In Fraternal Remembrance

of

Bro Joseph Cowey, RGA

Who was killed in France on 29th August 1918

I knew Bro Cowey years before he joined the Craft as a leading chorister at Christ Church, where Sunday after Sunday I heard his fine voice raised in the service and praise of *TGAOTU.

Well, after a forced absence due to the COVID-19 restrictions, we had our first meeting back on the 10th September.

Restrictions still in place meant that we were not able to have visitors, and a good number of our own brethren still feel it is unsafe to return.  As a lodge we also feel that the amendments required to perform a ceremony would detract too much from the spectacle, and we are not prepared to carry one out in the current circumstances.

A special meeting for us this month.  We celebrated the 50th Anniversary of WBro Bob Parsons.  As it was Bob's special night, we took the opportunity of having a 'night off' from ritual, thus ending a two year run of 'live' ceremonies.  A welcomed respite!

The Lodge was opened and we then admitted our official Fraternal visitors, before receiving the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W Bro Simon Craig Steele, who was in attendance to present the 50-year certificate to Bob.

Where has 2019 gone?  December is upon us and, for Palatine, that can mean only one thing, our Annual Installation.

For the first time since 2015 we have a brand new Worshipful Master, with the installation of our Senior Warden, Master Elect, into the Chair of King Solomon; Brother Paul Staines.

The representative on the evening was friend of the lodge, WBro Ian Telfer, ably assisted, once again, by WBro Richard Davison, as his Director of Ceremonies, both of whom were given a very warm welcome into the lodge.