The following advertisement appeared in the Sunderland Echo on Friday 8th March 2024 and will appear once again on Friday 5th April. It is hoped that we might find some suitable candidates to "restock" our lodge.
NEWS PAGE
NOTE: MOST RECENT NEWS IS AT TOP OF THIS PAGE.
The lodge is in the exciting position of wanting to recruit new members. If Freemasonry has always interested you why not make contact and find out more about us.
The postponed centenary meeting took place on Wednesday 16th March 2022.
The meeting was a huge success. The lodge welcomed the Deputy Provincial Grand Master in Charge, WBro Stephen Walker, PGSwdB and a team of acting Provincial Officers.
The Secretary, WBro Bernard Hope, PAGDC, PPJGW. PPGOrator gave an interesting and amusing history of the lodge. This was illustrated by a PowerPoint presentation.
This was followed by a centenary certificate being presented by WBro Walker to the Worshipful Master, WBro Mark Widdowfield.
The Provincial Chaplain, WBro Julian Ward followed by dedicating a Past Masters' Board containing the names of the brethren who served as Worshipful Master between 1920 and 2020 as well as blank space for the next fifty Worshipful Masters.
INSTALLATION 2019
WBro Mark Widdowfield became the one hundred Worshipful Master of the lodge at the annual Installation meeting held on Wednesday 20th November 2019.
Mark will lead the centenary celebrations to be held later in the year on Wednesday 16th September 2020* when a Provincial Team of Officers will visit the lodge and a Past-Masters board will be dedicated. Many "friends" of The Sunderland Lodge will be present on that occasion to help the lodge celebrate 100 years of Freemasonry.
The Lodge Secretary, WBro Bernard Hope, PAGDC, PPJGW, PProv Grand Orator has prepared a PowerPoint presentation about the lodge's history which he will give on the evening..
(*Postponed until an unknown date due to Covid-19.)
On Wednesday 21st November 2018 the lodge held its annual Installation ceremony and WBro Thomas Barr Jack was installed as Worshipful Master for the year 2018-2019.
Another honour for Sunderland Lodge. At the Annual Provincial Meeting to be held on Saturday 17th June 2017, WBro Ronald Haswell will receive the honour of Past Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works.
Reprinted from the website of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham.
The Newby Boocock Award is an annual award in Sunderland which honours Masons, who have made an outstanding contribution to Freemasonry in and around Sunderland.
The award posthumously honours its namesake, Amity Lodge’s long time member Newby Boocock in a manner that reverently honours his Masonic career and, the way he conducted himself both as a Mason and gentleman. These qualities typically, are exemplified by the award winner with dedication and drive manifesting itself into someone who goes above and beyond in their Masonic life.
Brethren are nominated to the Lodge committee, who then decide whether the brother meets the criteria of the award. Past recipients of the award have been Fred Ayre, Harry Brisbane, Desmond Smith. Last year there were joint winners, namely Thomas Robson Scott and Edward Hold.
The evening is a special night which is looked forward to by the Amity brethren and to mark the significance of the evening, something reflecting Newby Boocock's Masonic life forms the core of the evening.
As Newby was a member of a number of side degrees, this offered Barrie Tudberry, Amity Lodge’s Master the opportunity to get a member of the side degree to come to the Lodge in their regalia and give a brief talk about it, thus celebrating an additional aspect of Newby’s Masonic life:
. Royal Arch Chapter by Bernard Hope
. Mark Degree by Gary Quinn
. Knights Templar by Richard Storey
. Knights of Malta by Paul Sampson
. Rose Croix by Bob Jubb
To a large number of the brethren present this offered an invaluable insight into an otherwise unknown Masonic area which demystified some of the common misconceptions about Masonic side degrees. Barrie thanked all of the brethren from the different orders for an insightful and very interesting insight into their respective degrees.
The main business of the evening, the Presentation of the Newby Boocock award then took place. Barrie went over the criteria and explained what the committee had been looking for, highlighting the qualities of this year’s winner.
The 2016 Winner of the Newby Boocook award went to the well-known Sunderland Mason Bernard Hope, the Provincial Grand Orator. By the applause in the Lodge room he was clearly a very popular winner. Bernard was genuinely shocked and taken aback when his name was announced. He humbly accepted the award and thanked the Amity brethren for the award. Awards like this are very special, as recognition by your peers is a great accolade. Barrie handed over the award and a special limited edition of Famous Grouse Whisky to a well deserving and very popular winner of the 2016 Newby Boocock Award.
