Rosslyn restored

From the BBC ...

Rosslyn Chapel revamp work finished after 16 years

Stone and mortar repairs have been carried out on the building's carved walls

Work at a medieval chapel in Midlothian, which featured in the Da Vinci Code blockbuster film, has finally been completed after 16 years.

Rosslyn Chapel is free from scaffolding for the first time since its major conservation project began in 1997.
Work to the chapel, which is Category A-listed, was instigated after a report in 1995 warned of damage to the stonework because of dampness.
In March 1997, a steel structure was erected to cover the building.
The structure allowed the stone roof to dry out naturally, and this remained in place until summer 2010.
Since then, stone and mortar repairs have been carried out on the chapel's external walls, pinnacles and buttresses.

The privately owned chapel continues to be a working church

The roof has now been made watertight, the stained glass windows have been fixed, a new sustainable heating system has been installed, the organ has been restored, internal lighting has been renewed and a new visitor centre has opened.
Ian Gardner, Director of Rosslyn Chapel Trust, said: "This is a great moment as the far-sighted conservation project in the chapel comes to an end and the scaffolding, which had become a near permanent feature, has all been removed.
"For the first time since 1997, visitors can now enjoy a clear and uninterrupted view of the exterior of the building, which, like the rest of the chapel, is rich in carvings and details."

The stonework has attracted visitors to the chapel for generations

Rosslyn Chapel was founded in 1446 by Sir William St Clair and it took 40 years to complete.
The chapel is still privately owned by the Earl and Countess of Rosslyn and continues to be a working church, with its congregation part of the Scottish Episcopal Church.
The mysterious symbolism of the chapel's ornate stonework has attracted visitors for generations although the chapel came to prominence after featuring in Dan Brown's novel, the Da Vinci Code, which was published in 2003.
As a result of interest in the book and subsequent film, annual visitor numbers rose to 176,000 and income from visitors has helped to fund the conservation project.

Masonic engraving from 1798 for sale

This late 18th century engraving is being sold at Chiswick auctions with a pre sale estimate of £60-80.


The catalogue description reads:

Chiswick 60-80 A late 18th Century tinted engraving of the Masonic temple pillars with crest, etc, commissioned by B.R. Newman and painted in 1798 by J. Biggen, glazed and rosewood framed.Print size 48 x 41cm

Girl with a yellow scarf

This portrait is being sold by Adam's of Dublin and is estimated to sell for 1,500 Euros.

The frame is decorated with Masonic symbols and the catalogue description reads: Attributed to Henry Jones Thaddeus RHA (1859 - 1929) Girl with a Yellow Scarf Oil on canvas, 53 x 43cm (21 x 17”) Signed and dated Presented in a Victorian gilt frame with masonic symbols Literature: Rooney, Brendan, The Life and Work of Henry Jones Thaddeus, listed under possible attributions, page 278 Provenance: De Veres, 17th June 1997, Lot 87, where fully catalogued as a work by Henry Jones Thaddeus and where purchased by current owner

Drug-fuelled orgy at 'Masonic Lodge'

This from the Daily Mail via  WWMT-TV doesn't make the headlines one would like. But is a good lesson to research who you hire your building to!

Here's the story...

Police in Michigan, US, have broken up a shocking 'drug-fuelled orgy' being hosted at a secretive Masonic Lodge - and this wasn't the first time it's happened, authorities warn.

Officers were called to the prominent building in downtown Battle Creek, Michigan - which sits across a park from police headquarters - about 2.15am Sunday. They found five women dancing on stage naked.

They also reportedly discovered a couple having sex in the lodge and several men standing around filming the action.

 

WWMT-TV reports that authorities believe the Masonic Lodge, which is home of the secret society called Freemasons, has been used for such activities before and are working to shut the operation down.

Police sources told WWMT that officers found a 'drug-fuelled sex party' in the building and sent the revellers home.

The Battle Creek Freemasons refused to comment on camera for the TV station, but insisted that the orgy was not part of the secret society's rituals. They said the party was not sponsored by their group at all.

Instead, they say, a party promoter paid $900 to rent the space for the night.

'Charlie' a Freemason spokesman, said the man renting the lodge told the Freemasons he would be hosting a dance party.

The Freemasons said they checked on the party about 1am on Sunday and found nothing suspicious.

However, when officers arrived a little more than an hour later, they found debauchery, police sources told WWMT.

City officials say they are considering fines and charges, both against the party promoters and the Freemasons who own the building.

The report from WWMT does not specify whether drugs were found or seized.

A summary of a police report printed in the Battle Creek Enquirer newspaper mentions only the naked women dancing on stage. Police said they told the women to dress and to leave the primes.

Silver trophy for sale

This silver, masonic cup is being sold by Rowley's Fine Art in Newmarket, Suffolk.

The catalogue description reads:

A George V silver Masonic trophy cup and cover, hallmarked London 1925, maker’s mark of Johnson, Walker & Tolhurst

The domed cover with foliate cast finial, the baluster body with acanthus cast twin scroll handles, standing on a domed foot with gadrooned edge, on ebonised plinth base, inscribed From Hertfordshire Masters Lodge to The Rt. Hon. Lord Hemingford and dated 1944-45. 34.5 cms high overall.

Generally in good condition, expected wear, cup and cover approximately 28 troy ounces.

It is being sold with an estimate of £300 - 500.