A Masonic Life As one of the masterminds of the Masonic Homes, RW Bro Geoff Burchell had unique insights into the initiative. In this paper, which he wrote in 2004, he shared his memories of those early days, and of his life in the Craft.
I
took my Third Degree in 1956, having been in Masonry since 1954. I progressed through the various offices until I became Master in 1964, and then again in 1969 and 1974. All the service I was able to give gave me much pleasure and satisfaction. I was given office in Provincial Grand Lodge in 1965 and during 1974 proposed that we have a Masonic Spring Ball. This was not very favourably received by PGL, but with PGLs permission I went ahead. With the assistance of Brothers G. Gross and R. van der Merwe we had the first Ball at the Heerengracht Hotel. The result was a small profit of R1000. We then carried on the Spring Ball for the next 13 years. The result was that we raised some R180 000. We then gave up running the Ball and handed it over to MW Bro Okkie Louw. What to do with these funds was not apparent to the officers of PGL, and despite our intention of making a home for our Seniors, nothing was done. So I went to MW Bro Louw and it was agreed that I must look around and see what was available. Having searched the Peninsula for a suitable building, I narrowed it down to five possible places and then MW Bro Louw, Andy Van Niekerk and Norman Sandler went to see them. As a result we purchased Desmain Lodge for R360 000, taking a bond of R180 000. This consisted of 12 two-bedroomed flats and one single-bedroomed flat. During the next few years we built five garages on the site, paved the yard area, and redecorated the whole building. We have had up to six Masonic folks in residence, there and they have all received special reduced rentals in consideration of their income. When MW Bro Graham Karstens became PG Master, he suggested that we needed another project to keep the Brethren interested. So again I went round, and as a result of discussions with the Abbeyfield Homes it was decided we would try and find a house suitable for such a home. This type of home is where the tenants have a bedroom of their own which they furnish, and they do their own cooking. The home must have the facilities for a good kitchen, dining room and lounge, and bathrooms sufficient for the tenants. They pay a nominal rent, which goes towards the running costs. Eventually we found a house in Bergvliet, which was rundown but could be suitable. It was decided to buy it for the sum of R350 000, also because it had a large piece of ground at the back where we thought we could build some small houses for Seniors at a later stage.
My friend Bro Dave Lithgow again drew up the necessary plans so that we could go ahead with the alterations. A lot of work was required to alter the house to make it suitable for eight people to stay there. However, I was able to carry out the work as I had semi-retired then, and with the help of some of my old employees and Bros Graham and Alf Rhoodie it was completed and opened in June 1995. It has been fully occupied since then. The House Committee under the chairmanship of Wor Bro Nick Leary has managed the affairs of the home very well during this period. I have served on this committee since its inception. We formed the Masonic Abbeyfield Society of South Africa and have continued our membership since then. During 1978 I had a phone call from a Mr Horst, who was a friend of one of my own Lodge St James members, Wor Bro T. Surgeoner, who had died and left his house and effects to him. The proviso was that he would try and get the house to be used by elderly folk. He had tried to get hold of the English Grand Lodge, but they were not interested. However I went to see him immediately, and as a result I went back to PGL and it was agreed that we would take the house over and make the necessary alterations for another Abbeyfield Home. The home was transferred to PGL free of charge, but we had to pay for the alterations. Again my friend Bro D. Lithgow drew up the plans and work commenced. However I became ill and had to have a bypass operation, so the work was finished by my two sons, who are also Masons. It has been fully occupied by some six seniors and the House committee under the Chairmanship of Wor Bro Jackie Wentzel has carried on the affairs of home very well. A lot of additional work has also been done to improve the facilities for the residents.
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