The Gresham Lodge 869, one of the oldest Lodges in the Province of Hertfordshire held a Banner Re-Dedication meeting on Saturday 22nd October 2011 at Halsey Masonic Hall, Cheshunt as part of their 150th Anniversary Year, much to the delight of over 120 brethren.
After accepting the Worshipful Master`s gavel, the ceremony was carried out in an excellent manner by The Provincial Grand Master RW Bro Colin Harris and supported by five of his Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, namely W Bro James Young PSGD; W Bro. James Sharpley PSGD; W Bro David Ferris PSGD; W Bro Thomas Hedderson PSGD and W Bro Keith Gilbert PJGD.
Also in attendance were W Bro Keith Piggott ProvSGW; W Bro Michael Claridge ProvJGW; W Bro Hugh Oram ProvGSec; W Bro James Harrison PAGDC whom the Lodge members were most indebted to for the rehearsals he performed prior to the meeting, thus ensuring their part of the ceremony would prove polished and faultless; W Bro Anthony Wright ProvDepG Chaplain who gave a fascinating oration on the Lodge’s history; W Bro Peter Walters ProvDepGDC and W Bro Howard Roberts Provincial Grand Organist for adding the musical splendour to the ceremony.
To commemorate the occasion a 40-page colour brochure was compiled by W Bro Ray Leader PPDepGReg (Past Master of Gresham Lodge) that outlined the Lodge’s history since its consecration on 19th June 1861 together with many historical facts and photographs obtained from various archives.
Following the very touching and memorable Re-dedication ceremony, everybody enjoyed a magnificent Festive Board under the direction of W Bro Peter Walters ProvDepGDC where the Gresham Lodge Worshipful Master W Bro Walter Taylor PPGReg was presented with a large framed picture by RW Bro Colin Harris featuring the 150th year Gresham Lodge members, which is to be hung within the Halsey Masonic Centre.
The Worshipful Master together with all the members of the Gresham Lodge would like to take this opportunity to express their thanks and gratitude to the Provincial Grand Master RW Bro Colin Harris together with his Executive team that were present and of course all of our welcomed Guests that attended this truly enjoyable and memorable meeting, all of which played important roles in establishing a further landmark in the history of Gresham Lodge No. 869.
