A Double First at King Alfred and an MCV

King Alfred had a very busy night at its February meeting. It was a double first-degree
ceremony, where W Bro Andy Clapp took the chair to initiate two of his nephews, Bro Jack
Allen and Bro Finlay James. The initiations being in February was important as Andy’s father Terry Clapp was initiated into King Alfred lodge in February 1981, King Alfred have a tradition of reading out Masonic Birthdays, so it was good to see Terry being able to attend the meeting to see his grandchildren initiated.

The ceremony went very smoothly with the two deacons each taking around a candidate with
brethren doubling up on the role of the Wardens. The NE corner was given by W Bro Chris
Millard and the charge after initiation was given extremely well by W Bro Phil Lewis.
W Bro Justin Pursey was invited to present the working tools as he is a friend of the
Candidates.

The meeting started at 6.00 pm to allow time for W Bro Tony Guthrie, with the Provincial
team, to present the “Membership Challenge”. This was a very interesting and informative
presentation outlining the Membership history of the Province and King Alfred lodge in
Particular. This has encouraged the lodge to look more closely at its membership, and look at
new ways to retain its membership, together with carefully selecting future brethren.