A Triple Initiation Ceremony at Old Gaytonians Lodge No 7855 – A Report by W. Bro Rupesh Valji PPrDepGReg SLGR
“There was a buzz in the air at HDMC on Monday 12th February 2024, where the Secretary and other senior members of the Lodge were preparing from early afternoon to receive, W Bro. John Leggett, PSGD, AProvGM at their meeting to witness a rare occurrence of a triple Initiation ceremony. All 3 candidates were very dear friends of W Bro. Rupesh Valji, Secretary of Old Gaytonians Lodge No 7855, who were keen to join the Lodge all at the same time. The Lodge room was filled with excitement from the many visitors who also had not witnessed such a meeting and it was a first for Old Gaytonians.
After some careful planning and assistance from all the Officers of the Lodge, the meeting started on time and the candidates were initiated by the WM, who is none other than W Bro. Christopher Connop, PSGD, PAProvGM. The Charge after Initiation was presented by the Candidates Proposer, W Bro. Rupesh Valji, PPrDepGReg, SLGR, who also assisted the Deacons with the floor work.
Rupesh has known the candidates for some years and had been having various conversations about Freemasonry and Old Gaytonians Lodge. He invited them to have a brief look at the Lodge rooms after a meeting and together with the explanations from some other members of the Lodge, they were so impressed, they all said, ‘where do we sign’.
The Lodge also had members from its associated Lodges who came as guests to support the meeting. These were Ruislip St. Martins Lodge No 9125 and Harrow Temple in Unity Lodge No 1310 for which the WM and Brethren were very grateful as always.
The three Initiates and members of the Lodge together with guests
The candidates, Bros. Adam Kern, Umesh Shah and Raj Sungha, enjoyed the ceremony and were presented the Initiates guides from W Bro. John Leggett, PSGD, AProvGM, who explained some of the regalia and parts of the Ceremony they had just gone through. It was also explained to them the advantages of visiting other Lodges and were informed about membership of the Light Blues Club, which is open to all.
They enjoyed the Festive Board in the company of the Worshipful Master and the APGM and were all presented with a copy of the Summons from the evening as a memento to remember their Initiation, signed by everyone present and by the Secretary who gave the toast to the Initiates. All the members of the Lodge wished them well and are looking forward to their progress in Masonry in the coming years.”
Ed: A thanks to W. Bro Rupesh Valji Secretary of Old Gaytonians for the report and photos.
W. Bro Rupesh Valji with two of his candidates.
