The Chapter, named Maguncor after the telegraphic code word used for “machine gun corps” during the First World War, was consecrated in 1924 by officers of the Machine Gun Corps, with two of its future First Principals becoming recipients of the Victoria Cross.The Chapter, named Maguncor after the telegraphic code word used for “machine gun corps” during the First World War, was consecrated in 1924 by officers of the Machine Gun Corps, with two of its future First Principals becoming recipients of the Victoria Cross.

This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 57 Spring 2025 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 57 here.

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On 3^rd February 2025, St Michael’s Chapter No 221 held an exceptional and auspicious convocation at the South East London Masonic Centre, SE20; when Royal Arch Masonry returned to the Centre with a high quality meeting which featured an excellent double Exaltation ceremony.

Metropolitan Grand Inspector E Comp Robert Lakic was the Guest of Honour, escorted by E Comp Christopher Sullivan, Metropolitan Grand Steward, who was supported by fellow Metropolitan Grand Stewards E Comps Frank Marke and Shaun White. The other 60 companions in attendance were joined by two current Inspectors E Comps Tony Shepherd and Simon Bennett, and former Inspector E Comp Jeremy Beech.

London boasts many wonderful Masonic halls, centres and meeting places within the centre of the capital, but it likewise possesses many valuable and similar resources outside of TfL zones 1-3, and these gathering places such as the Halls and Centres at Chingford, Southgate, Croydon, Harrow and Ealing enable many Brethren and Companions the opportunity of enjoying their Masonry closer to home. All of these Halls and Centres have a thriving Craft and Royal Arch presence, but in late 2023, Alan Taunton, a MAGI Craft (RA) within the Simon Bennett Inspectorate learned that there was no longer a RA presence at the Penge Centre, and he established a ‘steering group’ of experienced Royal Arch Masons to change this. Both Kent and London Craft Lodges meeting there were approached; and over 20 Companions indicated that they would be interested in joining a centre-wide Chapter. Aware that St Michael’s Chapter No 211 was actively exploring a strategy for its future, conversations were had and a plan hatched and agreed, and the ‘steering group’ became Joining Members; with the future of the Chapter secured and Royal Arch Masonry returning to London SE20 with ‘fervency and zeal’, thanks to the dedication of just a handful of passionate Companions.

Nestling in the residential communities of Crystal Palace, Annerley, Penge and Beckenham, the SE London Masonic Centre is easily accessible from central London via the many different train stations close by. If the vibrancy of this first repurposed convocation of St Michael’s Chapter was anything to go by, a warm welcome and a captivating and entertaining time awaits any companion who fancies the experience – I’ll certainly be going back!

This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 57 Spring 2025 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 57 here.

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Earlier in the afternoon, E Comps Alan Taunton, Steve Brown and Paul Chakravarti were Installed as First, Second and Third Principals respectively.

The 250^th convocation of Macaulay Chapter in May 2024 was particularly special, not just for that milestone but as the ‘launch’ convocation for the new home of ‘Current and former Royal Arch Representatives, Coordinators and Metropolitan Assistant Grand Inspectors (RA)’.
 

The Chapter’s evolution is in response to the need to provide greater support, recognition and collaboration for all those working in these challenging roles whilst providing a fun and dynamic environment. This renewed spirit of connectedness has helped members thrive in their roles outside the Chapter and has further contributed to the growth and success of the Royal Arch in London.

At every Macaulay Chapter convocation, regular items, including the ‘Macaulay Exposition’, encourage stimulating conversation and lively debate, focusing on the key principles of knowledge sharing, mentorship, and personal development, with E Comp Timothy’s ‘One Journey, One Organisation’ presentation being the perfect example.

Macaulay is not a ‘Special Interest’ Chapter, but a ‘Team’ Chapter; and all Royal Arch Representatives, former or serving, are encouraged to join and get involved. It offers a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone's voice is heard and valued. With active participation and contributions encouraged from all members, it aims to be a platform for sharing knowledge, talent and expertise; and provides helpful tips to take back to our Lodges and Chapters to the advantage of all.

For more information, contact the Chapter’s Scribe E or see: www.macaulaychapter.org.

This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 57 Spring 2025 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 57 here.

The post Macaulay Chapter: The London home for Royal Arch expertise appeared first on Snaresbrook Lodge 4010.

