Address by the Right Worshipful District Grand Master.

303rd Annual Communication of the District Grand Lodge of Barbados
and the Eastern Caribbean - St. Lucia, 19th May, 2007

It is 7 years since Abercrombie 2788 hosted a District Communication here in St. Lucia. There has been considerable change in the make-up of our Lodges, the District and UGLE since then and, of course, there have been many changes on the world stage. However, Freemasonry remains just as important in today’s society. It continues to encourage mutual respect and tolerance, qualities that are becoming more necessary in a progressively fractured world. We adhere to standards of morality and behaviour in a society that seems increasingly unable to tell right from wrong. I welcome all of you, therefore, to this meeting. I know most of you individually, and I know all of you as good men.

I am pleased to say that the number of members, as distinct from memberships did climb back over the 1,000 mark by 31st December, 2006, to in fact 1,006. For those of you interested memberships reached 1,187. I was able, therefore, to appoint earlier to-day the same number of acting officers as previously, 28, in addition to the Deputy and Assistant District Grand Masters, and the Presidents of the 2 Boards. I congratulate all those appointed and re-appointed as well as those promoted in District Rank. I repeat that the attainment of District Rank is not only a reward for past services, but also an endorsement for further input. In this regard, I would ask Lodge Masters and Committees to very carefully review those they recommend for appointment or promotion. Seniority alone is not necessarily the best criteria. Also, would those appointed to Acting District rank today please note that the collar and jewels with which they have been invested belong to the District. These should be returned next year so that your successors in office may be duly installed. Perhaps, W Bro Robert Weekes, as District Grand Tyler, I can ask you to help in this regard.

I was pleased to learn that a start has been made on the extensions of St. Ursula’s building in Tortola, and that Caribbee has settled that debt to the Antigua Building Trustees. However, the Masonic Centre in Barbados is not yet ready for occupation. The power connection has yet to have the relevant Government Department approval. At the same time, the floor tiling upstairs is yet incomplete. However, the intention is to start using the building immediately power is available and the tiling is finished. Unfortunately, all of the offers made for purchasing St. Michael’s building in Belleville over the last year fell through. Two other parties have shown an interest this past week. You will remember that St. Michael’s has promised the Freemasons’ Association of Barbados a donation of BDS $ 1 million on the sale of the building. This will pay all three outstanding creditors, buy a lift and complete the exterior work of a car park, fencing and landscaping .

As you have heard, the Boards of General Purposes and Benevolence continue to function well with good attendance at their meetings. I hope that those delegated to examine in some detail the question of desirability and feasibility of a Local Grand Lodge will be in a position to make their respective reports at the September Meeting. If we are to go further, we need the fullest possible information on what might be involved, before it can be voted on.

I wish to make a sales pitch here. W Bro Rudie Dolland at his own expense has produced a District polo shirt. These can be purchased here today with proceeds going to the District Board of Benevolence. Additionally, you voted on a sum of money for purchasing a District silk tie and matching handkerchief. W Bro Gerald DeFreitas, President DBB, was the prime mover of this exercise, and ties and handkerchiefs are available from him also today, with the proceeds again going to the Benevolent Fund.

My commitments in Scotland, nothing I assure you to do with that country’s Independence, I expect will continue to require my absence from the Caribbean perhaps 3 times a year for 3 to 4 weeks. I have still managed to attend practically all Craft and Royal Arch Installations, not because of any lack of confidence in the Deputy and Assistant DGMs, but because it is the only way I can get to know the membership as it progresses through the various ranks to Master in our respective Lodges. At the same time I expect the Deputy and Assistant DGMs to regularly attend Lodge Meetings in their immediate areas, and to be readily available for advice and counsel when required by our newer members.

You have been informed of the appointment of VW Bro Nigel Brown as Grand Secretary. Some of the previous duties of Grand Secretary will be handled by a Grand Chancellor, who will rank in precedence immediately after the Grand Secretary. RW Bro Alan Englefield, PProv GM, Oxfordshire, whom many of us have met in these parts has been appointed Grand Chancellor.

I think all of you will by this time know that the Deputy and Assistant DGMs have been appointed or promoted in Grand Rank; W Bro Lesley Nanton to PJGD and W Bros Bert Bonadie and George Inniss to PAGD of C as a consequence of the District Rank they now hold. I am sure you will join me in congratulating all three, and in wishing them well for the future. I would also ask you to join me in congratulating W Bro Eustace Nanton, PAGDC, in celebrating this year the 60th anniversary of his initiation, and also W Bro George Pendlebury of St. John’s 492 who celebrates his 62nd anniversary. Both are with us this morning.

A 2-year cycle of meetings between the English DGMs in the Caribbean was established in 1999. The next one will be hosted by Trinidad & Tobago from Friday 14th to Sunday 16th September. Official invitees are DGMs, Deputy and Assistant DGMs and DG Secretaries. Spouses are welcome. The representative of our Districts to UGLE, RW Bro Peter Cole will also be present. I shall keep those to be involved informed as further details come to hand.

On Friday 25th May Victoria Lodge will be holding an emergency meeting at which the 2007 Prestonian Lecturer, RW Bro Dr R.B.F. Khambatta, PDGM, Pakistan, will present ‘The Grand Secretaries 1813 to 1980’. I am sure this will be an interesting evening, and I recommend your attendance if at all possible.

I have not yet spoken to the Master, but I believe the 7 year cycle suggests that the Autumn Communication should be hosted by Caribbee 2829 in Antigua. Judging by the very large turnout of Caribbee members, it would seem they have read my mind already.

I now extend fraternal greetings to Bro E.R. Lorde, PDDGM for Barbados - SC. I have not been notified of any other visitors, but if there are any present, I indeed bid you welcome.

Finally my sincere thanks to W Bro Timothy Chaderton, Master of Abercrombie, his officers and the members, for hosting this weekend’s events, along with special thanks to the untiring efforts of W Bro Digby Ambris on the secretarial side for keeping us well informed, and to all those others for their input. I also place on record the District’s grateful thanks to Bro Rt Hon Sir John Compton, Prime Minister of St. Lucia, for allowing the use of his official residence for last night’s cocktail party. I am sure that you join me in praying for his recovery, and a safe return to his native land.