Masonic Lodge No. 669 Freemasons' Hall Arthur Square, Belfast N. Ireland
We are very pleased to have received the “Tweedie’s Friendship Maul” Certificate, for W. Bro Keith Johnston’s nominated Charity 2014, Teddies for Loving Care
Thanks to the good work by our “raiding” team Lodge 669 held the TLC Maul from April 2014 to September 2014
The Committee of Teddies for Loving Care would like to thank the Lodge on behalf of the ill/injured children who will benefit from this Charity.
I’M A MASONIC TRAVELER
By Bro Paul Francey
Since I became a master mason it has given me such joy visiting other lodges. In 2014 I set myself a little challenge to visit six lodges in six nights. I was of on annual leave for a week, so i had a choice to stay in the house and get bored watching the depressing soaps on TV. So I put a call out on the Irish Masonic Network to find out what lodges were meeting from Belfast and Holywood to Lisburn the Maze I went a travelling.
Having my hair shaved off for Teddies For Loving Care
I’ve met many brothers and have made a lot of new friends going around different lodges has opened my eyes to the wonderful world of freemasonry. I would encourage all master masons if you have any free time or at a loose end find out where a lodge is sitting and just go along don’t be shy. I would encourage especially newer members to take the plunge and visit a lodge that’s not your own.
If you get an invite to a lodge that is having an installation evening then jump at the chance to go to another and join in the celebration. Over the past couple of years I’ve visited a quite a few installations at every lodge I went to I was welcomed with the open hand of friendship as if I was returning home.
Members of Belfast lodge that joined us on our trip to Dublin
One thing I have learnt is that my appearance not only fills me with joy meeting with my fellow brothers, it also fills them with joy knowing I’ve come to support them. There are many lodges that are to put it one way thin on the ground with lowering memberships so when a traveling brother attends and supports their lodge the welcome and you receive is beyond compare.
So if your a brother that is at a loose end don’t be afraid or worried just go along to any lodge and you will be heartily welcomed and do stay for the festive board after because you will enjoy the experience of meeting your fraternal brothers even more. And you never know you might get a job to do.
So here are some pictures of lodges I’ve visited brothers I’ve met and friendships I’ve made.
Brothers Ian Gregory Ian McMaster and Alan Earl
So as you can see lots of smiles and laughs. So go on take the plunge and go visit another lodge support each other and reap the benefits of meeting together with your fraternal brothers.
I am a Masonic traveler and I look forward to traveling to your lodge some day wherever you are so to all that read this and wish to do some travelling of their own you will always find a warm welcome at lodge 669 just ask for me and I’ll be happy to look out for you and welcome you home.
Installation 2015, Saturday 24th January W. Bro Tom Lamont has been installed as WM of Sir George Clark Masonic Memorial 669.
WM Tom Lamont would like to thank everyone for their support. It was a great night and enjoyed by 60 people in attendance at Festive Board.
It was very good to have the Provincial Assistant Grand Master W. Bro. Ken Porter visiting 669 again, he gave an excellent speech on standards.
We would like to thank W. Bro Willie Cardwell and W. Bro David Beggs have played the pipes again, and welcome the new addition to the team with Bro Gary Connolly on the drums.
Special thanks to W. Bro Rennie McGrath for singing the Masters Song.
Please see photographs below and let me know if you want any high quality photos that have been taken on the night. More photographs will be added in the next few days.
Please feel free to leave any comments in the section below.
We are very pleased to have our first new members of the year. On Wednesday 14th January Bro. Greg Megaw and Bro Ladislav Balajti have joined Sir George Clark Masonic Memorial 669
This was a special night for W Bro. George Megaw to see his son Greg join our Lodge.
It was also another first for the Lodge to have our first Member from Slovakia in Bro Ladislav Balajti.
Please join me in extending a warm welcome to our new members.
W. Bro George and Bro Greg Megaw
Bro Ladislav Balajti and Bro Greg Megaw
It has been our pleasure in 2014 of seeing Masonic Generations completed from Grandfather to Father to Son as pictured below. Spanning 45 years history the Connolly Family have been well represented at Sir George Clark Masonic Memorial 669.
