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Travels
with an Apron (Jamaica)
By Robert B Mathew P.M.
Since being appointed Proxy Junior Warden of Lodge Clarendon Kilwinning No.1427 by the Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1995 I wanted to visit Jamaica to attend a meeting of the Lodge. I had already met a number of Brethren from the Lodge in 1998 and 2003 when a deputation from the District Grand Lodge of Jamaica visited the Grand Lodge of Scotland. On their second visit I promised to go to Jamaica before they returned to Scotland and on the 19th February I flew to Jamaica to fulfill that promise.
Saturday
19th February
Before I left home at 05.30 to go to Glasgow Airport I had to scrape snow and ice from my car. I checked my luggage through to Kingston at Glasgow to save me the trouble of collecting it at terminal 1 at Heathrow and carrying it to terminal 3, only to check it in all over again.
The
flight to London was on time arriving at 08.40 and I thought this was a good
start. On arrival at Heathrow I made my way to terminal 3 to catch my connecting
flight to Kingston only to find out there would be a delay, instead of leaving
Heathrow at 12.40 the plane was now scheduled to not leave until 18.30.
I received a voucher to the value of £10 to buy my lunch when I booked
in with Air Jamaica. I then made my
way to find a comfortable seat for what was going to be a long wait.
Having
sat reading for a few hours I decided to go for lunch with my £10 voucher, a
steak baguette and coffee £14 I am glad I was not hungry.
It must be great to have a captive clientele in an airport.
I
managed to e-mail Patrick Lawrence in Jamaica to let him know about the delay,
as he was going to meet me on my arrival in Jamaica.
Having
read a while longer I thought I had better buy another book.
18.00 still nothing on the departure screen for my flight the plane it is
not leaving at 18.40. Finally we
are told the plane will leave at 19.30, which was also wrong as the plane
actually leaves Heathrow at 20.10, only seven and a half hours late.
Apart from the delayed departure it was a good flight I managed to have a
few naps on board the plane being woken by the cabin staff to have my breakfast.
Sunday 20th February
I finally arrive in Kingston at 02.15 Jamaica time (07.15 U.K.).
After
leaving the plane I made my way to the immigration hall to join a long queue of
people who were visiting Jamaica. Whilst
I was waiting my turn in the queue Brother Patrick Lawrence saw me and
instructed an official that I was his guest and she came up to me and took my
hand luggage and asked me to follow her as she made her way to the front of the
queue and I was the next person to go through immigration.
It
was a pleasure to once again see Brother Patrick and I could only apologise for
the lateness of my arrival albeit it was not of my doing.
I then collected my luggage and went to the customs where I was asked to
open my suitcases by the customs officer who asked what was in two brown boxes I
was carrying and could he see the contents, I told him they were plaques with
the coat of arms of North Lanarkshire District Council on them and when he was
informed one of them was for the Governor General of Jamaica he apologised and
wished me a pleasant stay in Jamaica.
Brother
Patrick and I left the terminal building and Brother Lemuel Lindoe met us
outside. They had both been at the welcome party held in my honour at the home
of Brother Crafton Miller. It was very unfortunate but beyond my control that I
could not attend the party, as I have no control over Air Jamaica’s timetable.
Brothers Patrick and Lemuel made apologies on my behalf and between them
enjoyed themselves enough for three. I
was told of the disappointment felt by Brother Miller, his wife Juliet and his
other guests; it was also a great disappointment for me to miss the early
opportunity of renewing old acquaintances.
Just before retiring for a few hours sleep Patrick telephoned my wife Margaret to let her know I had arrived safely.
I
awoke at 08.30 and my first view from my bedroom window of Jamaica in daylight
was of Emancipation Park, a beautiful park on a gloriously sun filled morning.
During breakfast at the poolside restaurant of the hotel Patrick invited
me to attend a Junior Chamber of Commerce meeting to be held in the hotel later
in the morning. After breakfast we
took a short walk to Emancipation Park where I saw the Emancipation Park Statue,
(is this the reason why Black Men are so proud of their bodies).
On
returning to the hotel we made our way to the 13th floor to attend
the meeting of the Senate of the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycee).
What a marvelous panoramic view of the city of Kingston lay before me.
I was introduced along with the other visitors and made to feel very
welcome by everyone present. At the
end of the meeting we all sat down to lunch and were entertained by two very
accomplished singer / musicians.
When we had said our thanks and goodbyes we
drove to May Pen and the home of Patrick where I was most warmly welcomed by
Patrick’s wife Gloria, their grandson Samuel, and Flora, a friend of
Gloria’s who was visiting from Florida, U.S.A.
After I had been shown to the room which
would be my base while I stayed in May Pen, I unpacked my cases, and we all sat
down and chatted. While enjoying a cup of tea (I was offered something
stronger), we looked at family pictures and also pictures of Patrick’s
investiture with the Order of Distinction of Jamaica. We then sat in the gazebo
in the garden and were joined by Chris Parcells and his wife Zena, Trevor
Martin, Lindy Elliot, and other members of the Lodge who had stopped by to
welcome me, as I had missed the welcome party the previous evening.
We had supper in the garden and spent a relaxing evening talking about my
delayed arrival, and how I was going to spend the time I had in Jamaica.
Some hours later when our visitors left I retired to what I was to find
out was a very comfortable bed.
Monday
21st February
I am sitting in the garden at 08.00 starting to write this journal after having taken photographs of the beautiful gardens and house. Patrick and I started breakfast with fresh pineapple, melon, papaya, and grapes, before joining Gloria and Flora in the house for our cooked breakfast. Before every meal thanks were given for what we were about to eat.
Patrick then drove both Flora and myself
to the home of Brother Vincent Brown P.M., where we collected him and then made
our way to the Milk River Baths. We
were given a tour around the baths and shown some of the damage, which had been
caused by Hurricane Ivan the previous year.
