This meeting provided the opportunity to rehearse for our planned 25th Anniversary in November, where we intend to carry out a double third degree ceremony. Quite a challenge for a small Lodge such as ours.
We had reached out for support and that was answered by the Worshipful Master of the Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge, W Bro Harry Elliott, and W Bro Andy Hinchcliffe one of the active rank Stewards of the year. W Bro Andy provided us with the double third ritual used by the Invictus Lodge, and W Bro Harry and he agreed to take key roles in the ceremony.
W Bro Harry as the Lead Ambassador for the Festival took the opportunity to speak about Festival 2029 and what that meant in terms of support given to our members in the Province; the last Festival in the Province had raised some £1.8m, the target for 2029 is to raise £3m, which was achievable by all members of the Province all for less than the price of a coffee each week.
We had a good rehearsal and were well prepared for our 25th Anniversary in November.
At the Festive Board we enjoyed an excellent meal (as usual). The first verse of the National Anthem was sung. The Worshipful Master gave the first two formal toasts only.
W Bro Elliott and W Bro Hinchcliffe performed an excellent double act in signing up new contributors to the Festival and handing them their Festival Jewels, as well as selling other Festival memorabilia. What a team!
We are grateful for the Whymant family’s continued hospitality.
The Worshipful Master thanked those who took part in the ceremony and for everyone present for their support and wished them all a safe return home, particularly those who had come from afar to support us this evening, much appreciated.
So, we all left the hotel having welcomed a new joining member into our Lodge, enjoyed good company, and had a full belly of delicious food. So that’s most definitely what it’s all about!
