photos of the damage at Ballylumford. The old station, now closed survived intact and sadly, the new station took the damage.
I made good time down the Browns Bay Road, arriving at the Islandmagee Hall, as the final preparations were completed. I was met with a nice warm glass of non-alcoholic mulled wine, which was very tasty indeed. The downstairs Dining Room was well decorated for Christmas and Wor Bro Jeff Murray from Whiteabbey was getting his musical equipment set up to provide the music for the afternoon. Before the crowds arrived, I took a wander upstairs into the Lodge room which contains many items of Masonic interest.
By now people were starting to arrive, and the first thing that struck me were the number of Christmas jumpers on display. The Lodge Master Helge Hasler, had dressed for the weather and was amongst the first arrivals. And as I took a few photographs, my mulled wine was topped up a couple of times, in my absence. Shortly thereafter the hot sausage rolls arrived, followed by mince pies and shortbread, all allegedly cooked by Jim McCord. Meanwhile Jeff continued to play and sing a range of musical numbers old and new.
Ballots were sold and a good selection of prizes were available to the lucky winners. A total of eight hundred pounds was raised for lodge funds, which for a small country Lodge will be a very useful amount to keep maintenance etc up to date. By now the sky was starting to darken and strange noises were heard outside. Then the door swung open and in arrived Santa with his sack, much to the delight of all present. And as he had done earlier in the day, he gave out presents to all the children and those still young at heart, which brought the afternoon to a successful close. I should however note that the Brethren of Islandmagee have raised some five thousand and forty pounds this year for Masonic and Non-Masonic charities.
Once again, I must thank my various hosts for the day, Wor Bro Alistair McKay, Rt Wor Bro Sam Brennan and Very Wor Bro Jim McCord for their kind invitations to attend the various celebrations held today. Proof, if any were needed that Freemasonry in Antrim is alive and well. As recorded earlier Charitable giving is an important aspect of our Masonic lives with Barbeques, Breakfasts, Ballots, and many other varied and fascinating fund raising efforts throughout the Province. And the other main notable aspect is the involvement of our families and friends in our Lodge events. Indeed, as you have seen from our various photographs, the Cairncastle and Islandmagee events were well supported despite the weather, making them memorable events for all present. We can but hope that more Lodges will follow the lead shown by Lodges such as 330 Ballymoney, 788 Cairncastle and 162 Islandmagee.
And one final thought is the hope that my good friend Wor Bro Patrick Campbell MacDonnell, who sadly is currently in Antrim Area Hospital with Pneumonia will soon be restored amongst us, to continue his Masonic work in St John’s 162 Islandmagee. Paddy a long time member of The Irish Lodge of Research was a schoolteacher by profession, and an artist and sea farer by nature was the man who designed the Islandmagee window to mark the bicentennial of St John’s Lodge in 2013.
Robert Bashford