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Blackpool Group of Lodges
Group News
A Fisherman's Tale
A story of 3 English Masons in Eire
On the 7th May 2005, Bro's Ian Smith,
Mick Fisher and Peter Smith, all members of Emblem Lodge No 6727 spent a week
fishing aboard a boat, up and down the Shannon waterway in Eire. One
morning Bro Mick Fisher observed a traditional barge moored beside them at
Portumna. Noticing they were fishermen, the crew of the barge exchanged a
few pleasantries and gave them some local fishing tips. Bro Fisher noticed a
small flag on which were emblazoned what appeared to be masonic symbols.
They then ventured out into the vast waters of Lough Derg and sought new
moorings for the night. Shortly after entering the Lough, they encountered the
same barge, and manoeuvring to get a better look at the barge realised that the
flag was sporting the Square and Compasses. They greeted the friendly crew and
enquired as to the flag. They confirmed it was Masonic and asked if they
were Masons. Another voice piped up "If you can prove yourselves, we tile in ten
minutes". Astonished they asked "Where?" to which the reply was "Here". They
boarded and were promptly proved. The Lodge Meeting was an emergency
meeting with dispensation from The Grand Master of Eire. The purpose of this
emergency meeting was for Leinster Lodge No 141 to hold a day trip in and around
Portumna, culminating in a Lodge Meeting on the barge and a BBQ as the Festive
Board. (Note - The BBQ was held on dry land).
The Lodge was superbly equipped with candlesticks, 3 gavels turned especially
for the occasion, and dress was smart with full regalia. The only item
perhaps left to improvisation were the deacons wands which took the form of 2
plastic oars!!! The Assistant Grand Secretary who is a member of Leinster
Lodge was in attendance, though not in his official capacity.
The business of the Lodge was brief but the opening and closing odes were sung
in full.
Great hospitality and mutual enjoyment was had by all and at the end of the
evening Bro. Mick Fisher performed the Tyler's Toast, which most of the Irish
Brethren had not heard before.
And hear ends one of the fishiest stories told!
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Click on photograph for enlarged version
Some thoughts from the Acting Inner Guard, W.Bro. Henry M. Robinson
The Gavels for the W.M., S.W., and J.W. were specially carved/ turned W.Bro. Geoff Lovegrove.
He also carved the Square
which had
"70M L.141" included.
The compasses were of the normal drawing
type with a pencil
The S.W. and J.W. pillars were bottles of beer
The S.D. and J.D. wands were dinghy paddles
Collars and Aprons etc were brought from Dublin
It was a really fantastic coincidence that English Brethren from Blackpool who were on holiday on a Carrickcraft Shannon Cruiser should see W.Bro. Geoff hoist a Masonic burgee (for the very first time) after W.Bro. Henry M Robinson presented it to the Lodge having purchased it from W.Bro. David Pollard of "Hearst of Oak" Maritime Lodge in Brighton, Victoria, Australia last January.
The Extraordinary Meeting was due to open at 18.00 hours (on the first stroke of the Angelus) at anchor off Portumna, but at about 17.45 hours 70M was hailed by the crew of the Carrickcraft cruising on the lake to say they were Masons and could they join us (little knowing that were about to hold an historic first time meeting on a "barge" at "sea". We, of course, invited them to tie up alongside and when they had been thoroughly "examined" it was a great pleasure to have them participate at our meeting and swell our numbers to 16. They later joined us at our BBQ festive board.
Very great thanks to Geoffrey Lovegrove for use of 70M, for all the work he did, also W.Bros. Douglas Gray (Hon. Sec.), Henry Irvine (WM), Eddie Brownell, Michael Troughton-Smith (Clontarf L.) and all those who attended to make it a wonderful day.
