One step beyond: How first-time London Masters find a way ahead
Words by W Bro Simon Greaves “Beyond the Master’s Chair” (BTMC), a pioneering scheme to empower first-time Past Masters to discover a future path in London Freemasonry beyond their landmark year in the Chair, has been hailed a success as it nears the end of its first year. Two first-time Past Masters, Sandip […]
Children and Families Across Borders: Helping children from conflict zones to join relatives in the UK
Children who have escaped conflict zones around the world to join relatives in this country will get help and support, thanks to a grant of £20,000 from London Freemasons to the Children and Families Across Borders (CFAB) charity. The grant from London Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, […]
GoodGym: Isolated older people get support in their homes thanks to London Freemasons
Hundreds of lonely and isolated older people, many of whom are confined to their homes, will receive practical help and support from volunteer runners, walkers and cyclists, thanks to a grant of £20,000 from London Freemasons to the GoodGym charity. GoodGym is a community of people who get fit by doing good, operating across […]
London Freemasons aid hospitals live music charity
W Bro John Little SLGR reports A grant of £5,000 has been donated by London Freemasonry to Music in Hospitals & Care, a charity that improves the health and wellbeing of children and adults through the healing power of live music. Every year, the charity’s professional musicians share live music with people from across […]
FOREWORD RW Bro Warren Duke Deputy Metropolitan Grand Master
RW Bro Warren Duke Deputy Metropolitan Grand Master There are so many positive aspects to Freemasonry in London at the moment. Two excellent examples are the 200 members of the public who attended the recent “Discover Freemasonry” event in the Grand Temple; and the 600 brethren who attended the recent London Rugby Lodge meeting. […]
EDITORIAL
Brethren and friends, welcome to Arena 53, and may I take this opportunity to wish you a wonderful festive season with family and friends, and an optimistic start to 2024. I say this not least because, since the last edition of Arena, the world has continued to be thrown into turmoil. I have never […]
We asked you… Dining
Dining is a contentious issue – especially here in London. So we asked The Festive Board Facebook group of Masons for their comment and insights. Everyone is aware of the challenges of the cost of living (see the Foreword to this issue of Arena by RW Bro Warren Duke), so we also asked for contributions […]
Dining: Update from the Metropolitan Grand Secretary
We are all victims of the escalating cost of living and, in London, we are especially affected by the cost of eating – particularly in areas such as Covent Garden, the City of London, Clubland and Mayfair. The Covid crisis saw lots of the cheaper restaurants close, never to re-open. Few new such restaurants have […]
Welcome and Acceptance: Meet two trans Brethren
By W Bro Omaid Hiwaizi PAGDC, MetGCO The United Grand Lodge of England adopted its transgender Policy on 17th July 2018 – closely followed by both the Order of Women Freemasons and Freemasonry for Women (FFW, previously known as the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons or HFAF). Needless to say, this attracted widespread […]
Special Interest Lodge News: The Scots are Coming!
On Saturday 2nd June at Freemasons’ Hall, Caledonian Lodge No 134 had its inaugural meeting as London’s Scottish Lodge. Caledonian’s Worshipful Master, W Bro Fred Bain PAGDC, and W. Bro Paul Tweedale PM report… Two years ago, the members of Caledonian Lodge embraced the potential of becoming a ‘Special Interest Lodge’ under the Metropolitan […]
Special Interest Lodge News: On your Bike!
Citizen Lodge: London’s New Cycling Lodge, report by W Bro Richard Cavanagh Picture the scene. A crowd of men, each atop their metal frames, individually distinct by their colourful threads. They jostle for space, pushing against each other, swaying and trying to keep their balance. A green flag ascends above, filling the sky and […]
Special Interest Lodge News: Howzat!
St John’s No 80: A cricket Lodge for London St. John’s Lodge No 80 – the London Cricket Lodge – truly exemplifies the value of Special Interest Lodges (SILs), fostering social connections both inside and outside the Lodge; and sometimes bringing people together around a common interest who otherwise might never have met. Case […]