Dear Arena readers,

As I write these words during the vernal equinox, it certainly feels that Spring is upon us and raring to escape from the shackles of the odd two years we have had to ride out. Perhaps the word of the season is endurance. From the Traditional History to a certain ship, even our recent experience of privations and, for many, personal losses, we Freemasons know a lot about endurance.

Earlier this year, I conducted a raising in my mother Lodge, a fitting ceremony for bearing hardship. We certainly felt it on the day. Although reaching a quorum, we were very short in numbers. The ceremony went well, thanks to my officers and, in particular, our secretary who doubled up as director of ceremonies, inner guard and then went on to deliver the charge. It is a feature of the times we are going through: we adapt as best we can to any circumstances we find.

And, in an exciting twist of fate, as we are rekindling our masonic flame, scientists have discovered the resting place of HMS Endurance. In 1915, the ship was crushed and sunk by the icy waters of Antarctica’s Weddell Sea during Shackleton’s attempt to cross the Antarctic. Bro Ernest Shackleton was initiated into Navy Lodge No 2612 in London on 9 July 1901. He was raised during an emergency meeting of Guild of Freemen Lodge No 3525 in 1911 and became an honorary member on 28 April 1914. A day close to me as I was born on 28 April.

Back to 2022. This edition starts by taking you to the MetGL annual meeting and investiture. It continues with our usual features, including RA and Craft digests, charity support, Leading Lights, Solomon and a brand-new column from the Met Almoner’s team. We shed some light on interesting Lodges and bring you close to their activity. Be ready to witness a gavel raid too!

As ever, if you want to be featured in one of our next editions, please get in touch at arena@metgl.com

Could you design Arena?

Are you a creative designer with magazine and online experience? Do you have in-depth knowledge of Adobe InDesign and Photoshop?

Now is a great time to get involved as we're about to update the design of Arena. We have a great opportunity for a graphic designer to join the core of the magazine’s team. 

For each edition, you would:

·      Design the page layouts for our digital and print publications
·      Provide typesetting to the standard required for high quality printing
·      Create original eye-catching featured articles
·      Participate in digital asset creation
·      Work closely with the Arena editorial team as well as with social media and website management teams

This is a voluntary position. Please contact us at arena@metgl.com and share your portfolio.