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 fortunate to have had a number social events since our last update - which has been great! As we approach the summer holidays the Connaught Club has picked up enough momentum to carry us through to the start of the Masonic season. The Club now has over 200 subscribing members, is growing from strength to strength, and in-person events and socials are being well attended. We had a spectacular monthly social earlier in June which coincided with Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee - which we celebrated in full force a few steps from Freemasons' Hall - it has been great to see so many new and returning faces.

One of the great parts of the Club is our ongoing partnership with Burgoyne Lodge No 902. 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. Earlier this month, Burgoyne had its most recent meeting, which included a Passing as well as a Raising! We then all retired to a pub nearby in an informal Festive Board setting. The Club looks forward to the Lodge's installation meeting in October and what is shaping up to be a very fun February meeting in the New Year!

So what can Connaught members look forward to? The committee has been busy planning what the year ahead looks like and the events programme is now firmly pinned to the notice board! The Club's Masonic Bike Tour will be making another appearance in July for which the tour guide has a lovely Welsh lilt! We are looking forward to revisiting our popular Club Shoot which will take place in September followed by dinner steeped in newly found tradition, as well as other formal and informal events, including the annual picnic and a tour of Freemasons’ Hall. Plans for the annual Christmas Dinner have now been confirmed and we will announce the save the date shortly. As always, monthly drinks are on the first Friday of every month near Great Queen Street. Full details can be found in the Club's newsletter - Chisel.

If you’re not already a member of the Connaught Club, you’re 35 or under, and you are either 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 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!

This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 49 August 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 49 here.