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Thank you for taking the time to keep Arena in your busy lives!

Three months ago, I explained that Arena would be going digital, but I promised that, not only would Arena not be disappearing, but that we would be putting a lot of effort into improving it.

I am a small part of an exceptionally talented and motivated volunteer Metropolitan Communications Team, all of whom have been working behind the scenes to continuously upgrade the digital experience for London Masons.

Foremost in that crusade is the launch of an app, which puts Arena on your smartphone.

It includes:

• All the usual Arena articles
• Latest news stories as they happen, rather than every three months, to keep you connected to all things Met.
• Links to Masonic resources, all in one place

For future versions of the app, we are also working on notifications so that you won’t ever miss a thing, and a forward events diary so that we can start to publish upcoming events as well as reporting on meetings and celebrations gone by.

I genuinely believe that we have an opportunity to be more connected to each other as Brethren than ever before – and to see more of what the Craft can offer us every day as it happens. I also believe that this is the sort of seamlessness that a new generation of Freemasons, who will keep our world vibrant, demand.

You can download the app at:

• Apple/iOS: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/arena-online/id6741513266
• Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.arenaapp.londonmasons

For those without smartphones, everything we publish will always be available online at https://www.londonmasons.org.uk/arena.

Please do feel free to get in touch with me directly if you have any feedback on Arena or the App – we always welcome comment.

And as ever, let me invite you to contribute. For more information on getting your news in these pages, please start here. You can always contact me with news about your Lodge or Chapter at . And I also regularly ask for comments and feedback on the London Masons Facebook group.

If you would like to write for Arena, we have a growing team, and you will be made very welcome – again please contact me at the email above.

Sincerely, fraternally, and always inquisitively,

Nick Saalfeld,
Editor

ARENA ISSUE 57 CREDITS

Founding Editor: Bryan Green

Director of Communications: Omaid Hiwaizi

Editor: Nick Saalfeld

Deputy Editor: Richard Cavanagh

Assistant Editors: Simon Bennett, David McKenna

Design: Omaid Hiwaizi

Contributors: Simon Bennett, Morris Bentley, Richard Cavanagh, Matt Gibbs, Clive Goodman, Christopher Hayward, Andrew Imber, Trevor Koschalka, Stephen Lovelock, Shahab Mossavat, Jason Pearson, Alan Peters, Dan Reed, Tony Shepherd, Simone Sodini, Ron Wainer, Bryan Wakely, Mark Wooldridge, Bogdan Zaha.

Photography: Daren Lewis, Simon Greaves

Video: Eddy Kirk, Ian Bozic

To contact the Editor with features or letters for future editions, please email  

To learn more about Freemasonry, please visit www.londonmasons.org

Special thanks to the Library and Museum of Freemasonry.

All Arena materials are © Metropolitan Grand Lodge / Metropolitan Grand Chapter. All rights reserved.

For editorial matters, please contact the Editor.

Comment and articles reflect the writers’ own personal views. The Metropolitan Grand Lodge and the Metropolitan Grand Chapter, as well as the United Grand Lodge of England may not subscribe to, or agree with, those views.

The publishers cannot be held responsible for loss or damage to any unsolicited manuscripts or photographs.

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Just like a Lodge meeting, the LGRA meets in one of the Temples at Freemasons Hall and has a similar structure to proceedings, with the ‘President’ of the Association occupying the Master’s Chair and presiding over a short agenda, and a Secretary updating the group on Association matters.  Regalia is not worn, and formal attire is not necessary, but members are requested to wear the Association Tie.  Similar to alms, there is even a collection for the guest lecturer’s chosen charity.

The meeting itself is very relaxed, with good humour.  On this particular occasion, we enjoyed an excellent presentation by W Bro Tony Harvey PJGD, who spoke of the subject of the historical and constitutional relationship between the Craft, the Royal Arch and Mark Masonry.  Tony is a researcher, writer and speaker who has been a Freemason for over thirty years.  He is a Grand Officer in the Craft, Royal Arch, Mark and two other Orders within English Freemasonry.  In 2012, he held the United Grand Lodge of England’s prestigious Prestonian Lectureship with his lecture, ‘Scouting and Freemasonry, two parallel organisations?’  Tony also conceived, and was the main author of, United Grand Lodge of England’s Members’ Pathway which, in June 2019, the then Pro Grand Master described as a 'game changer'. 

