FOREWORD E Comp Timothy L’Estrange Deputy Metropolitan Grand Superintendent
In the 1980s, the days of my youth, there was a popular television series whose evocative theme song proclaimed in its chorus, “Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came!” The sentiment is attractive, and I think it appeals deeply to many of us. Don’t most of […]
Editorial W Bro Seb Giroux
Dear Arena readers, I wish you the very best for this new year. I would not hasten to make any particular forecast for 2022, but I would say this: after what we have gone through these last two years, we are ready to navigate whatever comes next. We have prepared a packed edition this winter. […]
Solomon in its Third Year
In November, Solomon celebrated its third birthday. Three years ago, the Assistant Grand Master, RW Bro Sir David Wootton, pushed the button and launched our Virtual Learning Environment into existence. From that moment onwards, we have constantly been evolving all the user content to make it easier to use, more interactive and available across more […]
London Grand Rank Investiture Meeting – Wednesday 3 November 2021
Arena reports You will remember that on 20 October 2021, His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent signed the UGLE Armed Forces Covenant. This partnership cements UGLE’s ongoing support to members of the Armed Forces. During the LGR Investiture Meeting, Metropolitan Grand Lodge demonstrated its own commitment when the Metropolitan Grand Master, Sir Michael Snyder, […]
London Royal Arch Digest – Autumn 2021
Here are just a few of the London Royal Arch Chapters that have started to meet again over the autumnal months, not just throughout central London but within dedicated Masonic Halls and Centres from Ealing to Croydon, Chingford to Harrow and Southgate to Penge. London’s Royal Arch Companions have been revelling in being back in […]
ROYAL ARCH AWARENESS EVENING
By E Comp Tony Shepherd, Metropolitan Grand Inspector As part of its continuing commitment to extending knowledge of Royal Arch masonry, Metropolitan Grand Chapter hosted a hugely successful Awareness Event at Furniture Makers Hall on 25th October 2021. Assistant Metropolitan Grand Superintendent E Comp Simon White launched the evening by describing to the craft […]
New Silver Jubilee Lodge No 8823 Lunch With Normandy Veterans
W Bro Dave Izzard reports The idea for a special lunch was formed over a coffee by the members of New Silver Jubilee Lodge No 8823. The lunch would bring our brothers and their families together to pay our respects and reflect on the sacrifices of all those who went before us securing the freedoms […]
Men at the Top – W Bro Tim MacAndrews PJGD Metropolitan Grand Inspector (Craft)
In conversation with W Bro Simon Bennett LGR Bro Tim MacAndrews was born and bred in Notting Hill Gate, West London. He is not known for standing still. At 14, he was up and out every morning by 6 am, doing a paper round in the local area. Work in a grocery shop at weekends […]
25th Anniversary – The South East London Installed Masters Lodge No 9557
Report by W Bro Robert Lakic PJGD, MetGInsp On 24th September 2021, the long-anticipated 25th Anniversary Meeting of the South East London Installed Masters Lodge No 9557 finally took place at the South East London Masonic Hall in Penge. The Lodge was privileged to have the presence of RW Bro Warren Duke PJGW, DepMetGM […]
Anglo Foreign Lodges Association (AFLA) – Thames Cruise with Lunch
By W Bro Gerry Amsden SLGR, AFLA Assistant Secretary Reports Having been restricted by the pandemic over the past 18 months, lunch onboard a boat on the River Thames was the ideal way to meet and relax with family and friends. The weather also helped and, after a poor summer, we were blessed with […]
Introducing Bikers Against Child Abuse
Bro Sam Bondarenko reports on Hazara Lodge No 4159 – ‘The Cigar Lodge’ supporting child–empowering bikers Hazara Lodge No 4159 has, for over a century, brought Masonic brothers together through a shared love of fellowship, charity … and the occasional cigar. Bro Sam Bondarenko, Charity Steward, wanted a cause to fit with the ethos of the lodge members and close to everyone’s heart. The Lodge approached Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.), an international organisation with […]
What was that? Initiation for a hard of hearing candidate
W Bro Ronald A. Wainer SLGR reports Fifty members and guests attended a bumper meeting of The Polytechnic Lodge No 2847 to conduct two separate initiation ceremonies in the presence of W Bro Michael Todd PSGD, MetGInsp. The Lodge welcomed various guests from the District Grand Lodges of Corfu, Athens and Cyprus. The first […]