Towards 140 years – Into the “NoughtiesChapter 12

passed to the Lodge from his son via WBro. B. Hughes. One of the most significant of these was his Past Master’s Jewel, which had previously been presented to WBro. Pannell in 1890. It was agreed that this Jewel would be presented on Installation night to the retiring Master and thereafter to every Master on relinquishing the Chair as the Immediate Past Master’s Jewel. A suitable piece of ritual to go with the presentation was produced by WBro. M. Towler. Although not unusual, there was much discussion around this time of the rising cost of Freemasonry. Increases in Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodge dues (including a proposed levy of £2 from every member of the Province towards a building fund, which was subsequently dropped) meant that the Lodge had to increase dues. The April meeting passed a proposal to increase dues to £70 (£60 for country members). The May meeting saw two ballots taken using the new balls purchased by the Lodge and ballot boxes made by WBro. Sam Johnson. The meeting in October 1997 received an obituary for Bro. David Lambkin, the Lodge Almoner. Bro. Lamkin had been Almoner since 1988, and had been outstanding in the Office. WBro. M. Williams was appointed and invested as his successor at the November meeting. At the September 1998 Installation, more evidence of family continuity was evident. The Past Master’s Breast Jewel, presented to the outgoing Master, WBro. Peter MacDonald, had previously been presented to his Grandfather, who had been Master of De Shurland in 1925. This meeting also saw the Treasurer, WBro. Sam Johnson, and the Director of Ceremonies, WBro. Jack Harding, both relinquishing their offices. The October meeting was to Initiate Messrs. A.G. Boulter and C. A. Bridger. Before this, though WBro. M.R. Bailey, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, was (again!) welcomed into the Lodge. WBro. Bailey was to present WBro.

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Charles Matthews with his 60 year certificate. WBro. Bailey gave a resume of WBro. Charles’s civic and Masonic careers. This included details of how he had been a prisoner of the Japanese during the war and along with other Masons had to destroy his Grand Lodge Certificate. On returning to the UK, WBro. Charles relocated to the West Country, and became a founder member of a Lodge in Bath. There were concerns about this time, that, although there were plenty of junior members, not many wanted to go on or learn the ritual. Past Masters were having to stand in for absent officers, and it would be more desirable for Stewards to fill in for an absent Inner Guard or Deacon.

The May meeting conducted the usual business of elections and so on, and was closed. Afterwards, though, the Brethren, still wearing their regalia, escorted their Ladies and non-Masonic guests into the Lodge, where WBro. David Mander, a member of St Michael’s Lodge No. 1273, gave a talk on Freemasonry, its origins, symbolism and its aims. The Ladies and guests then dined with the Brethren. This was probably one of the first instances in the Lodge of a “Wide” or “White Table” event. The Provincial Grand Master’s Representative at the September 1999 meeting was Assistant Provincial Grand Master, WBro. Ronald Byers DeGrey. The Master Elect, Bro. N. P. P. Waller was presented by his father-in-law, WBro. Len Whithead and Installed into the Chair of King Solomon. WBro. Waller was replaced as Charity Steward by Bro. David Cain. One of the visitors in the Lodge was WBro. Dennis Tuff, who had travelled from Australia. On the third rising WBro. Johnson presented to the Lodge a set of Gavels, made by him, in a box manufactured by WBro. T. Redman of King’s Navy and United Service Lodges, with its interior furnished by WBro. J. Black.

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At the December meeting, the Worshipful Master announced the sad and very unexpected passing of WBro. Ian Jennings, the Lodge Assistant Director of Ceremonies, a prominent supporter of our links with Holland, and a regular visitor to and Joining Member of Loge Arauna. WBro. John Price, who was then the longest surviving De Shurland member, having been initiated in to the Lodge in 1934, had passed away on 22nd November 1999. At the January 2000 meeting, the Worshipful Master gave a brief resume of his masonic career. The Lodge was privileged when another Assistant Provincial Grand Master, WBro Russell Race visited the Lodge in March 2000, and after a double Second Degree, presented 50 year certificates to Bros J. W. Pond and R.E. Winch.

The May meeting in 2000 was to be a very different and special one, with many mixed emotions. An explanation was placed on the Lodge Summons, as detailed further down. The Lodge was opened at 6.30 pm and the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, WBro. G. Smith was welcomed and offered the Gavel, which he most politely declined. The usual business of a May meeting was conducted and the Lodge was then closed at 7.30pm, for the remainder of the evening’s proceedings to take place. The information placed on the Lodge Summons describes what was to happen:

“After the Lodge is closed the Brethren will retire and assemble downstairs (still wearing their regalia) where Bro. Martin van der

Valk will explain “De Rouw Loge” (The Mourning Lodge) ceremony in memory of WBro. Ian Jennings who died on the 14th

December 1999 and was a member of Lodge Arauna No 281. After the explanation the Brethren will return to the Lodge according to

