Chapter 11 - Still Moving On – 1986 to 1995

Worshipful Master, WBro. Sam. Johnson, the Assistant Director of Ceremonies, WBro. Len Whitehead and the Organist, WBro. Alec Stride would be going as official guests, with others attending as well. Although not mentioned in the minutes, one of the others was WBro. I. Jennings, who had been prominent in the twinning arrangements between the towns. He was subsequently a strong supporter of the link between the Lodges. A gift of 5 Candlestick Holders was to be made from De Shurland to the new Dutch Lodge. The Worshipful Master and WBro. Stride reported at De Shurland’s December meeting on the successful Consecration of Loge Arauna. At the end of that December meeting, when the Senior Warden extended Seasonal Greetings to the Worshipful Master, he also congratulated WBro Johnson on having received the Imperial Service Medal that very day.

1987 - Events Outside the Lodge

A total of 193 people died and hundreds more were injured when a ferry capsized just off the Belgian coast at Zeebrugge on March 6th 1987. The Herald of Free Enterprise, a modern car and passenger ferry, capsized in calm conditions just after leaving harbour for Dover. Within moments after casting off, the eight-decked ferry listed to port, turned and tipped onto its side, resting half-submerged in relatively shallow water on a sandbank. Had it not fallen onto the bank, many more deaths were likely to have resulted. On 15 October 1987,Michael Fish, a BBC TV weather presenter and Meteorolopgical Office employee, said during a forecast: "Earlier on today, apparently, a woman rang the BBC and said she heard there was a hurricane on the way... well, if you're watching, don't worry, there isn't!". That evening, the worst storm to hit South East England for three centuries caused record damage and killed 19 people.

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In January and February 1987 there are brief mentions of the Nore Command Lodge No 9199 which was to be consecrated on April 1st 1987. The first was an invitation for the Master of De Shurland Lodge to be a regular guest at meetings of the new Lodge, while the second was a note to say that five places at the Consecration had been offered to De Shurland Lodge members, but that only one had been accepted, although a number would be attending on individual invitations. Two of the members of De Shurland Lodge were to be among the Founders, Bro. Alan Lambkin and WBro. Doug Wyatt. In March 1987, £250 was sent to the Zeebrugge disaster fund, which included the Temple collection and a collection at the Festive Board from that month’s regular meeting. This seems to be an exception from the perceived isolation (at least in terms of Lodge records) from outside events.

In the May 1988 meeting, the Secretary read a request from the United Masonic Club for members to stop, or at least moderate, the eating of sweets in the Lodge Room, as it not only detracted from the ceremonies but also caused unwanted litter. It sometimes seems that this is a directive which is honoured in the breach!

No reason was given, but at the Board of Installed Masters’ meeting in July 1988, it was decided that the salute to Grand Lodge Officers would be by the Assistant Director of Ceremonies, and to Provincial Officers by the Director of Ceremonies; the reverse of what was the normal practice. As there were only two prospective candidates for the next year, it was proposed to conduct single Initiations in October and February, the first single degrees in many years. The October meeting was indeed with a single candidate, but further candidates came forward. February 1989 therefore saw a double ceremony, and there was to be a further Initiation at an emergency meeting in April

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The November meeting, WBro. W. G. Baxter gave a small discourse on Masonic Conduct, touching on the distasteful subject of exclusions for non-payment of subscriptions, there having been six that year. He stressed the responsibilities of proposers and seconders, the importance of the Grand Lodge Certificate and the respect and recognition of all officers within the Lodge when carrying out their duties. At the December meeting the Worshipful Master announced the passing of WBro. Arthur Flisher on 21st November 1988 aged 75 years. The Worshipful Master echoed the feelings of all the Brethren who knew WBro. Arthur and then called on his friend and proposer WBro. Bill Baxter to address the brethren in memory of him. WBro. Baxter gave a precis of WBro. Arthur’s Masonic career and spoke of his many years of dedicated service to Masonry, De Shurland Lodge and to the United Masonic Club, stating that Island masonry in particular would miss him very much. In February 1989, Bro. John Shepherd donated to the Lodge the regalia case and Consecration Certificate of our Primus Master, WBro. C.B. Shrubsole. These had been given to Bro. Shepherd by the granddaughter of WBro. Shrubsole, prior to her death in 1965. In addition, there was a tankard that had belonged to WBro. Shrubsole, which Bro. John promised to donate at a later date.

In April 1989, WBro. L.C. Whitehead was appointed to the very senior office of Active Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works, an unheard of honour as a first appointment, at least in recent times.

