November 2017 – Ceremony of Raising – 3rd Degree

At our meeting on 14th November 2017, the Lodge conducted a Ceremony of Raising. Owing to a number of Officers being unavoidably absent, including the Worshipful Master, the Ceremony was performed by the Immediate Past Master, Derek Barrett and Worshipful Brother Rory Shackleton. They were assisted by a team of mainly stand-in Officers, some of whom received very little notice. Nevertheless, the Brethren called on their vast experience to perform admirably and the candidate was conducted around the Lodge by Worshipful Brother Stephen Dudley in a most proficient manner. The Working Tools were presented and explained by Worshipful Brother Matthew Saunders.

As is the custom in the Old Wellingtonian Lodge at the November meeting, the Lodge honoured the memory of those members who made the supreme sacrifice, as well as the 1340 Old Wellingtonians and staff, in the cause of their King and their Country.

The business of the Lodge was completed and the brethren made their way to the East India Club, where an excellent meal was enjoyed in celebration of the making of a new Master Mason.

A report on a 3rd Degree and Installation Ceremony

The Old Wellingtonian Lodge met on Thursday 10th October 2013 at Freemasons’ Hall, London for a 3rd Degree ceremony (Raising), followed by the Installation of the New Master.  It is a rare opportunity to conduct two such significant ceremonies on the same day.  They both present challenges but the officers of the Lodge met these challenges with enthusiasm, benefiting all those in attendance.

The Worshipful Master, WBro Bob Bartlett, conducted the ceremony of Raising ably assisted by WBros Chris Collins, Rory Shackleton and Derek Barrett.  The 3rd Degree is a significant and meaningful event in the journey of a Freemason.  This evening’s ceremony was conducted with usual OW style, which the candidate enjoyed immensely.

After a short respite, we commenced our annual Installation Ceremony.  WBro Bob Bartlett Installed ME Bro Simon Wilson into the Chair of King Solomon in fine style, ably assisted by WBro Tom Hawley and WBro Rory Shackleton. The newly installed Master, WBro Simon Wilson, performed his first duty of investing his officers of the Lodge for the year ahead.

After the meeting some 18 members and visitors retired to Bucks Club in Mayfair where we dined famously on grouse. The more intrepid retired to The Royal Ocean Yacht Racing Club for further libations.

We look forward to our next meeting on November 12th at Freemasons’ Hall where we will be conducting another 3rd Degree Ceremony, to be followed by dinner at the Kingsway Hotel.