Emergency food for Indian families during pandemic funded by London Freemasons 24/05/2021 Families and children experiencing severe poverty in India during the COVID-19 pandemic will be receiving vital emergency support thanks to a grant of £50,000 from London Freemasons to Plan Internatio ... READ MORE
Looking after someone? Know someone who might be? Join our Carer Aware session with Carers UK 24/04/2021 Every day, 6000 people become unpaid carers. If you support a loved one who is older, disabled or seriously ill, you could be one of them. READ MORE
London Communications What is next 17/04/2021 It’s been a busy and unpredictable year since I was invested as Metropolitan Communications Officer. A year when communicating has become more critical than ever before. READ MORE
An inside look at the new shop at Freemasons Hall 17/04/2021 When meetings resume and Brethren return to Freemasons Hall, they might find themselves pleasantly surprised at some of the changes the building has undergone during the lockdown. Among the most signi ... READ MORE
Men at the Top W Bro John Shulman PSGD MetGInsp 17/04/2021 I first meet Bro John on a Microsoft Teams' call during the February snowfall in London. His background picture is of an island off the Great Barrier Reef where he went snorkelling with his wife, Gill ... READ MORE
A COVID DIARY A COVID DIARY 17/04/2021 Through no choice of our own, we currently find ourselves existing in an unbelievable set of circumstances. I imagine when living in any time of crisis or conflict, the effort of just getting through ... READ MORE
Serving a friend or brother in time of need 17/04/2021 W Bro Alastair Bates, Al to his friends, is the Secretary of Euphrates Lodge No 212, a member of Metropolitan Grand Stewards' Lodge No 9812, Inspectorate Scribe Ezra for Metropolitan Grand Chapter Ins ... READ MORE
Gourmet meals for the ICU - A restaurateur feeds NHS staff 17/04/2021 Some of you may already have wandered down Gray’s Inn Road, just North of Chancery Lane. Perhaps you’ve even been attracted by the façade at number°182. And, if you looked closer, you might have seen ... READ MORE
The Creativity and Communications Lodge The Royal Leopold Lodge No 1669 17/04/2021 A Lodge for those with an interest in Creativity, Communications and Literature, old and new. READ MORE
Navy Lodge presentation of Tercentennial Jewel 31 May 2017 17/04/2021 A look back at an Arena story from 2017 when Bro Admiral of the Fleet His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was presented with a gold Tercentennial Jewel. READ MORE
Metropolitan Grand Lodge support to Lifelites 15/04/2021 Working with every children and young peoples’ hospice service across the British Isles, Lifelites has ensured that even in these ever-changing times, the children supported have still been able to pl ... READ MORE
Metropolitan Active Office 15/04/2021 Every Masonic Lodge and Chapter elects or appoints officers to execute the necessary functions of the unit's life and work; the same is true for Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter – these are ... READ MORE
Foreword By E Comp The Reverend Timothy L Estrange 15/04/2021 At the heart of our ancient rituals is the story of a building project. In Jerusalem, a great Temple is constructed and finally dedicated to God with much celebration and rejoicing. But that Temple re ... READ MORE
Editorial 15/04/2021 Welcome to Arena 44. This edition comes at a time where we all have several new things to look forward to. Our NHS has forged a path forward through the virus with not only its care and support for th ... READ MORE
THE LATEST FROM THE CONNAUGHT CLUB 15/04/2021 At the time of writing, the Prime Minister has teased us with the prospect of a visit to a pub. As the Connaught Club is a predominantly social organisation (education through socialising), this is ve ... READ MORE
Mastering Masonic Ritual by John E Burnapp Metropolitan Grand Inspector 15/04/2021 In my own personal experience, some of the most uplifting, memorable, and rewarding moments in my masonic journey have been the rare moments when a Brother or Companion has delivered a piece or passag ... READ MORE
Interview with the newly appointed Deputy Metropolitan Grand Masters 15/04/2021 With lockdown still upon us, we are confined to Zoom once more, and this time we are joined by the newly appointed Deputy Metropolitan Grand Masters, W Bro Warren Duke and VW Bro Christopher Hayward*. READ MORE
TYPE 2 DIABETES- A HAZARD FOR MASONS? 15/04/2021 W Bro Mike Gerschel SLGR shares a personal experience. About two years ago I was not in good shape. Too many Lodge meals and too little exercise, plus my own homemade bread and lots of carbs, had ... READ MORE
The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution Care Company 15/04/2021 The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution Care Company (RMBI Care Co.) provides residential care, nursing and residential dementia support to older Freemasons, their families and people in the wider co ... READ MORE
A SONG TO WELCOME US BACK TO OUR LODGES 15/04/2021 Lockdown has had such an effect on our life, not just as Freemasons, but in everything we do. Many of the Brethren have been eager, even desperate, to meet on the Square again. To dine and laugh toget ... READ MORE
Lodges donate to help a little boy hear his parents 15/04/2021 When your child is sick, you will do anything to help them, but sometimes the difficulties are so overwhelming that it’s almost easier to lose hope. Then who can you turn to? Charlie and Maxine Dack f ... READ MORE
Canonbury Lodge goes from strength to strength 15/04/2021 Canonbury Lodge was pleased to be able to meet at the end of 2020 to conduct the Ceremony of Passing. It was an Emergency Meeting and of course conducted in accordance with the Government and UGLE gu ... READ MORE
Men at the Top - W Bro Michael Todd PAGDC Metropolitan Grand Inspector 15/04/2021 Our latest man at the top, W Bro Michael Todd, PAGDC (becoming PSGD on 28 April 2021), MetGInsp, started his life near the city of Johannesburg founded by the Dutch settlers, the Afrikaans, during the ... READ MORE
Kent Club Update 15/04/2021 As I write, once again from a locked down study in my home, I realise that the weather is doing its normal winter thing - vacillating between freezing and rain and that I find myself in a philosophica ... READ MORE
MUSEUM OF FREEMASONRY 15/04/2021 While the past year has been unusual, to say the least, it has affected the Museum in several ways. A year on, where do we stand? Obviously, as a visitor attraction, we have had to close our doors to ... READ MORE
Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of London presents 15/04/2021 ... An Introduction to the Mark Degree. READ MORE
Wheels for Heroes receives a 3000 grant from the London Freemasons Charity 15/04/2021 On 16 March 2020, Brompton Bike Hire approached St. Bart’s Hospital and NHS London to provide bikes for their front-line staff who wished to avoid being crammed onto buses and trains during the COVID- ... READ MORE
CERES LODGE No 4179 CENTENARY MEETING 15/04/2021 Lockdown restrictions were no reason not to celebrate for Ceres Lodge 4179. Therefore, on Monday 1st February 2021, there was seen what we believe to be the first-ever online centenary celebration of ... READ MORE
RICHARD HOUSE CHILDRENS HOSPICE RECEIVES MCF GRANT 15/04/2021 2020 was the 20th anniversary of Richard House Children’s Hospice. No-one could have predicted what a year it would be, or the impact it would have on the community they look after. Despite the global ... READ MORE
London Masonic Bowlers Association 15/04/2021 As with most sports since March 2020, COVID 19 has put paid to physical bowls competitions. However, there are still reasons to celebrate. READ MORE
LONDON HOSPICE MAINTAINS LEVEL OF CARE DESPITE COVID19 15/04/2021 A grant from the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) has enabled the St John’s Hospice, which covers parts of Central and North West London, to navigate through an uncertain period since the onset of ... READ MORE
