Royal Naval Lodge

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On Friday 9th May 2025, the Green Room Lodge No 2957 played host to some very important visitors from The Grande Loge of Luxembourg, who were visiting the UK. For some, it was their first visit to Grand Lodge. 

16 members from La Parfaite Union Lodge of Luxembourg No 2 made the journey to London, where they enjoyed visits to Museums, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and Westminster plus other guided tours of our wonderful City.

Their visit culminated in attending an excellent ceremony of Passing being held at Freemasons Hall by the members of the Green Room Lodge No 2957.  The visit was arranged through UGLE, who contacted the Lodge secretary, W Bro Graham Cottington, to enquire whether the Lodge could accommodate them.  Once a link had been established with their organiser, Bro Michel Reinham of the Luxembourg lodge, plans were put in place and a summons sent, giving them the meeting details.

The Passing ceremony was a special one for the Lodge, conferring the privileges of the Second Degree on its newest member, Bro Bruno Ventura; who is currently the Production Stage Manager for the Royal Opera House.

The Worshipful Master, W Bro James Baker, welcomed the Brethren and a wonderful ceremony was conducted with W Bro Roger Middleditch taking the role as SD and performing an almost perfect ceremony. W Bro Peter Thrush presented a faultless rendition of the long version of the Second Degree Tools, which our visitors had never heard before. Likewise, W Bro Mark Dunn gave an excellent explanation of the Second Tracing Board – again a first for our visitors.

A lively and well attended Festive board was held at our regular venue, the Concert Artists Association in Covent Garden, where the Lodge has had the privilege of dining for almost 40 years. 

At the festive board, the Visiting Worshipful Master, W Bro André Richardy, presented the Lodge with a special commemorative jewel as a bond of friendship; and a collarette which signifies the union between both of our Lodges’ Masters.

The visitors then rose and thanked the members of the Green Room for an outstanding ceremony and warmth of friendship shown to them; this was followed by a chant and salute to the Green Room in French, which was very well received.

The Secretary, W Bro Graham Cottington, then presented a souvenir booklet and keyring to each guest on behalf of the Lodge. The booklet gives the history of the Lodge and a record of the Lodge’s centenary celebration meeting; this was likewise very well received.   

A return invitation was given, and plans will be put in place to reciprocate a visit to Luxembourg to one of their Lodge meetings, hopefully in 2026.

It was a great pleasure to host such a wonderful group of Masons, in a visit both Lodges thoroughly enjoyed.

This article is part of the Arena Magazine Issue 58 – Summer 2025 edition.
Arena Magazine is the official online magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.

Read more articles in Arena Issue 58 here.

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