand Warden for the Province of Buckinghamshire and on relinquishing this position was appointed Tyler of Grenville Lodge.
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The year 2003 marked the Centenary of the Bucks Masonic Benevolent Fund, which was founded by Lord Addington, a former member of Grenville Lodge. To celebrate this centenary, during the latter part of 2002, Lord Burnham, Provincial Grand Master announced a “100 year celebration” during which time funds would be raised to support the fund. In January 2003 Grenville donated £1,500, immediately qualifying them as Patrons of the fund. This was followed by further donations in May 2003, May 2004 and October 2004 resulting in honorific of Grand Patron being granted to the Lodge. In recognition of this achievement at the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Buckinghamshire on 25th October 2004, the Rt. Hon. Lord Burnham, Provincial Grand Master presented a Grand Patron’s certificate to our Charity Steward, Bro. Ron Hartnell.
In his will the late Rt. W. Bro. Sir Ralph Verney Bt bequeathed his Masonic regalia to our daughter Lodge, Verney Lodge 8849, which is named after his family and of which he was the first Master. In response to this request this regalia has now been mounted and framed and is displayed in the Temple.
To the great delight of members of Grenville Lodge, W. Bro. Roy Norris announced that Mrs Joan Wagland, widow of the late W. Bro. Peter Wagland, wished to donate his regalia to the Lodge. W. Bro. Wagland’s Regalia is now displayed above the Secretary’s desk where he spent so many fruitful years and W. Bro. Norris, who had been asked to produce this display, was delighted at Mrs Wagland’s enthusiasm for the venture and she was most helpful. Along with the regalia is a picture of W. Bro. Wagland looking down on the business of the lodge which was drawn by W. Bro. Norris. The dedication of the display took place during our 125th anniversary meeting.
In 1890, when Buckinghamshire resumed as an independent Province there were eighteen Lodges, today there are over one hundred and twenty lodges. The Senior Lodge is Buckingham No. 591 and youngest The Old School House Lodge No. 9770.
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The only subscribing Brother with a close relationship to one of the earliest members is W. Bro. William Lines. Brother William, who was initiated into Grenville Lodge in 1980, is the Great Nephew of W. Bro. J. Christmas, Grenville's first initiate exactly 100 years previously.
In 2005 Grenville celebrated its 125th Anniversary with a meeting held at Yeomanry Hall and a festive board afterwards at the Buckingham Hotel. W. Bro. G. P. Lannen was the Master and with special dispensation the meeting was held on Saturday 29th January 2005. This was attended by V. W. Bro. D. G. Varney the Deputy Provincial Grand Master in Charge along with three Assistant Provincial Grand Masters and two Past Assistant Grand Masters. In total the attendance was 35 members and 51 visitors.
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Grenville Lodge is very proud of its traditions which have been passed down over the years; however, in 2008 it was felt that these should be put on a more formal footing. W. Bro. W. D. W. Smith and W. Bro. R. Norris undertook the task and the result was a booklet that would be presented to every Brother on becoming a Master Mason.
In October 2006 Bro. R. Hartnell, after 14 years as Charity Steward passed over the office to W. Bro. A. C. Cersell. Bro. Tony set about creating a Charity Committee involving some of the younger Brethren. Since 2007 various events of a more social nature have been organized including annual BBQ’s, race nights and in 2009 a game dinner was held. This is one of the first events in more recent times to be held in the temple, with tables laid out for a dinner of pheasant and duck terrine followed by venison, this was a very successful event with W. Bro. Lannen organizing the cooking of the venison which had been shot by Bro. C. Henderson.
In 2007 W. Bro. A. C. Cersell was then honoured with his appointment to Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.
