Opposite Freemason’s Hall in Great Queen street, London, are the shops of two masonic regalia manufacturers and retailers: Toye, Kenning & Spencer, run by the Toye family for over 300 years, and Central Regalia, a newcomer, having been founded by Freemasons Chris Beach and Clive Kingsley-Smith just five years ago. Both directors though know the business, having worked for twenty-five years or more with other regalia companies.
    They report that personal service is important in the regalia business because many customers need help with their requirements. Even those who have been in Freemasonry for many years often need advice when promoted to higher rank.
    Central Regalia specialises in hand embroidery: all their manufacturing staff have long experience in the trade. Despite the cost, they stress, "We have not gone the path of machine embroidery". While 85% of their business is masonic they also produce regalia for civil orders such as the Order of St John and for the military together with honour caps for rugby clubs, club ties and regimental standards and blazer badges.
    They point out that, despite the cost of modern regalia, the price today is relatively much cheaper than in the past. An apron used to cost a week’s wage; today the best quality Craft apron costs just £35, a standard quality apron £22. Freemasons cannot complain about that.
    Toye, Kenning & Spencer are the patricians of the trade. The family began in France selling gold braid for uniform trimmings. They brought the business to England in 1685 and began supplying English regiments and, in time, Freemasons. They are the oldest manufacturers of regalia in England. Today, the company is run by Brian Toye, who has long been a Freemason.
    He is well aware of the high standards demanded by customers, and the skills which are necessary to provide them. "We are a major trainer of skills," he reports. In fact, he explains, to embroider the apron of a Provincial Grand Master requires both a natural talent and about five to seven years training.
    Those working in the Great Queen Street shop report the importance of understanding the requirements of customers; happily most of the staff are Freemasons and can cover most of the degrees. They are often asked about ritual or how to join, or questions about regalia from the newly promoted.
    As at their origins so long ago, non-masonic and military regalia still forms a large part of their business: they produce a huge range of ties and peaked caps for army, navy, police, railway staff and traffic wardens for England and overseas. They make most of the OBEs given out and the banners of the State Trumpeters. They even make plaques for the Saudi Defence Forces.
    Brian Toye also points out how relatively cheap regalia is today; his top quality Craft apron costs £35. It is self-evident that Freemasons are well served by these two manufacturers.