- The Chair -
The Master's Chair or Chair of King Solomon
The Chair is the hub for both Members & Visitors.
Each newly Installed Master of the Lodge has his own style of leadership and unique characteristics. Here you will find Comments from The Chair, News, Information and Articles of Interest which hopefully will
give an insight into our Lodge, its Members and Freemasonry.
(Anyone with content for publication please contact the Lodge Social Media Team)
Article -Why Should I Become a Freemason?
A question often asked that can only be answered by the individual. I am grateful to Worshipful Brother Tim, our Junior Warden who kindly offered this explanation.
If you ask a Mason why they joined, you will get lots of different answers. Each person has their own reason for joining and their reasons can range from being intensely personal and for others it may just be plain curiosity. There is no single reason why someone may want to become a Freemason, but they will all be made very welcome.
Weren't you ever curious?
You may know of a friend or relative who goes out in the evening “booted and suited” and toddling off with their case and raincoat. But have you ever wondered what it's all about? You can read as much as you like on the internet, but nothing will prepare you for the warmth and affection you will find when you join. Ask a friend or relative to recommend you, or how about attending a social night to meet some of the like minded people who will help ease you into Masonry.
Keeping it in the family.
Your father, grandfather or uncles may have been a Mason at some point in their life. So, it may have been ingrained in your subconsciousness from an early age and that's why you have always wanted to join a Lodge. This is not unusual; many Masons are brought in by blood relations or in-laws.
It is wonderful to see how Freemasonry can reunite families who live significant distances apart. Then when one member has a special occasion to celebrate, such as becoming the Worshipful Master or takes on a key role in their Lodge, it’s wonderful to be able to share that occasion with their family.
A new social life?
People are social animals at heart and many love that engagement with other people joining an organisation can bring. The wide ranging spread of Freemasonry really does help with this desire. Lodges do exist throughout the country and the wider world and changing address does not mean that you lose contact with Freemasonry. If for any reason you have to move for work or family reasons, what better way is there than to build a new local network of friends by joining a Lodge in any area of the country that you may have moved to.
Meeting other people.
Freemasonry brings together all sorts of people from a wide variety of backgrounds, faiths, skills and interests and gives them all a common bond. Whilst membership of a sports club tells you that a person likes exercise, being a Freemason tells you about their moral values and being an initiation society, ensures that all Freemasons share common experiences.
Challenging.
Freemasonry offers a number of challenges, from stewarding the bar (helps to learn a person's name!), public speaking, learning ritual, or acting as the secretary or treasurer or even the highest accolade any member can be given by their Lodge, by leading the lodge as Worshipful Master.
Charity.
Freemasonry has always been linked to charity. Freemasonry does not look to raise money from non-Masons but encourages all Freemasons to give freely within the bounds of their personal capability. Charity is described as the “distinguishing characteristic of a Freemason’s heart.”
Friendship
During Lodge meetings there is a tendency to be very supportive and to have a recognition of the effort required to memorise long tracts of text and to be able to deliver them with sincerity. There is always a degree of banter and joking within a Lodge at the appropriate time and during social events.
The discussion of religion and/or politics is expressly forbidden within masonic meetings as this removes the foundation for many arguments and enables brethren to meet across an otherwise unbridgeable divide. For example, the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Israel is a Palestinian.
Visiting (other Lodges).
It should be remembered that first and foremost Freemasonry is a pastime. For some officers within the Lodge it can sometimes seem like a job, particularly when others are enjoying the banter at the bar while you are still collecting dining fees! However, when you go visiting you can forget all that, letting someone else do all the work.
Visiting is one of the joys of being a Freemason, seeing how other Lodges operate and how they deliver their ritual (which may differ slightly to your own Lodge), this means that every Lodge meeting is a joy. Meeting new friends and seeing longstanding old ones is the cornerstone of Freemasonry.
Improve your skill set.
Freemasons who take an active role within the Lodge will learn many new skills. Lodge ritual elements are single act plays, delivered out loud by a small cast of volunteer members to a highly supportive audience.
As an active officer, masons will gradually become comfortable with the idea of speaking in public. They will also have learnt the art of memorising text and standing in the right place at the right time.
Secretaries and treasurers learn the skills required to successfully organise and run what is essentially a small not-for-profit business. Those attaining the office of Worshipful Master will learn how to manage the consensus of opinion and to rule their Lodge.
Just remember - If you are interested in joining Freemasonry?
To be one,
Ask One!
News -Christmas Parcel Project
Article from the Ilkley Gazette
https://www.ilkleygazette.co.uk
CHARITY volunteers and schoolchildren visited the homes of local residents to deliver special presents this Christmas.
Organised by Ilkley and District Good Neighbours, the Christmas Parcel Project – which began over 25 years ago - has brought a touch of seasonal good cheer annually to a number of the area’s older and less able residents, some of whom might feel isolated at this time of year.
Almost 100 gifts were delivered by pupils from Ilkley Grammar 6th form along with volunteer drivers. Many of the children had taken time off from their examination preparations so they could bring a present – either a special parcel or a flowering potted plant - to brighten the day for some very appreciative recipients.
“This can be a difficult time as we know for some of our older residents, “ said Ed Duguid, organiser of this year’s project. “The Christmas Parcel scheme is just one of the ways our charity can support them and let them know that they aren’t forgotten.
“ The recipients are always grateful when they receive their presents but, equally importantly they also really enjoy meeting the students and sharing time with them.”
One of the residents said: “It’s always a special moment when the children turn up on the doorstep with their gift. It makes Christmas just that bit more special.”
Preparation for the delivery of the presents is a major task which begins months before the actual event itself, involving a number of voluntary organisations and community groups.
The charity wishes to thank the following local organisations for supporting the project:
Ilkley Round Table;
Ben Rhydding Freemasons Lodge and Nicholson’s Jewellers for their funding and support this year;
The Rotary Clubs of Ilkley and Ilkley & Wharfedale for providing some of the drivers;
Booths and Aldi Supermarkets, Ilkley Community Transport and Ilkley Community Action for their administrative support.
In addition, we thank Skipton Building Society and a variety of Ilkley and District Good Neighbours Volunteers and Trustees for packing and wrapping the parcels, and the Masonic Hall in Ilkley for letting the charity use their facilities.
The charity also wants to warmly thank the young students who took time off from their studies to bring a welcome smile to the faces of a number of deserving local residents.
Ilkley and District Good Neighbours is an independent local charity, based in Ilkley but also operating in the surrounding areas of the Wharfe Valley. It runs a number of projects aimed at supporting older and less able people living independently. The schemes, which are all free, include Befriending, Shop Assist, Home and Garden Assist and Moving On along with special events such as day trips and advice sessions.
If you want to know more about Ilkley and District Good Neighbours and the work they do in the community, or to ask about volunteer work, go to
www.goodneighboursilkley.org.uk
