Although now out of office, the Past Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Barrie Hall is still kept busy. A recent duty was an official visit to his own Lodge, Risdene Lodge No 6532 at Rushden, for its Installation ceremony on 19 October.
He was rather surprised to meet a large delegation of Acting Provincial Officers. All seemed normal - until he was due to speak at the Festive Board. W Bro John Hitchin ProvSGW then took the floor and made a presentation on behalf of the Provincial officers who "had been appointed by him, only to be abandoned almost immediately!"
The gift was six bottles of fine vintage wine, one dating from each of the six years that R W Bro Barrie had been in office as Provincial Grand Master.
RW Bro Barrie Hall commented, "A splendid Installation was followed by a very surprising Festive Board, the memory of which will be both abiding and treasured for a very long time!! The wonderful wines and glasses are simply breathtaking and so very much appreciated."
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During the ceremony earlier, WBro Eric Place PPJGW (Durham) was installed as WM. Much of his working life was spent in Greece. He was formerly the official representative of the United Grand Lodge of England for the Grand Lodge of Greece. In retirement he settled in Rushden and has now taken over the reins at Risdene at short notice due to the illness of the original Master Elect, Bro Frank Wittish. The new WM expressed the feelings of all present when he said he hoped Bro Frank would soon be fit enough to resume his Masonic progress. |