Bro Jack Thornborough – Chairman of the Connaught Club – gives an update on what’s going on with the young masons in London in 2022.

We have been very fortunate to have in-person drinks since the summer – it has been great to see so many new and returning faces at our regular monthly event. A great deal has happened since the last update!

Let’s start with the best event of the year: our Christmas Dinner. After having a year off, we were delighted that we were able to meet again for the highlight of our social calendar.  Given the circumstances, organising an event such as this had its challenges, but the Committee worked hard to deliver a fantastic event for our 37 attendees. The event was held at the prestigious Oriental Club in Mayfair, where we were graciously hosted by our Club Secretary, Bro Adam Bradley. We were treated to a delicious 3-course meal including a traditional Christmas turkey with the trimmings, all washed down with a generous amount of pre and post-dinner drinks. We were also fortunate to be joined by the President and Vice-President of the Club, VW Bro Timothy L’Estrange and W Bro Gus Machado PSGD. Alongside our annual best (worst?) bow tie contest, Christmas carols and raffle, we managed to raise a good amount for charity, enjoy a social occasion and, maybe most importantly, get to know each other a little better after such a long time apart. 

One of the great parts of the club is our ongoing partnership with Burgoyne Lodge. Taken over by current and former members of the club, it allows us to build and strengthen our Masonic knowledge and attend meetings together - even when we leave the club. Burgoyne’s most recent meeting was in February. Although the meeting itself was brief, several members of the club became members of the Lodge, reinforcing that partnership. We then all retired for a long evening of watching England vs Wales in the Six Nations at an informal Festive Board setting. 

So, what’s next for the club? Our March AGM will see a few members of the Committee retire after long service to the club, but it will also give a chance for newer members to step up. We are organising another Masonic education evening, a regular tradition of the club. This time, we will be honoured to welcome the Mark Provincial Grand Master for London, Tom Quinn, who will talk about being Advanced into Mark and what potential options lie ahead for a brother after he has completed his third degree. We will look to revisit our popular shooting dinner from last year, as well as other formal and informal events. While it is a long way off, our Christmas Dinner will certainly be returning. As always, monthly drinks are on the first Friday of every month near Great Queen Street. 

If you’re not already a member of the Connaught Club, you’re Under 35, and either you are a London mason, or you live or work in London and are a member of a Lodge outside London, why not consider joining? Membership is only £40 (£25 after the first year) per year and enables you to attend all of the great events that we put on throughout the year to get young masons across London together for our famously roaring social events, seminars and Lodge meetings. You can sign up for the club online on our website at www.connaughtclub.org or drop our membership secretary Maceo an email at membership@connaughtclub.org. We have a great many events planned for this year and would love for you to be able to join us!

With lockdown, disruption and uncertainty behind us, we are all immensely looking forward to offering Members a very warm welcome when their schedules allow. We hope to see as many of you as soon as possible!

This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 48 April 2022 edition.
Arena Magazine is the official magazine of the London Freemasons - Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.

Read more articles in the Arena Issue 48 here.