Brethren of the new Corinthian and Borsdane Lodge No 2350 gathered at Hindley Masonic Hall for their October 2023 meeting. The two lodges merged on 14 June 2023 with the first meeting of the merged lodge being in September.
The October meeting was a meeting full of ‘firsts’: The first visit from Assistant Provincial Grand Master for Wigan Group Malcolm Bell, the initiation of Mark Foster into Freemasonry as the first initiate into the new Corinthian and Borsdane Lodge and the visit by three entered apprentices, one of whom, Iain Farley, was the last initiate into Corinthian Lodge in May just before the merger.
Paul Park from Bryn Lodge No 6553 and Peter Leyland from Tuscan Oak and Lamberthead Lodge No 6387 were invited as guests of the lodge, and it was a pleasure to see these two brethren in the lodge room and also at the festive board sitting beside Iain Farley from Corinthian Lodge.
Prior to the meeting, Malcolm Bell spoke to each of the entered apprentices individually and welcomed them to the meeting and said he hoped they would enjoy witnessing a first degree ceremony.
The lodge was opened by the WM Alan Johnston who carried out the lodge business before inviting Daryl Grundy to occupy the master’s Chair to undertake the ceremony of initiation. Daryl, along with the officers of the lodge initiated Mark Foster into Freemasonry in an excellent fashion. His proposer, Peter Newell, also presented the first degree working tools to the acclaim of all present, whilst junior deacon Phillip Dobson was faultless in his assistance to the candidate during the perambulations around the lodge, ably assisted by senior deacon Raymond Pye. To top off a splendid ceremony, an excellent charge after initiation was presented by Neil Whittle.
Following the initiation, Malcolm Bell presented Mark with a booklet from the Wigan Group which briefly explains the first degree ceremony and also encouraged him to try and visit a lodge where a first degree ceremony will be taking place. He referenced the ceremony and wished all the entered apprentices the very best for their future in Freemasonry.
A splendid festive board followed where the brethren enjoyed the company and food with the toast to the new entered apprentice Mark Foster being proposed by Peter Newell.