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A Double Second
On Friday 30th May 2025 the Lodge held a double Passing ceremony. There were some 32 brethren of White Ensign lodge and visitors / guests in attendance. The lodge was opened in the first degree by the Worshipful Master, W.Bro Les Leek for commencement of the lodge business.
The candidates for Passing, Bro’s Nick Walker and Mark Evans were tested in their proficiency in the first degree and suitably entrusted for the second degree prior to leaving the lodge room. The candidates were then suitably prepared by the Tyler ahead of the Passing ceremony.
The gavel was passed over to another Past Master to conduct the ceremony and the lodge was then opened in the second-degree. The candidates being lead around the lodge room by the acting Senior Deacon, Bro. Joshua Mangwiro and acting Junior Deacon, W.Bro Andy Thurgood. The candidates being duly passed to the degree of a Fellowcraft by the PM in the Chair, and the candidates were invested with their aprons.
On resumption of the ceremony, the working tools were delivered by Bro. Neil Cramb and a superb explanation of the second-degree tracing board was given by the Past Master in the chair.
The lodge was closed in the second-degree, the gavel being passed back to W.Bro Les Leek. ‘Cooks to the galley’ was piped by W.Bro WO1 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 Masonic Shore Patrol were diligent in extracting the fines to a total of £106, which included fines for having two goats at the Festive Board. The alms collection raised a further £217 and the raffle raised another £190 The grand total for the night being £513.
A Double Third
Friday 28th March, heralded a first for White Ensign Lodge, it being a double 3rd Degree Ceremony for Bro’s. Neil Cramb and Matt Price.
The lodge was opened at 18:00 in the first degree by W.Bro. Les Leek, and some initial lodge business was to welcome Bro. Paul Buckingham as a joining member of White Ensign Lodge. Those below the rank of Fellowcraft were asked to leave the lodge room prior to the lodge opening in the second degree. The two candidates for then tested and then entrusted, on conclusion they left the lodge room. Prior to the lodge opening in the third degree, those below the rank of a Master Mason left the lodge room, after the opening, the candidates re-entered the lodge room. W.Bro. Phil Goalby conducted the Ceremony being ably assisted by the lodge officers. The Ceremony culminated in an excellent walking charge given by Bro. Joshua Mangwiro. The lodge closed back down to the first degree, the final business of the evening being concluded by W,Bro. Les Leek, ahead of W.Bro. Tom Kennedy piping ‘Cooks to the galley’. The lodge was closed and the attending brethren retired for suitable refreshment.
At the festive board, the Masonic Shore Patrol were diligent as ever and collected £45.00 in fines, the alms collection raised a further £189.00 and the raffle produced another £158.00, the grand total for the evening being £392.00
Of the money raised, £192.00 was donated to the Redditch Masonic Charity and the remaining £200.00 was donated to the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride in support of Prostate Cancer courtesy of W.Bro Mike Harbon who was taking part in the ride.
A New year and a New candidate for initiation
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.
