Old School Lodge Cluster celebrate old friendships and old school banter

Old Palmerians Lodge host the 2024 Essex Old School Lodge Cluster meeting and set a new Old School tradition

Cross Keys Masonic Centre at Thurrock was the location for the 2024 Essex Old School Cluster meeting, which was this year hosted by Old Palmerians Lodge No. 5632.

Held on Saturday, 15th June, the meeting had all the hallmarks of being one to remember, and that proved to be the case with aplomb.

In attendance was Colin Felton, Assistant Provincial Grand Master (APGM), escorted by David Hawtin, the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, with a full Provincial entourage, including Deacons, Sword and Flag bearers, all of whom added a tremendous pomp to the proceedings.

The Worshipful Master (WM), Paul Morgan welcomed all members and guests with a special mention of those from other Old School Lodges for taking an office for the meeting. The opening of the Lodge saw laughter and admiration as the banter between experienced brethren generated a wonderful feeling of true friendship.

The main focus of the meeting was then handed over to Brian Chenier MBE, who gave an incredibly passionate and engaging talk on the amazing work of the British Limbless Ex-Service Men’s Association (BLESMA). The charity, which operates throughout the UK, helps all serving and ex-Service men and women who have lost limbs, or lost the use of limbs or eyes, to rebuild their lives by providing rehabilitation activities and welfare support. The talk drew multiple spontaneous applause from those present throughout Brian’s presentation. Such an amazing organisation performing ‘World Leading’ support and services to so many.

You can find out more about the organisation with this link https://blesma.org/

The meeting was also graced with the presence of John Hubbard, the Secretary of the Federation of School Lodges.

The Federation formed to further the Masonic associations of schools consists of member lodges throughout England and Wales with eight lodges from Essex. There is an annual festival which this year will be in Kimbolton Castle, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire on the 31st August, hosted by the Old Kimboltonians Lodge No. 7204, and in 2025 the venue will be in Dover.

You can read more about the Federation of School Lodges with this link https://www.schoollodges.org.uk/

As an added surprise for the meeting the WM then presented Colin Felton with a cheque for £250 from Old Palmerians Lodge towards the Essex250 appeal which was well received.

All lodges have their own localised friendships with other lodges and these friendships lead to lodge visits across the Province. There is undeniably a special bond between Old School Lodges, and in the run up to the meeting the Old School banter was alive and well with common school backgrounds and often similar histories, the stories of members and guests were regaled like two friendly fencers enjoying the sparring.

For this association to be further strengthened going forward, a new tradition began between those who host the Essex Old School Cluster meetings. The WM presented the Old Chelmsfordian Lodge No. 5499, who will be hosting the event next year, with a specially made Old School Bell and which is expected, they will ceremoniously pass on to future hosts. The bell will also have the host’s name engraved on the base with Old Palmerians being the first.

As the evening came to a close the WM thanked everyone for making the meeting such a successful and wonderful gathering and wished Old Chelmsfordian the very best of luck as the next hosts.

Photos

Top Front Row sitting (L-R): Cliff Thoms (Old Esthameians), Steve Yates (Old Parkonians and Senior Warden), Paul Morgan (Old Palmerians and WM), Colin Felton (APGM), Barry Newton (Old Esthameians and Junior Warden), Alan Clark (Old Palmerians), John Hubbard (Secretary Federation of School Lodges).

Bottom: Paul Morgan (WM) presenting Old School Bell to James Gillett of Old Chelmsfordian Lodge