At a meeting on May 29, 2025, R.W. Bro. Romulo Villavecer, DDGM of the London East Masonic District, presented our Worshipful Master, W. Bro. Jonathan Barker with 2 awards.
He was honoured to receive an award for “Worshipful Master of the Year” as well as an “Excellence Award” for our Lodge. We greatly appreciate the acknowledgement.
DDGM Meritorious Service Award At the London East District Meeting in May, R.W. Bro. Rob Leffley was presented with a Meritorious Service Award by our DDGM, R.W. Bro. Romulo Villavecer. The award is “in appreciation and recognition of your loyal service as District Administrator for the London East Masonic District 2024-2025”.
At the annual Communication of Grand Lodge in July (2022), the Grand Master, M.W. Bro.Thomas W. Hogeboom appointed W. Bro Michael Smith as a Grand Steward for the upcoming year. V.W. Bro. Michael Smith received his new regalia from London East District Deputy Grand Master R.W. Bro. Bob Deller and W. Bro William Sercombe at the regular meeting of Kilwinning Lodge on September 16, 2022.
V.W.Bro. Michael Smith (left) with Worshiful Master W.Bro. William Sercombe (center) and R.W.Bro. Bob Dellar, D.D.G.M. London East (right)
MIchael served as District Secretary for R.W.Bro. Robert Leffley, D.D.G.M. London East for 2021-2022. His service to Freemasonry continues as the Worshipul Master of Kilwinning Lodge for 2022-2023, succeeding W.Bro. William Sercombe (seen above).
The brethren of Kilwinning Lodge were proud to host their own R.W.Bro. Robert Leffley, DDGM of the London East District, on his Official Visit May 20, 2022. Many visitors and present and past Grand Lodge Officers were in attendance. In his address R.W.Bro. Leffley spoke about the situation in Ukraine and asked everyone to consider helping the refugees arriving in our community. A sizeable amount of money was donated. After the meeting, the brethren were invited upstairs for a variety of pies and ice cream.
R.W.Bro. Robert Leffley (just left of Front Center) on his Official Visit to Kilwinning Lodge No. 64 , welcomed by W.Bro. William Sercombe (front center)
Brethren of Kilwinning Lodge No. 64 were thrilled to receive this gift from V.W. Bro. Bob Sadler in 2019. This poster-sized Masonic Record for a Bro. John Price was found inside of its original mailing tube. It was brittle from age and the Lodge voted to have it restored and protected. It is now displayed in the ante room at the London Masonic Center for all to enjoy.
Masonic Record of Bro. John Price, 1858, restored in 2019
Besides the beautiful illustrations and colours one can determine that Bro. Price was:
Initiated on July 22, 1858
Passed to the Fellowcraft Degree on July 22, 1858
Raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on September 16, 1858
Also of interest is the reference to Kilwinning Lodge No.32. When Kilwinning Lodge was instituted on May 15, 1856 it was numbered 32. In 1858 the “ancient” Provincial Grand Lodge united with the Grand Lodge of Canada and Kilwinning Lodge was renumbered 64, according to its seniority.
On June 19, 2021 Kilwinning Lodge’s own Robert Leffley was elected District Deputy Grand Master of London East for the 2021/22 Masonic year. Congratulations Rob!
Rob was initiated into Kilwinning Lodge No. 64 in January 1997 and was passed and raised later that same year. R.W. Bro. Leffley was installed as Master in 2008, elected as Director of Ceremonies from 2011-2017, and Treasurer 2018- 2021. He started the Veterans Memorial Highway cleanup in conjunction with the City of London in 2011, with the support of R.W. Bro. Geoff Clays, He has also served on the Grand Lodge Internal Communications – Publishing Review Team since 2012, and as Team Leader since 2017.
Our new D.D.G.M. has served on the London East District Team for the past 3 years, with thanks to R.W. Bro Mike Brown, R.W. Bro. Don Strickland and R.W. Bro. Randy Dunlop for their fine example and mentoring.
R.W. Bro. Leffley was born in London and grew up in Huron Heights with his younger brother and sister. After completing high school at Montcalm Secondary School, he moved to Toronto where he married Carol, his wife of 46 years. They began their family in Mississauga but moved back to London in 1989.
Our new DDGM retired at the start of the pandemic after spending 29 years representing the Schlage Lock Company.