NEWS

Appointment of new District Recorder

Following the retirement of Sev Cardy as District Recorder for Dorset at the end of 2024, the Inspector General was pleased to announce the appointment of Prof. Gary Heald as District Recorder from 1st January 2025.

Gary is already well known to many of the members, especially those from Chapters in the west of the District. He joined Rose Croix in 2013 as a member of Weymouth Chapter, was a founding member of Dorchester Chapter, and joined Durnsoeta Chapter in 2020. He has been Sovereign of a Chapter three times: once in Weymouth Chapter and twice in Dorchester Chapter.

He brings with him a wealth of experience and administrative skill, and we all wish him every success in his new role.

A fun day at Milton Abbey and School

On Sunday 4th August, Dorset Rose Croix (also known as the Ancient & Accepted Rite) held a service at Milton Abbey. It was open to all Freemasons, their families and friends of all faiths to join us in a Service of Thanksgiving followed by afternoon tea.

The service was arranged and conducted by Harry Barnes JP MA and the Reverend Phillip Elliott. Senior representatives of other orders in Freemasonry were present, many contributing to the service with readings. Extremely talented musicians provided musical interludes: firstly Adrian Wood on guitar, and then cello and violin pieces from Arturo Serna Acero and his 11-year-old son Andres. Uplifting music was provided throughout by Matthew Burt on the Abbey organ.

The collection at the end of the service amounted to £600 which, as is our usual practice, was donated to the Abbey to assist with its upkeep.

The service was followed by a sumptuous afternoon tea provided by staff of Milton Abbey School. Because the weather was good, many chose to eat al fresco in the school grounds in the sunshine.

See the full video slideshow HERE (opens in a new tab/window).

An annual service at the Abbey used to be a regular bi-annual event arranged by Dorset Rose Croix, but Covid disrupted that tradition and this was the first opportunity to restart after a break of some 6 years. Everyone agreed that it was a great success and went away both spiritually and gastronomically fulfilled!