Our visit to Rosslyn Chapel, and Lodge Rosslyn St Clair No. 606

Roslin Village, Edinburgh, Scotland – Click Here for more

Or Click on the the next Rosslyn Chapel picture for the story 

For more Photographs of our visit to Rosslyn – Click Here

 

Lodge 669 Installation meeting Saturday 24th January 2009

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W. Bro. Ronald (Ronnie) J. Craig, and his Officers for 2009 were installed by
W. Bro. Wesley Davidson in an exemplary manner.

The Assistant Grand Master of Ireland R.W. Bro. Leslie Johnston, and Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Antrim R.W. Bro. Dennis Millen were present with seventy five members, and guests of the Lodge.

 

Our two Pipers W. Bro. David Beggs, and
W. Bro. William Cardwell played the W. Master into the dining room to the tune of “Leaving Port Askaig”

Pictures by Bro. Mark Smith

Musical entertainment after dinner was provided by W. Bro. Rennie McGrath who sang the “Masters Song”.

 

 

RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, AND RETRIEVAL

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Sir George Clark Memorial Masonic Lodge No. 669 continued with their joint goals of providing enlightenment about our order and encouraging membership, with a men only Open Night at Freemasons’ Hall, Arthur Square, Belfast on Saturday 25th October 2008

This was a follow up to the Open Night held in May 2008 that was open to everyone – men, women, family, friends and children.

Following the October communication, the members of Lodge 669 welcomed 17 gentlemen interested in Freemasonry into their Lodge Room. The Lodge brethren still wore their regalia and also present were the resplendent figures of RW Bro Dennis Millen the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Antrim, VW Bro Dessie McCormick PPJGW, and W Bro Ivor McAllister PPGI.

Following some informal chat, the guests were welcomed to the Lodge room by W. Bro. Norman Lacey the W. Master of Lodge 669, who gave an interesting talk covering the History, and Aims of Freemasonry. The areas discussed were: secrecy ( or lack of it ) about the Craft, how Freemasonry had developed from the bands of Operative Masons, the role of the Progressive, Administration, and Ritual orientated Officers of the lodge, and the benefits of involvement with Freemasonry.

This was followed by a discourse from our Almoner W Bro David Beggs regarding our charitable works and the role of the Almoner in the Lodge.

RW Bro Dennis Millen then spoke and, without detracting in any way from the charitable aspects of the order, highlighted the benefits of fellowship and personal development, both important aspects of membership. There being no questions all present adjourned to the function room where all had a most present social evening. The enjoyment of all present was obvious from the noise and hilarity at the festive board.

The visitors included new people interested in joining the order, some people whose attendance or membership had lapsed, and a few lost souls, new to the Province of Antrim, who were missing their involvement with Freemasonry.
People had got in contact with the lodge through websites as well as by personal contact. Lodge 669 is now in the happy position of having 13 additional people on their books and are involved in ongoing discussions with several more.
Our new contacts have in turn introduced people from their circle of friends to Freemasonry. The result is that L669 and Freemasonry are becoming known in different sectors of society.
The majority of potential members are in their 30s, married with children, and are just average people who want to get involved and find out more about the order.

 

 

 

Lodge “Open Night” 24th May 2008

Freemason’s Hall in Arthur Square was the venue on Saturday, 24 May 2008, for an Open Night of Masonic and Non-Masonic visitors to Lodge 669.
A total of 74 people attended this new style of event for the Lodge.
Family, friends, Lodge widows, potential candidates, and yes, even children came along to what was a very informative and enjoyable evening.

The Brethren of L669 were delighted to have in attendance the Provincial Deputy Grand Master R.W. Bro Denis Millen, accompanied by his wife Barbara, and also two of the Trustees of Freemasons’ Hall, Arthur Square, W. Bro. Alan Patterson and W. Bro. Ronnie Wilson.
W. Bro. Patterson’s father W. Bro. Arthur Patterson was the first Senior Warden of Lodge 669 and served as W. Master in 1939.

The regular meeting of the lodge was held, and following it’s closing, the Masonic brethren still wearing their regalia, invited all the visitors into the Lodge room.
This was the first time many of the visitors had been in a Masonic lodge room and there was great interest in the regalia and jewels of office worn by the brethren and particularly the finery of the P.D.G. Master.

W. Bro. Norman Lacey the W. Master of Lodge 669 gave a short talk, outlining the links between operative and speculative masons, the background of the order, the way in which items associated with Masons were used as an allegory as guidance for our conduct, the roles of the lodge officers detailed, and links with Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim explained.
An interesting and open question and answer session followed with some searching questions from the guests.

W. Bro. Ronnie Wilson gave a short talk on the recently renovated Freemasons’ Hall detailing some of the work involved, and explaining our desire to open the Hall for greater usage and to enhance links between Freemasonry and the Public at large.
He then led a conducted tour of the hall explaining the layout and function of the various rooms, detailing the renovation work and outlining the history of the personalities after whom the rooms were named. This highly informative tour was thoroughly enjoyed by all concerned.

A ‘White Table’ festive board was then held in the large function room, with Florence and her team from Fernhill Catering providing a very tasty and high quality buffet supper. W. Bro. Rennie McGrath entertained us in song, and W.Bro. John Cook had us laughing at his funny stories.

 

This entertainment was interspersed by short talks on:
‘Masonic Charitable Works’ by W. Bro. David Beggs Lodge Almoner and Vice Chairman of Arthur Square Charity Committee, ‘Freemasonry from the perspective of a Mason’s Wife’ by Mrs Ada Elliot – wife of one of our members, and a talk on ‘Masonic Equality and Famous Masons’ illustrated by the Rudyard Kipling poem:
‘The Mother Lodge’ given by W. Bro Brian McBride.

The Provincial Deputy Grand Master R. W. Bro. Denis Millen congratulated the
W. Master and Brethren on the success of the event, and he was particularly pleased to see children included.

Photographs of the event were taken by Mr Peter Irvine who’s late father
Bro Desmond Irvine was a member of Cambridge Lodge. CLICK HERE