It’s can be very frustrating when one cannot attend a meeting because of a clash of Masonic commitments.  St Peter’s Lodge No 7334 has developed a strong link with the Lodge St Bryde No 579 of the Provincial Grand Lodge of North Lanarkshire Middle Ward near Glasgow.  Such is the relationship that several brethren have taken the plunge and become members of St Bryde.  However, the two lodges meet on the same nights – doh!

One very successful solution has been to invite a deputation of their Scottish friends to attend a Saturday lodge meeting and to share their brand of Freemasonry.  As such, the recent meeting of Loyal Travellers Lodge No 2733 saw a number of St Bryde’s brethren board a charabanc and brave the M6 to make the journey south.  They were coming to deliver an exemplification of the Fellow Craft Degree and were ably led by their Right Worshipful Master, WBro James Vasey and accompanied by lodge secretary, RWBro James Jack, Substitute Grand Master Mason.

Now it’s not just every day that the third most senior Scottish Mason comes calling so the RW ProvGM was in attendance, accompanied by the entire Provincial Executive, a great many acting Provincial Officers and other visitors, all eager to experience some superb Scottish ritual.  They were not to be disappointed!

Having been escorted into the lodge, the RW ProvGM opened the lodge before inviting the Worshipful Master, WBro Matt Vale, to resume his rightful place.  Bro Matt then called off before offering the gavel to RWBro James Jack who, having accepted that particular honour, invited his RWM, WBro James Vasey, to take the Chair.  Bro James invited the St Bryde Office Bearers to take their respective positions and then opened the lodge and then proceeded to undertake an exemplification of the Fellow Craft Degree with Warwickshire’s very own WBro Andrew Chung acting as the candidate.

It was a delight to witness the excellent Scottish ritual, noting that many sections were familiar whilst others were not!  Their ceremonial is rich and full of interesting and different ways of addressing and referring to the various Officers.  What was not different was the obvious care in which they take when learning the ritual and then delivering it, as well as the care with which the candidate is conducted through his ceremony.  Not many brethren can boast having been Passed to the Second Degree in such differing ways.

Having completed the ceremony, WBro James thanked the brethren of Loyal Travellers for the invitation – they had been looking forward to their sojourn to Warwickshire for some time.  WBro Matt resumed the Chair, called on and thanked the brethren of St Bryde for all their endeavours that had resulted in a most special meeting.  The assembled throng unsurprisingly responded with acclaim.

RWBro James Jack gave his personal thanks for the warmth of their welcome before thanking his fellow Scottish brethren who had come down with him.  He closed by reporting that the Grand Master Mason was aware that they were in Birmingham and would undoubtedly be very interested to hear how it had all gone.

The business of the lodge was concluded and the brethren retired to enjoy an excellent Festive Board and some scrummy Knowle fayre.  No doubt, St Peter’s will be looking out for another Saturday lodge to host a similar visit.  Keep your eyes peeled as such an occasion will certainly not be one to miss!