5 minute read
Solomon Live
Clockwise from top left: UGLE Grand Secretary and CEO Dr David Staples, the HFAF’s Grand Master Christine Chapman and Third Grand Principal Gareth Jones OBE
YOUR DAILY ADVANCEMENT LIVE!
After digesting its online wisdom, the Solomon team realised there was an appetite for interactive discussion between brothers – so Solomon Live was born
WORDS OMAID HIWAIZI PORTRAITS DR STAPLES AND MARK ORMROD - JOONEY WOODWARD, CHRISTINE CHAPMAN - CRISTIAN BARNETT, MICHELLE WORVELL - ALUN CALLENDER
Solomon Live was launched during the COVID-19 lockdowns to help Freemasons continue making a daily advancement in Masonic knowledge. The Learning & Development Group had been discussing how the power of the Solomon platform often emerged through the conversations that are sparked after a paper or nugget is read, building on the learning experience of the content.
Also during lockdown, there had been a rise of webinars on Freemasonry. However, many of these followed a standard format of a presentation (often on an obscure topic), a speaker reading monotonously, followed by never-ending questions. They’d go on and on, with the occasional audience member unmuting and complaining about their tea.
This got us thinking that a great formula for a Solomon webinar could be a lively conversation, like two friends in a coff ee shop discussing a topic, with other friends listening and chipping in here and there. So the idea for Solomon Live was born: short, lively discussions featuring popular and interesting topics on diff erent aspects of Freemasonry, delivered monthly as entertainment rather than a lecture.
Solomon Live premiered on 6 April 2021, with UGLE Grand Secretary and CEO, Dr David Staples, answering the question ‘What is Freemasonry?’ posed by host Brody Swain, Provincial Communications Offi cer of Worcestershire, who is also an experienced broadcaster. A total of 1,281 people watched the lively discussion with David, who gave us a thorough overview of progress at UGLE, his exchanges with the media and his future plans.
Next on was Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons/Freemasonry for Women Grand Master Christine Chapman who discussed ‘Freemasonry – for Women’, including its origins, how it enhances women’s lives and future plans. Her analogy between male and female football teams – ‘same rules, diff erent teams’ – to explain how male and female Freemasonry happily but separately coexist really resonated.
Then, 1,215 tuned in to ‘Mysteries of the Royal Arch’. Here, Third Grand Principal Gareth Jones OBE drew back the veil on the Degree: its history and its teachings. He explained the Royal Arch’s connection with the Craft as an arc of four stages: birth, life, death (Craft) and our relationship with God (Royal Arch).
‘Freemasons & Charity’ was our next topic, where Deputy Grand Master Jonathan Spence explained the aspect of being charitable in our nature, and Les Hutchinson, CEO of the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF, the Freemasons’ charity), giving an overview of our grants and donations.
Things then took an interesting twist with ‘Freemasonry from a Non-Mason’
Clockwise from top left: Deputy Grand Master Jonathan Spence, Pro Grand Master Peter Lowndes, UGLE Director of Communications & Marketing Michelle Worvell, veteran Mark Ormrod MBE
with Professor John Dickie, author of The Craft, stepping through his research on how Freemasonry came about, its place in global history and influence on culture, past and present. The connection between early Freemasonry and the curiosity of the enlightenment era was particularly interesting, as was his conclusion that Freemasonry is as relevant today as it ever has been.
Next was ‘A Day in the Life of the Pro Grand Master’ with our Pro Grand Master Peter Lowndes. He told us about what the role involves, his journey in the Craft (via Grand Director of Ceremonies), his view on the state of Freemasonry and his vision for our future. Sharing his most and least favourite Festive Board experiences brought amusement to the more than 1,000 viewers.
We then returned to the topic of Women’s Freemasonry with ‘The Brothers of Women’s Freemasonry’ with Zuzanka Penn, Grand Master of the Order of Women Freemasons, who shared their origins (from Co-Masonry), their link with the Suffragettes, and the positive impact they have on women today. Interestingly, Zuzanka was open to the possibility of a conversation with HFAF about a future closer relationship.
‘Freemasonry & the Armed Forces’ allowed us to meet the incredible Royal Marines veteran Mark Ormrod MBE, 11 times Invictus Games medalist, along with past Royal Navy officer Mark Stollery, who shared their experiences of the armed forces, and described common themes between the two.
In December, we came up to date with new and young members Shayan Aziz, Matthew Wainwright, Harsheel Ishwar and Jig Pattni answering the question ‘How is Freemasonry relevant today?’ They shared their journeys as Freemasons, what it means to them, and what advice they would give to someone starting out.
We began 2022 with another contemporary and important topic, ‘Communicating Freemasonry’. UGLE Director of Communications & Marketing Michelle Worvell shared her ‘outsider looking in’ approach to promoting Freemasonry to the public and insights on how she’s achieved so much in her three years in the job.
In our first 10 months, we’ve had more than 13,000 registrations for Solomon Live. As we go forward in 2022, we’ll return to discuss The Royal Arch and cover topics ranging from Freemasonry across the world through to understanding how UGLE works. There will be the chance to meet more of the Rulers as well as regular members.
We’re always looking for new ideas for topics and new members in the production team. If you’d like get in touch please email omaidhiwaizi@gmail.com
Finally, a big thank you to the whole production team fronted by Brody, backed up by William Halsey, Ken Wootton, Shaun Butler, Craig Johnson and John MacGregor, under the sponsorship and guidance of L&D Group Chairman Anthony Howlett-Bolton.