We also saw the upgrading work which was being carried out to enable the
Spa to accommodate more visitors. People
come here from all over the world to soak in the mineral waters of the Spa,
which have 9 times more radium activity than the Spa in the town of Bath in
England. I was invited to sample
the waters and spent a superbly relaxing twenty minutes sitting submerged and
almost falling asleep in the therapeutic waters of the Milk River Baths, which I
found to be most peaceful and invigorating.
In hindsight I think this twenty minutes helped me to fulfil the
itinerary which lay ahead of me. After
an excellent lunch we returned home to ready ourselves for the prime reason of
my visit to Jamaica, the installation of Lodge Clarendon Killwinning No. 1427.
On
arrival at the Lodge a great many Brethren met us, some of whom I had previously
met, the number of Brethren expected at the meeting was greater than normal so
an awning had been erected onto the side of the Lodge building to accommodate
the Brethren and wives who could not be seated inside for the festive board.
Before the meeting
we were offered soup, sandwiches, and other snacks, as well as drinks.
All of this was taking place under the awning outside the Lodge. It
is amazing to think, that you know on the day of your installation meeting the
weather is going to be about 30c and the sun will be shinning, so arrangements
can be made to eat outside, a big difference to the first Friday night in
December in New Stevenston for 919’s installation.
The meeting commenced and all regular business was attended to before the deputations were admitted. I was privileged to join the District Grand Lodge of Jamaica’s deputation headed by the R.W. District Grand Master Brother Frank C. Mitchell.
On entering the Lodge I was introduced by the R.W. Depute District Grand Master Brother Patrick C.W. Lawrence O.D. J.P. The Brethren in attendance joined the R.W.M. Brother Stanhope Maxwell in warmly welcoming me into their Mother Lodge.
Brother
Ian Johnson J.P. P.M carried out the
installation of Brother Arthur W Laing as R.W.M. with an exhibition of Masonic
Ritual work that not only he can be proud of, but every Brother present will be
proud to have witnessed.
When the Office Bearers had been installed and the Lodge put into the
care of the new R.W.M. and all normal business was concluded it was intimated by
the R.W.M. it was the wish of the Brethren of Lodge Clarendon Kilwinning No.1427
that I be offered Honorary Membership of the Lodge. I had, a few weeks
before my visit, received a letter from the Lodge informing me of this high
honour to which I had written to the Lodge to accept. Brother Ronald H.Carey the
longest serving P.M. of Lodge Clarendon Kilwinning, who served as R.W.M. in 1958
obligated me. I was presented with a diploma to signify my Honorary
Membership, and this time welcomed into the Lodge as the newest Honorary Member
by Brother Arthur Laing the newly installed R.W.M. When I replied to the
very kind words of the R.W.M. I felt a great sense of humility as well as honour
for what had been bestowed on me a few minutes earlier.
At
this time I presented to Lodge Clarendon Kilwinning, a Robert King Stewart
No.919 Centenary Jewel as a small token of my visit, to be put in the Lodge
Library.
When the meeting was closed we
all retired downstairs to the Festive Board.
As I said earlier the partners of the Brethren who attended the meeting
were at the Festive Board, some sitting inside and some sitting outside.
All the windows of the dinning room were open to enable everyone to hear
the toasts. The tables were all laid in a manner befitting the superb meal
that was served. As English and Irish Freemasons were also in attendance,
not only in goodly numbers but also by the most senior Freemasons of their
respective Constitutions. There
were toasts and replies for the three Constitutions.
I was asked to reply to the
toast on behalf of the visitors, and as I stood to deliver the reply I was
presented with a hand painted canvas of the Lodge building in which we were sitting, a work of art indeed.
During
my reply I presented to the Lodge a Quaich also known in Scotland as a cup of
friendship.
The ambience of the Festive Board was greatly enhanced by the presence of
the ladies of the Lodge. It is perhaps something for consideration in other
Lodges.
When
the time came to return to Brother Patrick’s home we were joined by about
twenty or so Brethren and partners and enjoyed another couple of hours of very
pleasant company sitting in the gazebo.
22nd
February
Again fruit in the garden and breakfast indoors, before packing for a couple of days away. We left to go to the home of Brother Chris Parcells who is going with us to Ocho Rios. Chris follows in his car as we make our way to Spanish Town where he picks up Brother Ian Johnson. Both cars then head north for Ocho Rios via Fern Gully and over the Blue Mountains a superb way to see the countryside.
We stopped at the Walkerswood Caribbean Foods Ltd., and were given a guided tour of the old facility by a very pleasant member of staff. This company started as a small family concern and is growing, now exporting to the U.S.A., the U.K. and many other countries. When we were leaving to go to the new facility which will be open in May we were given a selection of spices and sauces which are made on site from locally grown produce. When we were driving off the property on which the old facility stood we passed between two stone pillars that Brother Johnson told us were built by his great grandfather who hade passed away the day after finishing them.
Two miles along the road we arrived at the
new factory, and met the managing director Mr Woodrow Mitchell.
He gave us a tour around the much bigger and more modern factory,
explaining to us some of his plans to not only increase production and give more
work to local producers and staff on site, also to make the factory visitor
friendly and have tourists want to pay a visit. From what we witnessed,
when it is finished, it will be a must see for visitors, and surely another
success for Jamaica in it’s export market.
On
leaving we continued our journey to Ocho Rios where we were met by Brother
Manley Bowen at one of his businesses at Island Village, a bar called Oceans 11.
It is situated on the beach; next to the gate from which cruise ship
passengers leave the dock. After a welcome refreshment drink, we drove to the
Sandals resort of the Ocho Rios Grande, where as guests of Brother Clive Miller,
the general
manager of the resort we had a very nice lunch in the company of the
Custos of St. Anns Brother the Hon. Radcliffe Walters.
