Archives 2005

Meeting March 1, 2005

A goodly number of members and visitors attended this meeting. Many of them enjoyed our traditional pancakes & sausages supper, before lodge opened.

We were honoured by the attendance of our DDGM RW Bro Rick Elliott, and the WM and members of St John's Lodge, Brussels wh were on a fraternal visit.

It was also our annual Past Master's Night and W Bro Ken Lockwood had assembled a fine team to confer the First Degree on our newest candidate, Mr (Now Brother) Kevin Pletch.

APRIL 2005 MEETING

At our April 5th meeting, the annual 'Step Up Night' was held, with officers advancing one chair and the lodge opening and closing in the Second and Third Degreea.

This having been done, elections were held for the ensuing year. Unfortunately there were several gaps in the lines, caused by officers being transferred or re-assigned by their employer. The new elected and appointed officers for 2005 - 2006 are as follows.

W Bro Iain Henderson

VW Bro Rev Wayne Beamer

Bro Allen MacDonald

Chaplain VW Bro Gordon Leggatt

Treasurer RW Bro Lee Grove

Secretary

W Bro Jim Dore

W Bro Ken Lockwood JD

Bro John Combe

Bro David Wall

W Bro Steve Domaldson

W Bro Fred McGee

Tyler VW Bro George Miller

D of C W Bro Doug French

APRIL DIVINE SERVICE

On April 17th Wingham Lodge held a Divine Service at Wingham United Church, in conjunction with members of Huron Chapter No 89 Order of the Eastern Star. As can be seen in the photo below, the event was well attended.

The service was conducted by our own VW Bro Rev Wayne Beamer. Scriptures were read by the Worshipful Master, W Bro Archie MacGowan, the DDGM RW Bro Richard Elliott and (In his capacity as Worthy Patron of Huron Chapter) RW Bro Denis Langridge. W Bro Iain Henderson led the Prayers of the Peoiple.

The congregation of Wingham United Church warmly welcomed their visitors at this Service of Worship.

Above can be the members of Wingham Lodge and Huron Chapter who attended the April 17th Worship Service. They include (Front l to r) RW Bro Richard Elliott DDGM, W Bro Archie MacGowan WM VW Bro Rev Wayne Beamer (Officiating), Mrs Nancy MacIntyre Secretary of Huron Chapter, Mrs Shirley Langridge PDDGM Worthy Matron and RW Bro Denis Langridge PDDGM and Worthy Patron

JUNE 7, 2005 MEETING

This, last meeting before summer break was quite well attended and our building afforded some cool respite from the summer like heat.

Much of the programme was of a business nature, calling off for July and August, appointing proxies to Grand Lodge, etc.

We are pleased to report that two members (RW Bro Denis Langridge and Bro Alan Reed) who recently underwent serious surgical procedures, are both hope and recovering well at this time.

There were several highlights, all of which deservedly focused on W Bro Archie MacGowan. He was presented with his PM's Jewel, It was confirmed that under his direction Wingham Lodge won the District Blood Donor Trophy for the second time in a row. W Bro MacGowan also provided the Masonic Education for the evening.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy summer season, we look forward to meeting again on Sept 6th. Meanwhile don't forget to visit Grand Lodge in Toronto on July 21 - 23 and take part in this special 150th Anniversary Communication!

MAY 03, 2005 MEETING

Though the principal programme for the evening was the annual Installation of the Worshipful Master and Investiture of the Officers for 2005 - 2006, there were several highlights, prior to these ceremonies.

W. Brother Jack Goodall was called to the East and after many well deserved compliments, was presented with his 50 year service pin. He received a standing ovation from the brethren.

Brother David Wall was then presented with his Master Mason Certificate with many remarks about his contribution and progress to date. He too received a warm ovation.

W. Brother Doug French then assumed the gavel and introduced the Installing Board, which with two exceptions was comprised of Past Masters of Wingham Lodge. The ceremonies proceeded in due form and W. Brother Iain Henderson was installed as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year. According to a long-standing tradition, he was presented with a hand made gavel by W Bro Fred Lewis.

The concluding lecture, or "Final Charge" was superbly delivered by R.W. Bro. Denis Langridge and the brethren expressed their obvious appreciation.

We were honoured by visitors from as far away as Orillia and Drayton and by many brethren from within North Huron District.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the brethren gathered in the banquet hall for refreshments.

2005 - 2006 WINGHAM LODGE OFFICERS AT INSTALLATION

The above unedited photo shows the officers of Wingham Lodge and the DDGM .

FRONT ROW (l to r) RW Bro Richard Elliot, DDGM N Huron District, Bro David Wall IG,

W Bro Doug French, Installing Master , W Bro Iain Henderson WM, W Bro Archie MacGowan IPM, RW Bro Lee Grove Treasurer,

SECOND ROW (l to r) Bro Allen MacDonald JW, VW Bro Rev Wayne Beamer SW,

W Bro Jim Dore Secretary, W Bro Ken Lockwood SD, VW Bro Gordon Leggatt Chaplain, Bro John Combe JD

BACK ROW (l to r) W Bro Fred McGee JS, W Bro Steve Donaldson SS, VW Bro George Miller Tyler.

Chiropteran Cowan Meets Its Fate

We had an intruder at our November 28 practice, a Cowan of the genus Microchirptera, otherwise known as a bat, from our belfry!

Having tried all lenient means to persuade it to leave, Brother David Wall and V. W. Brother Gordon Leggatt were forced to resort to more vigorous ones, which resulted in a stunning blow with a Steward's Wand by Gordon Leggatt and the coupe de grace with a broom by David Wall.

The sanctity and secrets of our lodge room are safe once more and we are sure that the ladies of the Eastern Star will also be pleased that this marauder is no more.

December 6, 2005 Meeting

The December meeting was preceded by our ham dinner and followed up by turkey snacks - the bird being too big to make it to the table first time around.

ThE Lodge meeting was quite brief despite the business agenda. Motions were passed to change our By-laws with respect to our annual dues. The visiting delegation from Blyth Lodge was warmly welcomed and pleasant banter exchanged. The merriment was somewhat subdued by the announcement that RW Bro Lee Grove had suffered a stroke

After Lodge had closed, brethren retired downstairs to partake of the turkey and then returned to find the room transformed into a Royal Arch Chapter. W Brother (And RW Companion) Gordon Cowman, then gave a short presentation on Royal Arch Masonry which was well received.

Unfortunately, the webmaster forgot his camera, so there are no photos from this evening's activities.

NOV 1, 2005 MEETING

First of all, an apology for the gap in news, caused by the prolonged absence of your webmaster in France and Scotland.

Our September and October meetings went well, with the DDGM attending on a fraternal visit at the first and in his official capacity on the second. We had lots of visitors at our October meeting, including many of the sitting WM's of the District. We also were favoured by a visit from W. Bro Sandy Hepburn from Scotland.

At our November meeting, we passed Brother Kevin Pletch to the Second Degree, a ceremony for which he was extremely well prepared.

We also received a notice of motion seeking to increase our dues. This action is required because of the steep increas in our running costs, fuel and electrical power in particular. It will be debated at our next meeting, so please try to attend and voice your opinion.

You will notice from our revised programme above, that we have several special events scheduled for each of the following six months. These will include special meals and social activities, which we hope will appeal to all members and our visitors. Please support these activities by attending.