Bob Coughtrey and Steve Jelly, both member of Emblem Lodge No 6726, rekindled their long friendship in music last year by becoming the rhythm section of a four-piece Blackpool rock band, Tripwire. Bob keeps the time on drums, whilst Steve brings the groove on his bass guitar; a close working relationship between the two was reborn. The other two members of the band are Steve Lavin and Will Black.
Steve has always been open about his Masonic membership with his bandmates and when Steve couldn’t attend a couple of rehearsals last year due to his many Masonic commitments, Bob asked him about Freemasonry, saying that he had always been interested in joining but never knew how to go about it. With this, Steve explained how he has enjoyed his own 26 years as a Freemason and as a member of Emblem Lodge. Steve also explained the principles of Freemasonry and his role within it as the Group Chairman for Blackpool Group.
As a good judge of character, Steve knew Bob was a perfect candidate to join Freemasonry and he explained what the process of joining would be, where exactly Bob would begin his Masonic journey, namely Emblem Lodge, which meets at the Masonic Hall on Adelaide Street in Blackpool. Steve also explained that other lodges were available to join, but Emblem Lodge’s meeting night coincided perfectly with Bob’s calendar. Bob is a former Royal Air Force engineer and now a full-time driving instructor.
Following the discussion, Bob and his partner were introduced to the members of the lodge and their wives at a number of social events to see if it was something they would both be interested in pursuing. Bob, liking the welcome he received and the atmosphere of the socials, jumped at the chance to join and was proposed as a member. As his proposer, Steve proudly took part in the ceremony and led Bob, as the junior deacon of the lodge, around the lodge room at his initiation ceremony.
At the final meeting of the Masonic season, Bob was raised to the third degree in a traditional, faultless ceremony by the past masters of the lodge and in the presence of 48 members and visiting Masons, some of whom are also local driving instructors. A wonderful, vibrant and warm occasion was had by all.
After the ceremony at the festive board, Steve congratulated Bob on the fine way he had conducted himself throughout the ceremony. And indeed, in all of the three ceremonies he has taken part in and his early career in the Royal Air Force has meant he has brought a certain military precision to everything he has participated in. Bob will definitely have a ‘flying’ career in Emblem Lodge and Freemasonry.