Master Overseer
W.Bro Fred Clarke
Merlaue Weir Lodge
No: 1510
Michael Frederick Hobbs
5th October 1940 – 25th March 2021
Mick was born in Windsor, on Saturday 5th October 1940 to parents Frances and Fred. He grew up with younger sister Jan in the Burnham area attending school in Cippenham.
Mick, he was known to everybody as Mick, was practical man, and he became a motor mechanic, working for Sands of Burnham
He married a local girl, Janice (Jan) in 1964 at the lovely St James-The-Less church in Stubbings, Maidenhead and they honeymooned in the Isle of Wight. They had two children, a daughter Jo, and a son Mark
Mick took a job with British racing driver Mike Spence, where he built numerous Lotus Elans from kit. He forged links with Aston Martin and David Brown; it was a great joy to hear him recounting how he drove their cars to the limit, sometimes on the racetrack.
In 1972, Mick joined Mars Confectionery on the machine maintenance team, later being promoted to Technician Trainer, another role that suited his encouraging, friendly manner and technical expertise. Jo and Mark also used to look forward to the occasional bag of sweets from Mars’ staff shop. It was from Mars that Mick was to retire after twenty-seven years’ service.
In his spare time, Mick enjoyed cricket, supporting the Somerset and England teams with Ian Botham being a particular favourite. He played golf and was a member of Flackwell Heath Golf Club, retaining his membership, even after a bad fall took away much of his mobility, to the end of his life. He always enjoyed a good steak and loved his cars, always careful in his choice of family vehicle he was a superbly safe driver.
Mick was invited to become a Freemason by his father-in-law, he was initiated into the Herschel Lodge,1894, at the March 1977 meeting in Slough. Jan soon came to enjoy the social aspects of Freemasonry, such as the wonderful Ladies Nights and Mick really enjoyed the comradery, the mentoring, the coaching, the networking and the personal challenges that Freemasonry offers and has encouraged others to participate in the Craft that he loved so much.
He put his personal stamp on Herschel Lodge MMM 376, Herschel Lodge 1894, and Old Paludians Chapter 7181, during last forty-four years. Mick became the Lodge Secretary of 1894 following in the footsteps of his Father-in Law, an office he efficiently and proudly administered for fifteen years, being promoted to Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden in 2009 in recognition of his tireless dedication. He was also promoted to Past Provincial Grand Registrar in the Holy Royal Arch in 2016.
But it was the ‘Higher Masonic Orders’ to which Mick perhaps had his greatest attachment. Mick was Advanced into the Mark Degree in November 2000 and Elevated into the Degree of Royal Ark Mariner in 2006. More recently he was Installed into the Sir Oliver Starkey preceptory in 2011 becoming Almoner, a compassionate role which perfectly suited Mick’s inter-personal and caring nature. He wanted to progress in the Mark and Royal Ark Mariner but sadly a stroke robbed him of his short-term memory, so that, although he was word perfect in Craft and Royal Arch, he could never master the Mark Master Masons ritual, but nevertheless held office in each order with distinction.
Mick was truly one of a rare breed: an altruistic gentleman in every sense. A Mason who was happy to embrace change, yet a man who did things his way; efficiently, diligently and thoroughly and a true inspiration to anyone who knew him or worked with him.
Andrew John McWhirter P.Prov G.S.W
27th May 1944 – 22nd January 2021
Requiescat in Pace
A Gentleman and a Scholar; a good friend to many.
