Earlham Lodge MINUTES  3^rd June 2008

The Condensed Minutes of the 269th  Regular Meeting which was held on the above date at the
Chingford Masonic Centre, Chingford, London E4 7AZ   
The Chair was occupied by the W.M.(acting) W. Bro. Michael Kenner PPGSwdB, PPGstB (RA) with:- W. Bro Elliott Chevin ProvGStwd, I.P.M. and supported by 
Bro. Melvyn Elliott SW, Bro. Malcolm Ordever J W, W. Bro Laurence Gold(acting) PPJGD, Chaplain, W. Bro. Stephen Forman PPSGD, LGR. PProvAGStB ( RA) Treasurer, W/Bro  Jack Pikus ProvAGDC, Secretary, W. Bro. Mark Abrahams PProvAGDC, PZ,  DC, Bro. Gary Green PPAGPurs, Almoner, W. Bro. Ronnie Blaskett PPAGDC,PZ  Charity Steward,  Bro. Paul Rosen S.D, Bro Michael Carson J.D., W. Bro. Simon Driver PPJGW, LGR, PPGReg (RA),LGCR  ADC,   Bro. Ronnie Wagner  IG, W. Bro’s Jeffrey Bernard PPAGDC,PZ,  Gerald Chevin PPGSwdB, PPGReg(RA),LGCR, Stephen Lewis and Bros. Daniel Lewis and Ivan Kelly were Stewards, W. Bro P Palmer, LGR was Tyler.

The W.M. was supported by 18 Officers, 11PM’s ,4 Members & 17 Visitors whose names are recorded in the signature book. 

Item 1  The Lodge was opened at 16:30 in due form and solemn prayer, the W.M. displayed the Warrant of the Lodge. 

Item 2 The Minutes of the previous regular meeting, having already been circulated were put to the Brethren, passed, and signed as a true record. 

Salutations were given to the DPGM V W. Bro. Peter Holland and he suitably responded.

Item 3  A Ballot was taken for Michael John Spencer and Neil Marcel Driver as possible Initiates and also Bro. Raymond  Sturgess and W. Bro. David John Antony Driver as possible Joining members. The Ballot was found in their favour. The IG, confirmed that Michael Spencer had signed the Declaration Book.  Mr Michael Spencer, a poor candidate in the state of darkness was admitted into the mysteries and privileges of Ancient Freemasonry. The SW, Bro Melvyn Elliott presented the Long Apron in a captivating manner. The working tools were delivered by Bro. Gerald Chevin in a meaningful and delightful manner. After which the WM presented the Initiate with the BOC and Bye Laws of the Lodge and the White Gloves were presented by Bro. Malcolm Ordever in a charismatic fashion. Bro. Michael Spencer was then conducted from the Lodge to restore his personal comforts.  The Lodge was called OFF at 17.50. The Lodge was called ON at 17.55. Bro. Michael Spencer was re-admitted. The Symbolism and the Charge were delivered by W. Bro. Jeffrey Bernard in a reasonable style.  W. Bro’s Elliott Chevin, Stephen Forman and Roy Valens delivered an explanation of the 1^st degree tracing board in a excellent manner to the acclaim of all present. Bro Michael Spencer was then seated in the Lodge.

Item 4   Pursuant to a Notice of Motion in his name, W. Bro. Stephen Forman proposed an increase in Membership fees by £10 to £205( with the dining levy to remain at £10) and for non dining fees by £5 to £100 and the visitors fees to be unaltered at £22. This was seconded by W. Bro Jack Pikus and carried.

Item 5.  W. Bro Simon Driver was duly proclaimed as WM for the ensuing year.  

Item 6 W. Bro Stephen Forman was duly proclaimed as Treasurer for the ensuing year.

