Meet Some Surrey Freemasons

Member of Onslow Lodge No: 2234 Province of Surrey

Age: 51

Occupation: Marketing Director & Executive & Life Coach.

Interests/Hobbies: Rugby, Amateur Dramatics (Pantomime Dame usually), Reading.

Over a period of about two years I lost the two men I was closest to, my two best friends – my Father and my Brother. They were the men I trusted the most (having lost a lot of my male friends when I got divorced during roughly the same period). I missed both of them immensely, the bond we had and our friendship. They left a large void in my life.

I knew little about Freemasonry until I saw the TV programme and having watched it, it felt like Freemasonry could fill that void. It appeared to offer that friendship and Brotherhood that I was missing.

I completed a form on the Surrey Freemasonry website expressing my interest. It wasn’t long before I got a call from Paul who suggested we met for a pint to chat about Freemasonry. From that first meeting and then meeting other members of the Lodge (Onslow Lodge 2234), I really felt Freemasonry could fill that void.

To me Freemasonry is about be part of a large family, a family of men who care not only about each other but those around them and society in general. It’s about friendship, camaraderie, doing good and a feeling of belonging to something that makes me a better man.

I’m still relatively new to Freemasonry, however, I’ve enjoyed it immensely. I’ve made new friends, met really interesting people from all walks of life (who I’d never have met in normal life), the opportunity to be involved and contribute to my Lodge and our meetings and the chance to meet and be welcomed by members of other Lodges when I’ve gone to visit.

I’d only wished I joined earlier.

Member of Old Palace Lodge No: 7173 Province of Surrey

Age: 77

Occupation: Retired Graphic Designer.

It was a long time ago when I once saw some men dressed in dark clothes going into a building in my hometown of Edmonton, north London.

I wondered what was inside the building, so I peered at the name on a brass plate adjoining the door which stated it was a Masonic Hall. Now as a 16 year old with the world new to discover and keen to increase my general knowledge, I researched the word “masonic” in a dictionary which led to the word “Freemason”.

It stated that a Freemason was a member of an international order established for mutual help and fellowship.

Intrigued, I then found in my encyclopaedia, which my parents had bought as a Christmas present, the section on Freemasonry.

It told me that it was an ancient fraternal society with roots going back to the Middle Ages. I also discovered that I had to be 21 years of age to become a Freemason and recommended by those who had known me for a period of time.

When at school I was top of the class for history studies, and particularly took a keen interest in the people and events of the Middle Ages.

Freemasonry, therefore, aroused an interest, as a Free-mason was a man who carved and built the great castles and cathedrals.

Over four decades later, and having my own graphics and printing business, I employed a man who wanted to leave early on a Wednesday afternoon to go to a masonic meeting.

This man, my employee, once started a conversation with me about his love of Freemasonry and all its implications. He seemed very proud of his Masonic Lodge and all the things that they were doing in support of various charities. He asked me if I had ever thought about becoming a Freemason.

The time was not right for me, so I rebuffed his invitation to attend a couple of their social events.

Two years later, and after another ‘ear-bashing’ from my employee, I relented and decided to attend a quiz night at a local hotel along with other members, their wives and friends.

From that moment onwards, I became increasingly aware of the friendliness of the people in the Lodge. I was now at a point where if he approached me again to become a member, I would agree, and so began my great journey in Freemasonry.

My work as a graphic designer was put to good use in the province when I produced the first ever copy of the Surrey Mason Magazine. For 10 years I continued to publish stories, articles and historical articles. The magazine continues to this day.

As many will know, I like doing things a bit off the usual, so in 2017, the year of the anniversary of 300 years of organised Freemasonry, I dressed as an 18th century Freemason and appeared outside of Grand Lodge. The amount of kisses from foreign lady tourists whilst having my photo taken made it worthwhile. I then had the courage to enter the Grand Lodge, paraded up to the big chair to the amazement of the assembled gathering of Surrey Freemasons. Later, just before the procession in by the executive and distinguished Masons, I stood near the temple doors and raised my three-cornered hat in salute. The late W.Bro. Paddy Johnson, an Assistant Provincial Grand Master, beamed a massive smile in my direction as he entered the temple.

Since then, I’ve also given talks on “Freemasonry and the British Empire” dressed as a soldier of the 19th century with me carrying the union flag to the accompaniment of some rousing marching tunes, sported genuine US western pistols dressed as “Blondie” from the “Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” on “Freemasonry and the Wild West”, and lately have given talks on the 1920s wearing a striped jacket and straw boater whilst attempting to play a banjolin. The latter talk was most enjoyable to the members of the Friends of James Terry Court and residents of the home, who sang along happily to some 1920s jazz songs.

The summary of my Masonic journey is that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed and met some wonderful and inspiring Freemasons. I have witnessed what ordinary men can do to help others in their communities, not just in the UK, but around the world by providing assistance.

Some years ago, I coined a phrase which is now being widely used throughout the Province of Surrey – “Proud to be a Freemason”. I cannot think of anything finer than to be a Freemason, and I am extremely proud that my dear, now departed friend and employee, gave me the opportunity to be part of a wonderful organisation.