On Monday I achieved two pandemic-related firsts. I attended my first Masonic meeting since 24th February 2020 (a mere fourteen months ago!) and travelled public transport ... something I haven’t done since before the pandemic started.
The meeting was held at Wax Chandler’s Hall, Gresham Street, in the City of London. This is the home of one of the City’s Livery Companies, and the meeting was of a Masonic Lodge that was linked with one of the other Livered Companies. The surroundings were magnificent, and it was a great pleasure just to visit the Hall, which has been on the same site since 1501. The original Hall was burned down during the Great Fire of London in 1666, and the current building is the sixth to occupy the site. Its immediate predecessor was almost completely demolished as a result of being hit by a bomb during the London Blitz. The Hall was renovated between 2004 and 2007 and manages to mix modern design with traditional features.
Getting there was easier than I had expected as the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) runs a direct service from Woolwich to Bank, and the walk from Bank to the Hall only took a few minutes. I did get a little lost in Bank station as the route I usually use was blocked off as part of the COVID-19 precautions, but this added just a couple on minutes to my journey. Getting home was much easier (and quicker) and the trains were almost empty.
The meeting was a relatively short but nonetheless interesting one. Besides the normal business of the Lodge, we listened to a short talk about the Masonic symbolism contained within the 3d stamp issued after the end of the Second World War, one of the so-called 'victory stamps'.
The food that we ate after the meeting was excellent ... and there was lots of it! Even better was the company, and despite having to be very careful, it was possible to interact with loads of people that I already knew and to make new acquaintances. In addition, the lecturer agreed to send me the text of his lecture so that I can use it myself in the future.
All in all, it was a great day out, and hopefully the precursor to a return to relative normality.
Like a spring crocus breaking through the snow to show that spring is indeed coming.
ReplyDeleteRoss Mac,
DeleteVery true ... although crocuses won’t grow in our garden!
All the best,
Bob
Beware: a dose of normalcy could become habit forming.
ReplyDeleteEd M,
DeleteOh, I wish that it would!
All the best,
Bob
Great to see you able to resume some of your normal activities Bob. From what I see here the buses are still pretty empty, with most of the employees of my old company working from home. Maybe this will continue and make public transport a viable option once more.
ReplyDeleteSteve J.,
DeleteIt was wonderful to attend a Masonic meeting, and to take part in the usual ritual of opening and closing the Lodge. The lecture was also very entertaining and informative.
The public transport I used was not only far less crowded, but cleaner as well. Something that normally has to be endured was actually quite pleasurable. Long may that continue!
All the best,
Bob
Similarly I attended my first LOI last night in 14 months. Just 6 of us to comply with the regulations. We are having our installation meeting on 21st June as our new WM is being posted to Oz in early July and having done all the offices it would be pretty unfair for him to miss out going into the chair. Everyone v rusty having not looked at the little blue book for so long but great to meet up. I have organized another 3 LOI's/rehearsals before the meeting so hopefully we will be up to speed.
ReplyDeletes&f
Guy
Guy,
DeleteWe are restarting our LOI in September, with our first full meeting taking place in October. We plan to have a talk as part of our first meeting, which will give us time to prepare for a Third Degree in December. Hopefully, we’ll have an Initiation in February, as we have at least one candidate patiently waiting to join.
Good luck with your forthcoming Installation.
S&F
Bob
Congrats! I went to my first group gathering tonight myself. I attended my first meeting of the Jersey City Brew Club, a bunch of local mad scientists who brew,distill and otherwise culture their own alcoholic beverages. Was fun getting out and meeting with people. Bonus, just about everyone is (at least saying they are) vaccinated. We may even resume traveling by train if this good streak keeps up.
ReplyDeleteMr. Pavone,
DeleteI suspect that there was probably just as much convivial alcohol consumed at your meeting as there was at ours!
Zoom etc., are great ways of keeping in touch, but actual face-to-face conversation is so much better!
In the US, are you having to have the double-dose vaccine, or are you being given just one dose? They have just begun vaccinating 30-year-olds with their first dose here, and hopefully will have done everyone over the age of 18 by July.
Keep safe and keep well,
Bob
AFAIK whether you get single or double dose vaccinations is based on what is being offered at the site you visit. Clinics have popped up everywhere, most are run by the city and some by the federal governments. My family all got the 2 dose Pfizer but it was possible to get the J&J vaccine until they had that minor scare. Now that it's proven safe the J&J is available again.
DeleteYes, there was much drink to be had but only in tiny cups!
oops, forgot to add, they now offer the vaccine for children 12 years old and up. Too bad my little boys won't get theirs for the time being.
DeleteMr Pavone,
DeleteMost people in the U.K. are getting either the Pfizer or AZ vaccines, both of which require two jabs, twelve weeks apart. I think that the J&J vaccine has not been available in the UK.
All the best,
Bob
Mr Pavone,
DeleteThe vaccination programme in the U.K. has mainly been an age down process, with the elderly and most vulnerable vaccinated first, and then in tranches by age. There are no plans as yet to vaccinate anyone under the age of 18 as they are seen as the least vulnerable.
All the best,
Bob
Hi BOB,
ReplyDeleteIt is good that you've enjoyed your meeting after waiting such a long time. This Covid Pandemic isn't over yet- our state of Victoria has just gone into total lockdown again for the fourth time...we're OK here in New South Wales though. I'm having my second vaccine of AstraZenica on the 15th June- very much looking forward to the day. I've also had the Flu shot recently- so we should be OK here. Stay well there in London. Cheers. KEV.
Kev Robertson (Kev),
DeleteThe so-called Indian variant is causing a bit of concern in the UK, and some areas are having mass screening tests in the hope that it can be isolated ASAP. They have begun vaccinating 30-year-olds, and aim to have everyone over 18 vaccinated with at least one jab by July.
The plans are that everything should return to relative normality on 21st June, but this date might move if the Indian variant isn’t contained. There might be partial lockdowns in the worst affected areas, but the hope is that we will avoid another full lockdown.
We are also in the midst of an interesting political crisis over the initial response to the pandemic, with accusations of lying, mismanagement, and general ineptitude. A former adviser to the PM has made all sorts of unsubstantiated allegations, and said that the current PM was not up to it! Lots of 20/20 vision hindsight by people who are trying to shift any potential blame onto someone else.
Keep safe and keep well,
Bob
BOB,
DeleteIt is all rather sad how the Politicians play out the blame game all to score some points- I've no time for these type of people- cheap and nasty creatures. All the best. KEV.
Kev Robertson (Kev),
DeleteHaving worked for politicians, they are almost universally untrustworthy, keen to get credit for other people’s work and ideas, and always looking to dump on someone when one of their pet projects goes wrong.
All the best,
Bob
BOB,
DeleteHow true- How true. I'm turning in now -it is 11:15pm and hoping to get in a good nights sleep. Best Wishes. KEV.
Kev Robertson (Kev),
DeleteHave a good night’s sleep.
All the best,
Bob