Lunch by with we made our way to Dunns River
Falls one of Jamaica’s best known and most popular tourist attractions. It was
decided that while I would have the pleasure of climbing the falls, the others
would wait for me at the top having a cool drink in the shade. Having seen
the falls on television, it was a much better sight in reality and I thoroughly
enjoyed climbing through the warm, crystal clear waters with my guide.
When I arrived at the top Patrick, and Co. were waiting for me and we returned
to town to relax and freshen up before returning to the Sandals resort for
dinner.
Again as guests of Brother
Clive Miller, Manley’s wife Pauline, who was celebrating her birthday, the
Custos and his wife Norma also joined us. This time we were in a different
restaurant on the complex and enjoyed the sort of meal one would expect at a
Sandals resort. After dinner a
birthday cake was brought to the table by a member of staff, and we all sang
happy birthday to Pauline. At this time the cousin of Ian Johnson arrived
to drive Ian back to Spanish Town for a business appointment in the morning.
When we left Sandals we returned to Oceans 11 for a short time before going to
our accommodation for the night, a house called Laughing Waters.
I
did not know what to expect when we arrived at locked gates with security
guards.
We were allowed in and in the dark I could see it was a nice house, the
door was opened for us and I was shown to my room. We decided to sit
downstairs for a nightcap, talked for twenty minutes or so, and then went to
bed.
23rd
February
In
the morning when I came downstairs the lady who was going to cook our breakfast
greeted me and I said I was going to have a look outside.
When I ventured outside the nice house, which I saw in the dark, looked
truly majestic in daylight.
It’s secluded gardens, well manicured lawns, stunning trees, and a
footpath down to a private beach. When I walked down to the beach a
security guard who was on patrol of the grounds met me and asked if I was well.
What an idyllic setting, it is little wonder Laughing Waters is used by
the Jamaican Government to entertain overseas visitors.
When I returned to the house Brother Chris and I had coffee on the patio
while waiting for Patrick to come down for breakfast. After a very hearty and
healthy breakfast I was asked if I would sign the visitors’ book and when
doing so I looked through the book and recognised the names of some of the
previous guests from around the world.
I cannot name them, as I do not know if they were visiting in a public or
private capacity.
Breakfast
over we return to Ocho Rios and spend a little time shopping at Island Village,
where I bought a shirt that I decided to wear on the Friday at the Ladies
Evening.
We then went to Oceans 11 to say our goodbyes to Manley and his staff
before starting out on our drive to Kingston for the Quarterly Communication of
the District Grand Lodge of Jamaica S.C.
Again
a very interesting journey through the countryside, it is great being
chauffeured everywhere (I think I could get used to this), I am able to fully
appreciate the views and people going about their daily lives while I am sitting
in the passenger seat.
When
we arrive in Kingston we make our way to the Knutsford Court Hotel, another nice
and very comfortable hotel that will be my base for tonight.
We had lunch in the hotel and then had a rest before getting ready to
drive the short distance to McGregor Square in Kingston.
This is the home of the District Grand Lodge and also the home of the
Scottish Constitution Lodges, and other Masonic Orders who meet in Kingston.
Before the meeting started the
R.W.D.G.M. Bro. Frank C. Mitchell greeted me, and when the D.G.L. had been
opened I was officially welcomed again by Bro. Frank.
When the business of the D.G.L. had been completed I was once more
addressed by the R.W.D.G.M., and presented with a gift from the R.W.D.G.M. and
the Brethren of the D.G.L. of Jamaica, a book, “JAMAICA The Beauty and the
Soul of the Land We Love”, a comprehensive study of Jamaica and it’s people
by one of the most famous and renowned photographers in Jamaica, Ray Chen.
I have been privileged to see some of the places that are in the
photographs. I then reciprocated and presented a gift of a Quaich to the
R.W.D.G.M. for the District Grand Lodge.
I also presented fraternal greetings from the R.W. Provincial Grand
Master of the Middle Ward of Lanarkshire Brother Kenneth D. Kennedy.
At the close of
the meeting we retired downstairs to the Festive Board, once again Brethren I
had met earlier in the week welcomed me, and also Brethren I was meeting for the
first time.
It is getting to the time when I will need to watch what I am eating, not
so much what I am eating, more how much I am eating, the food at the Festive
Boards is as good as any restaurant, and it is sometimes difficult to say no.
We then returned to the Knutsford Court Hotel, where Brother Patrick and
I had a nightcap before retiring for a very comfortable nights rest.
24th
February
After breakfast Bro. Patrick and I went shopping in some of the local craft shops where I purchased a few gifts to take home, (do I want to go home). We then visited Devon House, THE place to eat ice cream in Jamaica; we had coffee (Blue Mountain) in the Brick Oven Bakery and a look around the gardens and shops. Jamaica’s first black millionaire built Devon House in 1881.
We then drove into the Blue Mountains to the home of Bro. Lemuel Lindo, which is situated two thousand feet up and offers a view over looking Kingston, which is absolutely breathtaking. If we had not been driving a 4X4 I do not think we would have been able to reach the house as the road was very steep with many tight hairpin bends.
Brother Lemuel had invited some of the Brethren I had previously met to join us for lunch. There were eight or nine of us and we all enjoyed a superb lunch on the veranda overlooking what can only be described as a picture postcard view of Jamaica’s capitol, Kingston. During lunch we spoke of what I had been doing so far, and what lay ahead.
On the way back to the city we paid a courtesy visit to the home of Brother Ronald Carey, the Past Master who had obligated me as an Honorary Member of Clarendon Kilwinning, he was delighted to see us as was his wife Mae, daughter and grand daughter. We spent a very pleasant half hour in conversation with this very knowledgeable and respected Past Master. When we left Bro. Carey’s home we made our way to Bro. Patrick’s town house to shower and change in preparation to attend the installation of The Friendly Royal Arch Chapter No. 239 E.C., this Chapter celebrated it’s bi-centenary in 1998. It is amazing to think Royal Arch Freemasonry has been working in Jamaica longer than most Chapters in Scotland.
