2022 Burbach Lodge Ladies evening
2022 Burbach Ladies Evening
Burbach Member celebrates 100th Birthday
January 4th this year, sees our oldest member, Bo. Cyril Staley, celebrating his 100th birthday. All the Lodge members congratulate Cyril on reaching this wonderful milestone and becoming, we believe, the first Burbach member to do so.
Cyril was initiated into the Lodge at the “young” age of 91. His son Martin, a Past Master and currently D.C., then took the chair to initiate Cyril in a warm and moving ceremony.
Our photo, taken outside the house which Cyril built in the 1960’s, shows Martin presenting to Cyril, on behalf of the Lodge Members, a card and cheque as a present to make the occasion. As with most other milestones in this current situation, celebrations to mark this wonderful day had to be put on hold but no doubt his family and friends will all raise a glass to Cyril.
Virtual Meetups in 2020
On what should have been Paul’s installation night, members of the Lodge joined a virtual meeting to raise a glass to Paul. We all look forward to the end of this situation and to the actual ceremony!
Ladies Night 2020
Our Ladies Night about to get into full swing at the Green Rooms Our Master is also celebrating his birthday and it’s clear from the photo that he hasn’t aged at all!
Remembrance Day 2019
On Remembrance Day 2019, members of the Burbach Lodge attended the service at the memorial in the village of Burbage. The Lodge name comes from the ancient name of the village and many of the members are resident in the village. The oldest member of the Lodge, Brother Cyril Staley, aged 98, together with his son Martin Staley, Director of Ceremonies and the Master of the Lodge, W. Bro. Will Farrell, laid a wreath on behalf of the members with the inscription:
“In lasting memory of those Freemasons who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Great War 1914-1918”.
Brother Cyril is a veteran of the second world war when he served in the Royal Signals Corps during the first 3 years of service criss-crossing the country on his motor-bike relaying messages between HQ and many units around the UK plus escorting convoys. Being ill with appendicitis, he actually missed his units departure to France on D-Day, but was dispatched on a ship on day 2 of the assault and found himself with an attachment of Canadian forces and was, on landing in France, occupied with them in digging graves for the fallen for some 6 weeks. However he was then re-united with his own unit who worked their way across France into Germany. Cyril then once again was employed taking orders and instructions from the command post to the artillery on the front line, although at times locating this did prove difficult and he often found himself behind enemy lines and narrowly dodging the bullets! At one point a platoon of German soldiers even surrended to him not, wanting to fall into the hands of the Russians, and he escorted them back to his superiors.
For his service Cyril was actually entitled to receive Frances greatest award, the French Legion Of Honour, but he has never taken this up. At the service Cyril wore his own and his brothers medals who both served in WW2. Their father served in the Great War and fought at the famous battle at Mons in Belgium. So great an impact did that have on his father, that Cyril was given the middle name of Mons.
300th Meeting of Burbach
Burbach celebrates it’s 300th meeting on January 8th 2019. The Lodge was pleased to welcome virtually the whole of the Leicestershire & Rutland team of Provincial Officers. A very good second degree ceremony was followed by a most enjoyable Festive Board.
Sonic Garden Fest
Great day enjoyed by all at the “Sonic Fest Garden Party” organised by the Freemasons of Hinckley & Lutterworth as part of the Tercentenary Celebrations. Partygoers danced into the night to the “sounds” of ABBA, Rolling Stones and Scott Bailye’s disco.
Ladies Weekend 2016
Our Ladies Weekend at Stratford Upon Avon was another great success. This rounded off a most enjoyable year for our W. M. Chris who together with his wife Anne-Mari & son Joseph are in our photos here.
40th Anniversary
A great night was enjoyed by about 60 brethren at the 40th anniversary of the Lodge with the initiation of Bro. Neal. Our photo is of the Members of Burbach Lodge who attended this ceremony.
281st Meeting of Burbach Lodge
The Brethren of Burbach Lodge had reason to celebrate at the 281st meeting held in March. This meeting marked the 40th anniversary of the consecration of the Lodge. Founding member and the first Master of the Lodge W. Bro. Allison Gibson-Leitch, who recently received his 50 year certificate regularly attends the lodge, sent his sincere wishes to those present.
During the meeting an initiation ceremony was conducted for Bro. Thompson (the initiate), who found our Lodge through the website, and after making contact via the site, and learning more about Masonry asked if he could join the Lodge.
W. Bro. Alan James also celebrates 40 years in Masonry this coming April, being the first candidate to be initiated into Burbach Lodge in that first year.
Worshipful Master Chris Blunt requested a photograph of the Brethren be taken at the end of the meeting to commemorate the anniversary. During the festive board, Chris was joined in cutting a celebration cake by W. Bro. Philip Briggs and W. Bro. Glyn Hart who were Masters at 30 and 20 years, respectfully, as well as W. Bro Alan James.