I am grateful to Gavin McCoy for his permission to edit and publish his report and photographs.
Abbey Lodge No 945 was absolutely delighted to welcome 3 Finnish visitors from Vanaja Lodge No 160 to their Installation meeting in Abingdon when the much loved and highly capable Chris Norman was Installed as Master by the Installing Master, W Bro. Ed Glasbyr. Chris has served as Master several times but this is his first time as WM of Abbey Lodge.
The very special guest visit was prearranged via UGLE and the PGL of Berkshire. The party comprised two MMs together with their WM. Vanaja is located sixty miles north of Helsinki and its name also refers to an Iron Age settlement.
At first sight, the Finnish regalia was similar to ours, although a somewhat different shade of blue. Later on, we noticed quite a few subtle differences in ‘choreography’. Naturally, they did exactly as they had been taught at home!
As with all Nordic people, they spoke perfect English and were great company in the lodge room and festive board.
At the festive board later WBro Riku Rantakari did a brilliant job of replying to the toast to the visitors. They also presented Chris our WM with a beautiful memento of their visit, and in exchange, they were each given a Berkshire Provincial tie.
VW Bro. Philip Purves spoke of the joys of international visiting and how our Freemasonry membership shortcuts and cements friendship however far from home you are. Philip explained that he was representing the WM of Alfred Lodge No. 340 in the Province of Oxfordshire, which was the Mother Lodge of Abbey Lodge back in 1863, and as such, the Senior Warden at the Abbey Lodge’s installation was traditionally from Alfred Lodge.
Incidentally, the Junior Warden and Inner Guard are from two of Abbey Lodge’s daughter lodges, this year W Bro. Maurice Dixon representing St. Edmund Lodge No.6551 and W Bro. Richard Swift the Master of The Loyd Lindsay Lodge No. 3058, on his first Masonic visit since his own Installation three days previously. Incidentally, for Richard’s own Installation W Bro. Brian Page representing, Abbey Lodge, took the Senior Warden’s chair.
The ProvGM for Berkshire was represented by Provincial Senior Grand Warden Steven Field, who spoke warmly of the lodge and the ceremony, W Bro. Bob Spooner did a brilliant job as his Director of Ceremonies.
A great deal of effort went into producing a memorable ceremony and festive board for the new Worshipful Master and the Finnish brethren. Despite Abbey Lodge being without a WM or Secretary until the end of the evening, Director of Ceremonies W Bro. Phil Painting made sure that all ran smoothly.
W Bro Chris Norman
