District Calendar May 2010

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The Rochdale Lodge No 6721 Annual BarBQ

At the first Rochdale Lodge BarBQ held in1997 who would have thought that 14years later members of the lodge would be attending another BarBQ. Many of those who attended the first one were again sitting on the same lawn at the same house passing the time of day with new members and friends.

The weather was again kind to us. The day started with rain but improved as the day passed to end in warm summer sunshine. The WM, Kenny Greer and his lovely wife Lisa were in charge of the day, helped by many willing members of the Junior Wardens Committee.

We reverted back to the brick BarBQ with a gas BarBQ as back up. This years chef’s were Bro Simon Rogers (an old hand) and the baby of the lodge Bro Peter Shipton.
The burgers and sausages came all the way from South Wales and they were delicious, complimented by salads, hot buttered potatoes and a rather special prawn and avocado dish (which disappeared rather quickly and had many asking for the recipe).

The brethren and guests were soon settling down to the task of networking (or passing the time of day with the others). This year a ‘wellie’ throwing competition was introduced (photo on left), with many contestants. The eventual winner was Guy with a throw that eclipsed all others. Guy is a regular rugby player so next year a handicap will need to be used.

We were pleased that our APGM, WBro Alex McLaren dropped in on a surprise visit. As the convey of cars disappeared into the sunset they were reminded, God willing, don’t forget, next year - same time, same place

The BarBQ raised the sum of £550 which will be donated to the 2015 festival

Rochdale Masonic Fellowship travel back in time

The annual outing this year was to Blists Hill Victorian town in Coalbrookdale. Our coach arrived exactly on time and we were away!

Arriving at Blists Hill we were refreshed with coffee and biscuits and then off we went to explore. So much to see and do. The Bank was fascinating; the Pharmacy including a dentist’s chair had potions many of us recalled!!

Lunch where you wanted, we tried the Victorian club room ,others the Fish and Chips cooked of course in beef dripping(none of this modern stuff).

The Victorian amusement park drew us down the hill and of course the shooting gallery using cork bullets proved a real hit. So much to do and see, the four hours flew by.

Especial thanks to Bro Peter Miller and our Chairman WBro David Pawson and Sue Pawson our Secretary for a fun day out.

NB - On Tuesdays on BBC2 at 7PM The Victorian Pharmacy programme was filmed here at Blists hill

Click HERE to see a selection of photos taken during the trip.

Harmony 298 Garden Party - Sunday July 18th 2010

How lucky we were to have a fine day and share Fellowship together in the garden of our District Chairman and his wife Barbara.

Anticipating poor weather the Harmony team led by WBro Alan Barlow put up marquees on the Saturday morning in torrential rain.
On completion of this task and whilst sitting down together for lunch in the garden the sun came out and shone for the next six hours!!

Sunday dawned with a warm but humid feel, but no rain (that stayed in Rochdale).

40 Guests turned up and were entertained by the young friends of our hosts from Dobcross Training band age 8 to 11.

Bro Dr Philip Rowlands ran the Raffle and Bro Ed Melvin ran the bar (very profitably I might add).

Then it was time to eat and our hostess Mrs Barbara Kirkbride called the guests in to help themselves and what a spread it was! All home prepared food.

The WM Bro Bernard Percy and Elaine presented Barbara with a beautiful Bouquet in appreciation of all the hours she had put in to make this event a real success.

The young people in the band are taken on holiday each year, giving concerts to their hosts and this year they are off to Spain, so the Brethren decided to make a donation of £100 to send them on their way.

The overall profit on the day was £345 and this will go in the Lodge’s name to the 2015 Festival.

All in all a super day, in a super location and amongst super people.

Bill & Gwen Ramsay's Wedding Anniversary

On Tuesday 6th July 2010 WBro Bill Ramsey, an honorary member of Roch Valley Lodge No 5120, and his wife, Gwen, celebrated a truly wonderful 70th Wedding Anniversary.

Bill has been an icon of masonry in Rochdale and can claim to have had an input to the education of numerous Rochdale Freemasons during his extensive teaching career at Balderstone High School.

He served as Worshipful Master of Roch Valley Lodge 1975/1976 and during his year of Office he initiated our current Deputy District Chairman, WBro Peter G Hewitt.

WBro Bill Ramsay, in conjunction with WBro Wilton Hemmings, played a significant role in the formation and subsequent steering of the Rochdale District Masonic Fellowship back in 1981 and from which so many people have enjoyed many truly wonderful times together.

Bill is currently a resident at the Braeside Nursing Home in Smallbridge where he was recently visited by members of Roch Valley Lodge No 5120, Probity & Freedom Chapter No 367 and Fabric Mark Lodge No 939.  The representatives from these three degrees presented Bill and Gwen with celebratory cards and gifts from the members of these different orders.  Also present at their celebration was their daughter, Carole, who has made a special visit from her home in Canada to be with them on this rather unique occasion.

After the presentations all residents of Braeside joined with Bill & Gwen in an afternoon of entertainment and singing followed by a delightful buffet.

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For further details about "Freemasonry in Rochdale" please contact either
Eric J Kirkbride on 014 57 874 192 or Peter G Hewitt on 01706 343400.