The Kent and Connaught Clubs
The Kent Club: A Masonic voyage of discovery
W Bro Andrei Padure, Club Communications Officer, writes:
The Kent Club is a place where Freemasons of all ages come together to build strong friendships and enjoy Masonic traditions and social events. The Kent Club continues to offer a variety of engaging events that our members love; and this year has been nothing short of spectacular.
Spring brought the Cognac Show at Glaziers’ Hall, where our members explored over 200 varieties of Cognacs, Armagnacs, and Calvados. In April our members enjoyed a dive into history with “From the Templars to The Da Vinci Code” at the Temple Church, delving into the mysteries and marvels of one of London’s most iconic landmarks. In support of the Metropolitan Grand Lodge Air Ambulance Appeal, we’ve extended our run of historic London virtual tours, led by W Bro Tom Currie PMetGStwd; including “Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: London’s Bloody Past”, “Roman Ruins to Blitz Bombings: London’s Fiery History” and “Booze, Brothels & The Bard: London’s Bawdy Borough”. May’s standout moment was the Jack the Ripper Masonic Tour, led by W Bro Mike Neville, a distinguished published author and retired Scotland Yard detective, revealing the intriguing Masonic connections of those intertwined with the case.
Our summer highlight was the President’s Gala Dinner on June 29th at the Royal Air Force Club. This elegant event saw members and their partners gather for an evening of fine dining, camaraderie, and inspiration, with distinguished guest speaker RW Bro Warren Duke, Metropolitan Grand Master and Metropolitan Grand Superintendent, adding further prestige to an already extraordinary evening.
Looking ahead, in September our members are invited to the Whisky Show and Captain’s Charity Golf Day. The Kent Club’s Committee remains dedicated to curating events that enrich and inspire our members. Join us in this journey of discovery and brotherhood. Details of the Kent Club and all our activities can be found on our website at londonfreemasons.club, or by contacting us at Embrace the spirit of Freemasonry with the Kent Club—where every season brings new adventures and lifelong friendships.
The Connaught Club: for young Masons
Bro. Adam Bradley, Club Chairman, writes:
The Connaught Club, the home for young Freemasons in London, is happy to report that 2024 continues to be a bumper year for events and member engagement. A recent highlight in our calendar was the third annual Clay Shoot and Shoot Dinner, a day which truly embodies the spirit of the Club, enabling our vibrant community to access experiences that might otherwise prove challenging whilst providing excellent opportunities for meeting friends old and new, and enjoying the shared company which characterises Freemasonry.
The Connaught Club’s mission is simple: to offer a welcoming environment where young Masons can establish friendships and deepen their understanding of Freemasonry. The Club’s wide array of events includes regular social gatherings, formal dinners, Masonic seminars, special events, and opportunities to meet an incredibly wide variety of Masons. All of our events are designed to foster a sense of community, helping members to make true friends from across the Craft to assist in developing their Masonic journeys.
The Club has been very active since our last appearance in Arena, with a total of 12 events in the first half of 2024. These range from casual “First Friday” socials & Masonic Fireside Chats, to our illustrious Chairman’s Dinner and other unique opportunities for unusual experiences. Like any well-administered organisation, we also have our share of formalities. Our Annual General Meeting in March saw the re-election of our Chairman, Bro Adam Bradley, as well as several new additions to the Committee, drawn from more junior members who have been keen to engage with the running of the Club.
Looking forward to the rest of this year and next, the events keep coming, with activities such as Go-Karting, Cricket in the park, an international visit, and the coveted Christmas Dinner all on the horizon. The traditional summer break doesn’t mean that you can’t get your fix of Masonic fellowship. So if you’re interested in joining us, expanding your circle of friends in the Craft and revelling in unique experiences, please do check out the website or get in touch! Membership is open to those under the age of 35, and full details can be found online at www.connaughtclub.org
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.
