On Wednesday, the 19th of April 2023, Zetland Lodge no 852 celebrated 50 years in Freemasonry for F Michael Walker.
Roger Higson took the chair for the evening and opened the Lodge in due form. Following a report, Harold Cooper, Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, entered the Lodge and announced that Peter Hegarty, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master for the City West Area, was outside the Lodge and that he demanded admission.
Once the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, accompanied by a City West Area Delegation, was seated, the Worshipful Master offered him the gavel, which he was delighted to accept on this occasion.
The Assistant Provincial Grand Master introduced the members of the City West Area delegation, which included Mo Afsa, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals, Chris Armstrong, Area Chairman, Steve Wallace, Area Deputy Chairman, Peter Rees, Area Secretary, Andrew Foster, Area Mentor, Peter Tonge, Area Treasurer, Ben Davies, Area Communications Officer and Ian Macneill, Area Charity Steward, Eric Baker, Assistant Area Charity Steward, and Mick Dugdill Assistant Area Mentor.
The Assistant Provincial Grand Master also noted and welcomed current and past Assistant Provincial Grand Masters Mark Davis, Chad Northcote, Malcolm Worsley and Jim Sutcliffe.
The Assistant Provincial Grand Master called the lodge off and asked the Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies to bring the ladies into the lodge room. Once everyone was seated, Mike was placed in the centre of the lodge, where the Assistant Provincial Grand Master gave a tribute to Mike.
Mike has held many roles within Salford being District and Hall Chairman at the same time. His commitment to the district and the province were highlighted and celebrated by the Assistant Provincial Grand Master and the Area team.
Peter Tonge then read the letter from the Provincial Grand Master before the Assistant Provincial Grand Master presented Mike with the certificate celebrating 50 years in Freemasonry.
Afterwards, City West Area Chairman Chris Armstrong presented Mike with his 50th Pin before he was conducted around the Lodge to receive the acclaim of the brethren and ladies he justly deserves.
The Lodge closed, and afterwards, there was an excellent social board that saw the usual toasts, and another incredibly heartfelt toast was addressed to Mike from Malcolm Roberts.
The Assistant Provincial Grand Master also presented the Lodge with a very special bottle of gin to be raffled for the benefit of the East Lancashire 2026 Festival at a future meeting.
