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LODGE OF FAITH BURNS SUPPER

The Lodge of Faith held its traditional Burns Supper at Radcliffe Masonic Hall on the 20th January 2012.

74 guests had a very enjoyable time. The Worshipful Master and his Lady were piped in, accompanied by the “Visiting Clans”, by Piper Brian Mutch, who also preceded the Haggis in its Procession round the hall.

The Haggis was addressed in typical Scottish style by Bob Stobier, who later translated this for the Sassenachs, and gave a humorous anecdote of how the Haggis is being hunted to extinction in the Highlands of Scotland.

After supper the entertainment was provided by the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (Manchester Branch) and the guests were invited to join in. They also gave an exhibition of sword dancing

It was a successful event and one which the Lodge will repeat in the future.  

Community Fund Grant to the Scouts

Some eighteen months ago, WBro David Thornton, PProvJGW, of Pilkington Lodge No 6522, as well as the Royal Arch APGP of Western Area, wrote to all the Scout County Commissioners  whose areas fell within the Masonic Province of East Lancashire to inform them that there was money available from our Community Fund to support any application made. Subsequently one was made by Mervyn Reeves on behalf of Greater Manchester West who were sending a contingent of 36 young people and four leaders to Sweden for the World Jamboree with the scouts aged between 14 and 18yrs of age living with our Province.

This application was made through Pilkington Lodge No 6522 and subsequently a grant was made in the sum of £1,000.

Our picture shows WBro David Thornton on the left with District Chairman, WBro John Griffin, presenting the £1000 award to Paul Boardman. Paul is a Scout Network who lives in Radcliffe, and who was a member of the 40 strong jamboree contingent from the Scout County of Greater Manchester West which went to Sweden in August 2011. They are accompanied by Heather Baker, the County Commissioner of Greater Manchester West Scout County and Mervyn Reeves, Jamboree County Contingent Co-ordinator.

In the picture David is wearing his scout uniform as County Secretary of West Lancashire County Scout Council and the award he is wearing is the Silver Wolf , the highest award available within Scouting, which is at the personal behest of the Chief Scout.

David writes,
“I know from my 45 years as a scout leader how going on a World Scout Jamboree is a life changing once in a lifetime experience.  Each young person had to raise in excess of £2000 and I know how much this grant has meant to each of them.  Our Community Fund grant of £1000 has been really appreciated and cements the relationship between Scouting and Freemasonry which has so many similar objectives”.

Heather Baker, the County Commissioner Greater Manchester West Scout County said
“We are very pleased and honoured that the Freemasons have supported the young people at the World Jamboree in Sweden.  It proved to be an experience of a life time.  On behalf of all of them we thank you”.

Grand Charity Cheque for Bury Hospice

On Monday January 9th Bury District Chairman, WBro John Griffin, had the pleasure of presenting a cheque for £1,710 to Bury Hospice on behalf of the Freemasons Grand Charity. This represents a share of the major contribution the Grand Charity makes annually to the vital work done by the Hospices throughout the country. The cheque was recived by Michelle King, Community Fundraiser for Bury Hospice, who writes,

"I am writing to thank you for the very generous donation of £1710.00 recently made by the Freemasons Grand Charity.
I am well aware that the Freemasons work tirelessly for charity, quietly and unsung, but i want you to know how much we value your support and that of your colleagues and how much it means to Bury Hospice, its patients and their families.
It will cost £1.8 million this year to keep Bury Hospice up and running, just under £5,000 per day, with only 16% of our funding coming from the NHS. The rest of the money we have to raise ourselves, so you can see how much we rely on the help of our community, its individuals, businesses and organisations to help us keep our service free of charge for the people of Bury.
Thank you so much for this money, and thank you for your continued support. It means the world to us.

With very best wishes, Yours Sincerely, Michelle King"

WBro John Griffin presents the Cheque for £1,710 to Michelle King of Bury Hospice

The WM and Brethren of the newly amalgamated Cromwell with Papyrean Lodge with WBro Derek N Thornhill, the Provincial Deputation and Grand Officers

On Monday November 28th the Lodge Room at Bury was virtually full as the Brethren of Cromwell with Papyrean Lodge, 5771 and their guests held an Amalgamation Ceremony to celebrate the bringing together of the former Cromwell and Papyrean Lodges.
After the Lodge had been declared open by the Master, WBro Robert James Ashton, and the minutes of the last Regular Meeting had been confirmed, WBro Norman Cope, Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, was admitted.
WBro Cope announced that WBro Derek Nelson Thornhill, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master in Charge, together with a Provincial Deputation, were without and demanded admission.
WBro Ashton offered the gavel of the Lodge to WBro Thornhill which on this occasion he was pleased to accept, after which WBro Thornhill introduced the Provincial Delegation. After WBro the Rev’d John Winstanley, the Provincial Deputy Grand Chaplain, had given the opening prayer, WBro Thornhill addressed the Brethren on the purpose of the meeting.
There then followed an exceptional and extremely interesting ceremony  which included the reading of the Certificate of Amalgamation by WBro John Farrington, the Provincial Grand Secretary; an Oration by WBro the Rev’d John Winstanley; the sprinkling of salt, the symbol of hospitality and friendship; the Distribution of Incense from the censer and the reciting of the Amalgamation Prayer.
In his Oration WBro the Rev’d  John Winstanley was at times quite humorous and entertaining but with the utmost sincerity wished the Brethren of the newly amalgamated lodge well for the future. He spoke at length on how the coming together of these two lodges could be likened to a ‘marriage’ where both partners needed to work together to maintain and build on the partnership they were creating this evening.
All the Brethren in the Lodge Room joined together in singing “Let us have Harmony” after which the Warrants, Certificate of Amalgamation, Banners and By Laws were delivered into the care of the Worshipful Master.
As is the norm at Bury Masonic Hall the Social Board was nothing short of excellent as the members of this amalgamated lodge joined with the Deputy Grand Master in Charge, the Provincial Deputation, several Grand Lodge Officers, the District Officers and a host of visitors to celebrate the prospect of a happy and harmonious future together.
The whole evening, enjoyed by all present, was under the direction of WBro Norman Cope, the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, very ably assisted by Provincial Deputy Grand Directors of Ceremonies, WBro Colin Whitaker and WBro Harold Cooper.

The Brethren of Cromwell with Papyrean Lodge 5771 with WBro Derek N Thornhill, Deputy Provincial Grand Master in Charge

WBro Thornhill with WBro Ashton holding the Certificate of Amalgamation

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