By W Bro Gus Samuel LGR

We first took a look at the Association of Medical, University and Legal Lodges (AMULL) in the pages of Arena way back in Issue 9.

Since then, AMULL has grown, and has exciting new developments on the horizon. What better time, then, to take another look at the association?

The association s chairman, VW Bro Nicholas Le Poidevin QC PGSwdB, told Arena about the history of AMULL:

"AMULL was formed in 1999 when several like-minded Freemasons developed the idea for a group of professional Lodges to join in promoting the social and charitable sides of Freemasonry. The association holds an annual festival, the first of which took place in 2001, when members of AMULL Lodges and their guests enjoy a day together. Funds raised during the annual festival have historically been put towards AMULL s charitable initiatives of providing funding for students in financial difficulty. Festivals rotate with two years held in London, followed by one held elsewhere in the country."

Long-time readers of Arena will no doubt recall having seen several of AMULL's festivals in past years being covered in the magazine, but may not know so much about the Lodges that make up the association. As you can see from the list in the adjoining box, Metropolitan Grand Lodge has its fair share of AMULL Lodges — too many to give each one the focus it undoubtedly deserves. We will therefore be looking at one Lodge from each of the association s constituent fields — legal, university, and medical — to give you a flavour of what you might expect, but there is no doubt that should you visit any AMULL Lodge, you would find the same warm welcome and fraternal camaraderie as you would at our three featured Lodges.

MEDICAL

fisculapius Lodge No 2410
The AMULL connection is strong for fisculapius Lodge, with one of the original founders (a Grand Original!) and driving forces behind the association, W Bro Charles Akle PJGD, an active member. The oldest medical and dental Lodge in London, fisculapius now has a broad membership but maintains a core focus on the medical and dental professions. The Lodge meets four times per year at Great Queen Street and prides itself on convivial but high-quality working.

The Lodge's medical heritage is rich, with historical membership rolls including a good number of leading immunologists and microbiologists who would no doubt be interested in the current state of affairs. fisculapius Chapter has an equally rich history, with members including the likes of Sir Alexander Fleming. Since it is a Lodge full of those in caring professions, opportunities for charitable giving are plenty.

Regular donations include support for vital dental services in India at a clinic established by a now sadly departed member. Most recently, two charity shooting days funded a large donation towards the purchase of a portable EEG machine (a vital piece of equipment for diagnosing epilepsy in the emergency department) for Conquest Hospital in Hastings.

The good work doesn t stop there of course, with many of our members having contributed substantially to the recent response during the Covid crisis.

Along with Bro Charles, the Lodge members have supported AMULL from the beginning, and we regularly send a bumper contingent to the annual festival. Two further members, including our current Worshipful Master, W Bro Jake Mossom, sit on the AMULL Committee. Bro Jake, who was initiated through the Universities Scheme in 2016, currently serves as an AMULL Charity Steward and is now involved in the Universities Scheme in London. In recent years, the Lodge s engagement with the Universities Scheme has led to a steady stream of students and younger professionals joining.

Many newer brethren are now progressing through the Lodge, forming an energetic and enthusiastic ladder of officers to continue the good work whilst having plenty of fun!

UNIVERSITY

Lodge of Good Fellowship No 3655
LoGF, as it is referred to by its members, is a relative newcomer to the AMULL club, having joined in 2018. Its career as a University Lodge is short, but it does have a long history and a distinguished pedigree predating its involvement in both the AMULL and the Universities Scheme.

One of three daughter Lodges of the Lodge of Emulation, No 21, it was originally a City Lodge later coming to be dominated by brethren from the pharmaceutical industry.

By the early 2010s the Lodge had fallen on hard times. It was on verge of handing back its Warrant when, in 2014, it was rescued by a team formed by the UGLE Universities Scheme - coincidentally led by a former and current AMULL Charity Steward - one of whom, W Bro Julian Soper PSGD, is now the Lodge’s Metropolitan Grand Inspector.

This take-over has since been used as a model for many other Lodge take-overs around the country.

Since its rescue, the Lodge has thrived, initiating 28 London students, including the son of a Foreign Constitution s Grand Master.

The Lodge prides itself on the quality of its multiple-candidate ceremonies and includes some leading practitioners of this form of ritual amongst its membership. Student members have progressed to take on many Lodge offices, including the Secretary, and a number of LoGF members have been active in subsequent Lodge takeovers for the Universities Scheme.

