Essex Light Blues attend historic meeting at Great Queen Street, London

Seven Essex Light Blues attend first ever Grand Lodge meeting that engaged all levels of Freemasonry

Since the forming of the United Grand Lodge of England in 1813, there has been a regular Quarterly Communication meeting held with the minimum qualification for attendance being that of a Warden or Master (including Past Masters) of a Lodge.

However, following the Pro Grand Master, Jonathan Spence, emphasising the importance of involving all members of the fraternity and to achieve the objectives set forth in the Strategy for Freemasonry 2022 and Beyond, an historic gathering was authorised.

For the first time in Freemasonry’s 307-year history that on 31 May 2025, more than 1,000 Entered Apprentices, Fellow Crafts, Master Masons, and Past Masters who have not yet received a Metropolitan, Provincial, or District rank will convene in the Grand Temple. The gathering will represent a significant step towards engaging all levels of Freemasonry and ensuring that even those in the early stages of their Masonic journey are included in the fraternity’s future.

This was to be, and on the 31^st May 2025, the meeting took place as an emergency gathering of Lodge Sine Nomine No. 10000 with 1,600 in attendance and included the grandeur typically seen in a meeting of Grand Lodge, complete with ceremonial pageantry led by the Grand Director of Ceremonies.

In addition to the attendance by the Essex Provincial Grand Master, Paul Tarrant and other Provincial officers there were also seven Light Blues* to witness this historical meeting, namely:

Gary Whiten – Colcestria Lodge No. 7123 : David Thomas – Lodge of Old Friendship No. 3907 : David Talbot-Clarke – Ostrea Lodge No. 8209 : Ben Hills – Tudor Lodge No. 6947 : Lee Emmett – Tudor Lodge No. 6947 : John Berwick – Venturer Lodge No. 7897 : Roberto Lagna-Fietta – West Essex Round Table Lodge No. 9310

The Pro Grand Master who took the chair, addressed all attendees, emphasising the importance of Light Blues to the Constitution and outlining the support that will be provided by both Grand Lodge and Supreme Grand Chapter in the future.

The seven Light Blues who attended had an immensely enjoyable day also thoroughly appreciating the grandeur of the temple and pageantry of the event.

‘*’ Brethren who have not achieved a Metropolitan, Provincial, or District rank.

Photo

Top: The seven Light Blues in attendance with far-right Joe Shearer, Assistant Provincial Grand Master