Congratulations John Woolway, 50 years a Freemason and member of Cleveland Lodge No 543.

The 50th anniversary of John's initiation fell in February, but he chose to delay celebrations until the meeting of Cleveland Lodge on 25 April. The added attraction of the lodge’s annual St Georges Roast Lamb Night resulted in an attendance of seventy-one brethren, including thirty-one visitors - ten from Agricola Lodge (Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham) alone.

Following an excellent Second Degree ceremony, W Bro Malcolm Dabbs made a presentation to W Bro John in the Lodge Room. Downstairs, David Hume displayed his professional carving skills, whilst Norman Alderson of Agricola Lodge had diners in stitches with his witty response to the Visitors Toast.

Brethren eventually departed to such far-flung outposts as Leyburn, Helmsley and Weardale with the strains of Land of Hope and Glory, Rule Britannia and Jerusalem still ringing in their ears. Truly a memorable evening.

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