Andrew John McWhirter was a much admired and respected champion of maintaining high standards in life and exhibiting a lively and intelligent sense of humour in company. Often during a conversation, he would interject a Latin phrase or two to make a point or maybe to test his audience? Sometimes the Latin grammar might have been somewhat questionable, but that made little difference. It was still “good fun wasn't it?”. It was typical of him that upon receiving his 2021 Equity membership card just before Christmas, henoted, tongue in cheek no doubt, that it read "Andrew McWhirter – expires 31st December 2021." He thoughtthat unfortunate conjunction was an example of “extreme wishful thinking”, and anyway "how could they know for sure?". Upon hearing this, one can easily imagine his cheeky grin so indicative of his innate humorous disposition. That was Andrew all over, and the Andrew we grew to love and admire. Andrew was born to Henry (Mac) and Madge McWhirter on 27th May 1944 in Romford, North East London. It was during the closing years or the Second World War, and a time of grave threat and great danger for those living in and around London. It was the time of the V1 flying bombs or 'doodlebugs', and it was the time of the V2 ballistic missiles falling indiscriminately on London. Andrew told of a bomb falling close to thefamily home just after his birth, and removing the roof of his parents’ house, although he of course could not actually remember it happening. Thereafter, he would tell his friends that "The Nazis tried to get me, but they failed miserably!" He grew up with his parents and sister, Josephine, at a time of post-war austerity; and he well remembered the food shortages and rationing of those times. He, as a child, "could never get what he really wanted". Growing up, he was selected in 1955 to attend a local grammar school, the Royal Liberty School, Romford. He enjoyed his school days, particularly the study of English. This was the inspirational foundation for his keen lifetime interest in the English language, which he pursued throughout his life. It also gave him an early taste of acting. In fact, Andrew went on to leave school and, after attending the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, London, became an actor. He performed in repertory theatre from 1964 until 1970, and although he thoroughly enjoyed this period, he came to realise that the income was not going to be adequate to support a wife and family. Andrew married his wife Marilyn in 1972. They were blessed with two children, Alex and Hannah. At the time he was working for a book publisher specialising in reprints and re-issues. Sadly, Andrew and Marilyn parted company and divorced in 1985.
They did not however, lose touch and remained good friends, most of the time at a distance but occasionally getting together for important anniversaries and celebrations.Andrew moved from publishing to become a paper buyer for a business in Peterborough. He then moved on to work for a merchant dealing in board pulp and related products. This business was based in Bond Street, Central London, which meant he had to commute to work each day. Eventually, due to a merger, the business moved out to South Buckinghamshire. Travelling from where he was living to Bourne End was not really a practical proposition, so Andrew moved out to Buckinghamshire to be close to the business, and eventually settled in High Wycombe in 1988, where he enjoyed living until just two days before he passed away. For a period, Andrew worked in bookshops in Marlow and Burnham, which he enjoyed very much. His idea of heaven, so he said, was to be "surrounded by books". Andrew then went into retirement, where he could enjoy reading those books that he had so assiduously acquired, a glass of whisky in hand of course.
Andrew was a keen and very active Freemason, becoming a member of a number of Craft lodges and Royal Arch Chapters in Essex, as well as a Mark lodge, and a Royal Ark Mariner lodge in Buckinghamshire. He became a Freemason in 1974, being initiated into the Luxborough lodge No. 4700, in the province of Essex. After progressing to become Master of the lodge in 2010, and after years of dedicated service as both Assistant Secretary and Almoner, Andrew was delighted with becoming an Honorary member of the lodge in 2018. After being appointed in the Province of Essex to Past Provincial Assistant Director of Ceremonies in 1989, Andrew was promoted successively to Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon in 1996, Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 2004, and ultimately to the rank of Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden in 2019, a rare honour indeed. As his interest in Freemasonry grew, Andrew joined the Engayne lodge No. 6831, having been invited and introduced by a good friend. He progressed through the offices to become Master in 2011, and afterwards became the Lodge Mentor. Latterly, he became a Country Member, as travelling to Essex became increasingly difficult for him. Andrew was always in demand at Burns Nights, in January each year for hisresounding and memorable rendition of Burns’s Address to the Haggis.
Andrew was also a very active member of the Royal Arch. He originally, became a member of the Engayne Chapter No. 6831 in 1978, progressing to become the First Principal in 2007. Having subsequently, become a founder member of the Luxborough Chapter in 1990, Andrew progressed to hold all of the main offices of the Chapter, and was First Principal on two occasions. He was the Scribe E, that is secretary of the Chapter, for nine years; a key role in any chapter. Regrettably, the Luxborough Chapter was erased in 2018. He was also a keen member of the Essex Provincial Grand Stewards Chapter, becoming First Principal in 2007, and the Essex First Principals Chapter. As a just reward for his valuable services to the Royal Arch, Andrew was appointed to Grand Chapter Rank in 2002, as Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies. He subsequently, received a promotion to Past Assistant Grand Standard Bearer in 2014, a well-deserved honour. The majority of Andrew's Freemasonry was centred in Essex. However, after moving into Buckinghamshire, he became interested in Mark Masonry.
He made an approach to join the Merlaue Weir Lodge of Mark Master Masons No.1510 in Marlow, and was voted a member in 2000. He became a dedicated and valued member of the lodge and also the associated Merlaue Weir Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners, which he joined in 2001. He became the Master of the Merlaue Weir Mark Lodge in 2009, and the Commander of the Mariner Lodge in 2009 and again in 2015. He held a number of important offices in both lodges and in 2012 was appointed to the Provincial Rank of Past Provincial Grand Senior Deacon. In 2015 he was awarded Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank; and furthermore, for his services, was duly promoted to the acting rank of Provincial Grand Senior Warden in the Mark in 2018, a very rare and special honour. Regrettably, during his year of office Andrew suddenly became very unwell, only to have the diagnosis of mesothelioma confirmed. This curtailed his year of active office, much to Andrew's understandable frustration and enduring regret. It was about this time that Andrew, appreciating his increasing difficulties, decided he had no alternative but to resign from most of his Essex Masonic memberships, except for the Engayne Lodge and those where he was made an Honorary member, of course. He maintained his memberships in Buckinghamshire right to the end.
Following the news of his diagnosis, Andrew clearly appreciated that the cancer was almost certainly going to prove to be terminal. He confided with his friends that his expectation was for no more than six months. He in fact, soldiered on as best he was able for two years, thanks to major and extensive thoracic surgery that amounted to providing an unexpected life-prolonging reprieve. Throughout the steady and progressive decline in his health over recent months Andrew was very grateful to have received assistance and support from a number of much appreciated sources. He was more than delighted to have very kind and attentive neighbours, who frequently helped him to obtain essential items, even during the Coronavirus lock-downs. His Masonic friends provided him with a source of much valued human contact, albeit at an imposed distance, and valuable support to lift his spirits. He was very appreciative of the kind and caring attention afforded to him by the nurses of the Rennie Grove Hospice at Home. He made it very clear that he wanted everyone who helped him to know just how “truly grateful” he was and that he was “very, very thankful.”
Just two days before his death, Andrew in one of his many telephone conversations with his friend Paul Cawte, who had been maintaining regular contact for some time, asked him if he would be kind enough to prepare his obituary. By then his voice, as a consequence of the progressing condition affecting his vocal chords, had become very weak and it was very painful for him to speak at length. This clearly, put a great strain on Andrew who could only talk for a few minutes at a time. However, on this occasion he persevered, and much of the information in this obituary is as a result of this conversation.
Andrew's final request was that everyone who knew him should be told one thing. Typically of Andrew he phrased it in Latin. "Accipio" was his message "I Accept." There is no doubt that his passing is a great loss and Andrew will be missed by many.
W.Bro. Robert John Sanders P.G.St.B
Bob Sanders was a modest man, but to many who knew him, a giant of a freemason and his passing represents the end of an era. He was a Royal Naval veteran of both the Anzio and the D Day landings of which he never spoke.
He was initiated into Beaconsfield Lodge No 2849 in 1950 by his grandfather. He progressed through the Lodge and became it’s DC in the late 60s, a position he held for 27 years. His command of the ritual was formidable. In the Provincial Grand Lodge of Buckinghamshire he progressed to the rank of PPSGW.
He was exalted into Royal Union Chapter No 382 in the early 60s. He was a highly committed Royal Arch Mason and was a member of a number of Royal Arch chapters in Middlesex and Buckinghamshire including Beaconsfield Chapter No 2849. In 1991 his commitment was recognised by Supreme Grand Chapter with promotion to PAGDC.
He was advanced into Henniker Mark Lodge No 315 in 1975 and elevated into the RAM Lodge in 1977 and progressed to the chairs in 1990 and 1991 respectively. He was a founder of Beaconsfield Mark Lodge No 1712 in 1993 and an ardent supporter of the Lodge until his health prevented from attending meetings at which point he was elected an honorary member. His contribution to the Order was recognised by Mark Grand Lodge in 2002 with promotion to P.G.St.B. He was also a holder of Provincial Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank.
