The members of Dormer Lodge No 4389 were delighted to have the
Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker as the principal guest at their first meeting in 2011. Peter was unable to attend the
lodge installation meeting in November 2009 and he had promised to visit the lodge at the earliest opportunity.
Peter was welcomed into the lodge by the Worshipful Master David Constantine.
Peter was accompanied by Dennis Rudd (Assistant Provincial Grand Master), the Provincial Grand Wardens, Michael Collins and
David Kavanagh and Paul Hesketh and Robert Wright, both of whom are Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies. David
Redhead (group chairman) and other distinguished brethren also attended the meeting.
The business of the evening was to receive a lecture on the second degree tracing board given by
Alan Hughes. After his lecture Alan was thanked by the WM for his delivery of the lecture, which David said was delivered
in an excellent and sincere way. This was followed by acclamation from all the brethren present.
At the festive board Dennis said he was delighted to be able to respond to the toast
to grand officers as it gave him an opportunity to inform the brethren about the inroads that Peter has made since he became
Provincial Grand Master. He then gave a summary of the many new initiatives Peter has made since his appointment. He then
proposed the toast to the health of the Provincial Grand Master.
In
his response Peter said he had known Dennis for many years, in fact they had become assistants at the same time in 2003. He
thanked Dennis for the long service he has given to the Craft and wished him a long and healthy retirement. Peter also thanked
David Redhead for the service he has given, particularly as group chairman for the past five years. Peter then spoke about
the four parts of Freemasonry as he sees them in the province, namely; lodges, Masonic halls, groups and the province.
He said that he was pleased to report that membership had stabilised and
in 2010 showed a slight increase, which he hoped would continue with the hard work that John Wingfield and his membership
team are doing. He also said the work currently being carried out to restructure the Liverpool groups evidenced his wish to
ensure that groups are fit for purpose. Peter then recommended brethren to visit the new look provincial website, which is
a great place to find out what is happening in the province and also offers non-Masons information about Freemasonry including
our principals and history.
David Kavanagh in his response
to the toast to the health of the provincial officers thanked all the members of the lodge for their kind hospitality. He
also informed the brethren that tickets are still available for the provincial ball at the Reebok stadium on 18 March.
