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W Bro Peter Locke writes:

During its 82-year history, Seven Stars Lodge No 5892, has had more ups and downs than the lifts in Great Queen Street.

When I was initiated in 1973 the regular number of members attending meetings was in excess of 30. By the time I was installed as Master in 1984, the number had dwindled to 9.

One of our members, living in Hertfordshire, had joined his local Lodge, Medburn No 8841. He introduced us to a young Master Mason from that Lodge, who had just taken his third degree, and was anxious to join a London Lodge.

After joining Seven Stars, visits were enjoyed between both Lodges and Medburn stepped in to fill Offices in our Lodge whenever necessary.

During this time, another Medburn member, a serving police officer in the Diplomatic Protection Group, also became a joining member. He, in turn, recruited joining members and initiates from within the police force and pretty soon we were inundated with a Lodge full of policemen entitled to bear arms!

Over the years, due to promotions in the job and transferring to other forces, the numbers again dropped, until they were dangerously low.

Our DC, who lived in Essex, had joined his local Lodge near his home. To fulfil his duties as a DC, he invited members of this Lodge, Ridgeway No 7580, to fill the offices as required.

A number became joining members, and several went through the Chair of Seven Stars during that period.

At the beginning of 2025, due to unfortunate circumstances, we had several   resignations, leaving us again with insufficient numbers to properly conduct a ceremony.

Fortunately, I and one other member of the Lodge are also members of Chelsea Lodge No 3098. With the help of our colleagues and Chelsea’s daughter Lodge, Gavel and Staff No 9835, we have been able to conduct three ceremonies this year: a third degree for a guest, the installation of a new Master and, most pleasing of all, the Initiation of a new candidate.

Since the resignations, we have had 4 joining members: 3 from Chelsea and our past VO. We have conducted one Initiation and have two further applications for membership. Throughout this time, we have always been grateful for the help and support from other Lodges and have expanded our Masonic friendships in several Provinces.

Grand Lodge have recently given this behaviour a name: “Catalyst” where weaker Lodges work with stronger ones for the benefit of all. Seven Stars can confirm that Catalyst works: we are living proof.

As an aside, Seven Stars’ mother Lodge, Bloomsbury Rifles No 2362, which recently requested a presentation from Seven Stars members. As a member of that group, on arriving at the meeting, I was surprised to discover that, not only did Seven Stars have a mother Lodge, but a sister Lodge too: Bond of Friendship Lodge No 4853, consecrated in 1926. This is therefore their Centenary year.

We had a very long, friendly and constructive conversation and agreed to re-establish cross-Lodge visiting immediately. Several of the Brethren were extremely keen and will be guests at our April meeting, where we will be performing a double Initiation.

All have offered to take an active part in the ceremony, so it looks like we have a bright future ahead. These are the conversations which Catalyst is allowing to happen.

This article is part of Arena Magazine Issue 60 – Spring 2026.
Arena Magazine is the official online magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.

Read more articles in Arena Issue 60 here.

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