Oriental Lodge celebrated its 20th Anniversary in style at its regular meeting on 15th November 2010. The Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, W Bro. Vic Wood PSGD and W Bro. John Chan PSGD representing the Province of Northumberland, were in attendance. The celebration was witnessed by over 80 brethren present.
After an initiation ceremony, the Worshipful Master announced that the celebration had begun by a presentation by W Bro. John Chan, a Past Master of the Lodge on a brief history of the Lodge. W Bro. John concluded by presenting the Worshipful Master, W Bro. Kam Wah Mak with a memorial plaque from W Bro. Harry Aiken, the Worshipful Master, Officers and Brethren of Zetland and Hong Kong Lodge No. 7665 which meets in London.
To commemorate this auspicious occasion, the Worshipful Master read the names of the Founders and requested those present to stand in the centre of the lodge. For those who passed to the Grand Lodge above, they were acknowledged and remembered.
The 20th Anniversary Banquet was held at the New Royal Circle Restaurant in Stowell Street, Newcastle Chinatown. A delicious 10 course Chinese Banquet were slowly digested and greatly enjoyed by everyone. The menu was as follows:
House Special Hot Hors d’Oeuvres
Crispy Aromatic Duck
Beef with Pepper in Black Bean Sauce
Lamb in Satay Sauce
Spicy Salt & Chilli Chicken with Crispy Seaweed
Stir Fried Pork with Cashew Nuts
Stir Fried King Prawns with Ginger and Spring Onions
Sizzling Fillet Beef in Cantonese Sauce
Sweet and Sour Chicken
Special Fried Rice
Fresh Fruit
After the banquet, a specially made Chinese birthday cake which was decorated with Oriental Lodge's motto with 20 lit candles, was brought out and cut by the Worshipful Master. Despite everyone was quite full, all the brethren still managed to empty the plates of this mouth-watering 11th course.
The following are some of the photos taken to mark this happy and memorable occasion:
