Our November Meeting in the presence of W.Bro,.Bob Rough, our APGM on an Official Visit, included our usual Remembrance item – The Royal British Legion’s Dedication, a Bugler calling the Last Post and sounding Reveille and ending with the words on the Memorial at Kohima being recited, but then something not appearing on the Agenda took place.
The Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, W.Bro. Frankie Whelan-Mellor, asked for “permission to retire for a short while as he had to go and collect something”. On his return he announced that the Pro Prov GM, R.W. Bro. Peter Baker was outside and demanded admission. Stunned silence all round ! On this occasion he accepted the gavel from the WM, W.Bro. John Moriarty: more stunned silence !
He then asked our most senior member, R.W. Bro. David Cons -himself a Past Prov Pro GM – to approach the pedestal: that allowed him to announce the purpose of his visit – to present RW.Bro David with a Certificate to mark his 60-years in Freemasonry. He went on to give an extensive resumé of his achievements in the Craft and their mutual crossing of paths since the day he was Initiated onto Strawberry Hill by his father. To have the Pro Prov GM present such a Certficate to a past Pro, in his Mother Lodge, must surely be a unique event in Middlesex and one enjoyed by all present, including RWBro Peter who remained with us until the end of the Festive Board.
Strawberry Hill Lodge No.946 