Bro. Matt Burt’s Raising on 21 October
A superb team effort gave an excellent ceremony to make Bro. Matt’s Raising a most memorable evening. WM. Chris was supported firstly by DC. W. Bro Richard Gilson who put the Questions to the Candidate and later in the ceremony the first part of the Raising.
It was a real pleasure to have W. Bro Neil Arthur with us again, but not only that he was keen to become involved and so gave The Charge. After SW. W. Bro Brian Parry had invested Bro. Matt with his Master Mason’s apron, JW. Bro Neil Sunderland followed by explaining its significance.
Bro. Matt, having returned to the Lodge after being restored to ‘his personal comforts’, W. Bro Tony Cooper gave the Traditional History in his usual exemplary manner. The ceremony concluded with JD. Bro. James Jefferies confidently presenting the Working Tools and thereby completing the PGM’s Working Tools Challenge (having presented all three). As such, later in the meeting he was presented with the Adair Club pin badge by Bro. Michael Beasley (Area Adair Club Representative) who also announced that Bro. James has been appointed as the Lodge’s Adair Club Rep. Many congratulations to him. Presenting the Working Tools to Bro. Matt was personal to Bro. James as not only are they work colleagues, but Bro. James was Bro. Matt’s Proposer to join the Lodge.
W. Bro Robin Browning in his capacity as Treasurer for the 2031 Provincial Festival took the opportunity to present W. Bro Alastair Slade with his Festival Steward Jewel.
Throughout the ceremony Bro. Matt had been ably conducted around the Lodge by SD. W. Bro Pete Kuzemka, assisted by JD. Bro James, as required, and IPM. W. Bro. Chris Brooke was on hand ready to prompt if necessary. Throughout the meeting, and particularly during the ceremony, W. Bro Adrian Moore provided suitable music which, as always, is much appreciated.
A jovial Festive Board rounded off the evening that was enjoyed by all, especially our eleven visitors. W. Bro Patrick Haxell gave the Response to the Visitors’ Toast and in doing so was highly complimentary about the ceremony.
