Progression, Reunion and a Special Bottle of Whisky – Oct 2024 Meeting

The Lodge of Honour no. 379 resumed its new Masonic season on the 14th of October, 2024, following the summer break. Our October Regular Meeting marked a significant and fulfilling evening for the brethren, full of important milestones and a sense of reunion. The evening featured several key highlights, including a third-degree ceremony, the return of a cherished brother, the warm attendance of visiting guests from sister lodges and visitors from afar with historic ties to the Lodge of Honour.

Progressive Members

At this meeting, we were privileged to witness the raising of one of our junior brethren to the degree of Master Mason, a progression that continues to be central to our lodge’s commitment to fostering personal and spiritual growth among our members. The ceremony went off flawlessly, with everyone contributing to ensure that it proceeded with dignity and precision.

It is noteworthy that this marks the second third-degree ceremony held in recent months, following an emergency meeting in May when another junior brother was also raised. We now look forward to two further third-degree ceremonies in November, in line with our goal of ensuring that all of our junior members reach the rank of Master Mason before our Grand Bicentenary Celebration next year.

Brothers Reunion

In addition to this important milestone, we had the honour of welcoming back W.Bro. M. Scaggs, a highly esteemed member of our lodge. W.Bro. M. Scaggs first took the Chair in 1979 and once again in 1995, during which time he played a pivotal role including serving as Lodge Secretary and also introducing W.Bro. Stanistreet to Freemasonry. W. Bro A Stanistreet has just recently rejoined the Lodge of Honour himself. This October meeting saw these two distinguished brethren reunited in the Lodge of Honour, further strengthening the ties of fellowship within our lodge. It was W. Bro M. Scaggs that first introduced W. Bro A. Stanistreet to freemasonry.

Lost Traditions of the Lodge

Both brothers shared their personal experiences and nostalgia of the lodge; reflecting on how things were in the past, how they are now, and what could be done to make our meetings even more enjoyable. One such tradition that came up in their conversation was the use of the Silver Chalice, a two-handled Loving Cup that was filled with wine and passed around.

This was a unique custom practiced exclusively by Lodge of Honour in Bath at that time. According to them, no other lodge within Bath did this. The ritual begins with the Worshipful Master filling the Silver Chalice with wine. He would then take the first sip from the Chalice, wipe the rim with a white napkin attached to the Chalice and pass it on to the next member. Each member would do the same – take a sip, wipe the rim and pass it along.

A distinctive feature of this ritual was that the brethren would have their backs turned towards each other, so that while one member took their sip, the other would ‘guard’ his back. It would certainly be interesting to see this time-honoured tradition reinstated at the festive board, adding a special touch to our gatherings.

Visiting Brethren and a Special Bond

The festive board was particularly vibrant, enriched by the presence of several visiting brethren. We were delighted to host the “Silent Six,” a group of Worshipful Masters from our sister lodges in Bath, including Royal Cumberland Lodge, Royal Albert Edward Lodge, and Elizabethan Lodge.

Among the guests were also members of Athelstan Lodge No. 9033, who had made contact with our lodge secretary over the summer with a special connection – one of their junior members is the son of a past member of our lodge.

After some research, our secretary was able to retrieve the summons from November 1972, when this member’s father, W.Bro. Southwood, was installed as the Worshipful Master of the Lodge of Honour, see Roll of Past Masters and photo of summons below.

The reunion with this past family connection brought a unique sense of continuity and heritage to the evening. Coincidentally, W.Bro Southwood’s time in the chair was also around the time of the lodge’s 150th anniversary celebration. That honour fell on W. Bro L Scott-White two years later in 1974/75.

Travelling all the way from Weston-super-Mare, the brethren of Athelstan Lodge, led by their current Worshipful Master, added to the lively atmosphere of our meeting. Their participation extended beyond mere attendance, as they generously contributed to our charitable endeavours and donated raffle prizes, making the evening not only enjoyable but also meaningful in supporting our lodge’s efforts towards charity.

Another Special Whisky Raffle for the Widows’ Fund

In addition to the evening’s Masonic proceedings, another special Whisky Raffle was organised by W.Bro. Stanistreet, this time to raise funds in support of our lodge’s charitable efforts for the widows of departed brethren. The prize—a distinguished bottle of single malt whisky valued at approximately £200 in the market—sparked great interest and enthusiasm among the attendees. The bottle was distilled on 3 Dec 2001 and bottled in Feb 2022. This means that it has aged in the cask for 21 years before being bottled. The exclusive raffle is aimed at supplementing our alms collection, with the specific goal of making our upcoming Bicentenary Gala on 8th March 2025, even more memorable for the widows.

Each year, together with our sister lodges in Bath, we organize a Christmas Lunch for the widows, where we provide gifts in the form of flowers, chocolates, and gift vouchers. However, next year we wanted to go a step further and extend an invitation to these cherished ladies to join us at the Bicentenary Gala, celebrating 200 years of the Lodge of Honour. The proceeds from this special Whisky Raffle will help cover the costs of their attendance, ensuring that they too can partake in this historic occasion.

The raffle was met with an overwhelming response from both members and guests, with many generously contributing to the cause. Tickets are selling quickly, and the anticipation is building for the eventual draw, which will take place once all tickets have been sold. The raffle serves as a meaningful way to honour and support the widows, while also bringing a touch of excitement to the lodge’s charitable activities.

In all, this October meeting was a resounding success, combining the solemnity of Masonic ritual with the joy of reunion and camaraderie. It has set a vibrant, positive tone for the rest of the season, and we eagerly anticipate the ceremonies and celebrations that lie ahead as we prepare for our Bicentenary milestone next year.

We would be pleased to welcome all who may want to join in our Bicentenary celebration. This will be a special meeting on March 8th followed by a Gala dinner open to all family and friends. For more information visit Bicentenary Celebrations