Dutch Ritual and the Ceremony will be conducted by Officers and

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Brethren of Lodge Arauna under the Grand East of the

Netherlands with the approval of that Grand Lodge and the

Province of East Kent. The Ceremony will be in English and normal regalia will be worn. The Festive Board will take the form of a Dutch Table Lodge.” A precis of the Ceremony is contained in the De Shurland Minutes for May 2000. This was a very moving meeting for all who attended, and exceptionally rare in this country. Although the level of discord in the Lodge was almost non-existent, particularly when compared to events in the nineteenth century, there were some differences of a more serious nature which had to be resolved. October 2000 saw the culmination of one such dispute. As those closely concerned are still with us (although none now in the Lodge) we shall not go into great detail. There had been a complaint from one member that another had, effectively, breached his Third Degree Obligation, which meant, in the view of the complainant that he felt unable to attend Lodge meetings. He considered the other brother’s behaviour prejudicial to the harmony and good conduct of the De Shurland Lodge. The Immediate Past Master, WBro. Waller was invited to take the Chair by the Worshipful Master, WBro Pettit. The Immediate Past Master asked all non-members to retire, with the exception of the Provincial Grand Secretary, WBro Brooschooft who was there to oversee proceedings. The Brethren involved presented their respective cases. After this a secret ballot was held, which resulted in the two-thirds majority required for such exclusions under the Book of Constitutions. Overall a very sad episode, with no winners, not the Brethren concerned nor the Lodge, which lost at least four members as a consequence of subsequent resignations.

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On a much happier note, April 2001 saw the introduction of a St George’s Day theme to our Festive Board. A number of members had noted that some other Lodges observed particular events, such as Burns Night, but De Shurland had nothing. From then on, at April meetings, the Lodge has enjoyed roast beef suppers, commenced with a procession into the hall of the said meat, accompanied by singing “Oh, The Roast Beef of Old England”. In May, rather than a Lecture, because of the number of members waiting for their Passing, there was an extra Second Degree, with Bro. David Wraight being Passed to the Degree of a Fellow Craft.

2011 – Events Outside the Lodge

“9/11.” September 11th 2001. First New York, then the world, looked on in horror as terrorists flew two passenger jets into the World Trade Center in New York. The fires and the collapse of both the North and South Towers along with the victims from two further hijacked jets (one into the Pentagon and one into a field in Pennsylvania) took the lives of 2,977 people. WBro. R. Standish’s year started with an excellent Installation ceremony in September 2001, but was touched with some sadness, as a result of the passing to the Grand Lodge Above of Bro. H. Hunter; Bro. Harry and the Worshipful Master were initiated together in 1993. It was to be a busy year, with three Initiates, three Second and three Third Degrees. The Ladies’ Festival was a great success in February but was unfortunately scene to an accident when one of the Ladies was badly scalded by hot coffee. This was possibly due in part to the high numbers attending, so in future years the numbers were curtailed. There is occasionally the view that the Craft admits candidates too readily, preferring to keep numbers up. However, during the year, two prospective

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candidates were refused by the Lodge for various reasons, both being deemed unsuitable.

In 2002, for the first time since WBro. Lintott occupied the Masters Chair in 1967/8 the new Worshipful Master was to be a Past Master. In 2001, the Junior Warden had expressed his desire to withdraw from progression, and WBro. John Watson, a Joining Member had taken his place. In September 2002 WBro. Watson was Installed into the Chair of King Solomon. The new Master made a presentation to WBro. Doug Wyatt, who was stepping down as Lodge Secretary after 15 years, the gift being from the Lodge for his excellent and devoted service to the Lodge. In November 2002, the Lodge was visited by VWBro. Russell Race the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, who had been promoted since his last visit. VWBro Race subsequently went on to be appointed the Deputy Metropolitan Grand Master when the new Metropolitan Grand Lodge was formed. He was eventually promoted to Metropolitan Grand Master, serving with distinction in that office until 2015. The January Meeting in 2003 started on a very sombre note, with an obituary following the passing on the 19th December 2002 of WBro. Doug Wyatt who had been very ill for the previous few months. There is a long report in the De Shurland Minutes of WBro. Doug’s career, both in the Lodge and in Freemasonry generally. WBro.Doug was Initiated into De Shurland Lodge in 1961, Passed in 1962 and Raised in 1963. He became Worshipful Master in September 1983. He took the Secretary’s office in 1987, a position he retained until a few months before he died. On a happier note, the Secretary informed the Brethren, that WBro. Nick Waller had been appointed Provincial Grand Steward. In the months leading up to February 2003, WBro. J. Harding had been working of producing a First Degree Ritual Book, so that new Brethren