Tony explained that prior to the Act of Union of 1813, the original Grand Lodges viewed the Craft and Royal Arch in different ways. The necessary compromise in the Act of Union changed this. 

The reference to the Royal Arch being the completion of the Third Degree was a late 19th century invention, – the Act of Union just said that the Royal Arch was included in 'pure Antient Masonry'.  Today the Royal Arch is seen as the completion of the journey begun with Initiation.

The Mark was more closely related to older operative practices. It was omitted from the Act of Union. However, many Craft Lodges continued to work the Mark degrees until a separate Grand Lodge was formed to govern them. In other jurisdictions, the Mark is a pre-requisite for the Royal Arch.

Despite differences in governance, the Craft, Mark and the Royal Arch together form one system, with many links and references to each other.  Tony concluded that only an understanding of the whole system helps our interpretation of each component.  It was fascinating to hear how these three components of Freemasonry were historically connected and, in particular, the Mark’s seemingly forgotten connection to the Craft and Royal Arch.

The group warmly applauded Tony’s excellent presentation, who then kindly took a number of questions from the audience.  At the end of the meeting, a collection was taken to support two charities close to Tony’s heart: the Scout Association Heritage Fund and the Masonic Charitable Foundation.

The Association meets on the last Wednesday in the months of February, May, August and November.  The next meeting of the LGRA is on 28^th May, on the subject of the 'RMBI Care Co. – Care services, advice and support for older people'.  If you have London Grand Rank and you would like to attend or find out more about the LGRA, then please contact their Secretary at or pick up a copy of the LGRA Bulletin from the bar at Freemasons Hall. 

Attendance at the May meeting will be open to all Masons and anyone else with an interest in the work of the RMBI.  There is no charge for attendance at the meetings.

If you would like to become a member of the Association, life Membership is just £75.  For those not holding London ranks, Associate Membership is open for a fee of £70.  It’s an excellent way to meet and socialise with other Brethren at the meeting (or in the bar), make new friends and also find out a bit more about Freemasonry: our history and our future development; the organisations and charities we support; and our service to society. 

Previous lectures have included talks on the 'London Air Ambulance', 'Lifelites', 'The Victoria Cross', 'My Year In Tights' [as a Sheriff of the City of London],  'The Masonic Charitable Foundation, the Freemasons’ Charity' and the Prestonian Lecture for  2024 – 'The Second Grand Lodge: The Grand Lodge of Ireland, the London Irish and Antient Freemasonry'.

This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 57 Spring 2025 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 57 here.

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Tell us more about this fantastic charity and how you got involved.

MCA Trust was founded in memory of Michael Charles Adams MBE, or "Micky" as he was known to his friends. Micky was passionate about sport and devoted much of his life to helping children and young people reach their full potential. He worked tirelessly to raise money for good causes, particularly in the East London communities where he grew up. Following his death in 2010, we set up MCA Trust to continue his great work.

Our charity is dedicated to supporting children and teenagers undergoing treatment for cancer, and their families, within Essex and East London. A childhood cancer diagnosis is devastating — not just for the child but for parents, siblings, and the wider family. It turns life upside down in an instant. Our role is to step in and help relieve some of the emotional, physical and financial burdens that come with this journey, whether that’s through special experiences, practical support, or easing the transition back to education after treatment.

The Trust provides several programmes to support children and teenagers undergoing treatment, as well as their families. What support do you offer?

Treatment is challenging for the whole family, so we organise well-deserved trips, events and days out, giving children and their families a break and an opportunity to create positive memories together. This could be a trip to a theme park, tickets to see a favourite team play football, or even a once-in-a-lifetime family holiday.

We also provide funding for medical and comfort equipment, helping to improve the treatment experience for children while they are in hospital. In the past we have provided oncology suite refurbishment in Hospitals to help make the experience a little more comfortable for both the child and the parents who stay on-site.  We have also supplied several 'Rockin R Gaming' consoles which are loaded with 32 games. These are used on the oncology suites to help with distraction and help children to be more comfortable during their treatment regime. 

Our Learning at Home Education initiative offers fully funded, one-to-one tuition for children who are unable to attend school due to their treatment. This helps ease the transition back into education when they’re ready.

