There were some 21 brethren of White Ensign lodge and 17 visitors taking passage on the evening of Friday 31st January 2025.
This being the first meeting post the installation meeting in December; it was the first opportunity for the newly appointed officers to attend to their duties in their respective offices.
The lodge was opened in the first degree by the Worshipful Master, W.Bro. Les Leek for commencement of the lodge business, which included a ballot for two joining members of White Ensign Lodge, W.Bro’s. Andrew Thurgood and Scott McKenna which proved successful.
The candidate for initiation, Mr Mark Evans was suitably prepared by the Tyler ahead of his initiation. The usual knocks being given and the ceremony commenced. The candidate was lead around the lodge room by the Junior Deacon, Bro. Joshua Mangwiro. The candidate having been duly initiated into freemasonry by the WM and into White Ensign Lodge in particular, the charge in the NE corner was delivered by W.Bro. Ian Hart and the first-degree working tools by the lodges most recent Entered Apprentice, Bro. Nick Walker, both being great examples of well delivered ritual. On completion, the candidate duly retired to restore himself to his comforts.
On resumption of the ceremony, Bro. Joshua Mangwiro delivered a superb rendition of the Charge after Initiation to the candidate Bro. Mark Evans.
The Worshipful Master invested officers who were not present at the installation meeting in December, W.Bro. Tom Kennedy as Treasurer.
‘Cooks to the galley’ was piped by W.Bro Tom Kennedy and shortly afterwards the lodge was closed. The Brethren duly retired from the lodge and participated in the customary White Ensign ‘tot’. The festive board was congenial as usual, and both the informal and formal toasts given. The initiates chain being choreographed by W.Bro. Ian Hart.
The Masonic Shore Patrol were diligent in extracting the fines to a total of £93.80
The alms collection raised a further £267.00 and the raffle raised another £185.00 The total for the night being £545.80
The monies raised from the evening will be distributed in the future to the WM’s nominated charity.
