New Provincial Team visit Whitchurch Lodge
On Tuesday 22nd April Whitchurch Lodge in Keynsham welcomed the new Provincial team for their first team visit since being appointed at the recent Annual Provincial meeting, just a few weeks ago. It was almost a full complement of officers with only two members of the team unavoidably absent. This meeting was to celebrate the Lodge’s 75th Anniversary and for the Provincial team to perform a double Raising Ceremony for two members of the lodge, Oliver Bardens & Kazimir Darvall being the lucky candidates.
There were certainly a few butterflies floating around the new Provincial officers’ tummies but the team had a good rehearsal earlier in the day and were all looking forward to the ceremony.
Ray Guthrie PGM was proffered the Gavel which he gratefully accepted (for a few moments) before asking Mike Greedy DPGM to take the Chair to lead the ceremony. Garry Sharp PrGDC was asked to place the following Provincial officers in their places: Steve Coles SW, Ted Toon JW, Robert Moore Chaplain, Damian Pick SD, Lindsay Edmunds JD, Mike Norton IG, and Andy Newland as Tyler.
When the Provincial team are asked to perform ceremonies, the work is divided up between the Provincial Officers and on this occasion and to get things started Graham Puddy PrGCHStwd asked the questions before raising to Kas & Olly who answered alternately in fine style and were both excellent candidates throughout the ceremony. All the members of the Provincial performed their ritual with sincerity and some cases (Barrie Palmer APGM) with a good deal of dramatic affect. The plasterwork friezes in the Temple were put to good use during the Traditional history by Ray Guthrie and Jeff Body PrDepGDC.
Before handing the gavel back to the rightful WM, Mike Greedy thanked the Provincial team for their support during the ceremony. Those sentiments were again echoed by Ray Guthrie at the Festive Boarder which was a lively occasion with the customary raffle raising over £400 for Charity.
Bro Olly remarked, when he was asked to comment on his experience. “It was definitely something!
It was fascinating to see you so many of you walk in with the flags and the sword. Definitely something I will remember along with the third degree. Which I think was my favourite out of the three. It was great seeing the lodge so full.”
And lastly, what a fantastic Festive Board provided and organised by the brethren of Whitchurch Lodge and their wonderful WM W.Bro. MA Wake PPrJGW.
All the members of the Provincial team had a fantastic time and were already counting the days to the next visit which is to Admiral Blake in just a few days’ time.
Article by Mike Norton. Images provided by Les Pickersgill
