Next Lodge meeting
Saturday, 18th October
Next Chapter meeting
TBA...
Iain MacMillan - 2024/2025
OCTOBER (INSTALLATION MEETING) OCTOBER 19th 2024
Our meeting today was somewhat pressurised, as at very short notice, our WM Graeme McCormack was unable to attend the meeting due to illness and so the installation of our Master Elect, Iain MacMillan was carried out by several members. Roger Northwood, opened the Lodge and steered us through to the inner workings. Terry Thurston took over and installed Iain into the chair. Following a Call off, Vic Chivers then declared the new WM in the North, West and South.
Kevin Wealthall SW - WM - Josh Vaughan JW
Stuart James, Paul Thurgood & Austin Latham acted in the offices of SW, JW & Inner Guard respectively. The 3rd, 2nd & 1st tools were presented by Paul Field, Josh Vaughan & Paul Marshall respectively. Paul Field presented the address to the Master, Roy Squibb the address to the Wardens and to close the ceremony, Brian Bowden-Brown the address to the brethren.
As part of today's meeting Stuart James gave an address looking back on the life of one of our sadly missed member, Clem Britton who sadly died earlier in the year. An eulogy was given at the March meeting relating to his masonic career but as he died just before our March meeting we were unable to compile a suitable eulogy of his personal and family life and so it was suggested this be carried out at a later date. The address was well received by all those that knew Clem.
The Festive Board was the usual friendly jovial event and with an added surprise for our Master, that of having Josh Vaughan singing the masters song which went down extremely well to conclude a great day.
NOVEMBER 16th 2024
WM Iain MacMillan opened the Lodge at 4.30pm. With the minutes from the previous meeting being read and confirmed and the investiture of Graeme McCormack - absent at the last meeting - as IPM, the Lodge was called off.
There followed an approved Mark Degree demonstration performed by the Mark degree Demonstration Team lead by APGM John Stannard. Following the event due thanks was afforded to John and his team together with a charity donation of £250 to the Mark Essex Provincial Welfare Fund.
Following the Lodge being called on and the remaining summons agenda carried out there was also a very warm welcome to Chris Jones who was currently endeavouring to walk the entire coastline of the UK for the Masonic Charity Fund who assisted in helping him through his severe mental health illness.
The festive board that followed was themed again this year on Remembrance Day with reading of adhoc anecdotes relating to soldier camaraderie and interest of past times. Chris Jones also an ex-squaddie responded on behalf of the guests with a heart warming and humorous response about his travels around the UK.
You can read more about Chris Jones and his incredible walking challenge by clicking these link
Mark team members with Iain
Chris Jones with Iain
JANUARY 18th 2025 – (WHITE TABLE meeting) - Our Worshipful Master, Iain opened the meeting at 6pm and following the confirming of the minutes from our previous meeting and officer reports from the charity steward and almoner etc., he closed the Lodge with no perambulation out.
The officers and brethren remained in their seats as over 50 guests were invited into the temple and under the introduction of Josh Vaughan, the WM gave a brief history of the Lodge over the years together with Paul Marshall and Austin Latham providing a brief explanation of various officer positions and temple furniture.
The WM then thanked everybody for their attendance and concluded the proceedings directing all to retire to the Jubilee Suite for dinner.
The Festive Board was a splendid event with a three course meal with wine and the following charitable presentations.
£3,000 to PTSD999 received by Gary Hayes, Co-founder and CEO - £250 to Vincent de Paul Food Bank, Canvey Island received by Tony Roche, Chairman - An Air Fryer to the East of England Ambulance Station in Southend, received by James Palmer, Operations Manager.
You can read a more in-depth report (including photos) of this event by clicking this link:
FEBRUARY 15th 2025
Attendance to our meeting today was very low with just 17 in attendance. With many members absent by virtue of various personal commitments or sickness including our WM Iain. Graeme McCormack therefore stood in a Master and opened what was to be a first for the Albert Lucking Lodge (and may be for many other Masonic lodges) with a TED Talk presentation.
This basically consisted of several brief talks (average 6 -10 mins) on various Masonic subjects.
Our DC Vic Chivers after giving a general introduction then went on to introduce the individual talks and
speakers.
Kevin Wealthall - Secret handshakes and other life hacks.
Paul Field - Mastering the ritual.
Stuart James - Building King Solomon's Temple - on a budget.
Paul Marshall - The vital role of organisation's like Freemasonry in today's society.
The deliveries and content were first class and being relatively short held the listeners' attention and as you can tell from the talk titles, there was an element of humour.
Full praise must be afforded to Josh Vaughan, for suggesting and compiling the articles, but sadly, he was also one of those absent.
The remainder of the Lodge business was attended to together with Paul Marshall giving a brief eulogy of Stephen Bull, who had recently resigned from the Lodge although a very active member during his time with us but, suddenly and very sadly he had died.
With only 17 in attendance the festive board lived up to its usual standards of enjoyment and friendship.