Brethren, another enjoyable evening in South Antrim with the Brethren of St John’s Lodge No 162 Islandmagee as they installed their Worshipful Master and Officers for 2024. But before I start, I must thank my host Wor Bro Graeme Ferguson, Lodge Secretary for his kind invitation to attend and his transport to and from the meeting. As usual down on the island, there was a good turnout of guests present. The Guest of Honour was Rt Wor Bro Sam Brennan, Provincial Assistant Grand Master of Antrim. Also present and looking well was Rt Wor Bro Jack O Dunlop past Provincial Deputy Grand Master of Antrim and Wor Bro Michael Gingles Assistant Treasurer of The Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim, with plenty of support from other past and present Officers of the PGL of Antrim. One other important guest present was Rt Wor Bro John Peoples, Representative of the Grand Lodge of Togo National, at the Grand Lodge of Ireland, who later in the evening would Install the new Master into the Throne of Solomon in Islandmagee for 2024. All credit is due to him for an excellent degree, which as enjoyed by all qualified to attend.
The Lodge opened promptly at 5.00PM under Wor Bro Ross ( Rinka ) Hawkins, who welcomed all the Lodge Guests and conducted the business up to the point where he invited Rt Wor Peoples to take over and install the new Master. It was at this time, that I discovered the new Master – Wor Bro Helge Hasler was a German citizen, who has a house on the Island. He has a long involvement with the Lodge but a serious illness a couple of years ago, meant that his son in law – Wor Bro Ross Hawkins was brought into the chair until he was fully recovered. He was now Installed into Office as Worshipful Master and in turn, in an exemplary manner Installed his officers. And I would have to say, that for a natural German speaker, he did a great job in English, not his first language.
At this point, I must give my congratulations to one other very hard working member of St John’s 162. Here I am referring to Wor Bro Jim McCord, who with his carefully selected band of helpers, raises large sums of money for both Masonic and Non Masonic Charities every year. In 2023, they raised a total of £ 5,435.00, which is made up as set-out below :-
Belfast Masonic Widows £ 600.00 Hope House Respite £ 650.00 Red Hall £ 100.00
Belfast Masonic Charity £ 500.00 Leukaemia Research £ 500.00 British Legion £ 50.00
Charity Collection + Gift £ 795.00 NI Age Concern £ 500.00 local play group £ 500.00
Lodge Widows £ 700.00 McMillan Nurses £ 500.00 Whitehead £ 50.00
Under Jim’s guidance the Lodge actively fund raises with ballots, draws, and many informal fund raisers such as musical evenings, whisky tasting, barbeques, and Santa’s annual Lodge visit each Christmas. Many Lodges will look at those figures above and hopefully take encouragement as they try to improve and increase their charitable giving in the year ahead. Suffice to say, Jim and his team should be congratulated by us all for the excellent work that they do, on our behalf, supporting many important Charities and promoting the Masonic Order to the public at large.
Robert Bashford