Amity Crest
The Lodge of Amity and Rossendale Forest No.283
Amity Crest
January 2017: This being the first meeting of the year, it is also our Installation meeting. The Lodge was opened in due form by the Worshipful Master WBro. Derek H Smith PProvDepGDC. The WM requested that the Brethren stand to order with respect to departed merit of WBro. Kenneth Sheasby PProvAGDC, who had died since our last meeting.
The Assistant Provincial Grand Master for the Province of East Lancashire WBro. A John Pearson PSGD was admitted, accompanied by WBro. John R Farrington PSGD AProvGM for the Northern Area and WBro. David Lightbown PAGDC, Chairman of the East Ribble District.
For the purpose of Installation, the WM invited WBro. Stuart Rayton PProvGSwdB to occupy the Master's Chair. WBro. Rayton then requested that WBro. Donald Bright PProvGSuptWks occupy the SW Chair, WBro. Ian Haworth PProvJGD occupy the JW Chair, WBro. Dennis Heskett PProvDepGDC to act as IG and WBro. Barry Thompson to remain as Tyler.
WBro. Rayton then opened the Lodge in the Second and Third Degrees. He then convened a Board of Installed Masters and worked part of the installation ceremony. WBro. Derek H Smith worked the remaining part of the ceremony and installed WBro. Gregory John Casson PProvDepGReg as Worshipful Master of the Lodge in an exemplary manner, ably assisted by the Past Masters and Brethren of the Lodge.
WBro. A John Pearson PSGD AProvGM presented the WM with a commemorative certificate from the members of the Lodge.
The Lodge Officers appointed and invested are recorded on the Officers Page of this website.
The Almoner, Charity Steward, District Rep. all gave their reports. The minutes recorded apologies from members, however, 21 members and 26 visitors were present.
The Lodge was closed and an excellent Installation Festive Board followed.
February 2017: The Lodge was opened in due form by the Worshipful Master WBro Gregory J Casson PProvDepGReg. Bro. Steve Thompson Stwd was acting JD and W.Bro Dennis Heskett PProvDepGDC was acting Tyler.
The main business of the evening was to receive the third lecture from a series of three entitled "Getting your Bearings". This was worked by three of the junior Brethren, Bro. Will Atkinson IG from the East, Bro. Steve Thompson Ass. Sec. from the West, and Bro. M L Stwd from the South. Each performed their task in a most excellent manner and gave real emphasis to what was a very interesting and informative lecture. The Lodge showed their appreciation in the usual Masonic manner.
The Almoner gave his report and WBro Ian Haworth PProvJGD gave the Charity Steward's report in the absence of WBro Barry Thompson.
The minutes recorded apologies from members, however, 19 members and 2 visitors were present.
The Lodge was closed and a convivial Festive Board followed.
March 2017:
The Lodge was opened in due form by the Worshipful Master WBro Gregory J Casson PProvDepGReg. WBro. Stuart Rayton PProvGSwdB was acting JW.
A ballot was taken for two Brothers, WBro Alan Fielder and Bro Kenneth Lee. The ballot was in favour of them becoming joining members of the Lodge.
The main business of the evening was to receive a reading given by WBro Andy Shaw PProvAGDC, taken from The Masonic Record magazine, March 1922, entitled "Some Secretaries and their Duties". The Worshipful Master thanked WBro Andy Shaw for his work and the Lodge showed their appreciation in the usual Masonic manner.
The Almoner gave his report and WBro Ian Haworth PProvJGD gave the Charity Steward's report in the absence of WBro Barry Thompson.
The minutes recorded apologies from members, however, 19 members and 1 visitor were present.
The Lodge was closed and a convivial Festive Board followed, where the DC, WBro Michael Rosney PProvAGDC won a bottle of Whiskey in the raffle.
April 2017:
The Lodge was opened in due form by the Worshipful Master WBro Gregory J Casson PProvDepGReg. WBro. Dennis Heskett PProvDepGDC, Treasurer, was acting SD.
A ballot was taken for a Candidate for Initiation. The ballot was in favour of the Candidate becoming a member of the Lodge. His Initiation will be on the 9th May 2017.
The main business of the evening was to receive a talk entitled “The History of the Union“ adapted from an article currently on the PGLEL website. The Worshipful Master thanked WBro. Russell Harwood for a very interesting talk and the Lodge showed their appreciation in the usual Masonic manner.
The Almoner gave his report and WBro Ian Haworth PProvJGD gave the Charity Steward's report in the absence of WBro Barry Thompson. WBro. Russell Harwood ProvGStwd, Secretary, gave the report from the District meeting in the absence of WBro. Barry Thompson.
The minutes recorded apologies from members, however, 19 members and 0 visitors were present.
The Lodge was closed and a most enjoyable Festive Board followed the Lodge meeting.
