12th December 2015 - Grabbing the Gavel

Thought for the day : "I now restrict myself to two pints a day, sadly I am up to April 2019... "

There is a gavel that was presented to the Province of West Wales by a member who saw a similar item in another area. This is called the Travelling Gavel, and its purpose is to increase the visiting between lodges of Freemasons - something that we all do, but on occasion it is nicer to do so with a larger party - rather than just a couple of visitors...

The idea of the Travelling Gavel is that it is held by a Lodge and others will visit and claim the gavel and take it away to their own lodge and await someone coming and claiming it form them... There are of course rules, which make life a little easier... It cannot be on an installation night - they are well subscribed anyway. It must be four or more brothers, and they must stay for the festive board, the meal afterwards, and claim the gavel during the Visitor's Toast or response....

I was aware of a national gavel in times gone by, where it would be claimed on the "third Rising" in the temple, but the purpose of our Provincial gavel is to promote the festive side as well, so I understand why it is done at the after proceedings.

Now, in fact, I did not want the gavel yet!! I have no meeting in December and the next meeting is our Burn's Night at the end of January...

This proves pretty popular in its own right, not least because of the threat to the Chef and those on the front tables from the large sword I tend to wield.... So there is no need for extra guests then. Nor in February as we have an official visit from Peterwell Lodge in Lampeter on that occasion, and they would outnumber any other group wanting to try for he gavel...

No, I want to have the gavel after the February meeting to promote a mass visit in March or April - otherwise quiet evenings..   But I could not guarantee who would have it by then..

So I supported another Llanelli Lodge - Prince of Wales - the oldest Lodge in Llanelli - founded 1856 to take the trip to Cardigan last Thursday, and with nine other members they claimed the Gavel at the Festive Board...

Master of Prince of Wales Lodge claims the Gavel from Master of Teifi Lodge

Now, if we get it right, they should lose it their next meeting in January, and if Carmarthen take it their next meeting is the beginning of March...  But you know what they say - best laid plans....

But we will see ..

In the meantime, today was the District Meeting of the Royal & Select Masters of England, Wales and its Districts and Councils overseas, and  a new District Grand Master was installed, together with his Deputy and the Principal Conductor of the Work...  The Grand Master popped down form London to do the business and a fine day was had by all in Swansea.

As a Past District Deputy Grand Master I was privileged to open the District Meeting as Deputy District Grand Master and a Presiding Officer - which sounds really important - but really was only 5 minutes of glory - but it gave me a free drink at the bar - so it was not all bad...

And so, back home for a quiet evening for a change.
But decisions.. Chateau 41 Of course - but red ?? or white ??  hmmm

Cheers!