The Newby Boocock Award is an annual award in Sunderland which honours Masons, who have made an outstanding contribution to Freemasonry in and around Sunderland.
The award posthumously honours its namesake, Amity Lodge’s long time member Newby Boocock in a manner that reverently honours his Masonic career and, the way he conducted himself both as a Mason and gentleman. These qualities typically, are exemplified by the award winner with dedication and drive manifesting itself into someone who goes above and beyond in their Masonic life.
Brethren are nominated to the Lodge committee, who then decide whether the brother meets the criteria of the award. Past recipients of the award have been Fred Ayre, Harry Brisbane, Desmond Smith. Last year there were joint winners, namely Thomas Robson Scott and Edward Hold.
The evening is a special night which is looked forward to by the Amity brethren and to mark the significance of the evening, something reflecting Newby Boocock's Masonic life forms the core of the evening.
As Newby was a member of a number of side degrees, this offered Barrie Tudberry, Amity Lodge’s Master the opportunity to get a member of the side degree to come to the Lodge in their regalia and give a brief talk about it, thus celebrating an additional aspect of Newby’s Masonic life:
. Royal Arch Chapter by Bernard Hope
. Mark Degree by Gary Quinn
. Knights Templar by Richard Storey
. Knights of Malta by Paul Sampson
. Rose Croix by Bob Jubb
To a large number of the brethren present this offered an invaluable insight into an otherwise unknown Masonic area which demystified some of the common misconceptions about Masonic side degrees. Barrie thanked all of the brethren from the different orders for an insightful and very interesting insight into their respective degrees.
The main business of the evening, the Presentation of the Newby Boocock award then took place. Barrie went over the criteria and explained what the committee had been looking for, highlighting the qualities of this year’s winner.
The 2016 Winner of the Newby Boocook award went to the well-known Sunderland Mason Bernard Hope, the Provincial Grand Orator. By the applause in the Lodge room he was clearly a very popular winner. Bernard was genuinely shocked and taken aback when his name was announced. He humbly accepted the award and thanked the Amity brethren for the award. Awards like this are very special, as recognition by your peers is a great accolade. Barrie handed over the award and a special limited edition of Famous Grouse Whisky to a well deserving and very popular winner of the 2016 Newby Boocock Award.
RECRUITMENT NIGHT
We are holding a recruitment Night at our meeting on Wednesday 21st September 2016. If you are interested in knowing more about our organisation or considering joining Freemasonry, please get in touch with our Secretary via one of the links on this website.
We are holding a recruitment Night at our meeting on Wednesday 21st September 2016. If you are interested in knowing more about our organisation or considering joining Freemasonry, please get in touch with our Secretary via one of the links on this website.
ANNUAL MEETING OF PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE 2016
The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham took place on Saturday 25th June 2016. WBro Robert Lawson, PM, was appointed to Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer and WBro Bernard Hope PAGDC, PPJGW, was promoted to Provincial Grand Orator.
The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham took place on Saturday 25th June 2016. WBro Robert Lawson, PM, was appointed to Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer and WBro Bernard Hope PAGDC, PPJGW, was promoted to Provincial Grand Orator.
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DURHAM
At the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham on Saturday 25th June 2016, WBro Robert Lawson, PM, will receive the Provincial Honour of Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer and WBro Bernard Hope, PAGDC, PPJGW, will be promoted to Provincial Grand Orator.
At the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham on Saturday 25th June 2016, WBro Robert Lawson, PM, will receive the Provincial Honour of Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer and WBro Bernard Hope, PAGDC, PPJGW, will be promoted to Provincial Grand Orator.
THE ROYAL MASONIC TRUST FOR GIRLS AND BOYS
FESTIVAL 2021 TARGET ANNOUNCED
At the Festival 2021 Launch at the Sage, Gateshead the Provincial Grand Master announced the Festival target as
£2,712,768
Currently only six lodge members are making a regular contribution to this fund (the equivalent of a cup of coffee per week). Please see the Charity Steward and organise your direct debit as soon as possible!
FESTIVAL 2021 TARGET ANNOUNCED
At the Festival 2021 Launch at the Sage, Gateshead the Provincial Grand Master announced the Festival target as
£2,712,768
Currently only six lodge members are making a regular contribution to this fund (the equivalent of a cup of coffee per week). Please see the Charity Steward and organise your direct debit as soon as possible!
