The magnificent setting of The Great Hall, of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital was the scene for the first meeting of the new Escorting Officers’ Lodge which was re-launched on Wednesday 22nd March 2017.
The Lodge came about from discussions between a number of former Metropolitan Escorting Officers who wanted to build upon the friendships and experiences they had gained from their year of office.
After discussions with Metropolitan Grand Lodge it was agreed that the Lodge should take over the warrant of an existing Lodge which was having difficulty in attracting members, hence Hornsey Lodge No. 890 founded in 1861 has become the Metropolitan Craft Escorting Officers’ Lodge.
The Lodge having been opened by acting officers, a Metropolitan Installation Team led by the Deputy Metropolitan Grand Master RW Bro. Stephen Fenton entered the Lodge. Assistant Metropolitan Grand Master VW Bro. Ian Wellesley-Harding was the Installing Master assisted by Metropolitan Grand Inspectors W. Bros Colin Barrow, Augustus Machado and David Nunn acted as Senior Warden, Junior Warden and Inner Guard respectively. The Metropolitan Grand Secretary W. Bro David Swain acted as Chaplain and the Deputy Metropolitan Director of Ceremonies W. Bro Jon Cooper acted as DC.
W. Bro Ivor Macklin, LGR, was then installed as the Worshipful Master and Assistant Metropolitan Grand Master VW Bro. Philip Summers presented the Hall Stone Jewel. The address to the Worshipful Master was given by Bro. Wellesley-Harding, to the Wardens by Assistant Metropolitan Grand Master VW Bro. Ian Sabin and to the Brethren by Bro. Fenton.
After the Worshipful Master had installed his officers, a letter of greeting and good wishes from the Metropolitan Grand Master RW Bro. Sir Michael Snyder was read to the brethren by the Deputy Metropolitan Grand Master.
After a very colourful and highly enjoyable ceremony the Hornsey Lodge was closed in perfect harmony and the brethren then enjoyed an excellent festive board in the Great Hall.
