As a child in England I remember our next door neighbour going out in the evening in tails and wondered where he was going. He was a kind gentleman always ready to help others during the difficult times of the Second World War. Eventually I came to NZ and about 25 years ago joined a Lions club as a way of giving back to my community. There I met a man who seemed to be the “go to person” who everyone held in high esteem, and one evening he asked me I had thought about becoming a Freemason. I said no as I was very involved in Lions at the time, but I read information he gave me and whatever else I could find about the craft good and bad and promptly forgot about it!
Years later at a JP evening I was approached by three colleagues all of whom were Lions and was asked if it wasn’t about time I had another look at Freemasonry!!. I agreed, and there followed a series of meetings where the history, and aims of the craft were explained to me and the concept of fellowship, service to others, education and self-improvement were in line with my life goals. I have not been disappointed.
John Denne