Another busy morning with a jaunt up the Ballysillan Road, Belfast to the main hall associated with Eglinton Presbyterian Church, where the Arthur Square District Masonic Charity Committee were holding their annual Charity Breakfast, raising funds for AGE NI, the Provincial Grand Master of Antrim’s selected charity this year. As usual the event kicked off at 9/00am but by the time I arrived just after 10.00am, there was a good turnout of Brethren, Family and Friends, already there and tucking into ample fries. It was interesting to learn that all the food available at today’s event had been supplied by some of the lodges within the Arthur Square Committee and that all the catering staff and serving staff were all committee volunteers. One other interesting aspect of their breakfast was the fact that they supplied packets of freshly pressed orange juice, a nice boost of vitamin C to keep us all healthy and fighting fit. Might be a good suggestion for some of our other Lodges and Committees to consider in the future.
Brethren, at an event such as this, one of the great pleasures in attendance is the opportunity that it gives us to catch upon all the news throughout the Province and further afield. Good to see a mixed bag of guests including Dennis Whevil and David perry, both in attendance and giving their support to the days event. Others present included John Edens, Sam Brennan, George Graham, and Paul Harvey, amongst others. The conversations were mixed as always with some updates on the farming front, reminiscences of recent bus and car journeys and a few thoughts on the upcoming Provincial Grand Lodge meeting, which will take place in The Leighinmohr Hotel, Ballymena on Monday evening. This should be a well-attended event as most of our officers will be invested, installed, or confirmed in Office for the 2024 – 5.
One unexpected topic, discussed briefly was the benefits of music to our activities in Lodge and Chapter. We discussed the benefits of the fife, the Lambeg, the organ and the violin. Much to my surprise, one name was mentioned briefly, and I was told that he was probably one of the greatest fiddler’s ever involved with the Ulster Scots organisation. It certainly came as a surprise to me, and clearly, I will need to conduct further research before I can say much more. Or in the words of the Brethren in the late Press Lodge – “Watch this Space.”
