College Meeting – May 2018

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The Lodge held its annual early summer meeting at Wellington College on 12 May 2018.

Although the weather proved against the cricketers playing Marlborough, it did encourage members of the Lodge and their guests to focus on matters masonic indoors, rather than lingering on Turf. We were privileged to welcome guests from sister PSLC Lodges: the Old Uppinghamian Lodge, the Old Rugbeian Lodge and Cholemeley Lodge (Highgate School), as well as masons from the Lodge of St George in East Sussex and from Coventry Foundation Lodge in Warwickshire, together with a member of the College Team, a regular guest and member of Be Prepared Lodge in Berkshire.

These meetings are high prized amongst OW Masons, giving us the chance to revisit College and catch up on the physical development of College which seems to come on leaps and bounds every twelve months, and to meet up with members of staff, current Wellingtonians, and of course Potts. This meeting was particularly special as we had the honour of welcoming a new member to the Lodge; An initiation of an OW at Wellington is always special, for the officers and members of the Lodge as much as for the candidate. The Ceremony was carried in fine style by this year’s Worshipful Master W Bro Peter Draper, formerly of Senior Common Room, ably assisted by his IPM, W Bro Derek Barrett, known to so many OWs from the rackets court.

We dined afterwards in the Senior Common Room Dinning Room, joined by a number of members’ and guests’ partners and friends, and by members of the OW Community including Potts and the Worshipful Master’s guests former SCR Colleague Jim Price and his wife Ceri. We were truly sorry neither the Head Boy or Girl could join us, but we appreciate that it is exam season (as it almost always seems to be for students these days?). A wonderful evening, with perhaps the only cloud being the recent demise of the Waterloo Hotel and the resulting longer journeys  home in place of the familiar amble down past the Talbot (and now the Beresford of course) to the bar, especially for the Old Talbotians. Maybe we are all getting a little old to be still climbing that fence anyway…?

We were delighted to make a small contribution to Potts’ forthcoming challenge to walk two legs (or was that to walk on two legs?) of the  London Brighton challenge for Cystic Fibrosis Trust. If anyone else would like to support him he has a Just Giving page, which worth a visit if only for the Knobbly Knees winning photo of the great man himself.

We look forward to returning next year, and would welcome any members of the College Community, OW masons who are not members of the Lodge, members of PSLC Sister lodges, and our frequent and infrequent visitors to join us. Please do not hesitate to contact the Secretary (secretary@owl3404.org) or contact us via College. We will try an ensure the dates and details are posted in the usual College, OW, and Masonic places.

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.

Installation – Common Room to Common Room

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On Thursday, 12th October 2017, the Lodge met for its 419th meeting to Install a new Worshipful Master for 2017-18.
A number of visitors joined us for the meeting, including four brethren from West Lancashire, the Worshipful Master of the Old Haileyburian Lodge, Secretary of the Old Chigwellian Lodge, and the incoming Master’s proposer into Masonry, W. Bro.Tony Perry.

The main business of the evening was the Lodge’s Worshipful Master, W. Bro. Derek Barrett to install his successor, W.Bro. Peter Draper – both former members of Common Room – in the Master’s Chair, which he did with calm sincerity and professionalism. The new Master then appointed the Lodge Officers for the coming year and completed the Lodge business for the evening, ending with a few thoughts on Education and Masonry.

The brethren then moved on to the East India Club to dine in happy fellowship and look forward to the next meeting in November, when a 3rd Degree ceremony will be performed.

Ceremony of Passing – February 2017

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Ceremony of Passing, February, 2017

Over the last year, we have been fortunate in having a number of young men being Initiated into our Lodge. Therefore, we have much work to do in the Lodge and to avoid long delays for the brethren wishing to make Masonic progress, we have been able to involve other Public Schools Lodges Council Lodges. They have been most helpful by undertaking to “Pass” some of our brethren at their meetings, which in turn strengthens our bonds with those Lodges and their members.
At our 417th meeting, held at Freemasons Hall, London on 9th February, one of those brethren took his next step in Masonry and was “Passed” by the Worshipful Master, Derek Barrett, assisted by his Wardens and the Senior Deacon. The brethren afterwards proceeded to the East India Club, to celebrate the occasion in the customary Lodge manner!
We now look forward to our next meeting in May, when we will be returning to College for our annual visit and to re-live old memories.

October 2016 Installation meeting

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On Thursday, 13th October, 2016, the Lodge met for its 415th meeting to Install a new Worshipful Master for 2016-17.

The membership were joined by a number of visitors from far and wide, including the Deputy Provincial Grand Master for Yorkshire, North and East Ridings, a personal guest of the incoming Master. The Lodge was also honoured by an official visit by V.W. Bro. Philip Summers, Assistant Metropolitan Grand Master.

The main business of the evening was for the Lodge’s Worshipful Master, Matthew Saunders to Install his successor, W.Bro. Derek Barrett in the Master’s Chair, which he did in a most sincere and expert manner. The new Master then appointed the Lodge Officers for the coming year and completed the Lodge business for the evening.

The brethren then moved on to the East India Club to dine in happy fellowship and look forward to the next meeting in November, to “happy meet again”.

Old Wellingtonian Lodge – Triple Initiation

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The Old Wellingtonian Lodge met on Thursday 11th February 2016 at Freemasons’ Hall, London for a rare event; a triple Ceremony of Initiation which saw three new Brethren join the Old Wellingtonian Lodge, all friends from the same year at College.

Worshipful Master Matt Saunders (L 98-03) was assisted by his Senior Warden W.Bro Derek Barrett and a guest appearance in the Junior Warden chair from W.Bro James Morgan.

Due to absences, W.Bro John Ross-Barnard happily invited his son-in-law W.Bro Dave Ingram from Coventry Foundation Lodge no. 4543 and grandson Bro Charlie Ingram of the same Lodge, to stand in as our Senior Deacon and Junior Deacon respectively. They both did a wonderful job with a very high standard of ritual in the ceremony. It was a special occasion to see three generations of the same family enjoying Masonry together!

After the initiation the brethren congratulated W. Bros John Ross-Barnard on his Masonic promotion.

The Lodge retired for very fine fare at the East India Club where Ale, Claret and Club Port were enjoyed with our new brothers well into the night.

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 on meeting held on Thursday, 28th February 2013

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The Old Wellingtonian Lodge met at Freemasons’ Hall, London for a 2nd Degree ceremony (Passing).  The meeting was held by dispensation on a different date to usual, due to the expected lack of attendance on Valentine’s Day.

The Worshipful Master, WBro Bob Bartlett, conducted the ceremony with his customary lively style.  After obligating the candidate, he gave up the Chair of King Solomon for WBro Derek Barrett to complete the remainder of the ritual, passing the candidate as a Fellowcraft.  Bro Matthew Saunders provided excellent support and guidance to the candidate as Senior Deacon and the 2nd degree working tools were delivered in fine style by Bro Jon Rance.  The ceremony was concluded by WBro Rory Shackleton giving a faultless explanation of the tracing board of this degree.

After the meeting some 18 members and visitors retired to the Newton Arms for an informal dinner.  We look forward to our summer meeting in May back at Wellington College.

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.