The Macartney Lodge banner was extensively refurbished during Summer 2001.
The story started with a generous bequest to the Lodge from the will of Bro. Colin Tucker, who died in July 1999. The Reference Committee had various ideas on how the money might best be spent, in remembrance of Bro. Colin. It was generally agreed that either a new banner, or refurbishment of the existing banner would be a suitable memorial.
W. Bro. David Botting undertook much of the initial work, including visiting Grand Lodge and discussing the likely costs. Once we discovered how much a new banner would cost, the idea of restoring the original seemed suddenly much more attractive!
The experts at Great Queen Street recommended Annabel Wylie, a textile conservator near Colchester in Essex. W. Bro. David carefully transported the banner to Colchester for an assessment by Annabal, reporting back to the Reference Committee on the probable costs involved.
The go ahead was given and the delicate work undertaken. The banner is once again hanging in the temple at Gravesend.
Click here for details of the work carried out, and here for a copy of the invoice from Annabel Wylie.
