A Memorable Meeting for Royal Sussex
Royal Sussex Lodge held their last meeting of the season in April, and a very memorable occasion it was!
The meeting presented the first opportunity to give salutations to Worshipful Brother Michael Cuff, appointed to the active rank of Provincial Grand Standard Bearer at the Provincial AGM only a few days previously:
The agenda was very full, with two candidates being Passed to the Degree of Fellowcraft in a Double Passing Ceremony, and a presentation of a 60th Certificate to their long standing member and Chaplain, Burt Mowatt.
The Lodge was honoured with the presence of the Provincial Grand Master for Somerset, Ray Guthrie, who presented Burt with his Certificate:
Ray gave a fascinating summary of Burt’s masonic life, which began in what was then Southern Rhodesia in 1964, where he was initiated in to Lodge Milton Park No 177 under the jurisdiction of the Grand East of the Netherlands. In 1965, the year Burt was Raised, the unilateral declaration of independence was made by the Rhodesian Front and Southern Rhodesia became the unrecognised state of Rhodesia:
His masonic journey progressed whilst in Rhodesia and he became Master of Lodge Milton Park in 1976, having also joined the Holy Royal Arch and the Ancient and Accepted Rite. He progressed to appointments to Provincial Grand Rank in the Netherlandic Constitution, first serving as Provincial Grand Steward, and subsequently Provincial Grand Orator.
In 1979 Rhodesia became Zimbabwe, and Burt finally moved to the UK in 1988, joining the Royal Sussex Lodge that year.
He has rarely missed a meeting since that time and in 2011 he was promoted to Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer in the Province of Somerset.
Congratulations to Burt on reaching the milestone of 60 years in freemasonry!
The business concluded on a further positive note with the proposal of three new candidates.
The brethren enjoyed a convivial festive board, where they were particularly pleased to welcome a wide number of visitors, including a large number from Gloucestershire:
The members and visitors left for home in high spirits, looking forward to the resumption of activities in October.
