The Old Wellingtonian Lodge would like to congratulate W Bro Henry Hopking on being invested as a Metropolitan Grand Steward by the Metropolitan Grand Master on Thursday 1 March 2012.
Report on meeting held on Thursday 9th February 2012
The February meeting was held at Freemasons' Hall in London’s Great Queen Street, London, WC2.
As is often for this time of year, the poor weather hampers many from attending the February meeting. However for those that managed to attend, the cold weather outside was quickly forgotten as the prospect of watching a new candidate take the first steps of his masonic career banished all winter blues.
W.Bro. Paul Haynes, whilst not a member of this lodge, has often assisted the OW lodge by standing in at the last minute for ritual or office and on this occasion he acted as Inner Guard for the meeting.
After the lodge was opened and the minutes for the last meeting approved, the Ceremony of Initiation began. It was a fine ceremony and one that will hopefully remain with the candidate for the rest of his masonic career .
Notable mentions must be made firstly to Bro Matthew Saunders, who diligently assisted the candidate during the ceremony and to WM Charles Goblet d'Alviella who delivered a faultless rendition of the Obligation. W.Bro. Rory Shackleton then confidently delivered the charge in the NE corner. The Charge after Initiation was shared by W.Bros John Ross-Barnard and Henry Hopking. After the Ceremony of Initiation, Bro Jon Rance was presented with his Grand Lodge Certificate, again by WBro John Ross-Barnard.
After the lodge was closed, the brethren and their guests went on to dine at the Newton Arms with drinks in the bar beforehand. A wonderful evening was had by 19 members and guests that dined and it was unanimously agreed that the venue should be used again in the future.
Report on meeting held on Tuesday 8th November
The November meeting was held at Freemasons' Hall in London’s Great Queen Street, WC2.
Given the time of year and the fact that several of our members, including the Worshipful Master and the candidate of the evening are based abroad, the interest and passion shared by members of the Old Wellingtonian Lodge in their Freemasonry was visible in abundance, with a particularly well attended meeting.
It is customary and encouraged to invite brethren from other masonic lodges. As such we had several guests for the evening including two of the candidate's personal friends from other Public School Lodges who came to support their friend and brother be passed to the degree of a Fellowcraft.
Our meeting in November being close to Armistice day and given Wellington's important link to the armed forces, W.Bro. T Hawley read out the names of the 16 brethren of this Lodge who had made the ultimate sacrifice, and the Chaplain led the lodge in the act of remembrance.
The main part of the meeting was a fine ceremony as the candidate was passed to the degree of Fellow Craft, which was carried out with good humour and great flair. This was conducted under the watchful eye of the Metropolitan Grand Inspector, Stephen Fenton, who later professed to having had a very enjoyable evening in our Lodge.
Notable mentions must be made to Bro. John Rance who confidently presented the working tools of a Fellow Craft. W.Bro. Rory Shackleton then delivered a faultless rendition of the second degree tracing board to an attentive audience.
The meeting ended with a highlighting of importance of the lodge website, (www.owl3404.org) Proving to be an important tool in educating the curious more about the Lodge, Freemasonry and the way it works closely with the college.
Afterwards the members and guests dined at the Crown and Anchor pub in Covent Garden. Members and visitors had an enjoyable evening with plans being made for similar future events.
Report on meeting held on 13th October 2011
The annual installation meeting was held at Freemason’s Hall in London’s Great Queen Street, WC2.
The WM, W. Bro. John Edwards thanked his officers for their support during the past year and invited W. Bro. Paul Haynes White Hill Lodge No. 8425 to assist him in bestowing the highest honour that a lodge can confer on any of its members – the Mastership of the lodge. On this occasion Bro. Count Charles-Nicolas Goblet D’Alviella received the gavel and master’s collar before being installed into the chair of King Solomon.
A fine ceremony followed as Bro. Mathew Saunders presented the working tools of a master mason; Bro. John Rance the tools of a Fellowcraft and the Director of Ceremonies, W. Bro. Tom Hawley, the tools of an Entered Apprentice. Fine style too described the presentation of the addresses to the Master, Wardens and Brethren by VW Bro. Jervis Kay, W. Bro. James Milne and W. Bro. Rory Shackleton respectively. The newly installed master presented his officers with their jewels and wands with aplomb and looked forward with optimism to the Masonic year ahead.
A ballot for two new initiates proved in their favour and notice of proposal to introduce another new member was given at the third rising.
The members were warm in their appreciation that W. Bro. Robin Tilbrook would be awarded London Grand Rank in the following November.
The power and importance of the lodge website, (www.owl3404.org) proved itself once again when the Secretary, W. Bro. James Milne reported that a former member, W. Bro. Dickon Westmoreland now living in Australia had kindly offered to return his past master’s jewel having read of the need for jewels to be passed onto younger members. A further jewel had been found by an anonymous brother from a Surrey lodge at a street market. Without seeking any remuneration or thanks he had returned it to the Chaplain, a remarkably generous act given the value that such jewels can command by collectors. The newly installed WM asked that his appreciation to both brethren be recorded.
Twenty brethren dined at the Bucks Club although rather more had been present at the meeting.
Report on meeting held on 14th May 2011
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
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
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
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
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
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.