Memories of a Freemason – Nevil Tolkin PPGReg

I remember sitting in the Senior Warden’s chair, looking at the South East corner, with a sea of purple and gold, and thinking “what the hell am I doing here, I shouldn’t be here…..” but Brother Caplan, as he was then, just told me to keep calm. As soon as the Worshipful Master, W Bro. Graham, said “your place in the lodge?” I was OK. I do also remember when Worshipful Master Graham ‘placed’ me into The Chair he really did, with added ‘place’. He shoved me down so hard he nearly broke my back! I’ve never forgiven him……

Running up to it, as my career had progressed in Freemasonry, I remember doing all the ‘theatrical’ bits – I found it fascinating. It all seemed very strange and alien to what you were used to in normal life. I always thought ‘I never learn all this!‘

I don’t remember anything of the Festive Board (although I do know there were 98 brethren in attendance) but I do still have the menu card. Citrus Fruit marinaded in Tarragon and Vinegar, Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pudding and Jamaican Sundae for dessert. And no, I have no idea what Jamaican Sundae is!

Firstly my Ladies Night. We held it at what was then The Dragonara Hotel but is now The Hilton Hotel, which funnily enough is on Neville Street, although that’s not why I chose it. My DofC was the late Ralph Fielding, and my two joint Social Secretaries were Neil Solden and Geoff Caplan. The entertainment was a DJ by the name of Eddie Jay, that some people may remember.

The other social highlights that stand out that I organised as Master were a River Cruise and a speaker that we had at Neil Solden’s house;

The River Cruise was on the canal and went all the way to Armley, then turned around and came all the way back. I hired a navy Captain’s uniform for the occasion, and my ‘Chief Purser’, the late Tony Ross, did the same. I even wore my war medals, like a proper Captain would.

The speaker that we had at Neil Solden’s was the then sports writer for the Yorkshire Evening Post, John Morgan. He was very interesting. He wouldn’t let us pay him a fee, but requested that all monies went straight to his favourite charity, St Gemma’s Hospice, which of course we did.

I remember my ‘Master-Elect’ Dinner. There were 18 Past Masters there… at £10 a head… it cost me £180!!! I also remember that my JD during my year was Jeff Hillman, my SD was Howard Bott and the Tyler, sitting outside the door of the lodge, was a young lad called Raymond Diamond….. I wonder what became of him….. [note to readers he is now The Lodge of Dawn Preceptor!]

I made sure I attended as many Leeds lodges as I could during the year. It was great fun, and our Masters Circle is still going strong. I had three initiates during my year, one of whom I became very close to, W Bro. David Myers. There is a lovely link to me initiating David, as I was also the Installation secretary to his father, the late W Bro. Howard Myers, 14 years prior to me reaching The Chair. I have even still got a sterling silver pen that Howard gave to me as a gift on his Installation.

My other two initiates were Howard Taylor and Nick Frazer,. The interesting thing about Nick being one of my initiates, alongside David, was that it meant I initiated two sons of existing masons (W Bro. Howard Myers and W Bro. Eric Frazer) in the lodge in one year. I’m not sure if any other master of The Lodge of Dawn can match that claim. And also, with both of their fathers being ‘proper old school masons’, neither Nick nor David had any idea what was about to happen to them!

Firstly I would say ‘take it seriously’. Whilst Freemasonry is of course a social activity, be serious about your year in The Chair. Secondly, whenever you get a chance to learn your ritual, do so. There’s a lot to learn and it takes time and commitment. And thirdly I would say to try and relax as much as you can during your year. You only do it once, so enjoy it while you can – make sure you enjoy your year. You will meet some very, very good people, and they will stays friends for life.