I was
welcomed at the start of the meeting by the reigning M.E.Z., and after a fine
installation ceremony again welcomed by the new M.E.Z.
During his comments to the Companions, the District Grand Superintendent
M.E. Companion Afeef A. Lazarus also made very complementary remarks in
welcoming me.
I made a presentation to the Chapter of a Grand Lodge of Scotland pennant, and in his response the M.E.Z., intimated it would be displayed in an appropriate place in the building. At this time he also presented me with a copy of the Two Hundred Year History of the Friendly Royal Arch Chapter, for which I thanked both him and the Companions of the Chapter. If nothing else Jamaican Freemasons know how to eat well, as I once more discovered when we retired to the Festive Board.
The Masonic Centre, which is used by all English Masonic Orders who meet in Kingston, is in Barbados Avenue. After dinner at the Festive Board we left Kingston to return to May Pen and the home of Brother Patrick.
25th
February
Once more I am sitting in the gazebo trying to bring this journal up to date, on another beautiful sun blessed morning. Gloria once again serves me my usual morning pot of tea; she is like a mother, a wife, and a sister, all rolled into one. How better could I describe someone I consider to be a friend, who is so concerned that everything is to my liking. We sat and talked whilst eating our fruit, and then went indoors for breakfast after which we leave home to go and pick up Bro. Vincent Brown, and then drive to the home of the Custos of the Parish of Clarendon, where we meet Bro. Chris Parcells. On our journey I asked Bro. Patrick if there would be anywhere I could buy some flowers for the ladies who will be attending the Ladies Night, he telephones Gloria who he asked to make appropriate arrangements with the florist.
On arrival we are invited into the home of Brother
the Hon. James de Roux, and were served coffee and cold drinks by his wife
Audrey, we enjoyed a very pleasant hour or so in the company of the Custos and
his wife. He was extremely
knowledgeable of one of Scotland’s main exports, a knowledge he has gained by
visiting Scotland and enjoying the best of malt whisky wherever he travels.
The position of Custos is an appointment made by the Governor General of
Jamaica and each of the fourteen Parishes has one.
It is an appointment for life and the position is probably equivalent to the Lord Lieutenant of the County in the U.K. Before leaving I
thanked the Custos and his wife for their hospitality and their time, I then
presented him with a plaque with the Coat of Arms of North Lanarkshire Council.
He very much appreciated this gesture and said he would hang the plaque beside others he had collected over the years.
Our next port of call was “Halse Hall Great House” it stands in a region of the Parish of Clarendon appropriately named “Hato de Buena Vista” (Ranch of the Beautiful View). A British soldier called Thomas Hals settled on this sight in 1670 and this great house has been here ever since, developing over the centuries from a single story building to the impressive structure standing today. For almost two hundred years the property was a sugar plantation, and since 1969 the house and two thousand acres of land has been owned by Alcoa Minerals of Jamaica, a company involved in the mining of bauxite in Jamaica, and also instrumental in keeping the house in a remarkably good state of preservation. We were given a tour of the house before lunch and afterwards were shown the grounds and the old graveyard of the Hals family, with graves dating from the second half of the 17th century.
We have now arrived back at the home of Patrick and Gloria in May Pen, I am again sitting in the gazebo, when I have finished this sentence this journal will once again be up to date, and I am going to rest before attending the “Ladies Night” of Lodge Clarendon Kilwinning at the home of Chris and Zena Parcells.
When I waken after an hours sleep I feel refreshed and ready for the party tonight. Patrick, Gloria, Flora and I have a snack of tea and patties, a Jamaican dish which looks like a thinner version of a bridie, but with various different fillings, of lobster, prawns, peppers, etc. Gloria then showed me the floral corsages she managed to have the florist to supply, and they look just perfect. We then get dressed for our evening out; I wear my “Caribbean shirt” which I am told will be perfect for the evening. Gloria is not going with us this evening as she is looking after her grandson Samuel, so before Patrick, Flora and myself leave home I give a corsage to Gloria, it is only right that she should have one. When we left home I had no idea how exceptional an evening lay ahead. The one hundred yard drive from the road to Chris’s house was lit on each side of the pathway by candles placed five or six feet apart, this looked very welcoming and was only a hint of the warmth and hospitality which would surround us tonight. There were about thirty ladies of the Lodge present of varying years of experience, from the senior members partners to the newest member and his partner. This function is normally held on the Friday evening prior to the installation, this year it was decided to delay it, to enable me to attend, (wearing my shirt).
The D. of C. Bro. Staitnon Knotton on behalf of the Lodge, praised the work and dedication of the I.P.M. when he introduced Brother Maxwell. In his reply Brother Stanhope Maxwell the Immediate Past Master thanked the members of the Lodge for the privilege of being the R.W.M. for the preceding year, and paid tribute to the ladies in a most sincere and appreciative manner, for everything they had done to assist not only him as R.W.M., also Lodge Clarendon Kilwinning in the previous year.
I was then introduced, (or was it the shirt) by Bro. Patrick Lawrence and thanked for coming to Jamaica to attend the installation meeting of the Lodge. In response I thanked the members of the Lodge for their kindness since my arrival, special thanks were extended to the ladies, and I then walked around the tables presenting each of the ladies with one of the floral corsages. The look of delight on the faces of the ladies when they received their flower let me know this had been one of my better ideas.
