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Matt’s Blog
Matt's friend Ben writes a guest blog
Having been writing this blog now for a couple of years, I thought it was about time you heard from someone else so I have asked my mate Ben, who appears quite a lot in my ramblings, to write something about his views since he became a Mason. Here's what he has to say:
Hi everybody my name is Ben Taylor and you may have seen my name in a few of Matt’s blogs. Matt and I were on the same course at the University of Liverpool. I will be graduating in July and because of this I have been asked to write a guest blog on my experiences as a Mason whilst being a student at university.
First, let me start by talking about my initiation into Freemasonry. It was in my first year of university in the December of 2007. I went to the lodge not knowing what to expect as this was the first time I had met these people but after I was initiated into Freemasonry, at the festive board (the meal after the meeting), everybody was extremely friendly and brought me into a lot of conversations. They made me feel very welcome.
This is what I found and still do find; every Mason that I have met is extremely friendly and will be glad to help in any way that they can.
As time went on in the lodge I was given jobs to do at the meetings, some with quite a lot of responsibility. I found this quite worrying at first as I thought to myself that I have only been to a few meeting before this and I was being asked to take on a difficult role so I voiced my concerns that I might not be able to do it because I was still learning but they reassured me and told me not to worry; if I made a mistake, it wouldn’t ruin the meeting. So, with this said, I did the role and felt fine and didn’t worry about making a mistake (which I didn’t).
Another great experience that I have found from being a Mason is how much the people are different; no one person is the same; they all have different stories to tell and have great fun telling them to you at the festive board. Also I have found who you are or what you do job-wise doesn’t matter; you could be the Prime Minister and you would be treated the same as somebody who doesn’t have a good job. You are all equal in the lodge, which is a great experience.
But from my time in the Masons, I have found that Masonry is not just about your own lodge, it is also about visiting other lodges which I have now done on many occasions. I have even been to Ireland visiting a lodge. Every lodge is different; they all have their own traditions and different ways of performing the ceremonies, which is a great experience to have because every time you go to a different lodge for the first time you don’t know what to expect.
The lodge that I have joined is all to do with the university which has helped me a lot in keeping the balance between university and Masonry, and if I have ever needed to miss a meeting they always understand because they know what kind of pressures I am under with university and keeping to deadlines.
Another good thing about my lodge is the times of the meetings throughout the year; they are scheduled around us the students because there is no meeting in January and the meetings are over by May so that we don’t have to take time off our revision schedules and we can concentrate on passing our exams.
As well as a lot of non-student members, there are many new students who have joined since me and it is good to talk to them as well as the older people because, in a lodge, it is not just the people that are varied but also their ages; my lodge has an age range between 20 and 94, so this was, and still is, an experience for me in getting to know the different views the young and the old think about certain things.
Masonry is not all about the lodge meetings. There are also social events and the Worshipful Master of my lodge usually holds a garden party each year and also puts on a ladies’ night, both of which are enjoyable. This isn’t particular to my lodge, it takes place in most lodges and is a way for all the masons and their ladies/partners to meet everybody outside of the lodge and have a good time.
In my lodge there are lecturers and other people who work for the university so if you have any problems, you can go and talk to them and they will help and give advice to anybody that needs it, which has been a great help whilst I have been at university. This was a big experience for me and I have been so impressed with their willingness to go the extra mile and help you if they can.
Anyway, I am now a Master Mason and I am on the “ladder” in the lodge, which leads to becoming Worshipful Master and I am set for a promotion next year but I really must stress how much I do have a really good time at every meeting. Masonry is a great experience and I would recommend joining to anybody who is interested.
Ben
Cricket Seasopn Again
With the cricket season restarting and exams looming I haven’t found much time to write a blog entry lately, however as I hear it is the most popular item on the website (!) I don’t want to disappoint for too much longer.
Another Masonic year is over. It was finished off by another great ladies’ night at the Royal Liverpool Golf Course (only slightly less enjoyable because I had to drive, but it was ladies’ night after all).
I have been informed that this is a rather special blog entry as it will be uploaded to coincide with the publication of the “West Lancs Freemason”. I thought that it would be fitting not only to talk about my general experiences of the last two or so years as a Freemason, but
to mention a little about my future.
