Victoria Rifles - Circuit of Service Lodges support Ukraine

Victoria Rifles – Circuit of Service Lodges support Ukraine

Parachute
Regiment
Lodge
9315

WHAT IS FREEMASONRY?

One of the oldest secular social and charitable organisations in the world, modern Freemasonry’s roots lie in the traditions of the medieval stonemasons who built our castles and cathedrals…

The lodge has held several social events such as witnessing the Tower of London Keys ceremony a lady’s festival at a hotel usually outside of London that provides opportunity for our families to enjoy the company that these types of events provide. Importantly we maintain links with the regiment and serving soldiers.

EVENTS

Delve into the rich traditions of Freemasonry as we gather to celebrate our shared values and principles

WHERE WE MEET

Our meetings are held on the 1st Saturday of March, June, September and December, at 60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ. they usually start at 11am thus providing members ample time to travel to London to join the meetings. The June meeting is the installation meeting.

ABOUT

The Parachute Regiment Lodge was consecrated on 5th June 1989. Though named for our Regiment the decision was taken not to restrict membership to serving or former members, though the majority do fit that criteria. Our membership is drawn from a wide range of military, security and civilian backgrounds who all adopt our ethos, to be the best in all that we do…

ARENA

Engage in enlightening discussions, partake in meaningful rituals, and forge lasting connections with fellow brethren

In the Lodge, WM Lt Col Stephen Braden (Ex RE) and also Chairman of the Circuit of Service Lodges since 2015, welcomed Banner parties escorting their WMs of Royal Naval Lodge No 59 and Royal Engineers Lodge No 2599 (the joint 50th lodges) and Vectis Lodge No 9969, the 52nd Circuit Lodge.

Pipers from London Scottish Rifles Lodge No 2310 piped the massed parade of Circuit Lodge Banners to receive the new Lodges.

At lunch, attendees bid at auction for several prizes, including a tandem parachute jump with the Parachute Regiment’s Red Devils. The auction was in aid of the MCF Ukrainian Relief Fund, and serving Master Stephen Braden had begun preparations by asking for donations from the 52 Circuit Lodges and 152 Individual Members at his Installation meeting last November. This led to generous pledges in the thousands of pounds, particularly through an online Donations Page set up by Charity Steward W Bro George Wady, ex RAMC. George says, “There can be no better way for a Services Lodge and Association to show our sympathy for those displaced in this war than by joining with the MCF in its assistance in raising Relief Funds for Ukraine”.

This was all the more significant on the day of the auction as W Bro Lou Myers was made Master Elect. Lou served in WW2 from 1941 in the Royal Regiment of Artillery, reaching the rank of Sergeant during the Italy Campaign before continuing his service after the end of the War. Lou is also a member of Ubique Lodge No 1789.

Lou says, “To be asked to lead this wonderful Installed Masters Lodge is the best thing I could ever have wished for. At the age of 96 I will probably be one of the most senior to be placed in King Solomon’s Chair, I hope Brother Stephen doesn’t push me back too hard”.

Treasurer W Bro Chris Huxtable is still receiving donations and has grown a few grey hairs keeping pace. His last estimate for the gross donation was “In excess of £11,400, but it could be more”.

This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 52 August 2023 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 52 here.