On Saturday 11th February, Cadogan Court, the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institute Care Home in Exeter, Devon, played host to a special meeting of the Admiral Blake Lodge No 4692.
The Lodge had met there on several occasions, pre-Covid, so that those residents who are Masons could enjoy a short Masonic meeting without having to travel away from the home. The meeting was held in one of the home’s comfortable day rooms, with Lodge furniture brought in for the day by the members of Admiral Blake and the other Bridgwater Lodges. Well over thirty Brethren were present to watch the Worshipful Master, Daniel Harding, open the Lodge, assisted by his Officers.
The working tools of each Degree were thereafter explained by Ian Billington (1st), Sam Brown (2nd) and Hedley Price (3rd), all of which were presented extremely well. Then to the main business of the meeting, which was the presentation of a certificate to John Lendon in recognition and celebration of his sixty years in Masonry.
John moved to Cadogan Court two years ago when his health started to fail and he felt he could no longer cope living on his own. He has nothing but praise for Cadogan Court and the wonderful staff who work there.
John was Initiated into Freemasonry by Exmoor Lodge, No 2390, in Minehead, Somerset, on 21st February 1963 and he remains a subscribing member of that Lodge to this day. During his short presentation to John, The Provincial Grand Master for Somerset, Ray Guthrie, lauded John’s considerable contribution to Freemasonry in general and to Exmoor Lodge in particular, having been Master there twice, Secretary for more than twenty years and having served in almost every other office in that Lodge throughout the years!
In response, John shared a few anecdotes from his 60 years in Masonry and thanked all who had attended, particularly the members of the Exmoor Lodge.
Another Cadogan Court resident present at the meeting was Malcolm Elder, who was the Master of the Forest of Selwood Lodge in Frome in 2019. Malcolm underwent surgery for cancer soon after relinquishing that position, becoming unable to live on his own without help. Wearing his newly-appointed Provincial regalia for the first time, he was obviously delighted to be at the meeting.
Thanks are due to Home Manager, Clare Walker, and her staff for facilitating the meeting, making us all welcome and ensuring that residents attending the meeting were all ready and waiting!
Thanks also to Dave Smith, Secretary of Admiral Blake Lodge and all the members who made the meeting possible.
It was a very special day for those residents of Cadogan Court who were able to attend.
For more information about Cadogan Court, please take a look at their website.
