London Trip
Lodge of Perfect Light, No. 7971, UGLE
June 2 - 11, 2006
Seven members of St. John's Lodge No. 115, plus one spouse, left Philadelphia on the evening of June 2, bound for London via Gatwick Airport. Arriving at our hotel, we were joined by Worshipful Master Bob Santoro and Marcia, coming from Italy. Over the next nine days, we slept, ate, toured, and drank (some more than others) together, forming bonds that will never be forgotten.
The high point of the trip (and the excuse for it all) was attending the Lodge of Perfect Light, No. 7971, UGLE, as our very own Brother Adam Kravitz was installed as Worshipful Master. This may very well be the first time that a Pennsylvania Mason has become Master of a Lodge in the UK, as dual membership is a recent phenomenon -- though Bro. Ben Franklin was Master of a Lodge in Paris, it is unclear whether he belonged to a Lodge back in Pennsylvania at the same time.
As is frequently the case in other jurisdications, the work was "the same, but different". One interesting difference was that the most recent Past Master holds special responsibilities in the running of the Lodge, and sits immediately to the left of the Worshipful Master. I can tell you that I certainly would have appreciated that kind of help when I was in the East!
The meeting began at 4:00 PM and lasted three and a half hours (with a break for "tea and biscuits") but really didn't seem long at all. It was a beautiful ceremony, full of ritual and symbolism to spark endless philosophical discussion. Afterwards, a quick stop at the bar on the lower level, then on to dinner: fish and chips. And wine, with toasts in the manner of a Table Lodge, and more wine, and more toasts, and... The pictures below are but a taste of the evening.
In addition to the visit, of course, we toured. A day trip to Stratford, where Shakespeare lived, with a stop at the graves of William Penn and his family. The Tower of London was obligatory, and the Royal Observatory at Greenwich. A trip to Cambridge, and a brief tour there of the King's College Chapel (an understatement: more of a cathedral). Lunch at the RAF Bar, where British and American pilots signed their names on the ceiling during WWII, and a drive through beautiful countryside. An Elizabethan dinner, with serving-wenches, lots of wine, and old Henry VIII as well as daughter Elizabeth I and their respective courts to entertain us.
And the "breakout sessions" -- visiting museums, theatre, side trips, and Buckingham Palace, not to mention that uniquely English institution, the local pub. And the local brew, of which each pub had its own selection. And so, finally, on Sunday, June 11th, we said goodbye to that strange and wonderful place that is London, and headed back to our homes and families.
-- David M. Director, P.M.
For those of you who missed it, a complete CD slide show of the tour is available.
Contact the Secretary for further information.
