Some photos from the District's New Members dinner held at Tutton's restaurant in Covent Garden in July 2022.

Some images from our 2022 Spring Social Event at the Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich.

We were back at our favourite restaurant - Cafe du Marche - for our Autumn Social Evening. 

Over 30 brethren, family and friends attended and having had our starters and main courses, we sat back to listen to Mark Smith (the militaria expert from the Antiques Roadshow) talk for an hour without notes. 

Mark started with a brief history of how the Victoria Cross came into being, before enthralling us with detailed stories of how VCs have been won over the years, He even brought an early one with him for us to hold.

There is a second part to his talk, which we hope he will be able to give us in 2021 (which is the earliest his diary will permit!).

The District Grand Prefect then closed the evening by thanking Mark, the staff and everyone for attending.

The AMD London Spring Social Event started with a self-guided tour of Tower Bridge. Over 30 members of the District and their partners - including 4-month old Schofield Minor! - spent a thoroughly enjoyable 90 minutes learning about the history of this iconic bridge.

Built between 1886 and 1894, the bridge is now used by a staggering 40,000 pedestrians a year. Initially, the high-level open air walkways between the towers gained a reputation as a haunt for prostitutes and pickpockets; but as they were only accessible by stairs they were seldom used by regular pedestrians, and were closed in 1910. The walkways reopened in 1982, and as part of our tour we were able to stand on the glass panels and gaze down at the people and traffic below us.

After enjoying the views up and down the river from the walkways, we then headed downstairs to see the original steam engines which powered the bascules.

The cost of building the bridge went well over budget but, interestingly, tax-payers were not required to foot the overspend. This was because of a mysterious organisation called the Bridge House Estates , founded in 1282, which stepped in to foot the bill. The mark of the Bridge House Estates, dating back to the days of the stonemasons, can be found all over Tower Bridge.

After the tour, we headed to Browns - a few minutes' walk along the Thames - where we were joined by another 10 or so AMD members and partners for an excellent meal in a private dining room. The volume of conversation and laughter reflected how much everyone enjoyed themselves, a point noted by the District Grand Prefect when he closed the evening with thanks to the organising team.

The Autumn Social Event this year started with a private guided tour for about 30 AMD London members and their families and friends of the Charterhouse, which was founded in 1371 and since that time has served initially as a monastery, private mansion, boys school and finally an almshouse, which it remains to this day.

With the dissolution of the monasteries, the Charterhouse became a mansion for wealthy noblemen and a refuge for royalty. Elizabeth I met the Privy Council here in the days before her coronation in 1558 and James I used the Great Chamber to create 130 new Barons before he was crowned. But it was in 1611 that Thomas Sutton bought the Charterhouse and established the foundation that now bears his name.

Thomas Sutton’s will provided for up to 80 Brothers: "either decrepit or old captaynes either at sea or at land, maimed or disabled soldiers, merchants fallen on hard times, those ruined by shipwreck of other calamity" as well as Charterhouse school. James I retained his connection with the Charterhouse, becoming the first Royal Governor of Thomas Sutton’s foundation.

Wellington, Gladstone and Cromwell have all been Governors. The Charterhouse appears in the writings of Daniel Defoe, Charles Dickens and William Makepeace Thackeray. Indeed, Thackeray, Robert Baden-Powell and John Wesley attended school here. When the school moved to Godalming in 1872, the 45 or so Brothers remained at the Charterhouse which now occupies approximately 7 acres in Clerkenwell.

After the tour, it was a very short walk to the private dining room of a local restaurant (in fact the same restaurant we used for the Spring Dinner - they had looked after us so well, a return visit was a "must"!).

During the dinner, there was plenty of good food, wine, conversation and laughter and at the conclusion the District Grand Prefect said a few words of thanks to the organisers.

Make sure you have the date for the Spring Social Event - 9 April, 2019 - in your diary, and keep an eye on the website and Facebook for further details in due course!

