The Provincial Grand Master, John Arthur, accompanied by John Thompson, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, attended the Ernest Dixon Installation meeting at Burdon Road in Sunderland this week.
After being warmly welcomed into the lodge by the master, Bob Littlechild, they witnessed an excellent Installation ceremony of the new Master, Anthony Benson. On the second rising John Arthur rose to present the lodge’s Charity Steward, Tony Conlon, with his platinum pin badge. After this, the newly Installed masters first pleasing duty was to present John Arthur with three cheques, £100 for the Durham 2021 Festival, £100 for Durham Benevolence and £50 for TLC.
At the festive board, the evening’s high standards continued with a sturdy four course meal served by waitresses.
Replying to his own toast, John Arthur firstly thanked the members of Ernest Dixon for their hospitality before asking John Thompson, in his capacity of Festival Director to present the new Master Anthony Benson with the lodge’s Platinum certificate. John Arthur then resumed the proceedings by then handing over the Provincial Grand Master award to the Lodge.
Further toast and responses followed throughout the evening by Mike Cockerton, George Stephenson, Tony Conlon, Joe Laidler and even John Thompson got into the act by proposing the toast to the Master, who has been a great supporter of both the cycle ride events and the Great North Run in aid of the 2021 festival.
A brilliant evening was had by all, well organised and planned to the finest detail.
