On Monday night, APGM WBro Tony Davies visited Uppermill together with a Provincial Delegation to witness the Installation of Bro Eric Howarth as Worshipful Master.

Following the opening of the Lodge, the Provincial Director of Ceremonies WBro Ian Brookes entered the Lodge to ask his brother, Installing Master WBro Peter Brookes to admit the APGM WBro Tony Davies (surely a first !). The APGM duly entered with his accompanying Officers and following greetings, went on to present the Master Elect, Bro.Eric Howarth. WBro Peter Brookes ably assisted by his Officers performed an excellent Installation Ceremony culminating in the address to the Brethren by the APGM.

Cheques were presented to WBro Davies as follows: £500 to ELMBF, £300 to the Mark 2021 Festival and £150 to the Provincial Meeting. A further cheque for £250 towards the Festival was also presented on behalf of Mrs Valerie Foster (wife of WBro Reg Foster) who had nominated the Festival as her preferred Charity after successfully winning this amount as the “Ladies Prize” at the January Ladies Evening. The APGM thanked the Lodge profusely for the generous donations. It was also announced that the Lodge would be donating £200 to Dr.Kershaws Hospice in Oldham and the sum of £1000 towards a much needed lift at the Hall.

The evening concluded with 33 Brethren taking their seats at the Festive Board with the usual good-natured banter with our visitors from “over th’hill” in West Yorkshire !