We held our February meeting as a ‘white table’ event where wives, partners and friends were welcome to come along and enjoy a night out at the Tickton Grange Hotel.
The white table event was enjoyed by all those attending, and we received a talk by our own W Bro Tim Haley on his 31 years in the Royal Navy. The talk was very interesting, charting Tim’s career and the various venues and characters that he had met upon the way, noting the discipline instilled in the crew members which was essential for life on board ship. Tim described the development of the facilities on board and the changes since his first ship, commissioned in 1943, to the later bigger ships he served on such as HMS Hermes and HMS Invincible. We all gained an invaluable insight into Tim’s career and service and the foibles of life in the navy and of the great and good, who sometimes should know better! W Bro Tim retired at the rank of Lt Commander. We also learned at first instance, the bosun’s pipe to get the ratings up in the morning and to lights out at night, and now we know the origin of the phrase ‘pipe down’.
Our Brother Paul Matson was honoured in the New Year’s Honours List with a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to veterans.
Paul is the founder of Hull 4 Heroes, a charity based in Hull, East Yorkshire, which supports veterans from our armed forces and is doing all it can to make their lives better. Paul has been the driving force behind the charity since inception, and this year hopes to see the ‘ground broken’ on his Veterans Village, a place where veterans can make their homes and find reintegration back into society in a supported environment.
Paul recently said, ‘it’s the hardest job I’ve ever had, but the most fulfilling, and I can’t wait to get at it each morning’.
Hull 4 Heroes goes from strength to strength, and they have recently opened a drop in centre where veterans can call in and find warmth and welcome, and it’s in high demand!
We at Wyke Millennium are very proud of what Paul has done and is doing. Putting into action those principles that we are taught in the Lodge in the outside world is something we all aspire to, but rarely are they evidenced on such as scale as Paul has achieved.
Congratulations to Paul and his team – typically he said ‘it’s a team effort, I may have received the honour, but it’s for all of us, I couldn’t do it alone’ – good sentiments and true leadership, well done!
On the 14th of November 2022 we held our normal Lodge night but with a different twist. The Worshipful Master had designated it as a ‘white table’ event to which wives and partners and friends could come along to the festive board.
As we met the day after Remembrance Sunday, it was thought appropriate that we could use this opportunity to put into practice our support for our armed services, and in particular the ex-service men and women that put themselves in harms way so that we may sleep easy in our beds.
25 sat down to another excellent Tickton Grange meal which was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended.
We invited Mr Ron Laden (Lieutenant Colonel retired) the Chairman of the Beverley Branch of the Royal British Legion to come along and present a talk on the work of the RBL historically and also in the present, to care for and support ex-service personnel and their families in times of need.
The talk was poignant and enlightening and provided a timely reminder of the duty we owe to those who serve.
The Worshipful Master was pleased to present a cheque for £150.00 towards the Poppy Appeal to Chairman Ron, who advised that it would be put to very good use.
The Ladies present (and those who couldn’t make it, as well as Chairman Ron’s partner) each received a gift of a Poppy scarf purchased from the RBL website, which purchase provided further funding to this very worthwhile cause.
The Worshipful Master presents a cheque to RBL Branch Chairman Ron Laden
At our meeting on the 10th of October we held our first initiation since 2018!
It was a great night for our candidate Phil (now Brother) Lord who was treated to a ceremony of initiation second to none. He was supported by the attendance of 41 brethren, including being honoured by the presence of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Very Worshipful Brother Jonathan Mark Mitchell Smith accompanied by 11 active Provincial Officers.
Phil was surprised to find several of his friends in attendance who he had no clue were members of our fraternity; as a Lodge we were supported by many friends from other Lodges who took part in the ceremony and enabled us to deliver a fitting and memorable first step into Freemasonry for Brother Phil, for which we thank them most sincerely.
We enjoyed a typical high quality Tickton Grange festive board and had a thoroughly joyous and fraternal time, The toast to our newly made brother was given, the Entered Apprentices song was sung and the symbolism of the Masonic Chain was explained, which was something that a few of our visitors hadn’t witnessed before and was of great interest to them.
All in all a splendid night and reminiscent of the days before Covid19, when we and our fellow Masons could mingle freely and enjoy each others company, just as it should be.
Our newly made Brother performing the important duty of picking the winning raffle numbers!
The Worshipful Master proposes the toast to the Very Worshipful deputy Provincial Grand Master
