The Lodge’s first meeting of the New Year was Friday 30th January and it happened to be the new Worshipful Master’s first ceremony since being installed in the previous December. There were some 27 brethren of White Ensign lodge and visitors / guests including the Provincial Visiting Officer taking passage for the 3rd Degree Raising Ceremony meeting.
The lodge was opened by W.Bro. Paul Tuckley and some initial business concluded before the lodge was opened in the 2nd degree and subsequently the Fellow Crafts with the exception of the Candidate departed for the lodge room for a short period. Bro. Joshua Mangwiro as SD did a superb job in conducting the Candidate throughout the ceremony. The Candidate, Bro. Greg Cramb was then tested in his proficiency in the Second degree and suitably entrusted by the WM before departing from the lodge room. The lodge then being opened in the 3rd Degree for the commencement of the ‘Raising’ ceremony. The WM, obligated the Candidate and delivered the Exhortation and W.Bro. Scott McKenna was then invited to deliver the Charge to the Candidate, and on conclusion the Candidate retired from the lodge and on his return the Traditional History was delivered by W.Bro. Scott McKenna in a fine manner. The gavel then being passed back to the WM and the ceremony was concluded by the Candidates Dad, Bro. Neil Cramb delivering the working tools to his Son in a fine manner. It is also worthy of note that the Candidates Grandfather was also involved in his ceremony as the Chaplain, so it can be concluded that it was a bit of a ‘family affair’.
The WM then welcomed the newly raised MM and presented him with his emulation ritual book. The lodge was then closed in the 3rd Degree, and the Fellowcrafts re-entered the lodge room and resumed downwards from the Second to the First degree. The remaining business being concluded, which included the various reports from the respective lodge officers, ‘Cooks to the galley’ was piped by W.Bro. Tom Kennedy and shortly afterwards the lodge was closed.
The assembled brethren then headed down to the bar to receive the customary ‘tot’ of rum and other liquid refreshments before heading into the mess deck for the festive board. The Masonic Shore Patrol were eager to get going and relieve the assembled brethren of their money. The Masonic Shore Patrol extracted fines to a total of £30.00 The alms collection raised a further £175, the ‘Masters Balls’ raised £178.00 The total for the evening being £383.00
