Ways and means of making Freemasonry in the English Constitution of interest and benefit to a broader spectrum of people were among the main matters discussed at the just concluded Regional Conference in Bermuda of District Grand Masters and delegates from the Caribbean and Western Atlantic region.

The District Grand Lodge of Bermuda, headed by R.Wor. Bro. Robert W. (Bobby) Rego, hosted the conference, which was highlighted by the visit from London of Lord Northampton, the Pro Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England, M.W. Bro. Lord Waddington and the Grand Secretary, V.W. Bro. C. Nigel Brown. They were accompanied by their wives.

All five District Grand Masters came from the Caribbean, with their Deputies and Assistants and District Grand Secretaries, accompanied by 17 other delegates and a number of wives.

Aside from the formal business, there was a hectic round of social and cultural events including dinners and lunches that took the visiting Masons and their ladies from one end of the island to the other, joined, of course, by Bermuda Brethren and their ladies.

Before returning to London, Lord Northampton remarked that Bermuda is such a convenient and delightful place to visit.

"I have been here twice before for Free Masonry; the people are wonderful," he said

Speaking about Freemasonry generally in the English Constitution, Lord Northampton said: "We have turned the corner. We have been under tremendous pressure from keeping it so secret so long. Now we've come out, transparent, open, we tell people what it is all about. We are a philanthropic organisation; we want to help a lot of people and develop them to be better persons in society. And I think we are winning.

"We have discussed in this conference with all our district grand masters in the Caribbean how they can benefit from our experience in England, avail it to their own countries and make it a much more benefit to their own people."

Two of the major highlights were a banquet at Freemasons' Hall on Reid Street in Hamilton hosted by the Bermuda Installed Masters Lodge, No. 9271; and a meeting at Prince Alfred Lodge No. 233 at the Masonic Temple on Main Road in Somerset. The latter was followed by a festive board at the Somerset Country Squire Restaurant.

At each meeting Brethren were enlightened by anecdotes and facts about the history of English Free Masonry in Bermuda which dates back to 1792, established at Prince Alfred Lodge. Lecturing in Hamilton was W.Bro. Denis. Brookes, secretary of the Installed Masters; and in Somerset by Wor. Bro. Harry Powell, Deputy District Grand Master.

Photos show English Constitution Free Masons from London and the Caribbean attending the Regional District Grand Masters Bermuda Conference were given a reception and banquet at Freemasons' Hall in Hamilton. It was hosted by the Bermuda Installed Masters Lodge headed by W.M. Colin Blades. District Grand Master of Bermuda, Bro. Robert Rego, above right, and his wife, who hosted the conference are with their guests of honour, M.W. Bro. Lord Northampton and his wife. Top: The District Grand Masters pictured after the formal meeting following the banquet, are from the left, V.W. Bro. C. Nigel Brown, Grand Secretary; R.W. Bro. James Bain, District Grand Master for Bahamas and Turks and Caicos; M.W. Bro. Lord Northampton, Pro Grand Master; Bro. Robert W. Rego, District Grand Master for Bermuda; R.W. Bro. Afeef Lazarus, District Grand Master for Jamaica and Cayman; R.W. Bro. Ishmael Hosein, District Grand Master for Trinidad and Tobago. ¿ pictures by Ira Philip.