~~ 2021 ~~
[ Click photos for more details ]

This year has not starting on a good note as the Coronavirus Covid-19 is still with us. All Masonic activity has been suspended by UGLE, which means that we can no longer meet in our Masonic Halls or anywhere else for that matter, we can only meet virtually through video technology.

26 January 2021: INSTALLATION - VLM

The Lodge was unable to meet due to Covid-19. However, a VLM was held by video technology. The Lodge Committee had recommended that the WM and all the Officers should stay in post for the ensuing year as they could not perform their duties for the most part of last year, this was approved at the VLM in December 2020.

The VLM was opened by the WM, WBro Dennis Heskett PProvDepGDC welcoming everyone to what would have in normal times been our Installation meeting. There were 16 members and 6 visitors present.

The minutes of the last VLM were approved by a show of hands

The DC asked the WM if he would appoint his officers which he did. All the 2020 Officers will stay in post for a further year and new Officers were appointed as follows:

• WBro Alan Fielder ProvAGStdB as Mentor.
• WBro Stuart Rayton PProvGSwdB as Senior Deacon.
• Bro Vincent Frain as Inner Guard.
• Bro Peter Chapman and Bro Peter Farrow as Stewards.

The full list of Officers is shown [here].

The Almoner WBro Derek Smith PProvDepGDC and the Charity Steward WBro Dennis Heskett PProvDepGDC both gave their reports

The Secretary read the communications and correspondence and visiting Brethren tendered greetings. There being no other business the Lodge was closed by the SW, Bro Ken Lee and the JW Bro Will Atkinson.

There was just time to draw the Installation Raffle before admitting the non-Masonic visitors. The winners were:

• Number 187 - WBro Greg Casson he opted for the 'Jack Daniels'
• Number 108 - WBro Dennis Heskett who claimed the set of drinking glasses.
• Number 194 - WBro Greg Casson having won one prize request that the number be redrawn.
• Number 30 - The final prize a bottle of wine to WBro Steve Barton.

The raffle raised the fantastic sum of £300 for Charity.

An Artistic Journey through Lockdown

09 February 2021 - 283 Coffee Shop

23 February 2021 - VLM

23 March 2021 - VLM

The VLM was opened by WBro Dennis Heskett PProvDepGDC although WBro Heskett was slightly late joining the meeting the IPM WBro Ray Godwin ProvGStwd pretended to have opened the meeting by declaring 'the meeting is therefore open' just as the WM joined the meeting. The joke was taken light-heartedly by the WM who then proceeded to open the meeting proper. The minutes of the last VLM were approved by a show of hands. The next business on the agenda was a presentation by the WM entitled "The Place & Role of the Master of the Lodge" a paper by WBro Revd Neville Barker Cryer PGChap, Prestonian Lecturer (1974) and Batham Lecturer (1996-1998). The presentation was well received by the Brethren.

A report was received from the Almoner WBro Derek Smith PProvDepGDC, and a report from the CS. Fourteen Members and eight visitors attended the meeting. The visiting Brethren tendered greetings and commented on the presentation. There being no further business the VLM was closed and the Tyler proposed the Tyler's toast to end the evening.

06 April 2021 - 283 Coffee Shop

27 April 2021

The Worshipful Master, WBro D Heskett, PProvDepGDC was unable to attend the meeting and had recorded his apologies. In his absence WBro M Rosney, PProvSGD, DC chaired the meeting. The meeting was opened at 7:10pm by WBro Rosney, who welcomed all those present, including ten visitors, to the meeting. We had 9 members and 10 visitors in attendance at this meeting.

The main business of the evening was to receive a presentation by WBro Godwin, entitled "Bro Gabriel Bullock - Wherever Right and Glory Leads". WBro Godwin thanked WBro Rosney and gave a short preamble to a film he had produced using previously researched material in addition to plenty of newly discovered information gathered during his own very recent research.

WBro Godwin explored the history of Bro Bullock and his family, the times in which they lived and the Haslingden area. He moved on to look at the progression of the first world war, the transition to conscripted service personnel and Bro Bullock as a gunner in France where he met his untimely death on the 15th of September 1918, just 57 days before armistice. The film was outstanding in content and production and all those present were thoroughly gripped by the poignant content.

WBro Rosney thanked WBro Godwin for his excellent presentation and acknowledged the effort and research that must have gone into such a fine piece of production.

The Brethren showed their appreciation with a silent round of applause as they were all muted. WBro Godwin reminded the Brethren that the Lodge members have agreed to display a photo of Bro Bullock and make mention of him at our September meetings on the anniversary of his death. WBro S Rayton, PProvGSwdB, SD has procured two replica medals and WBro Godwin a cap badge from Bro Bullock's regiment which will all be displayed in the photo frame along with Bro Bullock's image. The members have also agreed to lay a wreath in his memory at Haslingden war memorial on Armistice Day in November each year.

The Almoner, Charity Steward and Accounts and Financial reports were received.

The visitors tendered greetings and the meeting was closed in peace and harmony at 7:58pm.

25 May 2021

This was the first face to face Lodge meeting since March 2020, although it was held under the 'Rule of SIX' plus the Tyler, all were wearing face masks and socially distanced. Several Brethren were multi-tasking with various Offices of the Lodge. The Masonic Hall had provided additional Face Masks and sanitation stations throughout the Hall.

The Brethren present were:

• WBo Dennis Heskett PProvDepGDC WM,
• WBro Ray Godwin ProvGStwd IPM,
• Bro Ken Lee SW,
• Bro Will Atkinson JW,
• WBro Russ Harwood PProvGSwdB Sec,
• WBro Mike Rosney PProvSGD DC and
• WBro Greg Casson PProvGSwdB Tyler.

All in all, the meeting went very well, the WM and the brethren present successfully worked through the Summons and Balloted for our Candidate for Initiation Mr Bogdan Manoliu which proved successful and he will be Initiated in September, rules permitting.

The Brethren agreed it was good to meet face to face after such a long time away from the Masonic Hall.

01July 2021 - 283 Coffee Shop