WBro Brian Ingham receives his certificate from RWBro John R Farrington
Over 30 Brethren signed the Tylers attendance register of Pendle Lodge, No. 4703, on Wednesday the 8th of February 2023 to celebrate the 60th anniversary in Freemasonry of WBro Brian Ingham, Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden.
The Worshipful Master of Pendle Lodge, WBro Stephen K Jansen, opened the Lodge and after concluding the preliminary business, received a report. The Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, WBro John Lees, was admitted and announced that VWBro John R Farrington, PGSwdB, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Province of East Lancashire, accompanied by a Provincial Delegation was without and that he demanded admission.
Having taken his seat, WBro Farrington was saluted in due form. The Worshipful Master then greeted WBro Farrington and offered him the Gavel. WBro Farrington thanked the Worshipful Master and accepted the Gavel, introduced the members of the Provincial Delegation and then instructed Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, to place WBro Ingham in the centre of the Lodge.
The Lodge Secretary, WBro John W Hudson, PProvJGW, was then invited to read the minutes of the meeting at which WBro Ingham was initiated and gave a moving, and sometimes humorous, tribute to WBro Ingham, following which, WBro Farrington referred to some of the significant events and other interesting facts relating to 1963, the year of WBro Ingham’s Initiation.
The Brethren of Pendle Lodge, the Provincial Delegation and Visitors
Harold McMillan was the Prime Minister. The average workers wage was 14 a week.
the average price of a house was £2040. An average sized car was £640 and a gallon of petrol was 5 shillings (25p). The President of the United states, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, was assassinated. The Great Train Robbery was committed and the first Doctor Who episode was aired.
WBro Farrington, with the celebrant’s permission, then read the illuminated certificate from the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master and presented that along with a personal letter from the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master to WBro Ingham, who was then presented to the Lodge by the Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies to the acclaim of the Brethren present. To conclude the formal proceedings a 60 years lapel badge, to be worn with pride, was presented by the District Chairman, WBro Robert Allan.
Members of Pendle Lodge
Following the Alms collection, WBro Farrington thanked all that had been involved in the evening’s celebration.
The Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies then asked if WBro Farrington wished to retire accompanied the Provincial Delegation and on this special occasion, WBro Ingham. WBro Farrington having given his assent, a retiral procession was formed and the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, VWBro Farrington, accompanied by WBro Ingham and the Provincial Delegation retired to the acclaim of the Brethren present.
The remainder of the Lodge business being swiftly dispatched, the Lodge was closed and all retired to the festive board.
VWBro Farrington, WBro Brain Ingham and the Worshipful Master of Pendle Lodge, WBro Stephen K Jansen