Amity Crest
The Lodge of Amity and Rossendale Forest No.283
Lodge of Amity and Rossendale Forest No.283....
~~ 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.
WBro Dennis Heskett PProvDepGDC
An Artistic Journey through Lockdown
Six non-Masonic visitors were then admitted to the meeting to hear a superb presentation by WBro Steve Crowther entitled 'An Artistic Journey through Lockdown'. The presentation was Steve's own personal journey and was most interesting and well received with a Q and A session afterwards. The WM thanked WBro Crowther for his presentation. The Tyler then gave the Tyler's Toast to end the evening.
09 February 2021 - 283 Coffee Shop
Eleven members dropped in to the 283 Coffee Shop to have a chat and a laugh. Some good discussion evolved covering a multitude of subjects, including the Pathway planning, Covid vaccinations, overseas travel and changes to the Pet Passport scheme.
The Secretary gave a reminder of the Pathway Zoom presentation on Thursday evening and also some zoom meetings for other Lodges in our District.
Another enjoyable get together over a coffee.
Click image to enlarge
23 February 2021 - VLM
The VLM was opened by WBro Michael Rosney PProvSGD in the absence of the WM and the IPM. The minutes of the last VLM were approved by a show of hands. The next business on the agenda was a presentation entitled "Our Lodge Website - a Journey of Discovery" by the Webmaster, WBro Stuart Rayton PProvGSwdB. The walkthrough was well received; WBro Greg Casson PProvGSwdB proposed a vote of thanks and the Brethren responded in the usual Masonic manner.
A report was received from the Almoner WBro Derek Smith PProvDepGDC, with no reports from the CS or Treasurer. In AOB, WBro Alan Fielder ProvAGStdB gave a brief update on the progress of the "Pathway" scheme. The five 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.
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
Eight of the Brethren dropped in for a social catch up on Tuesday evening. A diverse range of topics were discussed, including the feedback that had been collated from the Lodge Planning survey. The members explored ideas that could help attract more people into the craft, including potentially making Freemasonry meetings and ritual more accessible, organising Lodge room tours and generally raising the profile of Lodges within their communities. All agreed that the maintenance of traditions remains an especially important aspect of Freemasonry.
The sad story of Brother Gabriel Bullock who fell in the Great War was talked about and there was a great deal of enthusiasm shown for a potential Lodge trip to tour the battlefields of Northern France and to lay a tribute on his grave in the Somme.
Reminders of upcoming online events were shared and the Brethren looked forward to the time when they could again meet and socialise in person.
27 April 2021
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