Ceremony of Passing – November 2015

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The Lodge met at Freemasons’ Hall, London for our 412th meeting. It was with great pleasure that W.Bro Saunders as Worshipful Master passed a brother to the Second Degree. He was ably assisted by his Wardens and by W.Bro Dunn acting as Senior Deacon and W.Bro Dudley assisting as Inner Guard for the evening.

The Lodge was privileged to welcome W.Bro Sabin, Metropolitan Grand Inspector, as our honoured guest. The Lodge was also very pleased to welcome a number of brethren from our mother lodge, Household Brigade No 2614 who petitioned our creation back in 1909!

The brethren stood in silence whilst the Worshipful Master read the names of those members of the Old Wellingtonian Lodge (“Heroum Filii Lodge”) who were killed in action during both the First and Second World Wars – as is our custom during our November meeting in honour of Armistice Day.

A unanimous vote was in favour for a £4,000 donation to a number of Community Charities, including Combat Stress, the Worshipful Master’s charity for the year.

It was with good cheer that the Lodge heard from W.Bro Milne that we have many new inquiries to join as members over the next few months. These will bolster what is already a thriving and happy lodge. 

After the meeting the brethren retired for a delicious festive board at the East India Club where the Club Claret was particularly well received.

Report – Installation meeting – October 2015

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The Lodge met at Freemasons’ Hall, London for our annual Installation meeting on Thursday 8th October.  As the Worshipful Master was unavoidably detained, W.Bro Shackleton was the Installing Master.  W.Bro Saunders was installed into the Chair of King Solomon in a fine form. The addresses to the Master, Wardens and Brethren was expertly delivered by Bros. Birch, Ross-Barnard and Dudley.

The annual Installation meeting is where officers change duties within the Lodge.  So for many members there will be new experiences to enjoy and roles to prepare for.  It is especially enjoyable to see so many new members taking an active part within the Lodge.

After the meeting the bethren retired to Bucks Club for an excellent dinner.

PSLC Festival – Download the presentations

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During our Festival, which can be read about in more detail here, we received three first class talks.  The authors have kindly provided the scripts for you to read and enjoy at your leisure. These files are in .pdf format.

  • Tim Novis’s sermon – Download Here
  • Giles Orpen-Smellie’s talk on the Battle of Waterloo – Download Here
  • Stephen Dudley’s Oration on the Duke of Wellington as a Freemason – Download Here

82nd Festival of the Public Schools Lodges’ Council

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On Saturday 30th May 2015, the Old Wellingtonian Lodge hosted the 82nd Festival of the Public Schools Lodges’ Council at Wellington College.

Worshipful Master Alex Stuart-Bamford with his father, Eric-Stuart Bamford Provincial Grand Master of Surrey and the MW Pro Grand Master Peter Geoffrey Lowndes
Worshipful Master Alex Stuart-Bamford with his father, Eric-Stuart Bamford Provincial Grand Master of Surrey and the MW Pro Grand Master Peter Geoffrey Lowndes

The day began with a tea and coffee reception providing time for guests to enjoy the splendid surroundings of College.  For many this was their first visit and for others, it had been many years since their last. Some commented their last arrival had been via school coach when playing Wellington at sport.  The impressive buildings only adding to their nerves before the big game.

During this morning start, the Lodge was opened and business was transacted before being called off.

At 10:30 a chapel service was held.  Many favourite hymns were sung with gusto and Father Tim Novis delivered a meaningful sermon for the day. Following the service we remained in Chapel for a talk about the Battle of Waterloo. Col Giles Orpen-Smellie (OW), provided insight into the preparation for the battle with great detail of the intensity and close call of the battle itself.

Following this splendid talk, masons attended Old Hall for the remainder of our masonic business while non-masonic guests enjoyed champagne in the sunshine on Combermere Quad.

Festival lunch
Festival lunch

In our masonic meeting, we received the MW Pro Grand Master, Peter Geoffrey Lowndes.  W.Bro Stephen Dudley delivered an excellent Oration detailing the little known facts about the Duke of Wellington as a Freemason.

Once the meeting was concluded, we joined our guests for a refreshing glass or two of champagne.  We were blessed with glorious sunshine.

Lunch was held in the Dining Hall, where we enjoyed poached fillet of salmon, Beef Wellington and Wellington Mess; all accompanied with excellent wines.  After lunch we gave various toasts and listened to speeches. Amongst which the Old Wellingtonian Lodge presented two charitable cheques for £10,000 – one to Metropolitan Grand Lodge, supporting the London Air Ambulance.  The other to College, contributing to the recent purchase of Maclise’s “The meeting of Wellington and Blucher after the Battle of Waterloo“.

We then returned to the sunshine where the wine continued to flow and guests could explore College.  The day concluded with everyone having enjoyed a memorable day.  We wish Christ’s Hospital Lodge no. 2650 the very best for their festival in 2016.

Maclise's depiction of Wellington meeting Blucher
Maclise’s depiction of Wellington meeting Blucher