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arena ISSUE 25 SUMMER 2016 The celebrations start... CONTENTS A selection of London Events: 4 The Tercentenary in London Secretaries/Scribes E 5 A Younger Mason Speaks: Krasimir Krastev Jr. Seminar 25 August 2016 6 The Men at the Top: Stratton Richey ALO Course 12 September 2016 10 Connaught Club Update Welcome Seminar for New Companions 18 21 September 2016 Kent Club Update Lodge & Chapter 22 Metropolitan Grand Chapter Annual Convocation Mentoring Training Workshops 29 September 2016 23 Charity News RA Representative 30 “An Impossible Task Made Possible” - Seminar 5 October 2016 Five Rapid Response Cars for London 32 DC Seminar The Men at the Top: Jeremy Beech 17 October 2016 36 Sports News Treasurers/Auditors workshop 25 October 2016 40 Famous London Masons: Sir Henry Irving RA Advanced Exploration Seminar 44 Lord Mayor’s Show 2016 - The Countdown 15 November 2016 46 Why Should I Visit... A First Principals' Chapter? See Porchway for more 48 information and details MetDepGDC's Advice: Tercentenary Jewel Founding Editor: Bryan Green Editor: David Roberts-Jones Deputy Editor: Rod Glyn-Thomas Assistant Editors: David Pugsley, Stan Marut Contributors: David Best, Chris Clark, David Cooke, John Cooper, Lewis Clement, Diane Clements, Richard Criddle, Ian Currans, Malcolm Drummond, Stephen Fenton, Garry Gilby, Rod Glyn-Thomas, Andy Green, Norman Green, Noel Haynes, Graham Howgate, Ian Keech, Gordon Kenward, Trevor Koschalka, Krasimir Krastev, John Little, Stan Marut, John Massman, Mitchell Merrick-Thirlway, Ray Mitchell, David Neale, John Parry, David Pugsley, Stuart Sherriff, Sir Michael Snyder, Don Tidiman, Barry White. Photocredits: Barons Court Project, David Best, Bowel and Cancer Research, British Lung Foundation, Chris Clark, David Cooke, John Cooper, Lewis Clement, Diane Clements, Richard Criddle, Ian Currans, Malcolm Drummond, Stephen Fenton, Garry Gilby, Rod Glyn-Thomas, Andy Green, Norman Green, Noel Haynes, Graham Howgate, The Irving Society, Ian Keech, Gordon Kenward, Trevor Koschalka, Krasimir Krastev, John Little, Stan Marut, John Massman, Mitchell Merrick-Thirlway, Ray Mitchell, David Neale, John Parry, David Pugsley, Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, Secretaries of London PZ Chapters, Spitalfields Farm, Stuart Sherriff, Sir Michael Snyder, Don Tidiman, Barry White. Layout: Greg Smith Advertising:Paul Gardner Special thanks as always to the Library and Museum of Freemasonry. arena To contact the Editor with features or letters for the next edition of , please contact by post to: arena , MetGL/MetGC, PO Box 29055, London WC2B 5UN or by e-mail at [email protected] READERS WISHING TO KNOW MORE ABOUT MASONRY SHOULD GO TO WWW.LONDONMASONS.ORG © Metropolitan Grand Lodge/Metropolitan Grand Chapter. All rights reserved. For editorial matters, please contact the Editor. Comment and articles reflect the writers’ own personal views. The Metropolitan Grand Lodge and the Metropolitan Grand Chapter, as well as the United Grand Lodge of England may not subscribe to, or agree with, those views. The publishers cannot be held responsible for loss or damage to any unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. 2 ISSUE 25 arena FOREWORD RW  Bro Stephen Fenton Deputy Metropolitan Grand Master Brethren special, with our enormous As we approach the summer, it’s an contribution to the second helicopter excellent time to reflect on an exciting for the LAA. If you have yet to see the approaching, I am certain that you year. Perhaps the most significant launch video on YouTube, I strongly will be very interested to read the event was the appointment of RW Bro recommend that you share it widely! article by the Metropolitan Grand Sir Michael Snyder. You will all be In this edition you will see that we Master which details the part that familiar with his background already. have also given five rapid response London will be playing in the Doubtlessly he will bring his vehicles to the London Ambulance celebrations. Like him, I feel infectious enthusiasm to the Craft and Service, bearing the Square and privileged to be amongst the Rulers of Royal Arch in London; but he also Compasses in their livery. the London Craft. Masonry is a very stresses that family life and our We also feature an article on First personal experience and I think that careers take priority at all times. Principals Chapters. I am fortunate to we all derive something unique from We were thrilled that the skills and have been First Principal of Euclid it. I love our rituals, the structure and commitment of RW Bro Russell Race Chapter and despite being a traditions, the messages and the were recognised in his appointment reasonable PS and having served two charity; but above all I love the as Second Grand Principal, and we years as MEZ in my mother Chapter, people. I look