A Very Merry Aelfric Christmas
On Friday 5th December 2025 the members and friends of Aelfric Lodge came together for their superb annual Carol Night. A small number of pictures were taken (see below) because the fun and festivities came thick and fast.
Special thanks go to Robert Buckingham our social secretary for all of his hard work in organising and energising the evening, ably assisted by the infamous Alan Mills. To Cliff and Lorraine and their wonderful team for the superb decorations and scrummy food, to Peter Smith for his excellent piano playing and wonderful voice, to the Family Von Trapp (aka Woodwards) for their choral work which almost made the rest of us sound good and everyone for coming along with their determined spirit of enjoyment,
A Merry Christmas to one and all
Aelfric Lodge’s Regular Meeting on 11th September 2025
Aelfric Lodge held its last regular meeting of this 2025 summer season on Thursday, 11th September 2025 at which Bro. Josselin Guillozet was raised to the sublime degree of a master mason.
The Ceremony was carried out by Aelfric’s Worshipful Master, W. Bro. Jeff Glenister and his officers, assisted by W. Bros. David Brown, Klaus Hodge, Simon Escott Roger Hazelden and Neil Wisbey with sections of the Ritual. The Working Tools of the Degree were nicely presented to the newly made Master Mason by Bro. Nick Woodwards.
After the Raising of Bro. Josselin to the Third Degree, Bro. Stuart Morgan was presented with his Grand Lodge certificate in an exemplary manner by W. Bro. Cliff Ward.
Forty five brethren were present in the Temple for the Ceremony and forty four afterwards dined in happy and noisy harmony at the Festive Board at which the loyal and other masonic toasts were given.
It was a hugely enjoyable evening with many of those attending complimenting the Lodge on its ritual and with one visitor commenting that it was the best Raising ceremony he had seen. The Raffle held at the Festive Board raised £230.00 and the Charity Collection, using Gift Aid envelopes and QR code, raised £193.50, which, with Gift Aid of approximately £40.75 added, made the total raised from the evening £464.25, which will all go to charitable causes.
AELFRIC LODGE NO 8926 ANNUAL LADIES FESTIVAL
The President W/Bro Jeff Glenister and Mrs Jayne Glenister cordially invite you to their Annual Ladies Festival, 4 course Banquet and Dance which is being held at
Kirtlington Golf Club, Kirtlington, Oxon OX5 3JY
Saturday 11th October 2025
Click here to download the flyer and booking form plus you can view the menu here
Aelfric Lodge’s July Meeting 2025
At Aelfric Lodge’s Meeting on 10th July 2025, on what was one of the hottest evenings so far this year, the WM, W. Bro. Jeff Glenister, ably assisted by his team of Officers and Past Masters, passed Bro. Josselin Guillozet to the Second Degree. The ceremony reflected the hard work put into its preparation by the Master and his team at their regular Lodge of Instruction meetings and was enjoyed and commented on favourably by all who witnessed it. To complete the ceremony, the Second Degree Tracing Board was nicely presented to Bro. Josselin by W. Bro. Neil Wisbey. During the meeting the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W. Bro. Bernd (Bernie) Wegerhoff, presented W. Bro. Barry Weston with a 50 year certificate. Bro. Barry was originally initiated into the Amery Lodge in 1975 and was a Founder Member of the Aelfric Lodge in 1980. In presenting him with his certificate, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master congratulated Bro. Barry on such a magnificent achievement. Afterwards, despite the heat, the brethren of the Lodge and their visitors enjoyed an excellent four course meal at the Festive Board provided by Cliff and Lorraine Ward and their team with the usual Toasts being given and absent brethren remembered at nine of the clock.
Aelfric Lodge’s 3rd Meeting of this 2025 season.
On Thursday, 12th June 2025, Aelfric Lodge held its third meeting of the current summer season. Sadly, the Candidate, who was to be Initiated that evening, had to pull out on the day due to illness and so the Lodge carried out a shortened demonstration of the First Degree ceremony with a visitor, Bro. Ian Northover, from the neighbouring Province of Berkshire, volunteering to act as candidate. The ceremony was conducted by the Worshipful Master, W. Bro. Jeff Glenister, in an excellent and sincere manner (which is becoming his trademark) and he was ably assisted by W. Bros. David Brown (Explanation of the Sign, etc), Roger Hazelden (North East Corner) and Bro. Nick Woodwards (Working Tools of the Degree).
