Brethren of Shalom Lodge No 7541 met at Southport Masonic Hall for an evening devoted to the golden jubilee of its master, Michael Braham. The lodge room was full, the smiles were broad, and the applause plentiful as Assistant Provincial Grand Master David Thomas took the chair to present Michael with his 50-year certificate and to share a lively account of his life and service to the Craft. During the meeting the brethren also elected Stuart Cranage as an honorary member of Shalom Lodge, a decision that was warmly received.
Michael Braham first came to Southport as a toddler and has never really left. He grew up with strong family ties to Freemasonry, married Sue, and together they raised Alex and Victoria. Educated at Sunnymead School and Clifton College, he began his legal career as an articled clerk in Manchester on £4 a week, later moving through practices in Blackburn and Southport, and becoming a partner first with Mannheim, Otto and Braham, then with Brighouses.
His early court work taught him that advocacy is mostly perspiration and a little inspiration, and in time he became best known for clear, compassionate advice in wills and powers of attorney. He served as President of the Southport and Ormskirk Law Society and has looked after the books as honorary treasurer for well over three decades.
Civically, Michael’s record is vast and heartfelt. Appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside, he has presided at many Citizenship Ceremonies, supported charities applying for King’s Awards for Voluntary Service, recommended individuals for honours and invitations to Royal Garden Parties, and chairs the Sefton Deputy Lieutenants’ panel. He is a director of the Southport Pier Trust alongside Mike Swift, where he helped to save the pier when closure seemed inevitable and continues to champion its future.
With Sue he worked tirelessly for Queenscourt Hospice through the Birkdale Support Group, organising events that raised many £100,000s. He helped to found the Birkdale Civic Society and held every office, he is a member of the Union Club where he has served as president, and he is a Past Chairman of the Southport Hebrew Congregation where he serves on the management committee. A keen supporter of inter faith work, he has visited almost every church in the town and helps to organise the annual Holocaust Memorial Day service at Christ Church.
Michael also has a cheerful habit of throwing his energy at causes that need a friend. He once contested a parliamentary seat against a sitting Prime Minister, he has supported Southport Football Club since boyhood, served for many years as a vice president, and co-authored a 728-page history of the club. Cricket is another passion; he is a member of the MCC and a life member of Southport and Birkdale Cricket Club. He has written books on local history, enjoys a pint of real ale, and will happily sing Gilbert and Sullivan, sometimes in the bath.
Michael was initiated into Shalom Lodge many years ago and later took the chair. His year as WM was packed with visits, including a memorable trip to Lodge Le Bien Aimee in Holland. He served the lodge as secretary and has been charity steward for more than 25 years, roles that speak to his reliability and commitment.
Provincial honours followed, culminating in service as Senior Grand Warden of the Province of West Lancashire, a year that took him from one end of the Province to the other. Grand Rank came later. Michael is also active in the Royal Arch where he served as first principal. He joined County Palatine Lodge No 2505 and attained the chair, and when Stanley Chapter No 1502 closed, he continued his Royal Arch journey at North Meols Chapter No 5828.
Today Michael chairs the Masonic Hall Foundation and is a director of the Southport Masonic Hall Company. The foundation has raised more than £650,000 towards improving and refurbishing the hall, a remarkable achievement built on steady fundraising and careful stewardship. He jokes that he still has not mastered opening and closing a lodge with textbook precision and that time keeping is not his strongest suit, which is why friends have long called him the Late Michael, though only with affection.
After the lodge was closed the brethren gathered for a lively festive board. The wine takings set a cheery tone, beginning with David Thomas. Assistant Provincial Grand Master, and then the WM, continuing with grand officers, Provincial grand officers past and present, visiting masters, and finally the past masters and members of Shalom Lodge. A raffle raised £308 for charity. Phil Stock, Southport Group Chairman, proposed the toast to the David Thomas, which drew enthusiastic applause, with a special mention for the Provincial Senior Grand Deacon for his efforts around the Province. In reply, David thanked former and current Provincial grand offices, stewards and deacons, the Provincial director of ceremonies, Phil, and of course Michael.
Tributes then flowed from two brethren whom Michael had himself initiated, Jonny Becker and Adrian Fletcher, both of whom spoke warmly and well. The lodge director of ceremonies, Robert Beaver, who is Michael’s nephew, offered a good-natured roast that produced as many laughs as it did memories, and Michael returned the banter in fine style. Freemasonry runs through the family and Michael’s wider charitable work as a trustee, locally and nationally, was recognised throughout the evening.
When Michael rose to respond, the room settled into that special hush that comes with affection. He recalled being encouraged as a young Mason to steward and take floor work, he paid tribute to his oldest Masonic friend David Marcus who installed him as master and who arranged the blind date that led to his marriage to Sue, and he smiled at sharing the same unusual Grand Rank as Ian Gee, noting that when later promoted he was senior to Ian by only a few seconds.
He spoke of the Southport Masonic Hall Foundation, reporting a running total of £672,000 with £20,000 raised in the last year, and handed Phil Stock an £11,000 cheque towards recent work at the hall, including six new air conditioning units. He also presented £750 to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity. He thanked David Thomas, the Provincial team and the brethren present, and noted with delight that there were 10 Grand Lodge officers in the room, 11 with Assistant Provincial Grand Master David Thomas and four former Southport Group Chairmen.
Michael quoted Walter, a much-loved father of Shalom Lodge and a Mason of 72 years: “We should be happy, Masonry should be fun, we should communicate happiness, and he was right.” He added a favourite line, friendship is a golden chain that binds old friends together, if we do not break that chain, then we will be friends for ever.
Ever the optimists, the brethren ran a sweepstake on the length of Michaels speech, pencils poised and wagers placed with cheerful confidence. In the end the punters drew a blank, the only winner being the speech itself which galloped past the post at a triumphant 34 minutes.
Gifts were then presented to David Thomas, the group chairman, the Provincial director of ceremonies, the group vice chairman and the group secretary. Further words followed from Adrian and Jonny before the traditional toast to absent and seafaring brethren. To round off a nostalgic night the secretary read the minutes of Michael’s initiation, then the tyler’s toast brought a memorable celebration to its close, a happy evening for a happy Mason who has given so much to Shalom Lodge, to the Province, to Southport and beyond.