R.W.Bro. The Viscount Gough, PSGW
It is with very great sadness that the Lodge of Assistance notes the death on 14 April 2023 of our senior Past Master, and Father of the Lodge, Lord Gough. He was in his 55th year of membership of this lodge, of which he had been the Worshipful Master three times - in 1972, 1982, & 1983. Until the arrival of the Coronavirus, he almost never missed a meeting of the lodge, and served in office continuously throughout almost his entire membership, including lengthy periods as Treasurer, as Director of Ceremonies, and as Chaplain. He will be greatly missed.
A Very Special Presentation
In September 2022 a rather special presentation took place. At a meeting of the Prince of Wales's Chapter No 259 the Deputy Metropolitan Grand Superintendent (for London), E.Comp. The Rev'd Timothy L'Estrange PGSN, presented a certificate to E.Comp. The Viscount Gough PGSN, to mark the latter's celebration of 50 years as a Royal Arch Freemason. The significance to our Lodge is that both men are long-standing members of the Lodge of Assistance. It is also noteworthy that Chapter 259 is attached to the Prince of Wales's Lodge No 259, which is one of the three London lodges that brought about the foundation and consecration of the Lodge of Assistance in 1899. Finally, it should be noted that the Royal Arch rank of Past Grand Scribe Nehemiah (PGSN) is one of the rarest of masonic accolades, currently held by only 26 people in the whole of England and Wales. That we have two of them in our Lodge is remarkable enough - that they were the presenter and the recipient of this special certificate is even more so. Many congratulations to Lord Gough on this further milestone in his long and distinguished Masonic career.
Lodge Summer Dinner 2018
In July 2018 the lodge held a summer dinner at London's elegant Oriental Club. Following drinks in the courtyard, members and their guests dined together, most opting for the Club's famed curry, which was judged a great triumph by all. The Lodge holds regular summer social events, notably the annual day trip to Henley Royal Regatta, but the previously popular summer garden parties have never been replaced after they came to an end several years ago. The dinner was intended to plug that gap in the Lodge's social calendar, and all present expressed the hope that it might become a regular activity. Unfortunately the Master of the Lodge was prevented from attending by professional commitments, so the Senior Warden presided. By coincidence, the Board of Grand Stewards of the year was also dining in the Club on the same evening. Our former Secretary was a member of last year's Board, and so he disappeared for some little while to sample the "red apron port", before returning to us in the cocktail bar where the evening wound down.
Installation meeting 2014
The Installation meeting of the Lodge took place in April 2014. The brethren gathered at The Chequers pub for drinks, then re-convened at 10 Duke Street for the ceremonial part of the evening, where they were joined by a large contingent from Wales, the homeland of the new Master, Bro Grey. Afterwards they moved on to White's for a champagne reception, and then a sumptuous installation banquet, with port generously provided by the new Master's father. The traditional Bon-Bon Bowl on this occasion contained turkish delight. From here the group went on to the Oxford & Cambridge Club for drinks and further fellowship. When this establishment closed, the brethren took taxis to Soho, and occupied a private room at Milk & Honey Club in Poland Street, for the final part of the evening's celebrations. It was heartily and unanimously agreed that a good time was had by all.
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Charity run through IrelandIn October 2013 our Immediate Past Master undertook a charity run the length of Ireland. This followed on his charity cycle ride the length of England and Scotland the previous year. (We understand he is looking into something Welsh to complete the set.)
He sent this message just before he set off: "I'll be doing a small charity jog down the length of Ireland, Malin to Mizen, from the 1st to 12th October of this year. This is to benefit Macmillan Cancer Support, and follows on from a Land's End-John o'Groats cycle I did last October (for a London masonic charity appeal for the Royal London Hospital, and to mark my year in the chair). Both were unaccompanied and solo, and each as bad an idea as the other. Last year, I was able to visit a lodge every evening—and often stay on the sofa of one of its officers. I'd be very keen to do some masonic visiting during this October's spurt of athletic silliness, too. (Not that I'd say no to the odd sofa, either.)" |
Dinner on a warship
On Monday 11 March 2013 the Lodge of Rehearsal met at a prime central London location, in a significant historic building. Afterwards members and guests attended the Lodge of Rehearsal Annual Dinner on board HMS Belfast, the vintage light cruiser, which celebrated its 75th birthday that very week.
Members and guests toured the ship and enjoyed drinks together, before dining in the Wardroom. Speeches and toasts accompanied the evening, as did several naval traditions, such as the passing of notes on place cards, and the toast of the day. A retired member of the ship's company, Commander Ken Wollan, entertained all present with tales of the Navy and of HMS Belfast, impressing us with stories of the awesome guns in the ship's armament. He also decried the limitations of the modern Service, owing to the inadequate number of ships, and the small size of their compliment, leaving Captains unable to muster sufficiently large parties for operations ashore.
The Secretary gave a speech which culminated in a toast to the Master. The Assistant Secretary (having found his sea legs) gave a speech, which culminated in a toast to the visitors.
All agreed that it was a marvellous evening and bumper Assistance fun.
Members and guests toured the ship and enjoyed drinks together, before dining in the Wardroom. Speeches and toasts accompanied the evening, as did several naval traditions, such as the passing of notes on place cards, and the toast of the day. A retired member of the ship's company, Commander Ken Wollan, entertained all present with tales of the Navy and of HMS Belfast, impressing us with stories of the awesome guns in the ship's armament. He also decried the limitations of the modern Service, owing to the inadequate number of ships, and the small size of their compliment, leaving Captains unable to muster sufficiently large parties for operations ashore.
The Secretary gave a speech which culminated in a toast to the Master. The Assistant Secretary (having found his sea legs) gave a speech, which culminated in a toast to the visitors.
All agreed that it was a marvellous evening and bumper Assistance fun.