Grant's Lodge No. 8825 founded 1978

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE PROMOTIONS

Congratulations to the following Brethren who received appointments or promotion at the Provincial Grand Lodge on the 13 November 2018:
WBro Alan Kirwilliam PGStdB appointed & Invested as an AProvGM with responsibility for the Northern Area.
WBro Steve Holland promoted to PProvGSwdB
WBro David Bannister promoted to PProvDepGDC
WBro Stuart Corless promoted to PProvDepGDC.

RUBY ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

Monday 19 November 2018, Grant's Lodge 8825 celebrated the 40th Anniversary (1978 - 2018) of the Lodge founding, 6th November 1978. WBro Doug Stott PProvDepGDC was the Worshipful Brother in the Chair for this evening.
Learn more about the founding of the Lodge 40 Years ago.

Bro Simon Shekyls was acting JD and Bro David Freeman was acting SD.

Specially invited guests included: WBro John Anthony Griffin PGSD, AProvGM and WBro Ian Mason PProvDepSuptWks the first Director of Ceremonies of the Lodge and a Founding member.

To celebrate this special occasion the main Masonic business of the evening was an exceptionally delivered piece of Ritual, an explanation of the Second-Degree Tracing Board, worked by Bro Brian John Carter (IG & Asst. Sec).

The evening concluded with the usual excellent Festive Board and convivial company. A most excellent celebration of 40 Years of Freemasonry.

† In Memoriam †

WBro Stewart Longworth
PProvGSuptWks, WM

Monday 15th October 2018, Grant's Lodge 8825 worked a Third-Degree Ceremony. The Candidate was Bro David Freeman. WBro David Bannister PProvSGD, IPM opened the Lodge and the Brethren stood to order for Departed Merit of WBro Stewart Longworth PProvGSuptWks, WM. WBro Stuart Corless PProvJGD worked the ceremony of Raising, ably assisted by the Officers of the Lodge, each performing their task in a most excellent manner.

• The Candidate was escorted by WBro Alan Kirwilliam PAGStdB, ProvGMentor, (SD).
• The Working Tools of the Degree were explained by Bro Brian John Carter (IG/Ass Sec),
• The Charge after Raising was given by Bro John Levick (JW).
• Due to WBro Steve Barton PGADC (Sec),being away on other Masonic Business, the Traditional History and Tracing Board will be given at a future meeting.

The evening was concluded with an excellent Festive Board and convivial company.

Monday 17th September 2018, Grant's Lodge 8825 worked a Second-Degree Ceremony. The Candidate was Bro Simon Shekyls. Unfortunately, the Worshipful Master was absent due to illness, so WBro David Bannister PProvSGD, IPM worked the ceremony in his stead, ably assisted by the Officers of the Lodge in a most excellent manner.

• The Candidate was escorted by WBro Alan Kirwilliam PAGStdB, ProvGMentor, (SD).
• The Working Tools of the Degree were explained by Bro Brian Carter (Ass Sec),
• The Charge after Passing was given by Bro John Levick (JW).
• Guest Chaplain WBro Ian Haworth PProvJGD (283)

The evening continued with a presentation of the Grand Lodge Certificate to Bro. Brian Carter by WBro Stephen Holland PProvDepGDC.

The Lodge also welcomed WBro Peter Brown as a joining member.

The evening was concluded with an excellent Festive Board.

The 21st May 2018 was a very special date in the Grant's Masonic calendar, it was our installation meeting.

WBro Stewart Longworth PProvGSuptWks was Installed as Master of the Lodge for the ensuing year. WBro. David Bannister PProvSGD, Installing Master, installed his successor in a most excellent manner and in the best traditions of the Craft.

The Junior Brethren gave the explanations of the WT's and the more Senior members gave the various addresses. The Representative of the RWProvGM was WBro Mike Gibbons PJGD PAProvGM.

The Installation Banquet followed with a five-course meal and copious amounts of beer and wine. The evening was a great success and was enjoyed by members and visitors alike.

Thursday 19th April 2018, Grant's Lodge No.8825 held a Past Masters Dinner at Ashday Lea.

Whilst no doubt some thoughtful Masonic deliberations took place over the meal, it does seem to have been a very colourful event.

Click on photos to enlarge.

Monday 19th March 2018, Grant's Lodge 8825 worked a Double Passing Ceremony. The Candidates were Bro David Freeman and Bro Paul Hannah.

WBro Doug Stott PProvDepGDC IPM worked the ceremony, ably assisted by the Officers of the Lodge in a most excellent manner.

• The Candidates were escorted by WBro Alan Kirwilliam PAGStdB, ProvGMentor, (JD) and WBro Nigel Pickering PProvSGW, (SD).
• The address to the South East Corners was given by WBro Doug Stott PProvDepGDC (IPM),
• The Working Tools of the Degree were explained by Bro Brian Carter (Ass Sec),
• The Charge after Passing was given by WBro. Colin Smith PProvAGDC (JW).

The evening was concluded with an excellent Festive Board.
Photo L to R: WBro Pickering (SD), Bro Freeman (CS), WBro Stott (IPM), WBro Bannister (WM), Bro Hannah, WBro Kirwilliam (JD).

Monday 19th February 2018, Grant's Lodge 8825 worked an Initiation Ceremony. The Candidate was Mr Simon Shekyls.

