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Latest News and Blog Posts from Wayne “Pendragon” Owens.
I am always glad to help
On my way home from work I stopped off at the local Co-Op for a loaf of bread. As I was leaving the store I spotted one of those people who like to hang out with clipboards and hassle ordinary folk as they try and go about their daily lives. My normal response to them is to give off a “Don’t even think about it” Vibe and walk right past without even acknowledging their existence.
As I got almost to the door the heavens opened with a torrential downpour. ‘Shit. I’m going to get drenched, maybe if I wait five min’s it will ease off’ I thought. So I smiled at the clipboard wielding woman and decided to help her out.
Woman: “Hi. Can you spare a bit of your time to help us out?”
WO: *looks out at rain* “why not… Go for it….”
Woman: “ok” *looks at survey form* “How often would you say you shop at this store? Daily? Several times a week? weekly? How often, roughly?”
WO: *starts counting on fingers, 1, 2, 3, 4….* “Roughly? Say once every five years”
Woman: *looks confused at form* “err. Ok. I’ll put down once a month. And why did you choose to shop at this store today? Price of Items? Availability? Good Parking, Size of store?”
WO: “There was a crash in Tesco’s car-park, I would have been ages trying to get in there to park!”
Woman: “errr….ummm… OK. if you do not mind me asking about how much was your shopping today?”
WO: *raises loaf and looks for price tag* “£1.40”
Woman: “Did you find the store had all the dairy products you wanted?”
WO: *Raises loaf and looks at it quizzically* “Not applicable”
Woman: “Did you find the store had all the meat products you wanted?”
WO: *Raises loaf and looks at it quizzically* “Not applicable”
Woman: *starting to look a bit confused* “Did you find the store had all the fresh baked products you wanted?”
WO: *Raises loaf and looks at it quizzically* “Bread counts as baked right? SO Yes”
Woman: “Did you find all the Beer or Spirits you ……”
WO: *Raises loaf and wiggles it*
Woman: “Right, I’ll just put not applicable to all these” *crosses off loads of entry’s on the form* “OK. as you were walking about the store today on a scale of 0-10 how did you find the amount of stuff on the shelves?”
WO: *Looks behind the Woman at the section of the store with completely empty shelves* “It’s probably not wise to ask that question while standing in front of the part the store where they are changing all the shelves around”
Woman: “err I’ll put Not applicable to that as well” *starts to randomly answer questions herself* “OK, were you able to find everything you wanted today?”
WO: *Raises loaf and pokes it* “YES!!! Yes I was!”
Woman: *slowly starting to back away from the entrance* “Thank you for your time… err its very important to us and we appreciate it… Have a good day… Bye!!”
WO: *Waves with the loaf of bread*
I think my feedback will be appreciated and help towards improving the store. I should have been paid. Or at least offered a 10% discount on my days shopping.
A Talk at Clwyd College – 21st Century Alchemy
Today was the meeting of Clwyd College of The Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (S.R.I.A.).
This meeting was again up by the coast, but this time it was at Lady Augusta Hall in Mostyn. What more can you ask for, a trip to the seaside and a Masonic meeting.
Clwyd College has been doing very well these last few years since it moved its meeting location and was saved from closing. To help them out I have agreed to go into the Celebrant’s chair for the year, which means that while I may have work to do at the meetings, I do get to pick the meal.
This evening we did a multiple Theoricus Grade, followed by my postponed Celebrant’s paper. In the S.R.I.A. it is traditional for the Celebrant to present a paper when he goes into the chair, but when I went into the chair at the last meeting, I postponed mine to allow another Frater to present one so he could secure his admission into the Second Order.
My paper was titled “21st Century Alchemy : Alchemy in the Digital Age” and it seemed to go down well, and led to a very interesting discussion, which even continued into the Festive Board. As soon as I format the paper up neatly, and add some images for colour, I will post the paper online.
