Members of Peace Lodge No 2269 meeting at Westhoughton Masonic Hall welcomed over 30 visitors from around the group. The visitors and members of the lodge were treated to an excellent ceremony when Andrew Byron was raised to the third degree by Peter Coates, with the charge being presented by Brian Sharples and the traditional history and working tools of the degree being presented by Ian Moss.
Arthur Holden with the ‘Gavel that travels’.
Following the third degree ceremony, Peter Coates then presented Daniel Garsden and Andrew Morgan with their Grand Lodge Certificates.
At that juncture you would have thought it was all over – but as Peace Lodge were the current holders of the ‘Gavel that travels’ it was no surprise when the masters of Chorley Lodge No 6287, Tyldesley Lodge No 2572 and St Bartholomew Lodge No 6071 stood to claim the ‘Gavel that travels’.
The claims then proceeded to a count with Don Hesketh, master of Chorley Lodge with 11 visitors, Duncan Hopkins of Tyldesley Lodge with 10 visitors and Arthur Holden of St Bartholomew Lodge with 14 visitors. Michael Goodman, master of Rivington Lodge No 8013 and Derek Robinson, master of Coronation Lodge of Westhoughton No 7258 also claimed the ‘Gavel that travels’ for their lodge.
Arthur took possession of the gavel on behalf of St Bartholomew Lodge where it looks safe enough over the summer break but it may be a different matter at their next meeting on the third Wednesday in September.
The ‘Gavel that travels’ was introduced into the Chorley Group to encourage visiting and it still seems to be working its magic.
After the meeting a festive board was held which was a very enjoyable occasion, with good food, good wine and lots of good company.
Practising for the September meeting of St Bartholomew Lodge are, from left to right: Duncan Hopkins, Peter Coates, Michael Goodman, Arthur Holden, Don Hesketh and Derek Robinson.