Internet Lodge 9659 March 2022 - March 2023

Internet Lodge 9659 March 2022 - March 2023 Members celebrated the 25th anniversary of our Lodge consecration with a banquet in Manchester prior to the March installation meeting. 51 brethren joined the Lodge and 30 departed. Average attendance by members was 38. The Treasurer reported that Lodge expenditure exceeded income over the past two years and consequently there was a recommendation for the subscriptions to be increased. Social events were very well supported and the highlight was a visit to Cyprus to enjoy a meeting with a lecture that was attended by the Grand Master for Cyprus. Social Events The WM organised a large social visit to Cyprus in May. The official business was a lecture at a Lodge meeting that was attended by the Grand Master for Cyprus and a past pro Grand Master of UGLE. In glorious weather there were a number of tours of the historic island and a highly competitive golf tournament. In August there was a Ladies Festival that included great entertainment. The Ladies organised outings for every weekend and painting pottery was one example of popular activities. Salford Installation Meeting P rior to the meeting there was a celebratory banquet to mark our 25 th Anniversary. Having welcomed our APGM, W.Bro. Peter Hegarty, his entourage, and many visitors, the highlight of our 26th installation meeting was to see W.Bro Emmanouil Diamantas install his successor W.Bro. Stephen Gregory. W.Bro. Chris Malpas delivered the address to the Master. W.Bro. David Starbuck delivered the address to the Wardens, and VWBro. Larry Porter delivered the address to the Brethren. The working tools of an entered apprentice Freemason were presented to the Worshipful Master by Bro. Simon Dodd, a relatively new member of the craft. The explanation was pitch perfect. WBros Naughton Lyles & Brian Cozins were awarded honorary membership of our lodge. 18 new members were admitted after a successful ballot. . Summer Meeting (Chorley) The August Meeting was held Chorley Masonic Hall, in our local Province. The main business was a demonstration of the 3 rd Degree Ritual performed by our members with Bro. Simon Dodd as candidate. WBro Emmanouil Diamantas gave an explanation of the 2 nd Degree tracing board as per the Greek Constitution. There was a ballot for 22 new Lodge members. The Accounts indicated that our expenditure exceeded income for the last two years. The Accounts were adopted and a subscription increase recommended. Over the weekend the Ladies visited Astley Hall, and also spent an afternoon painting pottery. On Saturday night there was a Ladies Festival with great food, splendid gifts and enthusiastic singing. Autumn Meeting (Knowle) After the Chapter meeting on Friday, there was a social event with good food and entertainment 19 members met at the Knoll Masonic Centre To enjoy some emulation working. The Worshipful master presented an explanation of Ecclesiastes and there were explanations of the 2 nd degree and 1 st degree tracing boards. There was a ballot to admit 24 joining members and a separate ballot to exclude 12 members for non payment. Attendance Members Visitors Joiners Member Resignations Member Exclusions Manchester 72 38 5 8 0 Chorley 27 10 21 0 0 Knowle 15 6 25 4 12 6 Members Departed for the Grand Lodge Above