Paul Tarrant, the Provincial Grand Master (PGM) of Essex Freemasons, will recognise one family’s amazing 150 years of dedicated service at a special meeting on 3rd May 2023.
Southend-on-Sea Lodge No. 6484 was formed in the aftermath of WW2 by Southend Freemasons respecting those who had lost their lives fighting for freedom. They wanted to show the surrounding communities that a Masonic lodge is somewhere members of all different religious persuasions can meet and relax in perfect harmony. The Lodge, which meets on five Wednesdays a year at the Southend Masonic Centre, Saxon Hall, in Aviation Way, is planning a special meeting on 3rd May 2023 to celebrate the 75th Anniversary at which The Provincial Grand Master, Paul Tarrant will present Dennis Baum, the Lodge Treasurer, with a certificate to mark his 50 years as a Freemason.
It was a unique three-generational event when Dennis Baum was installed as the Worshipful Master of the Lodge in 1980 as his late father and grandfather occupied the Senior and Junior Wardens’ chairs. Dennis follows them both in being presented with certificates for 50 years in Freemasonry. Incredibly, all three have been the Masters not just of Southend-on-Sea Lodge but of Essex Masters Lodge No. 3256 as well, which also meets at Saxon Hall and has around 1000 members, making it the largest lodge in the United Grand Lodge of England, the governing body of English Freemasonry with 6,800 lodges and around 180,000 members. Essex is the second largest of 48 Provinces with over 300 lodges and around 8,000 members.
Dennis has made a considerable number of life-long friends during his 50 years, by embracing the four guiding principles of Freemasonry; integrity, friendship, respect, and charity have helped and doing everything possible for the enjoyment of others. As a Director of Southend Masonic Centre Ltd since 2001, he has served as Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Company Secretary making Saxon Hall not just a Masonic centre but one of the major venues for conferences and banqueting in the area.
The ceremonial side is another aspect Dennis has enjoyed throughout his 50 years as an Essex Freemason. He was first appointed as a Provincial Grand Steward in 1984 and progressed to be the Provincial Senior Grand Warden. On the 23rd March 2023 at the Annual Meeting of all Essex Masons at Freemasons’ Hall in London, Dennis was reappointed in this Office by the PGM. He said, “It is an honour as my grandfather also held that office and I do not know of any other serving the Province in this office for two years.” Dennis added, “My late father had been the Provincial Junior Grand Warden, an office I held in 2011, and I do not know of any other who has served as both the Provincial Senior and Junior Grand Wardens for Essex.”