For those of you who have read my blog before you may know quite a bit about my time as a Mason and I can honestly say that I have enjoyed every moment of it and I have certainly taken away a lot from the time, including many good memories, the highlight of which has to be when Ben and I visited another rather different Lodge. The evening was both different and entertaining and the company was brilliant. It really was a great night and I cannot stress enough to those new members that visiting lodges and making friends really is what Freemasonry is all about.
The worst experience I have had is when I forgot the lines I had learned (and can still remember word for word to this day). However this was not such a bad thing, I have learned from it and it has only made me more confident.
There is not one moment which I have not enjoyed so far. I know the future is sure to bring many more good times.
Being an undergraduate involved in Masonry has allowed me to meet many interesting people, people who I would never have spoken to if it were not for Masonry. The University of Liverpool Lodge is not short of interesting people; many have helped me with problems in the lodge and with problems to do with university. Above all, however, I have been inspired
by one member of the lodge.
Throughout my studies I have never really known exactly what I wanted to do – I love the mystery of Physics so naturally followed my heart - but still I don’t know where I will be in five, 10, 20 years and it has always worried me. Many of you may know Jim Alty, he is a physics graduate, but through getting to know him I don’t think there is anything he hasn’t done! Talking to him has inspired me to keep working hard and not to worry about the future.
Looking ahead to next year it is an exciting time for me, I move on to the ladder in the lodge and enter the final year of my degree! Many of you may laugh at me for saying so but with the influx of young members at the lodge and thoughts of applying for a PhD I am starting to feel old!
The prospect of studying for my PhD is a daunting one (and one which I need not worry about unless I push on with more revision) but it will also open new doors in Masonry for me, if I leave Liverpool – or even England - to study I will have to look for a new lodge where I will meet more people and make more friends and memories which is an exciting prospect! But for now I will focus on my studies and see where life takes me!
Aside from Masonry I hope to be running the New York Marathon again next year raising more money for charity. The cricket season has also started where I will be 3rd XI captain at Winnington Park again. The first game of the season saw me get 78 runs (not out) which hopefully is a sign of things to come! I wonder if I will meet any Masons this year; that would be interesting. I will keep you updated!
Again if you have any questions feel free to add me on Facebook or email mattjackson89@hotmail.co.uk.
Why do I enjoy being a Mason
Why do I enjoy being a Mason is probably a question someone who is looking at joining Masonry may want to ask. I think that since my last entry several things have happened which help to answer the question.
After a busy exam period it was nice to enjoy an evening in my lodge passing two candidates to the second degree. For those who may be reading this who are not Masons, this entails a ceremony where the candidates are taught lessons about Masonic values through stories, signs and symbols. Although I cannot divulge any information on them I really enjoy watching them and taking part in them. This brings me on to the first thing which I feel Masonry gives you: confidence.
Each month in the lodge something different will be going on; each event requires different things to be done, generally aiding the candidate or having a speaking part. This month I had some words to learn, which I knew inside out and back to front, I can remember them even now. However, when it came to standing up in front of the lodge I fell to bits and forgot most of them! This wasn't too much of a problem as I was prompted, but I was disappointed with myself as I did know them. Speaking to people afterwards, everyone told me not to worry and they had all done it. One member told me of when he forgot his lines in an important meeting. This was comforting as he is probably the best speaker in the lodge, and I am sure with time my confidence will improve too. This is something which Masonry really helps with and is something which is invaluable in life.
This Monday Ben and I were invited to visit lodge 32, a lodge with a rich history which prides itself on being different. The lodge is over 250 years old and has many traditions of its own; the evening was extremely enjoyable, even if by the end I was slightly puzzled by some of the more strange traditions. We enjoyed a great meal and some very interesting conversation was had and although, some of the traditions were new to me, I think that this is the other thing which Freemasonry gives to its members - variety. I have always been told visiting lodges is the best part of Freemasonry and it is true; it gives you a chance to learn new things, speak to new people and have new experiences. It truly is the best thing about Freemasonry and it really does show how strong the values of Friendship are within the craft.
This worldwide feeling of friendship really is real, as I am not sure if I mentioned, I was recently contacted by a Mason in Salt Lake City who found me on Facebook and told me how he has visited a lodge in Liverpool before and how he had enjoyed reading my blog as it reminded his of his feelings when he was new to Masonry. This was a very pleasant surprise and I would like to emphasise that if you read this blog (Mason or not) and want to contact me you can look me up on Facebook (Matthew Jackson) or my email is mattjackson89@hotmail.co.uk.
