History may suggest that one should beware of Greeks bearing gifts. For the brethren of Greville Lodge, nothing could be further from the truth as was witnessed at their recent, very special meeting.
Not only was it their centenary meeting, but it also saw the attendance of one of their more distant members. Bro. George Bamplenis is a retired Admiral in the Hellenic Navy who, earlier in his career, was posted to the UK as the naval attaché. A member of the Anagennisis Lodge No 75 in Athens under the auspices of the Grand Lodge of Greece, he wished to continue his Freemasonry and so 2006 saw him become a joining member of Greville.
Not wishing to miss out on such a special occasion, he brought two of his Greek brethren – Bros. Adamantios Papageorgiou and Ioannis Kokiasmenos – with him as well as a personal message from the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Greece congratulating the brethren of Greville on the occasion of their centenary.
Bro. George was delighted to formally present Greville’s Master, Very Worshipful Bro. David Butcher, with a very suitable memento – a carving of two hands – cementing the bond between the two lodges. VWBro. David was pleased to announce that the two lodges will be formally twinned and that there are plans for a return visit to Athens in May.