forward to meeting look forward to working with him to Paulatim, I did not really understand many of you, during my time in highlight the importance of the Royal the connection and importance of the office, and I really hope you reach the Arch in our Masonic journey. Royal Arch until I started to attend highest levels of enjoyment from your I believe that our charitable such Chapters. I highly recommend membership. activities speak volumes of the values attendance to you. Stephen of Freemasonry. This year has been With our Tercentenary fast extend my thanks to the hundred plus This edition also includes its regular Companions who wished me well in updates including those from the person and on social media that day. Connaught and Kent clubs, as well as Whilst saying this I’ve come to realise the sporting news from the that this edition of Arena seems to Metropolitan sports clubs. We also see have a garnered a particular hue of how the Connaught Club put together EDITORIAL Crimson, Purple and Blue about it. a particularly laborious task for itself to This includes articles on Passing the raise money for its chosen charity - Veils, the Metropolitan Annual better them than me! Dear arenaReaders, Convocation and First Principal As we look forward to the arrival of As ever, it seems that the brethren Chapters to name but a few. the purported ‘summer’ I sincerely and companions of London have been Notwithstanding this there is plenty hope all of you are enjoying your busy enjoying both their ‘labour and for brethren to read about, including masonry, looking forward to refreshing refreshment’. Since the last edition of the great charitable work that’s been yourselves over the summer and Arena I have been installed as First going on, the Museum at Freemasons reinvigorating yourselves for a Principal (Avenue Chapter 3231) for Hall and a variety of Lodge events as particularly enjoyable Masonic season the first time and I certainly managed well as an introduction to the ahead in London and beyond. ‘to Labour ‘and to a lesser extent "Tercentenary" celebrations in London, W. Bro Rod Glyn-Thomas ‘Refresh’ that evening! I’d like to by RW Bro. Sir Michael Snyder. Deputy Editor, arena ALL CONTRIBUTIONS OF NEWS OR OTHER ITEMS TO [email protected] SUMMER 2016 3 THE TERCENTENARY IN LONDON As the official celebration period starts, The Metropolitan Grand Master introduces what London is planning to do to celebrate those three hundred years of Freemasonry... programme of London events that is more individual basis. Anything that being developed to complement makes a contribution to any local those of Grand Lodge as well as the community and clearly various Provinces and Districts. demonstrates Freemasonry as a There is much to celebrate and a force for good will be particularly variety of ways in which you can appropriate. join in. While the main event at the I very much welcome any Royal Albert Hall on 31 October 2017 initiative that you may choose to will be relatively restricted on take up; you might consider adopting numbers because of the venue, we a local good cause or charity, such as will ensure through a ballot that a hospice, scout or guide unit, everyone eligible has an equal homeless shelter, soup kitchen or opportunity to attend and share in even a food bank. Assistance could this once in a lifetime experience. be in the form of a working party to The full list of events is available on paint and decorate a hall, make Porchway and will be updated some repairs to infrastructure, regularly. volunteer some time to assist in London, traditionally, has always running a centre or event. Indeed, been exceptionally generous in its any contribution to the local charitable giving and successive community will be welcome, appeals in support of Cyberknife, CT whether it is as youth organisation scanner and currently the London leader, support of some kind to a Air Ambulance have all local school or work with your faith demonstrated the fantastic support or religious community. "Local" that London masons afford to these could mean local to your home or community based initiatives. place of work, local to Metropolitan The United Grand Lodge of England Grand Lodge or where your has decided against a further Lodge/Chapter meets or some other national call on your charitable connection (e.g. school, link). L ondon has always been at the giving and has left it to London and Through the year we will be heart of English Freemasonry each Province/District to determine launching a variety of and never more so than now. The the destination of any local complementary initiatives for you to first Grand Lodge was held at the charitable efforts. participate in either as a Lodge or Goose & Gridiron tavern near St. With this very firmly in mind, Chapter. For example, we aim to Paul's churchyard on St. John the London has chosen to focus on