I sit here thinking about writing this entry to the blog
I sit here thinking about writing this entry to the blog. It has been a long and busy couple of months leading up to the Christmas break and I have a lot to write. However, I feel under somewhat more pressure than usual after finding out how many people read this!
First of all, I would like to say thanks to everyone who supported me and my cause; Marie Curie Cancer Care in the past few months as I managed to reach and better my target of £2,500, I would like to give special thanks to everyone at Liverpool University Lodge No 4274 (http://www.universitylodgeofliverpool.org.uk/) and any lodge visitors who gave kind donations; they are much appreciated. For those who are interested I completed the marathon in a somewhat disappointing time of 4h 50m. I was hoping for a much quicker time but I picked up an injury at 19miles and had to keep going through the pain at a slower pace.
In this entry to the blog I want to talk about two Masonic events in the last month which I have attended.
My good friend Ben and I received a kind invitation from Bro David Potts to attend the installation at Liverpool Mercantile Lodge. It was a most enjoyable evening, and was my first experience of something which I am told (and now agree with) is one of the best things about Masonry – visiting other lodges.
Arriving at the lodge meeting I did not know what to expect; My lodge meets in a small room where we sometimes manage to fit 50 people but I was told that, at the installation last year in Liverpool Mercantile Lodge, there were over 150 people present. I was not let down, the meeting took place in a grand room much different to what I had experience before. The installation ceremony was interesting and I enjoyed sitting and watching other people doing it; there was no pressure on me!
After the meeting we enjoyed a lovely meal where Ben and I met many new people. Once again everyone was kind and friendly. It was, however, the night when I found out that I would never be known as Matt again... Blog Matt or Matt the Blogger is how people know me now! It was a huge shock to realise how many people actually read this! I have even been contacted by someone in a lodge in Salt Lake City now!
This month was also a big month for my Lodge, not only was the Provincial Grand Master visiting but the Assistant Grand Master, David Kenneth Williamson. This is something which doesn’t happen often, I have been told, so for me to see this so early on in my Masonic career was somewhat of a privilege. When the day came there was a sense of urgency about everyone. Many (including me) arrived early to the lodge to set it up and practise our parts; I had a part to play in the ceremony and like everyone I didn’t want to make mistakes in front of our guests. Thankfully, the night ran smoothly and it was a great night again. I was able to meet new people including our two new members.
As the end of the night came it was time for the toasts. This part of the evening is often my favourite (as long as the toasts and responses are good). The night did not disappoint; I enjoyed listening to Peter Hosker and David Kenneth Williamson talking about the University Scheme, its future and the success of our lodge in implementing it. I felt proud to be part of it!
The last month has certainly been my favourite in my short Masonic life this far and I look forward to visiting more lodges and seeing more of what Masonry has to offer in the future! For now I am getting stuck into my revision for January exams!
For anyone who is reading, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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Start of a new Term and Masonic season
I sit here writing this blog entry for October at the start of the academic term and the start of this year’s Masonic season at Liverpool University Lodge. I had, around a week ago already written this entry but due to one lost memory stick and the genius of BT and Virgin Media at installing our internet (or not as the case is) I haven’t been able to send it off to be uploaded.
Since writing this entry I have been thinking about the situation and thinking about the parallels with masonry.
This month I was raised to the third degree, the degree of a Master Mason. On the day I was nervous and excited about the ceremony. When the time came the ceremony was extremely enjoyable and very thought provoking. Afterwards my fellow brethren and I enjoyed a fantastic meal (as usual) and throughout I was offered congratulations by several people. Many of them said something similar, something which, since joining the lodge nearly a year ago has been repeated to me several times. I think it is an important thing to know if you are considering becoming a freemason. That is: masonry is a long journey and should not be rushed. I have realised that I should enjoy it and take in as much as I can instead of rushing through it.
I wanted to take the time in this entry to emphasise to you that masonry is a slow journey; however it is an enjoyable one! Unlike waiting to be connected to the internet in a new house!
I would also like to say a huge thank you to everyone in the lodge or who was visiting the lodge who gave generous donation to my New York Marathon fundraising for Marie Curie Cancer Care. I was able to boost my total by over £400. Leaving me with under £800 left to reach my target! So thank you from me on behalf of Marie Curie.
