Masonic Dinner in Calne

I spent much of today working on tomorrow’s service – especially writing the intercessions and the sermon – a study of the book of Philemon.  Mary spent the day with her friends and Lucy and Izzy at the ice rink in Basingstoke and Thom watched the Luton v Grimsby Town game on the TV this evening – a boring 0-0 result by all accounts.  The weather turned dark this afternoon with claps of thunder in the distance.  Sara and I left home at around 5.30 p.m. to attend a dinner for reigning Masters of each lodge in Wiltshire hosted by the Provincial Grand Master as the Executive at Calne Masonic Centre in the north of the county – a good hour’s journey across Salisbury Plain.  We had an excellent meal of fresh cream of mushroom soup, topside of beef – rare in the middle, with lovely vegetables – crushed hash browns, cauliflower cheese, carrots, peas and roast potatoes followed by fruits of the forest pavlova and cheese and biscuits.  Sara and I were honoured to be seated on the PGM’s table and I was called upon to give the toast to the PGM which he responded with a lengthy speech about the Teddies for Loving Care appeal and other issues.  This was followed by quite an unorthodox demonstration of masonic cathedral building and design from the Provincial Grand Chaplain/Orator, Dr. Tony Milsom, a professor of mathematics whose love and enthusiasm for maths is quite incredible. Unfortunately, during this demonstration our hosts wife, who had been sitting next to me, was taken ill and eventually taken to hospital with what turned out to be a nasty viral infection.  It did bring the proceedings to an abrupt halt although the evening had almost finished.  Sara and some of the ladies were shown around the lodge room before we left for home around 10 p.m.  Driving back across Salisbury Plain we encountered some dense fog and had to drive extremely cautiously.

 

St Trinian's Night

Up early this morning to go to Ambassadors', although I had to stay at home until Mary had left as Sara had taken Thom to Winchester as a "dry run" on the bus for his college next week.  'There were not many at Ambassadors' this morning and the ten minute talk was from a business machines (photocopiers and printers) engineer/consultant.  After leaving the Grasmere Hotel I called in a the Bookers Cash 'n' Carry to pick up some orange juice and beer (including a case of Betty Stogs for Richard. I drove over to Westbury for morning coffee and teacakes with Ashley and provide dhim with some material to assist him in completing his portfolios.  Sadly, he will not be licensed with me in a few weeks time and will need to catch up on his outstanding work - hopefully before another year has passed. He is going to come to my licensing ceremony and buffet luncheon afterwards together with his wife (Sharon) and daughter (Verity).  I arrived back in Winterlsow after a short shopping excursion in Warminster at around 2.30 p.m.  Sara and Thom had had a successful trip to Winchester and Thom seemed to be confident in knowing where to get on and off the bus for his college. It transpires that he hasn't to walk as far to the college as we thought as a bus stop before the terminus in Winchester is closest to the college. Tonight Sara and I went across to the Village Hall to a joint 50th Birthday party with a fancy dress theme of St. Trinian's.  Sara and I were dressed as school teachers complete with mortar board and gown.   There must have been well in excess of 150 people there with masses of food, fireworks and a live band.  Unfortunately the band and the music generally was far too loud and it was impossible to have any decent  conversations with anyone all night.  I did go outside on  a couple of occasions but later in the evening it started to rain heavily - so that was no longer an option.  Sara and I (and Mary who came along a little later) left at about 10.30 p.m. with our ears ringing with the loud music.  Guess we are getting old - not really my kind of thing.  Tomorrow night we are going to a much more sedate occasion - a dinner for all reigning masters in Wiltshire and their partners at Calne Masonic Centre. I am to propose the toast to the PGM apparently.

Dorset Masters' Lodge Meeting in Poole

Today was hotter than yesterday with temperatures approaching 30 degrees - really hot for September.  The weather didn't help the fact that I had to dress up in my full Masonic regalia for a meeting at Branksome Masonic Centre, Poole of the Dorset Masters' Lodge and luncheon.  I set off for Poole at 8.45 am and arrived at the Centre in Poole at around 10.15 am, having driven past the Centre once.  I was given a place of honour in the lodge and at the top table for the luncheon as well as a ticket for a free drink from the bar (a light white wine spritzer).  The meeting mainly consisted of a really interesting lecture from a Gosport Freemason on the making of an Afghan Mason - which was the story of the initiation of the Amir of Afghanistan in 1907.  According to the lecturer, the Amir's initiation into Freemasonry produced a wonderful diplomatic understanding between the united Kingdom and Afghanistan such that when the First World War broke out, Indian troops could be sent to Gallipoli and other theatres of war in support of the Allied Forces without fear of insurgence from Afghan rebels on the border.  The main architect of this was a British diplomat named McMahon who is better known for the drawing of the McMahon Line to mark the agreed border between China and India.  I sat with Mike Codd, the former Assistant Provincial Grand Master for Hampshire and Isle of Wight who was a also a former British Airways Jumbo pilot. we had a number of interesting conversations.  My car was absolutely boiling hot when I was ready to leave and had to open all the doors and in order to cool it down before setting off back to Salisbury. I decided to drive through the centre of Bournemouth and follow the old trolleybus route all the way to Christchurch and then on to Mudeford where we used to spend our Whitsun holidays as children.  The tide was up and there were many people in the water enjoying this late summer sun.  Tonight we had six of us for House Group and we enjoyed watching a bible study talk on DVD from Gerard Kelly followed by a short discussion on 1 John afterwards.  James stayed behind for a pint of Doombar (which was also, incidentally, being served down at the Branksome Masonic Centre) and a catch-up chat. 

