Mother lodge’s visit brings 70 to Scunthorpe meeting
Led by their Worshipful Master Dave Harness more than a dozen members of Brigg’s Ancholme Lodge visited St Lawrence Lodge in Scunthorpe to share in a double passing degree ceremony watched by 71 brethren.
This was their first visit to Scunthorpe in what will undoubtedly become an annual arrangement, with St Lawrence members having shared in a ceremony at mother lodge Ancholme last November.
The bag in which Charity Steward Chris England collects the Gift Aid envelopes never fails to raise a smile…
Said St Lawrence Master Nick Burton: “This reciprocal visit arrangement reinforces the bonds within the family of Freemasonry, and is a marvellous opportunity to broaden an individual’s own circle of friends. There was a real buzz of conversation and laughter at the Festive Board. It was wonderful to be part of it.”
Nick led the ceremony to pass Bros James Smart and Aubrey Hansard. Work was delivered to an exemplary standard, said ProvSGW Keith Bickley, who was making his official visit. He was particularly impressed with Junior Warden Tom Murray, of whom he said his delivery of the Charge after Passing had been ‘mesmerising’. There was another family touch in the delivery of the Working Tools, which were presented and explained by Aubrey’s brother Rowan.
A raffle in aid of the Lodge Contingency Fund raised £280, and the collection, using the Gift Aid envelopes, raised £212.
Nick Burton added: “We shall continue with our visits to each others’ Lodges. No doubt this arrangement already exists elsewhere in the Province, but for those Lodges which aren’t yet doing it, I can’t recommend it highly enough. There’s no better time to start than now.”
St Lawrence Master Nick Burton is surrounded by his officers and visitors from Ancholme Lodge