encourage broader organ donation Baptist’s day, in 1717. On 24 June "Volunteering" as the theme for our registration, blood donations, etc. If we enter the 300th year since that charitable contribution to the you have any ideas that can be momentous day and we will tercentenary celebrations. This is shared across the London masonic celebrate this remarkable deliberately broad in concept and community then do get in touch. anniversary with a series of events will be developed further as the year The broader intent is to encourage right across the constitution with unfolds. I want to encourage every anything that complements the London providing a particular focus. Lodge and Chapter to undertake image of Freemasonry as that force Indeed, you will see that the special some form of additional voluntary for good. Let us make this a year to "Tercentenary" logo has been given effort in whatever way they can. remember not just for ourselves but pride of place on the front cover of This might be a collective effort or, all of those who we are able to assist this edition of arena. perhaps because of the dispersed in some way. I am very excited with the growing nature of your membership, on a 4 ISSUE 25 arena A YOUNGER MASON SPEAKS... KRASIMIR KRASTEV JR. Bro. Krasimir Krastev, an 18-year-old student from Bulgaria at the University of Westminster was Initiated into the Lodge of Good Fellowship No. 3655 with five other brethren in April 2016. His father, a Freemason under the United Grand Lodge of Bulgaria, had come from Bulgaria specially to attend the ceremony, the experience of which Krasimir describes in his own words… I t seems to me that every initiate’s unless you are helping him up. This the smiles and the trust that the experience will be different is how to be a true brother keeper.’’ other brothers had in me and I because we all have unique minds This is one of my favourite quotes in started translating loud and clear. and everything that happens to you Freemasonry and I stick to it in life. My father and I have experienced when blindfolded is astonishing. I In order to be a good mason you something extraordinary that can’t have read four books so far about should be able to give your hand to easily be expressed into words. freemasonry and they gave me the anyone who needs it because we are Especially for myself, I can say that basic knowledge about how to act in all brothers. Help is one of the main the ritual has made me open my front of the members of my lodge. prospects for a person in life in order mind and made me get to things that ‘’Level Steps’’ helped me realise that I for him to be successful and also that I couldn’t do before. It was an honour am making the right choice. The is how humanity should be achieved. for my dad and mostly for me to be more I read, the more interested I I was very happy to see and thank among all brothers that night. One of was. all the members and guests that were the main reasons is that everyone ‘‘Do not pray for easy lives, pray to present at my Initiation because it is greeted us in such polite and caring be stronger men. Do not pray for something that will remain in my manner that it felt like we were at tasks equal to your powers, pray for cherished memories for the rest of home. The two of us are very powers equal to your tasks.’’ People my life. As I was one of the youngest thankful once again to all of the nowadays want to have easy and candidates and English is not my first members in the temple for greeting smooth lives. But what they don’t language, I was quite stressed, us in such polite and caring manner. understand is that they could especially at the end of the We enjoyed the whole evening become something more than they ceremony when I was supposed to especially the ritual. In conclusion, already are, but they have to wish for translate for my father and the other beloved brothers, I want to tell you it to happen and that by doing so you members in order for them to that I truly believe in the power of give yourself the opportunity to communicate with each other. But thought and that if a person really succeed. then I looked up and felt very wants something he can only achieve ‘’Never look down on someone, relaxed. It was mainly because I saw thanks to his heart and his soul. SUMMER 2016 5 T H E M E N AT T H E T O P : S T R AT T O N R I C H E Y Many of us will remember Stratton Richey as our Met Grand Charity Steward but did you know he is both an International airshow commentator and a long-haul BA pilot? Now a MetGInsp, arena met him for another article in its popular series "Men at the Top" Masonic Career Nov 1995 Initiated Aviation and Combined Services Lodge No. 8504 Sept 1997 Joined Old Haileyburian and ISC Lodge, No. 3912 Oct 1997 Exalted Piccadilly Chapter, No. 2550 Mar 2000 WM, Old Haileyburian and ISC Stratton at Lodge, No. 3912 primary