Experience the warm welcome of Caribbean Freemasonry, recommends Roy Hilton
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Caribbean Freemasonry has once again taken Boston’s Roy Hilton to its heart during a visit to Antigua & Barbuda.
He writes: “I found myself dressed in a dinner suit in mid afternoon ready for the 19th Convocation Installation for Caribbee Royal Arch Chapter. It was strange leaving 30 degrees of Caribbean sunshine to go to sit in an air-conditioned Masonic Centre, but it was certainly worth it! The visit had been organised weeks earlier as Antigua is part of the District Grand Chapter of Barbados & The Eastern Caribbean and falls under UGLE. The district is made up of eleven islands, this involves a great deal of air travel for the aptly named Grand Superintendent Clement Bird.
At the aptly named Clement E. M. Bird Masonic Centre I was greeted by all arriving members, none of whom knew me. One gentleman, who did not give his name, was interested in where I came from and the MCF lapel pin I was wearing. I explained that he was charity steward in Pilgrim Fathers lodge, and I offered to swap the lapel pin and my cuff links for his smart district cufflinks. The owner was having none of it – and by this time I realised he was speaking to the Grand Superintendent himself.
After the Installation and prior to the Festive Board I presented the District Grand Master/Most Excellent Grand Superintendent a Lincolnshire Provincial tie, as well as one for E.Comp John Henry who organised everything and who on the night had assumed the role of Joshua.
Following the Janitor’s toast – no beer for wine, just spirits and a few soft drinks – ExComp Bird made a B line for me, and was extremely interested in the Festival. I gave him a MCF pen to complete a Festival Envelope, (I received neither back with any cash!) He actually took a few more envelopes which I am sure he will hand out to explain their useage to his district team. His team is drawn from the 900 craft members over the eleven islands. After several more rum & cokes I bid everyone good evening and took a taxi home.
The following day I WhatsApp message Ex Comp Henry to say thank you and received a message back inviting me to practice night for a second degree ceremony for St Johns Lodge 492. We arrived at 7.45pm, drank a few rum and cokes until 9pm, and then went upstairs for practice. The practice was fantastic (I wish I could have seen it on an actual lodge night). St Johns Lodge placed a requirement on those wishing to advance to the seat of King Solomon that they have to deliver the extended tracing board in the second. They do so as the lodge has more meetings a year that UK lodges, and so more candidates and more wanting to advance) At 10.30 we found ourselves back downstairs having rum and coke, thirsty hot work in the Caribbean. At midnight with only a dozen of us left the masonic centre was locked up, which is hard work and we had to journey to a nearby village and bar for more refreshment, surprisingly enough more members had already arrived and numbers had swelled! I finally said my good byes at 3am and parted in peace & harmony.
I can wholeheartedly recommend overseas visiting with the correct permissions and clearances – you will have brothers and companions for life and three weeks later possibly WhatsApp messages, as I have had, from 4,500miles away asking if you can make practice again tonight!”
