Emergency Services Raising & Burns Night
On the 22nd January, Emergency Services Lodge (ESL) saw Brother Ed Cullen raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in front of a packed temple at Taunton Masonic Hall. In a ceremony witnessed by around 90 brethren, Ed left the Fellowcraft degree and took a third step his Masonic career. Ed received a presentation around the Third Degree tracing board from Malcolm Redston ESL’s Director of Ceremonies (below) with some extra Solomon Masonic learning nuggets.
Ed is well known locally as he runs his catering business alongside his wife Jackie from Vivary Park Golf Club; he is a retired British Army Officer and also a leading light in the Taunton Armed Forces Day annual event, as part of the National Armed Forces week programme. After the ceremony those present moved to the dining room to enjoy a Burns Night festive board, as always provided in great style by Karen and her team. Diners saw the Haggis piped in (above top) and the traditional address to the Haggis being delivered by Chris Marchmont (below) with his normal Scottish grace and style.
One of the highlights of the evening was the response to the Visitors’ toast, made by Andy Price, a Welsh Mason who hadn’t seen Ed for nineteen or so years, since serving in the Army and being involved in a youth Rugby Club. Andy recalled how he’d seen a social media post around Armed Forces Day, and noted that a member of ESL Lodge had commended Ed for wearing a Somerset Provincial Tie. Andy joined the dots as hadn’t been aware that Ed was a Brother in the craft. He then made it his mission to contact the ESL secretary and secretively book himself and his own blood brother into coming to Ed’s ceremony of raising. Who knew there were secrets in Masonry! A lovely surprise for Ed that made an already special night even better.
Thank you to all of the visitors for joining the ESL brethren on this occasion: as always their presence made the evening full of happiness. As a final mention, it was wonderful to have Martin Straus attend as a visitor; Martin is the current Mayor of Taunton and he along with Chris Marchmont donned their tartan kilts for the wonderful evening.
Report by: Andy Newland – ESL Comms Officer
