Every lodge I have ever been in has one … that locked bookcase in the corner of the ante-room, often tucked away behind a pile of AASR and Royal Arch furniture. Through its glass doors can be glimpsed rows of old Masonic texts and periodicals with intriguing and inviting titles. A pile of jewel cases may be stacked in one corner, next to folder after folder of notes, minutes, lectures, orations, receipts, accounts that tell the story of those who have gone before.

Such was certainly the case in my Mother lodge. I spent more than a decade sitting in festive boards, looking at our bookcase, with a growing sense of intrigue. I had never seen it opened. What was in there? Who maintained it? Eventually I started making inquiries about who had the key, but no one seemed to know. The older Brethren had never seen it open either. As far as any one was aware, it had sat there for at least 30 years untouched.

Eventually, the quest took a hold of my imagination. I had a look at the lock – it was an old cupboard with a simple key. I probably had 10 keys at home that might fit. I asked the hall committee for permission to try and have a look inside and received it and then one evening after a meeting I found the right key and opened the lock …

This site is dedicated to that moment.

In that one small bookcase, in one small lodge building, I found a trove of Masonic lore dating back well over a century. In addition to the books, accounts, letters, minutes and other administrative documents were hundreds and hundreds of lectures, orations and addresses, often hand-written. Carefully organised and filed their dates ranged from the 1890s to the early 1970s. In their pages I found the story of that lodge and the journey of Masonic growth those Brethren had undertaken.

From the Quarries is my small attempt to preserve the work and legacy of these past brethren. Over time I hope to record, transcribe, reproduce and learn from the forgotten work of Brethren past. I am aware that the task is infinite and will never be complete – in that one bookcase I found enough work to keep me occupied for years. But the fascination remains.

I hope that you will enjoy coming with me on the journey.

WBro. David Hartland Taylor – April 2020