P.G.L. of Tyrone and Fermanagh

SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION SATURDAY 23 APRIL 2016

This year marked an extra special milestone within Freemasonry circles in the Dungannon area, with St John's Masonic Lodge No 185 celebrating its 150th year anniversary. To mark this momentous year the inaugural event for the lodge was the installation of officers on Tuesday 1st March 2016, with Worshipful Master elect Bro Philip Bloomer installed as Worshipful Master for the incoming year.

To mark 150 years of continuous working, the lodge members decided to hold their April Communication in the Freemason's Hall in Molesworth Street, Dublin. Planning began early in the new year and an invitation was extended to masonic lodges across the Dungannon and Cookstown area. It was also decided to invite wives and partners for a bit retail therapy and sightseeing in Dublin, while the lodge members held their Communication.

On Saturday 23rd April the members were delighted to be joined by a number of brethren from sister lodges in Dungannon, Cookstown and Coalisland for the coach trip to Dublin. The first activity was a refreshment stop at Monasterboice Inn, Drogheda for morning coffee and Scones. Suitably refreshed the party then continued on its way to Dublin. After negotiating the Saturday morning Dublin traffic, one way streets and road works, the coach party finally arrived in Molesworth Street. With everyone in good spirits the Brethren waved good bye to their wives and girlfriends who carried on into the centre of Dublin while the Brethren took a light refreshment before sitting down to lunch provided by the Freemason Hall staff.

Following lunch the members and invited guests held a special communication of St John's Masonic Lodge 185 Dungannon, in the glorious surrounding of the GL Throne Room. This was the first time that the lodge had held a Communication in Molesworth Street and the W. M. W Bro Bloomer took the opportunity to welcome all those brethren who travelled from Dungannon and Cookstown, to be with the lodge and for joining them in marking this milestone in the history of the lodge. He also thanked the members of the lodge for electing him as the Worshipful Master of the lodge, in this its 150th anniversary year.

The lodge was pleased to be joined by the Provincial Deputy Grand Master R. W. Bro F. R. L Arnold and Provincial Assistant Grand Master R. W. Bro H. S. Whittle from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Tyrone & Fermanagh, for the special Communication. The W.M. stated it was a great honour and privilege to have such senior officers from Provincial Grand Lodge in attendance and he extended a warm welcome to both before saluting them according to ancient custom.

Provincial Deputy Grand Master R. W. Bro F. R. L. Arnold thanked Worshipful Master and replied on behalf of himself and the Provincial Assistant Grand Master R. W. Bro Stanley Whittle, for the tremendously warm salutation and hospitality they both received from the members of St John Masonic Lodge 185 and he expressed how pleased they both were to be invited to join with the lodge for such a momentous occasion.

The W.M. then proceeded to transact the business that came before Lodge and he was commended by both members and guests on the way he conducted the Communication. As the W.M. brought the Communication to a close the visiting brethren were saluted according ancient custom and they replied bringing salutations and best wishes from their respective lodges. For many it was their first time in the GL Throne Room and they remarked on the grandeur of the décor and the sense of history. The Communication closed in Peace Love and Harmony and the members and guests retired for refreshments before being joined by their wives and partners who had returned from shopping and sightseeing.

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