NOTTINGHAMSHIRE DISTRICT ROSE CROIX

Visit to the Isle of Man 15th to 18th September 2011

King Edward Vll Chapter of Improvement Demonstration

Twenty Rose Croix masons, accompanied by wives, partners and friends travelled to the Isle of Man in September to watch a demonstration by the King Edward Vll Chapter of Improvement at the Masonic Hall in Douglas.

The group was led by the Inspector General for Nottinghamshire V ILL Bro Mike Page and the Provincial Grand Master RW Bro Robin Wilson. The group were delighted that the widows of W Bros George Parris and Robin Tyler, Barbara and Ann decided to join the trip.

A coach from Mansfield and Nottingham took the group to Liverpool airport where Murphy’s law kicked in. One missing passport and one missing Inspector General (no surprise, he was in the bar) later and most of the group managed to catch the Easyjet flight to the island.

The group were met at Ronaldsway airport by our coach driver and Manx mason, John Webster who entertained us en-route to the Chesterhouse Hotel in Douglas. Following a pleasant evening meal at the hotel and a stroll along the prom most of the party settled in for the night. However, some of us found the jazz bar!

Friday saw a trip around the island accompanied by our own tour guide, Julie Crowe and new bus driver Bernie May. A former Manx politician, Bernie regaled us with stories from the island during the day and took us to visit the famous Laxey Wheel, the Lady Isobella. Waiting at the foot of the very steep hill was Bob Corrin, Julie’s Dad, with car to transport those with creaking joints to the top. This was followed by a short visit to Ramsay and then on to Peel (where it really rained) for lunch and a look around the town. Our route back to Doulas took us through St Johns where we were able to visit the Tynwald Hill, St John the Baptist Church and the Tynwald exhibition, all thanks to Bernie.

The Friday evening in Douglas was spent at the Masonic Hall where we were well fed and entertained by the island’s Rose Croix masons led by their Inspector General VILL Bro DG Gelling. VILL Bro Mike Page presented a Nottinghamshire flag provided by ILL Bro John Bullock. A free Saturday morning saw the Brethren dragged around the shops by their more enthusiastic better halves who were then escorted to Douglas railway station for a visit to Castletown accompanied by tour guides Peter & Julie Crowe.

The brethren gathered at the Masonic Hall in Douglas for the demonstration by the King Edward Vll Chapter of Improvement in the presence of MP Bro JLW Wright; Sovereign Grand Commander. On Sunday, having packed our cases a number of visit options were available. Some of our intrepid party headed for Laxey on the electric tram and onto the mountain railway to the top of the island’s highest peak, Snaefell. Others opted for the steam train to Port Erin, the bus to the village of Cregneash, a living museum, and on to the Sound visitor’s centre.

The travel home was without incident and Peter & Karen Roberts deposited their charges at the Masonic halls and breathed a sigh of relief that all (well most) of the trip had gone well. The Manx brethren have been invited back to the ‘other island’ and more specifically Nottinghamshire to enjoy our hospitality.

Our particular thanks go to Peter & Julie Crowe, Bob Corrin, John Webster, Bernie May and the District of the Isle of Man.