Chingford Area Masonic Social Group

Leyton St. John’s Lodge No. 4860
Re-Dedication Ceremony
held at Chingford Masonic Hall
on Monday 21st February 2005

The brethren and visiting guests of the Leyton St.John’s Lodge No. 4860, were pleased to be attending the Ceremony of Re-Dedication following it’s “Transference to the Jurisdiction of the Province of Essex” with the ceremony being carried out by the Provincial Grand Master RW Colonel Sir Neil Thorne. The Provincial Grand Master was accompanied by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master VW Brian Proctor and the Assistant Provincial Grand Master W Bro Bill Gunary, along with the full Provincial Team.
With the Lodge being opened in its usual form, and following a report in the Lodge. W Bro Paul Humphrey the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies was admitted who requested for the admission of the RW Provincial Grand Master Colonel Sir Neil Thorne and the Provincial Team, who then made their procession into the Lodge in full splendour with the Provincial Grand Sword Bearer and the Provincial Grand Standard Bearers. On this occasion, the RW Provincial Grand Master, was keen to consent to all the members of the Lodge participating in the Ceremony of Re-Dedication to include Entered Apprentices and Fellowcrafts.
With the Provincial Grand Master accepting the gavel and the Chair of King Solomon, the ceremony of Re-Dedication commenced. The Provincial Grand Secretary, W Bro Andrew Bishop, then recited the names of the current Lodge members, and went on to read, in detail, the Warrant of the Lodge. The Warrant of the Lodge is dated 26th August 1926, and was signed by the then Grand Master, the MW Brother Duke of Connaught (or more precisely, the 1st Duke of Connaught and Strathern).
The Lodge members were given a presentation of an “Oration” by W Bro. John Simons The Provincial Deputy Grand Chaplain. W Bro Simons referred to some important events that occurred during 1926, outstandingly the year that Queen Elizabeth II was born, The General Strike in England started and ended after 9 days, the BBC came into being, Bolton Wanderers won the FA Cup Final, and Prince Albert the Duke of York played tennis doubles at Wimbledon, but not forgetting that during that eventful year the Consecration of Leyton St. John’s Lodge No. 4860 took place.
The Consecration was held in the Grecian Temple at the Great Eastern Hotel at Liverpool Street in the City of London. The Lodge have subsequently met at various Masonic venues during their 75 year existence, with their last meetings being held at the Southgate Masonic Temple, before moving to the Province of Essex and Chingford Masonic Hall. W Bro Simons made a special reference to Kings, chapter 6 Verse 1, which was very appropriate for this very important Ceremony.
After the ceremony of Re-Dedication in the Lodge, The Provincial Grand Master gave his address, and he was keen that the members of the Lodge take a wider commitment within the community and suggested that a record be made of what has been accomplished during the past 75 years during Lodge’s existence, so that when they celebrate their centenary this information will be available at that time. The Provincial Grand Master then congratulated the Lodge and wished them “God Speed” for the future.
The RW Provincial Grand Master was then Proposed as an “Honorary Member” of the Lodge, this was duly seconded and unanimously carried. The PGM thanked the Lodge for their kind honour. There was then an unexpected event when the PGM bestowed the rank of Past Provincial Junior Grand Deacon to W Bro Alan Bennett, the Lodge Director of Ceremonies, who was equally surprised with his unexpected presentation.
The Provincial Grand Master and all the Brethren and their guests, a total 80 Brethren, happily dined together with Roast Lamb on the menu.
On his response to his toast, the PGM thanked members of Leyton St. John’s Lodge, namely W Bro Phil Bruce, W Bro Vic Jago and W Bro Alan Bennett and to the Organist for his excellent music, and included in his thanks to his Sword Bearer and Standard Bearers, along with the Provincial Senior and Junior Wardens who attended the Re-Dedication Ceremony, not forgetting W Bro John Simon for his research, and W Bro Reverend Martin Howes.
The PGM also referred to W Bro Andrew Bishop for reading the Warrant of the Lodge with much aplomb, and his thanks to the Deputy Provincial Grand Master RW Brian Proctor and the Assistant Provincial Grand Master W Bro Bill Gunary, the Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies W Bro. Gordon Spindler, and the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, W Bro Paul Humphrey.
The PGM went on to inform the brethren of “Mentoring”, not only for those members who come into the Lodge, but also for those brethren who have been in the Lodge for sometime and to identify those members who have not attended for some time, and maybe does not attend because his “pals” may have passed on or left the area. The Brother should be encouraged to return to the Lodge, and we must show that we are interested in that Brother, offer to pick him up and take him home after the meeting, so that he is able to continue his Masonic interests.....The PGM said “We must be interested in our Brother!”, even giving the younger brethren your support in all times of difficulties. We need to find out what has happened to every single member of the Lodge - we must find out - and show them that we care.
The PGM praised W Bro Steve Parrish being an excellent Worshipful Master for the Re-Dedication ceremony, and wished him every success during his year as Master of the Lodge.
W Bro Steve Parrish gave a his response, saying that he was initiated in 1983, and felt bewildered, and he was delighted that the Lodge had been accepted into the Province of Essex, and was grateful for Essex Masons for accepting Leyton St.John’s Lodge with such warmth. W Bro Stephen stated that there was plenty of work in hand, and hope that the Brethren of Essex will continue with their support to the Lodge on their Re-Dedication into the Province of Essex.
The PGM and the Provincial Team then retired from the Festive Board, and the Brethren continued to enjoy the geniality of the evening........then we all went home.
 

Article by W Bro Allan de Luca - Fiducial Lodge No. 8753