Twin Peaks a Black Belt and the Chair for the Master of Shotokan

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

IT'S YOUR ARENA
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The Shotokan Karate Lodge No 9752 is a Special Interest Martial Arts Lodge, founded just over twenty years ago by Shotokan Karate enthusiasts to combine their shared passions of Martial Arts and Freemasonry.

Martial Arts and Freemasonry both make use of symbolism, ritual and structured practice to convey deeper meanings and lessons in personal development, discipline, respect, integrity, service to others, balance, lifelong learning and humility.

Most of the members today are current or former practitioners of one of more Martial Arts, but not just Shotokan Karate. Two of our Past Masters are both 7th Dan Shotokan Karate instructors, but many other Members and our regular Visitors have tried their hand at various other Martial Arts including Judo, Tai Chi, Kendo, Boxing, Ju Jitsu, Iaido, Taekwondo and Kung Fu. However, there is no strict rule, and we welcome visits from all Brethren.

Shotokan Karate Lodge makes an effort to include Martial Arts references in all our Meetings and Festive Boards – our customised gavels are particularly popular! We are a relaxed Lodge and pride ourselves on being friendly and welcoming; we have plenty of fun, and our Guests always enjoy their visits.

The latest news in the Shotokan Lodge is that Stuart Dubois, the current Worshipful Master of the Lodge, has achieved a similar “top of one mountain, now able to see the whole view” leadership position by attaining his Shodan (First Degree) Black Belt in Shotokan Karate.

Stuart first started training in Shotokan Karate 33 years ago at university, but after moving around and training sporadically, has only recently settled at Kamaete Schools of Traditional Shotokan Karate, which runs classes across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. Stuart successfully achieved his black belt after a gruelling 3.5 hour grading on Sunday 6th April, and a week later he conducted an Initiation Ceremony in the Shotokan Karate Lodge.

This article is part of the Arena Magazine Issue 58 – Summer 2025 edition.
Arena Magazine is the official online magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.

Read more articles in Arena Issue 58 here.

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