Of course, fundraising is also a major part of the Trust's role, and you seem to have no shortage of different events to raise funds…

Yes, fundraising is the lifeblood of the MCA Trust, and we’re lucky to have a fantastic community of supporters who help us continue our work. We are proud that 97p from every £1 raised directly benefits those in need. Our annual gala dinners are a highlight of the year, bringing together donors, supporters, and special guests for an evening of entertainment, auctions, and fundraising.

Prem Picks is our football knockout competition. Competitors nominate a team to win a match in football’s Premier League; and if successful, move to the next round. The last person standing wins half the revenue, with the other half being retained by the Charity. It’s a fun and interactive way to get involved, and to date has raised over £30,000.

The festive season can be particularly difficult for families affected by childhood cancer, so we host special Christmas events to bring a little magic to the children we support.

The Trust has also just established The MCA Trust Sports Club in partnership with Everyone Active to help children recovering from cancer treatment to engage in sports activities. Why is this so important to children recovering from cancer?

Sport has always been at the heart of MCA Trust, and we know first-hand how powerful it can be — not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too. After months or even years of treatment, many children struggle with confidence, isolation, and the physical impact of illness. Getting active again can be a big part of their recovery, helping to rebuild strength, improve mental wellbeing, and restore a sense of normality. Through our partnership with Everyone Active, we’re making sure that children recovering from cancer, along with their families, have access to sports activities in a safe and supportive environment. Whether it's swimming, football, or simply playing together as a family, these sessions provide a vital space for children to have fun, regain their independence, and feel like kids again.

The work the charity undertakes is truly inspirational. Tell us more about the ways people can support the MCA Trust.

The MCA Trust is run solely by volunteers and driven by donations, sponsorships, and corporate partnerships. There are many ways to support us, and every contribution makes a difference, so we are always delighted to hear from people who want to get involved. People can make a one-off or regular donation or leave a legacy donation in their will.

They can also join us at one of our fun and memorable fundraising events. We’re always looking for passionate individuals to help with events, fundraising, and spreading the word about MCA Trust; and businesses can support us through sponsorship, fundraising initiatives, or workplace giving programs, too. We also run a charity lottery, where supporters can enter to win cash prizes while helping us raise funds for our programs.

At the MCA Trust, we fundamentally believe that a child who has recovered from cancer should not have the rest of their life blighted by the experience, and we’ll keep doing all we can to make a meaningful difference to these incredible children and their families.

To find out more and get in touch, visit our website at mcatrust.org.uk.

This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 57 Spring 2025 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 57 here.

The post Beyond the Square – W Bro Keith Isaacs appeared first on Snaresbrook Lodge 4010.

And honours up for grabs:

If you wish to join the only Golf Society in the Metropolitan Province, no matter what your handicap, then please email us at

The website is https://londonmasonicgolf.org.uk/

This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 57 Spring 2025 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 57 here.

The post Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Chapter Golf Society Update appeared first on Snaresbrook Lodge 4010.

“Amongst the values of Freemasonry are Integrity, Kindness and Fairness. Caring

for the community and raising money for charitable causes is important to

us.’’  UGLE

We are taught very early on in our Masonic careers that benevolence and charity are key cornerstones of Masonry. The London Lodge No 108 is testament to that fact: a Lodge whose members embrace and demonstrate, through their actions, such values and commitment to charitable causes and delivery.

Whilst in 2024 the Lodge successfully achieved its Platinum Award objective by donating £10,000 to the wider Air Ambulance Appeal, its members strived to plan and engage in broader charitable initiatives and good causes.

In the 2022/23 Lodge year, then Master W Bro Richard Spooner, had opted to support Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)[NS1] , which provides critical support and research

into muscular degenerative disorders. Through a combination of fundraising activities, including a fantastic sum of £5,500 raised at the Master’s Ladies Festival, the chosen

charity were most appreciative of this much-needed support.

In the 2023/24 Lodge year, then Master W Bro David Nicholls designated Market Field

Farm as his charity of choice. This wonderful charity undertakes to provide employment

and training opportunities for young people with disabilities or disadvantage, paving the way to a productive and fulfilling life less reliant on expensive care and benefits. By combining Alms donations to his Masters List and supported by a delightful Ladies Festival, the Master raised more than £4,000 in that year.