Pictured here are the Worshipful Master, W. Bro. Jeff Glenister, with the acting Candidate, Bro Ian Northover, his two Wardens, W. Bros. David Braun (Senior Warden) and Peter Leaver (Junior Warden) and the Lodge Secretary, W. Bro. Ray Calleja.
Afterwards, the brethren enjoyed an excellent Festive Board, during which the Woodstock Masonic Hall Summer Draw took place and the Brethren departed for home in excellent spirits and ready for our next meeting on Thursday, 10th July 2025, when we shall be passing Bro. Josselin Guillozet to the Second Degree .
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
At the second meeting of this summer season on 8th May 2025, the Aelfric Lodge, led by its new Worshipful Master, W. Bro. Jeff Glenister, initiated its first candidate for some years – Bro. Josselin Guillozet – Josselin, who is French but now lives in Woodstock with his wife and two young children, had expressed an interest in Freemasonry and contacted the Aelfric Lodge via the Woodstock Masonic Hall website. He subsequently attended our Burns Night supper with his wife Francesca and, after meeting other Lodge members on several other informal occasions, decided to join our Fraternity.
Josselin’s Initiation ceremony was carried out by W. Bro. Jeff, his officers and Past Masters, who worked as a team in impressive style and with great decorum, and will long be remembered by those who attended.
Afterwards at the Festive Board the Masonic Chain was given by the Senior Warden, W. Bro. David Braun and the Song to the Initiate sung with great aplomb by W. Bro. Bob Buckingham. We congratulate Bro. Josselin on becoming a Freemason and wish him well as he starts his Masonic journey.
Left to right: W.Bro. Klaus Hodge (Alm), W.Bro.Roger Hazelden (JD), W.Bro. David Braun (SW), Bro. Nick Woodwards (SD), W.Bro. Jeff Glenister (WM), W.Bro. David Brown (IPM), Bro. Josselin Guillozet (Candidate), W.Bro. Peter Leaver (JW), W.Bro. Peter Hodge (Chap), W.Bro. Cliff Ward (DC), W.Bro. Peter Smith (Org)
The Worshipful Master W.Bro. Jeff Glenister congratulating the Initiate Bro. Josselin Guillozet
Bro. Josselin with his Proposer, W. Bro. Peter Leaver and Seconder, Bro. Nick Woodwards
Note: At Aelfric’s next Lodge meeting on 12th June 2025, we will be initiating another candidate, Mr Aaron Singh so please come and join us for that if you can.
Aelfric Lodge regular meeting 10th April 2025
On Thursday, Aelfric Lodge’s first meeting of its 2025 season took place at Woodstock Masonic Hall at which Bro. Jeff Glenister was installed in the Chair of King Solomon by the Installing Master, W.Bro. David Brown. The Assistant Grand Master, W.Bro Bernie Wegerhoff and his escort W.Bro. Jasvinder Jugdev attended the ceremony, supported by a host of other active Provincial Officers including the Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works, W.Bro. Kevin Cruickshank, the Provincial Grand Charity Steward, W.Bro. Tim Grier and the Provincial Grand Almoner, W.Bro. Adrian Barlow, the latter a member of the Aelfric Lodge.
The ceremony in the Temple was excellent with both the Installing Master and the new Worshipful Master performing the ritual to a very high standard, W.Bro. Jeff installing his officers with full addresses in each case and each of the working tools being given in an exemplary manner by Bros. Nick Woodwards, Neil Wisbey and Jack White. The Festive Board was enjoyed by all with the Masters song being performed with aplomb by W. Bro. Bob Buckingham. The usual toasts were given, the food, as always, was excellent and a jolly good time was had by all.
Below are some pictures of the meeting.
Our WM’s Charity Parachute Jump
There were 8 of us doing a tandem Sky Dive to raise money for the MBF. Mark Boule was included and he jumped for his own Charity….. Bowel Cancer.
Together we raised over £13000 on the day, with Mark raising £2750 which his company matched making a fantastic £5500.