This year both W. Bro J. Connolly and W. Bro G. Connolly have watched their son/grandson enter into Lodge 669. Gary Connolly Jnr has been a good new addition to our Lodge and now has a big task in keeping family traditions.
Grandfather: W. Bro. John Connolly (MM December 1971)
Father: W. Bro. Gary Connolly Snr (MM May 1989)
Son: Bro. Gary Connolly Jnr (MM November 2014)
45 Years of Connolly’s
Connolly’s with WM and Wardens of 669
Congraulations to W. Bro Ken Beggs on completing his 150th Marathon on New Years Eve
Davy Piping
W. Bro David Beggs was there to Pipe for his brother. The piper was toasted with Glenlivet, which made the first mile a bit quicker than usual for Ken.
The Marathon started from Loughshore Park, Jordanstown to Belfast and then out to Cultra Down along the cycle route back.
Ken finished in 4 hrs 5 mins 57 secs his best time from Tralee 2013 (Approx 30 marathons ago)
He was presented with a memento by Craig Mills of East Antrim Marathon Series.
Pipers Toast
Marathon Starting Line
Marathon Finishing Line
Memento from Craig Mills of East Antrim Marathon Series
WM Keith Johnston would like to thank everyone for supporting our Christmas Dinner on Saturday 13th December. This was a great event and enjoyed by everyone.
With over 60 people attending, we had good fun, music, Pipes and Drummers, and Santa came to town. As you can see from the pictures below the Santa was busy….
Wish you all a a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Congratulations to W. Bro Gary Connolly on completing his 100th Marathon at Clonakilty on Saturday 6th December.
Gary was presented with his 100th Marathon Medal by Valerie Fogarty Chairperson of Marathon Club of Ireland
Gary ran his first marathon in Belfast in 2000. He continued to run several marathons a year between 2000 – 2012, before increasing his mileage in 2013 when he ran 27 marathons. This year he has completed staggering 45, including multi-day and ultra marathon events.
Gary completed the his 100th Marathon in 3:45:09.
W. Bro Brian Mc Bride has been enjoying some Australian Masonic Hospitality during his stay in Sydney.
He has visited Lodge Warringah No. 83 nearby Collaroy and had brought Fraternal Greetings to WM. W Bro Bill Mc Kendrick and his brethren from our Lodge 669
He also had the pleasure of attending the Installation meeting of the Grand Master of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory (NSW & ACT) Most Worshipful Brother Derek Robinson, who extended warm and fraternal greetings to the WM and Brethren of Lodge 669 and to all Irish Masons http://www.masons.org.au
The Grand Lodge Meeting was held in Large Skyscraper Building in Central Sydney, where he was introduced to the Royal Arch Chapter Frist Grand Principal and Grand Master elect for NSW & ACT Most Excellent Companion Robert (Rob) Peattie, who is the NSW & ACT representative to Ireland and was please to meet and Irish Mason http://usgcnsw.org.au/
Most Excellent Companion Rob had invited Brian to Installation on 20th September again at Grand Lodge Room, which is a truly magnificent affair, having representatives from 27 different orders from all parts Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania, ladies and family members where also present.
The First Grand Principal and Grand Master presented Brian with an Australian Masonic Tie and new set of Cuff Links. He was again personally welcomed and Fraternal Greetings were extended by Rob Peattie to the E. King and Companions of Tyrain Chapter IC and to all Brethren and Companions in Ireland
Brian has been very honoured to attend all these meetings and has received a great welcome in Australia where fellowship and harmony is strong, We look forward to have W. Bro Brian McBride back with us at Christmas and he has been asked not to be bringing any boomerangs back with him…
Final note from Brian “Brethren, should you get an opportunity to visit a Lodge in another constitution, just do it (check with our Secretary first of course), and in my experience you will have a very enjoyable experience time and make many new friends”
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No its W. Bro Ken Beggs, who has completed his 146th Marathon.
See if you can spot our Flying Ulster Scotsman Featured in Belfast Telegraph below and to the right with his wife Ann.
Any excuse to dress up!!!
W. Bro David Beggs will be Piping his “younger” brother W. Bro Ken Beggs as he starts his 150th Marathon on New Years Eve 31st December starting at Loughshore Park Newtownabbey
