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Lodge Niederrhein Installation week-end 5-7 June, 2009
Our new Worshipful Master, Worshipful Brother Martin has asked me to write a Newsletter regarding the installation week-end. He would also like to announce that his Charity for 2009/2010 will be the Paul Moor School in keeping with the support we have given this worthy cause since 2003.
Brethren it has been a hectic, but wonderful week- end we have just completed. I would like to congratulate the Installing Master, Ronaldo for his energy, fortitude and industry, the new Master, Martin for the immaculate manner in which he has started, Jim for his Secretarial expertise, all members of the Installing Board, Mathias for his music, all members for their fortitude and last but certainly not least Glyn for so much.
Glyn was not only DC, Preceptor, singer, and personal coach to the Installing Master, Printer superb but he was the hotel co-ordinator.Congratulations !
The week-end started with the raising on the Friday of Chris to the sublime degree of a Master Mason at the Logenhaus. This was a unique meeting as the duties were carried out by our non resident members. Richard E was the Master, ably supported by a team from Doncaster, Peter B, Ian S, Graham B, Mike B, Colin F, Derek, Geoff E and Les F and Ian G from Salisbury, and Jim C from Sussex. All performed brilliantly and Richard who was outstanding was able to perform the Ritual for Chris who he has proposed into the Lodge. Chris you conducted yourself admirably. There were 15 residents, 14 non residents and 11 visitors present.
Saturday was of-course the Installation. Here all concerned should be proud of what turned out to be a marvellous day. There were I think 88 brethren at the Meeting and 74 sat down for the festive board. 23 residents, 17 non residents were present.
We were honoured by the presence of the Grand Master, his Deputy and Assistant. In-fact 12 Active Officers of our Grand Lodge (plus the 4 who are members of Niederrhein who I have already included.) and a plethora of Grand Lodge Officers and Provincial Grand Lodge Officers from other Constitutions, and Past Grand Lodge Officers of our own Grand Lodge, Reigning Masters and other visitors a total of 36 completed the 88 present.
Lodge Niederrhein now has 100 members .There are 43 residents and 57 non residents. It is absolutely brilliant that 17 non residents were able to attend. There were 9 from the Doncaster area, 3 from Manchester, 3 from Sussex, 1 from Salisbury and 1 from Italy. There were many apologies from non residents and I am sure that most of the 20 residents who did not attend will have submitted their apologies to Jim- I am aware of at least 10.
In December 2004 we had 88 members, since then 37 have joined us but sadly in the same period 10 brethren have gone to the Eternal East and 15 for various reasons have left us so we have a net gain in 4 years 6 months of 12 brethren.
It was a wonderful meeting followed by an excellent festive board, with substantial money being raised for the Paul Moor School by way of the raffle. There were fine speeches and outstanding amusing responses from three visitors- Stuart G, Arthur L from Doncaster and Nigel O from Burgess Hill.
The WM, Martin gave an excellent initial speech where he stated that this was his happiest and greatest achievement to reach the chair of Lodge Niederrhein and said it was more gratifying to him than any of his academic and professional achievements. He told us all that we were now the largest Lodge within Düsseldorf and probably Nord Rhein.
Both The GM and his Deputy expressed their appreciation of the day and thanked Niederrhein for its strength, support and loyalty to the United Grand Lodges of Germany and the Grand Lodge of British Freemasons in Germany.
A theme spoken about by several speakers including the WM, IPM, Senior Warden, and myself is the international, cosmopolitan aspect of our Lodge. We have 12 brethren from 12 nationalities carrying out the beautiful Emulation ritual in the English language.
In my response to the Toast to the Founders and Past Masters, I thanked the Founders and early Past Masters like Paul who was present- and an outstanding Installing Warden on the day having celebrated his 81st birthday two day prior to the Installation and dear Frank A who sadly because of his health had missed the Installation for the first time in years. We thank these great brethren
for their prescience to ensure that we would take in brethren from all walks of life and cultures to make us what we are today a wonderful strong cosmopolitan and civilised Lodge.
I quoted from the great Willy John McBride who as captain of the most successful Rugby team ever to leave Britain and Ireland, back in 1974 said something which could have been Masonic.
“I don’t blame the man who drops the ball, I blame the man who is not there to cover for him.” Yes brethren don’t blame the brother who makes a mistake, blame the brother who is not there for him.
With Brotherly love, relief and truth we will always go forward.
Well done Worshipful Master, well done Lodge Niederrhein.
Kind regards to you all .
S&F
David
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