Celebrating the 300th Anniversary of the UGLE

For those of you who were able to attend our March 23, 2017 Festive Board commemorating  the 300th Anniversary of The UGLE (United Grand Lodge of England), we were treated to a very special evening.  Beginning with a turnout of full Banquet Hall of  Brethren, Guests and Visitors, we were honoured to have Past Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Donald Mumby,  the Deputy Grand Master, R.W. Bro. E Todd; R.W Bro. Barry Burchill, and R.W. Bro. Robert H. Clarke, DDGM,  in attendance.  It was also a Degree Night, and  we were inspired by Bro. Theodore’s sincere and passionate response to the Toast to the Candidate, acknowledging HIS Masonic heritage. 

After a fabulous meal, we were then treated to a fast-paced and at times, light-hearted look at the history of Freemasonry by our own R.W. Bro. Singh.  While this year we are celebrating the 300th anniversary of the founding of the United Grand Lodge of England, his slide-show and lecture extended back in time to earlier pivotal moments in the birth, development, refinement and expansion of the Order:  "What are we celebrating? 

The Lodge opened in due form, and Deputy Grand Master RW Bro. Paul E. Todd was warmly welcomed with THE  Grand Honours.  We were then treated to a moving and memorable raising of a very well prepared Bro. Theodore with the Degree being
conducted by RW Br. John Forster and Ionic’s supporting cast.  His efforts stand as a remarkable gift to Ionic Lodge to help us and those attending, celebrate three centuries of our gentle Craft by assuming all the work assigned in our ceremony to  “WM”.....a feat that was the "norm" is  ancient time.  In recognition of his efforts and to commemorate the evening on behalf of Ionic Lodge, RW Bro. Forster was presented with a “perfect Ashlar granite cube”. Past Grand Master M.W. Bro. Donald Mumby presented a thought-provoking paper on the history of our first Grand Master Hiram Abiff.    We also had the opportunity, with the assistance of W. Bros Seaton and Reeve of Hazeldean Lodge, to present a 25 year long service pins and certificates to R.W. Bro. Dave Mackey, Past Master of Ionic Lodge, to thank him for his many years of dedicated service to Ionic Lodge.  He now hails from Hazeldean Lodge in Kanata.  Bro.’s Devon Valentine and Jason Solomon also presented a cheque on behalf of the Ionic Lodge to Deputy Grand Master Paul Todd towards our Grand Lodge's Charity , Prostate Hope.  This was  as a result of the recent Ottawa 67’s game that was attended by a number of Ionic Brethren, family and friends.

From our District Deputy Grand Master, R.W. Bro. Robert H Clarke:  " From the Festive Board to the singing of our National Anthem, it was a great night for Masonry at Ionic Lodge.  Congratulations to  the Worshipful Master, Right Worshipful Brother Charles Singh and the Brethren of Ionic Lodge for leading the District in our celebratory year, and to Right Worshipful Brother John Forster for his performance".