The evening of Friday the 25th of February 2022 proved to be a very special one for the brethren of Whytewell Lodge No. 8400.
Not only was it the Lodge's Installation meeting, but also the occasion of a dinner celebrating the Lodge's 50th Anniversary.
Just over 60-members and guests attended the event, which took place at The Masonic Hall, Mill Road, Wellingborough.
The Lodge having been consecrated on Saturday the 4th of March 1972, it was entirely appropriate for it to be opened 50-years later by Master and Founder, WBro Robert Gibson PJGD.
Having opened the Lodge, WBro Robert was pleased to welcome the official visitor for the evening, Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master VWBro Trevor Boswell PGSwdB accompanied by WBro Derek Hornbuckle, Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.
The minutes of the Consecration meeting having been read, the next item on the agenda was a particularly fitting one. It saw WBro Jim Boughton PDepGSwdB, PAsstProvGM present a Golden Jubilee certificate to his friend WBro Robert Clough PPJGD in recognition of his 50th Anniversary in Freemasonry.
WBro Robert was initiated into Old Oakhamian Lodge Number No. 8033 in the Province of Leicestershire and Rutland in 1972. He progressed through the offices of the Lodge before being installed into the Chair of King Solomon in 1988. Upon relocating to Northamptonshire, WBro Robert joined Whytewell Lodge in 2002, eventually becoming Master for a second time in 2011.
From left, WBro Jim Boughton PDepGSwdB, PAsstProvGM; WBro Robert Clough PPJGD, and WBro Keith Baines PPJGW
The incumbent Master, WBro Robert Gibson, then thanked his Officers for their previous years’ service before receiving the Lodge’s 50th Anniversary regalia, which had been purchased to mark the occasion.
The Installation ceremony then proceeded with WBro Robert installing his successor, WBro Keith Baines PPJGW, in exemplary style. The brethren present were pleased to see WBro Keith appoint and invest his Officers in a similar manner.
The whole ceremony was enjoyed by all those in attendance, including the Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Max Bayes. It was particularly pleasing to see the fine work undertaken by junior Brethren.
From left, the Master and IPM of Whytewell Lodge, WBro Keith Baines PPJGW and WBro Robert Gibson PJGD
As befitting the occasion, the Festive Board had a very special atmosphere. It included a fine toast to the Founders and Past Masters of the Lodge by the Lodge's newest member, Bro David Conquest. Founder WBro Robert Gibson responded.
The evening concluded with WBro R. York PPSGW responding to the Toast to The Visitors during which he recounted memories of attending the Consecration some 50-years earlier.
We offer our hearty congratulations to the brethren of Whytewell Lodge on all they've managed to achieve as well as their contribution to Freemasonry in the Province.
Here's to the next 50 years!