George Mars

Proud to be a freemason in the Masonic Province of Hants & Isle of Wight. All views are mine and mine alone.🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[Miss Jo @therealmissjo]

On June 24, 1982, British Airways Flight 9 flew into darkness literally and figuratively. At 37,000 feet above the Indian Ocean, en route from London to Auckland, the Boeing 747 unknowingly entered a massive cloud of volcanic ash from Indonesia’s Mount Galunggung.

Moments later, one engine failed. Then another. Then another. And then—all four engines stopped.

In the cockpit, panic could’ve taken over. But Captain Eric Moody took a breath and reached for the intercom.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We have a small problem. All four engines have stopped. We are doing our damnedest to get them going again. I trust you are not in too much distress.”

That line would go down in aviation history—not just for its dry British understatement, but for the sheer steadiness behind it.

The aircraft began to descend rapidly, essentially gliding through ash-filled skies, the cabin filling with thick sulphuric smoke, the crew desperately trying restart procedures. At 13,000 feet—just minutes from potential ocean impact—one engine roared back to life. Then another. And another.

Miraculously, all four restarted.

Despite windscreen abrasion, no engine thrust for over 10 minutes, and barely any visibility, the crew managed to land safely in Jakarta. Every one of the 263 passengers and crew survived.

Investigators later found that volcanic ash—completely invisible on radar—had choked the engines, causing flameouts. It was a terrifying first for commercial aviation, and it changed protocols forever.

But what passengers remembered most wasn’t the ash. It was the voice.

Captain Moody’s composure under pressure became a model of leadership taught in flight schools and disaster response programs for years to come. He didn’t hide the danger. He didn’t sugarcoat the facts. But he remained steady—and gave others the courage to be steady, too.

Last year Captain Moody died at the age of 84. He was a remarkable man who showed how important it is to remain calm under incredible pressure. He made a difference to the lives of those 263 people he saved that day.

[United Grand Lodge of England @UGLE_GrandLodge]

Tonight, we raise a dram to the Bard of Scotland, Robert Burns! 🥃

'Rabbie' Burns was not only a celebrated poet but also a proud Scottish Freemason, and is honoured by many Lodges around the world with a Burns Night dinner around this time of year🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Slàinte mhath! 🤝

#Freemasons

📸: @MuseumFreemason

[Scottish Freemasons @ScotsMasons]

OUR NATIONAL BARD - BROTHER ROBERT BURNS

The Grand Lodge of Scotland would like to wish all Freemasons around the world very enjoyable Burns Celebrations.

See here for more information regarding the Bards Masonic connections - https://t.co/0JTq6HBFQ5

[United Grand Lodge of England @UGLE_GrandLodge]

✨ Exciting News! ✨

The @BBC has spotlighted Tim Dallas-Chapman, Jersey's newly appointed Provincial Grand Master! 📢

Tim shares his plans to honour the brave members who kept Freemasonry going during Jersey's German Occupation in WWII and speaks passionately about correcting misconceptions and strengthening our organisation's connection with the local community 🤝

During the occupation, the Germans closed the Masonic Hall to the public as they extended a ban on Freemasonry that the Nazi regime had implemented in 1934.

Read the full article⏬
🔗https://t.co/5LUr8wAqls.

#Freemasons @JerseyFreemason

📸: BBC

[PeterSweden @PeterSweden7]

Remember.

It's not "Happy holidays".

It's MERRY CHRISTMAS 💪

[Scottish Freemasons @ScotsMasons]

Christmas message from The Grand Master Mason - https://t.co/DgiqEgK3Gl

[Rosslyn Chapel @Rosslynchapel]

Our Christmas tree is in the Lady Chapel, the most ornately carved area of Rosslyn Chapel @VisitScotland @VisitMidlothian

[United Grand Lodge of England @UGLE_GrandLodge]

Congratulations to His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, KG, on the 61st anniversary of his being made a Freemason! 🎉

#Freemasons

[Masonic Charitable Foundation @Masonic_Charity]

Our mission is to be a force for good by providing support, care and services to Freemasons and their families in need, and supporting other charities to help the most disadvantaged in society 🙌

Our impact in your area: https://t.co/roKoNNTkWa

[United Grand Lodge of England @UGLE_GrandLodge]

"Companions, you will realise from what I have just stated this clearly does not mean that the Royal Arch will be subsumed into the Craft in some kind of complete merger, that is not what “One journey, one organisation” means."

