‘The Lodge is a Place of Sanctuary’.
Lodge 60 Harp & Crown held their Installation of Officers on Saturday 23rd March 2024. This was a unique occasion in that the Master Elect was R.W. Brother Leslie Nixon Assistant Grand Master of the Most Worshipful the Grand Lodge of Ireland.
There was a very large attendance of lodge members and visitors. Many distinguished Brethren were present including the Most Worshipful Grand Master Rodney McCurley, the Grand Secretary Philip Daley, and the Provincial Grand Master of Antrim R.W. Brother John McLernon. Other distinguished Brethren represented Provinces from Munster to Fermanagh, Down to Londonderry & Donegal. Many Foreign Representatives were present together with Elected members of the Very Worshipful Grand Lodge of Instruction.
Before the meeting opened the Worshipful Master offered the Maul to the Provincial Grand Master of Antrim, R.W. Brother John McLernon. The PGM declined the offer to preside following which the lodge was opened in the Masters’ now accomplished and polished style. The Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Rodney McCurley was then formally received. The Worshipful Master warmly welcomed the Grand Master, noting the honour to have the Grand Master present at Lodge 60. The Grand Master accepted the opportunity to preside and briefly addressed the Brethren not wishing to delay proceedings.
The outgoing Worshipful Master then called on R.W. Brother Derrick Nixon to install his successor. R.W. Brother Derrick Nixon is of course the older Brother of the Master Elect, R.W. Bother Leslie Nixon. The Ceremony was conducted with the full dignity deserving of the occasion. R.W. Brother Derrick Nixon installed his younger Brother with skill & confidence derived of vast knowledge & experience together with a healthy measure of levity & repartee!
The new Master then proceeded to install the lodge officers. This was done in an accomplished, confident, and stylish manner, following which the R.W. Brother Nixon addressed the Brethren with heartfelt & sincere emotion of the honour & privilege to occupy the chair of Lodge 60, and his respect for all those Brethren who had served their country.
Before closing the Lodge, many guests brought fraternal greetings and were saluted accordingly.
Following the meeting a festive board was held and in response to the toast to the Worshipful Master R.W. Brother Nixon again spoke with emotion & affection noting that during troubled times the Lodge was a place of sanctuary to him and to many Brethren.
Freemasonry of course always has been and always will be a place of sanctuary, where brethren can find familiarity of surroundings in an often busy & complicated world, where there is support and fellowship, and where peace love and harmony is always to be found
Congratulations to all concerned.
Tommy Dowds