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An Interview with Geoffrey Dearing |
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First of all, I would like to thank you and your wife, Liz, for inviting me to your home for this interview. I see from the photographs in the room that you are a family man… Yes indeed. Liz and I have a son who lives with his lady in Nottinghamshire. We also have a daughter who lives in Kent with her husband; they have a twenty-month-old daughter, Kitty, who is the apple of my eye! Kitty will be joined by a brother or sister in February (2012).
I was also enthusiastically welcomed by your puppy. Have you always had dogs? Ever since I was a young boy! There have always been dogs and cats under my feet and when our children were young there were lots of other pets around the house, too!
Background information suggests that you have been something of a sportsman over the years… I have always enjoyed sport and my nature is rather competitive! In my younger days I played a lot of cricket, along with league table tennis. Later, they gave way to golf and I have enjoyed some reasonable success in golfing competitions over the years. I am particularly proud of wins in the various Law Society tournaments, both singles and team competitions. I have a special passion for motor sport and even owned a small racing car as a young man. I have driven practice laps in a formula Ford. For many years I have navigated Rally Cars and have been fortunate enough to have enjoyed successes, for example being twice winner of class in the British Championship. Earlier this year I was delighted to win our class in the British Historic Championship in a MkI RS 2000 Ford Escort. I have also taken part in countless Classic Car runs, such as the Lands End to John O’Groats run which I have completed twice; first in a 1932 Alvis and later in a 1956 Jaguar XK 140.
You ran a substantial legal practice for many years and have also Chaired many Boards and Trusts. How would you describe your management style? Inclusive. It is always about teams working together effectively.
You have for some time been on the Commission for Appeals Courts at the United Grand Lodge of England. What does that involve? Reviewing decisions made by Provinces and Districts regarding discipline and expulsion.
In Freemasonry, would you say you are a traditionalist or an innovator? I am a traditionalist at heart but also very conscious that Freemasonry has the will to evolve to remain relevant in the age within which we live. Evolution, not revolution.
If there is one, single thing that you would like the Brethren to understand about your thoughts for the future of the Province, what would that be? We must never forget that Freemasonry is a hobby, to be enjoyed.
Are there aspects of our Provincial Freemasonry that you would like to change?
I would like to see us evolve in quiet ways. I believe we should be thoughtful about the circumstances of our younger members, particularly regarding cost and the timing of our meetings. I also think it would be helpful if we were a little more visible and outgoing in our communities.
What do you see as the biggest challenge in Freemasonry? Since becoming a Freemason at Maidstone in 1974 I have witnessed membership reducing significantly, along with a rise in our age profile. It is therefore very clear to me that the retention of members and recruitment are key issues.
Where do you feel that Lodges and Chapters should focus their charitable donations? A balance is needed between our responsibilities within our communities and those towards the Masonic Festival system. Both are relevant to us in East Kent – particularly as the current Festival supports The Freemasons’ Grand Charity, from which many of our members have benefitted over the years. It should not be forgotten that The Freemasons’ Grand Charity is OUR charity. Equally, we must not forget the local calls upon us. Balance is the key word.
It is well known that you value the happiness and welfare of the Brethren very highly and as readers will see from the interview with Nick Waller, you intend that the Province be pro-active in extending that concept. Would you like to summarise your mind-set on this important issue? Our enjoyment of Freemasonry is fundamental and I am sure that we all value the companionship and friendships we establish.
Thank you for giving your valuable time for this interview. Before finishing, are there any other thoughts or plans that you would like to share with the Brethren? We are still in the early days, but I am giving thought to the key issues of membership and recruitment, how charity works within the Province, how we communicate, and how we can make the best use of the Library and Museum. I also hope that Brethren and Lodges will make good use of the expertise and knowledge within the Provincial team; it is a strong team which is there to help. Lastly, I take the opportunity to greet the Brethren in this great Province of ours and I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can.
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