Mariners Lodge No 168 held the first meeting of the season for the Province of Guernsey and Alderney on Wednesday 7th September 2022 and welcomed over 100 Brethren and guests and were honoured by the presence of the Provincial Grand Master for the Province of guernsey & Alderney.
Attendees arrived for drinks from 5.45pm which was followed by a tour of the Masonic Centre followed by a brief history of Mariners Lodge No 168 which is the oldest lodge in the Channel Islands and often referred as the ‘Father of Freemasonry in Guernsey’.
The Brethren then left the guests to attend a brief meeting, the guest had an entertaining, enjoyable and informative talk from the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master RW Bro. Keith W. K. Read on the history of freemasonry and what our ancient fraternity is all about.
The meeting was brief but very important as Mariners Lodge No.168 remembered W Bro Barry Paint who recently passed away, W Bro Paint was a huge part of Mariners Lodge over many decades and will be dearly missed.
The Brethren remained in the Temple and were joined by over 50 guests, the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master RW Bro. Keith W. K. Read gave further explanations about how the Temple was laid out and the roles each member played in the Lodge, the guests were then able to explore the three Temples and rehearsal rooms on the lower floor of the Masonic Centre.
Everyone then assembled in the dining hall for a fabulous three course meal thanks to our wonderful catering team, a bumper raffle with amazing prizes and an open the box which combined raised nearly £1,000 for charity. Worshipful Master Gerry Loughlin said a huge thank you to everyone that had attended and had made Mariners Lodge No.168 White Table such a fabulous evening. He also thanked the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master RW Bro. Keith W. K. Read for his help talking to and entertaining the guests who thoroughly enjoyed learning all about freemasonry and exploring the Masonic building and to the team of Mariners Lodge No 168 and catering staff who helped put on such a memorable night.
