W. Bro. Jake T. A. Mossom LGR, Secretary

Summertime usually sees a lull in Masonic activity for Metropolitan members, but the Connaught Club’s schedule of events kept engagement up throughout the warmer and lighter months!

With 38 events in the calendar for 2024, members have had a varied and regular programme to enjoy. While many Connaught Club events are open only to members, throughout the summer season there were several opportunities for family and friends to get involved. Our traditional picnic in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, complete with a very competitive cricket setup (a certain Metropolitan 2nd Grand Principal’s children were some of the most competitive!), saw over 50 members and guests enjoy a day in the sun.

The prospect of a trip to ‘Swingers’—that’s a mini-golf venue, before you worry—proved too attractive to miss for around 30 members and their guests in September, with predictably competitive and entertaining results. The end of the summer has seen a return to ‘normal service’, with a few noteworthy events, including the Installation meeting of Burgoyne Lodge No 902 already held, and our annual flagship Christmas Dinner just around the corner.

In October, our Secretary’s Dinner at Buck’s Club—which saw members enjoy a spectacular evening complete with Buck’s Fizz, a sumptuous three-course meal with wine, port and madeira, and a surprise visit from the Metropolitan Grand Master—set the tone for the new season and provided a night to remember for old hats and new members alike. The MetGM, in his speech to members, reiterated how important the engagement of members at all levels is in addressing our membership challenge. Even more importantly, as we look towards a membership opportunity, the Club’s members find themselves in a key position to ensure that young Freemasons in London are making the most of their membership.

As preparations are underway for the Christmas Dinner in mid-December, where 80 members—our largest ever attendance—will congregate to enjoy food, wine and festivities, some members are also looking forward to a trip to the Christmas Markets—and likely more than one bierkeller—in Munich.

Most importantly, we are also looking forward to the new year. As with any Club, the Committee is always aiming to improve the offering to members, and with a planned programme of events covering educational seminars, formal dinners, a trip abroad, and engagement at MetGL events, 2025 promises to be another fantastic year.

Some of the newest joiners of the Connaught Club have recently applied within hours of their Initiation, and our membership currently exceeds 230 young Masons. Our monthly pub drinks—at which all are welcome to attend—will continue into 2025. Events for 2025 are already listed on our website, and we look forward to meeting many new members in the coming year. Full details can be found on our website: https://connaughtclub.org/.

This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 56 Winter 2024 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 56 here.