The Regular Meeting for Risdene Lodge No.6532 on Wednesday 15th February 2023 turned out to be anything but ‘regular’ with a packed Lodge room, many dignitaries present and a very special additional agenda item:
- To present a Golden Jubilee Certificate to RW. Bro William Barrington Hall in recognition of 50 years of dedicated and faithful service in Freemasonry.
W Bro Mike Caseman-Jones, APGM, RW Bro Max Bayes, PProvGM, RW Bro Barrie Hall, PProvGM, RW Bro Mark Constant, PGM, VWBro Charles Bennett, DepPGM
The Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Mark Constant led the tributes by outlining Barrie’s early Masonic career, which started when he was initiated into Leverhulme Lodge No. 4438 in Cheshire on 8th December 1972, before moving to Northamptonshire to work as a Senior Scientist at Unilever at Sharnbrook, joining the Risdene Lodge in Rushden in 1976 and becoming its WM in 1982.
Having served as Provincial SGW from 1992-93, Barrie was invited to join the Provincial Executive in 1997 as APGM, then as DepPGM from 2000, before taking over as PGM on 1st July 2005 succeeding RW Bro Nicholas Hart, who had sent a wonderful letter of congratulations, which was read out by Lodge Secretary, WBro Derek Watts.
Also appointed in 2005 as Deputy PGM, VWBro. Derek Young then told a number of stories from their time together and how much he enjoyed working alongside Barrie. RW Bro Max Bayes then continued the story with his thoughts on a kind and much respected Brother, and the background to his succeeding Barrie as PGM on 1st July 2011.
In concluding, he paid tribute to his friend Barrie, noting his wonderful friendly style and manner, and all he has achieved in Freemasonry, Companion Orders and this Province in particular.
Here together with fellow members of the Risdene Lodge, including newly initiated Bro. George Vincent (back row, far right) in a fine ceremony.
RW Bro Barrie summed the evening up with the following words; “An unforgettable occasion in the company of so many good friends from across the Province – a very special privilege.”
We send our heartfelt congratulations and wish Barrie many more years of enjoyment in our wonderful fraternity.