Brethren, imagine the scene – it is a wet and windy evening (easy so far with the weather that we have been ‘enjoying’ of late) and you have been to a lodge meeting in Birmingham.  You are travelling to Solihull but the tram terminates at Acocks Green so you have a bit of a walk up the Warwick Road before you are safely ensconced back home.  This was the fate of a number of Solihull brethren who felt that it was time that their town needed another lodge.

With a Province that is approaching its tercentenary, it necessarily follows that we are blessed with a number of lodges reaching significant milestones.  The huge number of lodges consecrated in the years following the Great War has meant that our RW ProvGM has been delighted to preside of rather a lot of centenaries in the past couple of years.

The latest lodge to join this select band was Silhill Lodge, No 4786, so named after the Anglo-Saxon name for Solihull.  Those intrepid brethren who braved the walk up the Warwick Road laid a foundation worthy of commemoration and celebration.  So it was that a great many brethren made the slightly easier journey to Knowle to support the Master, VWBro Michael Morris, and the brethren of Silhill as they marked their significant birthday.

As expected on such an occasion, the Province was very well represented with the RW ProvGM, accompanied by other members of the Executive, opening the lodge ably assisted by the Provincial Wardens.  The ProvGDC formed a column to escort the newly appointed (‘minted’) ProvDepGSec, WBro David Leask, from the room before returning with the centenary warrant that, once confirmed to be in order by the ProvGM, Bro David read out in open lodge.  The RW ProvGM formally presented it to the Master before the ProvGChap delivered another of his excellent orations.  Amongst other things, he referred to the Latin inscription included on the lodge banner – Domine opera manuum nostrarum dirige – that he kindly translated for the non-Latin speakers present as ‘Lord, direct the work of our hands’ adding that the brethren can indeed be congratulated for their work!

WBro John Handley, who had produced a fascinating history of the lodge (copies of which were ready for pursual at the Festive Board) delivered a brief synopsis of the foundation of the lodge.  Interestingly, it was due to be consecrated by the then ProvGM, RWBro Col Wyley, but he was taken ill on the day so it was his Deputy (after all, that’s why there is one!!), WBro Brig Gen Quayle-Jones, who performed both the all-important consecration ceremony as well as installing the Primus Master, WBro William Hand.

The formalities continued with the brethren of Silhill forming up to receive their centenary jewel from the RW ProvGM.  Before inviting the Master to resume his rightful place, the ProvGM indicated that it had been a great honour to conduct the centenary ceremonies.  VWBro Michael responded by saying that it has been an honour to receive the RW ProvGM and his team on an occasion never to be forgotten and that it was an honour to receive the centenary warrant on behalf of the brethren of Silhill.  The lodge, as with most, has experienced highs and lows but throughout has looked to put the fun into Freemasonry.  He then presented the RW ProvGM with his own centenary jewel and then the ProvGSec with one for the museum.  Finally, he invited WBro Reg Willsher to take to the floor to present the RW ProvGM with a cheque for £2000 for the Tercentenary Appeal.

The business of the evening completed, the requisite photographs taken, the assembled throng enjoyed a most convivial Festive Board, complete with a five-course menu somewhat reminiscent of that special evening held back in January 1926 where it all began.  The brethren of Silhill can look back with great pride on what those intrepid brethren started, remembering the many brethren who have added to the lodge’s rich history and look ahead to the future.  Bro John’s fine history concludes with an epilogue: ‘our Founders would be proud of the lodge they created 100 years ago which, despite the many changes taking place around us, is still a closely knit and friendly one.  May the love, peace and harmony which exists amongst the brethren of the lodge be transmitted to all future members until time shall be no more. SMIB.’  I couldn’t have put it better myself!