The Red Cross of Constantine Division of Hampshire and Isle of Wight held their AGM at the Botley Masonic Centre on Saturday 27th June in fairly tropical conditions. Fortunately, both the Temple and Dining Room were equipped with air-conditioning, although on this occasion it appeared to be locked in a losing battle with a large number of well-dressed Knights constantly radiating heat.
The Intendant General, R. Ill. Kt. Steven Groeger, and the assembled dignitaries entered the Temple beneath an Arch of Steel, which looked suitably impressive although the waving of swords did little to provide any cooling.
The Intendant General made the usual introductions, accompanied by a little good-natured heckling, because even solemn occasions benefit from a small quantity of controlled mischief.
Division Officers were reappointed or promoted, and the ceremony proceeded very smoothly indeed. There were no obvious alarms, no dramatic pauses, with the usual number of people pretending confidently to know exactly what was happening next.
Following the investiture of officers, the Intendant General presented his address to the members of the Division. As part of his address, he requested that the Provincial Grand Master of the Craft, V.Ill.Kt. Jon Whitaker, be presented to him. He then made mention of the 2027 Craft festival and the excellent work the Craft were doing raising funds for it. He subsequently presented the PGM with a donation of £750 from the members of the Division.
The Divisional Conclave meeting was then closed and a recession was formed and the Intendant General and the dignitaries retired from the Conclave, to get some well deserved refreshments (in an attempt to cool down).
After the refreshments, they retired to the Dining Room for lunch, beginning with smoked mackerel and followed by chicken and ham pie with accessories. Then came one of Freemasonry’s newest and most baffling mysteries: the case of the missing cheesecake. It was clearly listed on the menu, but no trace of it could be found. No crumb or suspiciously creamy evidence anywhere. A member of the serving staff was asked about it, and replied simply, “We weren’t told about it.” This answer, while admirably honest, did little to advance the investigation further. Perhaps the cheesecake was symbolic, or as some quietly suspected, it was a cunning ruse to encourage further donations to charity.
In truth, nobody seemed too distressed by the absent dessert, which says much for the good humour of the company and possibly rather less for the cheesecake’s prospects of ever being seen again.
The Intendant General addressed the diners and wished everyone a safe journey home, sending them on their way with the watchwords of the Order: Faith, Unity and Zeal – and, on this particular afternoon, good ventilation.
