As Worshipful Master, I welcomed our own Brethren as well as our 13 Visitors to the
671st meeting of our Lodge. It was duly noted that WBro Eddie Wildman had by
surprise wandered in off the street to partake, once again, of our renowned Old
Hymerian Fraternal conviviality!

At this point I proceeded to give a brief insight into the Agenda of this meeting, the
highlight of this being the Initiation of a new member, in the presence of both his
Father and his Grandfather! This is an occurrence well worth celebrating, as it must be
so rare to physically welcome 3 generations of the same family into the same Lodge!
I continued on to open the Lodge in the first degree as usual – always in accordance
with the Book of Emulation Ritual at the Old Hymerian Lodge No6885, and taking the
opening Ode in the first instance.

We moved on to receive a portion of the Antient Charges from our Brother Secretary
and proceeded then to approve and confirm the minutes of the previous meeting, with
but a singular amendment having been noted – well done Brother Secretary!

The investing of WBro Holborn was a pleasure to perform as the next item, especially
as this was his first attendance since his recent illness. He also commented to me that
he was looking forward to actually being present to witness the scheduled business
within the Lodge, as he had spent the previous two years in the office of Tyler – who’s
position, as we all know, is ‘outside the door of the Lodge, being armed with a drawn
sword…’ for the entirety of the meeting!

I then had the pleasure to hand over the Chair and the Gavel to Worshipful Brother
Cadle so that he was able to perform the ceremony of the Initiation of his son Will
Cadle – It was great to sit back and witness WBro Anthony’s exemplary Ritual during
this time, with Will’s Grandfather WBro David Cadle presenting the Working Tools to
him in his own inimitable style!

Before I knew it I was back in my rightful place in the Chair of KS to congratulate the
Cadle Family and then to oversee the Ballot for a Joining Member of our Lodge.
Bro Richard, an unattached Mason, has visited our Lodge on a couple of
occasions recently and obviously liked what he saw! Having been regularly proposed
and seconded in our March Lodge meeting, he sailed though the obligatory Ballot,
returning into the Lodge to take up his place with his fellow OH Brethren on our
benches. Bro DC then accompanied Bro Richard to the WMs Chair to receive a hearty
masonic welcome and congratulations, as well as a copy of our ByeLaws for his later
perusal.

The business of the evening was now drawing to a close, so we received a brief Royal
Arch Chapter report from WBro Cadle. An Almoners report was read out, in this

instance, by Bro Secretary as the Almoner himself was unable to attend due to him
being potted up following an injury to the ACL on his right leg – get well soon RWBro
Jeff!

The Summons declared that we were due to receive and approve the Lodge accounts
at this point but I called again on Bro Secretary Robin Alden (always keep your
Secretary on his toes!) to pass on the news that, due to the illness of the Chief Auditor
WBro Mike Roberts, this business would be seen to at next monthly meeting in May.
Greetings were then received from our many guests – with the Secretary committing
to register all of these in his usual, accurate manner!

The Lodge was then duly closed and, following on from the taking of a number of
snaps for the Cadle Family Album, the Brethren retired for a most delicious and
pleasant Festive Board, where the usual Toasts were given, submitted and responded
to, and a powerful rendition of the EAs song was given to welcome our newly made
Mason, Bro Will Cadle.

Indeed, the only fly in the ointment at this point was the claiming of the Travelling
Gavel by the 9 visiting Brethren of the Lodge of Lord Bolton No.3263. With such a large
contingent it was, in all honesty however, a true pleasure to hand the Gavel over to
their Senior Warden Bro Colin Bird who received it on behalf of their WM WBro Robert
Gwatkin. Please consider it a short term loan WM!!

WBro David Waddington – WM of the Old Hymerian Lodge No.6885