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Corinthian Lodge News.


New Banner Dedication Ceremony, 15th October 2018
 

The Dedication of a Lodge Banner is usually one of the important ceremonies conducted at the foundation of a new Lodge.   It can also happen when the banner becomes too threadbare to use, is damaged or destroyed.  However, in our case it was the 150th anniversary of the Lodge's foundation that prompted the creation of our new banner.

Old Banner
The Old Lodge Banner

V.W.Bro. Peter Brooshooft took on the challenge of designing the new banner and, after some months of considering various suggestions, finally settled on the design shown below.  Grand Lodge approved the design and the search for someone with the capabilities to produce the new banner began.
  

New Banner Design
The New Banner Design

Through his connections at Grand Lodge Peter found a lady named Anna Fernandes, well-known for her exquisite embroidery, to make the new banner.  After months of waiting the new banner finally arrived, but Peter kept it carefully under wraps (literally) until the time for its dedication.

Arrangements were made to use the Dover Town Hall as the venue for ceremony: a befitting location for such an historic event.

Early on the appointed day, 15th October 2018, a team of brothers arrived at the venue to unload a van containing a complete Lodge, i.e. furniture, carpet, candles, etc, supplied by the Foreland and Bredenstone Lodges in St. Margaret’s at Cliffe, for which we are eternally grateful.
With W.Bro. David Alexander directing operations, it didn’t take long for the team to set up the Lodge in the Connaught Hall, a magnificent auditorium opened only twenty years after the foundation of the Lodge.

The Connaught Hall
The Connaught Hall

The Corinthian Brethren and guests assembled in the evening and the Lodge opened at 6 o'clock.  We were honoured to have many, well-respected visitors, among whom were the Deputy Provincial Grand Master (DPGM), WBro. Peter D. Williams, as well as a Grand Lodge Officer R.W.Bro. John. Bonomy.

Lodge business was quickly dealt with and the Lodge closed so that the wives and non-masonic guests could enter the Hall to witness the Dedication Ceremony.
The Worshipful Master, W.Bro. Gordon Button, began the proceedings with a welcoming speech in which he explained what was about to happen and hoped that all present would enjoy the unique occasion.

At a nod from the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, the Banner Bearer, Bro. Stephen D Lane, and the Banner Escort formed up in front of the WM's pedestal and then retired to prepare the new banner.  Whilst the congregation sang the stirring words of the hymn "O God our help in ages past", the Bro. Stephen, bearing the veiled Banner, and his escort, paraded back into the Hall and formed up once again in front of the WM's pedestal.

At the end of the hymn the Provincial Grand Chaplain gave this prayer:
"O Almighty Architect of the Universe, who through the mouths of thy servants Moses and Aaron in the wilderness didst ordain that every man of the children of Israel should pitch by his own standard, with the ensigns of their Father's house, we beseech Thee to accept this banner for the adornment of Thy Temple, and grant that it may ever be to all the Brethren a symbol of loyalty to the principles of the Craft and reverence in the conduct of our ceremonies, to the honour and glory of Thy Holy Name. Amen"

The Bro. Stephen then advanced to the Worshipful Master, dipped the Banner and said:
"Worshipful Master, will you please accept this banner on behalf of the Corinthian Lodge No 1208 on the Register of the Grand Lodge of England?"
To which the Worshipful Master replied,
"I receive it with great pleasure and request that it now be placed in the South-east part of the Lodge."

Once the Banner was so placed the DPGM strode purposefully towards it and, with a well rehearsed flourish, removed the veil to expose our wonderful new Banner.  A spontaneous round of applause erupted from the assembled throng, followed by some admiring words of approval from the DPGM.

With these words the Provincial Grand Chaplain then dedicated the Banner:
"In the name of the Great Architect of the Universe I dedicate this Banner to His glory for the adornment of this the Corinthian Lodge No 1208, and the reverent conduct of the ceremonies thereof."