Ceremony of Initiation – November 2016

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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!!

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.

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 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 13th October 2011

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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.