On Monday 13th October, Wilfred Attenborough Lodge, which meets at Totton Masonic Hall, Southampton, held a special ‘Beyond the Craft’ meeting to inform the brethren of the merits of some of the Companion Orders. The Lodge invited senior members of several of the Companion Orders as well as Craft masons from other lodges to the meeting.
The Lodge was opened with the senior members of the Companion Orders in their respective regalia, rather than their craft regalia, which was an interesting sight for some attendees who were not members of these Companion Orders.
After some initial Lodge business the Lodge was called off. Each of the special guests was then given 10 minutes to discuss the history, ceremonies, regalia and charitable aspects of their Orders, which were all well received by the Brethren. Following these presentations, the special guests and non-lodge members were invited to leave, so that the Lodge could continue with its business.
This early departure from the Lodge gave the other guests an opportunity to speak to the senior members of the Companion Orders about their Order before the remainder of the Lodge members. This was a fruitful time of discussion and interest about the Companion Orders.
Once the Lodge had completed the remainder of its business and closed, members were also able to converse with the guests. We were then treated to a wonderful festive board, at which some non-masons were also invited, which led to further discussion about Freemasonry and the different Companion Orders.
The evening was a wonderful example of Masonic brotherhood between the Craft, Chapter and the other Companion Orders. Let’s hope it gave the members a good idea of what exists beyond Craft / Royal Arch masonry and that it has peaked their interest in joining some of these Companion Orders.
Our thanks go to the members of Wilfred Attenborough Lodge for organising the evening, especially Peter Goodchild.