Visitors? We are all friends in Freemasonry.
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A short narrative by Worshipful Brother Roger Crow, P.PrJGD, (Worcestershire), England.
I am not too sure how Worshipful Brother Ian Chase of the Prince of Wales Lodge 1705, Gosport in the Province of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, England came up with the idea but after he was elected Master Elect of his Lodge, being a glutton for punishment this was to be his 2nd time as Worshipful Master and currently he is the MEZ of a Chapter he researched just how many Prince of Wales Lodges that there are worldwide.
He then wrote to all the Secretaries of these lodges inviting the Master or his representative along to his Installation into the chair of King Solomon which was due to take place at the lodge rooms in Gosport, Hampshire, England on Thursday 23rd October 08.
It was certainly a mammoth task that he set himself and no doubt of course for the other brethren of his lodge.
His letter was received by the Royal Prince of Wales Lodge 1555 EC and discussed at our 8th Committee meeting of 2008.
At that time I was planning a trip to the UK in order to visit my family and friends and this visitation would fit nicely into my plans. As it turned out both myself and Worshipful Brother Russell Daniels, P.Pr.JGW, Cumberland and Westmorland, England and P,Dist.JGW, Eastern Archipelago were given the honour by the Worshipful Master to represent our lodge at this Installation meeting in the UK.
I had travelled from Penang, Malaysia and Worshipful Brother Russell from his home in Windermere, Cumbria, England a journey itself of some considerable time and distance.
The hospitality shown by the Brethren of the Prince of Wales lodge 1705 was first class: Worshipful Brother Chase had a very busy night ahead of him but still found the time to put one of the visitors up at a room in his house and to pick up other guests arriving at the local airport and railway station, conveying them to their respective hotels.
‘The gathering of the Clans’ saw a large number of representatives from the following Prince of Wales Lodges’ in attendance.
There is a Prince of Wales Lodge in Canada which is not under the English Constitution: they too where also invited but sadly could not attend. They did however, send their apologies with sincere and fraternal greetings wishing all the brethren well.
It was a splendid ceremony carried out by all the Brethren in true Masonic style befitting the occasion. The Temple was full, which itself must have been daunting to those brethren taking part in the night’s proceedings. 171 brethren signed the Tyler’s Book.
After the ceremony the usual photographs were taken and at this point Worshipful Brother Russell and I were able to present two of the Royal Prince of Wales Lodge 1555 EC Bannerettes to Worshipful Brother Ian Chase and the Prince of Wales Lodge 1705.
The ceremony having been conducted in a loyally Masonic manner I am pleased to say that this continued at the festive board where over 180 Brethren and invited Brethren dined on a traditional English fayre of soup followed by roast beef with, of course, Yorkshire pudding and seasonal vegetables of the day, cheese cake for dessert followed by coffee, cheese board and biscuits.
All this was ‘washed down’ by good quality ale and wine. The bar, catering staff and waitresses had a very busy night but were well up to the task.
On the night the Alms collection amounted to £181(GBP). And the raffle raised the sum of £941(GBP) all in the course of charity.
I and Worshipful Brother Daniels and all the other visiting Brethren were genuinely welcomed, treated like good friends and given every possible assistance that was needed.
We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and are honoured that we were able to represent our lodge, the Royal Prince of Wales 1555 EC, at such an impressive Masonic occasion.
Worshipful Brother Ian Chase has invited at his expense, any brethren from the Royal Prince of Wales Lodge 1555 EC who are in the UK and able to attend at a Prince of Wales Lodge 1705 lodge meeting: look them up on their own web site. Brethren, if you can, take up this big-hearted offer you will not be disappointed.
Visitors? We are all friends in Freemasonry. |
