First Meeting of 2008 for the Belmont Royal Arch Chapter. All members and visitors arrived through the pouring rain. Officers completed final preparations and all came to order. General Business and various reports were relayed when a Brother collasped.

The true meaning of Freemasonry was revealed to me as Brethren from across the Lodge room rushed to aid their Brother. Although we dont train for this occurrence, we all fell into a natural role of assisting where and when we could. An ambulance was called, who attended promptly, attended to the Brother, who by this stage had recovered enough to appear to be his bright cheerful self. Purely as a precautionary measure the Brother was taken to hospital for observation.

Lodge was resumed in the Degree prior to the incident and the work of the evening was conducted and I must say at this point, the work was performed to a high degree considering the start to the evening.

The Chapter was closed at approximately 2115 hrs and all retired to the South where the Ladies had prepared an outstanding meal. The raffle / swindle proved to be a huge success, albeit perhaps because I won one of the prizes on offer.