The 10th of September 2024 saw the Charles Dickens Lodge No 8597 celebrate their 50th anniversary and 444th Regular Meeting. Their current Master (at 10/9/24) is Worshipful Brother Ian Rees.
A provincial visit was planned to bolster the celebrations, with a First Degree lecture from the Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge being the core works in the temple. The Provincial team was headed by the Deputy Provincial Grandmaster (DPGM) David Perkis. He was accompanied by our own Assistant Provincial Grandmaster Chris Bayliss, and the Provincial Senior Warden Simon Baigent.
As is usual on such occasions, the DPGM briefly took the Masters chair and highlighted the all too common decline in membership numbers of the Lodge. A reduction from 43 to 33 over the last 6 years. he membership challenge was at the core of his brief, and he stressed that the future of every lodge is down “to all of its members” and not just the Membership Officer. The importance that camaraderie plays in our Lodges was emphasised with a suggestion that, if required, we should consider spending less time dining to allow for this.
After the lecture, Area Vice Chairman Graham Lant presented a Grand Lodge Certificate to Brother Rhys Warren. Worshipful Brother Scott Clark, the southeast area Festival Chairman, appraised all present of the great generosity shown by Charles Dickens Lodge in their donations to the MCF2027 festival, with 50% of their members being festival stewards, and the Lodge being just short of their gold honorific (as at 10th Sept 2024).
A good-humoured festive board was enjoyed by all present, with quite the most “photo real” cake I think I have ever seen!
I am sure the great man himself would have been proud to have been so presented.
50 years on from their consecration, with a line of young and keen light blues going through the progressive offices, it seems that the Lodge may have turned a corner. I am sure we all wish Charles Dickens Lodge well for their future.
Thank you, and well done for hosting a wonderful evening!