We had intended our February meeting to mark the Raising of Nigel as our newest Master Mason. Sadly however, as he was taken ill only that morning, we have to defer the ceremony until April when we very much hope he will be with us.

We used the opportunity instead to rehearse the ceremony of the Third Degree, with one of our visitors – a ruling Master – kindly ‘standing in’ as the Candidate. He admitted that it was helpful to him as well, as he was due to Raise a member of his own Lodge within the next fortnight and the reminder of how the ceremony runs was most welcome.

The rehearsal went well, building our confidence that when Nigel is with us we will Raise him in a flawless ceremony.

As always, dinner afterwards was an enjoyable occasion to round off the evening.