Visited Lodge Swansea Belmont at the Belmont District Masonic Centre on Friday 8th August. Coincided with the opening of the Beijing Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. We wish all the athletes all the very best and we look forward to watching and supporting over the next 2 weeks, in particular the Australian Athletes.

Tyled at 7pm and visitors were admitted at about 730pm. Took my place within the Lodge and sat with a Brother that I haven’t had a chance to catch up with for some time. We chatted away and then the D.G.I.W. entered the Lodge. This was his 1st offical visit as the District Grand Inspector of Workings and he performed his duties with dignity and professionalism.

The work of the evening was a Past Masters Night and the W.M. invited a Past Master from the old Lodge Belmont to occupy King Solomon’s Chair. Once he occupied the Chair he then proceeded to deliver an explantion of the 1st Tracingt Board.

Absolutely outstanding, I went tonight because I knew this was the Charge and as I have learnt about 80% of it, it was an ideal opportunity to see how far I have to go. Oh My God, Boy, do I have a long long way to go.  Did not miss a beat, was performed with authroity and punctuated by illustrations and was a pleasure to witness. If you don’t visit, you do miss the chance to see quality work, mix with Brethren from across the District and overall just miss out on a great night.

I spoke with a Brother some time ago and he explained what Freemasonry was like back in the 70’s and how you would have 200 brethren to a Lodge meeting and the South would last for hours if not days. He finished by saying that until Masonry gets back to those days, he won’t visit again. It will be sad not to see him at other Lodges, but it was with that close minded attitude that will prevent Masonry from going forwards. It may very well never get back to those numbers, however, we have to ensure that the quality of the Memebrs that we have now is second to none and we want to visit and ensure that we do. The only reason, I believe, to look back at History, is to see what they did correct and what they could have done differently and learn from their mistakes and then correct the errors of their ways.

We Must Visit, end of story, purely and simply.

Lodge was closed in Peace, Love and Harmony and we were invited to retire to the South, where a light refreshment was waiting. I sat next to a Brother who is a wealth of information and we normally get involved into deep discussion regarding Freemasonry and it’s origins and it’s impact on other Orders.

Various Toasts and Responses were given and overall a good South followed. The D.G.I.W. spoke briefly about the upcoming Regional Meeting and how it would be an ideal time to meet the new Grand Master, Assistant Grand Master and Deputy Grand Master.

The JW Toast was given and I said farewells and made my way home. I look forward to their next meeting.