Taurus Lodge

W Bro Stephen Lovelock SLGR writes…

Due to its proximity to Burns Night, the January meeting of the London Scottish Rifles Lodge No 2310 traditionally incorporates a Burns Night supper into the Festive Board. This year, however, it was held with a significant difference as the Meeting had also been adopted by the Welcome Project and promoted to other Lodges through the REACH network, unique to the Keith Alexander Inspectorate.

Thus, on Tuesday 22^nd January 2025 at 4pm, the Worshipful Master, W Bro Mike McLaren, welcomed 34 visitors and 28 Lodge members into the Grand Temple at Mark Masons Hall to receive Keith Alexander PSGD, Metropolitan Grand Inspector, on the occasion of his official visit.

Thanks to the promotion of the meeting, no less than nine Entered Apprentices and two recently passed Fellow Craft were present to witness the Initiation of Bro Charlie Mitchell-Lyth, a Palace Attendant at the Royal Household and also an instructor to the Scots Guards (formerly London Scottish) cadets.

The ceremony was conducted to a very high standard by the Worshipful Master and his officers, including a faultless explanation of the First Degree Working Tools by Bro Jamie Spencer, an Entered Apprentice and grandson of the Lodge Membership Officer.  Following the National Anthem, the meeting retired to enjoy the Burns-style Festive Board.

For many of the visitors, this was the first time they had witnessed a Burns Supper. The haggis was piped in by the Lodge Piper, Bro Brent Johnston and addressed by W Bro Gary Anderson SLGR. Following a fine meal of haggis, neeps and tatties, strip steak and vegetables and cheese and biscuits, those present were treated to piping by the Lodge Piper accompanied by former Lodge Pipers, W Bro Gary Anderson and W Bro Mike Shanahan; the latter an inpatient of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea and resplendent in his scarlets. The Immortal Memory to Rabbie Burns was given by W Bro Alex McBride LGR.

Following the traditional toasts, the Lodge Secretary, W Bro Steve Lovelock SLGR, gave the toast to the visitors. In his address he stated that there were no less than 34 visitors representing 29 Lodges, ranging in antiquity from Royal Naval Lodge No 59 to Downton Lodge No 9064. Nine Grand Officers and every Masonic Rank below were in attendance – a truly great representation of Freemasons from across the spectrum. W Bro Charles Brookes PAGSwdB of Royal Naval Lodge No 59 gave the response on behalf of the visitors.

Then followed the Toast to the London Scottish Regiment, followed by a lusty rendition of the Regimental Song 'The Hodden Grey'. The evening ended with the ‘Evening Hymn’, perhaps better known as Auld Lang Syne. All agreed the evening had been most enjoyable and hugely successful in its aim of attracting so many new members to witness the ceremony of Initiation.

The London Scottish Rifles Lodge was consecrated on 2^nd May 1889; formed by and for members of the London Scottish Regiment. Whilst remaining true to its Regimental background, it has been an open Lodge since the 1970s. Members of the Lodge served in the Boer War and both World Wars, with 15 making the supreme sacrifice. Most recently, members of the Lodge have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is a member of the Circuit of Service Lodges.

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.