It’s an SPGSL thing ……. or what’s your name again?
Somerset Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge were honoured to receive R.W.Bro Ray Guthrie PGM, with several members of the team on the occasion of their Fraternal visit to Weston on Saturday.
Unfortunately the candidate was unavailable, so SPGS Lodge being as it is, decided to put on a demonstration of a Passing Ceremony, with a read through to explain what was happening as the demonstration took place.
With a few Officers unavailable, there were several “Stand-Ins” including Terry Hayes as SW (with the legendary EL Tel workings). Due to the ceremony being originally for King Alfred Lodge a few of their members also stood in.
The start of the meeting was sombre, due to the recent death of a well respected member Phillip Lewis, with Eulogies being read by Sean Biggins of King Alfred Lodge and Garry Hawkes (a long term friend of Phill’s) on behalf of SPGSL and a candle was lit to remember him.
The demonstration then started with Steve Taylor offering to be the candidate (a name Terry could not remember, so with his usual style and humour, Terry Hayes, when presenting him said … What’s your name again?) Simon Sparkes, the Lodge Secretary read the explanation from Solomon in superb fashion. Ray said he preferred this type of demonstration, as it is informative, rather than just a talk or standard demonstration or “rehearsal”. The demonstration was conducted in the unique style of SPGSL, a WM using Bristol Workings and some other side Order (easel being mentioned), an IPM also from the Vale of Brislington, Taylors Workings, Emulation, Burnham on Sea and of course EL Tel Hayes workings!
The Lodge also held a ballot for three joining members and a proposal for a further 4, please remember any active Steward past or present from Craft, Chapter or Mark, can join the Stewards Lodge.
Somerset Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge is available to carry out ceremonies at Weston or will come to your Lodge, to help with any backlog, or supply Officers to Lodges that do not have sufficient Officers to conduct the Ceremony, as they did at the recent Tyntesfield meeting,
If your Lodge would like them to do this or is delivering a demonstration and would like SPGSL to attend and provide the talk through, please contact the Secretary Simon Sparkes – secretaryspgsl9189@gmail.com
Words and Picture Ian Evans
