Promoting Over The Wall – an invitaion to all
This item is aimed at Brethren:
- who have just joined the Craft.
- who either have started to progress, or would like to progress, but feel they can’t absorb the complexities of the ritual and floorwork and want help and encouragement.
- who have passed through the chair and would like to maintain standards in the world of Craft ritual.
- who have passed through the chair and would like to put something back into Masonry. (Remember that “the investing of the Master Mason’s badge not only marks your own superiority, it calls on you to afford assistance and instruction to the brethren in inferior degrees.”)
So in other words for experienced Brethren, Over The Wall (OTW) is “payback time”. And really there is no category of Brethren to whom this article is not addressed.
How did we get going?
In 1999 a Two or a Three of us joined the Craft. Without exception we were in awe of those who had initiated, passed and raised us. We all felt that it would be years before we could ever aspire to emulate them. Or else… we would give each other a head start by arranging our own rehearsals and basically working it all out.
So that was the shaky and amateurish start to OTW which is now an established weekly rehearsal which takes place in 57a Neath Road, Hafod, Swansea. And what’s more, without exception we all went through the Chair within 4 years of starting!
The Two and the Three have undergone metamorphoses, but fundamentally we are growing strong to stronger.
What do we do?
Easies: we meet for an hour of intensive but informal ritual. All members of every Lodge are welcome. The more the better.
“When do I knock? How many knocks? What the differenve between a Report and an Alarm? When do I do this and that? How do I know what to do and when?”
We sort out all the little nuances of the ceremony by practice and explanation. Our core group is there for you, be you newcomers, somewhere in the progression round the lodge, or old timers wanting a refresher or contemplating going round again.
We are all flung in at the deep end. If we don’t have, for example, a Senior Warden during this rehearsal you might receive accelerated promotion to that Chair for the night, even if in reality you might be an Entered Apprentice, a Fellow Craft or a Steward. It doesn’t matter. It is a most effective way of learning the ritual and of preparing you for every post and every eventuality. You aren’t expected to know any of the words and if you stumble, we guide you through. It is like learning a foreign language. By far the best way to become fluent is by total immersion and floundering through from there. Nothing is expected or demanded of you, except a bit of effort. It’s surprising how many people have breezed in to learn a bit from OTW and then gone on to pass successfully though all the chairs dotted around the Lodge.
What is really great is that a solid cadre of past Masters continue to support OTW, some of them 30 years after passing through the chair.
As it is informal and your attendance is only as and when you feel it would do you good, we sometimes have very small groups and sometimes as many as ten or eleven.
Although the founders were all members of Corinthian Lodge 4917, lots of regular attendees come from a wide range of lodges.
How long is a session?
Usually 60 minutes. We then tend to go for a drink or two and it is very convivial.
When is OTW held?
Usually on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, at 19.30 or 20.00 hrs depending on other commitments.
How do I get on the circulation list?
Contact tnd-j@nulloutlook.com or n.england@nullntlworld.com
What does it cost me?
Well, we ask for a £2.00 donation each time you come, to Swansea Centre For Deaf People who kindly provide the sports hall, heating and lighting, but that comes under the category of “doing well by doing good.”
If in doubt ask around, particularly the newly raised Corinthian Brethren and they will give you their unbiased opinion. Most Lodges will have fielded at least one of their members at an OTW: so do ask around.
Hope to see you very soon.
