Friendship Times was conceived as an idea as the Covid19 pandemic began to take hold in the spring of 2020. The Lodge met in February but by March meeting was not allowed. As our Zoom video meetings progressed into summer it was intended to aid keeping in touch with all brethren and provide a historical chronicle of our progress through the pandemic and (hopefully) our emergence
(Click on an Edition to go to its page)
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No 5 May What is truth?
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No18 January 2023
July/August 2020
The Covid19 pandemic had passed its spring peak though people were still isolating and some social restrictions on meeting remained. Our DC WBro Philip Titterton had sprouted an impressive amount of facial hair which was on display in our Zoom gatherings online. Due to pressure from the distaff side this growth was less luxurious at our Autumn gatherings.
November 2020
The Autumn saw rising numbers of covid infections, hospitalisations and deaths after a drop across Spring and Summer. All Masonic meetings that we thought might be possible in the Autumn were cancelled. Severe restrictions were imposed on all sections of the population. It had been hoped to hold a restricted Installation in October but it was not possible to go ahead with this. We continued with our monthly Zoom Gatherings online which proved to be well attended and appreciated.
February 2021
Christmas has passed and the number of Covid cases had reached record levels. This was probably not helped by family gatherings over Christmas. New vaccines had been developed and approved and a mass vaccination programme launched to innocculate the adult population. The group to be inoculated first were the most vulnerable with plans to roll out the programme to all adult members of the population by the Autumn. 15 million vaccinations were planned to be delivered by the middle of February. The numbers of daily infections began to fall and the NHS hospitals which had come close to being overwhelmed just managed to scrape through.
14 February 2021
7th April 2021
The vaccinations have been given to millions of people and the figures for infects, hospitalisations and deaths have reduced dramatically. As we approach the 12th April people are eagerly anticipating the reopening of pubs (outdoors), hairdressers and non essential shops. It is proposed to vaccinate all of the adult population by the end of July and all restrictions will be removed. It remains to be seen how members will feel about the resumption of Masonic meetings later in the year. Meanwhile our Zoom meetings online continue to be well attended and are much appreciated.
May 2021 saw the emergence of the Delta Covid varianr which was first identified on the Indian subcontinent which resulted in rising infection rates but fewer hospitalisations and deaths due to the extensive vaccination of older citizens. Hospitalaisations were mainly of younger and unvaccinated people.
16th June 2021
As we approached the 21st June the possible removal of all restrictions was postponed from 21st June until 19th July.
13th August 2021 and plans are being made to restart Masonic Meetings in September. Preparations are being made in all Masonic Halls to make them as Covid-proof as possible. 75% of the adult population has been vaccinated and levels of infections though still high are not resulting in as many hospitalizations or deaths.
Friday 3rd September 2021 saw the return to meeting and 18 brethren gathered in the Masonic Hall in Manchester to elect Bro George Makosso as Master for next year and vote for three new candidates who have patiently waited through the pandemic. This edition also saw contribution by our two new reporters (which made a change from the ramblings of the Editor Bro John Winstanley)
Friday 1st October 2021 was the Installation and was well attended by brethren and visitors. Despite the long break from meeting and the absence of the Director of Ceremonies the ceremony to install Bro Georges Makosso was well conducted and enjoyed by all those present.
The 5th November saw a triple Initiation as we welcomed three new brethren who had patiently waited through lockdown. The November edition was delayed by the sickness of the editor and became the December edition. The Lodge of Friendship Christmas Party was held on 3rd December and was enjoyed by all those who attended. In December another variation of Covid named 'Omicron' which had been identified in South Africa seemed to be threatening further restrictions and a booster jab was being urgently rolled out.
The end of December 2021 was tragically marked by the death of the wife of our Almoner WBro Shore.
Lorraine had been an enthusiastic supporter of the Lodge and all of Philip's Masonic responsibilities. Many personal tributes were paid to Lorraine and this particular contribution by WBro Titterton.
The first meetings of 2022 were missing a few members who were still shielding or protecting their families. The time was used to familiarize our newly initiated brethren with the layout of the Lodge and the normal process of business. A major part was ably taken by the younger members of the Lodge.
Despite large numbers of Covid infections all restrictions except those of personal choice had been lifted and the majority of infections seemed to resemble a really nasty cold. April's meeting had been planned for a triple Raising and the complex planning had been completed. The ceremony was thoroughly enjoyed by all those present. A number of members were still shielding but assistance was given by members of other Manchester Lodges.
The May meeting was held to initiate a new brother and despite some brethren still shielding twenty six brethren dined.
Setptember 2022 was taken as an opportunity to celebrate with WBro David Stevens, The Father of the Lodge and to a well attended meeting he delivered a resumé of his history in Masonry since 1977. The full text of his address can be found here David Stevens | Lodge of Friendship (lodge-of-friendship-no44.co.uk)
October is the time for the Instllation of a new Master. This year it was decided because of disruption from Covid to ask Bro Makosso to stay in the Master's chair for a second year. Having previously taken the Obligations of a Master he was proclaimed Master in a simpler (and shorter) ceremony.
This started as the November edition but has been delayed and finally appeared half way through December.
We began the year with an Initiation for a candidate who had been waiting through all the covid restrictions
W Bro Lorraine Shore was an active member of the Order of Women Freemasons and this edition was published to celebrate her life, her masonic membership and inform our female connections of the existence of Women Freemasons.
September 2023 saw the first visit to the Lodge of the new Provincial Grand Master RW Bro Robert Ian Frankl who brought a Provincial Deputation
This should be numbered 24 but the error slipped through...