school. Stratton with a Tiger Moth. Mar 2001 WM, Aviation and Combined Services Lodge No. 8504 Oct 2003 Appointed MetGSteward, LGR Born in 1957, Stratton came becoming head of the school's May 2005 Joined Per Caelum Lodge, into a family with a military Combined Cadet Force Naval background and was educated section. Given his background, No. 8602 at Haileybury and Imperial it was unsurprising then that Oct 2005 Joined Metropolitan Grand Service College, from which he Stratton opted for the Army Stewards No. 9812 says most of the boys usually after school, deciding to follow Oct 2007 Joined Imperial Cadet Chapter, ended up going into one of the his brother into the Royal Services or the Church. He Artillery where there was an No. 3824 says that he wasn't hugely option to take a year in the Feb 2008 Appointed MetGChStwd, SLGR academic at school but more of regiment as a preliminary to Apr 2009 Appointed AGSwdB an outdoors type, going on to attending Sandhurst during May 2008 SLGCR reveal that his end of term which there was a wide variety report often used to say, "could of career choices, including Nov 2008 Joined Pentalpha Lodge of East do better!" He goes on to say "I commando, parachute and Kent No. 8535 was too long and lanky to shine helicopter. The Army career was Nov 2010 Joined Britannic Lodge No. 33 at sports. People used to say I not to be however, terminated Mar 2014 Appointed MetGInsp looked liked a bean pole with before it started by Stratton's knobbly knees!" Nevertheless, plummeting down a deep snow Apr 2014 SGD he won a place on the slope on a climbing expedition May 2014 PAGSoj Schoolboy International on Snowdon. After a spell in Fencing team, enjoyed shooting hospital, he made a complete competitively at Bisley and recovery except for some slight 6 ISSUE 25 arena Stratton commentating at Woodchurch at about Stratton with his first four the time of his initition. engined command. long-term damage to his feet. "I nineteen, holding a microphone at life however, was commentating, could do all of it except long route Biggin. I was terrified. I remember judging aerial acrobatics and marches, but that was enough to switching the frightening thing on generally making myself available worry the Royal Artillery. We the first half dozen times, only to around airplanes and pilots". decided, by mutual consent, to find that I'd lost my voice and having He decided to learn to fly and at separate." to switch it off again. Raymond around the same time, the Cinque By chance however, on his way to Baxter wandered in and gave me Ports Flying Club, at Lydd, offered London to visit the Royal some advice. He said, don't think of him the (paid) position of operations Tournament, he fell into yourself addressing the entire crowd, manager which gave him access to conversation with the gentleman it's too intimidating. Instead, think of enough flying time to qualify as an wearing a Guards' tie sitting opposite one or two individuals you know instructor. In 1980 he acquired his him in the train carriage. Of course, who might happen to be in the commercial pilots' license. This was they spent the whole journey talking crowd, and talk to them." This was a good move as it enabled him to about the Army and service life. the start of his aviation life. Stratton have sufficient experience to beat off During the chat, Stratton revealed has attended and commentated at the high level of competition for a that his uncle was the famous Wing every Farnborough Air Show since job flying Viscounts at Southend, Commander Paul Richey who wrote 1976, when incidentally he met starting as a first officer on £8,000 Fighter Pilot, an account of flying Douglas Bader, the highly-decorated p.a., carrying freight at night and Hurricanes in 1940. The gentleman air pilot ace. He has commentated passengers during the day. By the - John Blake - had known his uncle at various high profile international mid-80's he was in charge of the and responded with the fact that he airshows around the world, where an Viscount. He moved onto 737's, commentated at Air Shows. This “English Voice” is desired. flying for Orion from Gatwick, serendipitous meeting was one A proper chance at air race subsequently joining BA for whom which would change the whole commentary soon followed and in a he was flying 757's around the world. course of Stratton's life. few months he was firmly Now he is a long haul Captain with After receiving his discharge, established as part of the team, BA and flies jumbos for a living! Stratton considered various new driving John Blake all over the He didn't only get a job and career careers. "I remember thinking about country to attend shows etc. This through the Farnborough Air Show working on supertankers. I even was an extended apprenticeship and either, since he met his wife Alison wondered about the police." He a somewhat surprising new passion