Report on meeting held on 14th May 2011

  •    
  • hrh   

Report for website on OWL meeting at College 14th May 2011

High-summer puts family demands on younger brethren which can limit their attendance. The OW Lodge is blessed with many younger members and several are waiting in the wings for admission. Accordingly every alternate year brethren are joined by the wives, partners and friends to enjoy ‘white-table’ masonry at College. This was not one of those years – but 2012 will be.

Twenty four brethren attended to meet in the Driver rooms. W. Bro Chris Collins acted as Junior Warden; W. Bro John Ross Barnard as Chaplain; Bro. Alex Stuart-Bamford as Junior Deacon; W. Bro. Nigel Birch as Inner Guard and W. Bro Hew Dunn as Tyler. The special dispensations to allow the meeting to be held at College were read.

The Almoner, W. Bro Jeremy Moreton-Moss presented a eulogy for W. Bro. Bill Green who had passed to the ‘Grand Lodge Above’ on 8th March. W. Bro. Bill had served as a visiting music teacher at College for many years matched by his faithful years in masonry. His pupils spoke highly of his abilities and some had turned his wise tutorage into becoming professional musicians. In addition to his teaching Bro. Bill could be heard regularly in London’s West End theatre pit orchestras, thus sadly rarely seen. It was said that he knew the scores of every one of the biggest shows by heart. He was a true professional. The brethren stood in silent tribute to him.

The Lodge saluted W. Bro. James Morgan, Grand Steward, in recognition of his new appointment.

The WM requested that W. Bro Rory Shackleton assist him by taking over the Chair of King Solomon for the duration of the Ceremony of double Initiation firstly for Mr Neil Chadda, aged 24, (Murray 99 – 04) a Client Development Manager then Mr Guy Lynch, aged 25 (Hill 99 – 02) an Asset Management Valuer both candidates proposed by W. Bro. James Milne, seconded by W. Bro. Tom Hawley. The ceremony was conducted with military precision reflecting the training the officiating brethren had received at Sandhurst and their other military disciplines.

A fine festive board followed by courtesy of College caterers.

Report on meeting held on 10th February 2011

  •    
  • hrh   

Raising: Bro. Jonathan Kim Rance.

Unusually for the month of February the weather, local, long distance and international transport systems all allowed for a good attendance to celebrate the raising to the sublime degree of a master mason.

The ceremony was conducted by the Worshipful Master in the Chair. However, in keeping with our policy of sharing the work in the lodge, the WM requested a past master W. Bro Rory Shackleton to assist him by taking the Chair of King Solomon for the duration of the Ceremony of Raising.  W. Bro. Richard Bradburn, a personal guest of the candidate from the Old Reptonian Lodge No 3725, delivered the exhortation in fine style. The Working Tools were explained in detail by Bro Jeffrey Smith, Whitsters Lodge No 4717, another guest and friend of Bro Jon Rance.

Bro Jon had been proposed by W. Bro. James Milne LGR and initiated on 11th November 2008. The Old Wellingtonian Lodge being blessed with an increasing number of candidates from College wishing to become freemasons Bro Jon had been passed to the 2nd degree by courtesy of the Old Cliftonian Lodge No. 3340 on 15th January 2009.

The former Secretary, W. Bro. John Ross-Barnard JP having returned from a year’s travelling around the world presented W. Bro. Cdr. Stephen Dudley RN with an ornamental china bottle of Australian Navy “Pussers” (purser’s) rum to mark Bro. Stephen’s elevation to London Grand Rank. Members warmly applauded him. 27 members enjoyed a festive board at the Pillars of Hercules.

Report on meeting held on November 9th, 2010

  •    
  • hrh   

The Lodge met at Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen Street, London.  As some members had been unable to attend for reasons such as the arrival of a new baby, a number of the offices of the Lodge were filled by experienced Past Masters of the Lodge.  With two candidates for initiation, two ceremonies of initiation were performed, which is always such a memorable occasion.

