LFC helps Young Women Build Better Futures in Neasden through Entrepreneurship
A London Freemason’s Charity grant of £10,000 has been given to the charity Launch It, to help young women in Neasden start their own businesses with a bespoke programme of training and support. Launch It has run enterprise centres in economically challenged communities for over 23 years, encouraging over 11,500 young people in these […]
London Healthcare Workers in financial hardship get a boost from London Freemasons
The London Freemason’s Charity is proud to report a donation of £6,000 to the Healthcare Workers’ Foundation to support healthcare professionals working across London. The Healthcare Workers’ Foundation (HWF) is a charity created for, and led by, healthcare workers. It is committed to supporting and improving the welfare and wellbeing of those working in […]
Older people living with dementia in Kensington and Chelsea get extra support thanks to London Freemasons
Older people living with dementia in Kensington & Chelsea will benefit from ground-breaking treatment thanks to a £30,000 grant to Age UK from London Freemasons. The grant will sustain and expand Age UK Kensington & Chelsea’s Maintenance Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (MCST) programme for individuals living with dementia, enabling them to enhance the quality of […]
EDITORIAL
W Bro Nick Saalfeld, Editor Brethren and friends, It’s a pleasure to welcome you to Arena 54. As you read this, something approaching Spring should be in the air. I think you’ll find a similar spirit of change, renewal and rejuvenation in this edition of Arena and across Metropolitan Grand Lodge as well. […]
The Kent and Connaught Clubs
The Social Clubs for London Freemasons The Kent Club: A Masonic voyage of discovery The Kent Club is a welcoming hub of camaraderie and discovery, with meaningful experiences curated by a dedicated Committee. It’s open to all, embodying the enduring principles of Freemasonry while providing a lively platform for friendship, learning and shared […]
Event Report: Metropolitan Grand Lodge AGM: Promotions, appeals and an honoured departure
W Bro Trevor Koschalka reports Photographs by W Bro Daren Lewis The Grand Temple of Freemasons’ Hall was filled with Brethren who were to be promoted to Senior London Grand Rank, along with their Masonic friends. Their non-Masonic friends and families looked on from the gallery above. There was a sense of anticipation […]
The Scrip Purse Reviewing a plethora of benefits
W Bro Darrel Palmer PAGSwdB, Metropolitan Grand Almoner In this issue, the Scrip Purse presents the Metropolitan Grand Almoner’s Annual Report for 2023-2024. It’s full of initiatives you may not have known about, and ways in which Almoners are making a difference to Brethren and their families every day. The year 2023-24 has […]
Special Interest Lodge News Cycling Masons in the saddle for 3 charities
Having formed the new Special Interest Lodge for London Cycling Masons under the banner of the Citizen Lodge No 2911, Master W Bro Amo Basra, alongside his son Jodh (who will have been Initiated into the Lodge by the time you read this edition of Arena) decided to take up a challenge. They have […]
Special Interest Lodge News Star Spangled Sports? Stoke Newington Needs You!
With the culmination of the National Football League (NFL) and the razzmatazz of Superbowl LVIII just behind us, it won’t have gone unnoticed, even in our sceptred isle, that American Sports loom large in the consciousness of many UK residents and, by extension, many of our Masonic Brethren. The glamour offered up by the […]
Special Interest Chapter News The Vikings are coming!
On 24th February 2024, a Viking raiding party arrived in London, not as in times gone by as invaders, but as Companions of the Royal Arch, answering the Summons of the East & West Chapter (E&W) No 5410. The Chapter installed its Principals for the ensuring year and welcomed their Metropolitan Grand Inspector, John […]
“Because that man was me!”
W Bro Mark Smith PSGD is Assistant Provincial Grand Master in Essex and a member of Maguncor Lodge, 3806 in London. He told a very moving and insightful story at the Metropolitan Grand Lodge AGM on 6th March 2024. Here’s what he said: “There was a doctor from the First World War. He […]
Celebrating 20 Years of Metropolitan Grand Lodge
W Bro Daniel Graham On the evening of February 13th 2024, the Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter celebrated their 20th Anniversary with a splendid black-tie banquet. Hosted at the prestigious Guildhall in the City of London, the event was meticulously organised by the Metropolitan Events Team, with the invaluable support of 30 […]