All change!

MACKLIN STREET

This will be the last ‘Macklin Street’ column for Mass of Ages , not because we are abolishing it but because the location of the Latin Mass Society’s office is changing. The owner of our present office has decided to redevelop the building and therefore has not renewed our lease, which expires in November. At the time of writing, we are negotiating a lease on an office on Old Street in London.

As a new address for the part of the building we shall occupy has to be registered with the Post Office, we are unable at this stage to confirm the number or postcode. Furthermore, until the registration has been completed, we cannot confirm the date of the move, but we are hoping it will be sometime in September.

We have enjoyed out time in Macklin Street – more than 25 years – and we would have been happy to stay had the owner not had other plans for the building. However, Old Street is very accessible, being a five minute walk from Old Street Station, which is served by the Bank branch of the Northern Line, and the Northern City Line of the over ground rail system.

At our Annual General Meeting in July, we were honoured to have Bishop Michael Campbell OSA, Bishop Emeritus of Lancaster, address us. The text of his address will be reproduced in the next edition of Mass of Ages. Following the meeting, His Lordship celebrated Pontifical High Mass in the Cathedral.

During the AGM, the Chairman announced the results of nominations for vacancies on the Committee. Dr Joseph Shaw will continue as Chairman for a further three-year term. Our Constitution does permit a person to continue in office beyond a two-term period when asked to do so by the Committee. The ten years of dedicated service Joseph has given as Chairman of the LMS was the motivation for them to request he stood for a further term. Kevin Jones continues as our Secretary, and the vacancy for an elected member has been filled by Nicholas Ross, our Local Representative for the Diocese of Hallam.

Did you notice the wrapper of your copy of Mass of Ages? Until now, copies of the magazine have been delivered to members in clear plastic bags. The latest issue was sent in a new, environmentally friendly wrapper called ‘Polycomp’.

Pontifical High Mass in Westminster Cathedral, July 2019, following our AGM. Celebrant: Rt Rev. Michael Campbell OSA, Bishop Emeritus of Lancaster; Deacon: Fr Seth Phipps FSSP; Subdeacon: Fr David Evans; AP: Fr Rupert McHardy Cong.Orat.; MCs: Rt Rev. Mgr Gordon Read and Mr Charles Bradshaw.

Polycomp is made from materials that will break down naturally and will fully biodegrade in compost, soil, fresh or salt water. This practical, starch-based material is strong yet effective during use, and in the right environment is gone in just 10 days. It uses biopolymers, consisting mainly of potato or corn starch, both of which are fully sustainable materials, and has been certified as being fully biodegradable and compostable.

Standard clear plastic polywrap (such as we have been using) has become extremely unpopular due to its impact on the environment; we feel swapping to polycomp is a very constructive way to help redress the balance, if only in a very small way.