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Dear Bro.Ratan,

How are you doing?

I have recently been to London on a Business Trip.

The Trip coinsided with the Grand Lodge Meeting in London. I would like to share the experiences I had with the Brethren in the Website.

"The day was December 10th, 2003 - I was scheduled to travel from Frankfurt to London in the morning. Due to Fog in London and in Frankfurt the Flights got rescheduled.

I reached London Airport at 11.45 A.M. I rushed to the Hotel and checked in and called up Grand Secretary's Office and informed that since I have just Landed how do I go about attending the Meeting.

P.A to Grand Secretary informed me that the Meeting has already commenced at 12.00 Noon. and I could attend the Fellowship and Banquet after the Meeting.

I took a taxi and reached the Masonic Hall in Queen's Street at 1.20 P.M. The Personal Assistant Secretary was promptly waiting for me at the Reception and she directed me to the Banquet Hall.

She introduced me to Assistant Grand Secretary who introduced me to few Grand Officers.

Then followed the Banquet lunch.

I was seated on Table No.2 along with the following dignitories:

a) Acting Deputy Grand Master - R.W.Bro. David Kenneth Williamson.

b) Grand Master of Michingan, USA - R.W.Bro.Lary R.Smith

c) Deputy Grand Master of United Grand Lodge of Germany

d) Grand Secretary of Hungary

e) Grand Secretary of West Africa

f) Provincial Grand Master of two counties in U.K.

The table no.1 was occupied by Acting Grand Master and other dignitories.

R.W.Bro.David Kenneth Williamson introduced me to all the dignitories with a special mention that his Grand Father was initiate of my mother lodge i.e., St.John's Lodge No.434 E.C.

I had a very good exchange of information from all the dignitories during the lunch time.

Banquet Hall was very grand with 400 people seated in the Hall.

Live Band was playing music.

Acting Grand Master raised the toast for the overseas visitors and at that time we all stood up and thanked him in return.

Acting Deputy Grand Master during the lunch introduced me to Grand Secretary. He immediately recalled our meeting in Chennai.

After the lunch Grand Secretary spent few minutes in his office and enquired about the Lodge and its activities.

I thanked him profusely for such a great honour to be placed on table no.2 at the Banquet.

He informed me that my name was read out during the Grand Lodge Meeting among the visitors.

He also suggested me to attend the Grand Lodge meeting whenever it is possible next time.

Thereafter his P.A. took me around to the building inturn requested one of the temple employees to show me the Grand Lodge Temple.

I went into the Temple which could seat 800-900 members.

Temple is magnificient and it is a life time experience.

I thanked the District Grand Secretary for giving me a good introduction in the District Grand Lodge.

Please let me know if you would like to seek any clarification while editing.

With regards

Thanking you,

K.Venkat Ramana

St.Lodge No.434 E.C.