Chingford Area Masonic Social Group

High Beach Lodge No.7669 - Initiation with a surprise !!

On Friday 26th January 2007, High Beach Lodge No.7669 enjoyed a very emotional Initiation Ceremony.   The Candidate, Thomas Gardiner has been a long time friend of the Senior Warden, Lee Ellaway, who was his Proposer into the Craft.    They have been neighbours for some years and their families have also become close.     Before approaching Tom about Freemasonry, Lee Ellaway had no idea that he came from a very strong Masonic Family.  Tom's father (who sadly passed away in 2006) was a Freemason in Scotland, as was his Grand father.   When they were discussing the possibility of him becoming a member of the High Beach Lodge, Tom showed Lee Ellaway his late fathers Master Masons apron and his Scottish Ritual book.

Three weeks before his Initiation, Lee was approached by a friend of Tom's family in Scotland, who now lives in Surrey, W Bro Bill Caughie, who is a Provincial Grand Steward for Surrey, and has known the family for fifty years. and being close to Tom's father was still in regular contact with his Mother, who informed Bill that Tom was joining the Craft.   W Bro Bill being in possession of Tom's Grand fathers regalia was very keen to present it to Tom at our Festive Board, so Lee Ellaway invited Tom as his guest, and managed to keep his visit hush-hush, and the presentation of the regalia and Bill being at Toms Initiation were unexpected surprises, as the last time Bill and Tom met, was at Bills fathers funeral.

The ceremony of Initiation, was performed in a very capable manner by W Bro Brian James, the current Master of High Beach Lodge, and was confidently conducted round the Lodge, by Bro Paul Embling, as Junior Deacon.  The Charge after Initiation, was also presented in a faultless manner by W Bro John Best, past Master of the Lodge, with the Working Tools being presented by Bro Steven Niker.

The Festive Board was enjoyed by the members of High Beach and their guests, which featured some excellent toasts, and there wasn't a dry eye around the tables when Bill presented Tom with his Grand fathers regalia.

Article by Bro Lee Ellaway, High Beach Lodge No. 7669