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Ceremony of the Ancient Charges 2025

admin — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000

The annual Ceremony of the Ancient Charges was held at Castlegate Masonic Hall, York on Friday 20 June 2025 during the York 1100 events.

The ceremony was attended by the Most Worshipful Grand Master and members of the Order from across the UK in the largest gathering to date, with MW Bro John Prizeman, Pro GM of the Mark Degree, as Guest of Honour.

A highly successful evening was rounded off with an excellent festive board at which MW Bro Prizeman expressed his great delight at the evnts of the weekend.

Grand Conservator of Charges RWBro Dr Chris Ansell PAGM said “The Ancient Charges ceremony celebrates and commemorates the legendary assembly of masons at York in 926, which is a core element of the ethos of the Masonic Order of Athelstan and a part of “masonic folklore”. It is hugely gratifying to see so many Athelstan brethren make the journey to York to support this unique occasion.”

The ceremonial occurs only at York and on the third Friday in June each year, and makes use of masonic working tools which were expertly hand made for the ceremonial by Bro David Kirwan.

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York 1100 – June 20-21 2025

admin — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 09:00:55 +0000

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ESPECIAL ASSEMBLY OF GRAND COURT

admin — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Held on Saturday, 6th July 2024 at Mark Masons’ Hall, London.

The members of the Order gathered in force at the prestigious Mark Masons’ Hall in London to celebrate a momentous occasion in our Order’s history.

The Most Worshipful Grand Master, MW Bro. Paul W. Johnston, GCAG, presided over the inspiring ceremonials, where he was delighted to Invest and Install the following distinguished Brethren into their new roles:

RW Bro. Charles J. Aspinell, GCAG as Deputy Grand Master
RW Bro. Lionel B. Mee, GCAG as Assistant Grand Master
RW Bro. Mark P. Donovan, KCAG as Provincial Grand Master for Sussex

The enthusiasm and pride radiating from the packed Grand Temple bore testament to the high esteem in which these exemplary Brethren are held. Their dedicated service and unwavering commitment to our noble Order are truly deserving of our heartfelt congratulations.

This ceremony marks a significant milestone, ushering in a new era of leadership that will undoubtedly propel our Order to even greater heights. We extend our warmest wishes to the newly Invested and Installed Brethren, and we look forward to witnessing the positive impact they will undoubtedly have on the future of our revered institution.

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RW Bro Brian Anthony Vickers

admin — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 09:00:38 +0000

RW Bro Brian Anthony Vickers, KCAG

Past Provincial Grand Master for Essex

Passed 13 June 2024

Requiescat in Pace

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Athelstan 1100

admin — Fri, 03 May 2024 09:00:50 +0000

The Athelstan 1100 project commemorates and celebrates the 1100th anniversary of Athelstan becoming king and his very special relationship with Malmesbury. The ‘Athelstan 1100’ website contains some very interesting information and details of the events planned.

The Order, through the King Athelstan Memorial Foundation (KAMF) is supporting two permanent projects as part of the celebrations:

Athelstan Museum: A permanent tablet-based screen in the main museum area to allow them to show high quality images of original Athelstan documents being supplied by Cambridge University. The facility will remain on permanent display after the celebrations
Malmesbury Town Team: The addition of an ‘Athelstan and Malmesbury Trail’ to Explore Malmesbury (www.exploremalmesbury.com). This will work as a permanent free visitor attraction and promotion resource for Malmesbury – the trail can be accessed 24/7 in Malmesbury and worldwide – and deliver a sustainable record of Athelstan 1100 and Athelstan’s relationship with Malmesbury.

Both projects will record the support received from the KAMF and the Masonic Order of Athelstan, and along with the replica Athelstan Sword already in the museum create a long-lasting legacy.

A diary of planned events taking place as part of the Athelstan 1100 celebrations can be found here.

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VWBro Raymond William Hudson

admin — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 10:00:15 +0000

VWBro Raymond William Hudson, KCAG

Past Grand Sword Bearer, Grand Historian

Chevalier Ramsay Lecturer 2016

Passed 16 January 2024

Requiescat in Pace

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RWBro Roger J E O’Brien

admin — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 10:07:24 +0000

RW Bro Roger J E O’Brien, KAG

Past Junior Grand Warden

31 December 2023

Requiescat in pace

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RWBro Konstantinos Politis

admin — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 10:09:49 +0000

RWBro Konstantinos Politis, GCh, GCAG
Past Senior Grand Warden
Passed 27 November 2023
Requiescat in Pace

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W&EmBro Louis Maurice Keats

admin — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 10:00:38 +0000

W & Em. Bro. Louis Maurice Keats, KCAG
Past Deputy Eminent Grand Prior
Passed 27 November 2023
Requiescat in Pace

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MW Bro Michael Henry Roalfe

admin — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 09:00:20 +0000

MW Bro Michael Henry Roalfe
(1935 – 2023)

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of MW Bro Michael Henry Roalfe, the esteemed Past Grand Master of the Masonic Order of Athelstan. Michael left this world on Monday 21st August, at the remarkable age of 88, leaving behind a legacy that will forever be engraved in the history of our beloved Order.

Michael joined the Order on 29th March 2006 as the Founding Immediate Past Master of High Cross Court No. 5 and was immediately preferred to Eminent Grand Prior. At a meeting of the Grand Council on 25th August 2007, Michael was unanimously declared as Grand Master Designate and was Installed as our second Grand Master at Leicester on 3rd November 2007. He served 6 years as Grand Master, and as Grand High Chancellor of the Appendant Order of the Scarlet Mantle; a time in which he truly laid the strong foundations on which our Order was built.

The Annual Assembly of 2007 marked our first meeting at Leicester Masonic Hall, Devonshire Place and was courtesy of Michael’s position as Provincial Grand Master of the Craft; our Order has celebrated its Annual Assembly there every year since; a direct legacy of Michael’s influence.

Although Michael’s qualities as a Masonic leader were unparalleled, his personal attributes were equally remarkable. Described as a gentle and kind-hearted soul, he possessed an inherent ability to connect with individuals from all walks of life. Countless Masons and non-Masons alike deeply admired him for his compassion, humility, and unwavering moral character.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Michael’s family during this difficult time.

“From the darkness, let light arise, and may the Grand Master above welcome our beloved Brother Michael Henry Roalfe into eternal bliss.”

MW Bro Paul W. Johnston, GCAG
Grand Master

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