Another Initiation
An action packed evening at Connaught Lodge, (Wednesday 18 February) starting with Worshipful Master Chris Brooke initiating Bro. Michael Edwards who was expertly escorted by Junior Deacon W. Bro Peter Kuzemka, ably aided by W. Bro Jerry Hann acting as Senior Deacon. Having been entrusted with the Secrets of the Degree by W. Bro Tony Cooper and Bro. Michael invested with his apron by the Senior Warden W. Bro Chris James, he was placed in the North-East Corner where W. Bro Chris fluently explained the significance of Charity. Then followed a faultless presentation of the Working Tools by Bro. James Jefferies. On Bro. Edwards return to the Lodge he was treated to an eloquent presentation of the ‘Charge after Initiation’ by W. Bro Adrian Moore.
Following a pure ballot the Lodge was pleased to welcome W. Bro David Sherborne as a re-joining member, having been previously proposed in open Lodge by W. Bro. Tony Cooper. The Provincial Grand Mentor, W. Bro Ray Conneely (representing the Provincial Grand Master), then presented a Grand Lodge Certificate to Bro. Mitchell Pimm.
Next, W. Bro Ian Roger, Worshipful Master of the Royal Somerset Lodge No 973, (our Mother Lodge), accompanied by a large posse of brethren, presented the Travelling Trowel to our WM Chris Brooke, who was entrusted in taking the Trowel to the upcoming Provincial Annual Meeting in April.
W. Bro Chris encouraged the brethren to consider the Solomon Academy having been presented with his diploma the previous week by W. Bro Barry Palmer and gave a brief explanation of the course.
A lively Festive Board included the usual Toast to the Initiate given by our Membership Officer W. Bro Jerry Hann that included an overview of Bro. Michael’s career. Now living in Midsomer Norton, he moved to Frome from London 35 years ago having previously trained as a Site Engineer. But later he turned to bricklaying having realised he could earn more money that way. After working for a few companies he set up his own building business. Then one day watching customers wondering around a DIY store scratching their heads, he started a website called ‘DIY Doctor’ that gave free DIY advice, whilst advertising professional builders for those who had bitten off more than they could chew. This grew to over one million users a month, so two years ago he sold it with the intention of retiring and go fishing, But after three months he got bored and started a consultancy company helping homeowners through the maze of Planning Permission, Building Regulations and liaising with builders. As well as this he is a part-time lecturer in constructions skills at Bath College in Radstock. We therefore have another ‘operative’ mason in the Lodge.
Rounding off the evening our Lodge Secretary W. Bro Kevin Chard gave the Toast to the many Visitors which was responded to by Royal Somerset’s Secretary W. Bro Roger Hatherell who, in doing so, complemented W. Bro Chris, Bro James, and W. Bro Adrian for their excellent ritual presentations during the ceremony.