This meeting marked a very important landmark, as the father of the lodge, W. Bro. Graham Cadie (A 35 – 40) celebrated his 60th year in Freemasonry.  W.Bro. Cadie was presented with a special 60th year commemorative certificate from Grand Lodge and a gift of engraved tumblers from the Lodge.  The words spoken by W.Bro. Cadie gave insight into the history of the lodge and how the health of membership has ebbed and flowed over the years.  It was particularly poignant to hear, on this meeting close to Armistice Day, how many of W.Bro. Cadie’s contemporaries at College has perished in the  Second World War.

Afterwards the members and guest dined at the Grand Connaught Rooms.

Report on meeting held on October 14th, 2010

  •    
  • hrh   

In the annual calendar of a Lodge, the Installation meeting is a notable highlight.  As the Lodge begins it’s journey towards it’s bicentenary, the office of Worshipful Master was taken by Bro. John Edwards.  This is a special occasion for both the Lodge and newly installed Master alike.  For the Lodge, this annual event marks the continual link of membership since it’s foundation.  For the newly installed Master it is a proud and memorable occasion in their masonic career, though some may say a little daunting!

As is customary after an Installation meeting, the Lodge dined especially well at the East India Club.

Centenary celebration meeting held at College on May 8th, 2010

  •    
  • hrh   

This meeting of the Old Wellingtonian Lodge celebrated the Centenary of the Lodge.  For 100 years the Lodge has been an important and interwoven part of College life.  Over these past 100 years, members have been and continue to be old boys, governors and masters of College.

On a glorious May day, 24 members and 32 guests attended this historic meeting, which was held in the impressive surroundings of Old Hall.  During the meeting, the Metropolitan Grand Master, the RW Bro. Russell J. Race formally presented the Lodge with a Centenary Warrant. W. Bro. James Milne LGR, W. Bro. Tom Hawley LGR and W.Bro Stephen Dudley gave a presentation on the history of the Lodge.  For many attending, one of the highlights of the meeting was the splendid and thought provoking oration delivered by W.Bro. Stephen Dudley.

After the meeting, 99 people including the partners and non-masonic guests of many members, dined extremely well in the Old Gymnasium.  During the dinner three cheques totally in excess of £10,000 were presented by W.Bro. Henry Hopking, the Master of the Lodge. Amongst these was a cheque for £5,000 to the OW Society Charitable Trust.

The lodge was very grateful to receive a donation from it's mother lodge, the Household Brigade Lodge, as a gift to mark our Centenary.

In summary this was a wonderful celebration of the Centenary  of the Old Wellingtonian Lodge.  It is especially pleasing to be able to report that 100 years after the founding of the Lodge, the size of membership is growing at a healthy pace.

Report on meeting held on February 11th, 2010

  •    
  • hrh   

On a typically wet and  blustery day for this time of year 18 brethren met at Freemasons’ Hall in London.  The majority of the meeting focused on the final planning for our Centenary celebrations at College in May. It was also especially pleasing to hear that so many potential initiates had recently expressed an interest in becoming a member of the Lodge and joining the fraternity (Old Boys, Governors and Masters are very welcome – contact the Secretary for more information) After the meeting the members and guests enjoyed a hearty meal at the New Connaught Rooms on Great Queen Street.

Honorary Worshipful Master

  •    
  • hrh   

The President of Wellington College, His Royal Highness, The Duke of Kent, KG, GCMG, GCVO, ADC and Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England has graciously accepted the position of Permanent Worshipful Master of the Old Wellingtonian Lodge No.3404. As Grand Lodge required him to be physically installed he was proclaimed as Honorary Worshipful Master in the meantime.In 1909 the great, great uncle of the present Grand Master, HRH the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn KG etc, became the Worshipful Master of the Heroum Filii Lodge at its consecration, later to be renamed the Old Wellingtonian Lodge. He remained in that office until his death in 1942 – one of the longest periods a Worshipful Master has ever stayed in an office in any lodge, and outstripped only by the Duke himself.

A century later,  as the Old Wwellingtonian Lodge celebrates it centenary year, the Master and Brethren of the Lodge are indeed privileged to be honoured by the present Grand Master, who is perhaps better known to us as the President of Wellington College, becoming  Honorary Worshipful Master of the Lodge.

