On Tuesday 27th May at The Lodge of Dawn, Worshipful Master Mark Gaftarnik conducted his first Third Degree ceremony of the Masonic year 2024/25. Bro. Mark Raw was dutifully raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason.
It was quite a performance by all involved with ritual being delivered to a great standard.
Bro Raw’s answers to the ten questions were perfect. This came as no surprise to those present because, despite him being a Fellowcraft only moments earlier, Bro. Raw had successfully delivered the explanation of the apron to our guest ‘candidate’, the RW Provincial Grand Master, at Junior Master Night only a week earlier.
Since joining the Lodge of Dawn, with his initiation on October 22nd 2024, Bro. Raw has regularly attended practice and enjoys attending regular lodge meetings. He is also very actively involved in both lodge social events and Light Blues meetings and his enthusiasm for Freemasonry has not gone unnoticed. So much so, that a very special surprise awaited our new Master Mason and one that filled the room with pride and reflection.
Remembering brethren past is an important part of our duty as Freemasons and we were all reminded of this both during and after the ceremony.
Bro. Raw was presented with the late W Bro. Graham S Dalton’s apron and book of emulation ritual. Sadly, W Bro. Dalton passed away in November 2024, and his wife Lilian expressed that his apron and book of ritual go to a new member of The Lodge of Dawn.
W Bro. Raymond S Diamond, a close friend of W Bro. Dalton, had the great honour of presenting Bro. Raw with his apron. At the Festive Board W Bro. David Myers gave Bro. Raw the book of ritual.
W Bro. Dalton’s last attendance in lodge was at Bro. Raw’s initiation, thus the continuity of his memory continues.
Bro. Raw said, “A ceremony to remember, that very much resonated with me and for my future life. I was very emotional with the whole evening, the well wishes before and after from brethren inside and outside of the Lodge of Dawn. And from the Leeds Light Blues. It was very special, being embraced by a new family through a shared connection. Receiving W Bro. Dalton’s apron and book of ritual was quite a surprise and I feel so honoured to be wearing it in his memory.”
A delicious and enjoyable festive board was had by all and with Bro. Raw’s personal trainer, Bro Gawtry also attending. Bro. Raw was reminded that puddings were a luxury and not a necessity!
Raising £220 for charity through our monthly raffle was a splendid way to end the evening and with two more Raisings very soon, the Lodge of Dawn is enjoying steady growth.
WM Mark Gaftarnik with Bro. Raw, the latest Master Mason of the Lodge of Dawn
If you are not a Freemason and, having read the above, would like to find out more, read our Seven Reason to Join The Freemasons, our guide on ‘How to join The Freemasons‘ or our simple ‘What is Freemasonry?’ page.
And if you would like to join The Lodge of Dawn in Leeds, please feel free to get in touch via our ‘Contact Us’ page.