Item 7a.  W. Bro Philip Palmer was proposed by the Secretary to be re-elected as Tyler, seconded by W. Bro Simon Driver, put to the Brethren and voted for unanimously by a show of hands.  7b. W. Bros Kenner and Cohen were proposed by the Secretary as to be re-elected as joint Auditors, seconded by our DC, put to the Brethren and voted for unanimously by a show of hands..  7c..Bro’s Daniel Lewis and Dino Morena were proposed by the Secretary as the 2 Lay Brethren to serve on the GPC, seconded by W. Bro. Stephen Forman, put to the Brethren and voted for unanimously by a show of hands. 

Item 8. W Bro. Cyril Purkis presented the Grand Lodge Certificate to Bro. Daniel Lewis in a very competent manner.

Item 9.  The W.M. called on the Almoner. Bro. Gary Green for his report….Congratulations  to W. Bro’s Simon Driver and Chris Selby on their respective Golden Wedding Anniversaries and to W. Bro Roy Valens on his Ruby Wedding Anniversary…….. and not so good news, including W. Bro Laurence Lewis still having heart problems, W Bro Alex Shoffren’s French mother-in-law died, W. Bro. Jeffrey Bernard’s wife Ann had an operation following an accident in her flat, W. Bro Harold Soskin had a hernia operation, Bro. Melvyn Elliott sustained a leg injury, Bro. Richard Cohen was injured whilst jogging and has his leg in plaster, W. Bro Alan Cohen has a back problem, W. Bro Gerald Chevin is to have stents placed in his leg and W. Bro Ronnie Marks is due to have a heart operation……and a number of birthdays were mentioned.

Item 10. The W.M. asked the Charity Steward W/Bro Ronald Blaskett to collect Alms; a total of £ 219.30 was raised. 

Salutations were offered to the Grand Officer present, W Bro Sidney Hyams and a suitable response was made. Salutations were also offered to Provincial Grand Officers of Essex, Officers of and holders of SLGR, LGR, Provincial and District Grand Lodges present and a suitable response was made.

The W.M. rose for the 1st time.  The Secretary stated that Grand Lodge Communications had been received and were available for inspection.

The W.M. rose for the 2nd time. The Secretary stated that he may have one or possibly two candidates for initiation and will let the Brethren know once he receives a signed form, if applicable and also asked each member to review their circle of friends, relatives and business associates, to see if a another potential candidate can be found..

The W.M. rose for the 3rd time . The Secretary stated that there were a number of apologies from W. Bro’s Laurence Lewis, Chris Selby, Ray Solomons, Harold Soskin, Stephen Pinner and Bro’s Richard Cohen, Stanley Einhorn, Barry Shamplin, Henry Engelsman and Alex Shoffren . The Secretary also stated that he will be arranging a Committee Meeting for Tuesday 1^st July.   The Secretary then congratulated W. Bro. Gerald Chevin for being seconded on to the Provincial Committee for Media and Communications as the Communications Officer for the Province of Essex, who responded by saying that it is incumbent upon each Lodge to acquire at least one copy of the “Masters Chair” at £25 and all proceeds will go to the Essex Festival 2011.   W. Bro. Gerald Chevin made a Notice of Motion in his name to bestow Honorary Membership upon W. Bro. Martin Grahame and also congratulated W. Bro’s Simon Driver, Ron Blaskett, Jack Pikus and Elliott Chevin upon receiving their Honours at Grand Lodge in March, the details of which were outlined in the minute of 8^th January 2008. The DC mentioned that W. Bro. Ronnie Marks had only 2 copies of the new inner working book still available, so any member wanting to purchase this book for £4 will be served on a first come, first served basis.

 After singing the first verse of the National Anthem the Lodge was closed in peace and harmony with solemn prayer at 19.00.

The W.M. accompanied by his Wardens, DPGM, Grand Officer, Provincial Grand Officers of Essex, Holders of SLGR.,LGR., and Officers of Provincial. and District Grand Lodges, Masters of other Lodges, Distinguished Guests and the Brethren left the Temple to dine.

 

Signed: Worshipful Master …………………………………………      Dated ………………………..................................