Christmas themed item from the collection, an Installation Banquet Dining card from the 5th December 1988 when W Bro D Blatchford was installed into the Chair of King Solomon for St Sampson’s Lodge No.2598.
The cover of the card is decorated in a festive manner with the Square and Compasses being the centre point and hanging from them like decorations the Badges of Office of the Senior Officers of the Lodge the Past Master, Senior and Junior Wardens. The menu for the evening was Prawn Cocktail, Roast Turkey with stuffing potatoes and vegetables, Christmas Pudding and custard followed by Cheese and Biscuits and Coffee.
Sampson’s Lodge No. 2598 has the unique distinctions of being the first Lodge to be Consecrated under the present Provincial Constitution of Guernsey and Alderney, it was also the first Lodge, under the same constitution to be held outside St. Peter’s Port. The original meeting place was the Commercial Hall, Bridge Road (now Commercial Road) St. Sampson’s. This is the Meeting place recorded on the Lodge Warrant from the United Grand Lodge of England dated the 12th February 1896.
The last Regular Meeting held at the Masonic Hall, Commercial Road, St. Sampson’s was on Tuesday 15th November 1932 when 35 members were present and 10 visitors. Judging by the day on which the meeting was held it was very possibly an Emergency Meeting and the next meeting was held at the Masonic Temple, Le Marchant Street, St. Peter’s Port on Tuesday 6th December 1932.
