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A Double Exaltation
On Tuesday 1st September, White Ensign Chapter had a double exaltation to perform for two recently raised Master Mason’s. There were 19 companions of the Chapter and 3 visitors taking passage. The Chapter was honoured by the presence of the Dep Grand Superintendent E.Comp Timothy M.L Jones was escorted by the DC into the Chapter. The 3 Principals opened the Chapter, E.Comp Len Venables (Z), E.Comp Steve Moody (H) and E.Comp Mike Harbon (J).
Bro’s. Mark Evans and Nick Walker both of White Ensign Lodge were balloted for by the companions of the Chapter for candidates for exaltation. Following the successful ballot both candidates were to be exalted. As it was a double exaltation, both candidates were obligated separately in the Chapter. Then on completion of their respective obligations the rest of the ceremony was conducted together. E.Comp Paul Brinkworth doing a superb job as Principal Sojourner with the two candidates. Following the exaltation the signs were demonstrated by the MEZ and narrated by the DC. On the conclusion of other items of business the Chapter was closed and the Companions retired to the festive board. The alms collection raising £130 and the raffle £105, the total being £235.
An Adapted 3rd
Friday 29th May saw the Lodge undertake the 3rd Degree ceremony with a difference. There were some 43 brethren of White Ensign lodge and visitors / guests taking passage for the 3rd Degree Raising Ceremony meeting. The ceremony having to be adapted for Bro. Nick Walker who was in a wheelchair following a recent altercation with a car who knocked him off his motorcycle. A plan having been put together to facilitate what Bro. Nick Walker could actually do in the ceremony.
The Worshipful Master, W.Bro. Paul Tuckley opened the lodge in the First degree and the VW.Bro. Keith Evans presented a Grand Lodge Certificate to Bro. Mark Evans who was raised in our March meeting. The explanation was excellent.
The lodge was opened in the Second-degree. The Candidate, Bro. Nick Walker was then tested in his proficiency in the Second degree and answered his questions in a superb manner, then being suitably entrusted by the WM before departing from the lodge room to be prepared by the Tyler. 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, the Charge and the Signs, Token and Word. The candidate having to make use of his wheelchair / crutches at different times during his ceremony as we had already planned for. The candidate was invested with his Master Masons apron by the SW. The WM, then invited a Past Master to deliver the Traditional History, this being very well explained. The ceremony was concluded by Bro. Hussein Dahya delivering the working tools to the candidate in a fine manner.
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 resumed downwards from the Second to the First degree. The remaining business being concluded, ‘Cooks to the galley’ was called by the WM, the Stewards departing the lodge room 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 £90 The alms collection raised a further £310, the ‘Masters Balls’ raised £200 The total for the evening being £600
On a Roll
For the Lodge’s second meeting of the year on Friday 27th March, it happened to just be another ‘Raising’ ceremony.
There were some 32 brethren of White Ensign lodge and visitors / guests taking passage for the 3rd Degree Raising Ceremony meeting.
The Worshipful Master, W.Bro. Paul Tuckley opened the lodge and appointed W.Bro. WO2 Ian Hart as his Senior Warden for the remainder of the year. W.Bro. Ian Fothergill presented a Grand Lodge Certificate to Bro. Greg Cramb who was raised in our January meeting. The explanation was excellent.
The lodge was opened in the Second-degree. The Candidate, Bro. Mark Evans was then tested in his proficiency in the Second degree and suitably entrusted by the WM before departing from the lodge room to be prepared by the Tyler. 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, the Charge and the Signs, Token and Word. The candidate then retired from the lodge. In the intervening time, a number of items of lodge business were also concluded. The candidate was readmitted and invested with his Master Masons apron. The WM, then invited W.Bro. Scott McKenna to deliver the Traditional History, this being very well explained, and on conclusion the WM returned to the Chair. The ceremony was concluded by Bro. Greg Cramb delivering the working tools to the candidate in a fine manner.
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 resumed downwards from the Second to the First degree. The remaining business being concluded, ‘Cooks to the galley’ was called by the DC 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. Our guest Tyler, W.Bro. Tom Fisher for his services to the lodge was made a Reservist and presented with a Certificate by W.Bro. Andy Thurgood. 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 £92.10 The alms collection raised a further £227, the ‘Masters Balls’ raised £152.00 The total for the evening being £471.10
