Members of The Lodge of Fidelity No 7974 together with W. Bro Steven Philips from Richmond Hill Lodge No 6698 and W. Bro Sam Huxter of Cedars of Lebanon Lodge no 4317 met during the summer for a Lodge of Instruction but with a difference. With the closure of Cole Court and the prospect of an Initiation and Installation in September it needed to have all hands at the ready to ensure things went smoothly when the day came. The visitors were there to provide support and boost numbers, Lashings of Lebanese food supplied by Bro Ahmad Hammani a restaurateur on Twickenham and Teddington serving delicious Lebanese food had nothing to do with it.
The members would normally meet for an LOI and social every Thursday evening throughout the year. Thankfully on this occasion one of the members, Bro Greg Parry, kindly offered his own garage and workshop business premises in Hersham as a temporary venue for LOI’s to continue through the summer months. Some of the brethren booked their cars in for a service.
The Lodge of Fidelity LOI was held in order for both the Initiation of Mr Abdulla Sirus and the Installation of the incoming Master W. Bro Keith Sollitt at the September meeting. This was also a very special meeting for W. Bro Keith who had first been Installed fifty year ago in the Chair of King Solomon in The Lodge of Fidelity. The meeting turned out to be an epic one starting at 4pm in order to complete both ceremonies and thankfully owing to the LOI at the garage all went well, with a new brother welcomed into freemasonry and a very experienced Master returning to the chair.
Brother Greg apart from providing space for the LOI is also restoring a 1970s Ford Capri which can be seen on the right of the above photo.
Hersham Service Station and LOI Rooms
Article supplied by W. Bro Martin Voles. Final edit by W. Bro Stan Marut PPrJGD SLGR – Communications Team.
