Another quiet one for us this month, with no fewer than six officers of the Lodge absent due to work, holidays, and other commitments.

The business of the evening was an enactment of the First Degree ceremony, and despite only the Worshipful Master and Junior Deacon being in their regular offices, with some juggling, and the assistance of a few recruits from other Lodges, we still managed to pull it off! I must give thanks to W Bro Eddie Forster of Sportmans Lodge No. 9440 (JW) and Bro Ian Wardle of Nautilus Lodge No. 4259 (IG) for filling the gaps we couldn't slot someone in to.

We were always a little uncertain how many would attend our meeting, given it was the Thursday before the long bank holiday weekend, and it proved the case that the numbers were a little all-over. A host of our own brethren were notably absent, but, fortunately, we were well supported by our visitors.

The Lodge having been opened, we welcomed our visitors and then received the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W Bro Simon Craig Steele, who was in attendance to present a 50-year certificate to Bro Ron Crossley.

A quiet meeting by our regular standards, with over twenty brethren absent for one reason or another.

We gave a lecture on the evening entitled The Masonic Apron. Palatine Lodge has been fortunate in being able to count many keen historians amongst its members, past and present, and this lecture was written by W Bro EG Watson, author of volume one of our Lodge history, and was compiled into the Palatine Book of Lectures by Bro GE Pearson in 1914.

The first outing of 2017 and what an enjoyable night it was.

The business of the evening was the dedication of a new lodge banner. Donated to the lodge by the Rutter family brethren (father and two sons'), The Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W Bro Simon Craig Steele received the banner for dedication and the Provincial Grand Chaplain, Canon Ron Black gave the dedication prayer, including a brief history of Phoenix Lodge.