It’s always with some trepidation when one joins a group for the first time, and George Clapp took the important first step, when applying to join Freemasonry through the Members’ Pathway scheme. After meeting with the membership officer, Malcolm Hodgson (who is also the Gladstone Group Membership Officer) and other members of the lodge, George’s first steps into becoming a Freemason reached the culmination with his initiation into Liverpool Mercantile Lodge No 4319.
The lodge was opened in fine fashion by WM Rauf Kukaswadia, in his first ceremony since being installed in the chair for the second time as master of the lodge. Rauf was assisted by Samuel Robinson and Michael Wolff, senior and junior wardens respectively, Stephen Robinson and Dylan Thomas as senior and junior deacon and finally the top team being headed up by Ian Elsby as inner guard.
The first order of business was to collar those officers who were unable to be present at the afore mentioned installation ceremony. After all had been collared and congratulated, Rauf requested David Hilliard to honour the lodge and occupy the chair of King Solomon for the next part of the ceremony.
Paul McLachlan was called upon to attend to the candidate George Clapp and when ready, Dylan Roberts as junior deacon superbly conducted George around the lodge, assisted expertly by Stephen Robinson. Both the junior and senior deacons were excellent in their participation of that aspect of the ceremony.
David recited the obligation of an entered apprentice Freemason to George in a superb fashion, with no doubt George being unaware of how good an installation ceremony was developing around him, but for the observers the ceremony was first class. Having rewarded George with the badge of an entered apprentice, it fell to junior warden, Michael to deliver the working tools of an entered apprentice.
Senior warden Samuel Robinson then orated the charge to an entered apprentice, in a solemn, sincere and polished performance, an impressive oration to experience. The ceremony concluded with brother George being seated in the lodge. David Hilliard then invited Rauf to resume his rightful place.
Rauf requested grand officer Stephen Robinson to present a Grand Lodge certificate to Dylan Thomas, which he did, expertly explaining the symbolism of the certificate and requesting Dylan sign it and return it to Rauf for further inspection, having ensured that all particulars were correct, Rauf congratulated Dylan.
The lodge business being duly completed, the lodge was closed in solemn fashion and all retired to the Crompton Rooms, to continue the celebration of brother George. At the festive board it was noted that the lodge had in attendance no less than seven grand officers; David Potts, Stephen Robinson, Michael Jones, Kevin Poynton, Michael Collins, David Hilliard and Samuel Robinson. Also in attendance were Provincial Grand Stewards, Liam Buchannan and Krisjan Cooper of University Lodge of Liverpool No 4274, who were visiting the lodge.
At the festive board, amongst the many toasts, Michael Collins led the tributes to brother George, explaining that right now, George will be the newest member of the United Grand Lodge of England. All of those present on the night, had gone through the same experience as George in having been initiated previously and George was to be congratulated for taking his first step in Freemasonry. Michael commented that Freemasonry was fun and that he hoped George enjoyed not only this festive board but would enjoy the many years ahead, and that should he have any questions, of which he was sure there would be many then any brother in the lodge would be more than happy to answer them.
George was eager to respond to that toast, and in reply, said that he thanked all the brethren and looked forward to many happy years in the lodge and was looking forward to getting to know everyone and more about Freemasonry in general. Fine sentiment and words from the newest made brother in the United Grand Lodge of England that evening.
