Page 3 - Keystone Spring 2019 Issue 2

Interview With W. Bro Tony Guthrie

How long have you been a Freemason and in particular a Mark Master Mason
and Royal Ark Mariner?
I was Initiated into Priory Lodge at Keynsham in 1999 although I was still in the
Royal Navy up until 2003 so wasn’t terribly active in Freemasonry up until that
point. I was then Advanced into Carnarvon Mark Lodge in 2004 and Elevated
into Warminster Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners (across the Border in Wiltshire!)
the following year.

What is your profession and how do you balance you working life / home
Life / Freemasonry?

I run my own Electrical Contracting Business, based in Trowbridge. It’s hard work at times and
can be pretty busy but it is flexible up to a point, so some careful planning means that
Freemasonry can usually be accommodated! My partner, Jayne, is incredibly supportive and I
certainly couldn’t dedicate as much time to Masonry without her help.
How much of a surprise was your appointment and how are you approaching this fantastic
opportunity?
It was a massive surprise to be honest! It’s still a little way off so there hasn’t been too much
preparation yet. I’m still Deputy Provincial DC so life is still fairly busy with the Team, a job I’ve
enjoyed immensely over the last few years but I’m obviously looking forward to the new
challenge.
Being a Lewis and Dad being a Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Mark Degree will
it be difficult to follow in his footsteps?
I don’t think so, it’s a massive help to have some serious insight into just how much work is
involved. As for following in his footsteps I think you need to try and make your own mark (no
pun intended!) so that doesn’t really enter the thought process
Where do you spend your holidays and why?
Jayne and I have two rather large Newfoundland Dogs, so foreign holidays can be a bit tricky.
We are lucky enough to have a VW Camper Van and the dogs just about fit inside it, so we try
and get away in that whenever we can.
You are extremely well known across the Province so I assume you must have some strong
views on visiting?
I think it’s a vital part of Masonry, anyone who isn’t visiting really is missing out on a wonderful
opportunity. I do realise that not everyone has the time or the flexibility at work to get to
Meetings regularly but I am convinced that anyone who enjoys spending time at their own
Lodge, will definitely enjoy visiting new places and meeting new friends whilst visiting other
Lodges. There’s also the added bonus that whilst visiting, you can just kick back, relax and
watch someone else do all the work!

One could say you are young to take this office, how would you respond to this?
Some would think it’s a little strange that 45 is considered young to take up a senior position in
an organisation but that does seem to be the case in Masonry. As an organisation we do seem
to struggle to recruit and then retain younger Brethren in particular although some Lodges are
better than others at doing it. Perhaps the constraints of work and modern life are a factor. I
feel very fortunate that I was able to join and enjoy Masonry from a young age, so at 45 I do
have a few year’s experience under my belt. Hopefully a slightly younger perspective will be a
valuable contribution, although unfortunately for me I do seem to have more than my fair
share of grey hair!

Spring Issue 2019 Page3