27th November 2025 - St Teilo 100th anniversary & some Musings

Thought for the day; "Feeling Lonely? Stick a coffee cup to the roof of your car. Then everyone will wave at you as you drive…"

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Presentation of the Centenary Warrent 

Some musing on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of St Teilo Lodge no 4755 

October 1983, a Thursday evening and a poor candidate in a state of darkness met his first experience of Freemasonry at St Teilo Lodge.

There are Masons older and more senior to me, but somehow from a 29 year old new member twenty years younger than anyone else, 42 years later I find myself as the senior Past Master of this Lodge, with imposter syndrome.

I share a few thoughts.

40 years ago it was normal to wait 2-3 years between application and initiation. As a pipe smoker I bought my tobacco from my tobacconist, W Bro TCR Lewis, who when I mentioned my wish to follow my father’s footsteps, (I hadn't learned of "Lewis" then), he took me up to Ernie Lawson of Lawson's Frozen Foods, to introduce me and see if I was "suitable" material.

They became my sponsors and I thus joined this Fraternity.

We had ten meetings a year then, and without fail, we brought in three candidates each year, three first degree, second and then third, all in a year. In my year my fellow candidates followed me year by year, though all the offices, and each installed our successor. W Bro Malcolm Silcox, honorary member was the third candidate of my year.

Lodges were full. Festive Boards were always in excess of 60. As Chief steward I recall calculating the 28 members with the 43 visitors and advising the price for the meal at the next meeting. All visitors dined free. The cost of the entire festive board was calculated with the proceeds of the bar, and the cost per member would balance the books for the next meeting.

The normal festive Board would have at least 4 sprigs, Junior Warden and Senior Warden as we have now, but the deacons would have their own tables, and at installations, the Inner Guard also fficiated. 
As hosting officers it was expected for us to call a steward and buy the round for the entire table. We perambulated from deacon onwards, so our counterparts would ensure the first round was available at the table. Stewards would hover behind the past masters who would indicate where to take drinks to friends and counterparts. It was this way in which young members would learn who was who, and also who bought drinks and who was less generous. The master's bottle of Whisky and Gin would circulate 
anticlockwise for every member and visitor. Stewards had to be at the beck and call of the Wardens and Deacons. Rarely did a visitor pay for a drink. Stewards worked hard - but had the option of four more lodges to sit down and dine and drink free.

It was for this reason that the bar could support the free dining. And members knew that they would pay on their own lodge but could dine and drink free for four more.

Three toasts, Queen and the Craft, Grand Master, Grand Officers and the DC would announce that "the duty was off tobacco" or "those who must should" and a box of cigars would circulate around the room. Though many smoked cigarettes instead - the Master furnished the cigars. The Senior Warden would furnish the large block of Stilton for the after proceedings, and often the port would be passed. No hanging around outside the front door in those days.

Originally all Llanelli lodges fired the Queen and the Craft. Then certain Grand Officers of other lodges who felt they knew best took it on themselves to dictate that the Queen was not a member of the Craft and therefore this firing should be left out. It was when I was DC that we fought hard to get it reinstated for St Teilo, and Province gave permission, as long as the Tyler's toast was fired loudly and not silently as was traditional. This is why we are still different today.

The Visitor's song was sung for years by Dai the Painter, a very distinctive Past Master from Burry Port, who was remarkable because his teeth did not fit properly and the rendition was very sibilant!.

The same Grand Officers also felt that they should dictate regarding the costing of the festive board and allowing visitors to dine free. It turned out that three of the lodges were very successful, but two found 
that their members were happy to visit for free meals but were failing to attend their own lodges and were losing money. And so visitors had to pay or be paid for. 
St Teilo once again was the Black sheep and held out for almost a year after the decision, but were brought into line with the threat that the hall would be "withheld" for use. We knew when we were beaten.

St Teilo always had its own variations for the ritual and each Deacon would have to learn the minor differences, so by the time they got to the Chair it was second nature. For many years the lodge was influenced by a strong secretary nick-named the Rottweiller, and we lost many good members from being told that they were not good enough to go through the Chair as their ritual was too poor. In my many years as DC, and three times through the Chair I fought hard to remove this bullying. Our Ritual remains important and has not suffered.

Ladies nights were great affairs. Numbers were never a problem and in my early days no-one was able to invite a guest until you were in the Chair itself. Even wardens were not allowed to bring counterparts. Candidates were on a three-line whip - and the blindfolded DC never failed to miraculously find the new members with the Spot Prize. Live Music was regular. 
Numbers lapsed over the years and in my three ladies’ nights the composition of the evening change drastically.
St Teilo always had ladies’ gifts and the Master was responsible for arranging everything, flowers, settings, gifts, reception. (My wife reminds me that she did all the work). Other Llanelli Lodges had variations, one with no gifts at all. Some had committees. With us the Master was responsible to ensure that all costs were covered. 

The Ladies’ Night was a high point of the social activity of the year. But the Whist drive early in the year allowed new members to meet socially, couples changing table after each hand - ladies up a table, gents down a table. Card tables are still stacked in the roof area. Teilo Tavern, members of the Lodge only, where the members of the Lodge entertained the Ladies, often with interesting results. Summer Outing, to various venues including the Gower, Black Boy, Stable Door Laugharne, and various music venues.

The Master's lady was responsible for arranging the installation tea with a small book being handed to her after the Master Elect night for her to make the arrangements with the ladies. Partners of Officers were expected to assist with the tea. In my first installation I made the mistake of advising my wife to invite wives of all Past Masters instead of Officers, and had the awkward task of having to approach the Senior Past Master and inform him that the invitation for his wife to attend had to be rescinded.
Yes the Rottweiller again!

Masonic Dress. Stewards wore bow tie and Dinner Jacket, others dark suit. In Trevor Kelway Lodge, Dinner Jacket was worn until they received Provincial Honours. Other Llanelli Lodges required Morning Suit at Junior Warden, but it was not required in St Teilo. I treated myself to my full Scottish kilt and Bonnie Prince Charlie for my installation, which cost about the same as Morning Dress, and did not wear stripes until my first Provincial Appointment. Seven years after the Chair in those days.

Installations were complicated things in the early days. We opened in first second and third degrees for the Provincial team to enter. Dropped to second for the obligation, resumed to the third and then the Inner Working. We NEVER closed in shortened form.
Not the done thing!

In 2000, our 75th anniversary, and the Millenium year, my second time in the Chair, I invited the inimitable Willi Wood to start our tradition of having a Burns Night Celebration in our January meeting. In 2006, due to sudden illness I deputised for Willi, who is sadly missed, and have continued our tradition since then.

The Masonic Council, now a committee of representatives, was an open meeting attended by almost all the Past Masters. The Council had its own Almoner, elected annually and funds for providing for widows. I was Almoner for seven years until the work was taken over by the Province.

Many things have changed in the last 42 years. Some for the good, some I miss with nostalgia. I have had the opportunity of perambulating with three sets of Wardens up to the Chair and made many fine friends and I treasure the innocent competitiveness, friendship and fraternity.

When I joined, Llanelli was described as the Province within a Province. During this time we have changed the lodges here from being inward looking to being active through the Province, indeed developing relationships with other provinces. 

It is with great pride that I celebrate with you all our 100th Anniversary .

For the ceremony I gave an explanation of the 2nd Degree Tracing Board which went with only one stumble. Pity, but there was something dead in the hall and there were flies everywhere annoying the candidates and me. Oh Well!

It was good to see a full festive board - like some old days.

Cheers