This was not without significant sacrifice as I had to endure Dry January, February and into March not having had a pint since Christmas Day to ensure I could make the weight. The pub afterwards finished off an awesome day.
Some photos from the Sky Dive on 1/3/25.
Burns Night 25-01-2025
“Burns Night last night was superb!
Thank you all for attending and contributing in various ways: selling raffle tickets, raffle prizes, overall organisation, music, singing, table setting dining hall decorations, wonderful supper, Bagpiper, and the warm welcome extended to all.”
W.Bro. Raymond Calleja – Lodge Secretary
W.Bro. Robert Buckingham presents a £300.00 cheque to The Yellow Submarine charity from the Aelfric Lodge
Aelfric Lodge regular meeting 11th July 2024
At the Aelfric Lodge’s meeting on 11th July meeting the WM and his team presented a demonstration of the 1st Degree tracing board, which on this occasion, due to time constraints, was read by 9 different Brethren. As always the WM led the meeting in his light hearted manner which was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone present. The meeting was followed by an excellent Festive Board which continued the happy atmosphere from the Temple.
Aelfric Lodge regular meeting 13th June 2024
At the Aelfric Lodge’s meeting on 13th June the Ceremony of Passing was demonstrated by the Worshipful Master and his team. Attended by 44 brethren the ceremony commenced with a warm welcome from the WM, W. Bro. David Brown, PPrGStB, who set the light-hearted and yet serious atmosphere for the evening, commented favourably on by many in the Temple and at the Festive Board.
W. Bro. Peter Leaver acted as Candidate for the evening and the WM was assisted in the ceremony by W. Bro. Simon Escott, who delivered the section of ritual about the South East corner and W. Bro Alan Mills who delivered the Working Tools of the Degree. Bro. Nick Woodwards, Junior Deacon, delivered the Second Degree Tracing Board in an exemplary and impressive manner. The evening concluded with a fine Festive Board provided by Cliff and Lorraine Ward and their team, at which the usual Masonic Toasts were given and the brethren left in harmony and to the sounds of the Nocturne event taking place at Blenheim Palace that evening.
Aelfric Lodge regular meeting 9th May 2024
Aelfric Lodge’s second meeting of this current summer season took place on Thursday, 9th May 2024. A total of 38 members and visitors attended and saw a demonstration of the Initiation Ceremony. W. Bro. Nick Chaitow acted as the Candidate and the Worshipful Master and his team carried out the ceremony with composure and style. In particular, tributes were paid to the Senior Warden, Bro. Jeff Glenister, who delivered the Charge in an exemplary manner, as well as to W. Bro. Klaus Hodge for his explanation of the Degree following the charge and, lastly but by no means least, to Bro. Nick Woodwards, the Junior Deacon for his excellent conduct of the candidate. As well as having two active Provincial Officers present – W. Bro. Kevin Cruickshank, PrGSupt.Wks and W. Bro. Scott Bearman-Brown, PrG Stwd – a seven strong contingent from the Worshipful Master’s Lodge at Pangbourne, in the Province of Berkshire, also attended and added to the fun at the Festive Board by revealing all we needed to know about our Worshipful Master in the response to the Visitors Toast. Another very enjoyable and happy evening for all who attended.
Excerpt taken from the 2nd Rising May 2024
| Summer Freemasonry kicks off in Woodstock |
 |
| Summer Freemasonry has started in Woodstock with Aelfric Lodge’s installation meeting. The lodge was honoured with a visit from the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Paul Buck, escorted by the Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, Yanto Evans, who attended the Installation meeting The AProvGM was accompanied by ProvJGW, Stephen Pope; ProvGSuptWks, Kevin Cruikshank; ProvGAlm, Adrian Barlow; ProvGMen, Stephen Hignell; ProvJGD, David Portman and ProvGOrg, Alistair Eden. David Brown was successfully installed into the chair of King Solomon by the Installing Master, Bob Buckingham. The meeting was followed by an excellent festive board. |
Installation meeting 2024
Aelfric Lodge’s Installation meeting on 10th April this year got our new summer season off to an excellent start. Attended by 57 brethren the ceremony commenced with a warm welcome for the newly appointed Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W. Bro. Paul G Buck, PGStB, attending his first meeting since his appointment, who helped set the great atmosphere for the evening commented on by many both in the Temple and at the Festive Board.