After a wonderful meal served to the ladies by the Brethren of the Lodge, there were one or two small speeches to the ladies and myself; everyone who spoke commented on my “Caribbean shirt” (not all complimentary), it was a source of some hilarity for some of my new found friends. I was then presented with a VERY large basket of Jamaican produce including various spices, sauces, coffee, and of course Jamaican rum, by Brother Patrick Lawrence, (it took two Brethren to lift the basket), Brother Patrick also apologised for not picking me another shirt to add to the basket. In thanking Patrick and the Brethren of the Lodge for yet another very generous gesture I wondered which shipping line I would use to transport everything home. Between seventy and eighty people sat down to dinner in a beautiful garden setting, and a great deal of thanks were expressed to Chris and Zena Parcells for the use of their home for this special night held on behalf of the “Clarendon Ladies”. During the course of the evening I managed to go around the tables and speak to most of the ladies and Brethren present, they were as happy for my presence as I was delighted to be in their company. At a very late hour I drove Patrick, Flora, and myself the two miles home.
26th
February
Another beautiful morning (is there any other kind here) in the garden, and then breakfast. We then ready ourselves for our drive to Mandeville, where I will spend the night at the home of Brother Derek MacAnuff and his wife Shaggy . We drive west, and once again the road climbs and we are heading for slightly cooler climes about two thousand feet above sea level, on our route we pass through the town of Poorus, this name stems from bygone days when slaves from the plantations and farms on the higher reaches of the Parish of Manchester, had to carry their heavy loads down the slopes to Kingston, and then once again climb back to their homes. On the way down they stopped to rest and regale themselves and would exclaim “Poor Us” Hence the reason for the name of the town Poorus. When we arrived at Derek’s house we sat and relaxed, enjoying each others company and talking to a neighbour who had retired to Jamaica, after having worked for many years with British Rail in London, and being the first black man to be the engineer on the Royal trains which carried the Queen. We then have to excuse ourselves, as we have to change in order to attend the installation meeting of the Ewing Lodge No.3258 E.C.
We witnessed the installation of the Worshipful Master, Brother Ulit W. Brackett by the now Immediate Past Master Brother Paul Fraser, and the standard of ritual work is of the same high standard as the other meetings which I have attended whilst here.
There was another event which added greatly to the meeting, the windows of the Lodge room had been opened to allow a slight breeze to flow through the Temple, this also permitted the sounds of the Church next door to be heard in the background. It is said that music adds something to any Masonic meeting, let me assure you the sound of a Church congregation singing Hymns during the installation ceremony was truly tremendous. Before the close of the meeting I presented the Ewing Lodge with a Grand Lodge of Scotland pennant, for which W.M. Ulit Brackett thanked me on behalf of the Lodge. I received a gift from the I.P.M. Brother Paul Fraser of a book, “Montego Bay, It’s People and It’s Lodge”, a history from 1818-2000. I was fortunate to meet Brother George W.J. Palmer the author and compiler of the book, and he very kindly offered to sign the copy of the book that I was presented with, Brother Palmer’s mother lodge is Columbus No.1660 S.C. Brother Fraser the I.P.M. is a shy man, and he had a very novel way of replying to the toast proposed to him, he said some of the things he wanted to, then he had a very attractive and extremely talented young lady sing a song to the assembled Brethren and ladies, twice more he spoke briefly, and twice more the young lady sang. He had employed the considerable talents of this young lady to express in song, the words he would have liked to say had he been less shy, this was a great idea of how best to say from the heart, everything he wanted to, by means of song selection and the undoubted ability of an exceptional assistant. Once more I was asked to reply on behalf of the overseas visitors.
When we returned to Bro. Derek’s house a number of Brethren joined us for a nightcap as seems to be the custom, (a very pleasant one).
27th
February
06.45 rise, coffee and fruit with Derek and his wife, before being picked up by Bro. Chris Parcells, to go for a round of golf at the Manchester Club, the oldest golf club west of Ireland. We were joined by Brother Tony Tomlinson and had a very enjoyable 18 holes over a difficult course, although my golf was not at it’s best, I hit enough good shots that my playing partners new I had played the game before. It must be said, the previous week Bro. Chris won a competition and I am sure that when he was not in our company he had sneaked off to practise. We had a drink in the clubhouse before returning to Derek’s house for brunch, which had been prepared by Derek and his wife Shaggy while we were playing golf. Brunch in Jamaica means banquet in any other language, and you cannot have a banquet without people and food, we were joined by Bro. Arthur Laing R.W.M. 1427 and his wife Clover, Bro. Trevor Martin and his wife Delores, Zena Parcells, Bro. Patrick Lawrence, and a few others, the food was both copious and delicious. Does everyone on this island cook as well as the many who have been my host.
When the relaxed and lengthy brunch was ended we said our thanks and farewells, and I returned for the last time to May Pen the home of Patrick and Gloria. Sadly this will be my last night in May Pen, I will therefore have to start packing, not a pleasing thought or indeed task, none the less one which has to be done. I stop packing and join Patrick, Gloria, Flora, and Samuel for supper. I know some of the Brethren of the Lodge (1427), have promised to come round to the house after dinner to say their farewells, so we all went and sat in the garden.
A number of the people whose company I have shared and enjoyed since arriving in Jamaica came round, we sat and chatted, had a drink and eventually said our goodbyes, there was Trevor and Delores, Lindy and Christine, Lloyd and Hyacinth, Chris and Zena, and a number of others. When everyone has gone home I threw the last of my things into my case, and I have run out of space, there was not even room for a handkerchief. It was the most uncomfortable night I have spent in Jamaica. The thought of saying farewell to a family who so readily took me into their home, and treated me as one of them, has preyed on my mind as I tossed and turned all night long.
28th
February
As I did not sleep well I am up early, after showering and dressing I for the last time sat in the garden, and thought of all the goodness in this house, all the wonderful things I have experienced, and most importantly all the very hospitable and friendly people I have shared the last nine days with.
