Since being adopted by the Club as its ‘Club Lodge’, Burgoyne has grown in to a highly respected and renowned lodge in London freemasonry. And just as the lodge is highly honoured, so is the Mastership of the lodge.
Once in every year, the Lodge selects a Master who has worked hard for both the lodge and the Club – the Chair has become somewhat of a reward for past labours and efforts in supporting and promoting the Connaught Club.
Last Saturday, our very dear friend and brother WBro Andrew Ridal was presented before the Master – WBro Mitchell Merrick-Thirlway (Past Chairman of the Club) – for the purposes of being installed in the Chair. Many regulars to the Connaught Club will remember Andrew (who is sadly now too old for the Club) as a dedicated committee member, known for his singing escapades at our Christmas Dinners and for his wonderfully affable personality. A worthy and deserving choice indeed. Mitch, with his usual wry smile, installed Andrew in a near perfect ceremony, filled with solemnity as well as familiarity and friendliness. It really was a pleasure to watch.
Following the labours in the temple, we retired to the Raddison for a slap up meal where we welcomed our friends from the Kennedy Club (young Masons of Hong Kong), a delegation from South Wales, and Andrew’s Masonic and family friends from Cumbria and West Lancs. Judging by the buzz of chat around the room, everyone got on like a house on fire! To top off a brilliant evening, we raised £190 at the raffle, and WBro Mitch even won a pumpkin in the raffle. What a lucky lad!
Interested in visited Burgoyne? Our next meeting is the 4th Saturday in February. See you there!