Author: Onlsow Lodge

Letter from Bro. Onnik Ovanezov (Bulgaria)

Triple Initiation marked the first visit of Brethren from Ararat Lodge – Orient Varna, №76 under the UGL of Bulgaria at the Onslow Lodge – Pat. 2234, Guilford, Surrey County under the UGL of England.
The reason for the joint work of the Bulgarian and the English brethren were the dedication in the apprentice of Daniel – son of Bro. Stanislav from the Lodge “Ararat”, into Onslow Lodge. Together with Daniel – two more students came in, too alumni of the University of Surrey. Ceremony went into an extremely well-intentioned atmosphere and in full harmony.

Delegation of Lodge “Ararat” bestowed of their English brethren plaque and official almanac from the UGL of Bulgaria project “Generic Memory”, „Between the river and the sea”, which contains historical notes and pictures of paintings of Bulgarian – Armenian artist Bedig Bedrosyan (1912-1989). In the work of the Lodges took part the AGM of the PVL of Surrey W.Bro. Mike Harding.

Bulgarian delegation was led by the Master of Lodge Ararat, Orient Varna – W.Bro. Kevork Krikoryan, and they participated in it the Brethren Onnik Ovanezov, Plamen Dimov and Stanislav Mitev.

W.Bro. Mike Harding spoke of the symbolic jubilee sign in the initiation of the three gentlemen in the Onslow Lodge – this year the Brethren celebrate 130 years since its founding (24.01.1888).

A very bright moment of the celebration of the Light highlighted the dedication of WBro. Paul Cope, who turned to the newly adopted apprentices with the poem “The Mother Lodge” by Brother Joseph Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936). It loud, nostalgic and full of eternal love poems for the Lodge – Mother (see the poem in the original-here, bb), expected to remind us of the paternal and brotherly covenants to the son of the poem “If”. It also has come out under the golden pen of J. R. Kipling (cf. poem in the original here, translated) and translated into Bulgarian from the poetry maestro Valeri Petrov.

After the ritual, the evening continued in hearty Agappa, during which there were lifted toasts for a keen and fruitful collaboration between the “Ararat” and “Onslow” Lodges, for prosperity and the harmony of all the Brethren of the UGLB and UGLE, for peace and the rise of the countries.

Bro. James Radford-Flint, was passed to the degree of a fellow-craft on Thursday March 8th, and Bro …………. will be passed for us on the 20th March at Bordon Garrison Lodge 7538.

W.Bro. Mike Dillon was elected president of the Onslow Lodge of Instruction No. 102, with W.Bro. Andrew Vallance taking on the secretary’s role, as well as being a preceptor.

Onslow Lodge was 130 years old on the 24-01-2018, having been consecrated in 1888.

The Worshipful Master was pleased to invest two Students into office yesterday.

Onslow Lodge was honoured with the presents of four brethren from Ararat Lodge Pat. N76, under the United Grand Lodge of Bulgaria when one of the brethren’s son was initiated into our Lodge. They presented the APGM and our acting W.M. with plaques and books of paintings by a Bulgarian artist.

James (18) and Jack (95) the youngest and the oldest mason’s at the installation on January 9th 2018.

Onslow Lodge 2234 welcome three new initiates into Freemasonry

Onslow Lodge held its annual Summer Buffet at The South West Surrey Masonic Centre, Weybourne House in Guildford on Sunday 17^th July. Some 80 people attended made up of members of Onslow Lodge together with their families and friends. We all enjoyed pre-luncheon drinks on the veranda overlooking the River Wey before taking our seats in the dining room for a sumptuous buffet. After the meal a raffle was held and £500 was made, being divided equally between Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice and The 2019 Festival appeal which supports the new Masonic Charitable Foundation. The Grand Finale was as usual the now famous “Yockney Quiz” compiled by Onslow’s very own Quiz Master, Gerry Yockney, which got everyone’s grey matter working overtime.

This year we were joined by The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons, representing Freemasonry for women. Maxine Priestley, their Grand Secretary, was present and will be working with Onslow Lodge, in particular W. Bro David Fairhurst, in presenting Freemasonry to Surrey University students in support of the UGLE University Scheme initiative at this years Freshers Fayre at the end of September.

Here are some photographs of the day.

The lodge room seats were filled 3-deep in places as 44 brethren assembled to see Past Junior Grand Deacon, W. Bro. Gerry Yockney installed as the 127th Master of Onslow Lodge. This was Gerry’s 6th Installation as Worshipful Master, his second in Onslow Lodge.

Installing Master, W. Bro. David Fairhurst, commented on how much Freemasonry, and the world, has changed since Gerry was last Master of the Lodge and said it was good to see renewed enthusiasm from a distinguished Grand Officer now approaching his 80th birthday.

Gerry said he was looking forward to leading the Lodge through the next 12 months and, with the Universities’ Scheme now well established, want’s to focus on bringing in members from the local community to give us the continuity that we need to make sure Onslow Lodge can support student members in their brief time with us.

Gerry chose a balance of youth and experience in appointing his Officers. Who are all delighted to be serving under such a distinguished Master.