On Wednesday evening VW Bro Peter Manning was installed into the chair of the Lodge of Unity, not by our outgoing Worshipful Master, as is our Lodge’s custom, but by the Provincial Grand Master himself, MW Bro Philip Hall, who made a surprise entrance into the lodge just as the installation ceremony was about to commence.
The ‘surprise’, known to but three in the world, had been carefully planned to add an extra level of occasion to what was already a rare, if not unique occasion.
75 brethren had assembled in the Lodge room to witness not only VW Bro Peter Manning occupy the Master’s chair but for his two sons, Ben and Oliver Manning to occupy the Senior and Junior Warden’s chairs respectively.
After the ceremony the festive board took the form of a Burns Night celebration complete with the traditional piping in and presentation of Brother Haggis by W.Bro John Cowen.