Southern Area’s annual Masonic Carol Service took place this year at St Peter’s Church in Ashton under Lyne on Sunday 6th December 2015. The Service, which this year was hosted by Ashton & Mossley District, was very well attended. A congregation of at least 116 Masons, along with their wives and families enjoyed a traditional, if slightly truncated, service of lessons and carols. The service began and ended with the parading of a group of Lodge banners representing both active and past Lodges from Ashton, Audenshaw and Mossley. It is wonderful to see these old banners being paraded, as they must have been, so many times in the past.
The main participants in the service were, (Clockwise from Top Left) Niall Perry (Fairfield Lodge), Peter Lee (Soloist),
Christopher Bradley (Lodge of Minerva), Fred Nicholson (Three Shires Chapter), Rev’s Roger Farnworth, Donald Roberts (Fairfield Lodge)
The service consisted of old favourite Carols, starting with “Once in Royal David’s City” and “Hark the Herald Angels”. The Lessons, which were read by members of Lodge of Minerva, Three Shires Chapter and Fairfield Lodge took us through the familiar story of the birth of the Christ Child. In addition, we were treated to two Carols sung by Mr Peter Lee, who is an ex Mason himself, as well as a member of the Parish of the Good Shepherd, to which St Peter’s belongs. Finally, the address from the Revd Roger Farnworth, reminded us that we must not jump to conclusions about our fellow citizens, no matter their background, a most appropriate homily at this time of year, in this company and in our current society.
A fine collection of Lodge Banners, representing both current and closed Lodges were paraded
The excellent service, enjoyed by all, was followed by Dinner at the Broadoak Hotel in Ashton.
A congregation of some 116 Masons and their wives and families joined in the singing of traditional carols
All of the photos taken on the evening can be found in a Photo Gallery at
https://goo.gl/photos/Mgnqzu1pvojwJgBQ7
Please feel free to take, and use, any of the photographs in the Gallery for your own personal use, but please note that all photographs, and the text of this article, remain the Copyright of ©Kevin Hall and their Commercial use, without permission, is prohibited by law.