So for now I will leave you, my next entry will hopefully be on time and eventful as the next couple of months in my life and my Masonic life look to be once again very busy and very exciting.
Pictured Left to Right: Mark Thomas, Michael H. Hill and Matt after they had both been raised to the degree of a Master Mason.
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A little about me
Hello again,
It has been a while since I found myself with any spare time. Since my last entry I have had much going on in my life. This entry as promised will tell you a little more about me, and a little less about Masonry! Hopefully you will see I am just a normal person, and you don’t have to be ‘special’ to be a Freemason.
My last entry was before my exams. Since them I have completed them and passed my Second Year. My results were slightly disappointing and my illness throughout my revision time (typical) surely had an impact, however, I still managed to keep at a 2.1 standard – it just means I will have to work extra hard next year.
When my exams were over I was straight off to Tenerife with University to use the observatory there. Brother Ben Taylor who is on my University Course and my proposer, came too. The week was a brilliant experience, and I got to see many more things than I imagined possible with the telescope. My personal favourites were the Whirlpool Galaxy and The Ring Nebula (if you get a chance they are well worth a look at through Google Images).
Returning from Tenerife I was straight back into work starting my placement in Sutton High School working in the school helping out in lessons and even taking my own lesson! The experience working in a school was more enjoyable than I imagined it would be. I loved the environment and it has really made me consider my career options, but I have another two years left before I have to make the choice so for now it is just something to think about.
During my placement, it was my granddad’s 65th birthday. We had a meal with the whole family in Wales where he lives. Unfortunately, however, this meant I missed David’s Garden Party which I enjoyed so much last year. I was hugely disappointed and I am already looking forward to the first lodge meeting of next term!
In between all that I have started training for the New York Marathon, which with all the early mornings is starting to take its toll! However, it is now under 16 weeks away. I am currently starting to turn my head to fundraising with £2,500 my minimum target, so any ideas please contact me!
I hope this entry really has shown you a little insight into my daily life, and that I am just a normal person. If you are interested in Freemasonry I urge you not to be put off by thinking that you will be different or inferior in any way as this truly isn’t the case.
Until next time,
Enjoy your summer!
Matt
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Last lodge meeting
Hello again,
I sit here thinking what to type, so much has happened since my last blog entry, I think I will begin by reporting on the Masonic events.
In April it was the last lodge meeting of the year, and I must say it was extremely enjoyable. It was the first time I had been to lodge where I had no part to play and where I could sit throughout it all. It was brilliant; we had new candidates and seeing them go through the ceremony allowed me to see what I did all those months back now and it really helped in my understanding of Freemasonry.
I realise as I progress and see others progress I will understand it more and more. Many people said to me when I joined that Freemasonry wasn’t a ‘sprint’ it was a long journey and watching the new initiates made me realise exactly what they had meant by this, for people thinking of joining into Freemasonry I think this is one of the most important things to realise, answers will not come straight away.
The second event was the ladies’ night, a Freemason tradition to thank our wives and girlfriends for everything they do throughout the year. The event was held at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club, the venue was fantastic and everybody had a great night, especially Jess who was amazed by how friendly everybody was.
So that is it for my first year, however there is plenty to look forward to from October when lodge starts again. In October I will be completing my third degree. I haven’t had much time to think about this yet due to a hectic moth at home with exams.
However, it is something which I am looking forward to as I have been told it is the most enjoyable ceremony. I suppose I will have to wait and see. Also in December we have a very special visitor to our lodge. I believe he is the third ranking Freemason in England, so that should be extremely interesting and something else to look forward to.
This entry has only been short, however hopefully I will soon update my blog with my plans for the summer! For now, back to revision...
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First meeting blog
In my first blog entry I told you about me. As promised, this time I will start to tell you a bit about my time as a Mason so far and my initial opinions.
My first meeting at the lodge, I was extremely nervous. I had only met a few of the people there once before (at best). It was my first degree ceremony and I didn’t have a clue what to expect from it. My friend Ben’s reassurances were a nice gesture beforehand as we walked across Liverpool in our suits, but it didn’t help my nerves a whole lot.
We arrived at the lodge room rather early (probably due to me) and no one was there yet! However, it wasn’t long before people started turning up and greeting me. Some of the people I had never met before, some I had, but they all had one thing in common: they were all extremely welcoming and understanding.
