MASONS in Beaconsfield celebrated the opening of a £300,000 refurbishment and new 'wing' at their Windsor End headquarters.

The new Don Varney Suite at the Masonic Centre is named after the late former head of the Bucks Freemasons, whose will acted as seed-corn capital.

Freemasons throughout the county helped to raise the rest. The centre is available for bookings from Masonic organisations and the general public.

Ray Reed, the current head of Bucks Freemasons, said: “The new wing will transform the centre, making it much more attractive and up to date.

“It is a fitting tribute to a great man, who always lived by the Masonic principles of friendliness, charity, and common decency.”

Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest secular fraternities and around 40 Masonic groups meet at the Beaconsfield centre.