Samuel comes to say goodbye before he leaves for school as I sit eating my fruit,(it would be wonderful if all ten year olds were as polite as him). After a subdued breakfast we loaded the car and I tried to express my thanks to Gloria and Flora, two people whom I shall always remember as my Jamaican family. Final farewells said, Patrick and I set out for Kingston to meet Bros. Lemuel Lindoe and Arthur Laing.
In the car park of King’s House, the official residence and offices of the Governor General of Jamaica we meet with the R.W.M. of 1427 Bro.Arthur Laing, and walked together to the door of this magnificent structure which has been standing in the beautiful gardens which surround it since the 1870’s. On passing through it’s portals we are greeted by a secretary who invites us to be seated in an ornate waiting area, and are soon joined by Bro. Col. Lemuel Lindo.
A short time later we are escorted upstairs to the Morning Room where we are warmly welcomed by His Excellency the Most Honourable Sir Howard Cooke ON, GCMG, GCVO, CD, who has been the Governor General since August 1991. An official photographer was on hand to record our visit. We were invited to be seated amid the many antiques within this finely and tastefully decorated room; we were then offered refreshments of our choice. In a matter of a few sentences of conversation with the Governor General, I was immediately at ease and we spent about an hour and a half talking of Jamaica, and what has influenced its people over the centuries. He is of the opinion; the Scots have been a major contributor in many ways, education and the clergy being but two. He even mentioned a Scots minister by the name of Barton, who had left an indelible mark on Jamaicans, and he was surprised to be told this was my middle name.
Before leaving I presented a plaque with the coat of arms of Motherwell District Council to the Governor General, which he promptly gave to one of staff who was on hand, I then presented a personal gift to Brother Cooke of a pen, (a Rolls-Royce of pens) which he promptly placed in his jacket pocket.
(This pen was given to me by a Brother in Scotland who knew I would be meeting the Governor General and he asked me to pass it on to him. It is a pen of the highest quality and I know the Governor General appreciated the gift as much as I appreciate the gesture the Brother made in giving me the pen. He and I are the only two Scotsmen who know, and I am sure he will not be upset in my not naming him, but if I am ever asked if it was that individual I will have no hesitation in acknowledging his gesture.)
When we left the King’s House, we drove through Kingston to the University of Technology, Jamaica, which is situated in the Parish of St. Andrew, where we were met by Mr. George A. Roper, Senior Vice President, Academic Affairs. Mr. Patrick Ramsay, Director, Centre of Arts, and Mr. Richard Dehring, Director, Computing and Engineering Extension Centre. Mr Roper spoke about the development and growth of the University; he also explained the faculties available before we were given a very interesting and thought provoking tour of the Caribbean Sculpture Park. We were still discussing the sculptures as we made our way to the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management to have our lunch at “Lillian’s” restaurant, which is staffed by students. If this is the standard by which the university is to be judged, heaven help any hotel or restaurant that does not recruit its staff here. A very discreet and attentive waiting staff, complement the behind the scenes team members who produce food of a quality found in the best restaurants.
After lunch we made our way once more to the Knutsford Court Hotel where I would be spending my last night in Jamaica before returning home. When I had checked into the hotel I relaxed and brought this journal up to date before getting ready to go to the installation meeting of St. John No. 623 S.C. in McGregor Square, Kingston.
Again snacks and drinks before the meeting and plenty time, to once again talk to many of the Brethren with whom I had become acquainted during the last nine days. Before the start of the meeting I had given to the Secretary of the Lodge a letter from Bro. Donald C. Miller the R.W.M. of Lodge St. John No. 20 who meet in Lesmahagow, in the Upper Ward of Lanarkshire, Scotland. I do not know the exact contents of the letter, I would surmise it contains the good wishes of St. John No. 20 to St. John No. 623, as one of the principle instigators in the founding of St. John No. 623 in Jamaica, was Bro. Dr. James Ogilvie a member of St.John No. 20 in Scotland, who in 1901 was commissioned as Provincial Grand Master of Jamaica. It was quite a coincidence, that Brother Ogilvie in 1878 and Brother Crandon in 2005 were both doctors.
On admission to the Lodge the R.W.M. Bro Murcott Ludlow Miller welcomed me, and thanked me for the letter I brought. The meeting was so well attended that extra seats had to be brought into the Lodge room until there was no space to put anymore (even if they had more seats).
Brother Miller the R.W.M. installed his successor, Brother Dr. Ivor W. Crandon as R.W.M., in exemplary fashion, a delight for all present.
When the Office Bearers had been installed I was again welcomed by the new R.W.M. In my reply I presented the Lodge with a quaich, for which I was thanked and in turn I was presented with a personally inscribed coffee barrel by the new R.W.M.
History was made at this meeting, this was the first time a member of Prince Hall Freemasons had attended a Lodge meeting in Jamaica, in the person of Brother Courtney W.T. Browne, Right Worshipful District Deputy Grand Master, of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge F. & A.M. Jurisdiction of Massachusetts, U.S.A., Eighth Masonic District, Trinidad and Tobago.
When the meeting had closed and the extra seats had been returned to the dining room more than two hundred Brethren and their partners sat down to what was yet another fine meal which I thoroughly enjoyed in delightful company.
The installation meeting and Festive Board was believed to be the safest place in the whole of Jamaica to take ill on this evening, as most of the Islands doctors, consultants, and other medical staff were in attendance to join in the celebrations of the new R.W.M.
When we eventually decided to leave, it took some considerable time to make my way from my table to the door, there were so many Brethren who wanted to ask if I had enjoyed my trip to Jamaica, wish me a safe journey home and a speedy return. Outside was no less busy, with many Brethren saying goodnight and trying to free their cars from the multitude of vehicles parked around the building, we at last were able to drive to the hotel where I fell asleep very quickly.
