Page 28 - Essex Mason Issue 85

Events

Essex Masonic Bowls

Open 2018

After a period of 8 years and no events being held since 2010,
the Essex Masonic Bowls Association sprung into life again with
a triples event held at Hockley Bowling Club on Sunday 22nd
July. Organised by W.Bro. Tony Goater and W.Bro. Richard
Goodwin, the event was promoted around the province of
Essex and 10 Lodges put forward a team to play in the event,
with a reserve list of several other Lodges.

With glorious sunshine and good weather, all attending had an enjoyable time and the day attracted many others who came to
watch the bowling. The eventual winners were Corinthian Centenary Lodge No.8488 hailing from Burnham with Lodge of Amity
No.5753 from Southend the runners up and missing out by 1 point. The photos show the winners and runners up.
With a new lease of life having been given to the Essex Masonic Bowls
Association, it is planned to hold another Bowls Open in 2019 to be
held at Thorpe Bay Bowling Club in June or July, and information will be
distributed as soon as it is available. If anyone wants to pre book a place
for next year’s event (subject to date availability), please email us on the
contact details below.

W.Bro. Tony Goater rkdl9820@aol.com W.Bro. Richard Goodwin
richard-goodwin@virginmedia.com event organisers

Abbeygate Lodge 4219

Legacy and Chair Ceremony

By David Betts
bbeygate Lodge was dissolved in 2014 with remaining assets
Aand funds needing disposal. Brothers Ken Parrish and David
Betts were charged with the task, Bro. Ken overseeing the finances
and Bro. David the regalia and furnishings. Needy Lodges were
invited to apply for items with a proviso that a donation be made
to a Charity of their choice.
Various projects followed starting with donations to the Widows fund and the purchasing of new Robes and Regalia for the attached Abbeygate Chapter
and Rose Croix.
The Masonic Centre has a side room used for small meetings and this was refurbished with new lighting, display cabinets and the re-framing and titling
of pictures and photographs, (kindly executed by Kens wife Brenda), and renamed ‘The Abbeygate Room’ The biggest Project was the design and
construction of new Master and Wardens Chairs for the Centre as the existing ones, at present owned by Angel Lodge No.51, were showing signs of fatigue
and wear after more than 200 years of use.
Brothers Ken and David sought out the assistance of a Master Craftsman W. Brother Paul Smith of ‘Virtue and Silence’ Lodge in Hadleigh and who has a
workshop on the old Airfield at Raydon and together the three Brothers designed the new chairs keeping in view some of the characteristics of the old ones.
After many visits and much discussion the new chairs were finally completed and with the help of W. Brothers Andrew Johnson and Dave Boylan a ceremony
was arranged at the Colchester Masonic Centre.
As the original chairs were owned by Angel Lodge an offer was made to members of the Abbeygate Lodge to hold the presentation during their Installation
Ceremony held on the 23rd October 2018.
During the meeting the Lodge was ‘Called Off’ and the D.C. handed the proceedings over
to W.Bro. David Betts who, with the help of Brother Ken, made the presentation. After the
various projects had been explained Bro. Paul Smith gave a brief explanation of how the
chairs were constructed using exotic woods and specially sourced leather from Scotland.
The Provincial Deputy Grand Chaplain W. Bro. Leslie Retford rose and gave a short talk and
blessed the new chairs after which the old Masters one was taken out and the new chair put
in its rightful place.
The Chairman and Board member for the
Centre, W.Bro. Barry Young, then thanked the
generosity of the Abbeygate Members and
accepted the chairs on behalf of the Colchester
Masonic Hall Company.

The Ceremony was then handed to back to the D.C. W. Bro Andrew Johnson who cordially invited W.Bro
David Betts to place the newly appointed Worshipful Master, Leslie J. Long, into the new chair. The
Lodge was then ‘Called On’ and the Labours of the evening completed after which everyone retired to
the Festive Board.

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