Yorkshire November 2013

Spent a very brief weekend in Yorkshire last weekend. We took a trip to an art gallery and on the way, we drove past a little wooded area. The light was impressive, so we stopped and out came the cameras…
Here are just a few of the photos I took.

Installation, November 2011

I have just returned from a trip “oop north” to my hometown. Whilst there I was initiated as Inner Guard in my Lodge. As a relatively new member, this was quite a privilege (or at least I felt it was). Also, as I live 250 miles from the town, I don’t get the full benefit of visiting or any of the social events. I keep meaning to visit some London Lodges, but somehow it never seems to happen. I don’t have any Masonic contacts in London (not in ladies’ lodges at any rate) so it isn’t so easy really. Aside from the year I was being initiated, I have only attended four other ceremonies, so still feel I am learning the flow of the meetings. In fact, Saturday was only the second Installation I have been to – and I found myself taking an office. It was a late decision, as I had been asked to be a Steward initially. But people’s plans change and there I was….

I went down to help set the lodge up on the day before, and had a quick run-through. Yes, no practices for me, very much in at the deep end. I know what you might think; it’s an easy office, etc. Well, yes, it is I suppose, and I think I did ok – apart from having difficulty latching the door back, which caused the Grand Inspector to have to wait for me. Lesson learned – don’t listen to the previous incumbent, go with your instincts on your timing (and level of klutziness).

Until the weekend I worried about remembering my ritual. Now I can add to that the worry of remembering all my movements.

So, ceremony over, we all repaired to the festive board, drank wine and had a splendid meal. It’s a long day, because it seems that everyone is nervous, no matter how much experience they have, how many times they have been in office before. In a way, I find that comforting.

Monday involved a talk-through of the First Degree, while walking the dogs on the beach. Yes, no surprises to guess that I won’t get much practice before January’s meeting (assuming we don’t have too much snow and I make the journey up there). Fortunately, thanks to modern technology, the fact I mostly work from home and an understanding boss (also a Mason), I should manage to get to official practice the week before and also one during the week, as I will base myself up North for the week. No doubt I will get any remedial lessons that might be necessary also, though I’m hoping my performance will only need a few tweaks when it comes to it.