Report on meeting held on November 26th, 2009

  •    
  • hrh   

A total of 43 brethren met at Freemasons’ Hall in London.  This included five visiting from other Public Schools’ Lodges Council member Lodges and nine other visiting guests.  This historic occasion marked the exact date Centenary of the consecration of the Old Wellingtonian Lodge, having been consecrated on 26th November 1909.

Exemplifying the health of the Lodge membership in recent years, a ceremony of Initiation was performed.  W.Bro. Henry Hopking was the ruling Master for the ceremony, ably assisted by W.Bro. Tom Hawley.

The meeting recorded another historic moment, as HRH the Duke of Kent, KG, GCMG, GCVO, ADC, MW Grand Master and President of Wellington College was elected Permanent Worshipful Master of the Old Wellingtonian Lodge. As Grand Lodge required him to be physically installed, WM Henry Hopking proclaimed him as Honorary Worshipful Master in the meantime.

After the meeting, the members and visitors dined very well at Bucks Club.

Report on meeting held on 8th October, 2009

  •    
  • hrh   
The brethren of the Old Wellingtonian Lodge met at Freemasons’ Hall, London for the annual Installation meeting. The Worshipful Master installed W.Bro. Henry R. Hopking (Anglesey 89-94) into the Chair of King Solomon as the Master to rule the Lodge during our Centenary year. The WM was ably assisted in the ceremony with members from Sir Thomas White Lodge No.1820, Christ’s Hospital Lodge No.2650 and the Old Cheltonian Lodge No.3223.
The Address to the Master was delivered by W.Bro. Geoffrey Baber, with fine style and aplomb. This was especially meaningful as W.Bro. Baber proposed W.Bro. Hopking into Freemasonry seven years previously. The Address to the Wardens and the Address to the Brethren were delivered by W.Bro. James Milne and W.Bro. Rory Shackleton respectively.
After the meeting the brethren retired to St James’s and they dined at the East India Club. The festive board was held in the Canadian Room where everyone enjoyed the superb cuisine and merry fraternal banter. Many have since commented that they hope the Lodge will return there for future festive boards.
The Master and members of the Old Wellingtonian Lodge look forward to the year ahead. It is an exceptional year with 2009/10 being the Centenary of the Lodge. The Lodge has a full programme of events planned. Our meeting on the 26th November will mark the historic date of the Centenary, from when the Lodge was consecrated in 1909. We then look forward to the summer meeting at College, where we will welcome a large number of visitors and guests to join us as we conclude our Centenary celebrations in fine style.

Report on meeting held on May 9th, 2009

  •    
  • hrh   
The brethren of the Old Wellingtonian Lodge met at Wellington College for the annual college meeting. At the meeting Bro. Matthew Saunders and Bro. Simon Reed were raised to the sublime degree of a master mason. In the double ceremony the Worshipful Master was assisted by a Past-Master who recalled with élan the third degree tracing board attracting a deserved Masonic applause. The Working Tools were similarly explained in graphic detail by W.Bro. Rory Shackleton. W.Bro. Nigel Birch presented Bro. Matt Saunders with a Master Mason’s apron. Books of Emulation ritual were presented on behalf of their proposer by seconder Bro. Junior Warden, John Edwards.
A Grand Lodge Certificate was presented to Bro. Simon Wilson and explained in detail by W.Bro. Nigel Birch. All the other offices of the lodge did an outstanding job in assisting the Worshipful Master in the ceremony.
The lodge welcomed a number of visitors including visiting Masters from our sister public school lodges: Christ Hospital; Ardingly and Charterhouse. We also welcomed our newly elected Visiting Officer, Edward Bottomley. The lodge looks forward to welcoming him to future lodge meetings.
W.Bro John Ross-Barnard announced that he would be stepping down as secretary after ten years serving the lodge so that he can go on a world trip. The brethren thanked him for his hard work and dedication to the lodge over the years. We were reminded how much work W.Bro John Ross-Barnard has done behind the scenes to ensure all our meetings happen and that all Masonic business is conducted and communicated promptly and correctly. There was a spontaneous and enthusiastic round of applause to thank the retiring secretary from the rest of the brethren.
The brethren then dined in the Driver rooms in College. A few of the brethren met at the bar in the Waterloo Hotel for further libations!