W. Bro. David Brown, PPrGStB, was installed into the Chair of King Solomon in a sincere manner by the Installing Master, W. Bro. Robert Buckingham. The new WM then proceeded to invest his officers in the traditional Aelfric way and the evening concluded with a tremendous Festive Board at which W. Bro Alan Mills sang the Worshipful Master’s song with great aplomb.
Pictured below are the new Worshipful Master with the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, his Wardens, the active Provincial Officers attending the meeting and W. Bro Klaus Hodge (far right) who somehow got into this picture!
Widows’ & Aged Brethren’s Luncheon – 6th April 2024
Widows, Brethren and Guests assembled at Woodstock for the first of this year’s luncheons hosted by Aelfric, Semper Paratus and Marlborough Lodges.
12 of the Lodges’ widows were present, but no aged brethren on this occasion.
However there were 12 other guests and a total 16 Brethren representing the 3 Lodges.
All were greeted upon arrival with a glass of sherry (or orange juice for the drivers amongst us!) and raffle tickets were available to purchase.
A wonderful 4-course meal was then provided by Lorraine and her team and, as always, it was washed down with a glass or two of wine.
It took a while to get through drawing the raffle due to a multitude of raffle prizes having been donated by those present (and some who had been unable to attend).
At the end of the luncheon each of our widows was then presented with a box of chocolates.
The £215 raised in selling raffle tickets, along with a contribution from Provincial funds, will be used to provide such meals and gifts for our widows and aged brethren at future luncheons.
It is hoped that more Brethren from the Lodges will be able support the next such luncheon by attending. It really is a great occasion!
Aelfric Burns Night 2024
Click any picture to see full sized
Aelfric xmas carol night
Click any picture to see full sized
Aelfric Ladies Festival 21st October 2023
The Lodge held its Annual Ladies Festival on Saturday, 21st October 2023 at Kirtlington Golf Club where the Brethren and their guests enjoyed a fine meal provided by the Club and its welcoming staff. After speeches to the Ladies and Madam President, Mrs Joan Buckingham, by W. Bro. Klaus Hodge (acting Junior Warden) and to the President, W. Bro. Robert (Bob) Buckingham by W. Bro Peter Leaver (acting Senior Warden), the Brethren and their guests danced the night away to the Big River Trio before ending the evening just before midnight with Auld Lang Syne. The evening was a great success and thoroughly enjoyed by all attending who voted it one of the best yet. Our thanks must go to W. Bro. Bob and his wife Joan for organising the event as well as to Kirtlington Golf Club who helped make it such a happy and enjoyable occasion.
Some of the Aelfric Brethren, with their Ladies and Guests
W. Bro. Peter Leaver proposing the Toast to the President
The President and Madam President with their personal guests.
Madam President, Mrs Joan Buckingham, with her Ladies Present.
Aelfric Lodge Regular Meeting 14th September 2023
The Lodge’s last Regular meeting of the current year took place at Woodstock Masonic Hall.
A demonstration of the Third Degree Raising Ceremony was performed with W. Bro. Gordon Lindsay stepping in at the last minute to act as candidate. W. Bro. Roger Hazelden acted as Senior Deacon and W. Bro Ray Calleja acted as Tyler in the absence of W. Bro Nick Chaitow who was at another event. The ceremony was a resounding success and afterwards the brethren dined in harmony where alms were collected raising some £194.40 including gift aid of approximately £36.00. The Raffle also raised £180.00 so a total of approximately £375.00 on the night – all for charitable causes.
The next Meeting will be the Lodge’s LOI Festival on Wednesday, 22nd November 2023 at Woodstock Masonic Hall.
Simon Escott, Klaus Hodge, Robert Buckingham (WM), Cliff Ward, Peter Hodge and David Brown.
Charity update September 2023
Brethren please see photos below and letter of thanks for the donation we made to Woodstock Bowls Club. You will see the Bowls Royce in action. The Woodstock Bowls Club are very appreciative of our assistance.
Brethren
Those of you who were at LOI this week will have heard W. Bro. Alan announce that we had received a card from Angie Green who has helped Lorraine prepare and cook our food at Woodstock for many years. I have now circulated this to the Secretaries, Scribe Es and Recorders, etc. of all units meeting at Woodstock as this was done as a Woodstock Masonic Hall gesture. The circulated e-mail and the card with her response is pictured below for your information.
