GRAND
LODGE OF MARK MASTER
MASONS
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GRAND
LODGE OF MARK MASTER
MASONS
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| On the
afternoon of Saturday 29 March 2008 the Brighton
Mark Lodge No.48 held a special meeting at the Bangor Slate Quarry at
Willunga. The meeting proved most interesting and enjoyable, in clement
weather. More
than 60 brethren attended, including the MW Grand Master of the Mark
and entourage. The Bangor Slate Quarry is still operating, having opened in 1842. The quarry’s Pay Office. originally constructed about 1880, still stands near the entrance to the quarry proper, constructed from slate with slate retaining walls. The meeting was held on the floor of the quarry, adjacent to the quarry face, with pedestals constructed from slate. The knocks and voices of the brethren resounded and echoed from the quarry face. Amplification was unnecessary. The working of the brethren from Brighton Mark Lodge was excellent, enlivened on occasion by the bleating of a few sheep on the opposite hill. One sheep came closer but retreated, perhaps fearing loss of his lambskin. The meeting was enhanced by music. Any Cornish "Cousin Jack" ghosts wandering the quarry area would surely have approved of the harmony. Afterwards there was opportunity to inspect the workings, followed by an enjoyable time at the Alma Hotel in Willunga. Our thanks to the quarry manager, Billy Lock, and to the brethren of Brighton Mark Lodge, especially W.Bro. Ron Jenkins who conceived the idea and worked tirelessly towards the execution of the meeting. from the SA and NT Freemason magazine, Winter edition, July 2008 |
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| References Willunga - Wikipedia entry Slate at Willunga <www.southaustralianhistory.com.au/slate.htm> The first photo on the website shows the view down the track to the Bangor Quarry, with the old Pay Office on the left side of the track almost opposite the chimney stack. "The Willunga Slate Quarries: Past Present and Future" - paper by Susan Piddock (pdf file) Hills Face Zone Cultural Heritage Project website National Trust of South Australia - Willunga Slate Trail & Museum - trail brochure Willunga photos on Panoramio "Valleys of Stone: The archaeology and history of Adelaide’s Hills Face" edited by Pam Smith, F. Donald Pate and Robert Martin (2006). ISBN 0975735969 |
