Wednesday 13th July 2022 saw the eventual celebration of Caer Urfa Lodge’s Centenary, a celebration that had been on hold due to the tail end of the Covid Pandemic and it was well worth the wait!

Our Provincial Grand Master, John Paul Thompson led his first Craft Deputation since his Installation and it was wonderful to witness the pomp and ceremony as a full team of Sword, Standards and plenty of gold braid paraded into the fabulous South Shields Lodge room.

After handing back the chairs to the lodge, the brethren in attendance were treated to a marvellous history of the lodge and some of its former members by Geoff Hadaway who delivered the piece in his normal expert manner.

The Provincial Grand Master then figuratively, due to the world shortage of vellum and calligraphers, presented the Centenary Warrant to the lodge after the Provincial Deputy Grand Secretary had read out the citation contained in it. Every member of the Lodge was then presented with a special Centenary Jewel to mark the outstanding milestone by the Provincial Grand Master before the Lodge was closed in harmony.

Before closing, the lodge had time to spring a surprise on the Provincial Grand Master when they presented him with a cheque of £1921 for Durham Benevolence at the second rising.

The brethren then enjoyed a full-to-capacity festive board where it was clear to see by everyone present that the brethren were clearly enjoying the occasion and proving our new Provincial Grand Master’s theory is indeed correct, we really are stronger together!

Brethren we really are back in business.