The Llantwit Major Lodge no. 9241
The Minutes of an informal computerised (Zoom) meeting held
Friday 8th January 2021 at 7.00 pm.
The meeting eventually started at 7.15 pm as one by one the members logged on – in the absence of W. Bro. Richard, W. Bro. Mike Thomas greeted the brethren and made them welcome. W. Bro. Mike again asked W. Bro. Tony if he would kindly act as secretary and record the evenings business.
The members who logged on were:
Mike Thomas – Dave Cox – Vince Bennett – Chris Neate – Archie Reynolds – Tony Fraser – Harold Jones – Roland Hughes – Andrew Spurway – David Drew – Dave Pearce & Tony Hilliard. (If I have missed anyone please let me know) – Apologies from the W.M. Richard Andrews and Ian Harding. Roy Williams was unable to connect and telephoned his apologies.
The meeting on this occasion was slow to start, due we think to a ‘Gremlin in the works’ but finally got underway at 7.15 pm – the usual pleasantries were exchanged interspersed with friendly banter – Tony H (the act. sec) asked if we should set an agenda, it was generally agreed to keep the meetings on an informal basis, until some form of normality returned.
The subject of maintaining the ritual was discussed including practising the opening and closing of the Lodge – David Pearce asked if he could do some of his work – it was decided that if any officer or member would like to rehearse some ritual during the meetings, they should let W. Bro. Mike or Archie know in advance, for inclusion at any meeting.
Mike and Vince both stressed how important it is that we keep in touch with one another, for two reasons, one – to maintain continuity of the Lodge and two – to lookout for the welfare of our members, especially in these strange times – they both advocated the need to keep in contact with the Lodge Almoner – Tony H. asked in passing, if they remember B.T’s. advert ‘Busby’ who sat on a phone line and said “it’s good to talk”
Archie informed the meeting that he had finally finished a new ‘Lodge Web Site’ which can be accessed via: lodge9241.blog. He then added he would be overjoyed to receive any contributions either from a domestic as well as Grand/Provincial Lodge source, so we can from a Masonic point of view, stay informed during the lock down – He also requested that the minutes of the ‘Zoom’ meetings be sent to him so he can include them in the new Web Site, to keep a history for others to access..
Thanks again were extended by all to David Cox for organising the ‘Zoom’ meetings, and he was asked how the meetings were financed to make sure he was not out of pocket – he assured us that he was not out of pocket as the Lodge was covering the costs – this reply was well received by those present.
On several occasions during the course of the evening, the subject of the Lodge’s commitment to the Festival was raised – grateful thanks were extended by all to Bro. Harold for the work that he is, and has done, looking after the Festival Fund – W. Bro. Mike stated how nice it would be if we could achieve the ‘Silver Award’ and enquired as to how much do we need to meet that target – Bro. Harold informed the meeting that to date the total paid to the RMBI is £21,625.00 which subject to any change in membership, should mature at £29.883.00 – he estimated a further £6,000.00 plus would be required – Tony H. Stated we should all review our covenants or make a contribution if at all possible.
At the closing W. Bro. Mike enquired if the brethren were pleased with the proceedings and then asked those in attendance if they had anything to add – the now traditional ‘In House Toasting’ took place and one by one the less informed found out how to turn off their machines and left the gathering.
The meeting closed sometime after 8.00 pm.