Lyndhurst Lodge meeting at the BMC

Lyndhurst Lodge No. 8012 held its 469th meeting last night at the Brockenhurst Masonic Centre, proving once again that a successful Lodge is not one in which everything goes to plan, but one in which nobody admits that there ever was a plan. Missing Officers, a late change of Candidate and the occasional outbreak of organised confusion were all handled with polished professionalism and considerable flair. At least, that’s what the D.C. told me, and nobody appeared brave enough to disagree.

Brother Stuart Lawson stepped up to take his 2nd Degree, while various Officers stepped sideways, backwards and, in one or two cases, looked as though they were hoping not to be noticed, before filling the places of those who were elsewhere doing something apparently far more important. As always, their enthusiasm ranged from “delighted to help” to “I only came for the dinner.”

The missing WM was replaced not by one, but by three of the Old Boys. Between them they brought more than 100 years of experience to the Big Chair - although, mercifully, not all at once. It was less a ceremony and more like a relay race in dark blue aprons, with the baton apparently being passed whenever someone remembered what came next. Almost.

Bro. Stuart did extremely well, considering he had been given approximately five minutes to learn his part and four of those were spent being told not to worry. Bro. Phill fired off the explanation of the apron with admirable precision, giving the impression that he could deliver it during a fire drill without losing his place. Our SW, Bro. Pete, then presented his customary extended director’s cut of the 2nd Degree tools - complete with bonus material, restored footage and several scenes believed lost since time immemorial. W. Bro. Rob narrated the Tracing Board, while ARF sat down to conduct the Charge after Passing, demonstrating that he could still remember some obscure ritual, especially from a comfortable chair.

Our V.O., W. Bro Alan, confirmed that the Lodge had now achieved its Gold Award for donations given to the HIOW 2027 Festival. He then presented Solomon Diplomas to W. Bro. James Prendergast and Bro. Phill Little, both of whom accepted them with the modest expressions of brethren already wondering where they might display them prominently without appearing to display them prominently. W. Bro. Alan then said that he would not bore us this evening by talking about ‘Portal’ but would save that until next month when he would elaborate on the new ‘Building Together’ Initiative. The assembled crowd looked thrilled - or, at the very least, displayed the quiet composure of brethren who had just realised there was no procedural way to object.

Then it was time for dinner.