Tony Supplies the Cement
The April meeting of Baines Lodge was a very long time in the making. Guest speaker Tony Harvey had been on the Lodge’s bucket list for some three years, but through circumstances of unavoidable calamity and misfortune, his attendance simply hadn’t materialised.
Fortunately, the persistence of the Lodge was unwavering and Tony’s determination to visit the Lodge was unquestionable. After months of planning and plotting, Tony’s attendance was finally secured. He had agreed to deliver his talk ‘Rebuilding Freemasonry in a post covid-19 world’.
Members’ and guests flocked into the stunning Lodge room situated at The Palace in St Anne’s. There was a genuine buzz in the air and the warm and friendly chat between the attendees was an absolute joy to behold.
Tony had attended early and he was already circulating amongst the brethren, many of whom, were already known to him or had attended on one or more of his many online presentations
Master of the Lodge John Lee arrived with several members whom he’d collected en route including Peter English who had only been initiated in to South Shore Lodge the previous month. John was elated to see so many familiar faces, but also, a couple of new faces too, including Martin Roche, a past APGM from East Lancashire.
John embraced Tony with a huge hug and thanked him for making his 254 mile round trip to be with them.
During Any Other Business, and prior to the Lodge being closed in preparation for Tony’s lecture, Baines Lodge Publicity & Communications Office, Ade May rose to announce that he had been contacted by Brian Barton, a member of Loyal Manor Lodge who meet in Portland, Dorset. Brian is a former Chief Petty Officer in the Royal Navy and to raise funds in support of the Dorset Festival ‘25, he hand-ties bespoke, nautical Cable Tows using elaborate nautical knots. He then emblazons the Cable Tow with colours taken from the Lodge’s Banner. Ade May took great delight in presenting a Cable Tow tied exclusively for Baines Lodge to John Lee and gave an explanation of the knots used in its creation as described by Brian (a copy of which can be seen in the gallery below).
The Lodge being duly closed with the usual alacrity and with an undeniable expectancy in the air, it was time for the main event.
Tony took the brethren on a journey as he drew upon his knowledge of change management and masonic history. He eloquently demonstrated how Freemasonry had evolved over the past 300 years and was keen to discuss the status of our ancient and honourable institution after the war but also both pre and post pandemic. Tony was very positive about the future, although he pointed out that attracting and retaining new members meant responding and evolving with change. Listening to members and candidates was essential if the Lodge was to grow organically. A member centric Lodge was clearly more beneficial than those who are Lodge centric. Tony likewise fully endorsed reconnection with our local communities so as to be relevant and offer something meaningful in today’s world. He acknowledged that covid was here to stay, and as such, we must continue to evolve as the virus continues to adapt itself.
At the conclusion of the talk, Tony invited lively debate through an interactive question and answer session. This was both stimulating and thought provoking. Unfortunately the meeting was over in a flash and so began the renowned Baines festive board which included the culinary delights of an Indian mixed starter comprising of samosas, onion bhajis and pakoras, chicken curry served with rice, chips and naan bread and lemon meringue pie.
A magnificent evening was enjoyed by all, and this was capped off by Martin Roche, who gave a passionate response on behalf of all the visitors. The Lodge now moves on to its May meeting which will be a ‘Gourmet Night’ alongside partners and non-masons. The 8 course menu will undoubtedly set a standard not to be missed.
