Dear readers, 

Welcome to the 43rd edition of Arena Magazine. As I take the virtual quill for the  first time, it is with hope  and the deepest respect that I address you today. 

With hope that soon we can meet again, and with great respect for all those who have gone out of their way to assist others in their community. So many brethren, sometimes taking personal risks, have remained true to our cherished values of benevolence and charity in such time of need. 

I hope too that, despite the multiple restrictions, you have enjoyed the festive season. 2020 has now ended but alas, the awful trail of disruption continues. Covid 19 knows calendars no more than it knows borders and we must maintain our vigilance against it. As all eagerly await the resumption of regular meetings and festive boards, let s not forget that the reason we cannot practice the Craft properly today is to protect each other. 

In this edition, we try to lift the mood. 

You will go on a journey from West London to Surrey and to the distant shores of Tanzania. You will visit special interest Lodges and Chapters. You will meet the brethren who continue their hard work to assist others and you will hear from some of those charities who benefit from it. Then, the Kent Club will deliver an uplifting message and the Grand Secretary will share some thoughts on his role and his greatest challenges for the new year. 

As a final note, Arena is celebrating its tenth anniversary. Ten years already of informing and entertaining London Freemasons. So, here is to the future, to a prompt return to Freemasonry as we know it, to our absent brethren, to old and new friends and to the next ten years of Arena. 

Bro Seb Giroux 
Deputy Editor, Arena 
Email: arena@metgl.com  

Note regarding Social Distancing: Brethren, please note that the photographs in this magazine were taken at different times, across different locations, within vastly differing sets of restrictions and before restrictions. Some photos have been altered for editing purposes (to make them fit!). Accordingly, there may be a variance in apparent restriction adherence across the magazine.