Page 19 - Needles Lodge 2838 History

In October of that year the Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro.

Maj. Gen. R. L. Bond dedicated the Masonic Temple at Golden

Hill, Freshwater, followed by a regular meeting at which he

presented the Charge after Initiation.

In December 131 members were recorded on the 64th annual

report, which also credited a large number of the brethren with

assistance with work for the new Masonic Hall.

At the May meeting 1967, the lodge received an official visit by

the Assistant Provincial Grand Master W. Bro. A. L. E. Ormond

PGD and his officers. The Lodge Chaplain, Revd Bro. F. G.

Ralph presented the lodge with a Volume of the Sacred Law.

There was a Grand Lodge announcement that the MW Grand

Master intended to propose HRH. The Duke of Kent as Grand

Master on 14 June 1967.

At the close of the year, the lodge had 133 members recorded.

January 1969 saw blood brothers A. Davies and G. Davies,

(Esoteric Lodge No. 6774) become joining members. Bro. G.

Davies although never attaining the Chair of Needles Lodge later

became the lodge’s first Grand Officer (1986) and an Assistant

Provincial Grand Master, Hants and Isle of Wight (1994).

March 1971 - The annual report (the last), commented on the

efforts of the Immediate Past Master, W. Bro. V. G. “Nutty”

Edwards in raising funds to purchase the new kitchen

arrangements, comfortable chairs for the lodge and a new electric

organ.