Friday 26th April 2024 and not only was it their Installation meeting but, exactly 100 years since the Lodge was consecrated. A great turnout with over 40 Brethren present. There was the usual warm welcome you always get at Hipperholme plus the excitement of a very special meeting for them. The Province turned out in style to celebrate this very special day. The Provincial Grand Master R.W. Bro.J. Trevor Bolton heading a team of acting officers. Present was W.Bro. Gary Parker Prov.G.Sec. and W.Bro. Mark Holland Prov.G.D.C. to make sure the evening went as planned. And it did.
Trevor and his team entered the Lodge and were warmly welcomed. The W.M. W.Bro. Dennis Habergham welcomed Trevor who on this occasion took the gavel thanked Dennis for the courtesy but explaining as soon as the Centenary celebration part of the night was done it would be coming straight back to him so he could Install his successor.
Trevor explained the proceedings of the night and then Dennis went on to give a brief history of Hipperholme RAM. The Elevation fee back in 1924 was one guinea and annual subscriptions five shillings. The building opened in 1892 and closed again in 1911 and was briefly a cinema. Lightcliffe Craft Lodge bought the building and first met there in 1919. The current bar area housed the Council’s fire engine; you can seethe original doors on the main road. They have many very recognisable names as members over the years too many to mention here. Just look at their summons next time you visit. Our current P.G.M. Trevor was elevated into Hipperholme Lodge back in 1999, and they are very proud to have launched his Royal Ark Mariner career!
Gary then read both the Grand and Provincial Grand Lodge Centenary warrants which were presented by Trevor to Dennis as were the Centenary Jewels to each member. Gary then read a super oration written as usual by W.Bro. Roger Quick Prov. G.Chap. who was unable to be there. He talked about its Founders, the healing powers of the porphyry stone, the fall of Byzantium, the F.A.Cup final in 1924, Halifax Theatre, Rudolph Valentino, Goole, Barnoldswick, Wisconsin, Koszalin in Poland whose nearest Masonic Lodge is a mere three hours’ drive away. A warm welcome awaits, second Tuesday! Interesting and entertaining, thank you Roger.
Then on to the Installation. A super ceremony. Poor Dennis must have had a very busy month or more with all the work he had to do. But, with a great team behind you it’s easy, isn’t it……? It was delivered in style and with W.Bro. John Davies now in the chair the meeting was concluded, and it was down to a sumptuous Festive board.
At the Festive board Trevor talked about what a wonderful meeting it had been, and the achievement of reaching its Centenary which was due to the love, commitment and hard work of ALL its members. Prime examples were Brethren such as R.W.Bro. Brian Morris Batty, the Scribe W.Bro. Nicholas Rowland and, W.Bro. John McRiner who had earlier presented Trevor with his Centenary Jewel to remind him of his days at Hipperholme RAM. John was Commander when Trevor was Elevated in 1999.
Thank you, Hipperholme RAM Lodge No.,715. A fantastic Centenary, super Installation and, a fabulous Festive board with great company.
Andrew Johnson
Communications Manager