The report in the Autumn 2009 Nottinghamshire Mason was of particular interest in that it reminds me of a surprise visit I made to a Lodge in Lusaka, Zambia's capital, in February 1986. I was on one of my regular business visits to Africa and was in Lusaka for a few days and had some spare time to look up local Freemasonry. Finding the Masonic Hall, I discovered that an Irish Constitution Lodge -Downpatrick 785 - was meeting that night and from the Hall caretaker, giving me the Lodge secretary's number, I received an invitation to attend.

The ceremony turned out to be no less than the Raising of Dr WAZA KAUNDA, the second son of the then President Kaunda. I was made extremely welcome and although without any regalia with me, the Tyler sorted something out for me - it was neither English Constitution nor my provincial rank at the time - but no matter - the Lodge was as happy to receive an unexpected overseas visitor as I was to have the chance to be with them. To this day, I have no idea what the regalia was that I wore, except that it was at least recognisably Masonic!

Here is a photocopy of the Summons. Unfortunately it was printed on very thin paper, so that the typed programme for the meeting is clearly visible through the printed cover. This is the best I can do. The attendance was noticeably of very mixed races and religions, black, white and coloured, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Moslem . The District Grand Master W Bro Dr K J Adams was also present, and not unexpectedly, I had to reply to the Toast to the Visitors.

There was an unsuccessful attempt on Dr Waza Kaunda's life in 2004 - his elder brother, Major WEZI Kaunda was assassinated in November 1999.

Happy memories.

Alan Clayton Woodthorpe Lodge 5645