For the May Day bank holiday weekend in 1989, the Lodge had planned to hold, by Dispensation, an emergency meeting on Saturday 29th April. The intention had been to host a demonstration of an English Initiation for 63

the brethren of our twinned Lodge, Loge Arauna No. 281 of the Grand East of the Netherlands. In the event, as there was a candidate in line for initiation, Mr Nicholas Waller, the Lodge decided to undertake a regular Degree ceremony. The Worshipful Master warmly welcomed all members, guest and visitors and in particular six brethren from Loge Arauna. The Dispensation was read, the reason being to Initiate Mr Waller and host and demonstrate to our Dutch Brethren a regular Masonic Ceremony. The Worshipful Master vacated the Chair in favour of WBro. Len Whitehead; he had been invited to conduct the Initiation as he was Mr Waller’s father-in-law. This was yet another family connection for the Lodge. WBro Whitehead requested all of the Past Masters who were to assist him to fill their respective offices. The Lodge was opened at 3.05 pm and closed at 4pm, and the attendance book recorded 25 officers and members, and 40 visitors. After the formal Festive Board there was a social evening to which the wives of members, and non-Masonic guests were invited, and were entertained to a buffet meal.

New Initiates at this time were being given a copy of the WBro. Watkins’ Lodge History prepared for the Centenary. By October 1989 there were no more copies available, and it was agreed to wait for an updated version before issuing further copies. That has been a long time coming! In November 1989, the Lodge Committee discussed a proposal by WBro. Baxter, seconded by WBro. Johnson, that either the extended version of the Working Tools, or the Tracing Board should be presented at a Second Degree, but not both at the same meeting. This had been something of a contentious issue; some felt that doing both extended the meeting too much, to the detriment of socialising at the bar. Others, however, thought

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that they tied the ceremony together. In the event, the proposal was carried, and it is rare to see both at the same meeting now. It was not only the Second Degree about which WBro. B. Baxter was concerned. He felt that recent ceremonies were not to an acceptable standard, and called for more attention to detail. He particularly felt that Ritual Books should not be used at regular Lodges of Instruction. He went on to stress that it was of vital importance that the Proposer and Seconder be aware of their responsibility to their Candidate in instructing them in the basics of Freemasonry. Perhaps this was noted by the members; at a Committee meeting only a year later, a Past Master commented on the “high standard of work by the officers at the regular meeting on the 15th May”. At the September 1990 Committee, there were comments about missing Lodge effects WBro. Easom had removed the top of one of the wands to refurbish it, and on returning it, found that the bottom half had gone missing. WBro. J. Harding reported that there appeared to be a “depletion” of Lodge effects, for example gavels. The following month, WBro. Harding requested a vote of thanks to WBro. Easom, who had presented 3 new gavels to the Lodge of Instruction. In the February 1991 Lodge meeting, further evidence of the link that had been formed with Loge Arauna, when WBro. Johnson gave brief details of the recent visit, and brought fraternal greetings from them. WBro. Alec Stride explained that WBro. Johnson had worked hard and had been an excellent Ambassador of the Lodge. He also thanked Bro. P. Dummott who had driven them to Holland in the most atrocious of weather conditions. There was a humorous element to this trip. It had been snowing in Holland, and before departure from the UK, WBro Johnson had telephoned one of the Dutch brethren to enquire about weather conditions. He was told that there was about 3cms. Something clearly got 65

lost in translation, for when the De Shurland party got to Holland, they realised it was actually 30cms, about a foot! To commemorate this, WBro Johnson wood-turned some “3cm Sticks” and attached them to keyrings, which he subsequently presented to all of the Loge Arauna brethren, as well as those De Shurland members who became members of the Dutch Lodge. Even today, one can be challenged to prove you have the stick with you, the forfeit being a donation to charity. At this same meeting in February four candidates for Initiation were proposed. The 1991 Installation saw another visit by an Assistant Provincial Grand Master as the Representative, WBro. R. F. W. Whitehead. He was not related to WBro Len, but there was a deal of inter-Service rivalry, the former having been in the Royal Artillery coastal batteries, and the latter in RAF Bomber Command. In particular there was a degree of banter at the Festive Board about coastal gunners firing at returning bombers, mistaking them for doodlebugs! Sadly, the Worshipful Master announced the death of five members who had passed away in the previous seven months, with the most recent being WBro. W. G. Baxter on 3rd July 1991 aged 79 years. WBro. Stride gave the eulogy for WBro. Bill, stressing the hard work he had put in over the years to make the United Masonic Club one of the finest in Kent. He had contributed much to the community he having been Council Chairman and Mayor of Queenborough, had visited Brielle in conjunction with the town twinning and had lunched with Queen Juliana. In the months following the death of WBro Baxter, much thought had been given about how the Lodge should commemorate him. Later in the year, it was decided to create the “W.G. Baxter Memorial Jewel” which 66

would serve perpetuate the memory of WBro. Bill, who was affectionately known as the “father” of the Lodge. It was to be worn by the Worshipful Master and passed onto each new Master as part of the Installation Ritual. It was presented for the first time at the Installation meeting in 1993. In October 1992 more family ties were cemented in the Lodge, as brothers, Fred and Peter Jackson were Initiated, with the Working Tools presented by their proposer and father Bro. Fred Jackson. At the December 1992 meeting, WBro. Sam Johnson informed brethren that it was exactly 50 years since he had left the Masonic School for Boys. Visitors to the Kent Museum and Library of Freemasonry will see that his school cap, along with documents and reminiscences from his time at the school can still, in 2016, be seen there.

