By W Bro Chad Albert Lilley, Lodge Secretary

Beadon Lodge No 619, consecrated in 1853, was sponsored by Zetland Lodge No 511 - named after the second Earl of Zetland, who in 1844 succeeded HRH The Duke of Sussex, the first Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England. Beadon Lodge initially met at The Star and Garter Hotel on Kew bridge, but after many years and several relocations, found a permanent home at Great Queen Street. This is particularly fitting as Beadon Lodge is a Hall Stone Lodge - something the members of the Lodge are still very proud of today!

William Frederick Beadon, the principal Founder of the Lodge, was initiated in 1829 into the Scientific Lodge No 88 in Cambridge. Shortly afterwards, he came to London, joining Bedford Lodge No 157 in 1832. Later, he became a member of several other celebrated London Lodges. At his untimely death in 1862 at the age of 53, Freemasonry lost an accomplished and zealous craftsman and an earnest and liberal supporter of its charitable institutions.

Beadon Lodge is currently preparing for a very auspicious commemoration. On Wednesday, 29^th November 2023, the Lodge will be celebrating its 170^th anniversary. As we approach the spring season, it is not just the flora and fauna that are creating new shoots of growth.

Beadon Lodge has been bucking the current trend and has seen meaningful growth in membership with a young and enthusiastic crop of Freemasons. The established members of the Lodge have welcomed the new members into the fold, imparting experience, skills and knowledge in the craft.

This has created a dynamic and welcoming atmosphere within the Lodge, not to mention memorable festive boards. The defining moments of this new era were a triple initiation in 2019 and then a further post Covid initiation and more members joining the Lodge and the craft in the intervening period. This has resulted in a total of 9 new members with an average age of 35 and with more candidate interviews planned for the coming months.

Visiting Lodges at recent meetings, I have been impressed and, dare I say, a little envious of the participation within the Lodge of fellowcrafts and entered apprentices. Particular compliments were made on the quality of the floor work, working tools and explanation of the white gloves.

As part of the 170th-anniversary celebrations, there is a planned trip to the battlefields of Flanders, The Menin Gate and Commonwealth grave sites in Ypres to pay respect to fallen brethren. There is still a strong military connection within the Lodge to the Royal Green Jackets and The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

There is a full calendar of events planned for this momentous anniversary. Beadon Lodge would like to extend a warm invitation to any visiting brethren that would like to celebrate with us. Please contact our Lodge Secretary W Bro Chad Albert Lilley at secretary.beadonlodge619@hotmail.com

This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 51 April 2023 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 51 here.