W Bro Rod Glyn-Thomas LGR reports
A Lodge for those with an interest in Creativity, Communications and Literature, old and new.
Prince Leopold, after whom the Royal Leopold Lodge is named, was famously a man of Literature-a true Royal creative. Since its consecration in 1877, the Lodge, like many others, has waxed and waned in its fortunes, and recently found itself on the wane. With a core membership of those initiated in the Lodge, conversations began in order to revive its fortunes and see it flourish again. Concurrently the team responsible for Communications in Metropolitan Grand Lodge was looking for a Lodge to join to further the interests of those who broadly enjoy Creativity, the Arts and Literature, and specifically those with an interest or expertise in Communications.
Are you a Creative?
We are looking for those who are interested in Communications in all its forms and, more broadly, the Arts and Literature to rebuild a Royal Lodge and to provide a meeting place for likeminded Brethren to meet and discuss such matters. So, if you have an interest in PR, Journalism, Editing, Graphic Design, Photography, Video Production, Social Media, Marketing, or Arts and Literature, this might just be the Lodge for you!
Our Royal History
HRH Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, KG, KT, GCSI, GCMG, GCStJ, was the eighth child and youngest son of Queen Victoria. He was proposed for initiation into Apollo Lodge No 357 (Oxford University) by his brother, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (later Edward VII), who was at the time the Worshipful Master of the Lodge. He was initiated in a joint ceremony with Robert Hawthorne Collins, his friend and tutor, who later became Comptroller of his Household. He served as Master of the Lodge from 1876-1877 and was later the Provincial Grand Master for Oxfordshire, still holding that office at the time of his death. He was also installed as Worshipful Master of the Lodge of Antiquity No 2 in 1879. The Royal Leopold Lodge was consecrated on 7th April 1877 (on his Highness’ birthday) in the Surrey Masonic Hall, 295 Camberwell New Road, by the Grand Secretary, RW Bro J Harvey, by command of The Most Worshipful Grand Master His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, K.G. The Lodge was so named by the express permission of His Royal Highness Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, who was graciously pleased to permit the Founders to elect him an Honorary Member of the Lodge at the time of its consecration.
Our future
With the Lodge’s 150th looming, there is much work to be done. Preliminary plans are being drawn up to honour Prince Leopold’s contribution to the Craft at these celebrations and having the appropriate guests present to reflect this contribution. And, with new joiners forwarding their certificates already, once we resume after lockdown Royal Leopold will again be a hive of activity. The Lodge currently meets on the fourth Thursday in April and November, but this will increase as we grow. We currently meet and dine at Mark Masons Hall.
Joining
If you would like to discuss joining Royal Leopold, please email arena@metgl.com to arrange a mutually convenient time to discuss.
This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 44 April 2020 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 44.