Just returned from an enjoyable afternoon with the Wor Master, Officers and Brethren of St John’s Masonic Lodge No 162, Islandmagee. This afternoon was their annual Christmas Party for Lodge Widows, Brethren, and friends in the wilds of Islandmagee. It was certainly wild today with plenty of cold fresh air coming in from The North Channel. However on arrival I was given my first glass of tasty, mulled wine that certainly warmed me up for the afternoon’s activities. We had some fifty eight present including six of the thirteen Lodge Widows, sadly the others were unable to join us on the day.
After a few words of welcome from the current Lodge Master – Ross Hawkins, better known to some as Ross Rinka, we began with a feast of sandwiches, sausage rolls coffee and tea. White – Abbey’s best known celebrity musician Geoff Murray was present, providing a range of excellent musical accompaniment as we all enjoyed the food. Our second course, as one would expect at Christmas was hot mince pies, accompanied with fresh Rinka ice-cream, a treat for all concerned.
During the afternoon, we had a few flurries of snow and, around four thirty, we heard some noise outside, which turned out to be Santa and his sleigh. Gifts were given out, much to the delight of everyone present. As usual, in Islandmagee, they held a charity ballot which raised some £ 600.00 for the Belfast Masonic Widows Fund and the Belfast Charity Fund. I would take this opportunity to thank Wor Bro Jim McCord for his kind invitation, once again to join with the Brethren of Islandmagee at this very enjoyable event today, another successful occasion in a very busy year for the Lodge.
Robert Bashford