What a reet good neet !

The first Rochdale District Team visit to Roclyffe Lodge No 5198 in Bacup started with a surprise, as we drove out of Rochdale it started to snow quite heavily and by the time we arrived outside the dark elevated Victorian mansion ‘Holmroyd’ the ground was covered in snow. The building was cold but the welcome was warm and inviting. What a difference to Rochdale, no bar staff, no catering staff and no waitress service, but a Lodge.  It was noted that a rather tempting special beer – Samaritan Ale at a strength of 6.1 and professionally brewed by team member Provincial Steward WBro Andrew Marsh, was there to warm the cockles of one’s heart.
The large Lodge room was a lovely surprise.  The Lodge was opened in due form in the first, second and third degrees and the DC WBro Brian Gilman PProvGSuptWks delivered an excellent lecture - the third degree Traditional History.
Whilst we regrouped in the bar, the lodge members were preparing a festive board fit for a King. The lodge members served delicious soup, followed by Fresh salmon, roast ham, potatoes, egg mayonnaise and an enormous salad. This was followed by fruit pie and cream with the largest cheese selection known to man!
After the toasts, District Chairman WBro Peter Hewitt formally welcomed the Brethren of Roclyffe Lodge to the Rochdale District and introduced members of his District Team.  He also felt honoured to be in the company of the WM, WBro Chris Lamb, as Deputy Mayor of Preesall and District Team member, WBro Jim Gartside, the Deputy Mayor of Rochdale.
The toast to the visitors was afforded and the Brethren of Roclyffe gave a superb rendering of their visitors song the words of which are reproduced below.

Welcome Visitors

Th’art welcome lad, th’art welcome,
gie us thi hond, owd chum:
Sit thi deawn an draw up tot’fire,
And mek thsel awhowm;
Here’s jolly good health,
here’s luck an’ here’s wealth
An’ whenever th’art passin’ this way,
Aw’ll ollus bi glad tosithi owd lad,
th’art as welcome as t’fleawrs I’ May.

The raffle was drawn and 2 of the three prices were claimed by the District Team.

Reflecting on the night, the visitors had a great night and the Brethren of Roclyffe Lodge always have a super time and enjoy their masonry to the full but, after all, isn’t that what its all about !

Members of Roclyffe Lodge with the Visiting Brethren

Members of Roclyffe Lodge

A First, a Second and a Surprise!

The first is of course the first visit of 2012 by the Rochdale District Team to a Lodge, in this case Probity & Freedom Lodge No 367. The second was to Witness the ceremony of a full opening and closing of a lodge - the previous visit to Rochdale Lodge No 6721 also performed this ceremony.

The Worshipful master WBro Tony Gillard welcomed the District Chairman and his team who on this occasion were accompanied by two Provincial Acting Officers, WBro Michael Church-Taylor, Provincial Assistant Grand Registrar and WBro Stephen Bullen, Provincial Grand Steward.

The ceremony was conducted with great sincerity and decorum, a lovely touch was the deacons and the way in which they complimented each other in their duties.
The surprise came with the introduction of a ‘Question and Answer’ item to the proceedings. The Senior Deacon asked ‘what was the difference between an alarm and a report’?

The acting Junior Warden for the evening WBro Bill Ramm, slightly taken aback by being asked by the WM to reply, gave a very interesting and somewhat loud answer. He explained the differences which were accompanied by many very loud knocks with the gavel to support his answer.

The Festive Board was a very lively and friendly affair accompanied by an excellent meal prepared and served by the staff of the Rochdale Masonic Buildings in fine style.

The toasts were given followed by replies from the District Chairman and to the Visitors (after a very excellent rendering of ‘Join us in Harmony’) by WBro Joe Galvin of the Lodge of Benevolence No 226 who is a regular visitor to P&F.

Seated Lto R - Bro John Lees  SW, WBro Peter Hewitt District Chairman, WBro Tony Gillard WM,
WBro Ken Unsworth DC and WBro Bill Ramm Acting JW, surrounded by the Lodge brethren and visitors

NEW YEARS EVE AT RICHARD STREET 

Once again it was an excellent evening, well planned and organised by members of the Rochdale Masonic Social Committee, with valued assistance from the District Team. On the evening one hundred and forty- three revellers ( a ' full house' ) , enjoyed a wonderful six course banquet, followed by dancing ( and lots of frivolity ! ) with our resident New Year's Eve duo , Saremma. The atmosphere on the night was second to none, with everyone joining in the party mood.

An envelope Raffle raised the excellent amount of £680 for Masonic and Non- Masonic Charities. The New Year was welcomed in style with the traditional count down, releasing of balloons and a hearty rendition of Auld Lang Syne. (There was also plenty of kissing and hugging going on as well !!) The feedback on the evening has been excellent and shows what a great night was had by all. Here's to the next New Year's Eve Party!. 

District Charity Steward Ken Davies MBE, introducing the Rochdale Buildings Staff without whom the evening would not be possible

The Grand Charity support to Hospices

The Grand Charity has again supported Hospices Services and The District Chairman, WBro Peter Hewitt and the District Deputy Chairman WBro Alan Barlow visited Rochdale’s Springhill Hospice in December to hand over a cheque in excess of £2.800 to the Hospice.

The Grand Charity assists charitable projects and services that help people in need. It supports a wide range of causes including medical research, support for vulnerable people, youth opportunities, air ambulance services, worldwide disaster relief and of course hospice services. £44 million pounds has been dispensed in helping hundreds of charities over the past 30 years.                                                     

L to R - Peter Hewitt  Rochdale District Chairman , Julie Halliwell  the Springhill Hospice
Director of Corporate Services  and Alan Barlow Rochdale Deputy District Chairman

Masonic Hampers for Springhill Hospice

The Rochdale District Social Committee have once again sponsored Christmas Hampers for Springhill Hospice day patients, many of whom will be alone at Christmas. The Hampers, which are made up by Staff at the Rochdale Branch of Marks and Spencer are then delivered by members of the Rochdale District Team in time for Christmas. The Presentation of the Hampers at the Hospice was made by Bernard Percy the Secretary of the Rochdale District Social Committee.

L to R 
Ken Davies MBE - Rochdale District Charity Steward,  Megan and Sue from Marks and Spencer  Rochdale, Sister Pat Harding - Springhill Hospice,
Bernard Percy  - Rochdale District Social Committee, Alan Barlow  - Rochdale District Deputy Chairman and Peter Hewitt  - Rochdale District Chairman

Don't forget to check the older articles by clicking the links in the left hand panel

If you have any new stories you would like to see published here, please contact

WBro David Garnett, District Communications Officer for Rochdale District.

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