The latest recruit to the fold of Baldwin Lodge No 1398 is Elliot Haughin. The initiation ceremony for Elliot was held at Dalton in Furness Masonic Hall and was a real team effort.
There were a good number of visitors at the meeting, including Tim Haughin, Elliot’s brother, who is a member of Piel Castle Lodge No. 6099. Elliot has recently returned to his home town of Barrow-in-Furness after over a decade working in the USA in the computer industry in Silicon Valley.
Master of the lodge Dave Sear conducted the IPM David Grove back into the chair of King Solomon so he could have the honour of initiating Elliot whom he had proposed for membership. David did not work in isolation however as Mike Benson was called upon to deliver that part of the work at the north east corner. In addition, Danny Lightfoot not only rose from the stewards’ bench to act as inner guard but also made his debut on the floor of the lodge in delivering the working tools of the degree in exemplary fashion.
Bill Coates was called upon to orate the charge after initiation. In what was a first for the lodge, Dennis Laird, another member of Piel Castle Lodge and a neighbour of Elliot, delivered the lecture as to the mode of preparation.
Conducting the candidate through the ceremony in fine style was Martin McFall who had stood in as junior deacon from his appointed position of senior deacon.
Furness and South Lakeland Group Chairman Alan Pattinson was on hand to welcome Elliot and present him with some explanatory booklets. It proved a very successful ceremony with Elliot and many of the visitors later expressing how much they had enjoyed it.
In replying to the toast to his health at the festive board the initiate conducted himself with great clarity and confidence which bodes well for the future.
Next up for Elliot will of course be his second degree with that ceremony being conducted by his seconder, and lodge secretary, Steve McKellar.