On Friday 21st April the District held their annual spring luncheon and this year it was in the Carvery at Mark Masons’ Hall, St James’s, London. 50 of us including wives, partners and friends took over the Euston Room and the afternoon began with a very interesting historical talk on medieval London from the distinguished academic Toni Mount, after which everyone enjoyed an impressive lunch.

Hosted by the District Grand Prefect, the evening started with a drinks reception where the lively conversation and laughter continued over a great meal.

Dinner was rounded off with a warm welcome from the DGP, during which he made reference to the interesting history of the Allied Masonic Degrees in England. He went on to explain his vision for the Order and shared with us statistics demonstrating that his strategy for growing the membership was working.

He thanked everyone for attending, with special thanks to Al Perry for organising an excellent evening, which ended with much conviviality - and a few more drinks!

The second of the District’s luncheons was held April 6th at the Bleeding Heart restaurant in the middle of Hatton Garden. After a refreshing glass or two of fizz, the 50 or so members and guests took their seats and were given a warm welcome by the District Grand Prefect, R.W.Bro Colin Woodcock.

We were then treated to a fascinating presentation on Jack the Ripper by criminologist Attilio Grandani. In his inimitable style, Attilio transported us back to 1888 and the 5 gruesome murders committed by Aaron Kosminski – or were they? Attilio explained that not only was there a question mark over exactly how many “ladies of the night” had met their grisly end in Whitechapel at the hands of the Ripper, but that the jury was most definitely out on whether the likely perpetrator was indeed Kosminski.

After having heard about the horrors of late nineteenth century East-end London, we then enjoyed a most delicious meal of pumpkin soup, roast maize-fed chicken and a mandarin and blossom honey mousseline. The beautiful room we were in buzzed with conversation and laughter the whole time.

At the end of the lunch, the District Grand Prefect thanked Attilio for his presentation, Scott Cargill for organising the lunch, Julian Trought for taking photographs and the restaurant staff for looking after us so well. Colin finished by saying that, in the style of the James Bond films, “we will return” with another luncheon being planned for October – so keep an eye on the AMD London website and Facebook page for more information!

Richard Criddle
AMD London Comms Team

On Saturday 18th November, Brethren of the Allied Masonic Degrees gathered at Mark Masons' Hall for the Annual Meeting of the Allied District of London.

The District Grand Prefect's address can be found here.

Thank you to W. Bro. Bob Tuthill, Dep. District Grand Prefect (Surrey) and to W. Bro. Julian Trought for the photographs

On Saturday 19th November, Brethren of the Allied Masonic Degrees gathered at Mark Masons' Hall for the Annual Meeting of the Allied District of London.

The District Grand Prefect's address can be found here.

On Saturday 21 November, 150 Brethren of the Allied Masonic Degrees - including the Grand Master M.W.Bro. Thomas Firth Jackson - gathered virtually via Zoom for the Annual Meeting of the Allied District of London.

The meeting was opened by the District Grand Prefect, R.W.Bro. Colin Woodcock, MBE, who spoke in his Address about what actions the District had been taking to keep its members engaged during the General Suspension. He also outlined some further initiatives - such as AMD face masks - that are in the pipeline.

The Grand Master then spoke for a few minutes, congratulating Colin and his team on the work they have been doing to ensure members stay connected and engaged.

The District Grand Prefect's address and a recording of the meeting can be found here.

Having opened the Annual Meeting in due form, the District Grand Prefect warmly welcomed the distinguished guests with plenty of humour and mirth. There then followed the usual administrative business of the meeting, at which point the District Grand Prefect invested and promoted his District Officers.

In his address, RWBro Colin Woodcock reflected on the continued growth of the District and talked about the social events and the New Members' Dinner that had been held over the last 12 months - including the recent Autumn Social Evening where Mark Smith (from the BBC's Antiques Roadshow) gave an enthralling talk on the Victoria Cross to members of the District and their partners and friends.

The alms collection, on behalf of the Carli Lansley Foundation, raised £750.