May 2017:
The Lodge was opened in due form by the Worshipful Master WBro. Gregory J Casson PProvDepGReg. Bro. Mark L was acting Tyler.
The Masters of our Family of Lodges were admitted and introduced to the WM by WBro. Michael Rosney PProvAGDC, DC.
WBro. Steve Barton PAGDC was admitted and perambulated around the Lodge by the DC to rapturous applause from the Brethren on his recent promotion to Grand Lodge.
The main item of business was to Initiate Mr. Peter Chapman into Freemasonry and the Lodge. The ceremony was worked by WBro. Graham Grishakow PProvGStdB in a most excellent manner assisted by the Officers of the Lodge. Bro. Peter Moore JD stood aside to allow the WM to Deacon his candidate during the ceremony. Bro. Ray Godwin JW gave the Charge after Initiation in an exemplary manner and with great feeling, and the WM presented the explanation of the Working Tools. Indeed, all worked the ceremony to the highest standard and the best traditions of the Craft. Mr. Chapman was well and truly initiated into Freemasonry.
Bro Steve Thompson, Asst Sec, gave a '5-minute nugget' (this being as short talk, no longer than 5 minutes in length) relating to the significance of the triangle in Freemasonry, very interesting.
The Almoner, WBro. Derek H Smith PProvDepGDC gave his report. WBro. Ian Haworth PProvJGD gave the Charity Steward's report and WBro. Barry Thompson gave the report from the District.
The minutes recorded apologies from members, however, 27 members and 23 visitors were present. Our Worshipful Master is a keen Biker and a member of the Masonic Biker's Association. Members of the North West Chapter of Widow's Sons Masonic Bikers Association came to support the WM's Candidate who is also a keen Biker.
The Lodge was closed and a most enjoyable Festive Board followed to finish off the evening in style.
June - July - August 2017:
The Lodge does not conduct any Masonic business during these months, and is in Summer recess.
September 2017:
At our meeting on Tuesday 5th September, following the regular business, 19 Lodge members and 19 visitors were treated to a fantastic presentation of a meeting between Simon, a Town Mason and Philip, a Travelling Mason in a Tavern somewhere in 1724 England.
To set the scene, the Lodge Room, lit only by candles became a dimly lit upstairs room of a Tavern, the light of a roaring fire flooding the room and intensifying the shadows. The smell of the wood-burning open fire fills the room already heavily scented by candles, of pipe tobacco, of ales and heavy wines, of roasted meats; the sound of horses and cart traffic permeates from outside the building and the noise, bustle and singing from the tavern below all add to the atmosphere.
Four narrators and two main characters performed the work produced by WBro Martin Roche, PSGD, PAProvGM, Provincial Grand Secretary. The narrators punctuated the dialog between the two Masons at various points to emphasise the passion of the two main players, Bro's Ray Godwin as 'Simon' and Will Atkinson as 'Philip' who had committed to memory their parts and were word perfect and completely in character throughout. Those attending really were transported back to 1724.
Genuine compliments from Lodge members and visitors alike were plentiful and many visitors advised Ray and Will to prepare for bookings from other Lodges. Future Master's of our own Lodge have also requested that it be repeated in their years. All true testament to the preparation and quality of the performance.
The festive board, as always, was bustling and jovial. Compliments for the work in the Lodge continued to flow
A very good evening was had by all.
Narrators: WBro SBFC, Bro. Steve Thompson, Bro. Paul Spann and Bro. Ken Lee.
Main characters: Bro. Ray Godwin (Simon) and Bro. Will Atkinson (Philip).
The minutes recorded apologies from members, however, 19 members and 19 visitors were present.
The Lodge was closed and a most enjoyable Festive Board followed to finish off the evening in an unusual style, maybe it was because we were transported back to 1724. Who can say!
03 October 2017:
The Lodge was opened in due form by the Worshipful Master WBro. Gregory J Casson PProvDepGReg. WBro Barry Thompson was acting IG.
Several Grand Lodge Officers were in attendance, WBro David Lightbown PAGDC Chairman of the East Ribble District, WBro Brian J Carter PAGDC PGStB AProvGP, WBro Aspinall PAGDC PAProvGP, and our own WBro Steve Barton PAGDC.
The Almoner, WBro. Derek H Smith PProvDepGDC gave his report. WBro. Ian Haworth PProvJGD gave the Charity Steward's report.
The Lodge was 'Called-off' to receive the main event of the evening which was to receive a presentation by the East Lancashire Royal Arch Presentation Team entitled 'Crafty Companions'. WBro Brian J Carter PAGDC PGStdB AProvGP gave a brief introduction relating to RA, and introduced EComp John Cavanagh who started the presentation. The Team presented eight stories relating to the Royal Arch Degree and demonstrated its connection to the Craft Degrees. The whole presentation was performed in a light-hearted and jovial way with plenty of Hissing, Booing, Barracking and of course applause from the Brethren, (all scripted of course).
