WBro John Chatfield was Initiated into Freemasonry in 1953 but because of his varied career as a Naval Officer, a Chemical Engineer, and a Consultant for setting up chemical plants for a United States Corporation, it was very difficult for him to follow a progressive advancement in Freemasonry until he joined the Chestfield Lodge in 1990. He soon became a keen and active member of the Lodge of Instruction and attained the position of Worshipful Master in 1997 at the age of 77 years.

Chestfield being a relatively new Lodge did not have its own Tracing Boards and used those belonging to the Temple which, due to constant use and age, were becoming faded and difficult to see. John wanted the Lodge to have its own Tracing Boards and set about raising the necessary finance by encouraging those attending the Lodge of Instruction to make regular contributions to that end.

Unfortunately, John passed away in 1999 before the Boards were completed. Bro Tony Chatfield, his son, who is also a member of the Lodge, pursued his fathers ambition and, although suffering poor health himself, eventually saw the project through and on 1st April 2006 the Chestfield Lodge Tracing Boards were dedicated in John’s memory.

The ceremony was a happy celebration comprising an explanation of all three Tracing Boards, the third given by WBro Barry Cleaves of the King Edward Vll Lodge, the second delivered by the Worshipful Master WBro Andrew Stevens and the first by the Immediate Past Master WBro Neil Loxley. In turn, each presentation was accompanied by an interesting oration and prayer by the Provincial Grand Chaplain, WBro the Rev Ronald Gamble. The standard of the ritual was, as expected, most impressive and complimented this very special occasion.

When the writer was Editor of ‘The Provincial’ he was advised by a reader that he (the Editor) had used the word ‘unique’ incorrectly and that “the word unique is without equal; being the only one . . . and the word cannot be intensified or modified in any way. A thing is either ‘unique’ or it ain’t!” The reader was, of course, quite right. Well, given the above definition, what happened on 1st 2006 at the Chestfield Lodge No.9058 must surely be unique.

WBro Brian Dale PSGD,PAPGM
Cinque Ports Lodge No.1206

From Ed44, P12