NOTE: I am calling this series of posts “The Year of a Busy Mason” for a good reason. Tonight was my first double booking of the year, and it will not be the last. I had to skip another meetings rehearsals to attend this meeting.
Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (S.R.I.A.)
The Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (S.R.I.A.) stands as the world’s oldest independent society of Rosicrucian Freemasons, proudly composed of Master Masons from Lodges acknowledged by the United Grand Lodge of England.
Our Colleges are strategically located across the globe, including England, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Wales, France, and Holland. To find the most convenient location for you, please click HERE to access our interactive map of S.R.I.A. College Locations.
For more information on the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia, please click on the link to the Societies website, or the Province of Western Counties and North Wales website.
The Year of a Busy Mason (TYoaBM)
The Masonic year tends to run from September until June, with July and August being our summer break. There are of course exceptions to every rule, and we do have the occasional summer meeting, but the majority runs from September-June.
This coming year is looking like it could be a very busy year for me, especially since I have had several events already and the year has not officially started yet. So far this month I have had committee meetings for The Maesgwyn Lodge of Installed Masters, Wrexhamian Chapter, and Wrexhamian Lodge, as well as rehearsals for Wrexhamian Chapter.
I have therefore decided to blog a record of all my meetings this year, to give people an idea of what a busy Masonic year is like. I should point out that, this will be as I have already stated a busy year for me, and the average commitment to Freemasonry is a lot less than what I will be recording. I just imagined it may be of interest to some people. There are a lot of Freemasons who without visiting just have around eight meetings, and eight rehearsals a year.
So come along with me on a journey.
Happy Independence Day
Four score and seven years ago, or in 1776 We decided that the young country of America had become old enough to trust not to run out in front of traffic, or try and play with dangerous animals and as such we took the reins off.
There comes a time in every parents life when you have to trust that your early guidance and teachings have given your offspring all the help they need to make their way in the world alone.
So the UK took off the training reins and watched as America took its first hesitant steps on it’s own. Yes there was a few stumbles and mishaps along the way. Several times America slipped and cut its hand or knee and UK wanted to pick it up and hold it safe.
“Maybe we should leave the reins on for a bit longer.”
UK.
But like all good parents we stayed back, Watching carefully and holding back our urges to guide and jump in at every hurdle. You have to trust your children will do the right thing.
I will say, America you grew up ok. Ok. you have made some really poor dating choices, and Looking at your teenage photographs “What were you wearing??” But all in all, you did well.
SO we here in the UK in general, and myself in particular would like to wish you a Happy Anniversary of your First Steps without the Reins!!
Happy Independence Day.
BBW – Donation from North Wales Rose Croix
North Wales Rose Croix donates £7000 to Blood Bikes Wales.
A year ago we gave a talk on Blood Bikes Wales for Rhodri Fawr Chapter Rose Croix. The Inspector General of North Wales V.Ill Bro. John Norbury was present at that talk, and was so taken by the work done by Blood Bikes Wales he decided that for the following year he would ask the Chapters across North Wales to make a donation into a pot to be given to the charity.
This evening at the meeting of St. Deiniol’s Chapter the final amount raised was revealed. John presented Neville Owens with a “Big Cheque” for £6800.
V.Ill. Bro. Paul Kelvin-Smith the Inspector General for South Wales and Monmouthshire who had also been in attendance of last years talk, had travelled up for the presentation, and he presented us with a cheque for £200 to round up the final amount to £7000.
I would like to thank all the members of Rose Croix across North Wales for this fantastic donation.
Blood Bikes Wales
Blood Bikes Wales is a charity that transports blood, plasma, platelets, samples, vaccines, donor breast-milk & any other urgently required medical items to hospitals at night, weekends and bank holidays. This service is provided completely free of charge, allowing the NHS to divert funds where they are needed most.
Our riders are a hardy bunch that operate in all but the very worst weather.
