It is traditional in a lodge for the exiting Worshipful Master to be presented with a breast jewel to commemorate the time he spent in office. This jewel is usually an old one; possibly because the things are damn expensive and they don’t grow on trees ya know, but mostly because it provides the brother with a link to the history of the lodge.

Our ex-WM admits to being a slightly vain person and was hoping that the jewel would not be too tatty and tarnished. He was greatly relieved when his Proposer (Right Worshipful Bro. Miller) presented him with a jewel that, despite being 87 years old was absolutely immaculate in every way.

It is engraved with the words ‘West Guildford’ and ‘102 W.A.C’ which is the name and number of the Lodge that eventually became the Bassendean Lodge and it was originally presented to W.B. W.S.G. Livie in 1934.

I have quite a few breast jewels because I’m in Chapter but this is by far my favorite one. Not just because it’s unique and a strong link to the history of my Lodge but because, unlike the jewels you get for completing a degree, it’s a reminder of the three wonderful years I spent as WM.