Past News

In case anyone needs to look up any past news from the website, here is all the items taken from the old website.


​Sad news 08-02-2015
We were saddened to hear that the Worshipful Master's Mother-in-Law has died and her funeral takes place on Monday 9th February. The Lodge sends its condolences at this very sad time.  

February Meeting and Rehearsal 01-02-2015
On Monday 9th February Bro. McGregor will be raised to the 3rd Degree. Let us have a big turn out and welcome our newest MM. A rehearsal will take place on Sunday 8th February at 10:30 prompt, all those taking part in the 3rd are most welcome. 

Lodge of Instruction 01-02-2015
Lodge of Instruction this week is on Tuesday 3rd February at 7:00pm. 

Sad News 13-01-2015
Sadly, I have to report that Bro Jimmy Glease passed to the Grand Lodge above. His funeral is at the Mountsett Crematorium on Wednesday 14th January 2014 at 10.15. Also, today we have been informed that Lavinia Bennett, the wife of the late W Bro Alan Bennett has passed away. Details of the funeral are to follow. 

January Meeting 06-01-2015
There is a rehearsal on Sunday 11th January starting at 10:30am prompt. All Officers are requested to attend and all MMs are welcome. Our next meeting is on Monday 12th January 2015 commencing at 7:00pm when a 2nd degree will be worked. All Masons are welcome. 

Happy New Year 31-12-2014
On behalf of the Worshipful Master, Wardens, Officers, Past Masters and Brethren of Ryton Holy Cross Lodge, may I wish you all a very Happy New Year and a Prosperous and Healthy 2015. See you on Monday 12th January when we will be conducting a 2nd Degree. 

January Meeting 12-12-2014
Our next meeting is on Monday 12th January 2015, when Bro. G. McGregor will be Passed. All masons are welcome to join us, if you want more details don't hesitate to contact the Secretary. We will be holding a rehearsal on Sunday 11th January at 10:30am in the Masonic Hall. 

Christmas Meeting 12-12-2014
Monday night saw the Lodge have its Christmas meeting and get together. After having our traditional Christmas dinner, the usual entertainment was enjoyed by one and all. Thank you to all those that took part and to those that won prizes in the bottle draw enjoy them. 

Christmas Dinner 22-11-2014
Have you put your names down for the Christmas dinner? Give Phil Davis a ring and get it sorted. Don't forget, we need bottles of wine, spirit and beer for the draw. Let's make it a big success and exceed last year’s dinner. Oh! And don't forget to buy some extra draw tickets! The Lodge needs your support. 

Happy Birthday 15-11-2014
On behalf of everyone in the Lodge. Happy 90th Birthday to W Bro Alan. 

Christmas Meeting 12-11-2014
This is a reminder to all members that the Christmas Meeting will take place on Monday 8th December, there will be a short meeting and then we are inviting all members and their wives or partners and friends to our traditional Christmas dinner and usual entertainment. The cost of the evening will be put on here shortly, so keep checking the page. Remember brethren, if you know someone who would be interested in joining the Lodge, bring them along with their partners to enjoy the evening as well. 

First Meeting of the Year 12-11-2014
Well! That is the first meeting over with and well done to everyone who took part. And we welcome Bro McGregor into Ryton Holy Cross Lodge and hope you enjoy your Freemasonry for many years to come. 

Christmas fair 27-10-2014
A message from Bro Nick Worboys. We are having a Christmas fair at Ryton Masonic Hall on 6th December 10am to 4pm. You and your family are all welcome! Santa will be there along with lots of stalls and refreshments. You can get more info at our Facebook page - www.facebook.com/rytonchristmasfair or on the event's website - www.christmasfair.weebly.com 

Calendar Update 17-10-2014
The Events Calendar has been updated so please have a look at it for all the meetings that concern the Lodge. If an item has been left out, please contact Ian Hawkes. 

