Page 6 - Essex Mason (Issue 91)

Provincial

Continued... Paul’s defi nition of success is ‘Happiness’. The maxim of ‘More happiness not more
bling’ has been a guiding principle. His biggest personal success was meeting Jenny.
A Man for all Reasons Together, at the Rug Opera they helped raise over £80,000 for charity. His second
personal success came at HM Customs and Excise.
“Before then I had always coasted along but there, I realised that working hard is a
good idea and applying this simple truism has helped me considerably throughout
life.” Also winning the Best Actor award at the International Gilbert and Sullivan
Festival, at Buxton Opera House, is a personal success which will always be a happy
memory. If ever anyone was to play Paul in a movie of his life, his choice would
be Mark Rylance, a former artistic director of The Globe in London. “I choose him
because he is one of the greatest Shakespearian actors and in lots of his fi lms he
underplays himself”.
Jenny and Paul usually walk three to four miles every day. They are very keen on
environmental issues and are members of the local Wildlife Trust and the RSPB. The
swallow is his favourite bird but he also likes the crow family as they are the most
intelligent of all birds. “We are concerned that man-made climate change is having
an impact on wildlife, the country and the world which is why we are supporters of
Wildlife Trusts in general”. The wife of a Mason once told Paul she wished Freemasonry
would do more for animals and wildlife. Paul concurs saying “This is another public
perception which may need to be looked at in the future if we are to change the
minds of the public and the view that Freemasonry is a serious secret society, which is
perhaps our biggest challenge but fortunately we are moving in the right direction.”
Paul cannot say he has a favourite charity but those working for wildlife, stroke and
cancer are in his own top three charity sectors.
cancer are in his own top three charity sectors.
“Before then I had always coasted along
“Befor e then I had always coasted along In addition to walking, Paul’s favourite way to spend a day off is watching cricket, going
In addition to walking, Paul’s favourite way to spend a day off is watching cricket, going
but ther e, I r ealised that working har d to the theatre or anything to do with nature or the arts. An allotment at Bucklesham
but there, I realised that working hard
to the theatre or anything to do with nature or the arts. An allotment at Bucklesham
is a good idea and applying this simple provides both much pleasure and produce. A pint of Southwold Bitter is one thing
is a good idea and applying this simple
provides both much pleasure and produce. A pint of Southwold Bitter is one thing
truism has helped me considerably which can make his day instantly better but most of all he enjoys being with his family
truism has helped me considerably
which can make his day instantly better but most of all he enjoys being with his family
throughout life.”
thr oughout life.” at the dinner table just sitting, talking and eating. Christmas Day is extra special as
at the dinner table just sitting, talking and eating. Christmas Day is extra special as
Jenny’s family always have a traditional dinner which everyone looks forward to. If the tree fairy were to grant Paul three wishes
Jenny’s family always have a traditional dinner which everyone looks forward to. If the tree fairy were to grant Paul three wishes
this Christmas, he would ask for World Peace, ridding the world of illness and Southend United getting back into the Football
League!
As well as local history and folklore, Paul has a particular interest in the Crusades, Byzantium and medieval history and has all
three of Sir Steven Runciman’s books, The Last Byzantine Renaissance, The Byzantine Theocracy and The Medieval Manichee,
which is a study of Christian dualist heresy, so it is no surprise that if he could go back in time, he would like to meet the
Byzantium emperor at the time of the First Crusade, Alexis Commenus, to ask how he felt after seeking military support from
the Western powers but only receiving a rabble of an army arriving from all over. Paul would also take as much medication with
him as possible to help the ordinary citizens.
Other places to visit back in time are Aarhus in Denmark in the 70’s and Liverpool in the time of the Beatles, who made a lasting
impression on Paul throughout his teenage years along with rock band Jethro Tull. With an appreciation of music across all
genres, the Handel Operas are top of Paul’s classical music list “even Mozart once said Handel is the Master” said Paul “but I
also enjoy the works of Britten, Verdi and Puccini. Being widely travelled in America, Europe and Asia, Paul enjoyed Chennai,
formerly Madras, and would have liked more time there learning the local culture. Munich is another favourite city. Realising
there is still so much to see in the UK, Jenny and Paul mostly take self-catering holidays in properties cared for by The Landmark
Trust. Whilst staying in Scotland they walked over 40 miles along the West Highland Way. Train Holidays through Europe are
also on the bucket list including to Venice and other European destinations.
Paul has come a long way since wanting to be a fi reman as a child because his father was a part-time fi reman and there was a
big alarm bell at the top of the stairs which would go off every time there was a ‘shout’. Facebook has also been a good way
to connect with some people Paul has not seen for many years “I have a number of Friends on Facebook and use WhatsApp
but do not use Instagram or Twitter”. Of all his traits, Paul hopes his ability at being able to get on with people is the one most
appreciated by others “It is something I have worked hard at, especially when coming back from the stroke.”
As his Investiture on 9th September 2021 draws closer, we can rest assured the PGM/MEGS Des is grateful for all that has
been done in the past by everyone in the Province. He also is sensitive to the many changes taking place: “Over the years
membership has reduced and the focus is now on those worthy of membership. We are defi nitely more open which is far better.
Members are becoming more laid-back with their view of Freemasonry as opposed to times past when things were done in a
military fashion. Also, for many, their view of life is changing and we are all in together with a wide-range of different beliefs
and religions. Since the Age of Enlightenment, Freemasonry has never become a melting-pot producing one religion, as some
people think, and it never will. It is a wonderful organisation in which every member has a healthy respect for each other”.

In making their decision, the ‘Rulers of the Craft’ have carefully considered the attributes needed in the new PGM/MEGS for
the Province of Essex and for one who is worthy of the Masonic protocol to be addressed as ‘Sir’. In Paul William Tarrant they
have wisely chosen ‘A Man for all Reasons’.
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