SOUTHGATE MASONIC CENTRE 15/04/2021 Set in the London suburb of Southgate, close to Southgate underground station (Piccadilly Line) and serviced by several bus routes, Southgate Masonic Centre is handily placed to act as the Masonic hom ... READ MORE
The Metropolitan Grand Almoners Zoom Tea Room 15/04/2021 In early December 2020 one of the young Almoner Liaison Officers, W Bro Sami Steinbock, working under W Bro Barry Laws SLGR, suggested the idea of an open Zoom forum for Freemasons to drop in over the ... READ MORE
Solomon Live and Beyond 15/04/2021 From humble beginnings as a repository of static Nuggets and Papers, Solomon has grown to meet its members' needs with more interactive content, from audio files to videos and quizzes. READ MORE
THE PASSAGE to ending homelessness 15/04/2021 During the pandemic this page has kindly been given completely free of charge by Metropolitan Grand Lodge & Chapter to help a charitable organisation feature their urgent message. Today we feature ... READ MORE
CHIPS FROM THE QUARRY 15/04/2021 In this edition of Arena, we welcome a virtual visitor from the United States. W Bro Dr Mark Dreisonstok, 32°, KCCH. Dr Dreisonstok is writer for, and soon-to-be managing editor of, The Scottish Rite ... READ MORE
The Masonic Craft Beer Society from lockdown zooms to Lodge rooms 15/04/2021 The Masonic Craft Beer Society, founded last May at the height of the first lockdown, was first featured in Issue 42 of Arena. Since then, the Society has grown from strength to strength – and is look ... READ MORE
ST JOHN AMBULANCE GRANT 15/04/2021 A tympanic thermometer is a handheld electronic device that very quickly measures a person’s temperature through their ear enabling the user to make a diagnosis of the patient’s health. St John Ambula ... READ MORE
35000 masks for the homeless the carers and the keyworkers 15/04/2021 The Polytechnic Lodge No 2847 is bursting with pride to mention that two of its members, Bro Aldo Bregasi and his blood brother, Bro George Bregasi, together with their friend (and soon to be another ... READ MORE
CORONAVIRUS VACCINE CENTRE-ONE OF MANY BRETHREN TO VOLUNTEER 15/04/2021 Arena investigates: After thirty years’ service as a Senior Medical Officer, W Bro Alec Hurley SLGR retired in 2010 with the rank of Wing Commander in the RAF. He envisaged a relaxing retirement away ... READ MORE
FREEMASONS TAKE LEAD ROLE IN NHS FRONTLINE WORKERS DAY 08/04/2021 The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), the governing body for Freemasons, is inviting its 200,000 members to fly specially designed flags at 10am on 5 July, to celebrate this unique day dedicated t ... READ MORE
Richard House Childrens Hospice celebrates 20th anniversary with grant from London Masons 28/02/2021 Richard House Children’s Hospice recently celebrated their 20th Anniversary. No-one could have predicted what a year it would be, or the impact it would have on the community they look after. This has ... READ MORE
FOREWORD RW Bro Stephen Fenton PJGW Deputy Metropolitan Grand Master 16/01/2021 Brethren All In Masonic terms, and in every aspect of our lives, there are perhaps two predominant thoughts in our minds at this time. Will my family and friends come through this dreadful pandemic ... READ MORE
EDITORIAL Arena 43 16/01/2021 Dear readers, Welcome to the 43rd edition of Arena Magazine. As I take the virtual quill for the first time, it is with hope and the deepest respect that I address you today. READ MORE
THE LATEST FROM THE CONNAUGHT CLUB 16/01/2021 W Bro Anthony Muirhead — the Chairman of the Connaught Club — gives an update of what s going on with the young masons in London. As with the rest of masonry, the Connaught Club continues to fee ... READ MORE
CEO OF THE MCF SPEAKS TO THE KENT CLUB 16/01/2021 W Bro Col Simon Bennett LGR MetAGSwdB reports Bro Les attended the most recent Zoom Meeting of the Kent Club and spoke about his career with some of the highlights, the evolution of Masonic chari ... READ MORE
THE MEN AT THE TOP E COMP NICK CRITCHLOW 16/01/2021 THE MEN AT THE TOP: E Comp Nick Critchlow PGSoj (PAGPurs), Metropolitan Grand Inspector (RA) Comp Nick Critchlow was born on Friday 13th! Although considered an unlucky day in Western superstitio ... READ MORE
THE ROYAL ARCH IN LONDON 16/01/2021 THE ROYAL ARCH IN LONDON: METROPOLITAN PRINCIPALS DISCUSS THEIR JOURNEYS E Comp Rod Glyn-Thomas and Comp Seb Giroux interview By the power of Zoom we are meeting with E Comp Patrick Penny PGStB ... READ MORE
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE GRAND SECRETARY 16/01/2021 VW Bro Dr David Staples Grand Secretary FRCP joins us from his office in Freemasons Hall. READ MORE
Gunner Lodge No 1789 Raises Funds For Military Charity to Combat Stress 16/01/2021 Members of Ubique Lodge No 1789, the Lodge of the Royal Artillery, together with wives/partners and guests raised the sum of £2,000 at their annual Summer Ball held at the Union Jack Club, London in J ... READ MORE
Making Scrubs for Hospices 16/01/2021 There is no denying it, 2020 had an impact on all of us. It showed people rising to the challenge and performing their duties with even more care and devotion than before. READ MORE
The Metropolitan Grand Almoners Team 16/01/2021 Like most things Metropolitan, administratively, the structure of the Metropolitan Grand Almoners Team is unique in comparison to his counterpart Provincial Grand Almoners in the Provinces. READ MORE
Solomon The Royal Arch 16/01/2021 By the solemn Act of Union between the two Grand Lodges of Free-Masons of England in December 1813, it was declared and pronounced that pure Antient Masonry consists of three degrees and no more, viz. ... READ MORE
A Prostate Cancer Screening Program Can we live without it 16/01/2021 As Freemasons, we are only too pleased and indeed, excited, about helping the wider world who are not Freemasons. READ MORE
Searching for Old Kingstonians 16/01/2021 Lovekyn Chantry No 6807 is a Surrey Lodge which meets in one of the oldest masonic venues in the UK, the Old Chantry Chapel, part of Kingston Grammar School. READ MORE
Why Should I Visit an AMULL Lodge 16/01/2021 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. READ MORE
A Younger Mason Speaks 16/01/2021 Freemasonry had always been part of my family with my father and grandfather being Masons. READ MORE
REMEMBRANCE DAY 2020 16/01/2021 FREEMASONS' HALL LIT UP FOR REMEMBRANCE DAY 2020 IN HONOUR OF THE MEMBERS WHO'VE SERVED BOTH PAST & PRESENT. With everything that happened in 2020, it would be all too easy to just focus on the com ... READ MORE
SENIOR APPOINTMENT CHANGES 2021 16/01/2021 SENIOR APPOINTMENT CHANGES - 2021 I am pleased to announce the following changes in the appointments of London Rulers taking effect from the next annual meeting of Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metr ... READ MORE
THE LIONS BARBER COLLECTIVE 16/01/2021 THE LIONS BARBER COLLECTIVE By W Bro Gur Samuel LGR When the Covid-19 pandemic prevented the Metropolitan Grand Stewards’ Lodge No 9812 from holding their regular December meeting in person, they i ... READ MORE
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE FIRST PRINCIPALS CHAPTERS 16/01/2021 AN INTRODUCTION TO THE FIRST PRINCIPALS' CHAPTERS E Comp David Pugsley LGCR and E Comp Rod Glyn-Thomas review these important Chapters. Sitting in a Chapter in the First Principal’s Chair is undou ... READ MORE
THE KENT CLUB UPDATE 16/01/2021 How life varies! My last update, written in August, celebrated the end of the lockdown and mentioned how we had been able to get out to Kent for a day - socially distanced of course - in the sun free ... READ MORE
VITAL SUPPORT DURING COVID-19 FOR LIFELITES 16/01/2021 Last year's Christmas appeal from the music star and London Freemason Rick Wakeman on behalf of the small charity Lifelites has raised over £42,000 to support the life-limited and disabled children us ... READ MORE
THREE THOUSAND POUND DONATION TO SUDBURY NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE 16/01/2021 The Sudbury Neighbourhood Centre is a registered charity founded in 1979 with the aim of providing day-care for vulnerable, elderly people in the London Borough of Brent. READ MORE
