Membership Challenge Visit
A most memorable evening on Wednesday 15 October, led by Worshipful Master Chris Brooke. Following the Opening of the Lodge, the WM was privileged to receive the Provincial Grand Master RW Bro. Raymond Guthrie and a goodly number of the Provincial Team. W. Bro Richard Gilson gave the Eulogy to W. Bro Richard Allen PPrJGW who had passed to the Grand Lodge Above early September.
The main purpose of the evening was the update on the Membership Challenge by the PGM. The earlier decline in membership had been reversed by Lodges rising to the membership challenge. He reminded that all brethren are ambassadors for Freemasonry in promoting membership in the community. The level of resignations was a point of concern and the PGM emphasised the importance of retaining members by mentoring and involving them within the Lodge, and following up brethren who have not recently attended. He went on to mention the PSA Testing for Prostate Cancer, saying both sessions had been oversubscribed, and also touched on the ‘Progression to the Master’s Chair’ seminars.
The PGM presented the Grand Lodge Certificate to our Inner Guard Bro. James Jefferies who was Initiated on 20 November 2024 and Raised in March earlier this year. He also had pleasure in presenting a 60th Anniversary Certificate to W. Bro Collin Lunt. W. Bro Colin started his masonic career on 26 October 1965 when Initiated into the Lodge of Sincerity No 174, in London. He joined Connaught in 1976 and became Worshipful Master in 1989, afterwards holding several positions, most notably Charity Steward for many years.
Following a ballot Bro. Richard Harris of Columbanus Lodge No 9941 was welcomed as a Joining Member and during the AOB a further Joining Member and two candidates were proposed.
The lively Festive Board was well attending with everyone enjoying a curry with all the usual trimmings. Bro. Jefferies confidently gave the Toast to the Provincial Grand Master then equally confidently followed with the Toast to the Province.
