Page 5 - Essex Mason (Issue 91)

Provincial Grand Lodge
P r o v i n c ia l G r a nd L od g e

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In 2017 Paul was Installed as Inspector General of the Rose Croix District of South Essex, which is
larger than some of the smaller Craft Provinces, and stepped down as an APGM in 2018 to focus on the District. On their
website the members convey their most hearty congratulations to Paul but “will miss his warm and friendly presence”. Paul
does consider himself gregarious and pleasant to people but has a serious side when discussing the job in front of him saying
“The Grand Secretary has laid out areas we (UGLE and the Provinces) should do together. They are not all the same and for
some we will have our own identity. I believe we are looking at all the right things including how we are viewed by the public”.
Rose Croix is Paul’s favourite Order. Perfected in 1989, he says “It has a depth of ritual which is both gentle and interesting
giving a different perspective. Managing a number of units has given me more experience and encouragement to take on
the work ahead”. When he was an APGM, there was a Lodge which surrendered its Warrant, “I gave all of myself in making
the closing ceremony poignant and with feeling, especially when talking about the Lodge history and I helped in fi nding new
Lodges for some of the members”. Without doubt, the biggest Masonic career highlight that Paul is proud of in all Orders was
his tenure as Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies (PGDC) in Royal Arch from 2008 to 2012. Having started in am-dram at
18 he said “the skills do help with ritual and being a DC. By performing as though in a small play, it helps impart the meaning
better, especially for a new member coming into the Lodge”. Paul also enjoys singing the Master’s Song and does not rule out
singing to a newly Installed Master in the future, possibly at his Mother Lodge.
Two Brethren who have had the biggest impact on Paul’s Masonic career so far are the late Peter Holland, the Deputy Provincial
Grand Master from 2005 to 2015 and his predecessor at the Rose Croix District of South Essex, who was also his Mentor and
Ray Fretten “who is someone I have always looked up to and is a real gentleman in every way”. As well as belonging to Essex
Masters No 3256 and Essex Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge No. 8665 Paul joined Laconic Lodge No. 9711 in Ipswich when
Jenny and he moved to Suffolk in 2017 to be closer to Jenny’s family. He is also a joining member of one of the three remaining
‘time-immemorial’ lodges, the Royal Somerset House and Inverness Lodge No. 4, and would have taken on the Offi ce of
‘Master of The Wardrobe’ role at Freemasons’ Hall but kindly declined the offer on being appointed as PGM/MEGS Designate
for Essex.

Outside of Freemasonry, Paul is a Freeman of the
Worshipful Company of Poulters whose motto is
‘Remember Your Oath’ and a Freeman of the City of
London. Music, Theatre and Arts have always played an
important part of Jenny and Paul’s lives. They have been
members of various choral, opera and musical groups
in Essex including the Rug Opera in Southend where
Paul was a founder. Formerly Paul was the South Essex
representative of the National Operatic and Dramatic
Association and a Trustee of the Freda Parry Scholarship
Fund which was established to assist young singers
intending to follow a singing career. The winners are
awarded £1,500 to assist with fees. This is very similar to
the Sponsor a Nurse scheme which the Essex Freemasons
Charity Fund (EFCF) is now promoting and match-funding
across the Province. Paul says “This is a great idea and I
am pleased, as an Honorary Member that, Old Westcliffi an
Lodge No. 5456 is going to sponsor an apprenticed nurse
along with fellow Federation of School Lodges in Essex”.
Paul is a great believer that every Lodge should have
a focus with a mission to help charity and contribute to
society. The change in demographics is bringing in far
more young people who are interested in Freemasonry,
“I was invited to attend a recent Cornerstone Zoom
committee meeting. There was a noticeable ‘buzz’ among
the members making it obvious that there are some
really useful and enjoyable things about Freemasonry
such as friendship, meeting new people from all walks
of life who, regardless of age, discovering enjoyment
from ritual followed by a good meal”. He believes more
young people will come in and offers some initial advice “The Grand Secretary has laid out areas we (UGLE and
“Please, please enjoy and don’t get worried. Think about the Provinces) should do together. They are not all the
the ritual and what it means, most of it is about bettering same and for some we will have our own identity. I
yourself. And don’t jump into everything straight away, believe we are looking at all the right things including
take it easy”. how we are viewed by the public”.

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