GRENADIERS LODGE CELEBRATE 275 YEARS
Bro. Luke Elford attended this celebratory evening and reports back as follows…
G
renadiers Lodge No. 66, which was consecrated on 27th
October 1739, celebrated its 275th anniversary on the 27th November, in an extremely well-attended meeting in Temple 17 at Freemasons’ Hall. Over one hundred brethren assembled for what really was a fabulous meeting, not only to celebrate the anniversary of the formation of the Lodge, but to welcome Mr. Simon Purnell, now Bro. Purnell, into the Craft. Bro. Purnell was Initiated into Grenadiers Lodge in fine style by the Worshipful Master, and what an occasion at which to be Initiated! Bro. Purnell was also treated to an excellent delivery of the Charge after Initiation delivered by W. Bro Nick Dodd, LGR, the Lodge’s Director of Ceremonies. After the meeting got underway,
there was a report and W. Bro Jonathan Cooper, MetDepGDC entered the Lodge. Bro. Cooper advised that the guest of honour, VW Bro. Philip Summers was without and demanded admission. Bro. Summers was admitted together with
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a procession of Metropolitan Grand Officers, including W. Bro Robert Grant, MetGInsp and W. Bro Capt. David Swain, RN, the MetGSec. Following the Initiation of Bro. Purnell, the Lodge and gathered brethren were treated to a paper on the history of Grenadiers Lodge, delivered by W. Bro Antony Smithson, SLGR. Bro. Smithson considered the reasons behind the name ‘Grenadiers’ as well as touching on several notable occasions in the Lodge’s history, highlighting the ballot box presented to the Lodge in 1913 by Bros. Dickin and Gardener, the wood for which was salvaged from HMS Lutine, as well as the Lodge’s splendid banner, which was dedicated at the Lodge’s 250th anniversary meeting. The Lodge also presented Bro. Summers with a cheque for £15,000 made out to the Metropolitan Masonic Charity. This was presented by the Worshipful Master, W. Bro Michael Birkett, PDepGSwdB and W. Bro Geoffrey Aldridge, SLGR. Bro. Aldridge, together with W. Bro Brian Ott, LGR, the Lodge’s Secretary, were
given special thanks for their hard work in arranging the Anniversary meeting. Following the conclusion of the
meeting the Brethren retired to the Grand Connaught Rooms for an excellent five course banquet. Members and guests were also presented with a commemorative booklet containing a host of interesting information about the Lodge, as well as an engraved crystal firing glass. arena readers may be interested to know that Grenadiers Lodge still pass around port in exquisitely cut decanters presented to the Lodge by Bros. Clippeton, Bishop and Nettlefield in 1887! The Lodge also retains a strong family connection and, it being fourteen years since the Lodge installed a Past Master as WM, membership is in good order! There can be no doubt that Grenadiers Lodge will continue to flourish through to its 300th Anniversary in 2039 and beyond!
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