I've been asked to join the Freemasons

I've been asked to join the Freemasons

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welsh blackbird

690 posts

243 months

Tuesday 7th February 2012
quotequote all
Pappa Lurve said:
Saddle bum said:
D1ngd0ng said:
Scensoredt I'm really struggling to get my lines to sink in for tonight headache any advice from others who have fluffed their lines would be appreciated.
Slow down.
Try and see the page in your mind.
Make up menomics for groups of words and "lists".
Ensure you have a good prompter, you won't need him then.
Don't look at people when doing it. Look at the wall, candidate's belt buckle or anything else.
Agree with most of the above, but the main thing I find is just to remember to learn the meaning of the words and put emotion into it. That way, it helps to keep you on track and if you make a mistake, the delivery is still good.

Oh, and hi brethern! Don't think I have posted on here yet and figured I really should. Been a mason for 8 years and just became IPM of my mother lodge last month.
Someone advised me to learn the end bit first and best, so that you finish with confidence. Don't know how well it would work! To be honest, I don't think there is a secret to learning; repetition, repetition and more repetition is the only way!

I too am IPM at the moment, so I sit there all evening with the book!

The Moose

22,820 posts

208 months

Tuesday 7th February 2012
quotequote all
welsh blackbird said:
Pappa Lurve said:
Saddle bum said:
D1ngd0ng said:
Scensoredt I'm really struggling to get my lines to sink in for tonight headache any advice from others who have fluffed their lines would be appreciated.
Slow down.
Try and see the page in your mind.
Make up menomics for groups of words and "lists".
Ensure you have a good prompter, you won't need him then.
Don't look at people when doing it. Look at the wall, candidate's belt buckle or anything else.
Agree with most of the above, but the main thing I find is just to remember to learn the meaning of the words and put emotion into it. That way, it helps to keep you on track and if you make a mistake, the delivery is still good.

Oh, and hi brethern! Don't think I have posted on here yet and figured I really should. Been a mason for 8 years and just became IPM of my mother lodge last month.
Someone advised me to learn the end bit first and best, so that you finish with confidence. Don't know how well it would work! To be honest, I don't think there is a secret to learning; repetition, repetition and more repetition is the only way!

I too am IPM at the moment, so I sit there all evening with the book!
As the chap who's just come out of the chair in our lodge - you're unwanted now and gotta sit there doing sweet fa!

Out of interest, which lodges (I'm Marlow Bridge 8616)

D1ngd0ng

1,014 posts

164 months

Tuesday 7th February 2012
quotequote all
Turned out a lot better than expected, I was only doing my 2nd but struggled a bit with the 2 longer answers (the bcensoreds... I mean brethren never told me that I'd get a prompt if I got lost hehe)

Didn't realise it when doing my 1st but the amount of info the others have to pack away is sommat else eek I'm already learning my lines for my 3rd read

WRumbled

392 posts

226 months

Tuesday 7th February 2012
quotequote all
Old Working is also a little blue book.

Initiated January 2010, passed February 2010, raised March 2010. Palatine Lodge No 97, Province of Durham.

The lodge is home to our DPGM, and I was lucky enough to have him do the Ex&C for my 3rd.

I was IG last year and am JD this year. We have a 3rd this Thursday. Already acting SD in LOI, and also already learning WT&C for Initiation, which is performed by the JW in our lodge (Old Working, if the first line didn't give the game away).

I love the ritual, and part of the fun of it for me is seeing the smiles on the 'old boys faces when you ace it. It's fair to say that a lot of pride is taken by the lodge in being well known for its good ritual work. Goes with the territory a little when it's 255 years old!

I joined Mark in December. Very different!

As has been extended by others, if any fellow masons would like an invite, second Thursday of every month, except July and August, please do drop me a PM.

Edited by WRumbled on Tuesday 7th February 15:37

Fer

7,707 posts

279 months

Tuesday 7th February 2012
quotequote all
The Moose said:
As the chap who's just come out of the chair in our lodge - you're unwanted now and gotta sit there doing sweet fa!

Out of interest, which lodges (I'm Marlow Bridge 8616)
Not too far from me then, although I am in Berkshire province.

ROB_GTR

1,818 posts

224 months

Tuesday 7th February 2012
quotequote all
In a way this is something I would like the opportunity to get into but I know very little (pretty much nothing) about.

My builder who is currently building my house let it slip that he is a mason and the conversation ended there as I felt awkward asking about it.
I will probably ask him about it and what is involved within the next few weeks but I don't think he goes to any meetings as he is from elsewhere and I suspect he used to attend but no longer does........

I'm near hull, east yorks if that makes any difference......

welsh blackbird

690 posts

243 months

Tuesday 7th February 2012
quotequote all
The Moose said:
welsh blackbird said:
Pappa Lurve said:
Saddle bum said:
D1ngd0ng said:
Scensoredt I'm really struggling to get my lines to sink in for tonight headache any advice from others who have fluffed their lines would be appreciated.
Slow down.
Try and see the page in your mind.
Make up menomics for groups of words and "lists".
Ensure you have a good prompter, you won't need him then.
Don't look at people when doing it. Look at the wall, candidate's belt buckle or anything else.
Agree with most of the above, but the main thing I find is just to remember to learn the meaning of the words and put emotion into it. That way, it helps to keep you on track and if you make a mistake, the delivery is still good.