BBW – A Talk at Corbet Lodge
This evening Nev, Hugh, and myself had a trip out to the coast by Tywyn to go give a talk on Blood Bikes Wales to Corbet Lodge No. 1583.
It was a very enjoyable evening with the Stewards Lodge visiting to do part of a third, a talk on Royal Arch, and our talk on Blood Bikes.
The talk was very well received and the members if Corbet Lodge gave us a fantastic donation of £800.
Blood Bikes Wales
Blood Bikes Wales is a charity that transports blood, plasma, platelets, samples, vaccines, donor breast-milk & any other urgently required medical items to hospitals at night, weekends and bank holidays. This service is provided completely free of charge, allowing the NHS to divert funds where they are needed most.
Our riders are a hardy bunch that operate in all but the very worst weather.
BBW – A Talk at Bromfield Lodge
This evening Nev, Hugh, and myself went along to Bromfield Lodge No 4233 to give a talk on Blood Bikes Wales, and what they do.
The talk went down very well with the Brethren present, who asked interesting questions both up in the lodge room, and down in the meal afterwards.
It was an enjoyable evening, and the Lodge presented us with a very generous donation of £500
Blood Bikes Wales
Blood Bikes Wales is a charity that transports blood, plasma, platelets, samples, vaccines, donor breast-milk & any other urgently required medical items to hospitals at night, weekends and bank holidays. This service is provided completely free of charge, allowing the NHS to divert funds where they are needed most.
Our riders are a hardy bunch that operate in all but the very worst weather.
BBW – New Bike from NorthWalesMasons
Today Blood Bikes Wales were presented with a new bike funded by the North Wales Freemasons Charity and the MCF.
The new bike names “Gwenda” will be based in Bangor and serve the North West part of Wales.
We would like to thank everyone who braved the Bangor cold to attend the presentation.
Blood Bikes Wales
Blood Bikes Wales is a charity that transports blood, plasma, platelets, samples, vaccines, donor breast-milk & any other urgently required medical items to hospitals at night, weekends and bank holidays. This service is provided completely free of charge, allowing the NHS to divert funds where they are needed most.
Our riders are a hardy bunch that operate in all but the very worst weather.
A Talk at Llannerch Lodge
This evening I went along to Llannerch Lodge to give a talk under the banner of the North Wales Association of Masonic Study!
This was the first time I had given this talk, which was “The True Masonic Church“
This was an interesting evening since Llannerch Lodge is my mother Lodge, and I have not been back to visit in a long while. So it was nice to be asked to attend to give a talk.
St Edmund's Church
St Edmund’s Church in Rochdale, is regarded as one of the finest but least known gems of ecclesiastical architecture in the country. Commissioned by the industrialist and banker Albert Hudson Royds, its interior is packed with Masonic symbolism.
The specific spark that initiated St Edmund’s might have come when on August 10, 1869, the Provincial Grand Lodge convened in the Chapter House of Worcester Cathedral to march in procession to the Cathedral where the new Masonic window that had been built in the north transept was unveiled. On this occasion, Albert Royds (who was already a member of the Supreme Council, 33rd Degree) proclaimed: “I ask you to accept this gift from the brethren of our ancient Craft and sometimes, when you look upon its mellowed light, may you be induced to say, ‘O, wonderful Masons!’”.
BBW – A Talk at St. Asaph Lodge
This evening Nev, Hugh, and myself popped along to visit St. Asaph Lodge to give a presentation on Blood Bikes Wales.
The talk was well received by everyone in attendance, with some interesting technical questions being thrown our way during the Q&A.
The Lodge gave us a fantastic donation of £300, with the members throwing an additional £40.67 in the bucket.
Blood Bikes Wales
Blood Bikes Wales is a charity that transports blood, plasma, platelets, samples, vaccines, donor breast-milk & any other urgently required medical items to hospitals at night, weekends and bank holidays. This service is provided completely free of charge, allowing the NHS to divert funds where they are needed most.
Our riders are a hardy bunch that operate in all but the very worst weather.