STRENGTH AND LEARNING THROUGH HORSES 16/01/2021 Strength and Learning Through Horses is a specialist centre in North London that uses horses in both the education and therapy of vulnerable young people. READ MORE
OPEN AGE RECEIVES A THREE THOUSAND POUND GRANT 16/01/2021 Open Age was established in 1993 and is now celebrating over 25 years of championing an active life for older people. READ MORE
MCF SUPPORTING THE WORK OF THE MARIE CURIE HAMPSTEAD HOSPICE 16/01/2021 A grant in excess of £2,000 from the Masonic Charitable Foundation, the principal masonic charity and one of the largest grant making charities in the UK, is being used by the Marie Curie Hampstead Ho ... READ MORE
CALLING ALL CRICKET LOVERS 16/01/2021 Earlier this year a group of Cricket enthusiasts decided to band together to generate interest in refreshing an ailing Lodge to create London's first Cricket Lodge. READ MORE
WEST LONDON MASONIC CENTRE DELIVER ELEVEN THOUSAND MEALS AND STILL COUNTING 16/01/2021 After producing over 10,000 meals during the first Lockdown, the West London Masonic Centre team sprang back into action when the second Lockdown began in November. READ MORE
LOGGIA ITALIA SPONSORS INNOVATIVE MASAI FARM PROJECT IN TANZANIA 16/01/2021 Bro Luca Lobina, a Master Mason of Loggia Italia No 2687, first visited Tanzania in 2011 to meet a thirty-year old Masai man he was personally sponsoring, named Rafiki Marko Saleyo. READ MORE
VERITAS A primus jewel comes home 16/01/2021 I bring you a tale of history, discovery, hope, hopelessness and drama. It all starts with a gentleman and Brother named Richard Joseph Sadleir, born in London, March 1863. READ MORE
THE MEN AT THE TOP W BRO RUSSELL SOLLOF 16/01/2021 W Bro David Pugsley SLGR interviews W Bro Russell Sollof PAGDC PAGSoj Metropolitan Grand Inspector (RA) READ MORE
Free Exchange Marylebone Project 16/01/2021 The Marylebone Project - the largest women-only homeless centre, with a mission to empower women to end their homelessness and live their lives to the full. READ MORE
Only a Pavement Away charity launches new initiative in response to homelessness on London streets 14/01/2021 London Homeless charity Only a Pavement Away, has been awarded a grant of £50,000 from London Freemasons in support of their new initiative to provide essential life skills to people facing or experie ... READ MORE
OPEN AGE CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF CHAMPIONING AN ACTIVE LIFE FOR OLDER PEOPLE 04/12/2020 Open Age was established in 1993 and is now celebrating over 25 years of championing an active life for older people. They work across Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham with ... READ MORE
AN EPIC DELIVERY - LONDON MASONS DELIVER 37 600 FACE VISORS 26/10/2020 Back in the middle of April 2020, barely a month into the Masonic Suspension and the nationwide social Lockdown, a time when the Thursday Evening 8pm Clap for NHS Workers was the highlight of our coll ... READ MORE
FUNNY WHAT PARKS OUT FRONT! 26/10/2020 Pictured is one of the London Fire Brigade response vehicles donated by Metropolitan Grand Lodge. READ MORE
THE MEN AT THE TOP - WBro J R SOPER - PSGD Metropolitan Grand Inspector 26/10/2020 "Oui” is French for “yes”, as readers will know. For our Metropolitan Grand Inspector, W Bro Julian Soper PSGD this, he tells me, was about the limit of his French when his boss asked him whether he s ... READ MORE
THE MEN AT THE TOP - W Bro Robert Lakic - MetGInsp PJGD 26/10/2020 W Bro Robert Lakic grew up in Shepherd s Bush, London after his parents arrived in the United Kingdom after the Second World War. READ MORE
10000 Meals and Counting - Action for vulnerable people in Ealing and Acton 25/10/2020 The initiative backed by Dr Rupa Huq MP, Local MP for Ealing Central and Acton, promising 800 free hot meals a week provided by London Masons during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has now passed 10, ... READ MORE
Restarting - An Inspectors eye view 25/10/2020 With some trepidation, I approached Freemason’s Hall around 4.15 pm on 1st September. This was the restart of Freemasonry; one of the first meetings since March. Would the plans put in place be effect ... READ MORE
Lockdown Lowdown 25/10/2020 Having retired from the Metropolitan Police in 2019, my new career as an artist was coming on nicely and I had begun to see regular sales of my artwork. READ MORE
Museum of Freemasonry - The good from the bad 25/10/2020 In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Museum along with Freemasons’ Hall closed its doors to the public in mid-March. READ MORE
The Masonic Craft Beer Society Celebrating the other craft 25/10/2020 It was like creating a door that was already open. Many Freemasons enjoy a drink together before, during and after a festive board; but when Freemasonry was suspended, and the country was put into loc ... READ MORE
A Journey From Scottish Masonry 25/10/2020 I came across ‘Freemasons Without Borders’ through Facebook and have enjoyed listening to the talks each week but nothing on Scottish Freemasonry! READ MORE
Charity Update - London Freemasons support the Wimbledon Guild during lockdown 25/10/2020 A donation of £4,000 from the London Freemasons’ Charity is being used during the Coronavirus pandemic to assist the work of the Wimbledon Guild, a local charity supporting people in the London Boroug ... READ MORE
Charity Update - London Search and Rescue awarded grant 25/10/2020 Around 150 people a day are reported missing in London, putting a huge strain on the resources of the Metropolitan Police. London Search & Rescue is a specially trained voluntary organisation set up 3 ... READ MORE
Charity Update - A Theatre trip for every child 25/10/2020 In November 2019 the London Freemasons’ Charity gave a grant of £4,500 to The Albany Arts Centre, Deptford, in support of their ‘A Theatre Trip for Every Child’ initiative. READ MORE
Charity Update - A Sensory Garden to improve lives 25/10/2020 In these difficult times of Covid-19 restrictions, many are facing loneliness, uncertainty and depression. Freemasons are no less affected than the rest of the population, so the facilities provided a ... READ MORE
SOLOMON - NEW WAYS TO INTERACT 24/10/2020 Since its successful launch more than eighteen months ago, the volume of content on Solomon has expanded and continues to increase across all of the modules. READ MORE
THE KENT CLUB UPDATE 24/10/2020 So the lockdown is now a thing of the past and we are, as I write, in the traditional Masonic holiday month of August having just had the hottest day of the year so far. READ MORE
W Bro LES HUTCHINSON TAKES THE HELM AT THE MCF 24/10/2020 London Freemason W Bro Les Hutchinson PSGD will be the Masonic Charitable Foundation’s new Chief Executive and the man responsible for the next chapter in the story of Freemasonry’s central charities ... READ MORE
A NEW DAWN - LED BY HELIO LODGE 24/10/2020 The brethren of Helio Lodge No 3900 felt it was particularly important to keep fellowship and fraternity together during the COVID Pandemic by staying in close contact via the Lodge's WhatsApp group. READ MORE
THE HEART OF A FREEMASON NEVER CLOSES 24/10/2020 As the whole world fell in the grip of an invisible threat, many were forced to shield themselves from relatives, friends, neighbours, and brothers. READ MORE
A YOUNGER MASON SPEAKS 24/10/2020 I did not know it, but Freemasonry had always been following me around. When I decided I wanted to learn about Freemasonry, the series of coincidences that followed were frankly unbelievable. READ MORE
THE OLD BRENTWOODS STAY SAFE AND MIND THE GAP 24/10/2020 10am, Saturday 18th July 2020; just hours after the general suspension of activity ended, ten members of the Old Brentwoods Lodge 5342, including the Worshipful Master, Secretary and Director of Cerem ... READ MORE
TIME TO SAY GOODBYE 24/10/2020 As weeks turn into months, it seems the terminology is wearing thin as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to headline in the media. READ MORE
FORWARD - RW Bro Simon Duckworth OBE DL PJGW Deputy Metropolitan Grand Master 21/10/2020 When I look back over the last six months, I suspect that many of us share a sense of surreality; the world as we knew it seems to have changed, and not for the better. READ MORE
