Extract from
OFFICIAL GAZETTE Nov 2007

Mowbray Lodge No 5373 holds its Regular Meetings at Wearside Masonic Temple, Burdon Road, Sunderland on the first Monday of seven months of each year. The October Meeting held on 3rd October 2007 was the date set for the 75th Anniversary Celebrations of the Lodge and the Brethren were determined that this special anniversary for their Lodge would be a most splendid occasion and one that those present would not forget.

The Lodge was opened by W Bro Dr R Bhalla, PPrSGW and after the Summons was read and the Minutes of the previous meeting confirmed with other relative business, the elections for the 2007/2008 Officers were successfully carried out.

A further election was then undertaken and W Bro Frank Westwick, BSc, PSGD, PAPrGM who was Master of the Lodge in 1964 was elected as an honorary member for services rendered to the Lodge. Bro Westwick was initiated into Mowbray Lodge on the 7th December 1955 at the age of thirty one years and his service to his Lodge and to the Province since then has been extensive in all respects. After his election as an honorary member W Bro Westwick was invited to occupy the Masters Chair and conduct the 75th Anniversary celebrations.

The Provincial Grand Master Rt W Bro D Richmond was then admitted into the Lodge accompanied by a Deputation of Grand Officers and Provincial Grand Officers.

The acting Worshipful Master then invited W Bro C H M Culkin, PPrJGW to read the minutes ofthe 50th anniversary celebration which was held at the same building on 19th October 1982. Notable Brethren of the Province who were present and are still amongst current members were recalled as were other well known names who have passed to the Grand Lodge above. A second degree ceremony in which Bro Peter Swinburne was passed to the second degree had been carried out and the Master on that occasion was W Bro R K Walton. Bro Swinburne is still a member of the Lodge. W Bro I H Telfer, PJGD, PPrSGW then read the report of the 50th Anniversary from the Provincial Gazette.

The Provincial Grand Chaplain W Bro Rev'd M S Snowball, PAGChap was then invited to dedicate a new Lodge Banner. The banner had been financed for the Lodge by the generous donations of three sisters Mrs. Anne Carruthers, Mrs. Dorothy Gray and Mrs. Judith Telfer all of whose husbands are members of the Lodge and whose late father was W Bro Frank Ainsley. The splendid banner was made by W Bro Max Gaskin, PPrJGW of Strathmore Lodge No 6229.

The banner was paraded around the Lodge room by the three youngest members of the Lodge and after the oration and dedication by the Provincial Grand Chaplain was placed in a prominent position in the Lodge.

In addition to the Lodge celebrations it was also noted on this particular day that W Bro P P Paterson, PAGDC celebrated thirty years membership of the craft whilst W Bro I H Telfer, PJGD celebrated forty three years membership of the craft.

Before the Lodge was closed the acting Worshipful Master, W Bro Frank Westwick recalled that at the 50th Anniversary Celebrations £1000 had been presented in support of the 1989 Festival for the Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys. Because of inflation and he being a mathematician it was felt a greater amount should be presented and he then presented to the Provincial Grand Master a cheque for £10,000 in support of the 2010 RMBI Festival. Rt W Bro Richmond was overwhelmed by the enormity of the cheque and thanked the Brethren of Mowbray Lodge for their most magnificent and generous gift of new money which was most welcome in our festival campaign.

At the banquet which followed, the proceedings were conducted by W Bro Dr R Bhalla and the Provincial Grand Master responded to his toast with the Provincial Senior Grand Warden proposing a toast to the Lodge.

