W Bro Ketan Jashapara writes:

It is always pleasing when family members trace their familial roots in Freemasonry. In this instance, whilst living in Northern England, David Bulmer researched his father’s (James Alfred Bulmer) Mother Lodge to a London Lodge through a personal connection, as well as the Lodge’s website (CAL7582.freemasons.london). He was welcomed at the lodge’s meeting in October, more than 50 years after his father was initiated there.

James Alfred Bulmer was initiated into the Certified Accountants Lodge No 7582 sometime around the late 1960's. Living in Harrogate, he would commute to attend CAL London lodge meetings by train, making for very long days! He became a joining member of the Forest of Knaresborough Lodge No 7542 in November 1971 and was installed as WM in April 1982.

He served for many years as Lodge secretary. In May 1991 he was appointed Past Provincial Deputy Grand Sword Bearer (Yorkshire West Riding). He was summoned to the Grand Lodge above in October 1991 at the age of 76.

It was also pleasing that David had information on his father’s links with other Past Masters of CAL, including W Bros G L Barker, Ron Bishop and David Newton. James and Ron were good friends, often meeting up with their spouses in the Yorkshire Dales for dinner at the Red Lion in Burnsall. G L Barker was James’ introducer, whilst David Bulmer and David Newton met regularly at annual Yorkshire conferences.

David  was initiated into the Forest of Knaresborough Lodge in 1986 and became WM in 1999. He is a Past Master of 3 Lodges. Having relocated for family reasons to Bedford, he is active in John Bunyan Lodge No 5973. He was appointed PPrAGDC in 2006 and promoted to PPrJGW in 2018.

This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 56 Winter 2024 edition.
Arena Magazine is the official magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.

Read more articles in the Arena Issue 56 here.