Memories of a Freemason – Russell Graham PPJGW

I was installed back in 1991… a long time ago now and I don’t really remember anything specific, but I do remember that it was a great day and a wonderful evening. I was told beforehand ‘you cant drive to your own installation’, not because I would be drinking afterwards but more a case of stressing the importance of the occasion, so I suppose I can claim I was chauffeured to my installation! I had guests at the ceremony from around the country; I had an uncle from Scotland, an old neighbour from down in London. From the Festive Board the only thing that I remember, and it’s odd what sticks with you, is the IPM, the late Derek Rudette, who was sat beside me said “you eat too quickly”.

Before my year in The Chair I had only visited one other lodge, and that was our mother lodge, Loyalty. During my year in The Chair I visited as many lodges as I could, visiting up to three times a week.

There were three that stand out; The first was my Ladies Night. Back then, Ladies Nights were a huge night and were very important. I held mine at The Majestic Hotel in Harrogate, which now sounds quite grand, but back in the day that was nothing special. And in such a formal setting, it was quite a formal occasion. The Master and his wife greeted the 100+ guests, flanked by the two Deacons with their wands, as they entered the banqueting hall from the drinks reception. At the dinner, the DofC had his gavel, as did the two Wardens. And we also had lots of speeches. As was the tradition, as it still is now, the wife of The Master gave a speech, but not always. My wife, Deborah, who was only in her 30s then, was too shy to respond to the toast, so Gillian Caplan, wife of W Bro. Geoff Caplan, did.

My second social occasion that stands out is a theatre trip that I organised. We had 30-40 people attend. I think it was at The Grand Theatre but it could have been at The Playhouse. Unfortunately I don’t remember the play we saw.

The third social event that stands out, didn’t actually happen! We had planned a Sunday lunchtime cocktail party at our house for the brethren and their wives. A week before, myself and my wife were about to leave to go down to London to find a dress for the Ladies Night (I told you it was important!) Unfortunately she tripped going down the stairs, badly spraining her ankle, so sadly we had to cancel the cocktail party 🙁

I have three pieces of advice; Firstly, do not miss Lodges of Instruction. There is a lot to learn as Master of The Lodge but the more times you hear it and see it, before you start to really learn it, you will find some of the ritual has seeped in without you knowing it. Secondly make sure you support the current Master in all his events and efforts now, because you will hope for, and expect, the same when you are in The Chair. Don’t complain if you didn’t support them when they don’t support you. And finally, and linked to the first tip, there is nothing like repeating and repeating ritual. Practice, practice, practice. You want to be as excellent as you can be during your year in The Chair. This will only happen if you really invest the time in learning your ritual, however works best for you.

In retrospect the one thing that really stands out relates to my initiation. I was initiated back in 1974. Looking at the list of attendees I realise now that some of the founding brethren were still there, attending ceremonies. I, along with a select group of senior brethren still here, am a bridge from the founders to the present, and of course the future of the Lodge.

Back in the day, many of the brethren had their own businesses, or were working in businesses that allowed you to finish work early, and turn up at Lodge at 4.30 or so. Nowadays life is more hectic and many brethren simply cant just ‘log off’ and walk out of work to go to a Lodge meeting. It’s just not possible. Some of the ‘strictness’ has also changed. For many years the Lodge Preceptor was the formidable George Albaster. He was a Sergeant Major in the war, behaved like that at Lodge and ruled the Lodge like an army platoon. When seeing someone not squaring the lodge properly, or not getting their movements right, he would always mutter “you can tell HE wasn’t in the army”. It also so happens he was my seconder. Having said all of that, I have to say that I have always really enjoyed the camaraderie of Freemasonry, and continue to do so.