Just A Number……….. Ask His Brother!
The recent Installation Meeting of Royal Somerset Lodge, at Frome, saw W. Bro Joe Webster become their Worshipful Master for the ensuing year.
Somerset’s Provincial Grand Almoner, Adrian Robson, was the Presiding Officer, accompanied by Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, Jeff Body
Joe was Installed in fine fashion by outgoing Master, Ian Rogers, ably assisted by his Officers . Ian has worked tirelessly throughout his year in the Chair, raising the profile of the Lodge, Frome’s Masonic Hal, and Masonic support of community charities, near and far.
Joe only joined Royal Somerset Lodge last year, having relocated to Frome from Romford in Essex, following the death of his wife a few years earlier. He now lives with his daughter within walking distance of Frome Masonic Hall.
He became a Freemason in 1980, having been Initiated in Old Libertian Lodge in Romford, since when he has served three separate terms as Master of the Lodge.
Joe was also a member of Heath Park Lodge in the village of Orsett, Essex, where he has also been Master.
Since joining Royal Somerset Lodge, Joe has impressed the Brethren with his excellent ritual, apparent boundless enthusiasm and a willingness at all times to actively assist the Lodge in any way he can. He is a regular at Frome’s Lodges of Instruction which, given his Masonic history, provides a quiet inspiration to all.
It came as no surprise then, that when Royal Somerset’s plan for the progression of their Lodge Officers needed to be amended slightly, he immediately offered his services to fulfil whichever role helped the situation best, including the position of Master if required
That proved to be the ideal solution, and so it came to be.
Joe was born in Derby in 1936. He served with the British Army for three years mainly in Malaya with the Gurkha Brigade, before training as a teacher of science, eventually becoming a deputy head. He married Ann in 1960. They had two daughters, and he now has six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
He took early retirement from teaching, whereupon he served on London Borough of Havering Council as Chairman of Education.
The one fact that the Lodge members find difficult to believe about Joe, is that he is 90 years old!! This is something that Joe just shrugs off in an ‘it’s only a number’ kind of way, citing his belief that Freemasonry keeps his mind active which, in turn, keeps him active. It’s obviously in the genes because his older brother is still a regular and keen cyclist at the age of 93!!!!
If the Brethren of Royal Somerset work as hard for Joe as he undoubtedly will for them, they’re in for another great year, with a number of ceremonies already scheduled.
Have a great year, Joe. Age is, indeed, just a number.