1st March
I have many happy thoughts of my time in Jamaica
when I am getting ready to attend a breakfast meeting with many of the Brethren
whom I have met since my arrival here. Thirty
or so Brethren arrived at the hotel to dine in one of the function rooms where
we all sat and enjoyed a sumptuous breakfast.
There were Brethren from each of the three constitutions present, and I
was pleasantly surprised to hear a Scottish voice while sitting at my table,
Brother Ian M.D. Murphy, O.B.E., J.P. who is from Denniston, Glasgow and has
lived and worked in the Caribbean for almost forty years, to hear his voice you
would think he had only recently arrived in Jamaica.
When breakfast was over Brother Patrick C. W. Lawrence, O.D., J.P., Depute District Grand Master of Jamaica, took the floor and spoke of my visit with the most complimentary comments about me, in an address to those present.
I was asked to reply, and when I stood I did so with a lump in my throat and a feeling of great humility.
I struggled to find the proper words to thank everyone who had made my stay so pleasurable, “thank you” seems so insignificant a phrase, what words can describe the feelings within your heart, when you have been treated as if you are special, when really you are only a Past Master who was very fortunate in being appointed a Proxy Warden of a Lodge, with Brethren whose Masonic principals will bare comparison with anyone. It is not only the Brethren of Lodge Clarendon Kilwinning who are to be thanked, there were other Lodges and a Chapter which I visited, there were Brethren from near and far on the Island, there are people who are not Freemasons, as I previously said.
“THANK
YOU “ does not seem to convey my true feelings of gratitude.
I commented on the way the Scottish, English, and Irish Constitutions worked so closely together in Jamaica, not in rivalry, but together and for each other. It is probably a unique set of circumstances, which enables this to be the case in Jamaica, some Brethren have become Past Masters in more than one Constitution, in fact two Brethren I met are Past Masters in the three Constitutions.
I finished by quoting the last verse of an old
Scots song.” A Mans A Man For A” That”, and then presented the heads of
the three Constitutions with a copy of the complete works of that great Scotsman
and Freemason, Robert Burns.
Brother
Frank Mitchell R.W.D.G.M. Scottish Constitution, Brother Afeef Lazarus R.W D.G.M.
English Constitution, and in the unfortunate absence of Brother Derrik McKoy
R.W.P.G.M. Irish Constitution, the P.G. Secretary, Brother Bernard Wong,
accepted the book on his behalf. The
three heads of the Constitutions were very appreciative of the book and looked
forward to reading it when their very busy schedules permitted.
I then
publicly thanked Brother Patrick Lawrence for everything he and his committee
had arranged for my very eventful and fulfilling visit to his beautiful
homeland, and made a presentation of a Cross pen to him, in recognition of the
great personal debt of gratitude I owe him.
When I had said my last farewells to the
Brethren who had taken the time to attend the breakfast meeting, we returned to
my room and tried to work out how on earth I was going to pack my luggage.
The only option being buying another suitcase, which Chris and I went out
to buy. On our return we managed to
pack everything (eventually). This
however created another problem; I now had three pieces of heavy luggage, not
the two I was allowed by the airline, I decided I would just have to pay the
excess baggage charges.
Packing done we decided to go out for lunch,
Patrick, Chris, and I arranged to meet Lemuel at the Liguanea Club, where we sat
among the mango trees and enjoyed our lunch in the Terrace Restaurant.
We were joined by the general manager Bro. Ian Murphy.
The main Club House building is believed to date from around 1780, during
the early life of the building it was part of the British High Commission, and
has been the Liguanea Club since 1910, the Club has featured in many films the
most notable being, the James Bond movie Dr.NO.
My
flight home was due to leave Kingston at 19.35, which meant I was supposed to
check-in at the airport at 15.30 due to the increase in security, at 15.30 I am
still sitting under the mango trees finishing my lunch.
Lemuel telephoned the airport to check if the flight to Heathrow was on
time, (which it was) and asked what the latest check-in time was only to be told
15.30. He then enquired what
the latest check-in time was for one of his guests to be told, “Have your
guest here for 18.00”. When
saying goodbye to Lemuel, he asked Patrick if we required an escort through the
rush hour traffic, an offer we declined as with the late check-in it was thought
unnecessary.
Lunch over we leave the Liguanea Club to
return to the hotel so I can shower and change, before Patrick, Chris, and
myself start out for the Norman Manley airport with my three pieces of over
weight baggage as well as hand luggage.
On arrival at the front of the terminal
building, I am met by an attractive young lady ( Miss Andrea Francis of the
Protocol Department of the Jamaican Ministry of Foreign Affairs) who enquires if
I am Mr. Mathew. When I confirm I
am, she arranges a porter to collect my luggage from Patrick’s car, asks for
my ticket and passport and asks me to follow her to the front of a very long
queue of people who are waiting to check-in for their flight.
On
checking my luggage through to Glasgow, the attendant behind the counter
informed me I was only allowed two pieces of luggage, and I would need to pay an
excess baggage charge, which I did not have a problem with.
The young lady who was conducting me through these proceedings spoke to
the attendant, and he very swiftly changed his mind about excess baggage charges
and wished me a pleasant journey. Having
been rid of my luggage, I was then escorted to the front of the queue at the
customs and passport control, then the security to have my hand luggage x-rayed.
There were a lot of people wondering who was this, that deserves all this
special treatment, I could have told them “ I am Robert Mathew, and a friend
of Mr. Patrick Lawrence”. By this time I have been in the airport fifteen minutes, I
had been through all necessary procedures required to leave Jamaica
(reluctantly), and escorted to the V.I.P. lounge and asked to make myself
comfortable, that when it was time for me to board the aircraft someone would
come and escort me to the plane. I
was joined in the V.I.P. lounge by both Patrick and Chris (how did they acquire
security passes), and we had a refreshment while waiting on my departure.
