On Saturday 26th November 2022, St Wilfrid Lodge No 4453 met at The Ellindon Masonic Centre, Peterborough for a very special meeting. The Lodge, which usually meets at The Talbot Hotel in Oundle, had been granted dispensation to hold their Centenary Luncheon in Peterborough – proving to be a very good idea as the event saw 85 Brethren from 35 different Lodges attend, together with The Provincial Executive, led by the Provincial Grand Master, RW.Bro Mark Constant, several Grand Officers, and 17 active Provincial Officers.
The Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro. Mark Constant with the WM of St Wilfred Lodge, WBro Michael Ross, accompanied by (from left) WBro. Ian Wilson, ProvDepGDC, WBro Billy Glover, ProvGSwdB, WBro. Tim Almond, APGM, VWBro. Charles Bennett, DepProvGM, WBro. Mike Caseman-Jones, APGM, WBro. Aaron Day, ProvGChap, WBro. William Diggins, ProvGSec and WBro Graham Sands PAGDC
The Worshipful Master, W.Bro Michael Ross, who opened the Lodge, invited The PGM to take the chair and preside over the rest of the meeting. RW.Bro Mark then gave a summary of the purpose of the meeting and invited the Provincial Grand Secretary, W.Bro William Diggins, to read the Centenary Warrant, following which, The Provincial Grand Chaplain, W.Bro Aaron Day, attended an Oration about the origins of The Lodge.
It was then time for The Provincial Grand Master to address those present, likening St Wilfrid’s pilgrimage to Rome to the proceedings before, after, and during a Lodge meeting and the Festive Board. He also reminded The Brethren that Waynflete Lodge (click here to read article), who had a centenary meeting recently, were number 4452, one number below St Wilfrid and had their warrant issued on the same day – not many Provinces could boast this statistic! The PGM then presented the Centenary Warrant to The Worshipful Master together with his Centenary Jewel, after which all of the Brethren of St Wilfrid Lodge were invited to wear their Jewels.
The Provincial Grand Master, RWBro. Mark Constant presenting the Centenary Warrant to the WM of St Wilfred`s Lodge, WBro Michael Ross.
Those present then heard a short history of The Lodge, presented by W.Bro Steven Marshall, in the absent of W.Bro Adrian Howorth. Much of the presentation was taken from a beautiful booklet on the Centennial History of St Wilfrid Lodge, which included some interesting anecdotes about the people, the places and the dates along the 100 year timeline since it’s Consecration. A souvenir copy of the booklet was available for all those present.
Brethren of St Wilfred`s Lodge, together with The Provincial Grand Master, members of the Provincial Executive and the Centenary team.
Echoing the words of The PGM in his Lodge Address, The Festive Board was a very happy affair with The Brethren enjoying excellent food and very good company. In his reply to his toast, The PGM stated that it was wonderful to see Brethren from all corners of The Province, and W.Bro Graham Sands, in proposing the toast to the visitors, endorsed the strong links with St Wilfrid and their Mother Lodge, Chicheley, and also Hatton Lodge. The celebrations culminated in The Worshipful Master proposing a toast to The Lodge.
One further surprise was a Centenary Whiskey Glass for all those attending – a fitting reminder of a most enjoyable day.
