One of the enduring capabilities of Freemasonry over its long history is the ability to adapt to changes and its environment. The well publicised increases to the cost of living, energy prices and food costs, has filtered down accordingly and as a result dining and meeting costs have risen for many venues.
The Artists Club in Eberle Street, Liverpool, the meeting place for lodges and chapters of the Gladstone Group, have introduced a minimum number of diners at the Club, which can prove a challenge, especially for chapters, where minimum numbers of members to dine may be harder to achieve. In an inventive measure to meet that challenge, members of both the Imperial Sefton Lodge No 680 and Sefton Chapter No 680 have established a practice of occasional joint meetings.
With Christmas lights festooned high across both sides of the passageway of Eberle Street, giving a festive feel to the occasion, members and visitors to both the lodge and chapter were well met. The chapter meets first and so the chapter was opened in fine form, by stand-in first principal Paul Shirley, deputising for Phil Marshall, second principal Mark Crawford and third principal Alan Riley, who was deputising for John Ryan.
As this is traditionally a festive meeting of the lodge and chapter, the business of the chapter which dealt with administrative matters was concluded swiftly and the chapter was closed in solemn form. For those who wished to attend the lodge, a quick change from chapter to lodge regalia soon followed, and for those who are chapter members only, a drink in the warm and welcoming surrounding of the Grundy Room awaited.
Having all assembled in the lodge room, the WM David Boyes, assisted by the senior warden Alan Riley, and junior warden Mick Southern, who was standing in for Tim Burgess, opened the lodge. Again, the lodge was mainly concerned with administrative matters and inner guard, Suvigya Rakesh was called forward to receive his grand lodge certificate which was aptly explained in fine detail by Paul Shepherd.
The lodge business being duly completed, and the lodge formally closed, members and a healthy number of visitors, joined those already present in the Grundy Room for pre-dinner drinks. The tables laid with Christmas decorations and crackers, the festive dinner menu was examined, crackers pulled, jokes read and tables were filled with laughter and merriment as all settled down to enjoy dinner.
A further surprise was soon to be had for those who had not perhaps visited before, Paul Shepherd arose and announced each member of the Royal Buckley Town Band who filed in, to take up residence in the dining room. The band members who were adorned with Christmas hats and jumpers, trumpets, trombones, euphoniums and tubas, began to assemble, whilst Patrick Kent handed out traditional Christmas carol song sheets.
To much amusement. compere Paul, handed out jingle bells and other accessories and began the festive concert with encouragement and individual participation of various traditional carols. Encouraging the singing of Adeste Fidelis in Latin, was a highlight, although most opted for the English version of ‘O come all Ye Faithful’.
The three principals henceforth known as ‘the three tenors’, gave a performance of ‘Silent Night’, and a rendition of old favourite Jingle Bells, with enthusiastic ‘jingle’ bell ringing encouraged by Paul. The 12 days of Christmas is always a staple, and Paul assigned verses to specific tables, requiring audience participation to stand, sing their stanza and sit down afterwards, with David ‘Five Golden Rings’ Hawkes in a baritone melody being a highlight with each repetition.
As all good things must come to an end, the evening was rounded off by Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, with Patrick ‘Chorister’ Kent, singing in commensurate fashion, a very enjoyable evening was had by all. The last words must be left to the WM David Boyes, who thanked the Royal Buckley Town Band for supporting their Christmas meeting over the years, and particular thanks to Paul Shepherd who as compere had personally made the evening so humorous and entertaining, a joint endeavour indeed.
