An early start and a considerable mileage were merely the opening manoeuvres in what would prove to be a memorable operation for Darren Taylor. Also known as Brum. At 05:30 hours, Brum departed his home and commenced the lengthy advance towards Cleveleys Masonic Hall, where the brethren of Pro Patria Lodge No 9952 were already assembling and preparing to muster for the evening’s principal operation.
Accompanied by his long-standing friend and brother-in-arms, Richie Puttock, the two-man detachment commenced the journey. Having previously served on this particular battlefield, Richie assumed the role of navigator and operational guide, successfully directing Brum to the designated drop-off point before escorting him to his appointed position.
With the lodge now assembled and all personnel accounted for, director of ceremonies, Juan Topping, took command of the operation. Pace stick in hand and with military precision, he assumed control of the proceedings. The fanfare sounded, the lodge officers took up their respective stations and all ranks stood ready for the ceremony to commence.
WM Mike Joyner then assumed command and opened the lodge in his own unmistakable style. Following the presentation of the Union Jack by the standard bearer, the necessary lodge business was efficiently dispatched before the WM ordered the lodge to advance into the second degree.
With no other craftsmen present in the lodge, senior deacon, Jonathan Cody, was detailed to take charge of the candidate. Brum was therefore placed under escort and prepared for the next phase of the operation.
The WM then commenced his examination of the candidate. Brum responded in admirable form, demonstrating the composure expected of a man under inspection and successfully negotiating this particular stage of the operation. The advance then continued, with Jonathan Cody taking Brum under escort and guiding him around the lodge. Displaying the precision, discipline and navigational skills one would expect from a former naval officer, Jonathan Cody ensured that the candidate was moved through the ceremony with confidence and purpose.
Providing close support throughout was junior deacon, Alan Holderness, who operated in exemplary fashion, combining his military experience with Masonic knowledge to ensure that the senior deacon and candidate were properly supported at every stage.
The WM then moved the operation forward to its next significant objective. And the lodge was opened in the third degree. The candidate re-entered the lodge and now stood firm before the WM. Brum was called upon to undertake his obligation, which was duly administered in proper Masonic form. At this juncture in the operation, the WM and senior deacon exchanged positions, allowing the advance to continue and the ceremony to proceed without interruption.
Jonathan Cody then completed the exhortation, before delivering the charge with noteworthy clarity, authority and articulation. His delivery demonstrated precisely the standard expected from a brother entrusted with such an important part of the ceremony.
A particularly distinguished phase of the operation followed when Bob Wareham, displaying the commanding presence and authority befitting a former warrant officer, delivered the seldom heard passage from Ecclesiastes. This was a particularly memorable contribution and added a distinctive military gravitas to the proceedings, providing the candidate with a passage seldom heard but entirely befitting the importance of the occasion.
With the principal objectives successfully negotiated, the candidate was duly clothed and presented with the badge of a master Mason. In keeping with the unique traditions of Pro Patria Lodge, this was conducted by the renowned ‘long way’ – a manoeuvre which senior warden successfully completed without casualty! The working tools of the third degree were then presented by the senior warden, Kevin McCumiskey, marking another successful phase in the candidate’s Masonic advancement.
The final phase of the operation was undertaken by North Fylde Group Mentor, Adam Simpson, acting on behalf of the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews and the North Fylde Group, Adam Simpson presented Darren Taylor with the appropriate information relating to the degree, ensuring that the newly raised brother was properly briefed and equipped for the next stage of his Masonic service.
With all objectives successfully achieved, the operation was brought towards its conclusion. Darren ‘Brum’ Taylor had successfully negotiated the third degree and emerged from the operation not merely as a candidate who had completed his task, but as a newly raised brother of Pro Patria Lodge.
The operation had been conducted with military precision, Masonic dignity and, most importantly, the camaraderie and brotherhood which remain at the very heart of Pro Patria Lodge. The mission was accomplished and the objective achieved. Another brother successfully brought through the ranks.
As time was advancing swiftly, the remaining business of the evening was dispatched with due efficiency, and the lodge was thereafter duly closed in proper form. The brethren then retired to the festive board, where the convivial proceedings continued in the finest traditions of military and Masonic fellowship.
The toast to the candidate was proposed by Richie Puttock, who spoke warmly of the evening and welcomed our newest brother into the lodge. In response, Brum delivered a heartfelt and sincere reply, reflecting upon the exceptional level of brotherhood, comradeship and support he had experienced. He remarked that he had not encountered such a strong sense of fellowship since leaving the services – a sentiment which resonated strongly with the military brethren present.
With the lodge’s customary good humour and camaraderie now firmly in full swing, the raffle and charity plate were conducted, raising the very respectable sum of £263.20 for charitable purposes.
The toast to absent brethren was then observed with the reverence and respect befitting those unable to be with us. The traditional candle was subsequently extinguished by the senior warden, marking the conclusion of this solemn observance. As the tyler was required to depart owing to a prior family engagement, Martin Clements stepped forward and assumed the duty of bringing the formal proceedings of the evening to their proper conclusion.
With the ceremonial duties discharged and the formalities complete, the brethren returned to their customary military traditions, maintaining the spirit of the mess long into the evening.
The festive board continued in true Pro Patria Lodge fashion – with comradeship, military bravura, good humour and, naturally, no shortage of good-natured banter. Thus concluded another memorable evening, characterised by Masonic tradition, military camaraderie and the enduring bonds of brotherhood.