November 2017 – Ceremony of Raising – 3rd Degree

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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.

Initiation and Raising – Wellington College, May 2016

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On the 14th May the Old Wellingtonian Lodge had our annual pilgrimage back to Wellington College by the kind permission of the new Master. The Driver Rooms (the old Art School to those more veteran Old Wellingtonians!) was our home for the afternoon. With the sounds of the 1st XI on Turf in the background the Lodge performed both Initiation and a Raising Ceremonies.

We were pleased to welcome into our number a current member of Common Room. He joins a thriving Lodge which boasts a large number of young OWs and Common Room alike. The Worshipful Master of the Lodge (W Bro Matthew Saunders – Lynedoch 98-03) was pleased to welcome members of the PSLC, local Berkshire Masons and our visiting officer W Bro Ed Bottomly to College.

After a brief tour of the newly completed Wellington Hall (known previously as Old Hall) the brethren and guests enjoyed a superb meal in Great School accompanied by W Bro Alex Stuart-Bamford’s excellent wine choices!

A report on a 3rd Degree and Installation Ceremony

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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.

Report on meeting held on Saturday 12th May, 2012

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Our May meeting is traditionally held at Wellington College and it was with great pleasure that 25 members and guests once again met at Wellington.  It was a gloriously sunny day which made a pleasant change from the recent rains (despite the country being in a period of drought!)

The work of the day was a Ceremony of Raising, where a Fellow Craft is raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason.

The Worshipful Master, WBro Charles Goblet d'Alviella once again led the meeting with near perfect ritual.  During his year as Master, WBro Charles has had opportunity to deliver three of our main ceremonies – Initiation, Passing and Raising. It is nice for an Installed Master to have opportunity for varied ceremonies during their year as Master, but it does require effort to perfect the rituals.  WBro Charles has met this challenge enabling candidates, members and visitors to gain much enjoyment from the meetings.

In a similar fashion, Bro Alex Stuart-Bamford fulfilled his important role as Senior Deacon with much confidence and precision.  In this ceremony, a skilled Senior Deacon is important for the instruction of the candidate; Alex certainly performed his duty in this capacity.

After the meeting the Lodge members, guests and wives dined in the new Munro Pavilion.  This was our first time dining in this location and we all enjoyed the good company and excellent food as the sun set in the west over Bigside at the closing of the day.

Our next meeting will be the annual Installation ceremony in October, when we will meet at Freemasons' Hall, London. 

If anyone is interested to find out more about the Old Wellingtonian Lodge, please get in contact with the Lodge Secretary.