W. Bro. Granville Angell presented a stupendous lecture from the floor of the Lodge to an audience of just under 100.

In the presence of RW Bro. Michael Hooton, Provincial Grand Master of Berkshire, and many Masons, their wives and other non-masonic guests, Bro. Granville gave a brief explanation of the history of the Prestonian Lecture and stated that his aim was to educate and entertain. A certain amount of repartee occurred when he pointed to the lodge’s bronze statue of the Duke of Wellington and referred to him as Nelson.

Barely referring to his notes, Granville proceeded to give a marvellous exposition on the history of the Victoria Cross; surprising many, when he explained that the original ribbon colours were red for the Army and light blue for the Navy.

The story of Sir William Hewett VC kept the whole audience enthralled. Everybody was quite sad when the lecture drew to a close and had not noticed the passing of time.

Granville presented the WM with a bound copy of his lecture book, “The Victoria Cross Freemasons’ Band Of Brothers”. This is available in paperback for £10 and 75p for p&p in support of Granville’s charity , “VC Grave Concern”, which looks after the graves of holders of the VC.

The Lodge was set up in the Queens Court Theatre at Wellington College. After successfully securing the many exits, the Lodge was opened by W Bro Jeremy Morton-Moss for the last time as WM. The dispensations were read allowing the Lodge meeting to take place at Wellington as well as early as the Master Elect was to be overseas at the time of the usual October meeting. Brother Rory Shackleton was installed into the Chair of King Solomon with assistance of visiting Masters from Old Wykehamist, Old Tonbridgian and Whitehill Lodges. The meeting was very well attended with visitors including: W Bro Granville Angell, the Prestonian Lecturer and VW Bro Desmond Shackleton from Ireland.

Bro Jeremy Morton-Moss handed over the WM chair to Brother Tom Hawley who conducted the installation ceremony. The Addresses to the Master, Wardens and Brethren were given by VW Jervis Kay, a Past-Master and W Bro Bill Green respectively. The new Worshipful Master of the Old Wellingtonian Lodge looks forward to a busy year with a double initiation planned for November.

After the meeting, an excellent festive board was enjoyed by the Brethren, their wives and partners and guests in the Wellesley Room at Wellington College. A warm welcome was extended to all the visitors and as many were staying in The Waterloo Hotel as they were attending the Prestonian Lecture in the morning, most adjourned afterwards to the Hotel to celebrate the birthday of W Bro Nigel Birch.