My name is Edward Compton and I like to visit Lodges. In fact, I visit a lot of Lodges. Think everything happens at Freemasons’ Hall? Well, think again. 

By Bro Edward Compton 

Turns out there are Masonic Centres all over the place across our great City, and I’m visiting all of them: Masonic Centres, the old public houses where our predecessors met and places of yore with a bit of Masonic history. Part travelogue, part Through the Keyhole, I’ll show you Freemasonry across all of London.

For this edition, I returned to the excellent Mark Masons’ Hall to visit The Earl of Mornington Chapter. This was my first visit in my guise as The Visitor to a Chapter meeting, thereby marking something of… a new chapter. I was visiting this meeting with Arena’s Deputy Editor, Richard Cavanagh. The higher echelons at Met will only let me out if I’m chaperoned. Tonight also happened to be the England-Holland semi-final at the Euros. Richard had already checked if the Festive Board venue was showing the match. They were.

Now who, I hear you ask, was the Earl of Mornington? Well, the Earl of Mornington is an Irish peerage title, originally created for the 18th century Anglo-Irish politician and composer Garret Wellesley. There’s a picture of him below from his first album cover. The Earl also happened to be the father of Arthur Wellesley, better known as the Duke of Wellington: the much-loved inventor of rubber boots and the man credited with making sure Napoleon met his Waterloo; thereby also being responsible for the success of ABBA and elevating Eurovision to a cultural phenomenon. Oh, and he also happened to serve as Prime Minister; but in this day-and-age, who hasn’t? Anyway, we cannot underline just how important the Earl of Mornington was. 

And so back to the meeting. Upon arrival we were warmly welcomed by the Chapter’s Scribe E, E Comp Ron Cruickshank. Ron is instantly likeable, and as relative newbies to Chapter, he gave us a quick run through of proceedings. This was an Installation meeting and the three Principals were being shuffled about at the top of the pack; so there was a lot of work to get through. We were also being visited by Metropolitan Grand Inspector, Ian Burgess PGSoj. Another visitor! For those who don’t know, PGSoj is a highly distinguished rank. We were more PGTips… 

The meeting started with the three Principals opening the Chapter, which was undertaken superbly. It’s always a fascinating sight watching a Chapter at work. After years of light and dark blue, it’s like going to Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat’s birthday party. The other thing I like about Chapter is the top brass get a letter for their names. There is an H, a J, and even a Z. M and Q couldn’t make the meeting as they were briefing James Bond. 

Richard and I were formally welcomed; and E Comp Ron ran through the minutes. E Comp Ian Burgess PGSoj was ‘without’ in the ante room, accompanied by his personal enforcer who looked particularly serious. Following a loud bang on the door, the Scribe N (the excellent Paul Steed) went to enquire who was making all the noise. Now remembering who was outside seeking entry (apparently, Ian had phoned ahead), the Scribe N declared, to much laughter, “There is a report… a very big one!” Seemingly assured we were generally a nice bunch, E Comp Serious gave the nod and the Director of Ceremonies and his Assistant leapt forth to escort the Met Inspector in.

E Comp Ian then attended to some important administrative business, presenting Companion Chris Edge with his Grand Chapter Certificate, having recently been Exalted. Companion Chris had come straight off the golf course to attend the meeting, which probably explained the double-parked golf cart I noticed outside on the way in. E Comp Ian then gave an excellent explanation of the various depictions on the certificate, before congratulating Chris on joining Royal Arch and a very fine Chapter. Chris did not reciprocate with a no. two iron… 

The meeting then turned to inducting the three Principals of the Chapter. Myself and some other Companions below the rank of 2nd Principal Sojourner were able to witness the proclamations from those being appointed to the Principal roles, but together with Companion Chris, we then had to leave the room. Richard and I had a nice chat with their Janitor, whilst Chris potted a birdy down the Second-Floor corridor. In our absence, E Comp Nathan Merrison-Fielder was Inducted as Z; and E Comp Gavin Edgar was Installed as H. Unfortunately, E Comp Phil Burr was unable to attend the meeting and will be Installed as J at the next meeting.

Upon our return, we witnessed an explanation of the Robe and Sceptre addresses, conducted in an excellent manner by E Comp Andy Rapley, who addressed Z; E Comp Nathan who addressed H; and E Comp Gavin, who addressed J. And I must also mention E Comp Ian Delvalle, who brilliantly filled in for Phil Burr on the night and conducted himself excellently. We then moved on to the appointment of the Officers. Ex Comp Ron raised a laugh when struggling to read his own handwriting, naming the poor chap taking on the demanding Scribe E role: “I think it’s R-O-N, oh it’s Ron.” E Comp Tim Spriggs was installed as the new DC, taking over the very big shoes of E Comp David Morris, who had been DC for several years; E Comp David was himself moving to the role of Assistant DC. And I’ll tell you something else, he’s got lovely hair! Richard and I were quite jealous. And a wonderfully entertaining chap too (we had a great time at the Festive Board being regaled by E Comp David!). On a night of football, E Comp Ron also proved to be an irreplaceable star player, covering several positions on the pitch by reading reports. With the meeting wrapped up, E Comp Ron asked if anyone wanted the meal brought forward a bit. “The match starts at eight, Ron!” We’ll take that as a Yes… 

Dining off-site, we went across the road to the excellent Davys Wine Bar for a super slap-up dinner and pint of Old Wallop. It’s a lovely wine bar situated under Crown Passage, Pall Mall (I only hang out in posh places). With small alcove rooms for private dining, it’s a great setting for a Chapter meal. The food was excellent: I had smoked mackerel pate to start and salmon for main, with a British cheese platter for dessert (Richard had the sticky toffee pudding). Options were all first-class. 

The three Principals, perhaps with one-eye (or is that three eyes?) on the football, split their speeches between them to save time. (Z) “Thank you” – (H) “Very” – (J) “Much”. Every word pronounced beautifully. Met Grand Inspector Ian then rose to thank the Chapter for a fantastic evening; and then reminded us why we do what we do: because we enjoy it. Hear, hear. With that, all that remained was the traditional Tyler’s Toast . . . followed by the match in the bar, Richard bouncing off his stool when Ollie Watkins scored the winner in the 90th minute and a night out at the In & Out Club in St James Square. But that’s for another column!

This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 55 Summer 2024 edition.
Arena Magazine is the official magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.

Read more articles in the Arena Issue 55 here.