Since its first meeting at the Frascati Restaurant in Oxford Street in 1907 to Freemasons' Hall in Great Queen Street today, London Dorset Lodge No 3221, whilst proudly being a “Met Lodge” has deep connections to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Dorset.
Consecrated on 7 March 1907, its first Master was Col. Sir William Williams, then Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Dorset. William also served the Province of Dorset, as the Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in 1890, Provincial Senior Grand Warden in 1895 and Deputy Provincial Grand Master from 1909 until he passed in 1922.
He was appointed Junior Grand Deacon by the United Grand Lodge of England in 1907, notably before he was made Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Dorset.
Spinning forward more than 100 years, on 6 March 2023, Mark Burstow, Provincial Grand Secretary of Dorset was Installed as Master.
Working Together
Installing Master, Mat Card was in fine form; his beautifully clear voice clearly reaching the farthest corners of a packed Temple No 3 in Freemasons Hall. Director of Ceremonies, David Evans, had drilled his team very well and ran a slick operation both in the Dining room and in the temple. David also gave more inexperienced brethren parts of the ritual, in presenting the Working Tools. Robert Emm, the 3rd Degree, Mitch Evans the 2nd Degree, and Geoff Hart the 1st Degree.
It has long been a custom that a delegation of senior Officers from Dorset attends the Annual Installation ceremony and deliver the addresses to the Master, Wardens and Brethren; this year was no different with the addresses delivered perfectly and with great style by Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Mike Parkes, Provincial Senior Grand Warden Mike Haines and Provincial Grand Steward Alan Washbourne. Dorset’s Provincial Grand Almoner, Colin Wills delivered the Long Closing, a Taylor’s working favourite full of emotional depth and expressive meaning without flaw.
An Enjoyable Evening
Members retired to the Freemasons Arms for dinner with the diners served wine by three Active Dorset Provincial Grand Stewards, Terry Green, Colin Sandall and Alan Washbourne. There was an immensely convivial feel in the dining room, the speeches and toasts all being well received with a characteristically witty and clever response to the Visitors toast from Mark Hinsley, the Director of Ceremonies of Dorset.
London Dorset’s Visiting Officer, Gerry Amsden said,
'This is a wonderful and happy Lodge, which I am very proud to be the Visiting Officer.'
