The Lodge celebrated its 75th Anniversary at its February 2019 meeting, honoured by the presence of The RW Provincial Grand Master, Rodney Lister Bass, OBE, the Deputy PGM, VWBro Paul Reeves, and APGM WBro John Davies, accompanied by the Provincial Deputy Grand DC, WBro Mark Gurteen, and Provincial Grand Deacons and Standard Bearers
WM Tony Adams presented the PGM with a cheque securing the Lodge’s status
as a Grand Patron of the Essex Grand Charity Festival 2022. The target by 2022 is to become a Double Grand Patron Lodge
as a Grand Patron of the Essex Grand Charity Festival 2022. The target by 2022 is to become a Double Grand Patron Lodge
Minutes of the 451st, 75th Anniversary, meeting of the Lodge of Fraternity No 5916, held at the Southend Masonic Centre, Aviation Way, Southend on Sea, on Saturday 23rd February 2019.
The Lodge was opened in due and ancient form by the WM, WBro Tony Adams, accompanied by the IPM, WBro Ian Bement, and officers of the lodge as follows: Bro Adrian Pitts – SW; WBro Ron Couldridge – JW; WBro Dennis Lockhart – Treasurer; WBro David Harrison – Secretary; WBro Matt Slade – DC; WBro John Rogers - Almoner; WBro John Lavery - Charity Steward; WBro Terry Kerr – Mentor; Bro James Spraget – SD; Bro Jay Persaud - JD; WBro Trevor Bacon - ADC; Bro Alan Jenkins - IG; WBro Colin Innes, Bros Gary Stubbs and Darren Lee – Stewards; WBro Richard Hitchcock - Tyler; and WBro Tony Compton - Guest Organist.
In addition, there were 13 Past Masters of and in the Lodge, 9 Members and 52 Visitors.
The WM welcomed all those present, with a particular welcome to visiting brethren, and the Lodge was opened in due form.
The Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, WBro Mark Gurteen, was admitted and announced that RWBro Rodney Lister Bass, Provincial Grand Master for Essex, was outside the door of the Lodge, accompanied by VWBro Paul George Reeves, Deputy Provincial Grand Master, WBro John Davies, Assistant Provincial Grand Master and WBro Philip Lovelock Provincial Grand Secretary, and demanded admission. He was Admitted with acclaim and welcomed by the Worshipful Master.
The notice convening the meeting was read, and the minutes of the 450th Regular meeting of the Lodge, having been circulated to all members, were confirmed by the brethren and signed by the WM.
WBro Mark Gurteen, Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, then called the brethren to order and the RW Provincial Grand Master Rodney Lister Bass was greeted with seven.
WBro Secretary then read the minutes of the Lodge’s Consecration Meeting held on Wednesday 9th February 1944.
The Lodge was challenged and Entered Apprentices requested to leave the Lodge with the exception of Bro Robert Dowsett, a candidate to be passed to the degree of a Fellowcraft. Bro Dowsett answered the necessary questions, was entrusted with the Test of Merit and retired from the Lodge.
The Lodge was opened in the Second Degree. Bro Dowsett was re-admitted and passed to the degree of a Fellowcraft which included a rendition of the extended explanation of the Working Tools of the degree by Worshipful Master Tony Adams in an exemplary manner.
The Worshipful Master requested the Secretary to offer his congratulations to WBro John Rogers for the excellent presentation of the Second Degree Charge.
The Lodge was resumed in the First Degree and all Entered Apprentices were readmitted.
The RW Provincial Grand Master then greeted Bros Fryatt and Dowsett, welcoming them into the Province of Essex and presented them each with the Fellowcraft’s Guide.
Pursuant to the Notice of Motion given at the previous meeting, WBro John Lavery proposed and WBro Trevor Bacon seconded that the sum of £2000.00 be taken from the Benevolent Fund and presented to the RW Provincial Grand Master to be placed in the Essex Festival 2022. This was approved by the Brethren. The Worshipful Master then presented it to the RW Provincial Grand Master who went on to thank the Lodge for their efforts towards the Festival 2022 and presented a Patron Certificate to the Worshipful Master in recognition of the money already raised.
The Almoner, WBro John Rogers gave the Almoner’s report, WBro John Lavery gave the Charity Steward’s report. WBro David Badger gave a brief report in his capacity as Royal Arch Representative and invited all non members to approach him for more information.
The secretary then gave the Lodge’s grateful thanks to WBro David Badger for his immense contribution to the Lodge in not only producing the 75th Anniversary history (on a usb flash drive), but for all his efforts during the years of his membership following his Initiation into the Lodge by his late father WBro Arthur Badger in 1975. He was responsible for editing and producing the 50th Anniversary history with WBro Bernard Stebbing, the updated history 10 years later and then the Lodge’s own ritual book with the assistance of a committee of Past Masters. He was also the Lodge’s secretary for 15 years and is now secretary of the Friends of Stisted. His contribution to the craft in general, but, to this Lodge in particular, has been immense, and is very much appreciated.
The WM rose for the first time. The WM rose for the second time. The WM rose for the third time. There being nothing further offered for the good of Freemasonry in general, or this lodge in particular, the Lodge was closed in due and ancient form, with solemn prayer.