The founders of Weybridge Lodge would be proud to see that what they started 75 years ago is still going strong. On Wednesday 21st February we celebrated our 75th anniversary at our 374th Regular Masonic Meeting.
Distinguished Guests
We were honoured to have two distinguished guests. Firstly our Distinguished Visitor the VW Bro. Michael Harding PGSwdB Deputy Provincial Grand Master accompanied by his Provincial Director of Ceremonies and Stewards. Also W Bro. Dan Williamson PAGSwdB Asistant Provinical Grand Master of St. Andrews Group of Lodges and W Bro. James Hill PPGSuptWks our nominated Official Visitor on behalf of the Provincial Grand Master.
Well, What Went On?
- Opening The Masonic Meeting
- A Second Degree
- Grand Lodge Certificates
- A Festive Board With A Twist
Opening The Masonic Meeting
Following the pomp and ceremony of the Official Party procession into the Temple and the opening of the meeting. VW Bro, Michael Harding gave a well prepared insight of what went on in 1949 and the milestones in world history that have happened during the lifetime of Weybridge Lodge, this was very well received by the brethren.
In addition, our Lodge Chaplain W Bro. Tony Mallard MBE, PPAGDC delivered a wonderful oration of the Lodge history in an extemporaneous manner.
A Second Degree
The fundamental part of any Masonic meeting is the Advancement of a member through the various degrees and tonight was no different.
Bro. Calvin Gower’s Passing to the Second Degree was exemplary. It was performed with great confidence by both the Candidate, the Senior Deacon and the Worshipful Master. We look forward to Calvin being raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason in 2025.
Grand Lodge Certificates
Two of our Brethren who were made Master Masons in 2023 had the honour of being bestowed their Grand Lodge Certificates personally by VW Bro. Michael Harding.
Bro. Julien Tidmarsh (Senior Deacon) and Bro. Robert Cooper (Inner Guard) listened intently as the DPGM delivered the Address on the Presentation of a Grand Lodge Certificate. This document is effectively a Freemasons passport to allow them entry to other Masonic Meetings at Freemanons Lodges worldwide.
A Festive Board With A Twist
Following on from the Meeting, everybody continued to enjoy the evening at the Festive Board. A meal (in this case three course) which follows every Masonic meeting.
Speeches are given and toasts are made to ‘King, Craft and the Royal Arch’ to name but a few. The difference this time was that everybody at the meeting received a commemorative ‘Charging Glass’ with which to make the toasts.Â
The Brethren of Weybridge Lodge wanted everybody to have something to remember this auspicious evening with and the Charging Glass engraved with an anniversary Lodge logo was the perfect gift.
A final touch was the rendition of the ‘Working Tools of the Festive Board’ by Bro. Julien Tidmarsh. This rarely heard piece of Masonic writing was very well received, in fact almost nobody had ever heard it before. It certainly rounded off the evening and gave everybody something to talk about.Â
Well, that pretty much sums up the evening. A lot of planning went into making it a special night and special it was!
Here’s to the next 75 years of Weybridge Lodge although I’m not sure if blogs will still be around to report on it in 2099.