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could join in the Junior Lodge of Instruction. It was by then ready to be sent to the publishers. Subsequently, although the proof had been sent for publishing, mistakes were being found and would be corrected before final printing. At the General Purposes meeting that month, the new model Lodge By-Laws (as proposed by the Province) were voted to be adopted. Time and use were taking their toll on the Lodge regalia and furnishings. In particular, the Lodge Warrant was beginning to look a bit scruffy and consideration was made regarding it being re-framed. This was decided against when it was suggested that the existing frame may have some antique value. It was agreed just to refurbish it. De Shurland Ritual is different and jealously maintained as such! At the September 2003 meeting, a senior member of another Lodge commented that De Shurland members were giving the wrong sign at prayer. He insisted that we should be giving the sign of R….. , rather than F…..., which should only be given during the obligations. It was pointed-out to him that the sign of F….. is always given by De Shurland members for prayers and obligations, and is part of the De Shurland Ritual, and always will be. As many have found out, the Lodge is very protective of its own variations to Emulation Ritual; it had long been a rite of passage for new Master Masons to glue the slips of De Shurland variations into their brand new Ritual Books!

Some good news came in October 2003, when it was announced that the Lodge had already surpassed its £15,000 target for the 2004 Festival, nine months ahead of the closing date. At the January General Purposes meeting, WBro. R. Harrison suggested that the photograph De Shurland had of WBro. C. Woodley, De Shurland’s only Grand Lodge Officer, should be enhanced and displayed in the Masonic Club. This was agreed and WBro. Ray was asked to deal

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with the matter. Somewhat embarrassingly, it was later reported that picture could not be found. Bro. Tom Simms who had been Tyler for many years before being succeeded by Bro. A. Hughes in 1995, passed away in April 2004. There was no lecture in the May meeting. Instead there was supposed to be a double Initiation, but both gentlemen had withdrawn. One of them had been the subject of some discussion by the members of the Committee, when his initial response to the question “Do you believe in a Supreme Being” had been that he was not sure. Although he had later clarified his reply, it was perhaps appropriate that he withdrew. In September 2004 Bro. D. J. Brander was Installed into the Chair of King Solomon. On the meeting summons, in addition to the Chief Steward, there were 14 stewards named, with 10 in attendance. Still on the subject of attendance, a comment was made at the following month’s General Purposes meeting regarding apologies only being acceptable if given to the Secretary. This is another rule that is sometimes honoured in the breach!

2004 - Events Outside the Lodge

In the early hours of Boxing Day 2004, there was an earthquake (the third largest ever recorded) off the west coast of Indonesia. It triggered a series of devastating tsunamis along the coasts of most landmasses bordering the Indian Ocean, killing 230,000 people in 14 countries. It was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history. By January 2005 further complaints had been made about ritual, and the need to get back to the proper De Shurland workings. WBro. Harding, who had produced the First Degree Ritual book, was asked to work with the Director of Ceremonies, WBro. M. Williams and WBro. R. Reveley to

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resolve this, and urged to complete his Second and Third Degree books as quickly as possible.

2005 Events Outside the Lodge

7th July 2005. A series of co-ordinated terrorist bombings strike London's public transport system during the morning rush hour. Three bombs exploded within 50 seconds of each other on three London Underground trains. A fourth bomb exploded on a bus at an hour later in Tavistock Square. More than 50 people are killed and hundreds more are injured. For the September 2005 Installation, the Provincial Grand Master’s Representative was WBro. Brian Dale, Assistant Provincial Grand Master. The Installing Master, WBro. D. Brander Installed Bro. C. Overington into the Chair of King Solomon.

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2006 and On – Towards the 150 Years

By March 2006, the Lodge had 90 members; for each of the last 10 years the number of new members had declined to a couple or so a year, and there were some existing ones that had died, resigned or been excluded. The worst year was 2005, with a net decrease of 8 members, not helped by the exclusion of 4 brethren for failure to pay their dues. Relations in the Lodge were generally harmonious, with only the occasional falling-out. The years have seen absences through sickness or work commitments, but this has only resulted in opportunities for the sharing of Offices. Many junior members had early chances to participate, including presenting the Second Degree Tracing Board, Working Tools in all Degrees, and acting as Inner Guard or one of the Deacons, all while still on the Stewards’ bench.

The Second Degree Ritual book and one with all three Degrees were completed. Despite repeated proof reading there were many discrepancies, often due to Brethren having, and using, their ritual books from different eras; historically they were standard Emulation Working books which had been amended by Brethren pasting-in De Shurland’s variations. The Treasurer was concerned with the financial position of the Lodge, particularly in relation to cash flow. He sent a long letter to all the Brethren with an explanation of the monies we need to pay each year to Grand Lodge, Provincial Grand Lodge and the United Masonic Club. He went on to state that we had already paid out £4733.02 in Capitation fees for 2005/6, but by that time had received barely 50% of membership dues.

Finances came back to the fore, with a Notice of Motion at the May meeting seeking Lodge dues to be raised to £130.00 (£110.00 for Country members). This was an increase of £35.00 and had been agreed, almost 80