through it too. One summer evening decided to consult his new for aviation was kindled, especially he persuaded her to go for an acquaintance, John Blake. "John at the Tiger Club in Redhill, although evening spin with him in the Tiger invited me to Biggin Hill, where I he is clear that it was the Club's Tiger Moth G- ACDC. After met Jock Maitland, who is the "pioneering" sense of the club's some delightful aerobatics, Alison organizer of the show. There and activity that he was enjoying at that was hooked and they spend time in then, Jock asked me if I would take time - his devotion to aircraft coming the air whenever they can. over the 'working' announcements— later. In between shows, to make In 1998 Stratton started a charity lost kids and so on. I think the chap some money, he sold Leyland cars, "High Flight" which gives who was supposed to do it hadn't delivered cases of wine and even underprivileged and disabled turned up. So there I was, just over worked in a plastics factory. "Real children the opportunity to take a SUMMER 2016 777 flight in a glider. High Flight is years of being asked I realized a BA charity and every penny that I trusted and liked all donated goes to the task of those who were asking me to giving youngsters something join. They were honorable to smile about when in real people whom I respected and life they have little to look got along with. If it was right forward to. It now has a for them, it must be right for turnover of over £720,000. me”. Stratton was initiated into High Flight has taken over Aviation and Combined 4500 youngsters gliding and Service Lodge No. in Sussex in Stratton Farnborough Commentary has made grants to the Flying November 1995 and was box, with Mark Brown (producer). Scholarships for disabled Master in 2001. He has since People. “it was probably my joined Old Haileyburian & involvement with this charity ISC, Piccadilly Chapter, Per which led me to be so Caelum, Met Grand Stewards passionate to help others, I am (Founder), Imperial Cadet involved with many charities Chapter, Pentalpha in East in and outside Freemasonry. I Kent (the Province in which am now embarking on starting he lives) and Britannic. If that a grant-making charitable fund is not enough, he is proud to which will make quick small be an honorary member of grants to alleviate medical North London Installed need. For example, five Masters. When asked about defibrillators have been roles in Freemasonry which he Stratton with his daughter, Fiona. funded by the Freemasons of enjoyed most, he answered Nottingham to the Community without hesitation that it was Response Team in his role as Met Grand Charity Nottingham. I was asked to be Steward. Being the Met involved and facilitated this. Charity Steward bought him in To have a charitable fund to contact with so many other which can react quickly is my walks of life, enabled him to be next task, but don’t tell Alison”. involved in helping so many As for Freemasonry… “for other people. “Charity is a many years friends had asked huge part of my life, in and me to join. I thought it was a outside Freemasonry” load of tosh and not for me. How wrong I was! After a few Stratton with his wife, Alison. Five things you didn't know about Stratton Richey : 1) Towed the Admiral commanding the Royal Yacht across the forecourt of Buckingham palace to jump start his stalled car. 2) Sailed a 38-foot yacht from east of Gibraltar, 600 miles into the Atlantic then turned for Isle of Wight. (Would he do it again? "NO WAY, but it was epic!"). 3) He was stopped for speeding in Poland in 1976 while on way to World Aerobatic Championships and paid the fine with an old broken calculator. 4) Was Raymond Baxter’s double while flying a Harrier off the Ski Jump at Farnborough. 5) Has 2500 hours flying below 250ft, legally. 8 ISSUE 25 arena NEW METROPOLITAN ESCORTING OFFICERS LODGE W. Bro Andy Green, LGR, describes this new initiative A number of the Brethren who that a dedicated Lodge, will enable EOs joining in March 2017. The served as Escorting Officers them to do precisely that, as well as lodge will be moving its meeting (EOs) for Metropolitan Grand Lodge forging new relationships in future. place from Southgate to St. Bart’s in 2015-16, have come together to This is being done through a Lodge Great Hall in the City, and reducing form a Metropolitan Escorting which has existed for many years, the number of meetings to two a Officers Lodge. It is hoped that this but which in more recent times has year (March and November). The venture will fill a gap in current found itself in the position of having Great Hall at St. Barts (pictured), is Lodge provision, by providing a to consider its future. Hornsey Lodge an important historic venue in the mechanism by which EOs past and No. 890 has a long and proud history, City of London, which the team have present, can meet