The Ampthill Lodge Visit India!
On January 13th Ben Keenan and Graham Stuart, Past Masters of Ampthill Lodge 2490, flew out to Coimbatore, Southern India to visit their namesake, Lodge Ampthill No 3682 EC. in the Madras UGLE Masonic District. They were accompanied by Ian Church, Assistant Provincial Secretary and Paul Smith, Assistant Communications Officer.
The plan for this trip had been rumbling round for some time, with Ben making initial contact and Ian ensuring protocols were followed & liaising with Sampath, the Lodge Secretary, who arranged a fantastic ten days for the team, the highlight of which was attending Lodge Ampthill’s Installation Meeting.
The visitors were delighted to assist in the ceremony with Ian & Ben delivering addresses to the Wardens and the Brethren, while at the Festive Board the group helped welcome the new Master with the Masters Song, a first for Lodge Ampthill, followed by an impromptu game of “Heads & Tails” which raised lots of laughs, along with 8000 Rupees for charity.
The remainder of their time in India proved to be a fantastic taste of Indian Masonic hospitality, visiting a number of Centres, enjoying time with the members, visiting their homes, attending a wedding, drinking Tea at the Redhills Plantation, visiting Temples, an overnight stay at the birthplace of snooker, the Ooty Colonial Club and dining at the world-renowned Paragon restaurant in Calicut, Kerala. All in all, an amazing experience.
You can see a selection of pictures from the visit to India here!