The District Grand Prefect then closed the Annual Meeting, and the Brethren adjourned to a splendid and enjoyable Festive Board.

Saturday 17 November marked the highlight of AMD London’s year – the Annual Meeting. The District Grand Prefect, RW Bro Colin Woodcock, kicked off the proceedings by processing into the Grand Temple to enthusiastic applause accompanied by his Officers of District Grand Council.

After the Council was opened, the District Grand Secretary then proceeded to call the roll of District Grand Officers, and reported that all the District's Councils were well represented at the meeting.

The District Grand Prefect then warmly welcomed all the official visitors, who were duly saluted.

The various reports were delivered, elections held and officers appointed and invested with both the District Grand Prefect and his Deputy spending a few minutes thanking each of those receiving preferment for their work in supporting the District.

RW Bro Colin Woodcock then proceeded to call off the Annual Meeting and Mr Aaron Hearne of Shelter was escorted into the Temple to receive a cheque for an incredible £12,000 – donated by Districts around England following the sale of the Allied Keep Calm mugs and in large part by the fund-raising efforts of the District of London.

Having effusively thanked the District Grand Prefect, Aaron proceeded to talk about the work of Shelter and how much of its efforts are directed at helping millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through advice, support and legal services. But perhaps more importantly, Shelter campaigns and lobbies to address the root causes of homelessness.

Having called on the Annual Meeting, District Grand Prefect then proceeded to deliver his address which can be read here: CLICK HERE

After the District Grand Lodge was closed, approximately 70 brethren attended an excellent Festive Board.

Special thanks must go to the District Secretariat and the Executive team for another superb Annual Meeting!

On the dot of 11.00 the first procession – the Past District Grand Prefects (the self-styled “decrepits”!) - entered the Grand Temple, followed shortly by RW Bro Colin Woodcock to enthusiastic applause accompanied by his Officers of District Grand Council.

After the Council was opened, the District Grand Secretary then proceeded to call the roll of District Grand Officers, and reported that every one of the District's Councils were represented at the meeting.

The District Grand Prefect then warmly welcomed all the official visitors, who were duly saluted.

The various reports were delivered, elections held and officers appointed and invested with both the District Grand Prefect and his Deputy spending a few minutes thanking each of those receiving preferment for their work in supporting the District.

Having welcomed the new members of the Allied Masonic Degrees, the District Grand Prefect then proceeded to deliver his address which can be read here.[http://www.amdlondon.org/index.php/news/latest/69-dgp-s-address-to-district-grand-council-18th-november-2017].

After the District Grand Lodge was closed, the brethren headed to the bar before going to the Festive Board. During the dinner, the Allied Keep Calm mugs in support of Shelter (which the DGP had announced in his address earlier) were snapped up by many of those present and raised £780. Coupled with the proceeds of an auction held at the Autumn Social Event, the total raised amounted to a terrific £885. A great start to an important AMD initiative being spearheaded by the London District.

Special thanks must go to the District Secretariat and the Executive team for another excellent Annual Meeting!

You could really feel the excitement building outside the Grand Temple in the minutes before the AGM started, and at 11:00 sharp it all began.
There was a warm London Allied welcome for the Past District Grand Prefects, our large number of distinguished visitors and, of course, for our very own District Grand Prefect.
After the meeting was opened, the Deputy Grand Master joined us for an AGM that was full of good humour and bonhomie, and all those brethren receiving first appointments or promotions were warmly applauded by those present.
During his address the District Grand Prefect personally welcomed those brethren who had joined London AMD since the last District meeting. You can read the text of the address here.
Following the meeting there was an excellent Festive Board, where the conviviality and friendliness that are hallmarks of Allied masonry in London were in much evidence.

On Saturday 20th February 2016 our very own Deputy District Grand Prefect, Steven Warwick, District Grand Secretary, Peter Warner and District Grand Stewards Julian Trought and Scott Dunn represented AMD London at the AMD Kent District Grand Council Meeting held at the Franklin Rooms, Gillingham, Kent