Feeling Sleepy

I was up reasonably early this morning although I hadn't slept particularly well because of the heat.  Mary was up early, quite surprisingly, and was ready for her first day back at school in a new year (Year 8). Sara did her usual stint at Morning Star and I decided to miss going to Mid-Week Eucharist at Whaddon and went straight on to Elizabeth's in Alderbury for a meeting of the Clarendon Ministry Team. Our meeting lasted for an hour and a half and we mainly spoke about what we had been doing over the summer break and dealt with a few issue surrounding the Team's strategic plan as well as some housekeeping issues.  Following the meeting I went shopping in Matalan for some shirts and pants and also called in at Sarum College to return some library books and take out a couple by tom Wright for use in my sermon writing for Sunday - still not sure when I'll get around to writing that as I am out every evening now for the rest of the week. I also called in at the farm shop near Tesco for some peaches and nectarines.  Finally, I visited Waitrose's coffee shop for a free coffee and a yum yum and to top up the car with fuel - I now have a strict policy of never letting it drop below half a tank - that way I always know I have plenty of fuel in the car.  The car temperature gauge showed 27 degrees Celsius this afternoon.  I had a short nap when I got back home to make up for my lack of sleep last night.  Afterwards, I put some beef burgers (home made) on the BBQ for the family and afterward went for a nice long bike ride into Bentley Wood and eventually came out on Weston Lane - a five miles trip. Tonight I decided to blitz updating my blog and writing up the service for Sunday at West Grimstead. This will be my last service before being licensed. All subsequent services will see me wearing my ministerial  scarf.  Feeling a little apprehensive about it all today and really wondering where my ministry will lead me.  I am still reflecting upon the quite intense discussion I had with Klynn yesterday.  Will probably sleep in the family room tonight where it is a bit cooler and after I have worked on Sunday's service.

Taking my bike for a walk!

Sara went off to chair her Ladies Who Latte this morning in Salisbury. Following the exercise in the hospital gym yesterday, I decided to get out my bike, pump up the tyres and go for a spin in Bentley Wood.  As I rode along Witt Road I met up with Klynn and Susan taking their dog, Otis, for a walk to  Bentley Wood. I joined them and as they took their dog for a walk, I took my bike for one!  We walked quite some distance and chatted about how I saw my ministry developing and how the Baptist Church was anxious to do more outreach and ecumenical events.  Our chat ended up over coffee in their kitchen.  I arrived home at 11.00 am much later than I anticipated and well behind on my timetable to deal with mountains of paperwork. This evening I attended a meeting of Stonehenge Chapter where Bryant from Devon gave an excellent talk on the Prophecy of Jeremiah and the history of the Babylonian Exile. This was followed by an excellent dinner of poached salmon and watercress sauce followed by profiteroles and ice cream and cheese and biscuits. There were quite a number of people there who had been present at my installation at Devizes on Friday and I received more words of congratulation.  

Knees Up!

Another busy day today with the sun shining and the temperature very hot.  I did a shorter stint at Alabare Place today - just from 11 am until 12.30 p.m. although I did get into conversation with quite a number of  service users who are getting used to seeing me around and who now often pick up on earlier conversations which we have had - all very rewarding. I had to leave early because I had a hospital appointment up at Salisbury District Hospital's physiotherapy department where I joined an osteoarthritis class which consisted of a short lecture about the condition itself and then some time using the gym equipment - all quite gentle exercise.  I realised that my knee condition is quite mild compared to others and I was able to use the equipment quite easily. I must get back on my bike if the weather gets cooler.  I have missed my rides into Bentley Wood this year. Tonight I attended quite a long meeting of the Winterslow Parish Council looking at three planning applications which we agreed to support and made a decision to go ahead with the installation of a Jubilee Clock at the Village Hall.  Finally got home at 10.30 p.m. for a gin and tonic before bed.

Going to the dogs

I attended All Saints, Winterslow this morning to give the shortest reading I can ever remember - Proverbs 25:6-7 - my announcement of the biblical reference took longer than the reading itself!  I stayed for the gospel reading and the sermon from Andrew - a good sermon on the topic of humbling oneself - and then slipped out to be picked up by Sara to drive into Salisbury with Mary to attend a much livelier service at St. Paul's (Mary had asked if she could go to St. Paul's again after a positive experience there last week and I thought it would be nice to go as a family). The contrast to All Saints was quiet stark - from 23 members of the congregation in a "traditional" setting at All Saints to about 230 with Spring Harvest type songs and a worship band. A great number of children were there too. Mary feels much more at home here - she doesn't want to go and won't go to All Saints) and Sara has decided that she will be bringing Mary on a regular basis to St. Paul's so that she can join the youth group.  In fact Sara wants to be a regular worshipper herself at St. Paul's and may join their Alpha Course. A very friendly welcoming atmosphere and I had the opportunity for a long chat with the rector, another Andrew.  When I am not on ministerial duty within the Clarendon Team I shall also join Sara and Mary at St. Paul's. Back home we had a BBQ using some beef burgers bought from Lidl on the way home from church and tonight we all went down to Poole to enjoy an evening at the dogs. It was a profitable evening for once too!  Sundays are free admission and Thom won £10.00 and Mary £15.00 tonight and I had a small £5 win.  Nothing great but much better than normal.  All we paid for during the evening were a few drinks.  A warm barmy evening with even barmier dogs!  As the first race began at 6 p.m., and we stayed for just 10 races, we were home by 10 p.m.