W Bro Chris Burgess writes…

Since being Initiated in 1986 and during my time as a Metropolitan Grand Inspector, I have visited well over one hundred Lodges in London and the Provinces. On 24th September 2025, at Mark Masons’ Hall, whilst at my mother Lodge's Installation meeting (May Fair Lodge No 8294), I witnessed something that, in all of my visits; I have never had the pleasure of witnessing before.

Four sons, with their fathers, all invested with collars of the Lodge. It would have been five had the Director of Ceremonies’ father not been prevented from attending!

The Lodge has always been a family-orientated lodge, indeed in the Lodge’s short 56-year history we have had fifteen father-and-son member pairs; along with countless grandfathers, cousins, brothers, uncles and nephews. Long may it continue.

This article is part of Arena Magazine Issue 59 – Christmas 2025.
Arena Magazine is the official online magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.

Read more articles in Arena Issue 59 here.

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