Page 40 - Essex Mason (Issue 92)

Guardians of Traditions
William of Colchester Lodge No. 5255

“We are the guardians of
traditions. We take great pride in
our antiquity and in that way render
a great service to the Community.
Tradition is the accumulated
wisdom of those gone before and
the tendency of modern progress
is to lose sight of tradition. We
are one of those Institutions
which preserve tradition”.

Less than two months before the late Pro Grand Master, Lord Ampthill, addressed the 150th Annual Convocation of the
Grand Lodge of New York with the above words, Essex Freemasons formed a new Lodge to keep alive the memory
of William of Colchester, the Chief Mason of the works of the Nave of Westminster Abbey in the 1400s. On 26th
March 1931, the Provincial Grand Master (PGM), Brigadier Sir Richard Beale Colvin - see Monkhams Centenary was the
Consecrating Officer.
Ninety years later, on 25th November 2021, the Brethren of William of Colchester Lodge No. 5255 clearly demonstrated
to their guests and visitors that the former Pro Grand Master, Chief Mason and PGM would be deeply satisfied that their
Lodge is preserving tradition. In between a model Opening and Closing the Lodge gave an impeccable demonstration
of the First Degree Ceremony in preparation for an Initiation of a new candidate at the next meeting.
With a focus on Charity the Lodge agreed to donate £1,000 to the local Night Shelter and the 25 Brethren at the Festive
Board raised £250 with the raffle and football scratch cards. The visitors included two Brethren from Nore Lodge No.
3610, Mark Gurteen, a Past Assistant Grand Standard Bearer (PAGStB), the Charity Steward and Mentor, with his mentee,
Fellow Craft Kevin Ebbs, on his first ever visit to another Lodge. Both Mark and Kevin were decidedly impressed to say
they will be returning for the next Meeting.
Other visitors included Provincial Senior and Junior Grand Deacons Andy Hastings of Old Parkonians’ No. 4709 and
Keith Bartlett of United No. 697; John Print, a Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden (PPSGW), of Meridies Colcestriae No.
9715; Andy Hardie, the Immediate Past Master (IPM) of Grey Friars No. 5169, proudly wearing his Locomotion Lodge of
Mark Master Masons lapel badge of which he is a Founder Member.
Paul Skiffington, the Master of Pyefleet No. 8913 responded to the Toast on behalf of the Visitors. Paul was extremely
appreciative and succinct with his response. Having served for many years in an Army Corps with the motto ‘Nil Sine
Labore’ which translates as ‘Nothing Without Work’, Paul knew that such an enjoyable and successful Lodge meeting
and festive board with its focus on Charity does not just happen but takes hard work and dedication which the Brethren
of William of Colchester Lodge No. 5255, like the vast majority of Freemasons, do so well as the guardians of traditions.