IAN CLIFT TAKES THE 348 CHAIR
As always the first meeting of the new Masonic season sees the Fidelity and Unanimity 348 Lodge hold their Installation meeting. This year saw W Bro Ian Clift take the Chair.
The members welcomed VW Bro Geoffrey Nash PGSO, Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master and W Bro Steve McNaughton PAGDC as his DC. Before the actual Installation ceremony, a number of items on the summons had to be attended to.
First the Lodge had to say a sad farewell to three long serving members who had passed to the Grand Lodge above since our last meeting in May, WBro’s Richard Francis, David Palmer and Jimmy Durant. Eulogies were given and all stood in respect of departed merit. The lodge will certainly miss them all.
On a more pleasant note the Lodge was pleased to admit as a Joining Member Bro Barrie Palmer BEM . We welcome him.
The Lodge Almoner W Bro Roger Teale then gave his short report and then signed off as Almoner after 23 years in that office. The Worshipful Master W Bro Simon Johnson thanked him for all his service to the Lodge.
The Installation ceremony then took place with W Bro Simon handing over to W Bro Ian Clift. There were a couple of amusing moments, as Ian is a very experienced Past Master, he prompted Simon with some of his ritual, and later it was stated at the festive board by Simon, that Ian had almost installed himself. It was all completed in good spirit and with sincerity.
The new Worshipful Master has a couple of candidates in the pipeline so he is looking forward to a productive year.
On completion of the ceremony, all retired to an excellent festive board supplied by Karen and her team.
We all now look forward to a busy year.
W Bro Rod Green.