We do hope that Angie will be able to be with us again at a some future date and no doubt Cliff and Lorraine and Alan will keep us posted on this.
S & F
Peter L
Aelfric Lodge’s Regular Meeting on 13th July 2023
Aelfric Lodge held its 214th Regular meeting on Thursday, 13th July 2023 when, for the first time in its 43 year history, the Lodge carried out a Triple Passing Ceremony, with the Dispensation for so doing kindly provided by the Provincial Grand Master.
The Ceremony was performed for two candidates from Semper Paratus Lodge No.3015 – Bros. Shaun Taverner and Gary Hinton – and the third candidate – Bro. Kristof Henningsson – from Blockley Lodge No. 6345. The Ceremony was carried out by Aelfric’s Worshipful Master, W. Bro. Bob Buckingham and his team of officers and assisted by W. Bros. David Brown and Klaus Hodge with sections of the Ritual. Bro. David Braun acted as Senior Deacon for the Ceremony, assisted by Bro. Jack White as Junior Deacon and W. Bro. Roger Hazelden as “Third Deacon”. The Second Degree Working Tools were nicely presented to the newly made Fellowcrafts by the Inner Guard, Bro. Nick Woodwards and the Second Degree Tracing Board was given in an excellent manner by Bro. Junior Warden, Bro. Jeff Glenister.
Fifty six brethren were present in the Temple for the Ceremony and fifty three of them afterwards dined in great and noisy harmony at the Festive Board at which the loyal and other masonic toasts were given.
It was a hugely enjoyable evening with many of those attending complimenting the Lodge on its ritual. The Raffle held at the Festive Board raised £265.00 and the Charity Collection using Gift Aid envelopes raised £245.45 which, with gift aid of approximately £57.50, is a total of £302.95. The total raised from the evening was therefore £567.95, which will all go to charitable causes.
W.Bro. Secretary received an email from W.Bro. Jim Flinn the Secretary of Semper Paratus Lodge – See below for the content
Good Morning Peter,
Just a short note to thank you, Cliff, Bob and the members of Aelfric for the wonderful ceremony you put on last night for our lads Shaun and Gary and also the young lad from Blockley.
I know you were a little concerned based on your rehearsal but I don’t think they could have had a better demonstration of excellent floor work, ritual and more importantly the care and attention Aelfric officers and your WM Bob gave to the Candidates. I know they really appreciated it.
I feel it only fair to point out the great work done by David Braun, assisted by Jack and Roger, the Tracing board explanation from Geoff and Working Tools delivered by your IG Nick was excellent.
On behalf of Semper Lodge please extend our grateful thanks to all Aelfric members and particularly all those involved with the Ceremony last night.
Kind Regards,
Jim
10th june 2023 aelfric quiz night
A superb evening was had by all, Ron gave us a brilliant quiz with some very high scores and some testing questions. Lorraine & her team provided their usual excellent fayre whislt Cliff made sure we all had access to the bar (thanks Cliff 👍) Apologies if some of the pictures were a little out of focus but it was a borrowed phone but I think the pictures show what a great night it was. 🥳 Congratulations to the organisers! 👏👏👏
The grand total raised by the night (including the raffle) was £329.00 💰
Click each picture to enlarge
8th June 2023
Congratulations to our WM W.Bro. Bob Buckingham for the several superb presentations he gave in the Temple this evening. A very different evening to our norm but thoroughly enjoyable and a great Festive Board.
Aelfric Lodge donates £300 to support daybreak
W.Bro. Roger Hazelden presenting the cheque to Daybreak staff
A thank you Letter received by our charity steward
11th May 2023
The brethren of the Aelfric Lodge welcomed Bro. David Braun as a joining member, the WM then proceeded to invest him as Junior Deacon for the year.
This was followed by a demonstration of an Initiation with Bro. Jack White (SD) acting as the candidate for the evening. Several of the brethren stood in as acting officers with notable contributions from Bro. Nick Woodwards presenting the working tools, W.Bro. Simon Escott entrusting the candidate, W.Bro. Roger Hazelden putting the candidates principles to the test and the Charge given by W.Bro. Kevin Sellman.
