Sir George Clark Memorial Masonic Lodge No. 669 celebrated the Installation of our Worshipful Master: W. Bro. Luis Fredric Presbitero and his Officers on Saturday 28th January Installation 2017.
The Installation meeting was held in the Leighton Room, at Freemasons’ Hall, Arthur Square, Belfast, where a large gathering of Freemasons from Ireland, England, Scotland, Philippines, Greece, and Portugal, met in masonic harmony to enjoy the annual event of our new W. Master going into the Master’s chair, as our Immediate Past Master hands over responsibility for the Lodge to his successor.
The Installing Officer was W. Bro. Ferdinand Gallo, of Culmore Lodge No. 320.
After installing his Lodge Officers for 2017, the W. Master presented the outgoing Master W. Bro. Bal Madrid with his Master’s Certificate from Grand Lodge of Ireland, and a past Masters Jewel. This particular jewel is one of only two original Lodge 669 Past Masters jewels and was kindly donated to the Lodge by W. Bro. Alan Patterson whose father W. Bro. Arthur Patterson served as the second Worshipful Master of Lodge 669 in 1939. He received this jewel at the Installation meeting January 1940.
Seventy-seven years later it has been presented again to a worthy recipient.
The Installation was followed by a Festive Board dinner in the banquet hall of Freemasons’ Hall, Arthur Square. The W Master was piped into the dining room by W. Bro. William Cardwell, and W. Bro. David Beggs, both Past Masters of Lodge 669
Our Master of Ceremonies was once again W. Bro. Patrick Elliott.
Thirty Lodge members and forty guests (including six non-Masons) enjoyed a wonderful meal provided by the Fernhill Catering team and its excellent chef Florence (Flo) Galaway. As Flo is retiring in 2017 after many years service to Freemasonry at Arthur Square, Belfast, and this would be her last Installation dinner for Lodge 669, the W. Master presented her with a bouquet of flowers and offered his thanks and best wishes from everyone to her for a long and happy retirement.
The W. Master’s Toast proposed by W. Bro. Bal Madrid was continued with a beautiful rendition of the “Master’s Song” by W. Bro. Gardiner McGrath of The Belfast Lodge No. 651
Our Immediate Past Master was presented by the Lodge with a Past Master’s apron and leather carrying case. He also received from the Brethren a gold pocket watch inscribed to record his excellent year as W. Master in 2016.
Our newest member of Lodge 669, Entered Apprentice Bro. Timos Naska proposed the Toast to our guests in an excellent manner and W. Bro. James Unson of Culmore Lodge 320 responded to the Toast on behalf of the guests.
A collection and raffle in aid of Autism N.I. and the Belfast Masonic Charity Fund raised £650.00 with Gift Aid to be added.
Thank you all for making this installation a successful one.Special thanks to WB Sec.Brian McBride for doing extra ordinary works for the lodge.