On a warm and bright Saturday evening, as the orange rays of the setting sun reflected on the opened windows of the school dining room, almost 70 diners mingled together for a jovial end of season ‘Old English’ feast, hosted Old Huttonian Lodge No 7614.
A quick business meeting was held before the lodge’s director of ceremonies requested that all gentlemen and brethren take their seats at the festive board. Master of the lodge Damien McKeand gave a welcome and Bill Pearce gave grace before the first course of black-pudding benedict was served. The main course was lamb, accompanied by mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables in gravy, which was enjoyed just as much.
Old Huttonian Lodge members and guests are always delighted to sample the fine-dining cuisine provided by chef Lee Munro and his hard-working staff. Masonic Event Catering is based at The Palace, St Annes-on-the-Sea and provides a consistent high-quality standard of catering for all lodges, chapters and other Masonic Orders meeting there. We are extremely fortunate to have Masonic Event Catering attending all our Old Huttonian Lodge festive boards.
Following the first two food courses, lodge member David Topping arranged for sumptuous cheese platters, biscuits and chutneys to be circulated around the tables. Being a very special Old English Night occasion, the lodge port decanters were sent round for the diners to enjoy a glass of port with their cheese.
The evening was rounded off with stand-up comedy provided by Richard Dennison from the Lancaster Group, accompanied by local lad Martin Parker. Both Richard and Martin are old hands at telling jokes and they had everyone in stitches with their tales and gags, carefully honed over many years.
After the comedy hour, Ian Heyes along with treasurer Dave Johnson conducted the brown envelope raffle where 22 quality prizes were won, many by the gentlemen guests which made the raffle extra special. The raffle raised a wonderful total of £512 for our charities.
In his concluding remarks, Damien McKeand thanked everyone for their attendance and generosity, especially those gentlemen and brethren who donated raffle prizes.
The next meeting of Old Huttonian Lodge will be the installation ceremony on Saturday 7 September 2024. For all enquiries regarding the installation, please email the secretary Colin Mills on cmsec.7614@gmail.com to book a place.
