My interest in Freemasonry was non-existent, knowing of it, but being rather disinterested from afar, until around late 1984 when being an avid reader, I picked up a book by Stephen Knight titled The Brotherhood, and becoming inquisitive, then read his earlier book about Jack the Ripper.
To quote: Jack the Ripper: The Final Solution (1976) suggested that the Ripper murders were part of a conspiracy between Freemasons and the British Royal Family, a claim which is not accepted by historians. Nevertheless, the book became a bestseller.
The Brotherhood (1984) was published at a time when Freemasonry was coming under increasing scrutiny in the United Kingdom. Knight’s last book before his early death at 33 years of age was The Killing of Justice Godfrey, exploring the death of Edmund Berry Godfrey in 1678, which had caused widespread anti-Catholic sentiment in England.
Juicy stuff indeed and my interest was aroused.
I had been aware that three of my colleagues in Hereford, where I was working, were involved in Freemasonry and in 1986, I was unexpectedly approached to see if I was interested in finding out more. I agreed, heard little for a few months, but was then asked to go for an interview at the Masonic Temple in Hereford, which although having lived there for 15 years was unknown to me.
I was told after the interview that they would be in contact with me and one of my work colleagues, who was present at the interview, told me not to worry as things took time.
About two months later, I was ‘given the nod’ and was told by my friend that I would receive a letter advising that my application to become a freemason was successful and I would need to complete a form.
The very next day I was offered a move within the Group where I worked, from Hereford to Leatherhead in Surrey, and accepting it was a ‘no brainer’
Freemasonry then disappeared from my thoughts, until about 18 years later when having moved to Wimborne with a further (last) job move within the Group, and taken early retirement at age fifty-seven, I was working part time at a couple of companies in the Poole area. One of which was F.W. Eaton Haulage, and having been there a while, for some inexplicable reason the one of the proprietors, David Eaton, asked me if I was interested in becoming a Freemason!
David had previously invited my wife and me to a couple of lunches and social events which were most enjoyable, and therefore after some thought and discussions with my wife I agreed to do so. With David Eaton as my proposer and the then Secretary Roy Jones as my seconder, in November 2004 I was Initiated into Llewellin Lodge 7907, Passed in February 2005 and Raised in November 2005.
At the next Installation I became a Steward and then progressed each year from Tyler, Inner Guard, Junior and Senior Deacon, Junior, and Senior Warden before becoming Worshipful Master in September 2012 which meant that I was in the Chair during the Fiftieth Anniversary year of the Lodge.
Llewellin had been formed in 1963, largely from those working in the road haulage industry hence the David Eaton connection. I was extremely fortunate that the Lodge had several Past Masters who regularly attended Classes of Instruction and Rehearsals, and were extremely helpful to me, and I guess other Master Masons who were progressing.
The Lodge was also fortunate that successive Visiting Grand Officers, V W Bro Clive Deakin, W Bro Mike Goody and W Bro Ron Kiver actively took an interest in and encouraged those progressing up the ladder.
In October 2006 I joined Royal Arch Chapter of Amity 137, but after a couple of years’, I was finding it difficult to regularly attend meetings on their date, so I switched to St Aldhelm’s Chapter 2559, where I progressed to MEZ in 2016. Subsequently I have joined and gone through the Chairs of other Orders viz. Mark, RAM, Rose Croix, Knights Templar, Allied Masonic Degrees, Royal and Select Masters, Red Cross of Constantine, and Secret Monitor.
I am next in line for the Chair of Knight Templar Priests and am two away from the Chair of Scarlett Cord.
This has needed carefully scrutinising of the diary when joining each Order, to ensure there are no date clashes. Whilst demanding a commitment, these Orders only meet two or three times per year -Chapter, Mark, and RAM being four times- so my pursuits outside of masonry are not discarded. The absorbing aspect of every Order is that each one is unique, by telling another story through the ritual, and still demands a belief in a superior being.
There is a link throughout, and a sequential time- line that puts each in a historical date order.
On reflection I believe an important aspect of Freemasonry for me is that is an ‘add on’ hobby! When I became an Entered apprentice, my children had already left home to pursue their own pathway in the world, living in London and Shropshire, but I could still continue with my existing social and family activities. which in a bizarre way has maximised my enjoyment, sense of satisfaction and interest whilst I have progressed through the various orders.
Freemasonry has enhanced my life in terms of a widening social circle because when initially I took the decision to join other Orders, I chose the unit to meet at a Masonic Hall where I had not been or was not already a member. I have subsequently become friendly with brethren whom I would not have, had I restricted my circle to just one centre.
We are not allowed to discuss politics or religion within the confines of a lodge, but this does help to create the respect for each other and generates an unspoken respect for the views of each other.
The other fundamental of Freemasonry of which we can all be proud is that we raise tremendous sums of money for charitable causes. Dorset currently being in Festival 25 mode, is concentrating attention on the end target of £1.25 million. The minor blip of Covid restrictions for around two years has not helped with this but knowing our brethren we shall do all we can to get there.
I am fortunate that my wife has outside interests and is supportive of my involvement in Freemasonry, herself enjoying the social side where she has made new friends
Even In my brief time in Freemasonry there have been social changes, due I suppose to the incredible speed of advances in global communications. Is this good or bad, has this enhanced or detracted from the Lodge traditions, and would our predecessors get as much, or perhaps less satisfaction, if they were members in 2022?
Gazing at the old Honours Boards in various Masonic Halls, with names from the late 1800’s or early 1900’s, I do reflect on the different views and attitudes that would have prevailed then. Were their values the same, their enjoyment the same, their commitment the same?
Reading about the distances travelled by early masons to attend lodge meetings I only wonder!
That is why it makes me feel glad that I joined Freemasonry, pleased I have invested some time in exploring many of its established values and variations of the Progressive Orders.
A bonus is that being Librarian at the Dorset Masonic Museum at Branksome Masonic Hall, I have unfettered access to browsing through the nearly 1000 books on Freemasonry and magazines from around the world. It is well worth a visit and the Museum is rated very highly in UK masonic circles
I could not have envisaged what I would gain from a simple ceremony back in November 2004.
Article courtesy of Chris Ballard
Llewellin Lodge 7907