As more people arrived I realised something, something which most of them had said to me. Every single person there had been in my shoes, they knew how I felt and everyone did their utmost to put me at ease. This realisation settled my nerves somewhat and soon the evening was underway.
What a memorable evening it was. And very enjoyable too. It finished with a fantastic meal as do all the lodge meetings. Throughout the evening I think everyone at some point or another came and congratulated me and had a chat with me.
It has so far been my favourite lodge meeting, as despite the nerves it was exciting. I know it was the beginning of something I will enjoy. The thing about your initiation is that it really is your night and everyone makes you feel welcome.
It is now several months on and at the beginning of April coming towards the end of the Masonic year. At the April meeting we will be greeting some new members into the University Lodge of Liverpool (http://www.universitylodgeofliverpool.org.uk) as they take the same steps as I did last year. If I get a chance to speak to them before their night I will probably tell them one thing... every single person you see here will have been through the same thing, so relax and enjoy yourself!
Reflecting on my first months as a Mason, I would honestly say it has changed my outlook on life. I am much more confident now. Talking to new people and sharing experiences has inspired me, as I want to be as successful as the people around me in the lodge. With my new found confidence I have taken the plunge and have decided to do something which I have wanted to do for a long time... I am going to run a marathon. I have recently signed up with the Marie Curie Cancer Care Running Team for the IGN New York Marathon 2009. I hope to raise £2,500 for this good cause and you will be able to follow my progress as I hope to keep a small blog updated here: http://www.justgiving.com/matthewjackson89.
After April’s lodge meeting there is a break until after summer. However, activities don’t stop. There will be another garden party in July, 12 months on from when I first went with Ben before I decided to join. I am also very excited to be attending a ladies’ night at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club where I will be able to bring my beautiful girlfriend Jess with me to meet everybody who has been so nice to me. I also hear there may be some Irish friends are coming over too... it should be a night to remember!
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First Blog Message
Hi, my name is Matt.
I have been asked to write this blog to show what life is like as a young Freemason. In doing so I hope not only to give you a good perspective of how Freemasonry has affected my life but also try and answer some questions and/or reservations of other younger people along the way, and show that being a Freemason is more than the stereotype which may have jumped into your head.
This first entry I think it will be best for me to give you some background on me as a person.
I am Matt (as above!), I am 19 and a student at the University of Liverpool currently in the second year of my four-year Astrophysics course (something else which may have conjured an unfair stereotype but that’s something for another time/blog!)
I always like to keep myself busy in my spare time, I enjoy long distance running (if enjoy is the right word), I play cricket both batting and bowling for my team and I enjoy a game of football. I have a pet gecko (a crested gecko if you wanted to know) and I love to travel and see new places.
If I had to describe myself using only one word, which is admittedly a difficult task, I would use the word cynical. I say this because, well, I guess I am. So you can imagine what I first though when my good friend Ben told me he was becoming a Freemason.
However, as time went on I saw how Ben was enjoying it so much and he encouraged me to look into joining myself. However, being the cynic I am, I decided to do some research of my own. Ben helped me and pointed me in the right direction (if you are on the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Lancashire website reading this then you are in the right direction!).
I then found out that my grandfather was himself once a Freemason, he also answered my questions. But still I was not entirely convinced. The prospect of joining seemed rather daunting knowing only Ben in the lodge so in the summer I joined Ben to a garden party hosted by David Goddard which made my mind up to join The University Lodge of Liverpool (http://www.universitylodgeofliverpool.org.uk/) with Ben. The people I met at the party were really interesting, of all ages and professions and everyone there was extremely welcoming and (again) just so interesting.
It has now been over six months since I joined the lodge and I have not regretted it at all. I have gone from being cynical to, well, writing this to encourage you to look further into Freemasonry and see if it might be for you.
So that is me and how I became a Freemason. I haven’t included much about Freemasonry itself but I didn’t want to write too much in one entry in case I lost your attention and I thought it was important to say a bit about the kind of person I am, so until next time I leave you with this!
Assistant Provincial Grand Master Michael Hedley Hill is pictured with Matt (right) at the University of Liverpool Lodge along with Ben and Mark who is a graduate of Law of Lancaster University.
Matt with girlfriend Jess
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