Portsmouth is known for its maritime heritage, dive bombing seagulls and being punctuated with the occasional blast from Isle of Wight ferry klaxons.
It was here that the Divisional team made their second official visit of the new Masonic year to the Red Cross of Constantine Naval and Military Conclave No.35, with the keen anticipation of traditional ceremony and camaraderie.
The meeting took place in The Phoenix Rooms, cunningly camouflaged amongst rows of domestic dwellings, but not nearly as difficult to find as a cheap local parking space.
The Conclave’s building, mere steps from the naval heart of the city, was entered by a single unassuming wooden door which gave no clue to the treasures within.
The building itself was adorned with banners, certificates, masonic paraphernalia and numerous photographs of the Rulers of the many Orders that have met there over the decades.
The Conclave was opened by the Most Puissant Sovereign after which the Intendant General, R.Ill.Kt Steven Groeger, entered accompanied by Divisional Officers under an Arch of Steel provided by members of the Divisional Sepulchre Guard.
He was greeted by the MPS and then was invited to take the baton and the chair, which he did. The Intendant General took the agenda item relating to the minutes and then gave his normal parish notices. Once this was done he swiftly passed the baton back to the Sovereign who presided for the rest of the Meeting.
The Intendant General then presented an Appendant Order certificate to Em. Kt. Bruce Forest who had been waiting several years to receive it.
We were then given a well-researched lecture which contained a lot of hard to pronounce Arabic and French names. Congratulations go to P.Kt. Graham Jickells, for researching the lecture, pulling it together and presenting it.
The Pheonix Rooms celebrate both naval and military traditions. It’s been a meeting place for those who have lived on the tides, searching for a pair of dry socks, or marching to the beat of a regimental drum forged with the discipline that only comes from being shouted at by regimental drill sergeants.
No Masonic gathering would be complete without a Festive Board – and this one was a feast fit for Captain Birdseye himself. However, no fish fingers were served, but we dined on an a starter of Roasted Peppers and Feta salad and a very tasty chicken casserole. Pudding was something with strawberries.
Departing into the Portsmouth night, like an old seadog searching for his galley, I pondered on the evening. As the sailors of old relied on the ships compass to guide them safely home, so we must now be guided by our own moral compass to live decent and meaningful lives.
The Red Cross of Constantine Naval and Military Conclave No.35 is a shining example of the best of our stated values: Faith, Unity and Zeal, and of course the kind of good humour that never goes out of style.