Plymouth Ho(e)
 
On a sunny July Friday morning, seven Lancashire Allied Masons set out from different starting points in Lancashire to attend the Devon and Cornwall Allied District Meeting on Saturday 27th July. The intention was to meet up at Euston Station for the final part of the journey, via the London Underground, from Paddington to Plymouth.
 
It was quite a pleasant start to the journey on the Avanti West Coast train, which picked up and arrived at London Euston on time. Unfortunately, the catering on board was none existent due to a catering staff strike. So, it was a very hungry crew which arrived in London
“Brethren letting the train take the strain”
“Alfresco dining at Euston”
At Euston Station, the advance guard consisting of our esteemed West Lancs DGP, Paul Snape, together with his Past Deputy, William Richmond, Richard Higson, Bob Norris and Ray Pye joined up with Paul Waring and Peter Hegarty who had journeyed in from Manchester Piccadilly. Unfortunately, Graham Newton, DGP of East Lancashire was unable to join us on this occasion
 
A hectic journey across a number of underground lines eventually brought the group to Paddington Station, for the final part of the journey to Plymouth. Having boarded the GWR train, we were please to find that there were some refreshments available, which made the journey to the west country more amenable. One of the upsides to a delayed train service is to have in your company Paul Snape, who has the wherewithal to ensure that the company concerned coughs up some compensation (we wait with bated breath Paul!). Arriving a little late at Plymouth we took a short taxi drive to our respective hotels.
 
A tradition has built up for East and West Lancashire Brethren to dine at The Harbour fish restraint on the Friday evening of these outings, and it was no different on this occasion. A superb fish meal with a few glasses of wine thrown served to get us in the right frame of mind for what is always a great occasion.
“A toast to Allied Masonry”
Following the repast, a visit to Plymouth Harbour enabled the Brethren to sample some of the local hostelries and their brews. A convivial ‘surfeit’ of East and West Lancashire Brethren ended what had been a long but enjoyable day.
“Cheers”
Refreshed from a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, the main event of Saturday, the meeting of the District of Devon and Cornwall AMD, beckoned. However, no visit to Plymouth would be complete without a walk up to the Hoe to take in its breathtaking vistas. So, before breakfast, a couple of the Brethren hiked to the sea front in beautiful sunshine to take a look.
A centre piece of Plymouth’s Hoe is Smeaton’s Tower. This red and white painted lighthouse was originally built out on the Eddystone Reef in 1759. It was taken down in the early 1800’s, and approximately two thirds of its structure moved stone by stone to its current position which stands approximately 72 feet.
Looking out to sea provided a beautiful vista of the coast surrounding the Hoe. Just off the coast is the privately owned ‘Drakes Island’. The whole island is a scheduled monument within a marine conservation area. Historically, the island began to be fortified around 1549, as a defence against the Spanish and French. Barracks for around 300 men was also built in the 16th Century. For several centuries thereafter, the island was the focal point of the defence of 3 original towns which combined to make up modern Plymouth. Overall, the island has an intriguing history, including becoming a refuge for Protestants, assisting in the defence of Plymouth during a 4 year siege by Royalists during the civil war, use as a prison following the reformation etc etc.
Back to the main purpose of our visit, the meeting of the Devon and Cornwall AMD District Meeting.
“Mount Edgecumbe Masonic Hall”
“Inside the Lodge Room”
A short walk from our lodgings brought us to Mount Edgecumbe Masonic Hall and a warm Allied welcome. Having had a hearty breakfast, we didn’t need to partake in any solid refreshments, but a cup of tea / coffee still went down well. Chats with old and new friends helped to pass the time whilst we waited for the meeting to start. Of real interest to me was a Brother who had an AMD Apron in his case (I think he met at Saint Paul’s Council, Bristol??), the council still use the Apron in their ceremonial. The only other AMD Council that I have come across still using an Apron is our own Garnett Council meeting in Lancaster.
“Unusual AMD Apron”
Time passed quickly, and soon it was time to prepare for the meeting.
“Lancashire AMD Brethren Suited and Booted
Richard Higson, Bob Norris, William Richmond, Paul Snape, Peter Hegarty, Paul Waring, Ray Pye”
The meeting followed the usual pattern, and moved along at pace. Before long a rendition of God Save the King signalled its end, and the District Officers processed from the Lodge Room. The festive board was well attended, and mirrored the glorious weather by having a summer salad theme, which was complemented by what else but a dessert of strawberries and (very) clotted cream.
 
Unfortunately, we had to leave before the speechifying, as we needed to quickly change and catch taxis back to Plymouth station for the retracing of our steps back to God’s country. The sight of the Wiltshire horse emblazoned on the hillside as we travelled from Plymouth to Paddington, provided a graphic picture reminder of our travels.
The journey back became a little hectic, as our leader herded his cats via a variety of District Lines of the London underground, before we subsequently, and breathlessly, caught the train at Euston to travel back north with just a couple of minutes to spare, and a lost wallet in the process. The train (again no refreshments on board) went well until it reached Preston. Problems on the line meant that William Richmond had to get a taxi back to his home north of Lancaster. The name of the taxi driver was…….Paul Snape…… who subsequently arrived home himself after midnight as a result! Phew, a great weekend but eventful, and a damn close-run thing, as the Duke of Wellington observed after the Battle of Waterloo.
 
Thanks to Paul Snape and Paul Waring who had organised the journeys and hotels, and to Paul Waring for organising the taxi rides in Plymouth.
 
Words and Photos by Francis Drake assisted by his Bosun