Representatives of St Johns lodge, recently visited the Provincial Grand Secretary and discussed the lodge's submission with him, for the lodge's to be awarded a bi-centenary in 2010.

This bid document, along with a covering letter, have since been sent up to Grand Lodge by W.Bro David Purnell as the official bid for a bi-centenary from St John's lodge along with his covering letter as the Provincial Secretary.

Sadly on 23rd May, Grand lodge sent back a letter to advise that they would not be granting our wish to hold a bi-centenary, as they consider that we do not have enough evidence to show they we have continuous workings between1837 and 1845.

Bro L.A. Pym and Bro E.D. Rose are now in the proceess of writting a letter of appeal to this ruling which it is hoped will be sent to Grand lodge by the end of June. In the mean time the lodge committee continues to work toward the celebrations in 2010, and are raising funds to support the planned events to be held during the year. Finally if any member wishes to save money towards tickets for the celebrations we will be shortly launching a savings plan, allowing members to pay by installments for their tickets.

Les Pym

Secretary