Parkinson’s Disease and Dementia took their toll, and the Bob Sanders that passed to the Grand Lodge Above in December was not the commanding figure that many of us will forever remember.
W Bro James Michael Little P.G.Std.B
25/01/1944 - 2/12/2020
A personal tribute to the late W. Bro. Jim Little P.G.Std.B.
by Rt. W. Bro. D. E. Tremaine, Prov.G.M.
W. Bro. Jim Little was little by name but a big man with a big heart. Always ready to help anyone with no thought to himself. Jim passed away in Milton Keynes hospital on the morning of 2nd December 2020. His family were with him when he died.
Jim was a fire engineer who spent much of his life working in M.O.D. properties. He told me about some of the antics he got up to when high ranking officers tried to over-ride his work as a fire safety officer. Jim didn’t suffer fools gladly and that included military personnel and civil servants. He had a job to do and he was going to do it and he made sure that they knew it!
Jim was Initiated into the Verney Lodge in Buckingham on the 4th February 1992. He became a Founder of Grand Union Lodge in 1997 and served as its W. M. in 2000 and again in 2019. He was appointed to Past Provincial Grand Junior Grand Deacon in 2007 and promoted to Past Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works in the Craft in 2012.
I first met Jim when he was Advanced into Nightingale Mark Lodge on the 18th June 1998, some 22 years ago. He served as W. M. in 2006 and was appointed to Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer in 2016. He would be the first to admit that ritual was not his strong point, but what he lacked in that capacity he made up for in other ways. It quickly became evident that he was very good at being the Lodge Almoner and this was quietly noted by the then Provincial Secretary.
When the late John Clark became too ill to continue as Provincial Almoner the office was offered to Jim. So, in 2013 he became the Mark Provincial Almoner an office he enjoyed and went out of his way to make it a success. Nothing was too much trouble, a phone call, a box of fruit or a bottle of something were always delivered as required and cards were always sent where appropriate. Jim continued to carry out his duties until about 3 months ago when he rang me and said that he thought he should stand down as he didn’t think he was doing a good job. I refused his resignation telling him that he would remain the Provincial Almoner until June 2021 but that his duties would be carried out by others. He was pleased with this as he didn’t want to let anyone down. He received recognition for his services to the Province and Mark Masonry when the M. W. Grand Master appointed him to Past Grand Standard Bearer in 2019. Jim found it difficult to comprehend why he had been selected and the first question he asked was, “Who else is getting an appointment and have I taken anyone ‘s place?”
Outside of Masonry Jim was never still. He always had something on the go. Mainly driving patients to hospital appointments as a hospital car driver. Once again, nothing was too much trouble and he was always prepared to wait and take the patient home again, no matter how long it took.
Until recently he and Dorothy enjoyed time away in their caravan but sadly earlier this year, he felt that putting up the awning etc was too much for him and that he no longer had the strength to do it. He eventually sold the caravan much to his regret but he felt it was the right thing to do.
Jim never complained about his illness and wouldn’t disclose what was really wrong with him. He kept it very much to himself but it was evident to those that knew him that he was very unwell and things were not going in the right direction. At the end of November, he was taken into hospital and unfortunately passed away. Jim Little was a big man with a big heart. We have lost a great friend and a wonderful Mark Master Mason.
On 29th August, his 89th birthday, Ian Chalk, a lifelong lover of cricket, having built a truly inspiring innings faced the inevitable unplayable delivery from Parkinson’s and sadly left the field of play. Ian had lived in Haddenham for 60 years and just about been accepted as a local. His active involvement in village life over so many years led some to consider him its unofficial “mayor”.
Born in 1931 he grew up in the village of Stapleford in Cambridgeshire. He vividly recalled the Battle of Britain as nearby Duxford was home to a Spitfire squadron and he would cycle there to count the fighters out and back. He also remembered the terrible suffering of the Cambridgeshire Regiment, many of whom were captured by the Japanese when Singapore fell in 1942. His respect for them and the many who made the ultimate sacrifice during WWII motivated him to be a dedicated collector for the annual Poppy Appeal for over 35 years.