The presentation was well received and the Worshipful Master thanked the ELRAPT for their work and the Brethren responded in the usual Masonic manner.
For those Brethren who are not in Royal Arch Chapter, it perhaps gave a little insight in to the Degree, and for those Brethren who are, it no doubt enhanced their knowledge of the Degree.
The Team retired from the Lodge Room and the Lodge was 'Called-on' again for the further despatch of Masonic business.
The minutes recorded apologies from members, however, 24 members and 12 visitors were present, plus 8 guests in the Presentation Team.
The Lodge was closed in harmony and a most enjoyable Festive Board followed to finish off the evening.
31 October 2017:
The Lodge was opened in due form by the Worshipful Master WBro. Gregory J Casson PProvDepGReg. WBro David Bury PProvGSuptWks was acting Tyler, Bro Steve Thompson Asst Sec was acting SD, and WBro Dennis Heskett PProvDepGDC Treasurer was acting JW.
The main business of the evening was to 'Pass' Bro Peter Chapman to the Degree of a Fellowcraft and WBro Derek H Smith PProvDepGDC IPM was invited to occupy the Master's Chair for the purpose of conducting the Ceremony. The WM took on the roll as SD and conducted the candidate during the ceremony, the candidate being his Son-in-Law. WBro Graham Grishakow PProvGStdB gave the address to the SE Corner and Bro Will Atkinson IG explained the WT of the Degree. The Charge after Passing was delivered by WBro Donald Bright PProvGSuptWks. All performed their work to the usual high standard of the Lodge. The WM reoccupied the Chair and thanked WBro Smith and the other Brethren taking part for their excellent work.
The WM WBro Casson proposed Bro Marcus Avci, aged 52 years, a former member of Keep Lodge No.6538 to become a joining member of the Lodge of Amity and Rossendale Forest No.283. The proposition was seconded by WBro Dennis Heskett PProvDepGDC.
The Almoner, WBro. Derek H Smith PProvDepGDC gave his report. WBro. Ian Haworth PProvJGD gave the Charity Steward's report.
The minutes recorded apologies from members and visitors, however, 21 members and 9 visitors were present.
The Lodge was closed and a most enjoyable Festive Board followed to finish off the evening in style.
November 2017:
The Lodge was opened in due form by the WM, WBro Greg Casson, PProvDepGReg.
WBro Dennis Heskett PProvDepGDC was acting JW and WBro Graham Grishakow PProvGStdB was acting SW.
WBro M Rosney, PProvAGDC, DC advised that two Lodge members had received appointments or promotions at Provincial Grand Lodge. WBro Donald Bright, had been promoted to PProvGSwdB and WBro Russell Harwood had been promoted to PProvSGD and had been appointed Deputy Chairman of the East Ribble District. Unfortunately, WBro Bright could not be at tonight's meeting, however, the Brethren acknowledged the accolades with warm applause as the DC perambulated WBro Harwood round the Lodge.
This being the business meeting the following items were put to the Lodge:
A 'five-minute nugget' was presented by Bro Ken Lee entitled 'The symbolism of the Gloves'
Reports were received from the Almoner, and acting CS.
In any other business, the Secretary reported that he had received a letter of resignation from WBro Eric Vincent PProvDepGSuptWks who had not been able to attend the Lodge for some time. However, he was not leaving Freemasonry, but was joining a Lodge in Rossendale closer to his home.
The minutes recorded apologies from members, however, 17 members and 2 visitors were in attendance. One of the visitors was a Master Mason, Bro Clive Lawes from the Lodge 'La Chaîne de Fraternité No.1611' under the GRANDE LOGE NATIONALE FRANÇAISE, and of course, he gave a very eloquent greeting in French. This prompted WBro Heskett to comment, in a jovial manner, that he hoped the Secretary had managed to get all that down for the Minutes.
We were joined at the Festive Board by Mr Vincent Stephen Frain the prospective candidate and two other non-Masons contemplating joining Freemasonry.
FOOT NOTE: The Secretary did in deed manage to get down the greetings from our French visitor which was as follows: "Vénérable Maitre, Je vous apport les sincère salutations de ma Lodge, La Chaine du Fraternité ,1611 Rite de Emulation en Français. A la temple du Rois Soliman à Vienne. Je apport aussi le salutations de notre Vénérable Maitre Thierry Gourdant. Nous réunissons le troisième jeudi du mois."
Which translates to english as: "Venerable Master, I bring you the sincere greetings of my Lodge, The Chain of Fraternity, 1611 Rite of Emulation in French. At the temple of Kings Soliman in Vienna. I also bring greetings from our Venerable Master Thierry Gourdant. We are meeting the third Thursday of the month."
December 2017:
Please note there is no meeting this month.