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In October 2008 W. Bro. Trevor Stubbings was requested to act once again as Worshipful Master a role he had previously held in 1996. Coincidentally, on relinquishing the Chair in October 2009 he was appointed Provincial Junior Grand Warden for the Province of Buckinghamshire and on relinquishing this position was appointed Tyler of Grenville Lodge
On the 11th March 2009 after apologies had been accepted, the Secretary informed the Worshipful Master that additional correspondence had been received which he would like to pass forward for his perusal. The document was perused and signed by the Worshipful Master, the Senior Warden, the Junior Warden and the Secretary. W. Bro. W. D. W. Smith was conducted to the pedestal and presented with a framed certificate confirming his 50 years in freemasonry, having been initiated on 11th March 1959. W. Bro. R. M. Norris gave an oration on W. Bro. Smith's masonic history and presented him with an engraved decanter and two wine glasses on behalf of the members of the lodge. W. Bro. Smith thanked the brethren and although not quite speechless remarked it was an evening he would never forget.
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In October 2009 the Lodge was informed that following the death of her husband W. Bro. M. M. Coombs, Susan had kindly arranged for funds to be made available for an audio loop system to be installed within the temple, it was hoped that this would help those who were hard of hearing.
At the start of the 2010 Buckinghamshire festival for the royal Masonic trust for Girls and Boys W. Bro. Gavin Lannen undertook a bike ride from Lands End to John O’Groats this raised over £4,500 towards the appeal. A further bike ride was organized for the end of the festival this time on a grander scale and involving other charities and riders including those from the Royal British Legion, the Pace Centre, SSAFA and the Air Ambulance. The ride called the Rock Ride took place in July 2010 and was from Gibraltar to Stowe. The riders ended at Stowe with a celebration ride home on the day of the end of Buckinghamshire Festival Garden party. However, a welcome home party was arranged for the previous weekend when the riders arrived back in Buckingham to a crowd of over 200 greeting them with a reception on the Lawns of the University. The rock ride raised over £75,000 for the various charities involved.
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The installation meeting in October 2010 was a special family occasion for not only the New Master W Bro Charlie Henderson but also his father. After the installation ceremony members of the Buchan St John, No 636, Scottish Constitution presented to Bro Walter Henderson, his mother lodge, a 50 year certificate and a brief history into the lodge and life of Bro Walter.
Over the years the carpet in the lodge had become worn and in 2011 it was necessary to obtain a new floor covering. This was last replaced in 1961 and at the time was second hand and cost £50. The decision was taken to obtain a brand new carpet for the lodge, the first new carpets since 1892, at a cost of £4,500. On the 11th of March the provincial chaplain W Bro David Sawyer attended the regular meeting and dedicated the carpet for the benefit of future masons. The old carpet would be retained and used at the Stowe Lodge meeting held once a year at Stowe School at which the various items of Masonic furniture from Grenville were also used.
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11th April 2012 was a red letter day for Grenville. After much discussion and correspondence the lodge was admitted as the 52nd member of the United Grand Lodge Universities Scheme. In both celebration and confirmation of the occasion the lodge was honoured by the visitation of R W Brother David Williamson, Assistant Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England. Also present to mark the occasion was our Provincial Grand Master, R W Brother Gordon Robertson who was accompanied by W Bros Mike Stimson and Peter Moody, Assistant Provincial Grand Masters together with W Bro Paul Bird the Provincial Director of Ceremonies who ensured the smooth running of the evening. However the highlight of the evening was a double initiation ceremony for Mr Oyeniyi Sodipo and Mr Adetokunboh Sangodoyin, both former students of Buckingham University.
At the Provincial meeting held in October 2012, Grenville Lodge was awarded the first ever “Freemasonry in the Community Award” and presented with an engraved silver salver which would be kept by the Lodge for 12 months. The award was in recognition of the work in the community in particular the support given to two local children and the now annual Christmas party provided for the Young Carers.
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In 2013 Grenville Lodge was once again honoured by the Provincial Grand Master with the appointment of our “Master of Works” W Bro David Spicer into the acting office of Senior Warden of the Province of Buckinghamshire.
