Couple take top Lodge jobs in what’s believed to be a UGLE first

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Two men from Lincolnshire are believed to be the first couple in UGLE to become Master of a Lodge and his D.C. – unless anyone else can tell us otherwise!

They’re the Young-Woolleys from Ancholme Lodge in Brigg, who took on their roles at installation when Chris Young-Woolley (known as Sporty) was installed as the 154th Master, and appointed his husband Dr Chris as DC.

Chris was installed by Dave Stiff, and remarked that he recognised having him and his husband in these important offices could cause difficulties – though he accepted that while as Master of the Lodge he might think he was in charge, Dr Chris knew that he, as DC, really called the shots! DC Chris put it more succinctly. He said: “He might think he’s the King, but I’m the Prime Minister…”

Sporty is a keen and accomplished chorister, having sung at Highgrove, the Albert Hall, St Paul’s, and Vienna. A former council employee in Bishops Stortford, he switched careers in 2011 to train as a modern languages teacher, but has now retired. He showed off his vocal talents by singing the visitors’ song.

Sporty Young-Woolley and regular Ancholme Lodge visitor Alex Culbert are photobombed by Installing Master Dave Stiff.

Dr Chris was a Freemason first. Said Sporty: “I used to wonder where he was going with his odd-shaped case, and why he was so happy when he came home.” Eventually he was initiated in 2018, but said: “I had a viral infection and felt awful, but Dr Chris insisted I went. He didn’t go, because her had an Ofsted inspection the following day – but I had the same inspection!”

At the installation Sean O’Donovan have a rendition of a poem called Cary Lane, named for the Brigg Freemasons’ meeting place and written by 101-year-old member Eddie Instone in the style of Kipling.

David Spence, a member of daughter Lodge Glanford Vale, performed the Master’s Song. Many remarked that it was one of the best performances they had heard.

Said Care Membership Officer Chris Fletcher, who took the pictures: “With new candidates eager to join in the new masonic season, and installation night setting the tone, it promises to be another wonderful year for Freemasonry in Brigg. Some events are added to the members’ collective memories. This was one such evening, up there with the time our DC, Dave Gillman failed to recognise Lincolnshire’s Provincial Grand Master at an open day and asked if he was interested in Freemasonry – he was!”