Back in December 2021 we were delighted to host a lodge inter-visit from brethren of Hadassah Lodge in Sheffield (you can read all about it here). This is a lodge inter-visit that used to occur regularly, but hasn’t happened for a number of years. The Lodge of Dawn has two former Masters from Hadassah as current members (W. Bro Leslie Marten and W Bro. Roger Levy) so it was more than just another lodge visit. It was thus agreed back at that meeting in December that The Lodge of Dawn would arrange a return visit.
And so, our Lodge Social Secretary, W Bro. Philip Myers, spent weeks chivvying brethren, co-ordinating food orders, taking payments and arranging travel to and from the ‘steel city’. On Wednesday 22nd June around 4.00pm, anyone driving down Harrogate Road in North Leeds was privy to the sight of a group of men in suits & ties, by the Lord Darcy pub, waiting around on one of the hottest days of the year, for the transport to arrive.
The brethren waited. And waited. The calls to the minibus hire company started. The waiting continued. More frantic calls to the minibus hire company. Reports of ‘broken down minibuses’ and ‘replacements coming from Bradford’ eventually became a decision to go by car instead. The brethren thus divided into three groups and a small convoy set off for Sheffield.
Eventually 16 brethren from the Lodge of Dawn made it to Tapton Hall, in time to meet their hosts from Hadassah Lodge, listen to a fascinating lecture on ‘Faith & Freemasonry’, and enjoy a convivial Festive Board. An enjoyable trip back up the M1 followed afterwards.
The next morning the Lodge of Dawn WhatsApp Group was awash with praise for the night; “Despite the minibus problem, we had a great evening, with good company, an interesting lecture and a great Festive Board. And home before 11.00pm”, “Thanks for organising the event, Philip. It was an excellent evening and it’s always nice to visit other lodge rooms”, “Thank you for arranging such a fabulous evening. A special thank you to my emergency driver, Phil F, and the fantastic company and friendship” amongst many others.
A tradition of regular inter-visiting between the two lodges has been re-ignited and we looked forward to seeing our friends from Sheffield again soon.
Visiting other lodges is one of the highlights of Freemasonry. It is a major part of the social side of Freemasonry, giving everyone the opportunity to meet, and make new, friends and acquaintances as well as watching ‘same but different’ ceremonies. The Lodge of Dawn is very active in arranging lodge visits and you can read all about all of our most recent visits here.
If you are not a Freemason and, having read the above, would like to find out more, read our Seven Reason to Join The Freemasons, our guide on ‘How to join The Freemasons‘ or our simple ‘What is Freemasonry?’ page.
And if you would like to join The Lodge of Dawn in Leeds, please feel free to get in touch via our ‘Contact Us’ page.