Woolsack Lodge No. 8221

“Something a little different”

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W.Bro Nick Parsons, PSGD, A.Prov.G.M, Chairman of the St Thomas Group, attended his last meeting  to  the Woolsack Lodge Installation before his retirement with his escorting DC W.Bro Ian Goolding, ProvAGDC on Wednesday 7th March to witness V.W.Bro M.E.Yalden, PGSwdB. PDepPGM Installed into the Chair of Woolsack Lodge for the second time after first being Master 44 years ago in 1974. Also present was V.W.Bro Derek Barr MBE, PGSwdB, PDepPGM.

 

 This is Woolsack’s Golden Jubilee Year having been consecrated  in September 1968 when V.W.Bro Yalden was a Founder Steward. So why something different for the Jubilee Installation meeting?

V.W.Bro Mike Yalden (Master Elect) discussed with the current Master, W.Bro Graham Walder PPJGW, the possibility of an interesting and more appealing ceremony.

This resulted  in  inviting Oak Tree Lodge No 9408 via W.Bro G.C.Phillips PAGSwdB (Woolsack’s Secretary) to carry out the Installation ceremony  using the full revised ritual by dispensation. This necessitated V.W.Bro Mike being  Installed as a Master Mason and clothed  as such for the ceremony; possibly a first time that this had been done.

 

The current Master and a Founder of Oaktree Lodge, W.Bro J.W.Switzer, PPGReg. agreed to form a team to carry out the ritual; each member playing a significant part, some for the first time.

 

The ceremony of Installation was conducted with W.Bro Phillips in the Chair and W.Bro Switzer acting as IPM and W.Bro M.Kearney, DC of Oak Tree acting as DC plus other officers of Oak Tree occupying  all the other Woolsack offices including  the appointment and Installation of all the other Woolsack Officers for the ensuing year.

 

Having been Installed as Master V.W.Bro. Yalden thanked the whole team for their very professional work in conducting the ceremony and invited the Master and Secretary or their representatives to be honoured Guests at all future Installation meetings of Woolsack Lodge. He also invited the members of Oak Tree to join with Woolsack on their social events.

 

After the meeting 63 Brethren dined together where W.Bro Parsons, PSGD, A.Prov.G.M, who was sitting to the right of the Master, with Derek Barr on his right  made comment in his reply to the Provincial Toast that - “This was the First time since having his car MOT that he found himself between two VWs”

 

We now move onwards to cerebrate our Golden anniversary on Wednesday 3rd October where our new Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W.Bro Robbie Dobbie, PJGD will visit us for the first time and preside at our special meeting. We need the support of ALL the members of Woolsack so please invite guests early to make sure this occasion is marked with outstanding numbers.

 

Further, we have several social events under the Chairmanship od W.Bro Graham Walder that also need the support of the membership with family and friends.