others who have and it is hoped that this new been very lucky to secure and one performed the same role, in much beginning will allow the Lodge’s which should lead to meetings and the same way as the Metropolitan story to continue well into the festive boards being prestigious Grand Stewards Lodge does. future, with a timetable now being in events in the diaries of members and Although EOs often go on to fulfil place that will see its transition from guests alike. other roles in Metropolitan Grand ‘Hornsey Lodge’ to ‘Hornsey Lodge Any Brother interested in joining Lodge, to date there has been no 890 the Escorting Officers Lodge’. or of receiving further details, should formal mechanism allowing them to A small number of former EO’s contact W.Bro. Howard Becker, LGR, maintain the links they make during will join Hornsey at the end of this ([email protected]). their year in office, and it is hoped year, with the first major group of Charity Contact Officer (x6) WANTED The Metropolitan Communications Team is looking for six brethren to join the team and assist as volunteer Charity Contact Officers. The MMC and The Grand Charity make many donations to charities and the Communications Team works with those charities to make sure that brethren and the wider public are appropriately aware of the donation. Contact Officers also keep in touch with the charities so that we can see the difference our donation has made over time. We understand the pressures of volunteering on home life and guarantee that contact time is likely to be less than an hour or so a week if averaged out. Training will be given but those interested volunteers should be fully IT-literate and have access to a telephone. If interested, please contact [email protected] with a brief introductory note and a contact telephone number. CONNAUGHT CLUB UPDATE W. Bro Lewis Geo. Clement lets us know what’s been going on U nlike many Lodges and money we raise is thanks to all of relief and truth. We were informed Chapters across London, our our members buying raffle tickets, on the evening that cervical cancer calendar doesn’t have a break for the making donations and supporting is a totally curable and avoidable summer. Instead our calendar our events. Well done team! disease so the Club hopes to play a becomes more social in nature. On the 6 May the Club welcomed small part in eradicating cervical Along with our usual monthly meet 80 guests to the Grand Temple at cancer so that our mothers, sisters, on the first Friday of every month at Freemasons’ Hall for our annual wives and daughters will not suffer the Freemason’s Arms, we have two Open Reception. We were treated to from the disease. exciting events coming up over the a brief history of Freemasonry by As always the Club is pleased to summer months including a Masonic VW. Bro Ian Currans PGSwdB, a report that our membership Cycle Tour of London on 23rd July verbally dexterous talk on the continues to grow and we now stand and our Summer Picnic and “School building of Freemasons Hall by at around 350 members. It is thanks Sports day” on Sunday 21 August. W. Bro Oliver Coddington and the to you all for spreading the word of Since our last update for Arena the Club welcomed, Ms Lucy Maxwell, a the Connaught Club that we are able Club has relentlessly been trustee from our newly nominated to grow and retain young continuing to support our current charity - Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust. Freemasons in the Craft. Please keep charity appeal and we can now The Club has chosen to support a telling new and young masons in report that at over the last twelve female cancer charity to show that your lodges of our good work in months the Club has managed to as Freemasons we hope to promote order that our Club may continue to raise £5,520 for the Rethink Mental charity and support the wider grow and promote the art of which Health Charity. In conjunction with community. Jo’s Trust is a charity we are all so fond. the Club Lodge, Burgoyne No.902, that provides social support, funding If you would like to attend one of we have continued to support the for research and information to our events or for more information London Air Ambulance with over cervical cancer sufferers; so the on the Club please contact us via our £2,000 and have also made smaller charity very much echoes our three website at www.connaughtclub.org. donations to local charities. The grand principles of brotherly love, 10 ISSUE 25

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Special thanks as always to the Library and Museum of Freemasonry. To contact the Metropolitan sports clubs. We also see .. W. Bro Andy Green, LGR, describes this new initiative . Freemasonry including antique firearms .. W. Bro Vic Hollister who also delivered the 2nd Degree Tracing. Board.
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