All set for English Freemasons Tercentenary celebrations in MoBay
DISTRICT GRAND Master of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, Walter Scott, has underscored the importance of the island hosting the celebration of 300 years of English Freemasonry in the Americas.
According to Scott, “It is a signal honour for Jamaica to be named hosts of this historical event in the Americas.”
The celebration will run from Thursday to Sunday with hundreds of Freemasons from North, South and Central America and the Caribbean gathering in Jamaica for the event, which will have the Montego Bay Conference Centre as its base.
“We are pleased and honoured to have been selected to be the host country for this remarkable event,” said Scott.
“We are planning to present something that is unique and unforgettable,” added Scott, as he noted that the celebrations, which are being held worldwide, started in Tanzania and will culminate at a meeting in London on October 31, when more than 190 grand masters from around the world, and their guests, will gather at London’s Royal Albert Hall for a grand celebration.
Scott noted that the Jamaica event will not just be fun, as there are other events which have an academic flavour to them.
He noted that an opportunity will be provided for members of the Church, State and the community to gather in harmony, and share their thoughts and ideas over the four-day period.
In the meantime, Dr Winston Clarke,
who is the chairman of the Tercentenary Organising Committee in Jamaica, said that the four days will be packed with activities.
The proceedings will start on Thursday with a cocktail party and the launch of a book, Freemasonry in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, by noted author Jackie Ranston.
On Friday and Saturday, there will be academic conferences, and sessions will be held throughout the two days.
Among the keynote speakers from Jamaica and overseas are Brian Price, Afeef Lazarus, John Wade, Veront Satchell, Jessica Harland-Jacobs and S. Brent Morris. Local Freemasons will be the moderators.
A Jamaica Night celebration will be held on Friday, and on Saturday, there will be a Grand Gala and Banquet.
The final major activity will be a church service at St James Cathedral next Sunday.