In May 1993 there was an Obituary for WBro. Harold ‘Snowy’ Easom who had died on 24 April 1993. He had been Initiated to Adam's Lodge in January 1956, had been of that Lodge in 1972 as well as of De Shurland in 1973. The Worshipful Master pointed out that there would be constant reminders of him in the Lodge, as much of the furniture had been made, or was presented to the Lodge, by him. Also mentioned was the late Bro. Hendrikus Verdonschot, Senior Warden of Loge Arauna. At the 1993 Installation, WBro. Alec Stride made the maiden presentation of the W. G. Baxter Memorial Jewel to the new Master, WBro. M.A. Holmwood. Bro. Barry Barnes sang the Masters Song for the first time, and he still sings it today, and he also delivers the Ladies’ Song at Ladies Nights to the current day. In November 1993 the Lodge was due to welcome the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, John Bonomy. Unfortunately he was unable to attend. The Secretary read a letter from the him apologising for his absence due to having to attend a meeting of governors of a local school 67

where he was Chairman. He stressed that he hoped to attend De Shurland in the near future. Messrs. T. Holland and H. Cooper were initiates at the meeting which saw 46 members and 54 visitors in attendance. Mr Cooper was the son of another member, both called Henry; yet more family connections.

The Provincial Grand Master was thankfully able to attend the February meeting in 1994, which saw Messrs. R. Standish and H. Hunter initiated. In addition, WBro. J.A. Price, PPSGW of the Province of Somerset was attending. He had been initiated in De Shurland in 1934, and was celebrating his 60 years in Freemasonry. The PGM delegated the Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, WBro. P. Brooshooft to read the Provincial Certificate of Citation. WBro. Price was presented to the PGM, who heartily congratulated him and gave him his certificate. In the early part of 1994 the Lodge Summons saw two new items appear. In light of the importance the Provincial Grand Master gave to the Almoner and Charity Steward, their reports appeared as regular agenda items, as they have done ever since. At the Board of Installed Masters’ in July, WBro. L. Whitehead expressed his concern that some of the younger brethren were taking their progression through the Lodge for granted. They were not showing the dedication required, for instance by not attending Lodges of Instruction, yet still expecting to progress when they reached the top of the Stewards’ list. It was agreed that, in future, Officers would be selected on merit and that there was no automatic right to progress.

1995 - Events Outside the Lodge

The Channel Tunnel, a 51 km (32 mi) long rail tunnel beneath the English Channel at the Strait of Dover, officially opened. Three-time Formula One world champion Ayrton Senna is killed in an accident during the San 68

Marino Grand Prix in Imola, Italy. Nelson Mandela is inaugurated as South Africa's first black president. At the May 1995 meeting, Bro. G.P. Lambkin delivered an explanation of the 1st Degree Tracing Board, the first time this had been done since 1974. A ballot was carried on a proposition that Bro. T. Simms, a member of United Service Lodge, be made an Honorary Member. Bro Tom had served De Shurland Lodge for 17 years as Tyler, and was due to retire in September. The December Lecture in 1995 was delivered by Bro. N.P.P. Waller, Charity Steward of the Lodge. The lecture was entitled ‘The Launch of 2004’ in which he explained the Province’s next Charity Festival in aid of the Masonic Trust for Boys and Girls, and how Lodges could maximise their support. A copy of the Lecture is appended to the December 1995 minutes.

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Towards 140 years –Into the “Noughties”

The Lodge has now entered 1996, 30 years since the Centenary, but Lodge numbers are dwindling somewhat, there now being 130 members. Most of the reduction is due to 36 deaths and 28 resignations, but there were also 17 exclusions, almost all due to failure to pay dues. The longest serving member was WBro. J.A. Price who joined some time before 1936, was Master of a Somerset Lodge and who is shown in the Lodge records to be living in Bath as early as 1967. Numbers attending meetings seemed to have settled at an average of 80 per meeting. In January 1996, WBro. Johnson presented to the General Purposes Committee Bro. G Yates’ regalia together with two sets of Charity Jewels going back for a number of Festivals. It was agreed that WBro. Sam would take one set of Jewels to present to Loge Arauna, while the other set would form the basis of an exhibition at the Club.

Because of continuing pressure on Lodge finances, the March 1996 General Purposes meeting agreed to change the By-laws, reducing the time to pay Lodge dues to 6 months. There were still concerns being expressed about the commitment of some of the more junior members of the Lodge. The Committee meeting on 23rd September heard that Bro. R. Ormsby, was soon to be due a 50 year certificate. The Secretary was to request a certificate from Province for onward transmission to South Africa. Sadly, and by a dreadful coincidence, it was later learned that Bro. Ormsby had passed away that same day. At the February General Purposes meeting, the Secretary presented artefacts of the late WBro. W.G. Johnson (Worshipful Master in 1947/8),

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