Page 19 - Essex Mason (Issue 92)

A ‘Freedom Day’ Exaltation:

Victorian Chapter No. 2184
By Gerald Reilly
Communications Team

The Chapter was Consecrated, 9th December 1895, by
His Honour F.A. Philbrick Q.C. (too many high masonic
and other honours to mention here) in The Phoenix Hotel
Rainham. Among the founders, the licensed vituallers
profession was very well represented; this happy trait
developed further with exaltees and joining-members
during the early years. Chapter meetings continued to
be held in hotels and COIs were in public houses until
the move in 1947 to Chingford Masonic Centre.
Interestingly in July 1896, the Chapter was granted a
dispensation to hold a ‘Masonic Service’ in ‘Masonic
Clothing’ at Rainham Church in support of its Restoration
Fund. From the conclusion of WWI to 1922, there were
forty-six Exaltees! Thereafter, most years required dual
exaltations until the 1970s. (Perhaps post-contagion, we
should be looking for increased numbers.)

In Victorian Chapter’s first hundred years, 325 joined or were Exalted from 105 different
chapters and lodges; this included 67 from the namesake Mother Lodge.

‘Freedom Day’ Exaltation, 19th July 2021, the first meeting for 18 months with thirty-five
members and visitors in attendance. (Image L-R, Frank Lawrence H.; Mike Fox Z, Dave
Weightman Exaltee; and Alan Jory J.)
Exaltee Dave Weightman joined
Freemasonry in 2010. His para-medic
colleagues included Freemasons;
he had noted their gentlemanliness,
purposefulness and integrity. This created a respectful
intrigue and thus welcomed an invitation, from a colleague,
to join. At his Initiation into Sancto Claro Lodge No. 9486, FULLY EQUIPPED MASONIC
he was delighted to see colleagues in attendance.
TEMPLE FOR HIRE
Now, Dave is unable to imagine not being a mason it
offers him:- friendship, a sense of family, belonging and Eastwood Road North
community – “magical”. He chose to concentrate on
progress to the Chair and now, successfully achieved, has Leigh-on-Sea
become a Royal Arch Companion; this fourth step he sees
as a natural, logical, progression to enhance the benefits IDEAL FOR
of Freemasonry and the contribution he can make to it.

A book could be written about Dave’s nigh thirty years as LODGE Meeting or LOI's
a paramedic, instructor, air-crew and the awards received: Fully Equipped Kitchen and Dining Room
this vital life-saving work is greatly valued by the community
and the Air Ambulance has received the enduring support This venue is also ideal for Choir Practice or Committee Meetings
of Essex masons. However, both the highs and lows of this
profession are, enduring traumatic – it’s not a case of just Contact Mrs. L. Potticary
logging-out in the evening.
Whilst this work attracts caring 07771 762 418
interest and appreciation, it lesley.potticary@sky.com
must be appreciated that their
‘days at the office’ are often,
something about which they
would rather not speak.

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