The Pro First Grand Principal made a powerful statement at the Regular Convocation of Supreme Grand Chapter 🔵🤝🔴

Read the full address⬇️
🔗https://t.co/H74sAWga61

#Freemasons

[United Grand Lodge of England @UGLE_GrandLodge]

On behalf of all our members, we are delighted to extend our warmest wishes to His Majesty The King on his 76th Birthday 🎂

#Freemasons

[United Grand Lodge of England @UGLE_GrandLodge]

As we reflect on Remembrance Day yesterday, we continue to honour the sacrifices made by the brave members of our Armed Forces🌹

This commitment - solidified in October 2021 when UGLE signed the Armed Forces Covenant - ensures that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces and their families are treated with fairness and respect 🫡🎖️

The alignment of Freemasonry and the Armed Forces is not coincidental. Our long-standing relationship is built on shared principles of discipline, loyalty, and fraternity 🤝

Read more about the Armed Forces Covenant⏬
🔗https://t.co/Mtgsp2sGVI

#Freemasons

[United Grand Lodge of England @UGLE_GrandLodge]

All members of the United Grand Lodge of England would like to wish a very Happy Birthday to His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, KG 🎂

The Duke of Kent has been the Grand Master of Freemasonry in England and Wales since 1967!

#Freemasons

[United Grand Lodge of England @UGLE_GrandLodge]

Freemasonry is more than just a fraternal order—it's a living, breathing community shaped by the passion and dedication of its members. Lee Townsend, a 47-year-old Freemason from London, is a notable example of this spirit in action! ✨

Once a skeptic, Lee became a dedicated Freemason after experiencing our values of integrity and community. Now a Metropolitan Grand Steward, he shapes Freemasonry's future by fostering support for younger members 🤝

In this exclusive interview, we delve into Lee's transformation from a sceptic to a passionate advocate, exploring how Freemasonry has shaped his life and how he, in turn, is helping shape the future of Freemasonry! 💪🚀

Full interview⏬
🔗https://t.co/OGFvWYtRrP

#Freemasons

[jason curnow @6989lodge]

Netley sadly lost a great friend and brother today. 9pm here’s to absent brethren

[jason curnow @6989lodge]

Happy birthday to a great friend, brother and mentor. Have the day that you truly deserve @GeorgeMars4 from me and all members of netley abbey.

[George Mars @GeorgeMars4]

@strachan_j perhaps now the elections are over you could look into why our bins don't get collected! [ ref:!00D0Y0ZLnm.!500Tv08APTa:ref ]

[BRITISH History - On This Day @BritishHistorym]

#onthisday 3 July 1967 – The Aden Emergency: The Battle of the Crater in which the British Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders retake the Crater district following the Arab Police mutiny.

After the mutiny of the Arab Armed Police & ambush of British troops by them, the Crater district in Aden was abandoned by British troops. The British then decided to enter Crater & retrieve the bodies of dead British soldiers.

The operation began with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders commanded by Lt-Col Colin Mitchell ("Mad Mitch") performing a night invasion of Crater, which he termed Operation Stirling Castle, after the Argylls’ regimental headquarters. The enemy was taken totally by surprise, & effective resistance ceased.

A particular sign of Mitchell’s confidence was his decision to order the pipe band to march down the main street of Crater, playing regimental tunes, for which the Pipe major was mentioned in despatches. British troops remained in Crater until the end of the Emergency.

#britishhistory #BritishArmy

[United Grand Lodge of England @UGLE_GrandLodge]

From new members to collectors, the #jewels worn by #Freemasons have captured the attention of many 🏅 

Check out our latest video, which goes into more detail – from the #RoyalArch Jewel to the #Tercentenary Jewel, and several others!💎

🔗https://t.co/InUQaL7ckD

[United Grand Lodge of England @UGLE_GrandLodge]

Interest in joining #Freemasonry?🤫✨ 

With 7,000+ Lodges across England and Wales, all men aged 18 and above are welcomed with open arms, irrespective of their background 🤝

Visit our website to learn more!
⏩🔗https://t.co/iI4Zxp08SB

#DiscoverFreemasonry #SelfDevelopment