MANCHESTER UNITY

Evening Star, Issue 25620, 22 October 1945, Page 8

MANCHESTER UNITY

Loyal Roxburgh Lodge rose to the occasion when it entertained several of its returned soldier brethren at a smoke social at its tecent meeting. N.G. Bro. J. lit. Waight occupied the chair, and after business had been conducted, the meeting became one of pleasant conviviality. Forty brethren were present, and several toasts were honoured, principal of which was that of “ Returned Soldier Brethren,” to which the following responded : —Bros. Captain J. G. Pearson; Lieutenant L. A. Henderson, Sergeants Les. Ormond, and P. J. Scott, Private F. J. Laoli, and Seaman J. L. Martin. They expressed appreciation of the parcels received regularly from the lodge, and the news from the home front. Bro. Captain Pearson conveyed greetings from P.P.G.M.s Bros. Sellar and Masters, whom he met in Egypt prior to leaving. A pleasant interlude occurred when a presentation was made to Bro. Steel on the occasion of the birth of his first born. Juvenile members were adequately entertained by members of Loyal Caversham at its meeting on Wednesday evening. P.G. Bro. C. Riddle officiated in the absence of N.G. Bro. Varcoe, at present in hospital. Prior to the recess, one juvenile member was promoted to the adult lodge. The celebration of the eightv-first anniversary of the Loyal Albion Lodge was a meeting reminiscent of some of the fine rallies of Oddfellows in pre-war days. The lodge room was filled to capacity, in the main by members with service of 40 years and upwards, with a good sprinkling of ex-servicemen. N.G. Bro. T. G. Woodley presided, supported bv the Prov. G.M. and officers of the executive. The principal toast, proposed by P.P.G.M. Bro. Stabb, was that of pioneer members, two of whom were singled out for special mention— P.G. Bro. W. J. Davie, who joined in May, 1878, now the oldest surviving member of the lodge, and P.G. Bro. Sam Smith, who joined in ISS2 (this latter was for some . 40-odd years treasurer of the lodge). Other elderly members received special mention, and a splendid atmosphere of good fellowship permeated the gathering. Toasts were interspersed with items by Messrs C. Turner, J. Devereaux, and McDonald, and 'Bros. G. M. Anderson and C. H. ißussell.