"Worthy of Emulation"

 

The Derby prior to the opening of the Lodge

RWBro Jack Price, opened the East Lancashire Provincial Grand Officers' Lodge promptly at 6.00pm. The first business was to announce the death on the 6 Mar 2010 of MWBro Lord Cornwallis, Past Pro Grand Master, who, Jack Price said, "Will be long remembered and had been a great servant to the Craft". The Brethren stood in memory of departed merit.

 

Installing Master, RWBro Jack Price - prior to the Lodge Opening

Jack then admired the magnificent attendance. "It is lovely to see so many here this evening. I hope you all enjoy the night and thank you for being here". He then welcomed joining members to the 'Premier Lodge' in the Province. They included WBros Brian Carter, David Hudson, Derek Moran, Fred Plant, Michael Porter, Charles Ward and Roger Watts. "it is a joy to see you joining us and I wish you many happy years in the Lodge", said Jack.

The next business was the Installation of the Master Elect, WBro Arnold Ray, JP, PProvGSwdB. Bro Ray was described as a man who had given much service over many years. He carried out is work quietly and in a dignified manner, not only for this Lodge where he has served for many years as Almoner, but for many others as well.

WBro Brian Sigsworth, ProvGChS, presented WBro Ray to the Master for Installation, which RWBro Price took great pleasure in proceeding with. WBro Ian Paul, PProvSGW, executed an excellent address to the newly Installed Master before the new Officers were invested. WBro Carl Dinsdale gave a superb address to the Wardens and, finally, WBro Ivan Eastwood (below) delivered the address to the brethren - the version as given in his own Lodge, the Lodge of Silent Temple, No. 126.

WBro Ivan Eastwood

Later it was announced that there were a number of Lodge members being appointed or promoted in Grand Lodge at the end of April: Alex McLaren (JGD), Martin Roche (PJGD), John Pearson (PAGReg), David Basger (PAGDC), Gerald Young (PAGDC), Howard Berry (PAGDC) and Harold Woodward (promoted to PGSwdB).

Before the Lodge was closed the Master read a lovely letter he had received from Mrs Dorothy Price thanking the brethren for the beautiul bouquet of flowers she had received from the Lodge. After the Lodge was closed the room enjoyed the brethren collectively singing the first verse of the National Anthem.

 

Applause as the new Master, WBro Arnold Ray, leaves the Lodge with his Officers

Both the Lodge meeting and the magnificent Festive Board following were graced by the presence of Master Masons from Horton Lodge, No. 8528, the Master's Lodge. His guest list also included the Lodge Secretary, WBro Stephen Lapping, PProvAGDC. All shared the Masters' table together with the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, The Provincial Grand Master, and the Provincial Grand Chaplain.

Special guests in Lodge and on the Master's table - Master Masons from Horton Lodge, No. 8528
the four Master Masons are on the right of the back row -
Mike Prendergast, James Burns, Mike Prendergast and James Munson.

 

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