An American In Middlesex

Festive Board at Uxbridge Lodge - Bro Stafford is 2nd from left nearest the windows Festive Board at Uxbridge Lodge – Bro Stafford is 2nd from left nearest the windows

Stafford Purvis is aged 27 and a Unites States of America national from Maryland. He became interested in Freemasonry whilst studying at Brunel University. He enquired about it through the Middlesex Province recruitment initiative internet link and was put in touch with Uxbridge Lodge No 7066 by the Centre Membership Team Liaison Officer W Bro Nathan Clarke. His Proposer was Lodge Secretary W Bro Kevin Gates who first met Stafford in May 2021 in an outdoor setting at Fassnidge Park, Uxbridge when under Covid restrictions at the time outdoor meetings between a limited amount of people were allowed. Due to the ongoing pandemic, it was not possible to progress Stafford’s interest further. Meanwhile he spent some time in Italy progressing his studies. Throughout this time the Lodge kept in touch with Stafford by way of phone calls, emails, SMS texts and the occasional lunch with a few Lodge members as the Covid restrictions relaxed.

DETERMINATION WITHOUT BOUNDS

He was first interviewed by the Committee in June 2021 but his entry into Freemasonry was delayed by Covid restrictions, his travels abroad and his accident.

Eventually the time came for his Initiation but just before that Stafford had  returned to the States for a family holiday and was involved in a serious road accident which left him unconscious for 4 months. However, this man’s determination knows no bounds. Thankfully he made a full recovery and has since returned to the UK for further study and work. In his response to the Toast to the Initiate Bro Stafford thanked the Brethren for sticking with him through his many travails.

W Bro Tim Wright (his Seconder) was WM and assisted in the ceremony by W Bro Bill Crawley (Treasurer). The Charge after Initiation was given by W Bro Kevin Gates (as Acting DC, Secretary and Proposer). The meeting was 16 strong and a very enjoyable Festive Board followed.

The Lodge members look forward to seeing him progress to the Chair of King Solomon in Uxbridge Lodge No 7066 in the coming years.

Stafford is a Political Scientist and specialises in Conflict Resolution having studied Politics and International Relations at Brunel. He is the first one in his family to go to University as well as the first to travel outside of the USA.

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