The Brethren of Harmony Masonic Lodge No 645 decided to mark the Tercentenary of The Grand Lodge of Ireland this year by celebrating their 240 years of commitment and support to Grand Lodge, from their Constitution on the 5th April 1785. So they have spent quite a time arranging the various aspects of their anniversary, which was held yesterday, the 29th March in the Whiteabbey Masonic Centre. Their Guest of Honour was Rt Wor Bro John S. McLernon Provincial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim and Rt Wor Bro John Hunter Grand Registrar of The Grand Lodge of Ireland. Also present was Rt Wor Bro Robert J. Thompson one of the Past Provincial Grand Masters of Antrim.
Our meeting started promptly with Wor Bro Eddie Baillie in the chair, and he began the meeting with a salute to the memory of Most Wor Bro Rodney McCurley, Grand Master who passed to the Grand Lodge Above, a few weeks ago. Then he welcomed in Right Wor Bro McLernon, presented him with the maul and invited him to take the Chair. Rt Wor Bro McLernon accepted and took the Chair until after the Minutes had been read, passed, and approved. Then Wor Bro Eddie returned to the Chair and conducted the remainder of the business of the meeting. He got great support from his Secretary Thiepval Young, Treasurer Clifford Bell and Director of Ceremonies Glen McFarland.
Then we arrived at the real surprises of the meeting. Wor Bro Billy Beattie Secretary of The Belfast Masonic Widows and Charity Funds was conducted to the Chair where he was presented with a cheque for £ 30,000.00 ( Thirty Thousand Pounds ) for the Belfast funds. Then Wor Bro Brian Morrison was conducted to the Chair and he in turn was also presented with another cheque for £ 30,000.00 ( Thirty Thousand Pounds ) for the Freemasons of Ireland Victoria Jubilee Benevolent & Welfare Fund. Both recipients were clearly delighted to receive such substantial cheques and thanked the Lodge for their ongoing support for the charitable works that they do. We then went on to close the Lodge, before we all set off to Ballyclare Golf Club for the 240th Anniversary Dinner.
On arrival at the Golf Club, we all had some liquid refreshment before Wor Bro Jack Adair MBE FGPT, took over proceedings as our Toastmaster for the evening. He got us all into the Dining Room and seated, with all present getting the new 645 Lodge Tie, based on their original Lodge seal from the 1780’s complete with Early Grand Encampment symbolism. We received an excellent roast beef dinner followed by tasty dessert and then on to the speeches. All in all, a great evening, with the members of one of the oldest surviving Lodges in the Province of Antrim and a night of great craic.
Robert Bashford