The successful ceremony was followed by a superb festive board where the Brethren sang Happy Birthday to W.Bro. Bob Bryant for his 70th birthday this week.
Officers of Aelfric Lodge May 2023 from left to right: W.Bro. Roger Hazelden (acting SD), W.Bro. Klaus Hodge (Almoner) Bro. Nick Woodwards (IG), Bro. David Braun (JD), W.Bro. Peter Leaver (Secretary), W.Bro. Kevin Sellman (acting SW), Bro. Jack White (acting Cand), W.Bro. Neil Wisbey (IPM), W.Bro. Bob Buckingham (WM), W.Bro. Ray Calleja (Treasurer), Bro. Jeff Glenister (JW), W.Bro. Peter Hodge (Chaplain), W.Bro. Cliff Ward (DC), W.Bro. Simon Escott (ADC)
6th May 2023
The Worshipful Master and Brethren of Aelfric Lodge of Freemasons No 8926 in The Province of Oxfordshire, congratulate His Majesty King Charles III on his Coronation.
2023 Installation
13th April 2023 the Lodge held its first meeting of our Masonic year the Installation with W.Bro Robert Buckingham PPrGSwdB being proclaimed as Worshipful Master for his 2nd successive year. He proceeded to install his officers in his usual proficient manner and a superb evening was had by all of the 52 Brethren present. W.Bro. Eugene Gratwohl PrJGW represented the PGM joined us and presented 3 Grand Lodge certificates in a splendid manner to Bros. Stephen Evatt, Neil Williams and Nicholas Woodwards.
The evening was completed by a fantastic festive board with the usual Woodstock fayre provided by Lorraine Ward and her wonderful team.
aelfric burns night supper
Saturday 28th January 2023
Click here to download the Booking Form
Limited places so please book early
Carol Service 2022
Aelfric Lodge held its annual Carol Service on Friday evening, 2nd December 2022 at Woodstock Masonic Hall. A total of 65 masons, wives, partners and friends attended and a thoroughly enjoyable evening it was. A four course meal with turkey and all the trimmings was consumed, provided by Lorraine and her helpers, and afterwards Peter Smith, our guest organist, entertained us with carols which were sung in good voice by all assembled and with solo renditions from Mrs Lou Woodwards. Father Christmas and his Elf helper arrived to distribute a present to everyone before the evening concluded.
The following Sunday morning, 4th December, brethren of the Lodge, having had Saturday to recover from the Friday evening, again assembled in the Dining Hall at Woodstock for the Annual General Meeting of the Lodge and afterwards enjoyed sherry, mince pies and coffee. A very good beginning to the coming Festive Season.
23RD NOVember 2022
W/Bro Robert Buckingham PPrGSwdB, Worshipful Master of Aelfric Lodge No. 8926 preparing to enter the Temple at Woodstock Masonic Hall on Wednesday 23rd November 2022 for a very interesting and enjoyable 38th Lodge of Instruction Festival lecture entitled “The Symbolism of the Three Degrees.”
Also pictured above are W/Bro Ray Calleja P.Pr.G.Swd.B and Bro Jeff Glenister acting Junior Warden and just behind him acting Senior Warden W/Bro David Brown P.Pr.G.Std.B
The Province was represented by W/Bro Swaylie Forrest Pr.J.G.D.
Following the meeting a most satisfactory 4 course meal was served in the Dining room where the brethren enjoyed a lot of chatter and laughter and all said what an excellent evening it had been.
10th September 2022
The Worshipful Master and Brethren of the Aelfric Lodge No 8926
congratulate His Royal Highness on his proclamation and confirm our allegiance to King Charles III.
God save the King
A message from W.Bro. Bob Buckingham
The Worshipful Master and Brethren of the Aelfric Lodge No 8926 in the Province of Oxfordshire would like to pay their last sad tribute of respect to departed merit to Queen Elizabeth II. They join the Royal Family and the Nation in their grief and offer their heartfelt condolences.
The latest pictures from the Woodstock Masonic Hall refurbishment
Here are a few pictures from the Woodstock Masonic Hall refurbishment
Aelfric 8926 
