After a very long, pandemic-induced year-and-a-half break between meetings, Elizabethan Lodge returned to Masonic business at long last with our annual October Installation meeting, as W. Bro. Stuart Burrell took the Chair of King Solomon for what promises to be another wonderful and productive year for our lodge.
W.Bro Stuart is an active, enthusiastic, and much-valued craftsman both in and out of Elizabethan Lodge – having entered Freemasonry in 2000 as an initiate of Broade Forde Lodge No.8547, he has since joined many other Craft lodges across the Provinces of Wiltshire and Somerset, including Sylvanus Lodge No.9741 and Lodge of Rectitude No.335. As well as his many Craft ventures, he is a member of the Chapter of Friendship and Unity No.1271, as well as several Preceptories of his much-loved Knights Templar (Antiquity Encampment No.1 in Bath, Templecombe Preceptory No.686 in Yatton, and the nomadic Our Lady of Walsingham Preceptory No.672).
A Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer, his association with Elizabethan began some years ago as an enthusiastic and frequent visitor, before he joined us as a permanent member. Having himself been drawn to Elizabethan by the welcome our lodge offers and the culture we strive for, he is the perfect person to exemplify and strengthen that tradition as Worshipful Master, and members and visitors alike can look forward to a fantastic year under him.
Handing over the role to Stuart was W.Bro Fitch, now IPM, who has done a tremendous job during his Covid-extended tenure as Worshipful Master, ably overseeing many wonderful ceremonies prior to the pandemic, and then leading by example in keeping the lines of communication and Zoom-centric social interactions between our members going thereafter. While we weren’t able to meet physically for many months, the fraternal ties that binded our members never faltered, and it’s thanks to the efforts of Mick, his officers, and the senior Brethren of the lodge that Elizabethan remains as strong and vibrant today as it was pre-pandemic.
The Installation meeting itself was quintessential Elizabethan fayre – good ritual, with a blend of ‘light blue’ youth and ‘dark blue’ experience taking their offices for the coming year, followed up with a lively and thoroughly enjoyable Festive Board underpinned by fantastic food and much-missed fraternal banter. We were honoured on the evening by the presence of W Bro. C.A.F. Lambert, Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden, representing R W Bro. David John Medlock DL.
Our next regular meeting in November is scheduled to be the Initiation of a new member – always a special occasion – and we’re always keen to hear from those interested in learning more about Freemasonry and perhaps joining themselves. We couldn’t be happier to be meeting once again, and wish all other Lodges and Chapters returning to their labours the very best as they do so.
