Today is my first visit of the year, and it was a big one. Not only was I visiting a new place, but also a new Province, and new hall.
I went along to the Installation meeting of Lancashire College S.R.I.A. in the Province of North West Counties.
The problem was that this was held at the Rossendale Masonic Hall (HQ of the Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lacs), and the Motorway’s were all closed due to incidents. SO It was a three hour drive down normal roads. Which was not the most fun, but with classic rock blasting away on the radio, while Waze managed my route, got me there.
If you have never been, the hall is well worth a visit, you drive up a private road surrounded by trees until you reach an old building. Before the meeting, I was treated to a tour of their library, and shown their rare and expensive books.
The meeting itself was enjoyable, their opening was different to any I have seen in my own Province (This was my first visit to a different SRIA Province). They also sadly performed the M.J.V. ceremony, which was the first time I ever saw that performed and we need to do it at my own college next month. Then the meeting went into it’s normal agenda of conducting a Zelator ceremony, and the Installation. The closing was interesting as well since they sang a closing ode, which was fully in Latin.
Unfortunately, several people turned up who had not booked themselves in to eat, so they did not have enough places for everyone to stay for the festive board. Since most were in groups and if one could not eat they would have to sit and wait, or all go home, I decided to make it easy and not stay. It does mean I drove 3 hours there, then 3 hours back on my birthday and didn’t get to eat anything. I was starving by the time I got home at 11pm (I left home at 2:30pm).
All in all. My first visit of the year was enjoyable. I even got a lovely fireworks display for an hour of the way home.
Update Count:- Attended/Total
9/10 – Meetings
1/1 – Visits
7/7 – Rehearsals
2/2 – Committee
1/1 – AGM’s
Masonic Halls – 7
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.