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From W Bro Nigel Payne

W Bro Nigel H Payne LGR attended the installation meeting of the Cosmopolitan Lodge No: 11 in Bratislava in the Slovak Republic. W Bro Nigel was asked to deliver the address to the Brethren at this important meeting attended by many high ranking Masons from the adjacent Grand Lodges. Nigel’s travels take him often to the Slovak Republic on business and he feels sure that a warm welcome will be given to any member should they visit the Cosmopolitan Lodge when in Bratislava.

This from W Bro Chris Harding

Brethren,

You may recall that during my year of office I reported on my visit to the Robert the Bruce Lodge in Cherbourg. At that stage I was hesitant in asking if a group of Brethren could attend one of their meetings.

Two weeks ago I was at my pad in France and visited the lodge again. I was royally entertained and supplied a bed for the night in the home of one of the members (to protect me from the breathalyser). I was assured that should I wish to make a future visit with a group of friends we would be most welcome.

Subject to ferry prices being acceptable, there are often deals available, I am sure a group of us could visit France perhaps on a 24hour return ticket. There are often offers at quite a reasonable cost on the Poole-Cherbourg run. The lodge meets on a Friday.

What is more, I sat at dinner with the mayor of one of the smaller Normandy towns who was also chairman of the local rugby club. A tour to France for the infamous Butleigh Amateur RUFC is now a distinct possibility.

One of the joys for members in School Lodges is the opportunity to renew old friendships. Although many old friends can be found within Freemasonry, in Britain, the opportunities to be reunited with school friends are world-wide. This is especially the case with the Millfield Lodge for the school has always had a high proportion of pupils from overseas. Since the consecration of the Lodge in the summer of 1998, (see memoirs) there have been two successful visits to foreign parts. We hope that in this way the Millfield Lodge can continue to provide many opportunities for 'Old Millfieldians', of all ages, where ever they live, to make new friends or be reunited in old friendships.

Future Journeys At some point in the future, it is hoped to travel to Newfoundland, to visit one of our Founder Members. Not only is he a Founder of the Lodge but he is a founder pupil of Millfield School, being the 7th pupil as far back as 1935. He has offered to preside over a week of true New World hospitality with, for those fearless seafarers, whale watching one of the options for entertainment. No doubt the members will again be joined by their wives, Masons and non Masonic guests, for another adventure to a far off place, meeting new friends and hopefully a few 'Old Boys' (Millfieldians) as well. Once we have decided a suitable date we will inform all the members.

Hong Kong The first, in January 1999, saw a party of seven lodge members,

accompanied by friends and wives, visiting Hong Kong. There, a former pupil of the Preparatory School, the District Grand Master for Hong Kong, welcomed the party and arranged a week of interesting and varied activities. They visited three of the local lodges and attended white table dinners specially organised so that the ladies could join in the festivities. All the party also enjoyed the usual tourist activities which included a fascinating trip to mainland China. There were other non-Masonic activities too, most notably a reception held for all the Old Millfieldians and their parents living in the colony. Thus our party was able to meet up with many people who enjoyed strong links with the school.

Singapore Later that year, in December, a smaller party made up again of members, guests and wives ventured off to the Eastern Archipelago and another visit was made, this time to Malaysia. The party again enjoyed some wonderful Masonic hospitality, visiting various lodges and chapters, and the ladies were also entertained at an amazing banquet. It was again an opportunity to meet with former pupils of the school and many new friends were made.