Meet the Whisky Lodge
Yorick Lodge No 2771 was consecrated on the 31st October 1899.
The founders were primarily theatrical managers from the Stoll Moss Empires, alongside members of the legal profession. The name stemmed from The Yorick Club, a private members club.
The Lodge, with its very proud history, was a contributor to the building of the Peace Memorial which we know today as Freemasons’ Hall; and after donating to its construction, Yorick Lodge was granted the honour of being the first Lodge to hold a meeting in the newly completed Freemasons’ Hall in Great Queen Street in 1931, with a membership of some 85 Brethren.
Like many Lodges, the post Second World War years saw Yorick weathering ups and downs; but the trend was sadly largely a decline, with several hopeful albeit temporary revivals along the way.
By way of comparison, following the end of the Second World War, Yorick celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1949. At that event, 44 members and 133 guests sat down to dine. In 1999, however, Yorick chalked up its centenary with a far smaller number in attendance: just 53 members and guests dined.
To preserve this historical lodge under the auspices of its Metropolitan Grand Inspector, a committee was put together in September 2022 to develop Yorick into the Metropolitan Whisky Special Interest Lodge. Interest was initially garnered from Brethren known to the Inspector, including his own Inspectorate and many others who responded from an article posted on the London Masons Facebook group.
The opportunity to save and reboot failing Lodges, especially those with a long and distinguished history, by repurposing and sympathetically transitioning them into Special Interest Lodges was embraced in London; as preferable to consecrating new Lodges and losing so much heritage.
In November 2023, at the Installation Meeting, pursuant to a notice of motion, it was unanimously decided that Yorick Lodge would henceforth be dubbed ‘the Metropolitan Whisky Lodge’ whilst crucially preserving its name and proud history.
Indeed, very gratifyingly, five of the existing Yorick Brethren continued as full participatory members rather than becoming honorary members; and are all in office – including the Almoner – to preserve membership continuity. Joining members from the 2022 Committee include the new Secretary, Treasurer and Charity Steward – who is both an expert Whisky Sommelier and Taster in Chief. Hence, it has been a harmonious transition rather than an imposed takeover; which with the overarching objective of saving Yorick was always the desired outcome.
At our second meeting in March 2024, we were delighted to welcome our then soon to be Metropolitan Grand Master with his soon to be appointed new Deputy, together with the UGLE Assistant Grand Secretary and Director of Communications.
The Yorick Lodge’s streamlined Meetings are held three times per year on the third Tuesday in March, September, and November at Freemasons’ Hall; with later start times to minimise the impact on our members’ busy working lives; whether they be as new initiates or joining members. Meetings are followed by a rather unique Festive Board Buffet and Tasting.
If you enjoy a dram and wish to expand your whisky and/or whiskey knowledge, whilst educating your palate, then at each Festive Board we have six tastings of different themed whiskies from Scotland (including Speyside, the Highlands and Islands etc.), Ireland, Japan, North America, England, Wales, and all countries in between; followed by a seventh tot for the Toasts. Whether you are a new imbiber or an experienced aficionado, you’ll find something to enjoy.
Furthermore, we are looking to twin with at least one Scottish and Irish Lodge whilst also inviting whisky distillers to give presentations and showcase their samples.
Fast readers of Arena will be just in time to attend our third meeting on 17th September, where you will be made most welcome! Embrace the fun at our website: yorickwhiskylodge.freemasons.london: hit the contact page and join!
Slainte.
This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 55 Summer 2024 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 55 here.