Lodge Installation 2015
A good night was had by all. We now look forward now to another Masonic year with a new Worshipful Master, WBro Neil Briggs. He has a great team in readiness with many Master Masons as lodge officers. On this special evening we welcomed WBro Derek Dunn, PAGDC, PPJGW as the representative of the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master and he was accompanied by his Director of Ceremonies, WBro Richard Vipond, PPGStwd (an old friend of The Sunderland Lodge 4114). A good night was certainly had by all!
A good night was had by all. We now look forward now to another Masonic year with a new Worshipful Master, WBro Neil Briggs. He has a great team in readiness with many Master Masons as lodge officers. On this special evening we welcomed WBro Derek Dunn, PAGDC, PPJGW as the representative of the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master and he was accompanied by his Director of Ceremonies, WBro Richard Vipond, PPGStwd (an old friend of The Sunderland Lodge 4114). A good night was certainly had by all!
It is with great sadness that I record the death of our Honorary Member and Honorary Organist, WBro John Henshall, PPJGW of Nautilus Lodge. John has been a regular visitor to our lodge providing excellent musical accompaniment for our ceremonies and a stalwart at our Christmas meeting when we sing a selection of Christmas carols. John was an absolute gentleman who always had a smile on his face. Nothing was too much trouble to him. The lodge was very well represented at his funeral by his own lodge, our lodge and other lodges for whom he was also an Honorary Organist. He will be a great miss not just to his family but Freemasonry in general.
“He lived respected and died regretted”.
“He lived respected and died regretted”.
The annual Sunderland Remembrance Day Parade will take place on Sunday 8th November 2015. Members who attend are asked to dress as if they were attending a lodge meeting (white shirt, dark lounge suit or morning suit, black shoes and dark or provincial tie.) If the weather is inclement overcoats should blend in with the smart dress. Only the Worshipful Master or his representative should be wearing his collar. Meet at Burdon Road at 9.30 to 10.00 am. Military medals may be worn - personal on left breast and medals belonging to family members on right breast.
Hard on the heels of opening a Twitter account, the lodge is now on Facebook. Look now and become a "friend" of The Sunderland Lodge 4114.
As from the beginning of September 2015 The Sunderland Lodge now has a Twitter account. Look for us at @SunderlandLodge.
The lodge has received some good news this week (1st September 2015). Our current Worshipful Master, WBro Frank Vout, is to receive a promotion to the rank of Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer at the November Promotions meeting on Friday 27th November 2015. (More details of the meeting will be published here soon).
Congratulations Frank, an honour for you and the lodge!
Congratulations Frank, an honour for you and the lodge!
At the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham on Saturday 27th June 2015, one of our members received Provincial Honours from the Provincial Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother Norman Eric Heaviside.
WBro Gary Quinn received the honour of Past Provincial Grand Steward and has become a member of the Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge No. 9833. A number of lodge members were present to witness his investiture.
It is a great honour for Gary and also for The Sunderland Lodge.
WBro Gary Quinn received the honour of Past Provincial Grand Steward and has become a member of the Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge No. 9833. A number of lodge members were present to witness his investiture.
It is a great honour for Gary and also for The Sunderland Lodge.
At the January meeting of the lodge the Immediate Past Master, WBro Gary Quinn, presented a cheque for £600 to Bro Derek Moss, Chair of the Trustees of St Benedict's Hospice in Sunderland. The donation was raised at WBro Quinn's Ladies Night which was held in October 2014.
At the next meeting of The Sunderland Lodge (on Wednesday 16th September 2015) the 2021 Festival Director, WBro John Thompson, PPGStB, PPSGW will talk to the lodge members and visitors about the forthcoming Festival and what lodges can do to support it. Representatives from other lodges are very welcome to attend and the require a meal this should be booked with the lodge.
On the 9th of May our lodge member, George Barrie, became the Worshipful Master of the lodge he joined in Thailand. The lodge secretary, WBro Bernard Hope, sent a letter of congratulation from The Sunderland Lodge members to be read out on the night of George's installation.
George said of the night "It was a great night and over 100 attended the lodge banquet. We raised £2000 (GB) for my charity fund. The glowing letter from The Sunderland Lodge was read in open lodge and I took the opportunity to remind the brethren of the debt we all owe to our Mother Lodge".
George said of the night "It was a great night and over 100 attended the lodge banquet. We raised £2000 (GB) for my charity fund. The glowing letter from The Sunderland Lodge was read in open lodge and I took the opportunity to remind the brethren of the debt we all owe to our Mother Lodge".