

Ten members of St Lawrence Lodge have been ‘back to where it all began’ for a meeting at Ancholme, their mother Lodge. It’s the latest meeting in what’s quickly become a new tradition of reciprocal visits, with St Lawrence going to Ancholme in November, and Ancholme making the return trip in March.
The meeting was a Past Master’s evening, with Chris Fletcher in the Chair, describing himself as the ‘youngest of the old ones’. He led the team in an impeccable delivery of a First Degree ceremony in which normal Lodge DC Dave Gilman was re-initiated.
At the Festive Board Chris highlighted just how important visiting other Lodges was to Freemasonry, and suggested that to ease the financial burden members might like to ask to be invited to other Lodge meetings, but to offer to pay their own way. He saw that as a way to increase numbers at meetings.
Chris Young-Woolley sang the visitors’ song in fine style – which is always a joy to listen to. The Ancholme Lodge warrant is dated September 1869; St Lawrence’s is November November 1884.
And finally, Chris Fletcher, whose dad had come from Leicestershire to watch the ceremony, suggested that since it was a Past Masters’ night it might have been in sepia. Happy to oblige, Chris! In our picture the St Lawrence members are ranged in front of the Ancholme brethren.