Despite the best efforts of Storm Leonardo to blow it off course, the 4th February meeting of Prince Henry the Navigator Lodge nº 9360 (UGLE) became a surprisingly well attended affair, with over 40 members and their guests having battled the elements to get there.
That meeting was the first in our new venue, the Real Marina Hotel in Olhão and saw W Bro Mário Soares installed as Worshipful Master for the new year. In a very rare occurrence, W Bro Mário is, at the same time, the Worshipful Master of a Lodge in the Grande Loja Legal de Portugal / GLRP in Lisbon. So, he has to lead the ceremonies in English with us and in Portuguese in his other Lodge – a pretty impressive feat.
We had a large number of visitors from the Grand Lodge of Portugal, as well as the Grand Lodge of Scotland. We were delighted to have with us the Masters of Lodge of Discoveries nº 9409 (UGLE) and Lancaster Lodge nº 9413 (UGLE), the latter who had made a Herculean effort to drive down from Lisbon.
The ceremonial was flawless, led by the Installing Master, W Bro Quinton Green with other Lodge members delivering superb renditions of the various addresses.
The subsequent Festive board at the new venue was a high-quality affair and enjoyed by all. Here, the new Worshipful Master announced that his chosen charity for the year is going to be a joint initiative between our Lodge and Portuguese Lodge São Rafael, nº 139 (GLLP / GLRP) to raise funds towards the purchase of two new ‘blood motorbikes’ for use by the fire fighters / INEM emergency services.
Some pictures (click to enlarge)
