Leading Free Masons in the region will descend on Bermuda in the next few day for the first ever regional conference here of District Grand Masters of the English Constitution, their Deputies, Assistants and District Grand Secretaries of the Caribbean and Western Atlantic, along with their wives.

Due from London will be the top man in English Free Masonry, the Pro Grand Master Lord Northampton (pictured), with Lady Northampton and the Grand Secretary, Nigel Brown and his wife Martha.

Hosting the dignitaries will be the District Grand Lodge of Bermuda under Rt.W. Bro. Robert W. Rego, J.P. The conference will be next Friday at Free Masons Hall on Reid Street in Hamilton. It will be followed by a full round of fraternal social and cultural activities, dinners and lunches scheduled for the following days.

Special invitations have been extended to Brethren of Irish and Scottish Free Masonry under Rt. Wor. Bro. St. Clair (Brinky) Tucker and V.W. Bro Les Center, who respectively head the Irish and Scottish Constitutions.

English Free Masonry has been established in Bermuda for more than 200 years. But District Grand Status, unlike that of local Irish and Scottish Lodges, only arrived in May, 2006 when Lord Northampton came to preside over the inaugural meeting, and installed VW Bro. Rego as the first District Grand Master. Bro. Rego noted that Lord Northampton's forthcoming visit will take on added significance as it will be one of his last overseas visits anywhere. He announced only a fortnight ago his plans to retire from his high office in March 2009.

Bermuda District Grand Secretary Denis Brookes said: "Freemasonry in Bermuda is certainly honoured to have so many District Grand Masters and other distinguished visitors attending this conference and I trust as many Brethren as possible will take advantage of the opportunity to meet with these Brethren during the functions associated with the conference."