PRESERVE THE HISTORIC COMBINE THE MODERN 21/10/2020 Sir Michael Snyder has always liked building things. An accountancy firm, which he built from very small to quite large (Moore Kingston Smith, which is now a top 15 UK Accountancy Firm), as an Elected ... READ MORE
THE LATEST FROM THE CONNAUGHT CLUB 21/10/2020 The ups and downs due COVID-19 continue to have an impact on masonry in general, and for us on the committee planning events for the members of the Connaught Club. READ MORE
BROTHERS ACROSS BORDERS HOW BOWES PARK HELPED A STRANDED BROTHER 21/10/2020 WBro Ian Armstrong, of Bowes Park Lodge No 3119, woke up on March 23rd, checked his email inbox, and found himself confused to have received an email from Germany. READ MORE
FORMULA 1 THEMED LODGE ANYONE 21/10/2020 Formula One is the absolute pinnacle of motorsport. This year, despite the Covid-19 modified season, F1 is celebrating its 70th anniversary. READ MORE
AUTISTIC CHILDREN ACCESS TECHNOLOGICAL SUPPORT THANKS TO LONDON MASONIC GRANT 21/10/2020 London Masons through the Masonic Charitable Foundation have helped fund a new Assistive Technologist for the Ambitious about Autism charity who enable young people with complex autism to communicate ... READ MORE
AN ALDERSGATE STORY 21/10/2020 It was the first, socially distanced, Metropolitan Royal Arch meeting after the Coronavirus lockdown, in an unusually hushed Freemasons' Hall. And this was not any ordinary meeting. It was the rescue ... READ MORE
THE BRETHREN OF PEN AND BRUSH LODGE GIVE 26250 POUNDS TO THE FRONT LINE 22/07/2020 The Brethren of Pen & Brush Lodge No 2909 thought long and hard on how they could help the coronavirus situation. Their average age being well over 65, and the majority in "lock down", it was determin ... READ MORE
VOLUNTEERING DURING THE PANDEMIC 22/07/2020 When the Coronavirus epidemic began to hit London, I was extremely keen to serve. My wife started working seven-day weeks between two London hospitals, and aware of the sacrifices she and others in th ... READ MORE
THE HONOURABLE FRATERNITY OF ANCIENT FREEMASONS IN LOCKDOWN 22/07/2020 When we issued a Suspension Notice of all masonic activity on 17th March like many people we thought it would only be for a few months and then it became obvious from the severity of the situation tha ... READ MORE
VOLUNTEERING PPE DELIVERIES BY MOTORCYCLE 22/07/2020 As theatres across London and the South East went dark due to Covid-19, Bro Luke Francis Senior Deacon of Avondale Lodge 2395, which meets at the Civil Service Club, London, found himself with little ... READ MORE
HORNSEY LODGE No 890 DELIVER 22/07/2020 Home for the last 25 years for friends, business partners and members of Hornsey Lodge No 890, W Bro Paul Brown and W Bro Mike Bracken and their families has been the village of Tetbury in the Cotswol ... READ MORE
THE DIRECTOR OF CEREMONIES BOOKSHELF 22/07/2020 The Lodge Secretary or Chapter Scribe E is the officer most commonly associated in the mason’s mind with works of reference, but as Lodge or Chapter Director of Ceremonies there are a number of public ... READ MORE
JAMES TERRY COURT BLUES W Bro FRANK BERLYN SLGR CELEBRATES HIS 100th BIRTHDAY 22/07/2020 W Bro Frank Berlyn SLGR reached his 100th birthday on April 20th, but due to the Covid 19 lockdown has been unable to celebrate this wonderful landmark in his life by sharing with his Lodge colleagues ... READ MORE
MEDICAL BRETHREN ON THE FRONT LINE 21/07/2020 As many of you know, we have several Lodges in London which have a number of NHS staff within their ranks. Furthermore we have many doctors, nurses and hospital administrators who are members of many ... READ MORE
THESE CHALLENGING TIMES - A LETTER FROM ME COMP RUSSELL J RACE 2ndGPrin 20/07/2020 When I was asked to pen a few words for the magazine in the current unique conditions, it was naturally easier to think of more negatives than positives. READ MORE
WEST LONDON MASONIC CENTRE COVID 19 PROJECT 20/07/2020 The directive closing Masonic centres issued by UGLE in March 2020 prompted the Board at West London Masonic Centre to examine what assistance the centre could offer, not only for local Freemasons and ... READ MORE
SURVIVING DEPRESSION - A ZOOM TALK BY W Bro JAMES INNES SLGR 20/07/2020 On the 5th May 2020 over 175 brethren from around the world joined a Zoom talk and Question and Answer session by W Bro James Innes SLGR, current Worshipful Master of Charterhouse Deo Dante Dedi Lodg ... READ MORE
THE MEN AT THE TOP - W Bro Glen McDonald MetGInsp PSGD 20/07/2020 Many of us find ourselves, consciously or unconsciously, following in family traditions. For Bro Glen, he followed not only in the footsteps of his father and grandfather into their line of work - but ... READ MORE
COVID-19 - THE LONDON FREEMASONS RESPONSE 20/07/2020 For probably the first time since the Second World War, we find ourselves in a situation where every person in the country has a role to play in helping save lives. This unprecedented crisis has led m ... READ MORE
W Bro RICK WAKEMAN SUPPORTS LIFELITES 20/07/2020 The 2020 seasonal appeal from the rock star W Bro Rick Wakeman on behalf of the charity Lifelites has raised over £42,000 so far for life-limited and disabled children using hospice services. READ MORE
EDITORIAL Arena 41 - W BRO ROD GLYN-THOMAS LGR 18/07/2020 Dear readers welcome to the 41st edition of arena Magazine. The last couple of months have been challenging. We have lost many brethren. Somebrethren have had to cope with the loss of loved ones, othe ... READ MORE
JOB OPPORTUNITY DEPUTY EDITOR ARENA MAGAZINE 18/07/2020 The Metropolitan Communications Team is looking for a new Deputy Editor for Arena magazine. Arena is the magazine for London Freemasonry and is published quarterly. Ten thousand copies are printed eac ... READ MORE
ROSETTA IS COMING 18/07/2020 We are all aware that Porchway has been around a long time and is no longer at the ‘cutting edge’ of web design. At the request of the Metropolitan Executive, a number of London Masons who had special ... READ MORE
THE MEN AT THE TOP W Bro Nick Garnish PSGD Metropolitan Grand Inspector 18/07/2020 As part of 'The Men at the Top' series, gaining insight into some of the leaders of London Freemasons; this piece is an exciting interview of W Bro Nick Garnish PSGD Metropolitan Grand Inspector READ MORE
SOLOMON FOSTERING CURIOSITY AND DEVELOPING UNDERSTANDING 18/07/2020 Since its successful launch, some 18 months ago, the world of Freemasonry has moved on considerably and Solomon has moved on with it. READ MORE
HOLDING HANDS TOUCHING HEARTS AND CHANGING LIVES 18/07/2020 Ryan A Williams Grand Secretary of Mark Masons describes what’s happening in the Progressive Orders READ MORE
The Latest from the Connaught Club 18/07/2020 W Bro Anthony Muirhead – the Chairman of the Connaught Club – gives an update of what’s going on with the young masons in London. READ MORE
PONDERING THE PUZZLES POISED BY FREEMASONRY 18/07/2020 Freemasonry is fascinating, isn’t it? The lure of all the mysteries, the progressive ideas it has inspired in countries like the United States, the symbols that are supposed to hide in plain sight, an ... READ MORE
FREEMASONRY APPROACHES ITS FINEST HOUR 18/07/2020 It is no surprise that the arrival of Covid-19 has caused as much disruption to Freemasonry as it has to every other aspect of British society. Halls are closed and meetings are suspended, while Breth ... READ MORE
The Metropolitan Grand Lodge of London GUIDE TO SETTING UP AND USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA 18/07/2020 You will no doubt have seen reports in the media of a surge in the take up of a variety of Social Media.These free Applications afford the ability to stay in touch with brethren, family, colleagues et ... READ MORE
THE KENT CLUB UPDATE 18/07/2020 ... My article for the Spring edition of Arena was earlier in the year and "pre Covid-19". I wrote about plans for the ensuing Spring and Summer and urged you to look at The Kent Club’s website at www ... READ MORE