Oh, and hi brethern! Don't think I have posted on here yet and figured I really should. Been a mason for 8 years and just became IPM of my mother lodge last month.
Someone advised me to learn the end bit first and best, so that you finish with confidence. Don't know how well it would work! To be honest, I don't think there is a secret to learning; repetition, repetition and more repetition is the only way!

I too am IPM at the moment, so I sit there all evening with the book!
As the chap who's just come out of the chair in our lodge - you're unwanted now and gotta sit there doing sweet fa!

Out of interest, which lodges (I'm Marlow Bridge 8616)
In my lodge (Caradoc 1674 North Wales), the IPM prompts the WM. This year's WM seems to have "forgotten" to learn great chunks of the ritual, so I'm being kept busy!

You're right, though - one day top man, the next a has-been! I did WM twice, so at least I was prepared for the rapid descent the second time!

I'm H in Chapter at the moment, so I've still got loads to learn.

Joining Freemasonry was one of the best things I've ever done.

Pappa Lurve

3,827 posts

281 months

Wednesday 8th February 2012
quotequote all
Fer said:
The Moose said:
As the chap who's just come out of the chair in our lodge - you're unwanted now and gotta sit there doing sweet fa!

Out of interest, which lodges (I'm Marlow Bridge 8616)
Not too far from me then, although I am in Berkshire province.
I much prefer doing sweet FA! Doing the Charge in our next meeting but its much easier when you are not under pressure.

Manchester Lodge No 179 - which is in London obviously! We meet in Clerkenwell.

andyjo1982

4,957 posts

209 months

Wednesday 8th February 2012
quotequote all
Pappa Lurve said:
I much prefer doing sweet FA! Doing the Charge in our next meeting but its much easier when you are not under pressure.

Manchester Lodge No 179 - which is in London obviously! We meet in Clerkenwell.
Chiswick 2012 for me, we used to meet in Clerkenwell too, but with the new plans for the building, we thought best to move to GT Queen st, and we are so glad we have. The temples are far nicer, no ripped carpet and we go the Prince of Wales for our festive board, and it is a millions times better than any of the food served up in Clerkenwell.

JD for me this year, to be IPM after 8 years is going some...

Good to see a few new contributors to the thread thumbup

escargot

17,110 posts

216 months

Wednesday 8th February 2012
quotequote all
I'm JD this year too (from March). Nice to see a few of us doing floor work together.

Mr Pies

8,842 posts

186 months

Wednesday 8th February 2012
quotequote all
I'm just wondering, is it expensive to join and stay in the Freemasons? Or is that a question that you're not allowed to answer?

My great grandfather was a Freemasom. I'm sure my man still has his robe etc at home. I'll ask her the next time I see her.

escargot

17,110 posts

216 months

Wednesday 8th February 2012
quotequote all
It's relative.

My lodge fees are £170 per annum plus costs of dining (£12-15 per meal x 9 meetings), plus beers, charitable giving, regalia etc. I do a fair bit of visiting so I guess I probably spend around £200 per month on masonic stuff when you factor in dining at other lodges, taxies or fuel etc.

If you were happy doing the bare minimum, it wouldn't and doesn't have to expensive at all. It all depends on you really. Some members of our lodge just turn up for the meeting and go straight home, don't visit etc so they only pay the £170 per annum and are quite happy with that. Others who are out practically every night of the week at something or other obviously spend an awful lot more. In fact, I dread to think what they spend to be honest.

sleep envy

62,260 posts

248 months

Wednesday 8th February 2012
quotequote all
escargot said:
In fact, I dread to think what they spend to be honest.
you're a busy boy wink

I know a chap who is a member of 42 lodges as is at a meeting 6 nights out of 7 every week

it's his life - the poor bd

Mon Ami Mate

6,589 posts

267 months

Wednesday 8th February 2012
quotequote all
Out of interest, what ritual do others follow? I'm a logic man.

escargot

17,110 posts

216 months

Wednesday 8th February 2012
quotequote all
sleep envy said:
escargot said:
In fact, I dread to think what they spend to be honest.
you're a busy boy wink
Yeah, you could say that. I've heard whispers about chapter too; "you think he'd be interested in coming in....OH! Hello Bro H, didn't see you there...!" wink

Bit too soon for that though.

sleep envy

62,260 posts

248 months

Wednesday 8th February 2012
quotequote all
Mon Ami Mate said:
Out of interest, what ritual do others follow? I'm a logic man.
taylor's

Mon Ami Mate

6,589 posts

267 months

Wednesday 8th February 2012
quotequote all
sleep envy said:
taylor's
Ooh, now that's interesting. I've visited Emulation, Bristol and Cumberland workings, but never seen Taylor's.

sleep envy

62,260 posts

248 months

Wednesday 8th February 2012
quotequote all
escargot said:
Yeah, you could say that. I've heard whispers about chapter too; "you think he'd be interested in coming in....OH! Hello Bro H, didn't see you there...!" wink

Bit too soon for that though.
far too soon imo

Andy XJ

68 posts

170 months

Wednesday 8th February 2012
quotequote all
"West End" workings down our way.

I'm just writing the "Toast to the Visitors" that I have been asked to give at the FB after our next meeting.


rednotdead

1,214 posts

225 months

Wednesday 8th February 2012
quotequote all
Mon Ami Mate said:
Out of interest, what ritual do others follow? I'm a logic man.
Universal - very similar to Taylors.