Masonic Lodge
The Old Brentwoods Masonic Lodge No. 5342 is the only aspect of Old Brentwoods' activities that is exclusive to past pupils of Brentwood School. As with all lodges, members must be male and over 21 years of age.
The Lodge is a London Lodge and meets at Freemasons' Hall, Great Queen Street, in October, December (the Installation meeting) and February but, under dispensation, holds its July meeting at the School. The Lodge is proud of its ritual, which is enhanced by the Lodge of Instruction which meets regularly in The Bean Library at the School to help new members become familiar with the ceremonies. The major purpose of the Lodge is charitable and the Lodge was recently awarded the Diamond Award for its contribution to The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution. The subsidiary purpose is to meet convivially with like minded Old Brentwoods', which purpose is enhanced by dining together at the festive boards held after every meeting.
The School meeting in July is especially enjoyable. The meeting starts with a service in the School Chapel and we are fortunate to be joined by many Masonic guests and friends from all over Essex and the London area, resulting in some 150 attending the meeting and dining together in the Tower Hall.
The Lodge is a member of the Federation of School Lodges and, in 2007, hosted the Diamond Jubilee meeting of the Federation, in our 75th. Anniversary year. There is an Old Brentwoods Chapter for those Master Masons who wish to complete their Masonic degrees, which, again, is exclusive to Old Brentwoods'.
New members of the Lodge are always welcome as indeed are Old Brentwoods, who are members of other Lodges, who may wish to become joining members and should contact the Secretary, Tim Faiers (timfaiers@hotmail.co.uk).
The next meeting of the Lodge will be on February,18th.,2010, when Worshipful Master, Christian Cooper, will be Raising Bros. Neil Hannaway and Rob. Coleman. The July meeting has been moved to the second Saturday, 10th. July. in view of the building works affecting the School dining room.Starting in the Chapel at 3.00pm followed by the meeting in the Memorial Hall, when Simon Reader will be Initiated,and finishing with the Festive Board, in the Courage Hall,the usual high turnout is expected.