225 th Anniversary of Albion Lodge No. 196 ER A Personal Account by WBro. T.A. Bonnett

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1 225 th Anniversary of Albion Lodge No. 196 ER A Personal Account by WBro. T.A. Bonnett A significant milestone of any lodge s existence should be recognized in some meaningful way. Thus the members of Albion Lodge No. 196 ER (Albion), planned a week of activities to celebrate the 225 years of existence as a masonic body in Barbados. November 29, 2015 The week commenced with a morning church service at St. Ambrose Church in Bridgetown. The selection of church was made all the easier, because the priest in charge Bro. Rev. Clive Thomas, is not only affiliated to Albion, but received his fellowcraft and master masons degrees in the lodge prior to his affiliation. The brethren of Albion and brethren of other English and Scottish lodges assembled in the church hall and clothed themselves with the distinguishing badges of their respective ranks. Afterwards, all processed into the church in rows of two in order of seniority under the direction of our Director of Ceremonies, to the reserved seats on the front left hand side. Bro. Rev. Clive Thomas soon appeared bedecked in Barbados national colours (he being a Grenadian did not exhibit any noticeable discomfort) along with the choir any other church officers. It soon became clear the church had organised a special Independence Day programme for that Sunday. The nation was also going to celebrate its 49 th year of political independence on the following day. The proceedings went well, with the Worshipful Master, WBro. Dave Dyal reading the first lesson and Bro. Troy Nurse an Entered Apprentice reading the second. Bro. Rev. Clive Thomas delivered a passionate sermon infused with the three tenets of Freemasonry. W. Bro. Terry Bonnett presented a very brief history of Albion and ended by inviting Bro. Rev. Clive Thomas to receive from the Worshipful Master, a contribution from the lodge towards the church s efforts to feed the less fortunate. Those formalities having been dispensed with, the brethren were royally entertained by renditions by the children from the Sunday School, who were expertly marshalled by their Sunday School teacher. The bar having been set high by the youngsters, the adults followed with a solo dance routine and with sweet musical renditions of folk songs on steel pan. After the service, all the brethren present assembled for a picture in front of the church, before rendezvousing at the Radisson Hotel for breakfast. There we enjoyed the fare just as much as the fellowship amongst family and friends. It was a wonderful start to the week.

2 One down, four to go. December 1, 2015 Having celebrated Independence Day the previous day, we assembled at Spry Street for a cocktail party. The site was Albion s former meeting place for over 130 years. The building was bought by the Central Bank of Barbados and

3 converted into a museum, with most of the top floor dedicated to Freemasonry. Also present were the Assistant District Grand Master, District Grand Secretary, Governor and Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados, brethren from the other English lodges, District No.1 of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the Caribbean and Jurisdictions and specially invited guests. After a refreshing beverage or two, the formalities begun, which were presided over by W. Bro. Andre Harding who performed the Master of Ceremonies duties. Opening remarks were made by the Worshipful Master, followed by those of the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados, who generously consented to allow us to be the first to hold a function at the newly renovated premises. Then came the moment for the Lodge to show our appreciation to those lodge brethren who had over twenty five years of membership. Those brethren so honoured, accepted their certificates with the broadest of smiles. Some like W. Bro. Dr. Stephen Brooks had travelled all the way from the United Kingdom to be present for the festivities. There were nevertheless a few regrets. The passing of two stalwarts living in North America earlier in the year, denied them the tangible evidence that although they were not present physically, their contributions were remembered and regarded. The other highlight of the evening was a tour of the museum conducted by Mr. Kevin Farmer. His knowledge of the subject matter and presentation skills were top class on the first floor. On the second floor where the masonic museum is housed, he found himself at a disadvantage, surrounded by those skilled in the ancient arts and noble science.(lol) The party s official ending time was 9:00 pm but many brethren remained until midnight having been well fed and watered.

4 Two down, three to go. December 2, 2015 The big day. The day of Installation. Two brethren from a fellow Athol lodge, Union Lodge No. 247 WBros Neville Peters and Courtney Frank were arriving from Guyana to be part of the occasion. We were happy to welcome them to Barbados. The Installation ceremony, the openings and closings were all very efficiently done to a standard of which we have become accustomed. The round tables were used at the festive board, one of which contained the 225 th birthday cake. Personalized commemorative placemats were given to the brethren of Albion. There was a frenzied atmosphere as the brethren scrambled to acquire last minute raffle tickets for the draw later in the night. The newly installed Worshipful Master and Wardens gave the toasts as though they were veterans in the offices. The brethren of Union Lodge No. 247 were presented with a book on Albion s history. They thanked the brethren and informed them that their Installation will be in February next year. I have a feeling that some brethren started to check for flights online that very night.

5 As expected the after proceeding went well into the morning. We deferred the cutting of the cake and sharing of the masonic chocolates. They lived to see another day. Three down, two to go. December 4, 2015 A Game Night was planned for brethren and friends at a bar owned by the new Worshipful Master. Dominoes were played and I have been unreliably informed that a couple sows were shared, I believe one was by a female. I saw pool being played but did not receive any reports on the results. The food was excellent only a couple pork chops survived the night. Several brethren were absent without leave as it seems the exertions of the Installation night had caught up with them. One such brother came but went into his car for forty winks only to be awaken by the glorious sun rising in the East, and to find that all the brethren had departed. We all thought that he had left early. Four down, one to go. December 5, 2015 We congregated at Salters for the historic tour of Bridgetown from a masonic perspective. We boarded the bus and were given a history lesson by Mr. Maurice Greenidge on all the places along the route. We passed by the former temple in Pine Road and learnt about the history of the area. Then to the Garrison and saw the pillars on which the gates were hung as the area was totally enclosed in those days. Our first stop was the military cemetery, where some early masons were buried. Leaving there we travelled along Bay Street to the City and saw Marshall Hall, whose name is derived from Thomas Clarke Marshall. He was master of Albion

6 Lodge on five occasions and whose handwritten notes form the basis of the current ritual in use. We saw the location of a former temple in Temple Yard and then stopped by St. Mary s Church to see the Thomas Clarke Marshall s plaque located on a wall upstairs. We left there and proceeded along Mason Hall Street, and saw the former location of another meeting place and the land which was bequeathed to Albion, now unfortunately occupied by squatters. On Tudor s Street we discovered a place called Masons Alley yet another former meeting place as well as those along lower Broad Street. We concluded the tour by stopping at the Spry Street to hear some history on the building which was owned by Albion and to see the resting places of Thomas Clarke Marshall and Sir Alexander Irvine, who was credited with bringing Freemasonry to the island.

7 We returned to Salters and had some lunch. Some brethren who had lingered after earlier rehearsals joined us as we consumed the aforementioned birthday and masonic chocolates. We thereafter engaged in games of hearts and whisk deep into the night. Five down, nothing now remain but to close the lodge and bring an end to a week well spent in the company of the brethren in general and Albion in particular. I can t wait for the 250 th.