A Scout’s honour for the Master of the Venturer Lodge
Venturer Lodge No. 7897 is the ‘Scouting and other Youth Orientated Lodge’ in the Province. In July the brethren traditionally have their meeting in uniform.
Venturer Lodge No. 7897 is the ‘Scouting and other Youth Orientated Lodge’ in the Province. In July the brethren traditionally have their meeting in uniform. The Lodge meets at Chingford Masonic Hall which is at the junction of the road leading to the world famous Gilwell Park Scout Camp.
At the Installation meeting on 13th April 2023, it was a great honour for Steve Gough to go back into the Master’s Chair. Steve joined Venturer in 1984 and was installed as the Worshipful Master in 1995. Since then, he has served 26 years as the Lodge Secretary, an Office he has reluctantly had to give up, to be the Master again. Following his first appointment as Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in 2000 and subsequent promotions, Steve was honoured with Grand Rank as Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in 2010 and is also one of the Hermes Support Team for Essex.
Steve has always lived according to the Scout Motto of ‘Be Prepared’ and this was alluded to by the Essex Provincial Junior Grand Warden, Paul Harris, who said “It was a real pleasure to visit Venturer to see Steve Installed into the Chair of King Solomon, who as a well-organised Secretary had left nothing to chance and as the Worshipful Master, he will no doubt ensure that everything continues to run smoothly. The whole meeting was very impressive and followed by a very good Festive Board. I look forward to making an official visit to keep him on his toes although I somehow think that there will be no need for me to offer any advice to someone with so much experience.”
Steve now lives in Matlock where he is the Province of Derbyshire Yearbook Editor and 15 brethren, including the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Martin Bailey, travelled to Essex making a total of 32 visitors compared with 19 in 1995.
Among the visitors from Essex were three former APGMs that had Venturer Lodge under their portfolio whilst Steve Gough had been Lodge Secretary. These were Past Provincial Grand Master, John Webb, as well as John Davies and Lee Taylor. There were also four visitors and three members who were present in 1995.
During the meeting everyone enjoyed the experience of some ritual that is not often seen, including the Working Tools of an Installed Master, full closings in all three degrees and the Long Closing.
The next Venturer Lodge Meeting on 13th July 2023 will be a very special occasion to mark the diamond anniversary of the consecration on 4th July 1963 at Freemasons’ Hall by the then Provincial Grand Master, The Earl of Warwick. All will be welcome, especially those with a Scouting or youth organisation connection. Leading the celebrations will be a Master who considers it both a Masonic privilege and a Scout’s honour.
Photos:
Top: Venturer Lodge Installation Meeting 13th April 2023
Below: Steve Gough in Scout and Masonic dress