Editorial Bro Seb Giroux
Dear Arena readers, Yes! We are back. We are back meeting with friends, we are back running full ceremonies, we are back dining together, and Arena is back in print (as well as digital). Printed copies are available in the usual locations such as Masonic centres, Mark Mason Hall and Great Queen Street. We are […]
Personal message from Sir Michael Snyder
Personal message from Sir Michael Snyder Metropolitan Grand Master / Metropolitan Grand Superintendent Brethren / Companions As some semblance of normality returns to our daily lives, or whatever the new normal looks like, I wanted to thank each and every one of you for your personal contribution over what has been a particularly […]
The latest from the Connaught Club
The Chairman of the Connaught Club gives an update on what's going on with the young masons in London. I must say it was a greatly welcomed return to meeting one another in person at our first monthly drinks in July 2021. I'm pleased to report that both the monthly drinks and our Burgoyne […]
HeliPAD New Honours nomination process
HeliPAD (A&P) will transform the London honours nominations process. It is entirely web-based, accessible via Rosetta, and replicates the present form and selection criteria. It went live on 1st September 2021 for nominations for 2023 Metropolitan Grand Officers. Other ranks (e.g. LGR, SLGCR etc.) will follow shortly. The process allows the user to manage all […]
London Royal Arch Digest Sept 2021
London’s Royal Arch Chapters and Companions have in recent times started to meet, revelling in being back in each other’s company, and there is a crackle of excitement in the air as masonic friends are physically back together. Dressing in suits and ties, which may or may not feel a little snugger than before, or […]
Peckham Chapter No. 1475, Makes a spectacular return
W Bro Tony Shepherd reports On Monday 19th July at Freemasons’ Hall, the hottest day of the year, over 40 members and guests of Peckham Chapter No 1475, Metropolitan’s Royal Arch Escorting Officers’ Chapter, celebrated being able to meet once more. Following the easing of Government Social Distancing restrictions, the Chapter was able […]
Men at the Top E Comp David Richard Ellis
E Comp David Richard Ellis OBE PJGD PAGSoj MetGInsp (Royal Arch) In conversation with W Bro Simon Bennett LGR Born on 26 April 1955 at the Princess Mary Maternity Hospital in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, E Comp David only lived in the North East for a short time. Moving to Edinburgh for two years and then to […]
A meeting of two exclusive social clubs
W Bro David Seddon reports On the evening of 29th July, Freemason's Hall, witnessed a special gathering. Members of two social organisations that pride themselves on the quality of their members met for the first time. A few Freemasons had invited fellow members of Mensa to visit the exquisite building that we know and love. […]
Why Master Masons (and above) should join the Royal Arch
A personal perspective from E Comp Ian Burgess GStB, MetGInsp. Four weeks after becoming a Master Mason, you are entitled to join the Supreme Order of the Royal Arch of Jerusalem, the next step in Freemasonry. But what is the Royal Arch, and why might you consider joining? When the two opposing Grand Lodges were […]
Thames River Lodge No 5764 hosts initiation and 60th Certificate
W Bro Rod Glyn-Thomas LGR reports “The river has great wisdom and whispers its secrets to the hearts of men.” -Bro Samuel Clemens aka Mark Twain, initiated Polar Star Lodge No 79 St Louis, Missouri 18th February 1861. On Wednesday 1st September I visited both Thames River Lodge No 5764 and the South East London […]
A Tale of Two Chapters – a novel ‘link’
E Comp Leland M Lewis SLGCR The Barnato Chapter No 2265 summonses had for many years been printed by one of our members, the late E Comp Tony Batkin, a professional printer amongst many other things. He was always jolly, bright and ‘larger than life’, famed in his industry for his enormous range of colourful, […]
A pub supports its local community
W Bro David Copeland Although the two lockdown periods have been difficult for all pubs, The Hare in Linslade, Leighton Buzzard, run by London Mason W Bro Jim Woolley, of Fairfax Lodge No 3014, has used them to strengthen its role in the local community and has redoubled its efforts in support of army […]