Service at London Synagogue

London masons and their wives attended an inter-faith Service of Thanksgiving at the New West End Synagogue in London, an event sponsored by some 24 London Lodges and Chapters. This service was in aid of charities supported by the London Masonic Charitable Trust for which London Jewish masons had raised an amazing £12,000.
    The impressive Synagogue dates from 1879 and is well adorned with marble and alabaster together with a splendid rose window above the Ark.
    Seven officiating clergy were led by Rabbi Geoffrey Shisler, an active Freemason, who gave the welcoming address.
    Readings were given by the Assistant Grand Master, David Williamson and the Chief Executive of London Management, Rex Thorne. The magnificent choir was under the direction of Elliot Burman and accompanied by organist, Prof. Alexander Knapp. Those present were honoured with the opening of the Ark during the service; an infrequent event.

Unique Bristol Ritual Demonstration

The Bristol Lodge of London, No. 4522, by permission of the Provincial Grand Master of Bristol, will arrange a demonstration of the Bristol working of the First Degree ritual at Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen Street, London, in Lodge Room No. 10 at 3.00 on Saturday 2nd November. The ritual will be worked by members of Semper Fidelis Lodge, No. 5052, who will come to London for the occasion since the Bristol working is not normally permitted beyond the boundaries of the city.
    This demonstration takes place only at four yearly intervals; the last was very well attended and Brethren are advised to book early. Entrance costs £8.50 and is by ticket only from Peter Bryant, telephone 01242 579231.
    The Bristol Lodge was consecrated in April 1923 by the Grand Secretary, Colville Smith, MA, in the presence of some 200 Brethren. Its aim was to provide a lodge for Bristol masons working in London but it is not permitted to use the Bristol working.

King George VI - Masonic Photograph Discovered

While cleaning out an old green house in Dundee the owner discovered this print of the Duke of York – later King George VI. After it was printed in a local Scottish newspaper it was identified as a group photographed at Glamis Lodge near to the castle of Glamis, the ancestral home of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, later the Queen Mother. The Duke of York had recently been initiated and in this photograph is wearing an entered apprentice apron. This would date the photograph to 1919 or shortly thereafter. He is surrounded by the Provincial masons who had conducted a ceremony in the lodge. His father-in-law, the Earl of Strathmore, was a Past Master of this lodge at Glamis. The photographer is unknown.
    King George VI was initiated into the Navy Lodge, No. 2612, in 1919 and in 1922 was Senior Grand Warden. In 1924 he was appointed Provincial Grand Master for Middlesex and he remained in this office until his coronation in 1936. The same year he also served Grand Master for Scotland – his affiliation with the lodge at Glamis making him also a Scottish mason.