A message from the Worship Master 15-10-2014
Thank you everyone for a fantastic night on Monday. I would personally like to thank all of the officers for taking office and to everyone who assisted on the night, especially Alan Phillips, Steve Ward, Ian Hawkes, Malcolm Ormiston, and Sid Watson for his Director of Ceremonies work at the festive board and to George Paylor and Jim Jordan for the Masters Song. It was a fantastic night and everyone I have spoken to enjoyed it and after speaking to some of our guests last night at Good Samaritan Lodge, I think we had the best installation service they have seen this year and one of the best festive boards. We seem to have set ourselves a high standard for the year so we had better get started on practising for November's 1st Degree. Our first official visit is to Rowland's Gill in November and I would like as many officers and members to attend with this being our first official visit. There is also an informal visit to Conside on the 2nd Wednesday in November and if any one wants to come with me you will be more than welcome, Brethren I look forward to getting to know all of you better in the coming year and look forward to seeing you in the lodge. 

Installation Meeting 2014 14-10-2014
Monday night was our Installation meeting and what a meeting! It was an absolute joy to be there and be apart of it. Congratulations to W Bro Graham Parkinson on attaining the chair and congratulations to the team for all their hard work. 

Installation Rehearsal 08-10-2014
A full rehearsal for the Installation will take place on Sunday 12th October commencing at 10:30am. All members are invited to attend. 

Lodge of Instruction 08-10-2014
On Monday 6th October, the Lodge of Instruction was revived. There was a good turnout of MMs and enough PMs to have a successful meeting. W Bro. Ian Hawkes was elected Preceptor and W Bro. Ormiston was elected Assistant Preceptor. The next LOI is on Tuesday 4th November at 7:00pm. All members are welcome. 

Lodge Events 22-08-2014
If you want to know where and when anything is happening in the Lodge, please check out the Events Tab. It is up to date. 

A message from the SWME 21-08-2014
The calendar of Lodge and Social Events will be out shortly (please see the Events tab) and there will be something for everyone with some visits to lodges we have visited in the past that we have ties to. If anyone has any suggestions for visits that you don't see on the list, contact me and I'm sure we can get something arranged as it's always nice to go visiting new places. On the subject of visiting we had a great afternoon last Saturday at Lodge Robert Burns Initiated a lovely lodge close to Edinburgh city centre that meets in summer on Saturdays. Look forward to seeing you on Wednesday night next week at Winlaton (27th August 2014). 

A message from the SWME 17-07-2014
This is an email sent out by Bro Parkinson SWME to the Brethren after our last meeting before the recess. Thanks everyone for your support last night especially the visiting brethren who travelled from as far away as Edinburgh to ensure I was elected. Between myself and Ian I am sure we will have a great year resurrecting some old traditions. Lots of visiting is planned with the first visit to Lodge Robert Burns Initiated on the 3rd Saturday in August. There will be a traditional Christmas party this year after our December meeting, a ladies night will be held on Saturday 21st March (formal dress, dark suit for men and a proper dress for the ladies) and a race night will be held in June. The installation will be on Monday 13th October starting at 5:00pm followed by a festive board. I look forward to seeing you all over the next year and I am sure between us all we will make it a memorable year for Ryton Holy Cross. 

 Last Before the Recess 11-07-2014
On Monday 14th July W Bro R Tait will give a lecture entitled "Masonic Discipline and the work of the Provincial Discipline Committee". This will be followed by the elections and other business,  before retiring to our Festive Board.  As it is the last meeting before the recess, let us have a good turnout. 

July Meeting 03-07-2014
Our last meeting before the recess takes place on Monday 14th July at 7:00pm. A lecture will be delivered by W. Bro. R. Tait. After which the annual elections will take place. This will be followed by our usual Festive Board. All are welcome to attend, so let us  have good night! 

Practice on Sunday 6th July. 03-07-2014
Will the brethren please note that there will be a practice meeting on Sunday 6th July commencing at 10.30 am. All current officers, Master Masons and Past Masters are invited to attend. These meetings are being arranged at the express wish of the current officers and Master Masons. 

June Practice 29-05-2014
There is to be a practice held on Sunday 1st June starting at 10:30am and will finish at 12:00 noon. All Master Masons are welcome to attend and the Past Masters are welcome to come along as well. 

