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Lodge Niederrhein Installation June 2nd 2007
At last, Peter Julian is Worshipful Master of Lodge Niederrhein. For various reasons the Installation of Peter was delayed. Yes, he could have been Master three or fours years ago. As this report will show we are so pleased that he has been installed as our Master.
The Installation was held again at the Holiday Inn, Düsseldorf Airport, Ratingen.and once again the hotel management and staff came up trumps. They looked after us in style and the meal produced for the festive board was superb.
Much of the credit must go to Brother Ronaldo Brüning, who as hotel co-ordinator, arranged everything with his usual industry and panache.
Lodge Niederrhein was privileged to have numerous visitors from the United Kingdom and Canada (approximately 20) and a plethora of members of our own Grand Lodge, led by the Grand Master, ME Brother Frederick Colbran and brethren from other sister Lodges within the United Grand Lodges of Germany.
The work put into setting up the temple was in the very capable hands of Worshipful Brother Glyn Edmonds, our Director of Ceremonies, who with his band of helpers at some unearthly hour completed the work so that those of us who rolled up at 9am found everything shipshape and Manchester fashion. Well done Glyn , but as the day carried on you could see that he had much more work to do and indeed a star was born.
It has to be said that the 30 or Niederrhein brethren present all took their part during the day. Everyone contributed the empathy was in evidence, the harmony terrific.
First of all Acting Worshipful Cedric James opened the Lodge, welcomed the visitors, thanked the brethren and then handed over to the Installing Master, Worshipful Brother Jim Lutton. We are all grateful to Jim for his selfless action of volunteering to be Installing Master. We can say that along with his Installing team he conducted the ceremony in a relaxed ,almost- word perfect ,and beautiful ceremony
Those of us who were able to witness the Inner Workings and actual placing of our new Master in the chair were very impressed by both the style of the Installing Master, Worshipful Brother Jim and the presenting of the tools by Glyn Edmonds.
Worshipful Brother Peter Julian became the 41st Master of Lodge Niederrhein in the 44 years of its existence.
The sheer effort and talent shown by the three brethren who presented the working tools to the Master delighted all present. Well done Jörg-Thomas, Chandra and in particular Ulrich who presented the long version of the second degree working tools.
The appointment and investing of the officers by the Worshipful Master was carried out in unique Niederrhein style-our organist the brilliant David Rogers capturing the mood so cleverly when it came to the appointment of the Director of Ceremonies when he played 'My way'
Worshipful Brother informed the brethren that it was his intention to continue to have the two unofficial UK Almoners to assist the Almoner and he congratulated Worshipful Brother Frank Allen and Brother Derek Lupson for their commitment.
Worshipful Brother Peter when appointing and investing the Stewards gave them clear direction of their duties and how they should assist the Junior Warden. His words worked they really worked their socks off at the Festive Board.
It was my privilege to give the address to the Worshipful Master. I have given this address many times over the years but never have I wanted to deliver it with as much sincerity as this year. Congratulations, Worshipful Brother Peter for reaching the chair of King Solomon.
Our country Brother, Worshipful Brother Trevor 'Dad' Edmonds gave a polished Address to the Wardens and the Grand Master addressed the brethren with feeling.
The Worshipful Master was pleased to announce and welcome three brethren as honorary members. Lodge Niederrhein is very cautious in appointing honorary members and indeed the total such members prior to this Installation was only 2.
The three so honoured have worked very hard for Niederrhein - Worshipful Brother Jim Clark and Brother David Speedie from Burgess Hill who have been organising groups from Sussex and Kent to visit Niederrhein over many years and Brother David Rogers from Don Valley in South Yorkshire who so freely has given his time to us to play the music at our installations. Worshipful Brother Peter welcomed and congratulated these worthy brethren. He was also pleased to welcome as a Joining –non resident- Brother Graham Bailey from Don Valley.
We were pleased that Worshipful Brother Cedric was able to present a substantial cheque to the Grand Master for his Charity prior to his departure. Worshipful Brother Peter informed the brethren that it was his intention to continue the recent tradition of splitting the money generated to his charity equally between the Paul Moor School and the Grand Master's Charity.
After the many greetings and apologies, it was my duty, as Acting IPM, to carry out the Long Closing of the Lodge and whilst many brethren may have reached the stage where that drink or call from nature was being considered, I think all present agreed that the noble sentiments of the words in the long closing are worth the extra wait.
We then retired to enjoy the excellent Festive Board and Toasts. This was an outstanding event and the hotel really as said did us proud. The speeches were excellent. The Junior Warden carried out his duties professionally including conducting a very successful raffle along with the Charity Steward.
Worshipful Brother Glyn as Director of Ceremonies continued to work with determination and as one of the visitors said in his speech the icing on the cake was the rendition by Glyn of the Master's song accompanied by David Rogers on the piano.
The festive Board being over some of us then partied on down to Düsseldorf to enjoy a wonderful evening of a Firework display. Did Glyn arrange this too? or was it Jim or Ronaldo. Yes brethren everyone worked hard but these three deserve most of the applause.
Brethren we can look forward to a great year with our new Worshipful Master, Worshipful Brother Peter Julian.
Sincerely and fraternally
David Stevens GChaplain
PM 1990/1991
PM 2004/2005
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