Masonically, 2022 has now come to a close for us and, as December is our Installation meeting, it also means passing from one Worshipful Master to the next.  WBro Paul Staines, albeit assisted / hampered by COVID, has become the first Worshipful Master since WBro Robert Hutton (1812-1815) to serve three consecutive years in the Master's Chair.  He has served the Office, and this Lodge, well, during his years.

December is always our Installation Meeting, and was once more on this occasion.  However, this year was different in that our current Worshipful Master, WBro Paul Staines, has remained in place for a third year (two being the usual limit these days).

The past two years have been stilted, for obvious reasons, and so all involved with the Lodge felt it correct that we should ask Paul to continue, which he was glad to do.

I am minded of what I wrote back in December 2019 when he was first installed.

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.

Our annual meeting was held on Thursday 13th December, 2018, this being the installation of WBro Martin Pigford.

The representative on the evening was WBro John Johnston Stevenson, ably assisted by WBro Richard Davison, who was his Director of Ceremonies for the night.  It was the second succesive year Richard has performed this role at Palatine. He is a true friend of the lodge! They both received a very warm welcome from the brethren.

Our annual meeting was held on Thursday 14th December, 2017. It was the installation of WBro Martin Nicholson.

The representative on the evening was WBro Michael Graham Junior, ably assisted by WBro Richard Davison, who was his Director of Ceremonies for the night. They both received a very warm welcome from the brethren, albeit a very cold one in the temple. Our heating is still broken!

Another fine evening was spent on Thursday 8th December, 2016.

Having been re-elected Master, in my absence, at our November meeting, I was duly installed into the chair at our December meeting, or rather, proclaimed in the chair. As it is now quite common for Masters' of the lodge to serve a second consecutive term, the province have proposed a new ceremony for this situation, and having adapted it slightly to fit in with Palatine workings, it was performed thus.