Just back from a busy Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim Installation meeting in The Hilton Hotel, Templepatrick. Our principal guest today was Most Wor the Grand Master – Most Wor Brother Rodney L McCurley accompanied by Rt Wor Bro Philip A. J. Daley Grand Secretary of The Grand Lodge of Ireland. Also in attendance were Rt Wor Bro Russell Waller the PGM of Meath, Rt Wor Bro Brian Gardner PGM of Down, Rt Wor Bro Derek Brennan PGM of The Metropolitan Area, Rt Wor Bro Alex McClenaghan PGM North Connaught, Rt Wor Bro Derek Dunne PGM of Munster, and Rt Wor Bro Jonny Woods PGM of Tyrone & Fermanagh. Also present representing Londonderry & Donegal was Rt Wor Bro Alan Maguire Asst PGM and representing Armagh was Rt Wor Bro John Richardson Asst PGM . There was a good turnout of Antrim Masons present, looking forward to a busy day.
Before our meeting formally began, we were joined by Ms Rosalind Cole representing Age NI, who was in attendance to collect a cheque from our Provincial Grand Master in the sum of £ 22,000.00 to support the work of AGE NI throughout Northern Ireland. Ms Cole was extremely thankful to our Provincial Master for nominating Age N.I. as his charity and spent some time telling us all what our donation meant in terms of the work provided by Age NI in support of our local elderly. Our Most Wor Grand Master also commended the Provincial Grand Master for his support of this worthwhile charity. It was at this point that Ms Cole and The Most Wor Grand Master retired, so that Provincial Grand Lodge could open and get the Installation ceremony underway.
Our new senior Grand Warden – W. Bro Graham Todd was invested and installed along with Wor Bro Jonathon K McMillan our new Junior Grand Warden. Wor Bro Michael Gingles was invested as our new Provincial Grand Treasurer. And so it went on Brethren until all the many Provincial Grand Lodge Officers were Invested, or Re-Appointed. One Brother that I was delighted to see present this afternoon was Very Wor Bro Jim McCord, Islandmagee No 162 who was presented with his Certificate of Rank, making him as Honorary Past Junior Grand Warden of The Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim. Jim has been one of the hardest working Charity Stewarts in the Province raising considerable sums for both Masonic and Non Masonic Charities on a yearly basis. He sadly has not enjoyed great health lately and I was delighted to see a large number of 162 Members present to support him at today’s ceremonies.
As usual on a day like this, there were a large number of well known Brethren present, and as always, it gave us all an opportunity to catch up with the latest news. All in all, a great day, enjoyed by all present.
Robert Bashford