Consecration of St Cecilia Lodge no. 10064

A bright day in late February saw the Consecration of Shropshire’s thirty-eighth lodge - Saint Cecilia’s lodge 10064. Crewe Street was full (upstairs and down) for this very special event, with Provincial Grand Master Roger Pemberton leading the Consecrating team and Past Provincial Grand Master Peter Taylor the Installing team.

The rarely seen Ceremony of Consecration was carried out in fine style, including music from a Choir led by Staffordshire’s Provincial Grand Organist Dudley Ray (most of Shropshire’s organists being otherwise involved!) and spine-tingling singing from all present. Especially memorable was a splendid Oration which linked the nature of Music and the nature of Masonry - this was given by Provincial Grand Chaplain Pat Aldred.

After a short break to gather strength, the Installing Master took over to place Deputy Provincial Grand Master Jeremy Lund in the Chair as first (Primus) Master of St Cecilia’s Lodge no. 10064. Jeremy actually has some musical credentials - many of the founder members play instruments or sing, but there is no audition to join! Senior Warden is David Heywood and Junior Warden Stephen Pritchard-Jones.

New joining members and indeed new members for Initiation are all encouraged to apply to the Secretary, Alan Howls, who sang the Master’s Song downstairs. The only special qualification required is an enjoyment of music!

The Gallery of photos above gives a flavour of an excellent Festive Board attended by over one hundred Masons - including representatives of two other St Cecilia’s lodges (from Somerset and London) who have already issued invitations for return visits. A raucous Lodge Song (music by Giuseppe Verdi - from his “Anvil Chorus”) was presented to the Brethren, and a good time was certainly had by all.

The next meeting of St Cecilia’s lodge (which meets four times a year) will be in Church Stretton on May 31st, when a new Initiate will become the first new member of the lodge to follow the Founders.