By Bro. Ed Thompson

 On Friday 2nd October, Technical Lodge held its annual Lodge of Instruction Open Night. The purpose of the event is for the LOI team to showcase their hard work throughout the year in the form a re-enactment of the Ceremony of Initiation. The Lodge of Instruction provides a platform for Brethren to learn new ritual, roles, offices and - crucially - to advance our Masonic knowledge. It is light-hearted and made to be fun - this undoubtably improves the learning experiences and outcomes.

Open Night is relatively laid-back too although there is a small added pressure of performing in front of a greater crowd - as well as visitors.  The dress code is relaxed and no regalia is worn. Starting upstairs, the LOI Worshipful Master W Bro Dave Green opened the LOI Lodge with his Wardens and officers. I was Junior Warden and W Bro Allan McKay sat to my left in the Senior Warden's chair - he was standing in for Bro Nandakumar Thekkootu Pisharam who was away (initially) with professional commitments. During the opening, the following Brethren explained their respective duties; Bro Draper as Inner Guard; Bro Hemingway as Junior Deacon; and Bro Gambles as Senior Deacon. 

Staying true to the Ceremony of Iniation, the Secretary W Bro Laughton temporarily left the Lodge to ensure that the 'candidiate' W Bro Arash Vesali - (current WM of Technical Lodge) was in attendance and had signed the necessary paperwork - metaphorically in this context.

I will not divulge into the Ceremony itself except highlighting the Brethren who performed during it. Bro Draper admitted the candidiate in due and antient form. Bro John Hemingway - in his crucial capacity as Junior Deacon - guided and demonstrated the 'steps'. W Bro Dave Green entered W Bro Arash into the Obligation. Bro Hemingway explained the three Lesser Lights in Freemasonry. I temporarily relieved the Junior Warden chair to W Bro Rob Gorman (Assistant Director of Ceremonies) so that I could deliver to Arash the Communication of Secrets.

The Senior Warden W Bro McKay invested Arash with the apron of an Entered Apprentice. Bro Gambles highlighted the importance of charity at the North East Corner.  Bro Paul Draper handed the Inner Guard chair over to W Bro Eddie Wildman (Organist extraordinaire) for a short time so Paul could present the Warrant of the Lodge. W Bro Mark Cusack explained the Working Tools of an Entered Apprentice Freemason and, finally, Bro Bill Turner-Bone imparted the Antient Charge. This concluded the major parts of the re-enactment and only a few more bits were left to do before Arash retired from the Lodge (not really).

W Bro Eddie Wildman gave greetings as an Officer of the United Grand Lodge of England and congratulated all who participated. W Bro Anthony James - Tyler on the night - gave greetings from all Provincial Officers present. We had one visitor: W Bro Danny Betts and he gave greetings from Minerva Lodge No. 250 - we were grateful for his attendance. Finally, SW Bro Nandakumar Thekkootu Pisharam (who had since arrived during the ceremony) gave greetings on behalf of the Technical Brethren. After closing, our 'candidate' W Bro Vesali posed with LOI Worshipful Master W Bro Dave Green (Left) and Junior Deacon Bro John Hemingway (Right).

Downstairs, the Festive Board was joyful and equally raucous. I believe everyone involved in the working of the ceremony were relieved and proud - and the observers were satisfied (hopefully!). This led to a celebratory atmosphere; the climax of several months culminative of hard work - not just the couple of hours of that was performed upstairs. 

As in the tradition of Open Night, numerous toasts were featured. W Bro Dave Green made the Toast to the 'Candidate' W Bro Vesali, who responded with humour and humility. W Bro Keith Challis toasted the Master and his Officers wholeheartedly and W Bro Green responded in that same theme of Brotherly Love.  Bro Draper gave the sharp and cutting Toast to the Stewards, poking fun towards all the Past Masters who acted as Stewards for the evening. W Bro Mark Cusack responded and gave warning that soon enough, Bro Paul would be responding to the same toast in the future. I, as Junior Warden, proposed a toast to Absent, Sick and Sea Faring Brethren and chose to highlight the unfortunate abscenes of W Bro Frank Lovely and Bro Adam Tunnicliffe and wished them well. Bro Nanda - Senior Warden - toasted our sole Visitor W Bro Danny Betts who gave a brilliantly witty response. 

Songs were sung, the Masonic Circle was formed and the Raffle and Parish Notices followed. It was a fun evening and  hopefully enjoyed by all. With the curtain now closed on LOI (until early next year), attention now turns to our October Business Meeting, laying the foundation for the impending extravaganza that is Installation in November...