A little more than a month ago, I responded positively to an invitation to arrange for any new members of the Covenant Lodge to attend a welcome presentation at our headquarters in Great Queen Street, London.
For anyone who has not previously visited the building, I heartily recommend it. It is open to the public most days of the week. That said, I booked two tickets which covered the cost of wine and canapes after speeches and presentations.
What a surprise and delight it all turned out to be! I speak as a long in the tooth Freemason of many years standing. We were treated to a very good “no holds barred” speech by one of our Assistant Metropolitan Grand Master’s followed by a most erudite, amusing and informative mini-lecture on the topic of the history of Freemasonry.
We broke off from that and adjourned to a warm reception of wine, food and chat in an area packed with new Freemasons, their friends and partners. I was most impressed with the energy, enthusiasm and general level of intellect of all the newcomers to Freemasonry I encountered that evening.
The new member of Covenant Lodge and I then adjourned to a nearby pub for further chats and then home.
What a worthwhile exercise.