John J Spence and Mark D Williams from Bishop Edward Story Lodge in Chichester as part of a fundraising initiative for the MCF Sussex 2028 Festival decided to visit the remotest Lodge in the world.
A quick glance through the latest issue of Freemasonry Today under the ever present ‘Across the globe’ section revealed that St Helena Lodge No 488 met in the island’s capital of Jamestown. After seeking the necessary clearance from United Grand Lodge, they made contact with the Lodge Secretary and made plans to visit their March meeting.
Travel to the island is not simple. The first part was an 11-hour flight from Heathrow to Johannesburg and after a 23 hour lay over took the once weekly 6.5-hour flight out to the island involving a 30-minute refuelling stop in Walvis Bay, Namibia.
On Tuesday 14th March 2023 they attended a regular meeting of the island’s only Lodge which meets at Freemason’s Hall, Napolean Street, Jamestown witnessing a ceremony of Passing followed by a marvellous local festive board. On Friday 17th March they were invited to a dinner to meet wives and partners and once again were treated to superb St Helenian hospitality.
During the regular meeting they presented the Worshipful Master with a bound volume of letters and ‘pen pictures’ from Lodges from across the Province of Sussex who had supported the venture. Thanks to the splendid generosity of Sussex Lodges a grand total of £2,500 was raised for the Sussex 2028 Festival supporting the Masonic Charitable Foundation.
