Cholmeley Lodge no. 1731 next meeting Monday 7th December

Cholmeley Lodge 1731 - Founded in 1878

There are many weird and wonderful ideas purported to Freemasonry in the public’s conscious, ranging from the hilarious to the dangerous. But what actually is Freemasonry? Freemasonry is a society concerned with moral and spiritual values. Its members are taught its precepts by a series of ritual dramas, whilst following three great principles. These principles are: Brotherly Love, Relief (Charity), and Truth.

Every true Freemason will show tolerance and respect for the opinions of others, practise charity in all forms and at every opportunity, and strive for truth in each part of their lives. That may have surprised some of you! Freemasonry has been accused of being a ‘secret society’, this is not true, it is a society with secrets and there is a huge difference!

Freemasonry officially began in England with the formation of the Grand Lodge of England in 1717.

Cholmeley was formed in 1878, the Droit Humain (co-Masonry who initiated women) in 1893 in France, and the Order of Women’s Freemasons in 1918 in England. Before 1717, the facts and origins of Freemasonry are not absolutely known, but some theories claim to trace its origins via the Knights Templar, the Royal houses of medieval Europe, Roman Near East, Classical Greece, even to the doorstep of history in ancient Egypt.

Cholmeley Lodge, is the oldest public school Freemasons lodge, was formed in 1878 by members of staff and villagers from Highgate. Two notable founders were Reverend JB Dyne, Headmaster from 1838 to 1874 and TC Tatham. Its best-known member of recent years was Theodore Mallinson (TGM), master of the lodge in 1981 and 1982. The Lodge currently has about 40 members and those who are eligible to join can either be past pupils of the school, members of staff, including the Head Master (of which there have been many from Highgate), and the school’s Governors.

For over a hundred years the Lodge met at the Café Royal and now meets at ‘The Great Hall’ Saint Bartholomew’s Hospital in the City of London. The Great Hall at Bart's offers a stunning environment, steeped in history, outstanding dining with Georgian splendour and is an ideal setting for Cholmeley Lodge & Chapter. The hall was designed by James Gibbs in the 1730s, the magnificent Great Hall remains virtually unaltered and is one of the finest public rooms to be found in London. The approach to the Great Hall is by the famous Grand Staircase, decorated with superb eighteenth century murals by William Hogarth.

Please follow this link:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Bartholomew's_Hospital)

This is a truly prestigious venue befitting the Oldest Public School Lodge within the Public Schools Lodges Council.Cholmeley Lodge joined this group which encompasses Schools such as Charterhouse, Dulwich, Eton, Harrow, Malvern, Marlborough, Merchant Taylors, St. Pauls, Rugby, Westminster & others.

Please follow this link:http://www.pslc.net/Default.aspx).

It's membership is open to former pupils of the school, members of staff and Governors. Meetings take place 4 times a year on the:1st Monday in the months of February, November and December and the 2nd Monday in May.

The Lodge also has a Royal Arch Chapter, which also meets at 'The Great Hall' on the: 3rd Monday of January and the 1st Monday in April and October.

The Lodge raises considerable amounts of money for both Masonic and non-Masonic charities. Recent charities include, The North London Hospice, Cancer Research, Bart’s Cyberknife, The London Air Ambulance Helicopter.

For more information about Cholmeley Lodge 1731, please contact The Secretary, Tony Selkus by clicking below.