Our Worshipful Master W.Bro Ross Newton together with VW Bros Kevin Duke. Lauder Coomber, Kingsley Preston (Hale Lodge), W Bro Doug Farmer and Bro Jamie Holloway travelled to York on Thursday 14 July for the final meeting of the Lodge in York – the Lodge is being transferred to Subiaco.
VW Bro Coomber had particular interest as his great great grandfather (WBro George Wansbrough PGStB) was the the fourth initiate into the Lodge in July 1887 and was Master in 1892.
Whilst waiting to be admitted into the Lodge, VW Bro Coomber discovered, much to his obvious delight, that his great great grandfather’s regalia was on display in a glass cabinet with the name “Wansbrough Collection”.
MW Bro Frank Hayes PGM gave a detailed history of the Lodge including the fact that the building was bought from the Oddfellows in 1891 and, being aware of VW Bro Coomber’s connection to the York Lodge, invited him to make a few comments. A clearly moved VW Bro Coomber, having learned during the history of the Lodge that he was actually sitting in the same building in which his great great grandfather had presided as Master, gave a short history of the Wansbrough connection to York and concluded with the comment that the evening had been a very significant highlight of his Masonic experience to date!!
Brethren (37 in number) from the city and country adjourned to the south for a most enjoyable festive board.