In the 2024/25 Lodge year, the current Master, W Bro Paul Chatfield has chosen Power2Inspire as his designated charity. This charity was founded by a remarkable man, John Willis, who having been born without fully formed arms and legs, sadly suffered much discrimination and exclusion in sports as a child. Determined to overcome such prejudices, John embarked on an inspiring mission to ensure inclusion for young people, irrespective of any disability, physical or otherwise, in the participatory joy and wellbeing of sport.

John now tours schools nationally promoting participation in sport for all, whilst also

taking an active part himself. Despite his disability, John set his own example of canoeing 108 miles along the Thames, inspiring him to pioneer the ‘108 Challenge’ – a

fun initiative of setting a challenge involving 108 of… anything, whether that be running every day for 108 metres or simply catching a ball 108 times without dropping it. Participation, inclusion and fun are the key motives.

By pure serendipity, the “108 Challenge” matched the number of the London Lodge, inspiring the Lodge’s Master to create a novel fund-raising mission involving volunteer members of the Lodge. He hatched a plan to walk 108 km over a weekend along London’s Thames Path, wearing charity branded clothing to raise awareness

and displaying a JustGiving donation link.

Two groups were formed, one walking from the Thames Barrier to Hampton Court and the other joining them at Hampton Court from the other direction starting at Marlow – covering a combined distance of 108 km.

Collectively, whilst walking and networking, the two groups raised almost £7,000 – a truly remarkable achievement highlighting the moral values of Masonic giving and kindness at heart from the public. At the end of the walk, W Bro Paul commented:

“Mission accomplished! It was fantastic to bring together so many Freemasons, all in the name of charity. I am thrilled with the amount we have been able to raise so far. I have known John and Power2Inspire for a long time and the work they do in ensuring sport is accessible for all is outstanding. I am proud that these funds raised will make a real difference. Thanks to everyone who donated – it was tough, but so worth it!”

With the 108 Charity Walk successfully concluded, the Master held a Ladies Festival in

February 2025 with the continuing objective of further supporting his chosen charity.

Held in the glorious setting of Leas Cliff, Folkstone overlooking the sea, the sell-out event proved a resounding success with a packed itinerary combining Masonic Festival

tradition with fun-packed fund-raising initiatives which generated a further £8,000

towards the Master’s chosen charity.

Combined, the 2024/25 funds raised by London Lodge No 108 for the Master’s

charity have amounted to an outstanding £15,133, leading the Charity’s founder,

John Willis, to comment: “It was a real pleasure and a huge privilege to take part in the Lodge’s Ladies Night, and to see the excellent organisation exquisitely manage the jam-packed dinner programme. We were absolutely thrilled with the fantastic outcome of the raffle and auction”.

By combining the amounts raised for the chosen charities, spearheaded by the individual Masters, together with the £10,000 donation towards the Air Ambulance Appeal, in the last three years London Lodge No 108 has contributed in excess of £34,600 to benevolent and community good causes, helping to fully embrace the virtues of Freemasonry.

London Lodge No 108 Charity Steward, W Bro Richard Spooner comments: “I believe it very true to say that London Lodge No 108 has shown that with effort and charitable imagination, large amounts can be raised in the cause of charity by an individual Lodge”

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Two Brethren of Sanitarian Lodge No 3458, W Bro Ken Gamble LGR and W Bro Brian Topliffe SLGR, are very much involved in their local community in the Abbey Wood area of London. They have just presented a £500 cheque to the Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice as part of the Sanitarian Lodge’s fundraising and charity contributions for W Bro Ken's Master's list. 

The longtime friends and fellow Brethren of the Sanitarian Lodge took time out to present the cheque on behalf of the Lodge to the staff of the Hospice.

The Greenwich & Bexley Hospice is an important part of the local community whose mission statement is 'to provide everyone in our wonderfully diverse community to be able to approach death in the way that suits their values, beliefs, and lifestyle'. 

In addition, W Bro Brian has been involved with the Hospice on a voluntary basis since 2017, aiding in their estates department dealing with all things maintenance.

Many thanks to both them and the Brethren of Sanitarian Lodge.

This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 57 Spring 2025 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 57 here.

The post Sanitarian Lodge supports The Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice appeared first on Snaresbrook Lodge 4010.