A historical feast of Rosslyn Chapel brought to Urmston

Ladies, gentlemen and brethren alike were treated to a whole feast of historical interest at Urmston Masonic Hall. A presentation entitled ‘Rosslyn Chapel Past Present and Future’ was given by Ian Sinclair KGCTpl.

The audience taking their seats.

Ian, the Clan Sinclair archivist had travelled from Wick in Caithness to Urmston to give the fascinating insight about the Chapel, its Masonic links and about those associated with it throughout its history.

Ian, previously a West Lancashire Freemason, had been a prominent member of Social Lodge No 3472 prior to him moving up to the Caithness area of Scotland to initially renovate the surrounding buildings associated with the Wick lighthouse, which of course is now his home and to pursue his life and Scottish connections as an archivist on behalf of the Clan Sinclair Trust where he operates a study centre.

Ian commencing his presentation.

The news of this event being publicised attracted a very large audience from across the West Lancashire Province, and on the evening, all those present were captivated by the factual information Ian narrated and visually displayed in a most intriguingly interesting, informative and amusing manner.

The presentation given by Ian was of a similar format that he has already presented in various countries and it has to be said in front of various dignitaries and organisations who are associated with this Scottish historical interest. The American actor Tom Hanks is one of many keen supporters of the Trust.

One particular fascinating aspect of the evening was the visual display and explanation Ian gave with regard the recent discovery of a knight’s body having been being discovered and estimated to have died around 700 years ago, the body, having been preserved in beeswax and concealed in a lead casket, was taken to Workington Hospital in Cumbria for an autopsy procedure where it was discovered how the knight had died, dietary content and his approximate age of 50 years old were amongst the many facts revealed, Ian had traced the knight and revealed him to be a very important member of his fraternity.

Ian Sinclair with Peter Harding.

On the evening Ian was accompanied by Shawn Williamson, www.shawnwilliamson.co.uk a very highly respected and gifted stonemason who has involvement with Rosslyn Chapel, the Clan Sinclair Study Centre at Wick Lighthouse and also the Sinclair and Girnigoe Castle located in the grounds of the lighthouse which of course is also undergoing restoration. www.castlesinclairgirnigoe.org/clan.html

On the conclusion of the evening, Ian was congratulated by Urmston Masonic Hall Chairman, Peter Harding, for his presentation of the evening, Ian, with the permission of Malcolm Sinclair PC, Earl of Caithness, had brought a large selection of books for sale from which the proceeds were to assist the Clan Sinclair Trust.

To assist the evening, Ian had arranged and brought with him, a personally signed copy by its author Christopher Knight of the Hiram Key Revisited, also included of course were some bottles of cheer, proceeds of the evenings raffle went towards the Urmston Masonic Hall building fund.

Ian has indicated that he would wish to return to Urmston next year to give another presentation aimed purely for a Masonic audience only.