Traditionally the October meeting at Grenville was always the Installation meeting for the new Worshipful Master. However, the October 2013 meeting became the initiation meeting for our 3rd University Candidate Bro Meldrick Hodge, this was due to our Master Elect having to drop out at the last minute due to business commitments. The November 2013 meeting then became the installation meeting for W Bro Charlie Henderson who agreed to occupy the Masters chair for a second time.
In October 2013 Grenville members began their attendance at the Universities Societies Fairs (Freshers fair) as part of being involved with the Universities Scheme, in total over 20 students expressed an initial interest in becoming freemasons.
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In early December 2013 Grenville lodge moved forward into the social media age with the commencement of a “Twitter” account “Grenville 1787” which would be initially managed by W Bro Lannen, there also followed a “Facebook” page.
At the February 2014 meeting W Bro Harold Meakin (DC of the Lodge for many uears) was collected by the acting Director of Ceremony’s W Bro Spicer and taken to the Masters chair where he was presented with a certificate and suitable gift marking 50 years in Masonry, the presentation was a great surprise and much appreciated by Bro Harold who thought very highly of the Lodge and its members.
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In early March it was necessary to hold an emergency Committee meeting to interview six potential University students and two further candidates who wished to become members of Grenville Lodge, all 8 impressed the Committee and notice was given in the March meeting and they were all proposed for membership at the April meeting an emergency meeting would be required to initiate the University students..
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During June 2014 our then Senior Steward W Bro Gavin Lannen embarked on RockRide 2. This was organised by W Bro Cersell and a support team. They would retrace the steps of the original Rock Ride from Gibraltar back to the UK, this time the event would involve 14 cyclists and a support team covering the 1,500 miles in 14 days. The event raised over £350,000 for various Masonic and non Masonic charities with Bro Lannen raising over £60,000 and concluded at the Wycombe Wonderers football ground with a grand party as the riders finished their epic journey.
August 20th 2014 was arranged as an Emergency meeting of Grenville Lodge with the purpose of performing the ceremony of initiation for six Buckingham University Students. Ryan Sands, McFalloughn Bowleg, Andre Bean, Ashen Joseph, Alexander Levy and Ganesh Balaganthan they were all initiated into Grenville Lodge. This was the first time that 6 candidates had been initiated in a multiple ceremony and the Temple was full of many dignitaries including the President of the Universities scheme the RW Bro. David Williamson PAGM and our own Provincial Grand Master RW Bro Gordon Robertson along with other members of the Provincial executive and an excellent meeting was had by all.
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During January 2015 the Lodge room was once again turned into a dining room for a Game dinner with W Bro Henderson providing the game, W Bro W Buckland the vegetable and W Bro Lannen (the resident chef) preparing and presenting a menu fit for the surrounding. The evening went off without an itch with the members and guests enjoying the ambiance.
Our secretary W Bro Andrew Hough in 2015 was honoured by the Provincial Grand Master of Buckinghamshire by being appointed into the acting rank of Senior warden of the province.
In February 2016 the Lodge once again saw an multiple initiation ceremony with 3 candidates joining the Lodge of which two of them were via the University Scheme, this was proving to be a popular method of gaining candidates, although in most cases they moved on to other Lodges in either different parts of the UK or overseas as their studies in Buckingham come to an end.
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In June 2017 members of the lodge met at the Bell in Winslow for a surprise 80th Birthday celebration for our long time organist Bro Leo Kyte, this was an excellent celebration and subsequent to this members of Verney lodge arranged for Bro Kyte to record onto a tablet the various tunes used in the ceremony. This would mean that a digital version of Leo could be recreate at future meetings.
Over the years there have been many multiple ceremonies taking place in the Lodge, these have been initiations and passings. In May 2018 we carried out what is believed to be the first multiple raising when Bro’s Weingart and Bayliss became Master Masons.
The Provincial Grand Master RW John Clark visited Grenville Lodge early one Sunday morning in June 2018 as part of the Provincial Mad Dash along with 30 other Motor bike and classic car drivers, they were met by Bro Dean Jordan and W Bro’s Mark Buckland and Alan Clarke and were presented with a cheque f0r £500 towards the 2021 festival.