Ingenuity has always been a strong point among freemasons when seeking to raise funds or to provide some lasting token in their locality. Such was the case when the question arose as to how Berkshire and Buckinghamshire freemasons could mark the 100th anniversary of the decision to set up two separate provinces.
    That anniversary was in 1990, and when Buckinghamshire lodges were asked what they were going to do, one idea hit home more than any other.
    It was a proposal from W Bro Bill Morris, then charity steward of Taplow Lodge No 3111, that the event should be recorded with something tangible and long-lasting: a wood.
    The idea was taken up with enthusiasm, and lodges throughout the Province were given books of tickets and for £1 any brother could be a contributor, resulting in one thousand trees being planted. Meanwhile Bill Morris was looking for somewhere to plant the wood.
    He explained “I eventually found a very nice lady who lived at Norduck Farm in Aston Abbots in Buckinghamshire. She gave us the use of two acres of land, although it remained in her ownership.
    “As a result, we were able to plant a wood. A Scots pine was planted on either side of the entrance gate. Now, ten years on, they stand conspicuous. That on the left represents Boaz and that on the right Jachin. We also decided to put in another masonic symbol – the acacia tree – so prominent on the third tracing board.”
    It was also decided to bury a time capsule containing a number of objects, including a list of the names of every member of each lodge who had contributed to the wood.
    Ten years on there is an abundance of trees of all varieties, a path for walking round that is kept open by the farmer now residing at the farm. In addition, a public footpath runs through the wood, enabling a wide variety of people to have access to it.
    So delighted was the then Provincial Grand Master, that after he had planted a tree at the opening, he presented the spade – suitably inscribed – to Taplow Lodge as part of the Lodge furniture. It takes a prominent place in front of the organ at lodge meetings.
    Bill Morris, a St Albans city councillor, has now gained a reputation as a “tree man” for on his initiative over another piece of land has been taken over by his local council. And, of course, it has been turned into a woodland – with 11,000 trees.
    “I believe that planting trees is a sensible way of showing our roots in local communities. It is also good for the environment. Trees are the living furniture of the countryside. There is an abundance of wildlife using Freemasons Wood, and to watch it grow has been a delight” Bill Morris adds.