During the evening the Provincial Grand Master was supported by V W Bro N E Heaviside, GSwdB, DProvGM, W Bros K E C Howe, PSGD, G A Currie, PSGD, D E Lascelles, PJGD, AProvGMs; S A Atkinson, ProvSGW, G. G Gilbraith, ProvJGW, Rev'd M S Snowball, PAGChap, ProvGChap, J W Warren, PAGDC, ProvGTreas, A Bunting, ProvGReg, A Hall, PJGD, ProvGSec, P P Paterson, PAGDC, ProvGDC, T F R Coulson, PJGD, A L Appleton, ProvGSwdB, R C Black, ProvGReg, ProvDGChap, A P F Foster, PAGDC, G Jones, PPrGSwdB, ProvDGDCs; G E Crawford, J H Patterson, I C Smith, PSGDs, J Wilson, ProvJGD, Rev'd G Harris, ProvAGChap, Dr M J Walker, ProvAGReg, E C Patterson, M J K Sweet, ProvAGDCs; R M Blackett, ProvGOrg, C H Mullen, W P Wade, ProvGStBs; G Crossley, PAGSwdB, ProvGTyler, D Warneford (2ndProvGPrin) and K N Park, PAGDCs. On this splendid occasion there was also a galaxy of Grand Officers present and they were F Westwick, PSGD, J J Gardner, PAGReg, J R Oliver, J Murray, B Elstrop, I H Telfer, M L Jolly, PJGDs; A C Harrison, K Marley, A R Gurteen, P AGDCs; T W Creighton, A R Farrar, J W Froud, PGStBs; C Gregory', PAGStB.

ORATION

Delivered by W Bro Rev'd M S Snowball, PAGChap, ProvGChap at the 75th Anniversary of Mowbray Lodge No 5373 on Wednesday, 3rd October 2007

Worshipful Master, Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Distinguished Brethren, Brethren all:

Tell me, Brethren, what better way to start an oration on such an occasion as this than by giving a rendition of "Happy Birthday"? Yes - you heard me aright! But, Brethren, don't look so worried, I don't intend to sing it alone. No! I'm going to ask all those who aren't members of this Lodge to sing along with me. So please, Brethren, if you will, be upstanding, and we'll begin after three - one, two, three. Thank you, Brethren, you may now sit.

Well, I don't know about you, but that has definitely put me in a party mood. And so it should! For it's not everyday we celebrate a 75th birthday of a Lodge. And may I say what a privilege and a pleasure it is to be with you tonight.

But hang on a minute - if this is a birthday party, what else do we need? I know - a birthday tea: well that we'll be having later on at the festive board. But there's still something else - now what can it be? Ah, yes, you can't have a birthday without a present. But that we also have- and what a present, a present you have given yourselves - your new Lodge banner. And how appropriate! For this banner symbolises all the aspirations, past, present, and future of this Lodge. But let me explain.

From times immemorial men have marched and gathered under banners to proclaim their allegiance - that's to say, who they are, to whom do they belong, and for what they stand. And so do we as freemasons. Take your banner, it clearly states who you are - Mowbray Lodge No. 5373.

But more than that, a banner also acts as a rallying point. In a field of battle, for instance, where there might be many regiments and platoons all working together, the banner not only points out where the soldiers are to assemble, but also symbolises their Loyalty, Fidelity and unity. So too this banner! It declares where the members of this Lodge are to assemble. It reminds us of our duty and fidelity to God, the Great Architect of the Universe - the One to whom we belong, and so becomes our rallying point for the upholding of the three Grand Principles of Freemasonry - Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.

As I said earlier, however, a banner also proclaims for what we stand. And what a message this banner has to tell. For just look at its centre-piece - an oak tree.

Now, to me, an oak tree denotes longevity of life and strength - a strength produced from tender sympathy and undying affection.

Yes, Brethren, a sobering thought isn't it? The characteristics of this Lodge, the characteristics that more than anything should differentiate it from any other Lodge are strength and longevity of life arising from tender sympathy and undying affection. But, brethren, whether you like it or not, is what your banner proclaims.

How appropriate, then, on this your 75th birthday, we are to set apart, to dedicate this Lodge Banner, symbolic of all the past members of this Lodge who have declared their faith and trust in God, the Great Architect of the Universe, and who were willing to display in their lives those two virtues so characteristic of this Lodge. And as for you, the brethren of Mowbray Lodge here present tonight, I charge you to meditate upon the symbolism of this banner, and to act upon the precepts embodied therein, and so ensure this Lodge for generations to come.