In his teens Ian attended Newport Grammar School in Essex. He made no claim to be a great scholar but here he developed his love of sport. He was a talented centre forward but his real passion was for cricket, playing for both Essex and Cambridgeshire representative teams. He also captained Sawston cricket club, one of the top teams in the county. It was at the cricket club that he met Jean as her father was the scorer. They married in December 1955 and she was his beloved wife for 63 years. He always said it was the best decision he ever made.
In the early 50’s he began his career at Spicers in Sawston. Starting on the factory floor, he quickly became a foreman and then a sales rep. In 1961 he was given the opportunity to move with his young family to Haddenham to run the small Spicers factory, which is now Spicers Yard and Printers Piece. The factory had been earmarked for closure but under Ian’s management it turned around and successfully produced photo albums for many decades. Ian passed up opportunities for promotion because he did not want to leave Haddenham and wanted to enjoy his three sons, David, Andrew and Michael, growing up. However, when they went to secondary school, he decided he should focus more on his career. After a number of moves within the company he became the overall Managing Director of Spicers Ltd in Sawston where he started. However, he refused to leave Haddenham and for many years commuted for nearly 2 hours each way by car! He won further promotions and his swan song was in 1988 when, as a director of Reedpack, he took part in what was then the UK’s then largest ever management buy-out. He remembered coming home and telling Jean they had borrowed £608 million…..she just said “Oh”!
Despite having a young family to whom he was devoted, and a busy career, Ian also became actively involved in the life of the community.
He continued his love affair with cricket by playing as a very effective seam bowler for High Wycombe who, in the days before the John Player Sunday League, regularly played first class county sides on Sundays – and ‘Dan’ took the wickets of a number of well-known county and international cricketers. When he turned 40 he decided to hang up his pads but then took up another hobby, growing dahlias. Under the guidance of Fred Miles, and later with help from Mick Penn, he successfully exhibited at many local shows and won a gold medal at the Royal Horticultural Society’s national show in London. This interest also led him to become a Steward at the Bucks County Show and President of the Haddenham Horticultural Society.
But his activities extended well beyond his hobbies and into public life. He served as a Haddenham Parish Councillor and also its Chairman between 1965-74. In the early 1970’s he was elected as an independent councillor for 5 years on what is now Aylesbury Vale District Council – he was very proud of defeating the political parties’ nominees!
In Haddenham he also served on the village committee which raised over £130,000 for much needed repairs to St. Mary’s church in the early 1990s. He was a governor of St. Mary’s Church school and the first Chair of Governors of the now Junior School. He was also a founder member of the Village Society, President of Haddenham Football Club, President of the Probus Club of Haddenham and Thame, and a Founder member and former Master of the Haddenham Lodge of the Freemasons for whom he also did significant charitable work over many years at a national level. Latterly he greatly enjoyed serving as a Trustee of the Haddenham Parish Charities.
But despite his many achievements Ian always remained a grounded and humble man with a marvellously dry sense of humour. He liked nothing more than a few pints, a game of dominoes and catching up on local news in the Kings Head at the weekend. His family were everything to him and when his grandchildren came along he absolutely doted on them. He very rarely scolded; he would rather focus on the positives and encourage. A natural “people person” he could talk to anyone, but had little time for those with “airs and graces”. His philosophy was that you should treat others how you would wish to be treated, and that if you saw a problem you should not moan but try to do something about it. It made him a natural leader. The many tributes to him describe him as kind, caring, generous with his time and his wisdom, supportive, witty, a wonderful friend and one of life’s true gentleman. His really was a rich life well lived. The “mayor of Haddenham” who so positively touched the lives of so many will be sorely missed.
A small family service will be held at 10.15am at the Chiltern Crematorium in Amersham on 18th September. His family will hold a larger Service of Thanksgiving in Haddenham when times permit and have asked that if anyone wishes to honour Ian’s life to send donations c/o FJ Wilson Funeral Directors, Greenway, Haddenham, HP17 8BJ. The proceeds will be donated to the Haddenham Parish Charities and Parkinsons UK.