Meeting four times a year at Freemasons Hall, visitors would find in LoGF a relaxed and friendly Lodge filled with youthful exuberance.

Given the significant proportion of students and recent graduates amongst its ranks, it may not be surprising to discover that LoGF is rumoured to have the youngest average age of any Lodge in London at less than 30. In a normal year, the Lodge would have relativity active social calendar, with successive Social Secretaries finding ever more intriguing venues to visit.

Given the age of the brethren, LoGF doesn t actively encourage significant financial donations to charity, preferring its members to give time and effort in support of good causes, whether that be running marathons or any number of more eccentric activities.

LEGAL

Inventions Lodge No 3776
The roots of this Lodge lie in the profession of Patent Agency, one of the oldest of the professions, tracing as far back as the 18th century. In 1882 the Institute of Patent Agents was formed, receiving a Royal Charter in 1891. The senior members of the profession of course knew each other, met regularly on professional and social occasions, and many of them were Freemasons. It was natural therefore that they should express a desire to form themselves into a Lodge of patent agent Freemasons.

Thus, in June 1916 an Emergency Meeting of Wickham Lodge No 1924 was held to consider a Petition for a new Lodge to be named Inventions . The warrant was issued under No 3776 and dated 20th June 1916.

Cementing the connection between the Lodge and patents is the Badge of the Lodge, which is derived from the Great Seal of King James I during whose reign the Statute of Monopolies, which constituted the basis of British Patent Law, was passed in 1624. The Great Seal was affixed to all Patents of Invention prior to 1850. Permission was sought and granted for the Seal to be copied and used by the Lodge.

The Lodge was Consecrated on 1st August 1916 by VW Bro. Sir Edward Letchworth, Grand Secretary and in 1922 the Lodge was certified as a Hall Stone Lodge.

Originally membership of the Lodge was restricted to senior partners in private professional practice. Now, membership is open to any person with an interest in Intellectual Property.

The Lodge has always taken its charitable responsibilities seriously. Recent donations include £11,000 to the CyberKnife Appeal and £10,000 to the Air Ambulance Appeal.

Hopefully this has given you some insight into the types of Lodges that make up AMULL, and that you feel encouraged to visit any of the association s Lodges once circumstances allow. We return to Bro Nicholas for some final words, and an exciting new development for the association:

"2020 has been difficult, with the festival cancelled and activities curtailed. However, the year has seen the formation of The AMULL Charity to oversee an increase in charitable activities and renewed ties with the Universities Scheme, which allow AMULL to complement the Scheme's objectives. More details about AMULL can be found at amull.org.uk and the association's President, R.W. Bro. David K. Williamson, PAGM, will have news for Arena readers in early 2021."

We thank VW Bro Nicholas Le Poidevin QC PGSwdB, W Bro Clifford Sturt PGStB, W Bro Jake Mossom and Bro Simon Moore for their invaluable contributions to this article.

AMULL Lodges in Metropolitan:

Gihon Sancta Maria No 49 (Medical)
Pilgrim No 238 (University)
University of London No 2033 (University)
fisculapius No 2410 (Medical)
Chancery Bar No 2456 (Legal)
Rahere No 2546 (Medical)
Cavendish No 2620 (Medical)
Royal London Hospital No 2845 (Medical)
Lodge Chere Reine No 2853 (Medical)
Cheselden No 2870 (Medical)
University of Edinburgh No 2974 (University)
University of Durham No 3030 (University)
Trinity College Dublin No 3153 (University)
Western Circuit No 3154 (Legal)
Misericordia No 3286 (Medical)
Caius No 3355 (University)
In Ardius Fidelis No 3432 (Medical)
Lodge of Good Fellowship No 3655 (University)
Inventions No 3776 (Legal)
Think and Tank No 4112 (University)
Templars No 4302 (Legal)
Imperial College No 4536 (University)
Gray's Inn No 4938 (Legal)
Tetragon No 6302 (University)
John Snow No 7715 (Medical)
City University No 7962 (University)
Roentgen No 8980 (Medical)
David Kenneth Williamson No 9938 (University)

This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 43 January 2021 edition.
Arena Magazine is the official magazine of the London Freemasons - Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.

Read more articles in the Arena Issue 43.