Essex Armed Forces Lodge No.2016
29 September 2023
Due to a clash with Middlesex P.G.L meeting, the regular meeting date for its Installation meeting had to be changed, which meant several members were AWOL and their positions were filled by honorary members and guests.
The Lodge was opened inn due form by W.Bro. David Todd who welcomed all of the visitors and guests of the Lodge. Once the Lodge was opened, the Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro. Terence D. Sheern entered the Lodge accompanied by his Active Officers for the year.
The visit was part of his “Farewell Tour” as well as being the current Master of the Middlesex Armed Forces Lodge.
The Lodge was opened inn due form by W.Bro. David Todd who welcomed all of the visitors and guests of the Lodge. Once the Lodge was opened, the Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro. Terence D. Sheern entered the Lodge accompanied by his Active Officers for the year.
The visit was part of his “Farewell Tour” as well as being the current Master of the Middlesex Armed Forces Lodge.
The Prov.G.M then took the Gavel and went onto introduce his Officers to all those present and looked forward to the meeting.
It was at that this stage of the meeting ,that the Provincial Grand Master presented the Lodge with the MBF Grand Patron Diamond Award. This was a very nice surprise for all the members of the Lodge, and the Prov.G.M instructed the Master that the collar should be worn at all meetings and passed onto his successor.
The Prov.G.M then handed the Gavel back to the Worshipful Master who was more than happy to allow the Prov.G.M to remain the Chair, but it was not to be.
It was at that this stage of the meeting ,that the Provincial Grand Master presented the Lodge with the MBF Grand Patron Diamond Award. This was a very nice surprise for all the members of the Lodge, and the Prov.G.M instructed the Master that the collar should be worn at all meetings and passed onto his successor.
The Prov.G.M then handed the Gavel back to the Worshipful Master who was more than happy to allow the Prov.G.M to remain the Chair, but it was not to be.
The Provincial Director of Ceremonies then went onto to welcome the Prov.G.M into the Lodge followed by introducing the Prov.G.M for Middlesex, R.W.Bro. Eddy Garty (Master Elect) and R.W.Bro. Ian Clarke P.Prov.G.M of Surrey. There was a slight confusion as to which Province Eddy Garty was Prov.G.M of, much to amusement of all those present.
The normal business of the Lodge was then conducted with a Past Masters Jewel being presented to W.Bro. Alan Fitz- John, who had been unable to attend recent meetings. The W.M explained to the Brethren that there had been a slight mis-spelling on the name bar and that it actually read W.Bor Alan Fitz-John, and it was nice to be able to pin something on a military policeman.
The Ceremony of Installation was then commenced with Eddy Garty being Installed as the 4th W.M of the EAFL No. 2016.
The normal business of the Lodge was then conducted with a Past Masters Jewel being presented to W.Bro. Alan Fitz- John, who had been unable to attend recent meetings. The W.M explained to the Brethren that there had been a slight mis-spelling on the name bar and that it actually read W.Bor Alan Fitz-John, and it was nice to be able to pin something on a military policeman.
The Ceremony of Installation was then commenced with Eddy Garty being Installed as the 4th W.M of the EAFL No. 2016.
The Ceremony was carried out in fine form by W.Bro. David Todd.
Once the Ceremony was completed the Lodge returned to its normal business.
The Lodge has a unique procedure for the Closing of the Lodge, once the Lodge is formally closed, and the National Anthem is sung, the Senior Warden then recited part of the Prayer to the Fallen which was completed by the Junior Warden. The Last Post was then played, and everyone stood to order.
As the Director of Ceremonies was preparing to process out, there was a knock on the door, and a report from the Acting Inner Guard, W.Bro. Paul Firmin, that there was a “Man wearing a skirt” outside of the Lodge, requesting admittance, the Master was totally unaware of this part of the meeting and was very surprised to see a Piper in full Scottish attire enter the Lodge to pipe him out to great applause.
Once the Ceremony was completed the Lodge returned to its normal business.
The Lodge has a unique procedure for the Closing of the Lodge, once the Lodge is formally closed, and the National Anthem is sung, the Senior Warden then recited part of the Prayer to the Fallen which was completed by the Junior Warden. The Last Post was then played, and everyone stood to order.
As the Director of Ceremonies was preparing to process out, there was a knock on the door, and a report from the Acting Inner Guard, W.Bro. Paul Firmin, that there was a “Man wearing a skirt” outside of the Lodge, requesting admittance, the Master was totally unaware of this part of the meeting and was very surprised to see a Piper in full Scottish attire enter the Lodge to pipe him out to great applause.
The Brethren then retied to the bar, where Oatcakes and Salmon were served prior to dining.
61 Brethren sat down to a Scottish Festive Board in honour of Eddy’s Scottish heritage.
Complete with the Haggis being piped in and the Address to the Haggis being carried out in fine form by the Piper, Brother Tom Broderick.
The Toast to the Master was carried out by the Prov.G.M for Essex on this occasion and resulted in Eddy finding out that the members of Middlesex Mark, have a nickname for him and that is “Action Man”. Terry then presented Eddy with a boxed action man complete with a painted-on beard and Para Beret.
It was very amusing to the assembled Brethren, when Terry and Eddy bickered as to who was senior as Prov.G.D.C in their respective Provinces, much to the amusement of the Brethren.
The Festive Board was a very friendly lively affair with much banter and laughter by all those present.
61 Brethren sat down to a Scottish Festive Board in honour of Eddy’s Scottish heritage.
Complete with the Haggis being piped in and the Address to the Haggis being carried out in fine form by the Piper, Brother Tom Broderick.
The Toast to the Master was carried out by the Prov.G.M for Essex on this occasion and resulted in Eddy finding out that the members of Middlesex Mark, have a nickname for him and that is “Action Man”. Terry then presented Eddy with a boxed action man complete with a painted-on beard and Para Beret.
It was very amusing to the assembled Brethren, when Terry and Eddy bickered as to who was senior as Prov.G.D.C in their respective Provinces, much to the amusement of the Brethren.
The Festive Board was a very friendly lively affair with much banter and laughter by all those present.
The W.M then proceed to auction a small hand carved wooden box.
The box was donated by a Lodge guest, Barry Coombes. The box was carved by a Soldier whilst recovering in hospital after the First World War, and it contained two WW1 medals. The bidding started, with the W.M hopeful that it would raise £50.
The visiting members for Middlesex Armed Forces Lodge then entered a bidding war with each other and the winning bid over £200.
The Master and brethren thanked Bro. Janeth Parera for his bid.
The Festive Board continued and over £600 was raised.
The brethren parted company having made new friends, such is the bond of the Armed Forces, past and present.
The box was donated by a Lodge guest, Barry Coombes. The box was carved by a Soldier whilst recovering in hospital after the First World War, and it contained two WW1 medals. The bidding started, with the W.M hopeful that it would raise £50.
The visiting members for Middlesex Armed Forces Lodge then entered a bidding war with each other and the winning bid over £200.
The Master and brethren thanked Bro. Janeth Parera for his bid.
The Festive Board continued and over £600 was raised.
The brethren parted company having made new friends, such is the bond of the Armed Forces, past and present.
God Save The King
Posted on 28/09/23