Fifteen minutes before the flight was supposed to leave, Barbara, a
different but even more attractive young lady came to the lounge to escort me to
the plane. Patrick and Chris
accompanied me to the departure gate by showing the security passes with which
they had been issued. When we said our final goodbyes, it was with a heavy heart I
walked with Barbara ( a beautiful 5’ 10” tall woman with the nicest smile
imaginable, and another reason to stay who was
my escort) to the foot of the steps to board the plane.
On boarding the aircraft and walking to my seat people were looking at me
with a “Who are you to be personally escorted to the plane” look on their
faces, if only they knew.
On board, seated and ready to sleep, which I did. A good flight, arriving on time in Heathrow enabling me to catch my connection to Glasgow, where I am met by Margaret who is waiting for me to collect my luggage (with a trolley because I could not carry it), and we go to the car park to find my car has a puncture. Such is the way I started my fantastic journey, such is the way it ended
Since my return to Scotland I have been
frequently asked about Freemasonry in Jamaica, I can give my own personal
opinion based on my own experiences whilst there.
Scottish Freemasonry in Jamaica can be dated
to the 17th November1760 when the first Scottish Lodge was
constituted, Scotch Lodge St. Andrew’s No.102. St. Marks Lodge at Glasgow
presently hold the No. 102.
The Provincial Grand Lodge of Jamaica as it was then called was founded in 1771, between 1901 and 1904 the Grand Lodge of Scotland renamed it the District Grand Lodge of Scotland in Jamaica, Brother Dr. James Ogilvie (Mother Lodge St. John No. 20 in Scotland and a founder of St. John No. 623 in Jamaica) was therefore the last Provincial Grand Master and the first District Grand Master of Jamaica. With a few different terms used for the D.G.L. over the years it is now known as “District Grand Lodge of Jamaica Under The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland”.
There are at present nineteen Lodges in the
Scottish District G.L., the nineteenth was consecrated on the 2nd of
April 2005, named after the late District Grand Master, Brother Dr. Barrington
E. A. Miller, with a twentieth to be consecrated nearer the end of the year.
There are twenty-three Lodges working under the United Grand Lodge of England,
and also six Lodges working under the Grand Lodge of Ireland.
Membership is growing with the right people joining, which will only
encourage more gentlemen of the required calibre to seek admission.
Clarendon Kilwinning had five candidates last year, how many Lodges at
home could make that claim.
I witnessed three Craft and one Royal Arch
installations from two Constitutions, as well as attending the District
communication meeting of the Scottish Constitution.
The standard of ritual work I saw carried out, Openings, Closings,
Installation Ceremony’s, will stand comparison with any which I have
witnessed, and carried out in a more dignified and sincere manner than many
meetings which I have attended at home.
On each occasion I attended a meeting there were no empty seats, such was the level of commitment of the Brethren in Jamaica from each of the Constitutions in supporting the other Constitutions. The fact the ladies of the Lodges attended the Festive Boards added greatly to the occasions, the new Masters wife is actually on the toast list. Such is the level of support displayed between the Constitutions, at each of the meetings I attended the District and Provincial Grand Masters of the other two Constitutions were present on all but one occasion, and there were normally four or five other District and Provincial Office Bearers accompanying the heads of the deputations.
Yes Freemasonry is alive and growing every day in
Jamaica.
The bonds of Benevolence, Brotherly Love, Relief,
and Truth, are being put to the test every day in Jamaica.
When these questions are being asked every day in
Jamaica, Freemasons throughout the Island of Jamaica are seen to be shining
lights in moving forward to a better and stronger community.
I
will encourage any Brother who is going to Jamaica on holiday to contact Grand
Lodge in Edinburgh, and enquire if there is a meeting taking place when they
will be there. Sunshine is
guaranteed in Jamaica, so is an honest and friendly welcome in any Lodge, I can
vouch for that.
There
are many Brethren I would like to thank for their contribution in making my stay
in Jamaica so special and memorable, and I realise it is just not possible to
name each of them. What I will do
is thank R.W.D.G.M Bro. Frank Mitchell S.C., R.W.D.G.M. Bro. Afeef Lazarus E.C.,
R.W.P.G.M. Derrick McKoy I.C. and through them all the Brethren of their
respective Constitutions.
However there are Brethren I shall name, Brothers
Chris Parcells, Stanhope Maxwell, Arthur Laing, Lloyd McKenzie, Ronald Carey,
Lemuel Lindo, Derek McAnuff, Crafton Miller, Trevor Martin, Ian Johnson, Lindy
Elliot, Michael Capleton (who arranged for me to enjoy three complimentary
nights in the Knutsford Court Hotel) and Manley Bowen.
Brethren I have named but a few of the great number of good, honest men
and masons of Jamaica who added a great deal to my stay among you, I know many
have not been named and I sincerely hope I have not offended anyone by omission,
I can assure you it was not my intention.
There is one person who I am quite unashamedly going to single out above
all others, Brother Patrick C. W. Lawrence O.D., J.P., R.W.D.D.G.M. Scottish
Constitution. He as as the chairman
of the committee set up to plan my visit ensured that the short time I have
spent in Jamaica has been utilised to its, and my full advantage.
I have been privileged to share his home and to a great extent his
family, there has never been one second of his time that was not made available
to me if needed. He is also a very
lucky Brother to have such a dear and understanding wife as Gloria, who welcomed
me into her home so readily.
I received many tangible gifts from both
Brethren, and the Lodges I visited.
It is often said “The most precious gift to give
is Life”, if this is so, I consider the second greatest gift to be, “ The
level of Friendship and Acceptance”, with which I was received in my all too
short stay in Jamaica.
If you are going to die in Jamaica, it will be of
kindness.
Please contact Bro Nicoll Ross P.M. by email with your comments on this web site or for further information about Lodge Robert King Stewart No 919.