MIDDLESEX ARMED FORCES LODGE .

At a meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge, the Pro Provincial Grand Master, during his update on the current events in the Province, made reference to the reducing membership of the Craft and his belief that new Lodges would be formed, based on a shared interest. He also said that he would very much like to be able to consecrate such Lodges during his patent as Pro Provincial Grand Master.

Present at that meeting was the Founding Secretary, W. Bro. Steve Heynes who had only recently attended the consecration of Combined Services Lodge No 9900 in the Province of Berkshire. Steve was very much in favour of the idea of a Military Lodge in Middlesex and, whilst chatting to

W. Bro. Paul Darling-Wills at the festive board, suggested that perhaps they could form such a Lodge. Paul agreed that a Lodge, formed with the Services in mind would be a great idea and he would jump at the chance of being a Founder member. So began their challenge of sounding out others who they knew had served in the Forces to see if they would be interested.

They already had several interested parties when, at a meeting of Middlesex Masters 3420, whilst chatting about it, were approached by W. Bro. Gus Fielding who asked them if they would be interested in joining a new Lodge. Both obviously said they were in the middle of such a venture when Gus mentioned this new Lodge would be based on Military connections. Both parties then realised they had the same aim and decided to join together to get this Lodge going. Gus asked Steve if he would be willing to take on the role of Secretary and said that W. Bro. Don Campbell had already agreed to take on the role of Treasurer.

Finding information on how to go about the formation of a new Lodge was not easy, the last Lodge to be consecrated in Middlesex had happened some 12 years earlier and that was a Past Masters Lodge, Middlesex Masters Lodge Harrow in 2004.

By the time Steve received the document from Grand Lodge, "Guidance notes for consecration", they had 37 interested names.

You can imagine his disappointment when, reading the guidance notes, found mention of a rule, not in the Book of Constitutions, dating back to 1922 restricting Founder membership to Master Masons who had been Raised for a minimum of three years. That immediately took out 10 of those interested. Over the next few months, names were added and removed and finally, 27 put their names on the Petition. Unfortunately, due to personal circumstances, one of those had to withdraw before the date of consecration.

At the first Founder meeting, 16 interested in joining in this venture turned up and another 4 gave their apologies. Discussions were had about which dates to meet, what the traditions of the Lodge would be, what would make this Lodge different from others and who would be the First Officers of the Lodge. It was decided that Gus Fielding would be the Founding WM, Paul Darling-Wills would be SW and Chris Parfitt-Taylor, then a Provincial Steward and a serving Master Taylor would be JW.

We also decided that the dates of the meetings should have some sort of significance to each of the Services. As we would be meeting at Twickenham, these also had to fit in with the Centre's availability. it was finally decided that the installation meeting should be held on the third Friday in June, that being close to Armed Forces Day. The third Friday in October being close to the Battle of Waterloo, The second Friday in December being close to the Battle of the Falklands, a naval battle at the turn of the last century and the second Friday in April being close to the date of the formation of the RAF.

Eddie Garty was to be the DC and would form a sub- committee to discuss any changes peculiar to the Lodge that would be observed in the ritual and at the Festive Board afterwards. Paul Darling-Wills said that he had a Regimental Sword that the Tyler could use, and Paul Macdonald said that he had a WW1 Bayonet that could be used as the Poignard. Chris Parfitt-Taylor took on the job of designing a Lodge Crest and you will see the results on the home page of this site, it was immediately decided that the DC and ADC would carry Pace Sticks instead of Wands. Chris Parfitt-Taylor offered to provide these and said he would look at some way of identifying them as DC wands.

Steve Heynes said that one tradition that might be observed was the Forces’ way of making sure the troops had been fed before the Officers and SNCO's dined. This would equate to the Top Table being served last. A potential problem maybe but, when asked his opinion, the Pro Provincial Grand Master said he would be happy for that to happen.

it was also decided that we would enquire about providing our own wine with the Lodge logo on. Steve said that he would look into that and, as you will see at the Festive Board today, was successful.