R W Bro Rex Thorne EULOGY 18/07/2020 We are gathered here today to say goodbye to one of life’s real gentlemen, Rex Francis Thorne. We are a small congregation today due to the pandemic. Rex’s wife Sophie, her daughter and husband Natal ... READ MORE
London Freemasons grant provides entertainment to the elderly in RMBI home 18/07/2020 At the end of last year, residents of the Prince George Duke of Kent Court, a Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution home in Chislehurst, were surprised by the arrival of a giant gadget. READ MORE
London Freemasonry supports the Vocaleyes Charity 18/07/2020 Work of the VocalEyes charity in enabling the blind or partially sighted to experience theatre performances has been further supported with a grant of £5,000 from London Freemasons. READ MORE
Write here write now!: London Freemasons support pioneering work at the Polka Theatre 18/07/2020 London Freemasons are backing a pioneering effort to support those in need. Your contributions have enabled a £5,000 donation to go to the Polka Theatre in South London. READ MORE
R W Bro Rex Thorne Past Metropolitan Grand Master 1927 to 2020 18/07/2020 Rex Francis Thorne was born on 6th June 1927 in Lewisham, the son of Albert Frank Thorne and his wife Constance (née Francis). His father was a telephone engineer working for Siemens, one of the big ... READ MORE
London Freemasons Charity supports the Pathways Through Dementia Charity 18/07/2020 I joined the Arena team just before the ‘Masonic call-off’ and my first assignment was a real blessing in disguise. READ MORE
Grove Park Lodge No 2824 gets stuck in 18/07/2020 Grove Park Kent Lodge No 2824 has been highly active in the fight against Coronavirus in a variety of different ways. READ MORE
A Younger Mason Speaks - Bro Luke Levine discusses his journey into Freemasonry 18/07/2020 I joined Freemasonry being initiated into the Lodge of Fraternal Unity No 7330 in February of this year. READ MORE
Why Should I Visit a Livery Lodge? 18/07/2020 Around a fifth of the City of London’s 110 Livery Companies have a masonic Lodge. The Livery Companies comprise London's ancient and modern trade associations and guilds, almost all of which are style ... READ MORE
Foreward - E Comp Christopher Clark PGSN Deputy Metropolitan Grand Superintendent 17/07/2020 These are unprecedented times. As I write this, we have just started easing the lockdown caused by the Covid-19 emergency and fear that we might be triggering another spike in the pandemic. READ MORE
TEDDY BEARS MAKE HOSPITAL VISITS MORE BEARABLE FOR CHILDREN 19/06/2020 Teddies for Loving Care, also known as the TLC appeal, has now been running in the London Metropolitan area for over a year. The objective of the scheme is to provide teddy bears to Accident and Emerg ... READ MORE
300 000 MEALS AND 38 TONNESOF FOOD IN COVID RESPONSE 09/06/2020 Freemasons provide 120,000 people with donations of 300,000 meals and 38 tonnes of food during the Covid-19 pandemic READ MORE
PLAN INTERNATIONAL RECEIVE GRANT FOR INDIA AND BANGLADESH CYCLONE VICTIMS 02/06/2020 Some of the thousands of people whose lives were devastated when Cyclone Amphan hit Bangladesh and India on 20th May will be given urgently-needed humanitarian assistance thanks to a grant of £15,000 READ MORE
MP RUPA HUQ BACKS LONDON MASONS MEALS FOR VULNERABLE PEOPLE 02/06/2020 London Masons are providing 800 free hot meals a week and have now extended the funding for the next three months. The meals are provided for those residents in need in Ealing and Acton identified by ... READ MORE
LONDON MASONS ENTER THE RING WITH BOXING FUTURES CHARITY 19/05/2020 London Masons through the Masonic Charitable Foundation have helped fund the core work of Boxing Futures a national charity providing services from Bromley to Newham, Walthamstow to Camden and acros ... READ MORE
SNARESBROOK LODGE No 4010 CELEBRATES ITS CENTENARY MEETING 01/05/2020 Snaresbrook Lodge No 4010 celebrated its Centenary at a meeting held at its regular meeting place of Freemasons’ Hall, on Thursday 27th February 2020. The Lodge’ s Centenary W orshipful Master W Bro A ... READ MORE
THE MEN AT THE TOP - E Comp John Burnapp METROPOLITAN GRAND INSPECTOR PAGSoj 01/05/2020 As part of 'The Men at the Top' series, gaining insight into some of the leaders of London Freemasons; this piece is an exciting interview of E Comp John Burnapp Metropolitan Grand Inspector PAGSoj, b ... READ MORE
THE METROPOLITAN GRAND STEWARDS DEMONSTRATION TEAM 01/05/2020 When the Metropolitan Grand Stewards’ Lodge No 9812 was formed in 2005, the Lodge’s by-laws enshrined an objective to, “Assist and support the work of the Metropolitan Grand Master and the Metropolita ... READ MORE
TALKING HEADS PRESENTATION RICHARD EVE LODGE No 2772 30/04/2020 W Bros Wayne Hirst PGStB, Derek Muston SLGR and Kevin Saunders LGR, supported by W Bro John Peters PJGD Metropolitan Grand Inspector, attended Richard Eve Lodge on 6th March 2020 to present the Playle ... READ MORE
LONDON RIFLE BRIGADE CHAPTER No 1962 CELEBRATE THEIR CENTENARY 30/04/2020 London Rifle Brigade was a volunteer unit of the British army formed in 1859. They enjoyed each other’s company, as twenty-three years later, on 11 May 1882, London Rifle Brigade Lodge was consecrated ... READ MORE
ROYAL ALFRED CHAPTER No 780 CELEBRATES CENTENARY CONVOCATION AT EALING 30/04/2020 I first had the pleasure of visiting Royal Alfred Chapter No. 780 in 2003, experiencing a very warm ambience during the meeting and a very jovial Festive Board so I was delighted to receive an invitat ... READ MORE
FOREWORD - W Bro Omaid Hiwaizi SLGR Metropolitan Communications Officer 29/04/2020 Communication with Purpose. This edition of Arena was largely prepared before the social distancing measures were implemented by the UK government and the suspension of all masonic activities in resp ... READ MORE
EDITORIAL - W Bro Rod Glyn-Thomas LGR 29/04/2020 Dear readers, welcome to the 40th edition of arena Magazine. At the last meeting I attended before this awful pandemic, I was having a chat with some of my mates after our festive board and a brot ... READ MORE
MetGInsp E Comp JOHN BURNAPP PRESENTS 50 YEAR CERTIFICATE AT THE PRINCIPALS OF GOLIATH CHAPTER No 55 29/04/2020 Just before Christmas, Metropolitan Grand Inspector E Comp John Burnapp PAGSoj presented two Fifty-Year Long Service Certificates to Companions at two different chapters and two separate centres for L ... READ MORE
MILL HILL LODGE NO 3574 CELEBRATE FIFTY YEARS OF SERVICE 29/04/2020 Bro Neil Dunnet SLGR was initiated into Mill Hill Lodge No 3574 on 16 December 1969. He was Worshipful Master in 1978 and was honoured with Senior London Grand Rank in 2004. On Tuesday 17th December 2 ... READ MORE
THE CONNAUGHT CLUB - UPDATE 29/04/2020 W Bro Anthony Muirhead - the Chairman of the Connaught Club - gives an update with what’s going on with the young masons in London. As spring approaches (!) the Connaught Club has much to look forw ... READ MORE
SISTER CHAPTERS REUNITED BY FORTUITOUS MEETING ACROSS THE HALLWAY 29/04/2020 On Thursday 14th February 2019 only five members of Dalston Chapter No 3008 met at their Installation meeting. READ MORE
THE OLD REPTONIAN LODGE ESTABLISHES LINKS WITH FREEMASONS FROM SWEDEN 29/04/2020 Back in October 2019, The Old Reptonian Lodge, No 3725 was approached by Grand Lodge to host nineteen visiting brethren from Sweden keen to visit Freemasons’ Hall in London and attend a Lodge meeting. ... READ MORE
WELLINGTON LIVERY MASTERS LODGE No 6991 29/04/2020 In 2014 the current Master, W Bro Issa Tahhan, recognised that some of the other Livery Masters were Freemasons which gave him the idea of a special and unique working lodge for Livery Masters and Pas ... READ MORE
June 2020 Organ Concert postponed until next year due to COVID-19 27/04/2020 An update on the Organ Concert at Freemasons' Hall, scheduled for June 2020. READ MORE
The Kent Club Update 26/04/2020 An update from the Chairman, W Bro Dudley Price PAGDC, on the Kent Club. READ MORE
THE MEN AT THE TOP - W Bro John Parry PSGD Metropolitan Grand Inspector 26/04/2020 As part of 'The Men at the Top' series, gaining insight into some of the leaders of London Freemasons; this piece is an exciting interview of W Bro John Parry PSGD, Metropolitan Grand Inspector, by W ... READ MORE
