The WM of Innsworth Lodge, W Bro Fred Wood, hosted fifty Brethren at the Festive Board following the Innsworth Lodge Meeting on 23 January 2016, in the Masonic Hall, Gloucester, to celebrate the birthday of Robert Burns. The regular Meeting included a fascinating and entertaining talk on Regimental Lodges, by W Bro John Cane of Mercurious Lodge (7507).
W Bro Fred Wood with W Bro John Cane (left) and W Bro Mark Tomlinson (right)
The number of local and visiting Brethren was swelled by the attendance of the Chairman of the Circuit of Service Lodges (CSL), W Bro Steve Braden with 2 colleagues, (Innsworth Lodge is a member of CSL) and the WM (W Bro Mark Tomlinson) and 7 Brethren of the Thornton and Cleveleys Lodge (3854) from Blackpool.
W Bro Steve Braden, W Bro John Cane, W Bro Fred Wood, W Bro Chris Paisley & W Bro Mark Tomlinson
After the “Selkirk Grace” by W Bro Peter Brindle, and a number of wine takings, the Haggis was duly addressed by W Bro Bill Beedie, who had organised the evening. After the traditional Burns’ Supper meal, and before the usual toasts, he also gave a little-known “Response from the Haggis”.
Once the regular Toasts had been given, the WM toasted “The Lasses” in their absence, and W Bro Bill Beedie presented “The Immortal Memory”. There then followed a recitation of Robert Burns’ poem “To a Louse” by W Bro Peter Brindle and W Bro Bill Beedie followed this with the better known “To a Mouse “. The Charity Steward, W Bro Tom Robson, then conducted a Chorley Auction with “unbelievable” prizes which raised over £200 for the PGL 2018 Festival in support of the Freemasons’ Grand Charity. The “Reply from the Visitors” was delivered by W Bro Steve Braden, Chairman of CSL.
Bro Organist and Choristers
The proceedings rounded off with some “Scots Sangs”, with musical accompaniment on the piano accordion from Bro David Reeves-James, the Lodge Organist. The assembled Brethren (provided with song-sheets) joined in enthusiastically and the evening concluded with the Burns’ version of “The Tyler’s Toast” and “Auld Lang Syne”. The WM, W Bro Fred Wood, thanks all those concerned for making it such a “memorable” evening.