The making of a new Mason is always a joyous occasion. On Tuesday, 8th November 2016 the Old Wellingtonian Lodge welcomed a new member.
The Ceremony of Initiation was performed by the Worshipful Master, Derek Barrett. He was assisted by Worshipful Brothers Hew Dunn and Henry Hopking. The Junior Deacon, Brother Tim Novis conducted the Candidate around the Lodge in a most proficient manner.
As this meeting is the nearest to 11th November, the Lodge Roll of Honour was read by the Worshipful Master. The brethren stood in silence to remember Lodge members who made the ultimate sacrifice in the two World Wars, as well as the 1,340 Old Wellingtonians, Staff and College Servants.
The Lodge was honoured with the company of a number of guests, including both the President and Chairman of the Association of Medical University and Legal Lodges. After a most enjoyable Ceremony, the Members and Guests repaired to the East India Club, St. James’s, to entertain our new made Brother in the usual Old Wellingtonian Lodge manner!!
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”.
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!
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 an Quentin Hunter on their Masonic promotions.
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.
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.
The Lodge met at Freemasons’ Hall, London for our annual Installation meeting on Thursday 8th October. As the Worshipful Master was unavoidably detained, W.Bro Shackleton was the Installing Master. W.Bro Saunders was installed into the Chair of King Solomon in a fine form. The addresses to the Master, Wardens and Brethren was expertly delivered by Bros. Birch, Ross-Barnard and Dudley.
The annual Installation meeting is where officers change duties within the Lodge. So for many members there will be new experiences to enjoy and roles to prepare for. It is especially enjoyable to see so many new members taking an active part within the Lodge.
After the meeting the bethren retired to Bucks Club for an excellent dinner.
During our Festival, which can be read about in more detail here, we received three first class talks. The authors have kindly provided the scripts for you to read and enjoy at your leisure. These files are in .pdf format.
On Saturday 30th May 2015, the Old Wellingtonian Lodge hosted the 82nd Festival of the Public Schools Lodges’ Council at Wellington College.
Worshipful Master Alex Stuart-Bamford with his father, Eric-Stuart Bamford Provincial Grand Master of Surrey and the MW Pro Grand Master Peter Geoffrey Lowndes
The day began with a tea and coffee reception providing time for guests to enjoy the splendid surroundings of College. For many this was their first visit and for others, it had been many years since their last. Some commented their last arrival had been via school coach when playing Wellington at sport. The impressive buildings only adding to their nerves before the big game.
During this morning start, the Lodge was opened and business was transacted before being called off.
At 10:30 a chapel service was held. Many favourite hymns were sung with gusto and Father Tim Novis delivered a meaningful sermon for the day. Following the service we remained in Chapel for a talk about the Battle of Waterloo. Col Giles Orpen-Smellie (OW), provided insight into the preparation for the battle with great detail of the intensity and close call of the battle itself.
Following this splendid talk, masons attended Old Hall for the remainder of our masonic business while non-masonic guests enjoyed champagne in the sunshine on Combermere Quad.
Festival lunch
In our masonic meeting, we received the MW Pro Grand Master, Peter Geoffrey Lowndes. W.Bro Stephen Dudley delivered an excellent Oration detailing the little known facts about the Duke of Wellington as a Freemason.
Once the meeting was concluded, we joined our guests for a refreshing glass or two of champagne. We were blessed with glorious sunshine.
Lunch was held in the Dining Hall, where we enjoyed poached fillet of salmon, Beef Wellington and Wellington Mess; all accompanied with excellent wines. After lunch we gave various toasts and listened to speeches. Amongst which the Old Wellingtonian Lodge presented two charitable cheques for £10,000 – one to Metropolitan Grand Lodge, supporting the London Air Ambulance. The other to College, contributing to the recent purchase of Maclise’s “The meeting of Wellington and Blucher after the Battle of Waterloo“.
We then returned to the sunshine where the wine continued to flow and guests could explore College. The day concluded with everyone having enjoyed a memorable day. We wish Christ’s Hospital Lodge no. 2650 the very best for their festival in 2016.
The Old Wellingtonian Lodge met on Thursday 13th February 2014 at Freemasons’ Hall, London for a 2nd Degree Ceremony (Passing). However the candidate was unavoidably detained so could not attend. Our Senior Visiting Officer Edward Bottomley manfully stepped into the role.
The Worshipful Master, WBro Simon Wilson, conducted the ceremony of Passing ably assisted by Director of Ceremonies WBro Rory Shackleton, and also by WBro Derek Barrett as Senior Deacon. The 2nd Degree is a significant and meaningful event in the journey of a Freemason following on from his Initiation. This evening’s ceremony was conducted with usual OW style, which the candidate enjoyed immensely, sometimes even prompting the Senior Deacon!
The Master WBro Simon Wilson, also invested officers of the Lodge who had not been present at our last Installation meeting.
After the meeting some 17 members and visitors retired to the Kingsway Hotel for an enjoyable Festive Board that involved more than a little mis-firing!
We look forward to our next meeting back at College on Saturday May 17th.
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