Author: tonywilliams3955gmailcom

Strawberry Hill’s July Meeting took on a slightly different format………..   opening at 6.30pm, the Lodge’s ‘administrative’ business had been completed was Closed by 6.45.  

Our wives, partners and other no-masonic guests then entered and the Worshipful Master, W.Bro. Gerald Butterworth PPrSGD, gave an explanation of the various Officers’ duties and illustrations of the different aprons that Masons wear. There then followed a superb Address by W.Bro. Keith Waters PSGD, PAPGM which covered the history and essentials of the Craft and some of his own, extensive, experiences therein.

Everyone then adjourned to the Bar before enjoying a superb Cold Buffet brilliantly put together by Cole Court’s excellent Chef, Vitalij Pavolovski.

All in all, a great success that may well generate one, if not two, Initiates.

A moment to reflect, remember and celebrate. Our installation meeting saw WBro Gerald Butterworth inducted as the Master and also a surprise presentation from the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, WBro Robert Rough, of a 50 year certificate to our long serving secretary WBro Ron Sharpe. We also received a eulogy from WBro Ron for our sadly departed brother, WBro Tom Jones, who unexpectedly passed to the Grand Lodge Above last month.

Rest in Peace Tom 💂🏻‍♀️

January’s gathering was another ‘first’ for the Lodge – we seem to be breaking new ground quite a lot these days…….

This time both our two members intended for Raising became unavailable a few days ahead of the ceremony. That led to the attendance by our long-distance members becoming an unreasonable ask, so they stayed away. Very fortunately, our friends in Justicia Lodge, No.2563, stepped up and filled the gaps.

With “necessity being the mother of invention”, after the Lodge had been Opened and the usual ‘admin’ items taken place, the DC and the Secretary read some of the ”Nuggets” from the Solomon website – the history and details of a Festive Board and Good Fire, among others – to fill the time available.

All-in-all it was a rather jolly time and was enjoyed by everyone – as was the usually excellent Festive Board after.

February ‘24

Our July Meeting was a bit different this year …………….

For very good individual reasons several of our senior officers could not attend and we were unable to carry out any ceremony. 

Instead we had a Q&A session between the Worshipful Master and the Acting Wardens extracted from the book by W.Bro.Harry Mendoza and covering a wide range of topics related to Freemasonry in its widest sense.

This was followed by a Presentation on “Your Lodge” from W.Bro. Lewis Read, the DC and “Getting your bearings” from the Secretary, W.Bro. Ron Sharpe. A different type of Meeting but one enjoyed and appreciated by our newer members.

As usual, an excellent Festive Board followed the Meeting.

Installing Master, John Moriarty, on the left and his successor, Tom Jones, at the 158^th Installation Meeting on Wednesday, 5^th April.

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.