St Bede Double

Wednesday 27^th November saw St Bede Lodge No 1119 welcome the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Michael Graham to their meeting at Grange Road, Jarrow.

St Bede Lodge, like a lot of Lodges has seen a massive decline in membership over many years but has managed to struggle on with a hard core of regulars and visitors keeping the meetings flowing. On this occasion the meeting was graced with a short talk by Lodge Treasurer and Charity Steward Phil Dunn, which was well received by all present.

The Assistant Provincial Grand Master Michael Graham then presented a 50 year membership certificate to the Master, Mark Livingstone on behalf of Past Master Tom Powell who was Initiated into the Lodge on the 26^th November 1969. Tom could not be present to accept the certificate himself and Michael expressed his wish that members of the Lodge visit Tom to present him with it personally.

Michael was also pleased to announce that the Lodge had achieved Gold status in reaching its target towards the 2021 Festival and had pleasure in presenting the Charity Steward Phil with his gold lapel pin and then presenting the Master, Mark with the certificate to mark the occasion.

The Festive Board concluded the evening with a fine meal in a relaxed atmosphere at which Michael, in his reply to the Provincial Toast praised the Lodge in their efforts in raising the funds to reach their Festival target.

Well done St Bede Lodge.