DGP’s Address – 17th November 2018

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Published: Sunday, 18 November 2018 08:07

DGP’s Address – 17th November 2018

Distinguished guests, brethren all, I have already made so many ‘welcomes’ here but let me, once again welcome you all to our District Meeting.  I do appreciate the support you have all given by making the effort to be here today, it certainly ‘makes the day’ to have good numbers.

It continues, for me, to be an enormous privilege to hold the office of District Grand Prefect for London and I am conscious of this every time that I visit a council or when I represent you in other Districts.  Between Steven, myself and the Wardens of the year we have visited widely across the District and on every occasion we have been met with all we would expect from this Order – good Companionship, well worked ceremonies and an enthusiasm and commitment to the Allied Masonic Degrees.  

Before I go too much further I must thank those who make such an effort to ensure that everything in our District goes smoothly and efficiently.

My hardworking District Grand Secretary Peter Warner and the District Assistant Secretary – Scott Cargill, who have worked very hard to make today so successful.  Events like today are a major challenge and can only be left to a few people otherwise life gets very confusing.  Thank you.

Mike Adkins our District DC and our District Treasurer – Gordon Trew, thank you both for your hard work and support through the year.

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£7,355 - Well done Scott!

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Published: Monday, 16 April 2018 11:16

£7,355.73 - raised for 'Shelter'

Well brethren, Easter, for most of us, was a very cold time and best spent indoors with the family, lots of Easter Eggs, time for reflection and general fun, however that was not the happy lot for our 'sleep out' hero - Scott Cargill.

As most of you will be aware he volunteered to spend a night out, sleeping on a park bench, to highlight our AMD charitable effort to raise money for 'Shelter'.  During the night temperatures dropped to 1 degree !!!  He has raised, via his 'Just Giving' web page, the magnificent sum of £6,432.23 which when we add £923.50 for Tax Relief we arrive at the grand total of £7,355.73.  Well done Scott.  This venture is to add to the money we are raising from our AMD mugs orders for which is progressing very well.  I gave asked Scott to write a piece for the our website on his experiences which have been most interesting.

Brethren, mugs can be ordered from the website and Scott's 'Just Giving' page is at CLICK HERE if you would like to support his efforts.

I hope to see you out and about the District.

Best wishes

Colin Woodcock
District Grand Prefect

Spring Dinner -2018

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Published: Monday, 16 April 2018 11:07

This year's Spring Dinner started with a guided tour of the Museum of the Order of St. John, with our party of over 25 members and partners being given a very informative talk about the history of the Order and its buildings in London. The Order of St. John of Jerusalem established its English headquarters in Clerkenwell in the 1140s, with a Priory and 11 acres of land. However, with the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII, the Order was stripped of its assets and - in England - the Order ceased to exist. It continued to thrive in Europe, though - becoming the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem, of Rhod

es and of Malta.

Meanwhile, fast forwarding to the 1800s, a number of wealthy Victorian gentlemen (many of whom were Masons) set up a dining club under the banner of the Order of St John and - in an age of industrial revolution with plenty of work-related accidents - combined their "Order" with philanthropy and started to teach first aid. The "Order" went on to also establish an eye hospital in Jerusalem, and of course, the ambulance service. The "Order" came to the attention of Queen Victoria who, in 1888, gave it a Royal Charter and so the modern Order of St John of England was born.

During the tour, we also learnt more about the original medieval Order. Known as the Hospitallers, the members cared for anyone, without distinction of race or faith. After the Crusaders captured Jerusalem, the Hospitallers also took on a military role and they became known as the Knights of the Order of St John of Jerusalem. Our tour guide told us about the siege of Malta, and the acts of barbarism committed by both the besiegers (the Turks) and the beseiged (the Knights and people of Malta).

Having completed the tour, which included a visit to the nearby Templar church, the group walked to a very local restaurant for pre-dinner drinks and an excellent meal in a private dining room.

Metropolitan A has a busy evening!

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Published: Monday, 16 April 2018 10:58

Last night Metropolitan A had a full evening’s work. Having opened the Council, the brethren then warmly welcomed WBro Philip Freedman DistGSW who entered the Lodge with a delegation of District Officers. There then followed the ceremony of the Knights of Constantinople, expertly led by RW Bro John Keyes and ably performed by all the Officers – many of whom had had no notice they would be playing a part! After that, Bro John Cogger was Installed as Worshipful Master of the Council in a superb ceremony conducted by WBro Colin Swaine.

The Brethren then retired to the Festive Board to enjoy one of 86’s famous carvery dinners. Overall, it was evening of great teamwork and camaraderie!