DISCOVERING FREEMASONRY 26/04/2020 Recruitment has been one of the main objectives in London Freemasonry in recent years, so it was pleasing to see around 350 people turn up to the Grand T emple of Freemasons’ Hall on an evening in ear ... READ MORE
RED TRIANGLE LODGE COMMEMORATES 100 YEARS OF MASONIC AND CHARITABLE SERVICE 26/04/2020 Over 75 Brethren gathered at Freemasons’ Hall on Tuesday, February 12th to celebrate the centenary of Red Triangle Lodge No 4000. READ MORE
THE SLGR INVESTITURE & PRESENTATION TO LONDON FIRE BRIGADE 26/04/2020 It was a dull and wet day for the Senior London Grand Rank investiture and annual meeting of Metropolitan Grand Lodge, but the day was considerably brightened for those attending the events at Freemas ... READ MORE
A message from the Grand Chaplain 18/04/2020 A message from the Grand Chaplain of the United Grand Lodge of England READ MORE
A letter from Mark Lloyd - Managing Director of the RMBI 16/04/2020 The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution (RMBI) offer care and support for older Freemasons, their families and the wider community. Find below a letter to everyone from Mark LLoyd, RMBI Care Co. Man ... READ MORE
Covid-19 - London NHS Volunteering Opportunities 16/04/2020 Many Brethren are in a position to volunteer to help with the NHS in London. We have collected a number of pages for different volunteering opportunities that we’d encourage them to apply for if they ... READ MORE
FREEMASONS VOW TO HELP PROTECT THE ELDERLY DURING COVID-19 CRISIS 15/04/2020 London Masons have joined Freemasons from across England and Wales to provide essential PPE equipment to care homes to protect the vulnerable and the staff who care for them. Nearly 5,000 visors have ... READ MORE
London student wins prestigious research opportunity to help find cure for devastating brain disease 29/03/2020 UCL Student Sam Bryce-Smith has been awarded a prestigious PhD Studentship by the Motor Neurone Disease Association which aims to develop and nurture young researchers who wish to develop a career in ... READ MORE
Your NHS Needs You : NHS call for volunteer army 25/03/2020 We’re calling on Freemasons to join the NHS in the fight against coronavirus by volunteering to help vulnerable people stay safe! READ MORE
UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND AND MASONIC CHARITABLE FOUNDATION JOINT STATEMENT 19/03/2020 The Coronavirus outbreak is providing society with its most testing time since World War 2. Freemasons have always been guided by their four core values of Friendship, Integrity, Charity and Respect. ... READ MORE
Metropolitan Grand Master presents three rapid response cars to the London Ambulance Service 15/03/2020 Three new cars were presented to the London Ambulance Service at Freemasons’ Hall on Thursday 12th March by the Metropolitan Grand Master, Sir Michael Snyder. The vehicles complete with their equipmen ... READ MORE
London Fire Brigade gets the first of three extended reach aerial appliances 06/03/2020 It was a dull and wet day for the Senior London Grand Rank investiture and annual meeting of Metropolitan Grand Lodge on Thursday 5th March, but the day was considerably brightened for those attending ... READ MORE
Chislehurst care home residents among first in the country to try cutting edge technology 28/02/2020 Residents at RMBI Care Co. Home Prince George Duke of Kent Court, in Chislehurst, are among the first in the country to try out new cutting edge Yeti technology. READ MORE
African surgeons will be trained thanks to 50 000 GBP by London Masons 25/02/2020 Thousands of seriously ill people across Africa, who have no access to surgeons, will be treated thanks to a major new surgical training programme funded by London Masons. The £50,000 will help fund a ... READ MORE
Discovering Freemasonry 12/02/2020 There was a sense of anticipation as several hundred people arrived at Freemasons’ Hall last Thursday evening 6th February and were shown into the magnificence of the Grand Temple; many describing the ... READ MORE
Ark takes two-by-two grant from London Masons 07/02/2020 Over the past year, Freemasons from two London Lodges with connections in the north of the city were looking for a local charity to support. St. Catherine’s Park Lodge and Mill Hill Lodge identified N ... READ MORE
Junior Engineers Lodge Initiates 3rd and 4th Generation 19/01/2020 The 7th December 2019 meeting of Junior Engineers Lodge No.2913 at Freemasons Hall, London was very much a family affair with the double Initiation of two Lewis’s – a father and a son – one being the ... READ MORE
London Masons donate 50 thousand pounds to South African food crisis victims 15/01/2020 Thousands of people at risk of starvation in Southern Africa will be receiving emergency food packs and urgent humanitarian assistance, thanks to a grant of £50,000 from London Masons to Plan Internat ... READ MORE
150000 AUD for victims of Australian bush fires 15/01/2020 People who have lost everything in the catastrophic Australian bushfires will be among those to benefit from a grant of AUS$150,000 (£79,000) from London Masons. READ MORE
London Masons bring Christmas cheer to older people 10/01/2020 Far too many older people spend Christmas entirely on their own, never receiving a single card or present. This past year, however, saw around 2,000 isolated and lonely older people who have contacted ... READ MORE
Carefree Kids charity receive long term support thanks to London Masons 08/01/2020 The London Masons and the Masonic Charitable Foundation has donated £5,000 a year for the next three years to Carefree Kids, a small children’s charity based in the London Borough of Waltham Forest, p ... READ MORE
Discover London Freemasonry 07/01/2020 Join us on the 6th of February at Freemasons' Hall to discover London Freemasonry. READ MORE
Linking the generations in Tower Hamlets to reduce loneliness thanks to grant from Freemasons 23/11/2019 People of all ages and from different cultural backgrounds in Tower Hamlets will continue to benefit from a scheme aimed at combating loneliness and improving intergenerational connections through art ... READ MORE
London Freemasons support the Safer London charity 21/11/2019 Safer London is a London charity helping young people in London live a life free from gang violence, exploitation and crime. READ MORE
40 000 TOOTHBRUSHES RAISE SMILES ACROSS LONDON 19/11/2019 In conjunction with the Oral Health Foundation, London Masons are supporting National Smile Month across London with a donation of 2,000 specially designed children’s toothbrushes and tubes of toothpa ... READ MORE
Rupert Patterson Lodge Twinning with Loge Les Cinq Continents 19/11/2019 On 16th September 2019, a ceremony was held in the meeting of Rupert Patterson Lodge No 3646 at Freemasons’ Hall to recognise the twinning of Les Cinq Continents Loge no 799 in Paris (affiliated to th ... READ MORE
Architrave Lodge No 8065 welcomes Metropolitan Grand Inspector to Chingford 19/11/2019 On 19th October 2019 at Chingford Masonic Centre, London E4 and in the presence of 25 members and guests, the Worshipful Master of Architrave Lodge No.8065, W Bro. Billy Warren, welcomed Metropolitan ... READ MORE
London Freemasons Support for VC Heros Charity 19/11/2019 London Freemasons Charity presented a five-thousand-pound donation to VC Hero and fellow Freemason, Lance Sergeant Johnson Beharry VC, to support work being undertaken by the JBVC Foundation in rebuil ... READ MORE
Thanks to London Freemasons Even More Public Access to Defibrillators 06/11/2019 At a recent special “Open Day” at the Ealing Masonic Centre, Assistant Metropolitan Grand Master Andrew Manasseh handed a cheque for £15 thousand to the London Hearts Charity to enable them to place e ... READ MORE
LONDON FREEMASONS HELPING TO IMPROVE LIFE FOR ALL 06/11/2019 At a special Freemasonry Open day at The Ealing Masonic Centre Assistant Metropolitan Grand Master, Andrew Manasseh presented Susan Mills of the Heathrow Special Needs Centre with a £3,000 donation fr ... READ MORE
