The Sutton Coldfield Demonstration Team were guests at Mansfield Lodge of Instructions Annual Supper Meeting on Thursday 26th April and they faithfully re-enacted a 1756 Craft Lodge, complete with the ‘initiation’ of Mansfield’s home candidate Bro Les Boyington (or Dandini to his friends!).

Following a word perfect opening and calling off in the presence of Rt W Bro Reg Green –our Deputy Provincial Grand Master; the acting WM, Les Cooper of Kirkeby Lodge introduced the demonstration team to a packed temple of ninety.

The alms collection and raffle raised £587, which was added to the £1200 cheque that this active and popular Lodge of Instruction had already laid aside for the NMSF 2007 Festival Appeal from other activities this season.

In receiving the cheque, W. Bro. John Reid (the 2007 Festival Appeal Chairman) paid tribute to the Lodge who were one of the very first Lodges to contribute to the appeal in 1997, and are the last to contribute with such an exciting finale to their year.

Mansfield L of I has given over £6,750 to the appeal and this was to be the last event before ‘The Big Day’. They earned their Festival Loving Cup (on display) in 2004.

W. Bro Green said that the Lodge drew its membership from three provinces and was over 40 members strong. He said that it seemed to thrive on exploiting the differences in ritual, and it produced some excellent officers thanks to the commitment of its preceptors, W. Bro’s Jim Adams, Mick Bardill and John Yeoman.

The Lodge of Instruction recommences in September and everyone is welcome. Contact the Secretary, Bro Kevin Nuttall on 01623 641858 for details.