Oh, What a Night! (And Oh, What a Guard!)

The Provincial Grand Master in Action – For the Festival!

The Brethren of Pilgrim Lodge, together with a fantastic number of guests, enjoyed an unforgettable evening at the North Leeds Masonic Centre when the Provincial Grand Master (PGM) honoured his 2028 Festival Lottery pledge in truly unique style: by acting as Inner Guard and delivering part of the ritual.

With sleeves rolled up he executed the role flawlessly. Not only did he take the office; but he absolutely nailed it, showing his skill, versatility, and deep understanding of Craft Freemasonry.

Taking the time out of his busy schedule for this brings into focus the contrast of his duties: which are striking, only weeks earlier he had stood at the heart of Grand Lodge during the Installation of the new Assistant Grand Master Charles Bertram Hopkinson-Woolley. The irony cannot be overlooked of going from the glittering spotlight of Great Queen Street to guarding the door at NLMC, as Inner Guard for a Passing ceremony. It goes to show his commitment to our shared values and speaks volumes to his humility and belief that all Masons are equal. As the working tools of the Degree remind us: no eminence of station should ever let us forget we are all Brethren. It was a masterclass in modesty and perhaps proof that no one is above door duty in Freemasonry.

Pilgrim Lodge has received its Grand Patron certificate for the 2028 Festival, but we are not stopping there…

The evening had even more to rejoice! Pilgrim Lodge proudly received its Festival Grand Patron certificate, then, to the delight of the Provincial Grand Master, the Worshipful Master W Bro. Wharton, on behalf of Pilgrim Lodge’s Brethren, presented a further cheque for a remarkable £1,000 towards the Festival. The celebration continued with the Provincial Grand Master then presenting the Worshipful Master with his personal Grand Patron Certificate.

But the agenda item didn’t stop there… The Worshipful Master called upon the Festival Chairman and the Provincial Grand Master received his very own Festival  Patron Certificate, marking his personal contribution.

So what happened during our September 2025 meeting?

• The Passing (second degree) of one of our members.
• The “Gauge Our Rulers” Lottery prize redeemed in spectacular style
• Pilgrim Lodge officially stepping up as a Grand Patron
• Our Worshipful Master receiving his personal Grand Patron Status
• The PGM himself earning recognition for his contribution
• £1,000 more going into the Festival pot thanks to the Brethren of Pilgrim Lodge (which will be topped up even more with £215 raised during the festive board raffle).

Truly – oh, what a night!