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A New Year and a 3rd Degree
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
A New Dawn in White Ensign Lodge
Friday 5th December heralded the start of the new Masonic year for the Lodge with the installation of its Worshipful Master for the ensuing year.
There were some 52 brethren of White Ensign lodge and visitors / guests including the 4 Provincial team officers taking passage for the Installation meeting. The lodge was opened in the first degree by the Worshipful Master, W.Bro. Les Leek for the commencement of the lodge business. The Presiding Officer demanded admission and was subsequently processed in, and received the gavel from the WM, likewise the SGW and JGW taking the Wardens pedestals. W.Bro. Ian Fothergill presented a reminiscence from 40 years ago of the lodge consecration. The WM and his Wardens resumed their respective pedestals. The APGM presented Grand Lodge certificates to Bro’s Neil Cramb and Matthew Price.
The Entered Apprentice left the lodge room and the lodge opened in the second degree for the obligation of the Master-Elect Bro. Paul Tuckley, on conclusion the Fellowcrafts left the lodge and it then opened in the third degree. Master Masons who had not been through the Chair then also retired from the lodge and the installation continued. The board of installed master convened and Bro. Paul Tuckley received the benefit of installation from W.Bro. Les Leek into the Master’s Chair.
At various stages the Brethren who had retired from the lodge returned for the proclamation of the new Worshipful Master by a Past Master. The Presiding officer gave his address to the new Worshipful Master. The Worshipful Master invested his officers for the ensuing year. The Provincial Wardens then giving their respective addresses to the lodge Wardens and the Brethren. On conclusion of the ceremony the Presiding Officer, the Provincial team and Grand Officer were processed out of the lodge room and the remaining business being concluded, ‘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 on any pretence that could be mustered by the Master At Arms. The Masonic Shore Patrol were diligent in extracting the fines to a total of £131.01 The alms collection raised a further £332.00, the raffle raised £278.00; the total for the evening being £741.01
Welcome New Initiate
On Friday 31st October 2025 at our Trafalgar night meeting the lodge initiated a new Brother into our fraternity.
Some 86 brethren took passage on the evening; additional seats being needed in the lodge room before the meeting started. The lodge being opened in the first degree by the Worshipful Master W.Bro. Les Leek. Whilst the Tyler was preparing the candidate for his initiation, the WM continued with the lodge business, including the following declarations, Bro. Paul Tuckley as Master-Elect for the ensuing year, W.Bro. Tom Kennedy as Treasurer and W.Bro. Tom Fisher as Guest Tyler.
The initiate, Mr Gareth Owen, being suitably prepared for the ceremony, was lead into the lodge room with the initial part of the ceremony being conducted by the WM, just prior to the obligation of the candidate, the WM handed the gavel to a Past Master to undertake the remainder of the ceremony in a exemplary manner, the candidate was invested with his apron by the Senior Warden and prior to the candidate leaving the lodge room, Bro. Mark Evans delivered the 1st degree working tools for the first time in open lodge in a fine manner. Our new made Brother, retired to restore himself to his comforts. The gavel was passed back to the WM and the remainder of the lodge reports were concluded. On re-entry to the lodge Bro. Gareth Owen, received the Initiates Charge by W.Bro David Crump in a fine manner, he was also presented with a White Ensign scroll containing the initiates charge. The candidate took his seat in the lodge, all other items of business now being concluded, the WM closed the lodge.
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 festive board being to its usual high standard at White Ensign but also including the theme of remembering Lord Nelson at Trafalgar. The customary raffle also being held.
The Masonic Shore Patrol were eager to get going and relieve the assembled brethren of their money on any pretence that could be mustered by the Master At Arms. W.Bro. Ian Fothergill paid tribute to all those who have served and those who did not in his well-known manner. The candidate replied to his toast, given by W.Bro. Glyn Cardy.
The Masonic Shore Patrol were diligent in extracting the fines to a total of £223.50 The alms collection raised a further £770.00, the raffle raised £607 and the auction of 2 items conducted by W.Bro Ian Fothergill raised another £305.00. The total for the Trafalgar night being £1905.50
The evening being concluded by the initiates chain.
