It was a bitterly cold evening with temperatures below freezing but that did not dampen the spirits of the brethren of Yachtsman’s Lodge No 3698 which incorporates Otterspool Lodge No 6605
While the brethren assembled in the lodge room, the ladies enjoyed a heart-warming drink in the bar. The lodge DC Phil Gambrill occupied the chair as the WM was unavailable and Phil opened the lodge in due form. The first order of business was to request the brethren to stand to order in respect of departed merit. This was followed by the signing of the minutes of the installation ceremony held in November.
The lodge was then opened to the second degree and the junior deacon Andrew Aitchison was asked to present the working tools of a fellow craft Freemason which he did impeccably in a strong and confident manner. The brethren spontaneously applauded Andrew for the excellent explanation of the working tools. Before closing the lodge to the second degree Phil thanked Andrew for the work he had done.
Phil proposed a prospective candidate for membership, a young man who had come through the Pathway Scheme and as the lodge does not meet in January it is hoped that the prospective candidate will be initiated in February 2023. All lodge business taken care of, Phil closed the lodge in due form and requested the brethren to join the ladies in the bar.
The brethren and their ladies and partners enjoyed a traditional Christmas meal of parsnip soup, roast turkey and Christmas pudding followed by mince pies and mints. Everyone enjoyed the evening and left the golf club to de-ice their cars.
Story and pictures by Colin Roberts.