1965 Snetterton International Sidecar race, BMW Rennesport 500cc
1976 Isle Of Man TT Ballaugh Bridge, first-ever 100 mph average for a British-built sidecar. British Magnum 500cc
PGM Nic Hart, WM Normal Coulson and Robin Milton, Graham’s son, at the Northampton consecration
1966 Belgium Grand Prix, Spa-Francorchamps. Graham (right) and passenger John Thornton
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At a meeting called in June 2004, attended by some 50 Masons, there was considerable enthusiasm for a motorcycle Lodge to be formed, and so someone had to take charge of the process. Bob Farey volunteered his services, and eventually became the first Lodge secretary.
Many of those present had modern machines, but others had restored older motorcycles, while some such as myself, maintained a keen interest. The Masonic hall at Thrapston was chosen as the Lodge venue as it served all parts of the Province.
As to a name for the Lodge, there was really only one choice – the late Graham Milton – a Mason and TT rider who was a Past Master of Chicheley Lodge No. 607 which meets
at Thrapston. I was given the honour of being the first Master.
Graham Milton had many achievements as an international motorcycle rider, including being in the first sidecar to lap the Isle of Man TT circuit at more than 100 miles an hour. Sadly, on that occasion he was forced to retire with a mechanical fault when in the lead on the final lap.
There were 48 petitioners to set up the Lodge, including Graham’s son Robin and his son-in-law Martin Allen. The petition for a Warrant was submitted to Grand Lodge in December 2004 and subsequently approved. The consecration took place this February at the Masonic hall in Northampton attended by 185 Masons. Encouragingly, seven joining members were proposed at the meeting and at the next meeting
two candidates for initiation and two further joining members were proposed. Indeed we had particular satisfaction in that one Mason, who had previously left the Craft, had applied
for Lodge membership.
In early discussions it was resolved that an active social side was important, and the first of these took place in May. We shall also be at the Masonic Vehicle Rally at the Masonic School for Girls, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, on 3 September.
Links have already been formed with Lodge of Chevaliers de Fer, and clearly there is much to be gained for the Craft
by these specialist Lodges being formed to bring together
both the delights of Freemasonry along with the interest in following a particular pastime.
Norman Coulson is Master of Graham Milton Lodge No. 9796
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