Our December Meeting

As usual, this took the form of our "Boscombe Night" meeting when we invited the Worshipful Master, Wardens and Brethren of Boscombe Lodge No. 2158 from Bournemouth to join us.  The visitors, of whom there were a large number from a number of different provinces, were treated to an excellent demonstration of the First Degree Ceremony (Initiation).   The "candidate" was a freemason from Southampton who is a regular visitor to our lodge.  As our Secretary had sent invitations to all the reigning masters within the Wiltshire Province, as well as the members of Boscombe Lodge, the meeting and festive board were very well attended.  Instead of the traditional Christmas turkey for dinner, the caterers provided us with venison pie - which was an excellent alternative.  A really enjoyable evening indeed.  Although we remain a small lodge, we attract a large number of visitors now which really adds to the richness of our meetings (as did the venison!).  Long may it continue.

Installation Meeting - Wednesday 2nd November 2011

Our postponed Installation Meeting took place at 5.30 p.m. on Wednesday 2nd November 2011 at Freemasons' Hall, Crane Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire.  The Deputy Provincial Grand Master for Wiltshire, Very Worshipful Brother Peter Winton, PGSwdB, was in attendance together with the Provincial Team that would have attended the October meeting.  This was a very nice touch as it meant that those active officers who retired at the Annual Meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge on Thursday 6th October 2011, were given the opportunity to take part in what would have been their traditional "swansong".  This  included Sarum's own W. Bro. Rod Elliott who had just retired as Provincial Grand Standard Bearer.  Many reigning masters and other visitors attended our meeting in November.  We remain a small, but very friendly lodge.  A warm welcome will always await you.  The Officers of the lodge installed on the night are listed elsewhere on this blogsite.

Our October Meeting

The Installation Meeting, which was scheduled to take place at 5.30 p.m. on Wednesday 5th October 2011 at Crane Street, Salisbury,  had to be postponed until Wednesday 2nd November 2011 as a fresh election for Worshipful Master took place at the scheduled October meeting.  The previous Master Elect, W. Bro. Chris Lush, has been unable to proceed into the Chair of King Solomon for personal reasons. Worshipful Brother Stephen Lindsay, however, was unanimously elected the new Master Elect and he is currently putting together his Officers for the Masonic Year 2011-2012.   The current Worshipful Master, W. Bro. John Clough gave an excellent and very educational explanation of the First Degree Tracing Board.  We were delighted to have a number of visiting brethren with us who also joined us for an excellent Festive Board of soup, steak and ale pie,  pears and ice cream followed by cheese and biscuits. Our Worshipful Master also treated the brethren to a bottle of port to enjoy with their cheese.  A very enjoyable evening indeed.

Meeting - Wednesday 4th May 2011

Our last meeting took place on Wednesday 4th May 2011 at Salisbury Masonic Centre, Crane Street, Salisbury beginning at 6.30 p.m. At this meeting the Worshipful Master for the next masonic year was elected, as well as the Treasurer and Tyler. Other essential masonic business, mainly of an administrative nature, was also carried out.  W. Bro. Chris Lush was delcared the Master-Elect and W. Bro. Norman Barter is to continue as Treasurer. Following the meeting,  a special dinner was provided for brethren, their ladies, partners and other guests at which a magician, a very popular act last year, entertained the diners.

W. Bro. D Roy Mills, PPrJGW - RIP

It is with the deepest regret that we record the passing to the Grand Lodge Above of our esteemed brother, Roy Mills, who had only so recently been honoured with the rank of Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden by our Provincial Grand Master.

Roy was an inspiration to us all. We record the condolences of all the brethren of this lodge to his widow, Sybil.

In the words of one of our rituals, "Roy, you lived respected and died regretted". Rest in Peace.

Our Last Meeting - Wednesday 6th April 2011

Our last meeting took place at Freemasons' Hall, Crane Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire on Wednesday 6th April 2011. The meeting took the form of passing Bro. Richard Watts to the Degree of a Fellowcraft (Second Degree) and Bro. Lee Hill was also be presented with his Grand Lodge Certificate by Past Provincial Grand Master, Brian Edwick. The Worshipful Master conducted the ceremony of passing and W. Bro. Steve Lindsay gave the explanation of the tracing board. An excellent festive board followed - pate and French toast, chicken ham and leek pie, a selection of delightful desserts and cheese and biscuits. The Charity Key Box now stands at the princely sum of over £950 with only eight keys left. A good chance therefore remains to win a sizable amount of money and give an equal amount to charitable causes. Alms collected amounted to just over £25 for other charities.

Province honours W. Bro. Roy Mills

On 21st March 2011 at 2.30 p.m. R.W.Bro Francis Wakem PGM invested W.Bro. Roy Mills as Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden at a ceremony conducted in his home because of his being unable to attend Lodge. In attendance were R.W.Bro. Brian Edwick, PPGM and W. Bros. John Clough, WM Sarum Lodge, Chris Lush, Almoner, Norman Barter and John Hardcastle. While presenting the PPrJGW collar the PGM mentioned Roy's example, inspiration and service to the Lodge over so many years, in recognition of which the members of his Lodge felt he should be promoted. Following the investiture his wife, Sybil, joined the company and W.Bro. Lush presented him with a cake decorated with his name and new Masonic rank and he was enthusiastically toasted in champagne. Messages of congratulations and best wishes from members unable to attend were read.

W.Bro. Roy thanked the PGM and those present and said how humbled he felt and how much he appreciated the honour.

Meeting - Wednesday 2nd March 2011

Our last meeting was held at 6.30 p.m. at Freemasons' Hall, Crane Street, on Wednesday 2nd March 2011 when Bro. Lee Hill was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason.The ceremony was performed by the Worshipful Master, John Clough, and the Traditional History was given by W. Bro. Peter Martin, PPrGSwdB (Sussex) a guest from Brighton & Hove Civic Lodge No. 5223. The working tools were explained by W. Bro. Chris Lush, PPrJGW. The alms raised just over £32 and the key draw (which was not won) now stands at over £900 with a similar amount going to charity. The brethren were feted at the dinner afterwards with vegetable soup, roast lamb, and cheese and biscuits.

Meeting - Wednesday 2nd February 2011

Our last meeting was held at Freemasons' Hall, Crane Street, Salisbury on Wednesday 2nd February 2011. As the Second Degree candidate was not available, this meeting took the form of a demonstration of the Second Degree Ceremony with a member of Hampshire Lodge of Emulation No. 1990 standing in as the candidate. The alms collected in the lodge amounted to just over £42 and the Charity Box now stands at £860. An excellent dinner of roast pork with all the trimmings followed by jam roly-poly and custard was provided afterwards.