Last year readers may remember that Northumberland Freemasons reported on a never-before-seen ceremony when Seahouses Masonic Hall, in North Sunderland, played host to the first ever Amalgamation Ceremony between Heart of Glendale Lodge No.4005 and Farne Lodge No.5228, thus preserving the history of both of these Lodges and ensuring continued Freemasonry in the area under the auspices of the Farne and Glendale Lodge No.5228.
On that evening a contingent of Provincial Officers, led by Ian Craigs, the Head of Northumberland Freemasons, along with a packed to the rafters building containing assembled members and guests, were treated to a spectacularly unique ceremony.
Jump forward seven months and Seahouses Masonic Hall was at it again when the Farne and Glendale Lodge invited Ian Craigs and his contingent of Provincial Officers to re-attend the venue, on this occasion to dedicate their new banner.
A packed building played host to yet another unique ceremony when the first banner dedication of the first amalgamated Lodge was undertaken, swiftly followed by a fiftieth year celebratory certificate to WBro Michael Murray to celebrate his uninterrupted service to the Craft.
Michael was initiated into Freemasonry when he joined in November 1971. He occupied the office of Master in 1987 and was acknowledged in Provincial Grand Lodge when he received appointment to the rank of Past Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in 1998.
Congratulations from everyone at Northumberland Freemasons for the outstanding achievements of the Lodge and Michael and we wish you all the very best for the future.
If you have a story, event, or news item that you would like to share, please email the Provincial Communications Team at news@northumberlandmasons.org.uk