The team at St John’s Lodge No 162 held an Afternoon Tea down in the hall in Islandmagee on the afternoon of the 12th October 2024. As usual the arrangements had been put together by Very Wor Bro Jim McCord, who with his team, had put together an afternoon of entertainment for their Lodge Members, Families, Friends, and Guests, to raise some funds for The Belfast Widows Fund and The Belfast Charity Fund.
On the day, the Afternoon tea was well supported by Lodge members and their guests. Everyone got tea, coffee and a good selection of sandwiches, cake, and buns, before their guest speaker – the Reverend Mervyn Gibson told the story of his life, which kept the audience enthralled for about 30 minutes. One interesting fact that he told them was, that whilst he was at university on the five year course to become a minister, his two girls both got financial support from the Girls School Fund, to support them on their third level education. His presentation went down well with all present and there was another lively twenty minute question and answer session with Mervyn before Jim and the Team sold their ballot tickets and with their other fund raising managed to lift some £ 750.00 for the Belfast Charity funds.
It was particularly pleasing to learn that Paddy McDonald was present, and by all reports looking hale and healthy as he approaches his eightieth birthday. And as usual there was a good turnout of Brethren from Redhall 260, down from Ballycarry, to support their friends in Islandmagee.
Robert Bashford