On Saturday18th May, Caxton Lodge No 1853, which meets at Freemasons’ Hall, met to complete their now annual summer ‘Walkabout’ (sometimes dubbed ‘Blazers and Beer’ events by wags in the Lodge). 

The concept of the Walkabout is to meet in central London and join together on a social basis – take in a show, go to the races, dine, socialise etc.; but this year the Lodge went a stage further.

The Lodge secretary, W Bro Jonnie Armstrong, has been working on the Lodge history to coincide with the Caxton 150th anniversary at the end of the decade. He noted that there were many things to see around town that would be of interest to the Lodge. Hence the idea was hatched to complete a Guided Caxton Lodge Tour in and around central London. It was well supported by the Lodge and a dozen Caxton Masons, including the WM, W Bro Harry Richards, and his two Wardens, W Bro Ron Oldfield and Bro Brian Wilson; along with several guests and wives joined Jonnie. Jonnie himself was replete with a tour guide’s pole; with a distinctive Sherbet Dip taped to its top. 

They met in Westminster to start the Tour. It started there because the Lodge is named after William Caxton, the printer. Caxton was originally a Lodge allied to the printing and journalism trades that stemmed out of Fleet Street; but is now open to all. The first English printing press was installed there.

The route then went up the Whitehall and on to Horse Guards, to recognise a fallen Caxton soldier of the Royal Naval Division from the Great War, whose memorial is there. The Lodge held a brief service of Remembrance there in his honour. The tour carried on up the Strand and explored venues where Caxton’s mother Lodge (Grosvenor No 1257) and the early Caxton Lodge used to meet for Festive Boards and L of Is. At the top of the Strand, the tour took in the church of St Clement Danes (as Caxton is now linked with the Chapter that is named after that church). Eventually, the tour ended at Freemasons’ Hall; but not before it had taken in the Lodge’s spiritual home on Essex Street; where the founders met to plan the formation of the Caxton Lodge.

The tour had plenty of stops not yet mentioned along the route – all at pubs – although Jonnie tried to ensure that most had a historical Caxton connection. But why the distinctive tour guide’s pole, topped with a Sherbet Dip? This is because one of the past and long-standing members of the Caxton Lodge was the Managing Director of Barratts, the firm which invented the now legendary sweet. 

Invited on the day were two prospective members who were interested in finding out more about the Lodge – one potential joining member and one potential initiate. Caxton failed to scare them off; and both have asked for membership forms. It was a great day that was universally enjoyed by the members and guests attending.

This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 55 Summer 2024 edition.
Arena Magazine is the official magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.

Read more articles in the Arena Issue 55 here.