WBro David Bannister PProvSGD WM worked the ceremony, ably assisted by the Officers of the Lodge in a most excellent manner.

• The Candidate was escorted by WBro Alan Kirwilliam PAGStdB, ProvGMentor,
• The address to the North East Corners was given by David Bannister PProvSGD WM,
• The Working Tools of the Degree were explained by Bro Darren Collins, Steward,
• The Charge after Initiation was given by WBro. Stuart Coreless PProvJGD.

The Worshipful Master Congratulated Bro. Shekyls on taking his first step in Freemasonry, and welcomed him in to the Lodge.

The evening was concluded with an excellent Festive Board.

Monday 15th January 2018, Grant's Lodge 8825 worked a Third Degree Ceremony.

Bro Brian J Carter, (Asst Sec), answered the test questions before raising in a confident and clear manner.

Bro. Carter, escorted by WBro Nigel Pickering (SD), was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason by WBro Stuart Corless (Asst DC). WBro Michael Brotherton (SW) presented and explained the WT of the Degree. WBro S G Longworth, (acting JW) gave the Charge after raising, and WBro. Steve Barton (Sec) worked the Traditional History and explained the Third Degree Tracing Board. It was an excellent Ceremony with each member of the team performing their Office in a most exceptional manner and Bro Carter was well and truly raised to the Degree of a Master Mason.

WBro (E Comp) Roger Bowden, the Royal Arch District Officer (RADO) presented Bro. Carter with a letter from the RWProvGM, welcoming him as a Master Mason to the Province. He also gave him an introductory pamphlet to Royal Arch Freemasonry.

Congratulations to all the Brethren who received their first Appointment or a Promotion at the Provincial Grand Lodge meeting in November 2017.

Photo left to right:
Bro. Brian J Carter (FC) - The Worshipful Master W.Bro Doug H Stott PProvSGD - Bro. Darren Collins (EA) - Bro. Stuart Evans (FC) - W.Bro Stuart Rayton PProvGSwdB.

W.Bro Stuart Rayton PProvGSwdB PM of The Lodge of Amity and Rossendale Forest No.283 gave an excellent explanation of the First Degree Tracing Board to three Junior Brethren of the Lodge. The Worshipful Master thanked W.Bro Rayton for his work and the Brethren responded in the usual Masonic manner.

Bro. Brian J Carter then gave an excellent 'Five Minute Nugget' on the historical background of the Tracing Boards. Very apt for this meeting; the Worshipful Master thanked Bro. Carter and the Brethren responded in the usual Masonic manner.

The evening continued with the Festive Board where non-Masons had been invited to join us for an excellent meal and good conversation.

The 15th May 2017 was a very special date in the Grant's Masonic calendar, it was our installation meeting.

WBro David Bannister PProvSGD having been Installed in the Chair some 14 years ago, was reaffirmed as Master and Installed into the Chair for the ensuing year. WBro. Douglas H Stott PProvSGD, Installing Master, installed his successor in a most excellent manner and in the best traditions of the Craft.

The Junior Brethren gave the explanations of the WT's and the more Senior members gave the various addresses, with the Representative of the RWPGM, WBro Peter Caroll PJGD of Prince of Wales Lodge No.1012 in Bury, gave the address to the Wardens, all preformed their tasks in the usual excellent manner.

The Installation Banquet followed with a five-course meal and copious amounts of beer and wine. The evening was a great success and was enjoyed by members and visitors alike.

"Rudyard Kipling - a man and a Mason"

On Monday 18th September 2017 at Grant's Lodge there was a presentation of a paper prepared by WBro James Sutcliffe PSGD PAProvGM entitled "Rudyard Kipling - a man and a Mason".

The information was very enlightening and interesting. The history of Freemasonry in India owes a lot to Rudyard Kipling.

WBro Sutcliffe started his talk with a poem and then enlightened us about Kipling's involvement with Freemasonry. For more information about the paper please click the  More button below.

The 16th October 2017 was the first Initiation of the 2017-2018 Masonic session.

WBro David Bannister PProvSGD WM worked the ceremony, ably assisted by the Officers of the Lodge in a most excellent manner.

• The Candidate was escorted by WBro Alan Kirwilliam PAGStdB, ProvGMentor
• The address to the North East Corners was given by WBro Doug Stott PProvSGD IPM,
• The Working Tools of the Degree were explained by Bro Darren Collins,
• The Charge after Initiation was given by WBro. Stewart Longworth PProvGSuptWks.

The Worshipful Master Congratulated Bro. Hannah on taking his first step in Freemasonry, and welcomed him in to the Lodge.

The evening was concluded with an excellent meal and good company.

Tonight, we should have performed a double Second-Degree Ceremony, Passing Bros. David Freeman, and Darren Collins to the Degree of a Fellow-craft. Unfortunately, Bro Freeman was out of the country on business.

WBro John Griffin PAGDC AProvGM was admitted and salutations given. This was his first outing as an AProvGM and we were delighted to receive him.

WBro Nigel Pickering (SD) escorted Bro Collins during the Ceremony and WBro Doug Stott (IPM) worked the Ceremony, including the Address to the S-E Corner and the Charge after Passing. Bro Brian Carter explained the WT's of the Degree in a most excellent manner.

The evening was concluded with an excellent Festive Board.