Technically only Samaritan Lodge No 4342 reached the age of 100. The lodge was consecrated on 13 December 1921. The first initiate was Cyril (Pop) Rimmer who, by coincidence, was WM for the second time in 1967, when he initiated the current secretary John Taylor. Despite the Second World War, initiations continued and in 1942 the secretary was instructed to purchase 100 cigarettes for each of the brethren serving in the armed forces.
A famous member of Samaritan Lodge was Bill Plant who was a great ritualist and director of ceremonies of the lodge for many years. He was so capable when it came to ritual that he was awarded the silver matchbox for reciting the first, second and third degree ceremonies to perfection. The matchbox is on display at the entrance of the Masonic hall.
Samaritan Lodge was a dry lodge until 1986. That is to say that no alcohol was served at the festive board. Ainsdale Lodge No 5884 was never so! Ainsdale Lodge was founded at the height of the Second World War in 1942, to facilitate Masons who couldn’t travel to their existing lodges in the surrounding areas due to wartime restrictions. Most of the members came from the unionist club or S & A Golf Club. It is interesting to note that they finished the festive board by singing ‘We’ll meet again’. As both lodges found their numbers dwindling the two lodges decided to share the same meetings, which was such a success that in 2011 the two lodges amalgamated assuming the number 4342 from Samaritan Lodge. Since then, the lodge has gone from strength to strength.
And so, to 21 January 2022, when the centenary was celebrated. The lodge was honoured by the presence of Philip Gunning, Deputy Provincial Grand Master, and the whole Provincial team. The lodge was opened by Mike Pilkington the WM of Ainsdale Samaritan Lodge and the domestic business concluded. Phil was then admitted along with the Provincial team. Philip took the chair of the lodge, and having installed his officers, he opened Provincial Grand Lodge in the name of the Royal Solomon.
When work was resumed in the first degree, entered apprentices were readmitted. It was gratifying to see so many of them, for they are the future of Freemasonry. The centenary certificate was read by Peter Taylor the Provincial Grand Secretary and it was presented to the WM, along with his centenary jewel.
The assembled lodge was then treated to an oration by Rev Cannon John Hall, the Provincial Grand Chaplain who said there was strength in unity and joining the two lodges together had produced a strong unit. He then proceeded to rededicate the lodge. Philip Gunning then closed Provincial Grand Lodge, and the chair was handed back to Mike Pilkington.
The lodge was then closed and everyone retired to the festive board for a very good meal, accompanied by wine. On sitting down the visitors were delighted to receive a crystal whiskey glass engraved to mark the occasion.
Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Mark Matthews, proposed the health of Philip Gunning who in turn replied and proposed the health of the lodge, Mike Pilkington replied and thanked everyone who had contributed to making the evening such a success.
