24/02/2026
St Bartholomew 6307 conducted a passing for Loyal Berkshire Lodge of Hope 574 in an excellent ceremony after some last minute alterations. WBro Ian Spence stood in relatively last minute to be the WM. WBro Martin Strong as Junior Deacon.
WBro Ian conducted the ceremony with the usual “Speny” mixture of humour and professionalism.
WBro Ian took us upto and including the Obligation, then WBro Steve Duke, gave Krysztof Jan Lodzikowski the explanation of the signs, token and word.
Both Wardens came out to get the demonstration with the candidate carefully guided by Bro Colin Norrish, Senior Deacon.
Bro Decebal Stoian performed the 2nd degree tools, long version impeccably.
WBro Neil Wilkinson (from Hope lodge) gave a faultless explanation of the second degree tracing board.
Then just as thoughts were starting to turn to closing and the festive board WBro Nigel Noyce from Hope stood up in the second rising and demanded the travelling gavel, supported loyally by 13 members of Hope. The gavel was duly presented by WBro Carl Dukes.
The festive board was its usual fun filled event with much banter between St Barts and the visitors.
By Daryl Luke written in style of WBro Phil “The Scoop” Cottrel, who is sunny it in the Caribbean.
