Middlesbrough Lodge's Officers Dinner
Improving communications – Middlesbrough Lodges.
On Tuesday, 15th April 2008, 72 serving Officers from the Middlesbrough Lodges, including nine current Worshipful Masters, met in the Masonic Hall, Roman Road, Middlesbrough.
The meeting had been organised by WBro Bob Harvey and WBro Clive Gregory of the North York Lodge No. 602. The purpose of the evening was to try and improve communication between the Lodges, to facilitate Brethren meeting with and identifying Officers from other Lodges, to provide the opportunity for Brethren to discuss the way forward for Freemasonry in the Middlesbrough area, and enjoy each other’s company. It was further hoped that the meeting would result in greater numbers of Brethren visiting neighbouring Lodges.
After a reception, when drinks were served, the Brethren sat down to a three Course meal. The Brethren at each table were then invited to discuss how the objectives of the evening could be attained and a spokesman for each table reported their conclusions. The main ideas which are to be pursued were:-
- To encourage more visiting between Lodges by the use of several initiatives.
- By trying to get at least two members of your Lodge to attend all of the Middlesbrough Lodge meetings (not the same two I might add!)
- By sending a monthly calendar around the Lodge at the after meeting to encourage members to visit other Lodges
- To create a network of Social Secretaries from the Lodges to share ideas
on Social Evenings and Masonic Events
- To display, on a custom made display board, Lodge meeting dates and the ceremony to be held.
- To encourage Lodges to look after new members by possible appointing a “God Parent” to them as well as their Proposer and Seconder.
A Raffle was held and thanks to the generosity of those present the magnificent sum of £430 was raised. The proceeds will go towards the funding of a party, which is to be held in the Masonic Hall on 30th July, 2008 for 24 children from Belarus who had been injured in the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster in 1986
The children attending the party will, at that time, be the guests of Cleveland residents throughout Cleveland. W.Bro. David Robson, a member of the North York Lodge, will be providing accommodation and care for two of the children at his home.
(More information on Chernobyl Child Lifeline Charity which organise these visits and other initiatives, can be obtained by visiting http://www.chernobylchildlifeline.org/).
At the end of the evening Brethren present concluded that the evening had been a great success. A number of interesting and valid issues had been raised which it is hoped can be implemented over the coming months.
It is hoped that this type of gathering will be repeated and hopefully become an Annual Event in Middlesbrough.