Walthamstow Lodge No 2472 celebrates their (nearly!) 100year-old brother 23/10/2019 On 5th October 2019 at Freemasons Hall, in the presence of 29 members and guests, W Bro. William (Bill) Allen, LGR attended his Mother Lodge, Walthamstow No. 2472 just shy of his 100th Birthday. READ MORE
CITY OF LONDON RIFLES LODGE No 5606 CHARITY WALK IN AID OF PROSTATE CANCER UK 23/10/2019 On Saturday 31st August 2019, 12 members of the City of London Rifles’ Lodge No.5606, completed a charity walk in aid of Prostate Cancer UK, raising £1,000 in the process. The course was a 14-mile sce ... READ MORE
Islingtons older generation helped to relieve isolation thanks to London Masons 21/10/2019 The London Masons and the Masonic Charitable Foundation have donated £10,000 to Islington Charity, Healthy Generations. Older people in and around Islington, many with dementia or special needs, are b ... READ MORE
Metropolitan Officers Mess 26th September 2019 19/10/2019 The evening of Thursday 26th September saw the Metropolitan Officers Mess gather for the latest of their twice yearly mess at the Leonardo Royal Hotel near the Tower of London. After a pre-dinner drin ... READ MORE
Zetland Lodge No 511 makes donation London Fire Brigade Appeal donation 10/10/2019 On 6th June 2019 at Freemasons Hall W Bro Marc Cooper, the Worshipful Master of Zetland Lodge No 511, presented the Metropolitan Grand Charity Steward, W Bro Tony Shields, PGStB with a cheque for £8,0 ... READ MORE
Record numbers through the doors to Freemasons' Hall for Open House London 04/10/2019 Open House London was a fantastic occasion with nearly 9,000 people coming through the doors to Freemasons' Hall across the weekend! Take a look at some of the photos from a memorable and momentous we ... READ MORE
Latest grant to London Air Ambulance from London Masons 28/09/2019 In January 2016 London Air Ambulance (LAA) invested in their second air ambulance to cover the Greater London area. This was made possible by the fund raising efforts of companies and individuals arou ... READ MORE
Ronaldshay Lodge presents donation to Barts Charity 27/09/2019 In August this year the Worshipful Master of Ronaldshay Lodge No. 3376, Joseph Cooke, accompanied by other Lodge Officers, visited St Bartholomew’s Hospital in Central London to present a cheque for £ ... READ MORE
Three Generations celebrate Mandate Lodge Initiation 27/09/2019 18th September 2019 was a special occasion for Mandate Lodge No. 4258 when three generations of the same family celebrated the Initiation of 23-year-old Zack Davies at Freemasons Hall, in the presence ... READ MORE
Kent Club makes donation towards the London Fire Brigade Appeal 27/09/2019 On Friday 20th September 2019 at Freemasons Hall, The Worshipful Master of Balham Park Lodge No.6955, W Bro Seirios Kokkalis welcomed more than 30 members and guests, including Metropolitan Grand Insp ... READ MORE
Helen House helped by grant from London Masons 26/09/2019 Helen & Douglas House Hospice started life in November 1982, when Helen House and the children's hospice movement were founded by Sister Frances Dominica. As the world's first children's hospice, Hele ... READ MORE
Bangladesh flood victims receive donation from London Freemasons 19/09/2019 Thousands of people whose lives have been devastated by flooding in Bangladesh will be given urgently-needed humanitarian assistance, thanks to a grant of £20,000 from London Freemasons. READ MORE
THE WORLDS OLDEST SOCIAL NETWORK AIMS TO GO VIRAL WITH NEW CAMPAIGN 19/09/2019 The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) is launching a social media campaign to be the most featured venue as part of Open House London this weekend. READ MORE
Hurricane Dorian Relief Appeal 17/09/2019 Hurricane Dorian, which hit the Bahamas in August, has caused extensive destruction and devastation. The official death toll stands at 50 and the number of missing at an alarming 1,300 people, but the ... READ MORE
Streetwise Opera helped by grant from London Masons 21/08/2019 Founded in 2002 in response to a quote from an MP in the newspaper – “The homeless are the people you step over coming out the Royal Opera House” – Streetwise Opera is an award-winning performing arts ... READ MORE
Lonely and isolated older people living in the capital helped by grant from London Masons 06/08/2019 Lonely and isolated older people in Holborn, Covent Garden and Bloomsbury will be helped back into community life, thanks to a grant of £77,827 from London freemasons and the Masonic Charitable Founda ... READ MORE
Metropolitan Grand Master Hosts Summer Garden Party 31/07/2019 On Saturday 6th July 2019 the Metropolitan Grand Master, RW Bro Sir Michael Snyder hosted a sell-out Summer Garden Party at Queensmere, an 80-acre lakeside, woodland estate, in the heart of the Berksh ... READ MORE
Visiting Australia 30/07/2019 One of the hidden joys of being a Freemasons is visiting other Lodges and with over 6 million members worldwide you are sure to find a friendly welcome either near to home or further afield. This was ... READ MORE
A Long Walk to Open the Lodge in Support of the Lift for Life Appeal 17/07/2019 The Worshipful Master of the City Gate Lodge No. 9890, W Bro James Croft, accompanied by Lodge Charity Steward W Bro Phil Young and the Lodge Inner Guard, undertook a walk from Surrey to Freemasons H ... READ MORE
Parachute Regiment Chapter No 9315 04/07/2019 On Saturday 22nd June 2019, at Freemasons Hall, the very first Convocation of the Parachute Regiment Chapter No.9315 was held. READ MORE
UGLE Grand Master The Duke of Kent unveils Victoria Cross Remembrance Stone at Freemasons Hall 02/07/2019 In honour of all English Freemasons awarded the prestigious Victoria Cross (VC), the United Grand Lodge of England’s (UGLE) Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Kent, unveiled a unique Victoria Cross Remembr ... READ MORE
40000 TOOTHBRUSHES RAISE SMILES ACROSS LONDON 27/06/2019 In conjunction with the Oral Health Foundation, London Masons are supporting the start of National Smile Month across London with a donation of specially designed children’s toothbrushes and tubes of ... READ MORE
Cycling challenge for Prostate cancer awareness 04/06/2019 Prostate cancer is now the third deadliest form of cancer in the UK, causing more deaths, than to those suffering from breast cancer, with only half as much money being spent on research into the dise ... READ MORE
The Lodge of Nine Muses makes National Trust donation 03/06/2019 On 8th May 2019 Officers and Past Masters of The Lodge of Nine Muses No.235 presented a charitable gift of £1,000 towards the National Trust’s, Stowe Gardens Renovation Project. READ MORE
Cardboard Citizens Charity receives boost thanks to London Freemasons 31/05/2019 London Freemasons have donated £2,000 to East London based specialist charity Cardboard Citizens, who for the last 25 years have been making life-changing theatre with and for people with experience o ... READ MORE
Freemasons give donation to victims of Indian cyclone 29/05/2019 Thousands of people across the Indian state of Odisha, whose lives have been devastated by Cyclone Fani will be given emergency supplies of food and materials to rebuild their homes, thanks to a grant ... READ MORE
Visually impaired children get chance to read with help from London Masons 24/05/2019 London Masons and the Masonic Charitable Foundation has donated £4,000 per year for the next three years to London based charity ClearVision, giving thousands of visually impaired children a chance to ... READ MORE
Two London Masons complete a Brewood to Brighton 240-mile Charity Road Challenge 21/05/2019 On Saturday 13th April 2019 a team of seven men, in a Top Gear style challenge, arrived at Brighton Pier having left Brewood, South Staffordshire on Wednesday 10th April. The group of seven, which inc ... READ MORE
Young disabled people are given a voice thanks to London Freemasons 30/04/2019 The London Masons and the Masonic Charitable Foundation has donated £60,000 to London based charity Coram Voice, giving thousands of disabled children and young people in the care system a chance to b ... READ MORE
