BROTHER LES CONNELL PM
Currently living in Hamilton
LIFE & WORKING HISTORY
I was a Gorbals Glesca Wean, as a Milk Boy I saved up 15/- to buy my first guitar and then some more for guitar lessons.
I left school at 15 to become an apprentice dental mechanic. When leaving the private dental practise I secured a position working between the Western Infirmary, the Beatson and the now gone Belvidere Hospital making dental plates to hold radium for the treatment of mouth cancers.
As a medical physics technician I was involved in a number of other medical procedures and through extended study, achieved the necessary qualifications.
I got a degree in psychology and began my own business training many companies, including blue chip like Volkswagon, Mercedes and even prison officers in mindset and skill set of executive development. I contracted lung cancer but whilst in the recovery mode, studied hypno-psychotherapy, an extension of hypnosis for three years. A therapy used successfully by the Ancient Egyptians five thousand years ago. I wanted to use it and give something back in gratitude for the care that I had received, but even although I made no charge, these ‘Stage Hypnotists’ put people off. But I did help a few masons and their family with it.
I am a qualified Civil Funeral Celebrant, unlike the humanist, who believes in nothing, I will include hymns and prayers in my ceremonies. I offer my services free of charge to Hospices and for baby funerals.
LEISURE & HOBBIES
All during this period I worked part-time selling guitars and found that I liked sales. I was also playing guitar in clubs, pubs and dance halls expanding my musical experience and knowledge.
The opportunity to play in Germany came up which I jumped at. The Sixties was a time when the whole world was having a party and everyone was invited. I played Hamburg a year after The Beatles.
I joined The Playboys there and also played with The Fortunes, a great band who deserved their chart success.
I was then involved in a very bad car accident and after more than a year in hospital returned to the UK.
Now at the age of 26 I became Mecca’s youngest bandleader and was resident in Tiffany’s on Sauchiehall St. Glasgow.
Music was still to the fore as I accompanied artists like Emile Ford, Cathy Kirby, Andy Stewart, Nancy Whisky, Neville Taylor and appearing with Chuck Berry, Acker Bilk, Madness and playing guitar on the ‘Ali’s Tartan Army’ recording. I appeared on opportunity Knocks with Dean Park, I wrote an arrangement of ‘Day by Day’ from Godspell. We won the studio voting but one of Hughie Green’s child entertainers got through.
MASONIC HISTORY
I don’t know why I joined the craft, but in my opinion, it is the greatest organisation in the world. I joined Lodge Clydesdale 556 Glasgow. My father was my seconder and my proposer my old truant officer.
Date you joined Lodge Clyde:
Affiliated : 2/9/2005
Offices held in the lodge: Master : December 2006
Are you a member of any other lodge(s)?
Lodge Clydesdale No.556
E. A. 18th March 1970
F. C. 30th March 1970
M.M 22nd April 1970
Office held in the lodge: WSW
Are you a member of Grand Lodge or PGL: N/A
If appropriate advise rank held: N/A
Favourite degree: Love the history of the 2nd Degree.
What would you like to see changed or updated to improve the lodge?
One of the finest masons and men I met in Lodge Clyde was a thorough gentleman named Sinclair Young. He would frown at the wearing of dinner suits as he said; ’This was always a working man’s lodge.’ I agree with Sinclair!
Currently living in Hamilton
LIFE & WORKING HISTORY
I was a Gorbals Glesca Wean, as a Milk Boy I saved up 15/- to buy my first guitar and then some more for guitar lessons.
I left school at 15 to become an apprentice dental mechanic. When leaving the private dental practise I secured a position working between the Western Infirmary, the Beatson and the now gone Belvidere Hospital making dental plates to hold radium for the treatment of mouth cancers.
As a medical physics technician I was involved in a number of other medical procedures and through extended study, achieved the necessary qualifications.
I got a degree in psychology and began my own business training many companies, including blue chip like Volkswagon, Mercedes and even prison officers in mindset and skill set of executive development. I contracted lung cancer but whilst in the recovery mode, studied hypno-psychotherapy, an extension of hypnosis for three years. A therapy used successfully by the Ancient Egyptians five thousand years ago. I wanted to use it and give something back in gratitude for the care that I had received, but even although I made no charge, these ‘Stage Hypnotists’ put people off. But I did help a few masons and their family with it.
I am a qualified Civil Funeral Celebrant, unlike the humanist, who believes in nothing, I will include hymns and prayers in my ceremonies. I offer my services free of charge to Hospices and for baby funerals.
LEISURE & HOBBIES
All during this period I worked part-time selling guitars and found that I liked sales. I was also playing guitar in clubs, pubs and dance halls expanding my musical experience and knowledge.
The opportunity to play in Germany came up which I jumped at. The Sixties was a time when the whole world was having a party and everyone was invited. I played Hamburg a year after The Beatles.
I joined The Playboys there and also played with The Fortunes, a great band who deserved their chart success.
I was then involved in a very bad car accident and after more than a year in hospital returned to the UK.
Now at the age of 26 I became Mecca’s youngest bandleader and was resident in Tiffany’s on Sauchiehall St. Glasgow.
Music was still to the fore as I accompanied artists like Emile Ford, Cathy Kirby, Andy Stewart, Nancy Whisky, Neville Taylor and appearing with Chuck Berry, Acker Bilk, Madness and playing guitar on the ‘Ali’s Tartan Army’ recording. I appeared on opportunity Knocks with Dean Park, I wrote an arrangement of ‘Day by Day’ from Godspell. We won the studio voting but one of Hughie Green’s child entertainers got through.
MASONIC HISTORY
I don’t know why I joined the craft, but in my opinion, it is the greatest organisation in the world. I joined Lodge Clydesdale 556 Glasgow. My father was my seconder and my proposer my old truant officer.
Date you joined Lodge Clyde:
Affiliated : 2/9/2005
Offices held in the lodge: Master : December 2006
Are you a member of any other lodge(s)?
Lodge Clydesdale No.556
E. A. 18th March 1970
F. C. 30th March 1970
M.M 22nd April 1970
Office held in the lodge: WSW
Are you a member of Grand Lodge or PGL: N/A
If appropriate advise rank held: N/A
Favourite degree: Love the history of the 2nd Degree.
What would you like to see changed or updated to improve the lodge?
One of the finest masons and men I met in Lodge Clyde was a thorough gentleman named Sinclair Young. He would frown at the wearing of dinner suits as he said; ’This was always a working man’s lodge.’ I agree with Sinclair!