“On 12th October 2024, the Old Chelmsfordian Lodge celebrates its 90th anniversary and the installation of its new master, W Bro Paul Yarwood.”  In the annual calendar of masonic meetings, the installation of a new master and his officers is always an important event. So, what made the installation meeting of The Old Chelmsfordian Lodge 5499 on 12 October 2024, stand out?  Many things, is the short answer.

First, the meeting marked the OC’s 90th anniversary, almost to the day. That, in itself, was a great achievement and it was made more special by the presence of not 1 but 3 Provincial grand officers, led by the Very Worshipful Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Nick Franklin, accompanied by a Provincial director of ceremonies.

The new master, W. Bro Paul Yarwood, was delighted to be able to appoint his son, Ben, as inner guard – a very special moment. Also special, was the support Paul received from several visiting brothers from Acacia Lodge, where Paul is the current master. Acacia Lodge is unusual in having members from across England, being a specialist lodge for funeral directors, and the guests included four  from Warwickshire.  Being an old school lodge, OC’s were very pleased that brothers from old school lodges, Old Palmerians and Old Easthameians to join the celebration.

But the meeting was obviously not just about Paul, the new master. It was quite an evening for the OC’s retiring master, Roy Shirley. What was remarkable was that Roy celebrated his 90^th birthday last December and being slightly younger than the Lodge, he was presiding over the OC’s 90^th anniversary meeting. Roy handled the meeting admirably, assisted by his officers, notably IPM W. Bro Paul O’Hare, who had introduced the new master into the lodge, after they had become firm friends while working together in the City. 

Before becoming involved with The Old Chelmsfordian Lodge Roy had been master of Lyonsdown lodge in Hertfordshire and also held provincial rank of PPJGW in Hertfordshire.

Roy was given his First Appointment in Essex in 2019 where he was made PPAGReg. But as rank earned in one province does not transfer to another, a situation Roy had accepted reluctantly and being mildly rebellious, he’d continued to use his Hertfordshire apron. Imagine his surprise and pleasure, then, when VW Bro Franklin used the rare field promotion process to award Roy the equivalent rank in Essex province.

Roy’s joy for the evening was compounded at the Festive Board, when W. Bro Jeremy Thompson, who Joined OC’s from Lyonsdown Lodge at the same as Roy in 2015, delivered  the Tyler’s toast to him. Roy also won a prize in the raffle – a box of 4 bottles/cans labelled ‘No Lo’, comprising 2 cans of Guinness Zero alcohol stout and 2 bottles of Adnams’ Ghost Ship 0.5% ABV pale ale.

The raffle raised £395 and will help to boost the Lodge Charity Account. W. Bro. Paul Yarwood announced his dedicated charity for the year will be SANCTUs, a local charity who care for the homeless people of Chelmsford.

BRO (Back Row Observer)