New master’s first duty was to initiate son

At his first meeting following his installation as Master of Clarence Lodge Nicholas Rolf initiated his 18-year-old son Charlie.

The ceremony in Gosport, in the Province of Hampshire and Isle of Wight, saw a packed house witness the ceremony.

Visitors from around the Province and further afield attended along with senior brethren who wanted to be present at the rare event.

The ritual was shared around and the initiate was presented with a Bible that had belonged to a member who joined the lodge in 1972.

Michael Barraclough led the brethren in singing the Initiate’s Song at the after-proceedings and the moving Initiate’s Poem was read by Duncan Heritage.

Charlie is one of many young men who have joined Freemasonry from the age of 18.