The brethren of the Old Wellingtonian Lodge met at Freemasons Hall, Great Queen Street to raise Bro. Simon Wilson to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. The Worshipful Master was assisted in the ceremony by a member of Old Reptonian Lodge 3725, who delivered the Exhoratation, a Past-Master who delivered the Traditional History and W.Bro Rory Shackleton who explained the Working Tools. All those assisting the WM delivered their parts not only with great accuracy but also communicating the true meaning of the ritual in fine style.
Due to bad weather, transport problems and illness a number of brethren were unable to make the meeting. The following brethren did an excellent job and stood in at the last minute to fill the following offices. W.Bro Hew Dunn as Director of Ceremonies, W.Bro Robin Tilbrook as Immediate Past Master, a Past-Master as Inner Guard and W.Bro Derick Barrett as Mentor. The WM was very grateful for their last minute assistance. Similar problems occur every year at the February meeting and W.Bro John Ross-Barnard raised the idea of changing the meeting to March for future years. This was generally favourably received.
The rest of the regular offices of the lodge did a fine job in assisting the WM in raising Bro. Simon Wilson.
A member of Old Westminster Lodge No. 2233 did a splendid job of playing the organ for the lodge. The organ has not been played in the OW lodge for some time. This gave an extra dimension to the raising and made it a truly memorable occasion for the candidate and the brethren of the lodge.
We welcomed five visitors to the lodge four of which were from our sister PSLC lodges (Repton no. 3725, Westminster no. 2233, Marlborough no.3533 and Dulwich no. 4165). It is always a great pleasure to welcome visitors to the OW lodge.
Congratulations to W.Bro John Ross Barnard JP on advancement to Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer (Warks) and W.Bro Nigel Birch on his advancement to Senior London Grand Rank. Congratulations to W.Bro James Milne on his recent marriage.
The brethren dined afterwards at Beoty’s.