May 2014 F&GP meeting 07-05-2014
Due to Ryton St Mary's Lodge having to move their meeting forward a week, due to the Bank Holiday the F&GP meeting scheduled for Monday 19th May has been changed to Tuesday 20th May at 7:30. All eligible members are invited to attend. Will members note that the car park will probably be busy, this is due to the Slimming World meeting. 

May 2014 meeting 07-05-2014
Our next meeting is Monday 12th May. Durham Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge will give a demonstration of the 2nd Degree. All are welcome. 

April Practice Meeting 31-03-2014
The Lodge Secretary has sent out an email to remind the brethren that a Practice Meeting has been planned for Sunday 6th April 2014 commencing at 10.30 a.m. and ending at 12.00 noon promptly. The officers of the Lodge and the newer members will be practicing a second degree ceremony. Any Master Mason would be made very welcome. We are in particular need for Past Masters to attend and assist in giving the newer members an insight into the way we utilize the Emulation Ritual and our traditions within the Lodge. 

Management Committee AGM 18-03-2014
The Annual General Meeting of Ryton Management Committee takes place on Tuesday 8th April at 19:30. All members are requested to attend as important decisions have to be made and your support is necessary for a successful outcome. Apparently, a free pint is waiting for you when you attend! The Management Secretary has posted an email asking for a good attendance. And we must engage with as many members as possible as we look at the sustainability of the building and consider the options open to us if we want to continue to practice our masonry at Ryton. It will not be a long meeting but it will be a very important meeting. 

Monday 10th March 2014 11-03-2014
W Bro Lascelles PAPGM gave a very interesting talk on Ladies in Freemasonry, he also presented and explained the Grand Lodge Certificate to Bro Worboys. Although we were low in numbers the evening went very well. A very good talk and a very good Festive Board. 

Monday 10th February 2014 08-02-2014
A 3rd Degree ceremony will take place on Monday 10th February when Bro. Worboys will be raised. A rehearsal will take place on Sunday at 15:00hrs. The meeting on Monday night starts at 19:00hrs.

​Monday 13th January 2014 11-01-2014
A 2nd Degree ceremony will take place on Monday 13th January when Bro. Worboys will be passed. 

Maurice Russell 03-01-2014
Sad news to start the New Year. Maurice Russell's son informed Ryton St Mary's Lodge that W. Bro Maurice Russell died this morning. We all have our own fond memories of Maurice. Maurice was a good friend to Ryton Holy Cross over the years, even though he had moved away to be near his son he was always in the thoughts of our Brethren. He will be sadly missed. 

Merry Christmas 23-12-2013
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year from all the members of Ryton Holy Cross Lodge. 

Christmas Meeting 11-12-2013
On Monday 9th December, we held our Christmas meeting. After the meeting close we all adjourned to the Festive Board and joined our wives, partners and guests. A four course Christmas dinner was enjoyed by all those that attended followed by Christmas Carols, the famous(or infamous) Ryton Holy Cross Panto, the 12 days of Christmas done in the usual Lodge style and then the bottle draw, congratulations to all those that won something. We are looking forward to next year already! 

Congratulations 11-12-2013
Congratulations go to W.Bro. Alan Phillips on his promotion to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden. Full details can be viewed on the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham's website. 

December Meeting  14-11-2013
Our December meeting on Monday 9th December will be our usual Christmas Celebration. Our widows will be the guests of honour and members are urged to invite their family and friends to our Festive Board for a traditional Christmas meal and all the fun that follows. The draw for our Winter Bottle Draw will take place during the evening along with our usual carol singing, the famous (or infamous) 5 minute Pantomime and of course not forgetting the 12 Days of Christmas. Please note that booking for the meal is essential and all booked meals must be paid for. For further information and tickets please contact the Worshipful Master. 

RHCL new website launch 08-11-2013
Ryton Holy Cross Lodge No 4231 launches a new rebranded website for its members interest. The intention is to provide information on freemasonry to current and future masons alike.