A special celebration at Cadogan Court.
On Saturday 11th February 2023 Cadogan Court, The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution Care Company (RMBI Care Co.) home in Exeter 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 comfortable day rooms at the home, 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 Lodge was opened in the three degrees with the working tools of each degree being explained by Bro Ian Billington (1st) Bro Sam Brown (2nd) and W.Bro Hedley Price (3rd). The Master then closed in the third and second degrees for the main business of the day, the presentation of a certificate to W.Bro John Lendon PAGDC, celebrating 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 on his own. Talking to him he has nothing but praise for the home and the wonderful staff who work there. W.Bro John was initiated into Freemasonry in the Exmoor Lodge No 2390 in Minehead on 21st February 1963. and remains a subscribing member of that Lodge. During his short presentation to John the Provincial Grand Master for Somerset, R.W.Bro Ray Guthrie lauded to John’s contribution to Freemasonry in Minehead and Exmoor Lodge in particular, having been Master twice, secretary for more than twenty years and having served in almost every other office! In response John shared a couple of anecdotes of his 60 years in Masonry and thanked all who had attended, particularly the members of the Exmoor Lodge.
Another resident present at the meeting was W.Bro Malcolm Elder, Master of the Forest of Selwood Lodge in Frome in 2019. Malcolm underwent surgery for cancer not long after relinquishing the chair and was also unable to live on his own without help. Wearing his 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 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.
More information about Cadogan Court
Great photographs by Bro Les Pickersgill – Provincial Photographer