Leading autism charity gives children a voice at home thanks to London Freemasons 30/04/2019 The London Masons and the Masonic Charitable Foundation has donated £50,000 to London based specialist charity Autistica, to aid research and testing in the home environment of a widely used tool to h ... READ MORE
Laughter & Charity at the Metropolitan Officers Mess 08/04/2019 On Tuesday 26th March, happy members of the Metropolitan Mess gathered in the plush surrounds of the Grange City Hotel, to be greeted by their President, R.W. Bro. Sir Michael Snyder, the Metropolitan ... READ MORE
Freemasons give to victims of southern African cyclone 27/03/2019 Thousands of people across Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe whose lives have been devastated by Cyclone Idai will be given access to clean water, as well as tarpaulins, plastic sheets and other emergen ... READ MORE
Hackneys Literacy Pirates receive long term support thanks to London Masons 27/03/2019 The London Masons and the Masonic Charitable Foundation has donated £5,000 a year for the next three years to The Literacy Pirates (formerly The Hackney Pirates), a small children’s charity based in t ... READ MORE
London Freemasons awards grant to St Josephs Hospice 23/03/2019 St Joseph’s Hospice, Hackney has received a grant of £2,467 from the Metropolitan Grand Lodge of London Freemasons, one of 237 grants donated to hospices in England and Wales this year. The grant come ... READ MORE
Breast cancer patients receive free financial advice thanks to London Freemasons 12/03/2019 A vital advice and information service which helps women with breast cancer to cope with financial problems arising from their condition will continue, thanks to a grant from London Masons. READ MORE
Londons Air Ambulance - 30 years on and 40000 patients later 12/02/2019 Metropolitan Grand Charity Steward, W Bro. Tony Shields was delighted to attend London’s Air Ambulance - 30th anniversary celebrations and hear the ambitious plans for the future and how they propose ... READ MORE
Its Your Life charity receive grant from London Masons 27/01/2019 The London Masons and the Masonic Charitable Foundation have donated £5,000 to support East London based charity, It’s Your Life to improve life chances of children, young people and adults through th ... READ MORE
Multi-sensory childrens books funded by London Masons 22/01/2019 The London Masons and the Masonic Charitable Foundation has donated £5,000 to support South West London based Bag Books, the only charity in the world to produce multi sensory books for people with le ... READ MORE
LONDON MASON AWARDED BEM IN NEW YEARS HONOURS 11/01/2019 W Bro. Cdr Mike Goldthorpe RN, ProvGSuptWks(Middx), and member of Navy Lodge No. 2612 has been awarded the British Empire Medal in this year’s New Year’s Honours List. READ MORE
Brethren complete Thames Bridge Trek in aid of Combat Stress 07/01/2019 On 13th October 2018 brethren from London lodges City of London Rifles No.5606 and Eccentric No.2488 completed the 25km Thames Bridges Trek raising £2900 for Combat Stress, the UK’s leading charity fo ... READ MORE
London Freemasons generous donation saves the life of rugby player 03/01/2019 Following a serious rugby injury, Angus Swanson spent weeks in a coma. His delicate condition was closely monitored using an ultra-modern portable CT scanner. This was provided to The Royal London by ... READ MORE
Smashing Clays for a good cause 28/12/2018 MetGL CSA are very proud to have been given the opportunity to present our contribution of £3,000 to the London Fire Brigade Appeal direct to Sir Michael Snyder at a prestigious Metropolitan Masonic C ... READ MORE
Coborn Lodge rides for Ollie 10/12/2018 Creating an impressive sight one very wet and miserable Sunday, seventy-four bikers, including, Masonic Bikers of Coborn Lodge, Widows Sons Masonic Bikers Association and bikers from the local Sitting ... READ MORE
Charities Cheque Presentation at Freemasons Hall 02/12/2018 On Friday 30 November the Metropolitan Grand Master, Sir Michael Snyder, welcomed representatives from London’s charities to Freemasons Hall to present the latest batch of awards on behalf of the Metr ... READ MORE
Adventure and exploration with London Masons Help 30/11/2018 The London Masons and the Masonic Charitable Foundation has donated £5,000 to support The British Exploring Society, which was formed by Surgeon Commander GM Levik RN, a member of Captain Scotts final ... READ MORE
Charities benefit from Imperial Cadet Lodges Centenary Ladies Gala 30/11/2018 The I-Rock drop in centre which supports young people with mental health issues and the Royal Marsden Hospital each received £750 from the proceeds of a raffle and auction held at the Imperial Cadet L ... READ MORE
Masons partner with Bowel and Cancer Research to create five-year research programme 19/11/2018 Bowel & Cancer Research has entered into a partnership with the Masonic Charitable Foundation to secure an investment of £225,000 to fund a specialist PhD studentship programme over the next five year ... READ MORE
Victoria Rifles Armistice Centenary Meeting 16/11/2018 The Victoria Rifles Lodge No.822 is one of the 37 Circuit Of Service Lodges which exist to promote comradeship and fraternal contact between military masons. Given the sacrifice of so many of our Bre ... READ MORE
LONDON FIRE BRIGADE APPEAL REACHES MILESTONE 02/11/2018 Launched by Sir Michael Snyder, head of London Freemasons, in November 2017, the appeal aims to raise £2,500,000 to purchase two super high-rise rescue aerial platforms for London’s Fire Brigade. Sir ... READ MORE
Four Brethren - Three Lodges - Five Peaks 18/10/2018 Earlier this September W Bro. Stuart Lutes, Charity Steward of London Lodge La Belle Sauvage No.3095, together with three fellow masons, took on the ‘Five Peaks Challenge’ to raise money for the chari ... READ MORE
Rabbi Schulman - Standing up to and defeating challenges to be installed as Master of his Lodge 17/10/2018 Despite adversity of a progressive Multiple Sclerosis, Rabbi Gideon Schulman achieved the magnificent personal challenge of being installed as the Worshipful Master of London’s Lodge of Attainment. READ MORE
Freemasons grant for gardening therapy projects helps disadvantaged Londoners grow into jobs 02/10/2018 Londoners living with physical and mental ill health are to benefit from projects aimed at improving their job prospects, thanks to a major grant from London Freemasons to gardening therapy charity Th ... READ MORE
Teddy bears make hospital visits more bearable for children 27/09/2018 Teddies for Loving Care, also known as the TLC appeal, has now been running in the London Metropolitan area for a little over 12 months. The objective of the scheme is to provide Teddy Bears to Accide ... READ MORE
London Masons Repeat Fight Against Childrens Tooth Decay 25/09/2018 Following the success of their previous campaign to help fight dental decay amongst the capital’s children, The Metropolitan Grand Master, RW Bro. Sir Michael Snyder, has announced that London Masons ... READ MORE
The Kent Club for London Freemasons Annual Running Event 2018 22/09/2018 Once more the Kent Club for London Freemasons' running team is coming together to raise funds to help London Freemasons to make our city a better and safer place to live by donating £2.5 million to th ... READ MORE
Kent Club Social Evening in Penge 22/09/2018 On the evening of 13th September The Kent Club for London Freemasons, represented by our Chairman W Bro Dudley Price PAGDC, took to the road for the first time to the newly redecorated South East Lond ... READ MORE
Shoreditch College Lodge No 6766 Family Fun Day 22/08/2018 Members of Shoreditch College Lodge, their families, friends and invited guests to gather at the beautiful home of its Senior Deacon, Lord of Hailes (aka Sam Malin), and his lovely wife, Irène, for th ... READ MORE
Bang Edutainment sees boast from London Masons 17/08/2018 The London Masons and the Masonic Charitable Foundation has donated £5,000 to support BANG Edutainment is a charity delivering projects for young people aged 8-25, designed to develop functional, life ... READ MORE