News

Freemen, Fellowship & Farewell

Details: Published: Saturday, 04 October 2025 09:34

On Friday 3rd October members of the Guild of Freemen Council No. 145 assembled in the Hong Kong temple on the third floor of Mark Masons' Hall for their October meeting.

At the meeting the Council welcomed the District Grand Prefect R.W. Bro. Colin Woodcock on what was to be his last official visit as the DGP of London, before he is installed as the Deputy Grand Master later this month. He was accompanied by a large delegation including the District Grand Prefect elect V.W. Bro. Scott Cargill who will be invested as the DGP for London at our annual meeting in November.

The Council Introduced a new Brother into the order Bro. Robert Wingfield, who was then also made a Knight of Constantinople. Both ceremonies conducted in fine style by the Worshipful Master W. Bro. Steve Cox and his team.

Meeting concluded the Brethren made their way to the ground floor to the Boardroom, which was a splendid setting for Colin's final duty as DGP. A hearty toast was made to Colin and in his response he contemplated on his 15 years as our DGP. He was proud to be leaving the District in a really healthy state, it having grown during his tenure to the largest District in the Order and he thanked all the Councils, members and officers who had assisted him over the years. He concluded by saying that his overriding emotion of the AMD order and the District of London in particular was one of Fellowship.

The evening over the Worship Master toasted to our next merry meeting.

Click here to view photos from the meeting

Autumn Social - Lincoln's Inn

Details: Published: Friday, 26 September 2025 15:32

Booking is now open for the District's Autumn Social on Thursday 6th November.

You, your partner and friends are warmly invited to the District Autumn Social Event.

On Thursday 6th November, we have arranged a group tour of Lincoln's Inn in Central London, a short walk from Holborn and Chancery Lane tube stations. The tour will be followed by a 2 course lunch in the Great Hall.

The estate comprises buildings from all 600 years of the Inn’s history, from late mediaeval to building work completed in 2019. Your guide will explain how this architectural legacy reflects both the continuity of the Inn’s purpose and the changing nature of life at the Bar, and give you access to interior spaces usually only available to members of the Inn.

The tour will start at 11am and will last for around 1-1.5 hours. After the tour we will make our way to the restaurant in the Great Hall for a 2 course lunch. The dress code is simply smart casual.

More information on Lincoln's Inn can be found here.

Tickets are £46 per person
The ticket price covers the cost of
the guided tour
2 course lunch (main + dessert)
** Please note that wine is NOT included

To book your place please click here.

Rose & Lily Welcomes District Grand Prefect

Details: Published: Thursday, 25 September 2025 15:21

And so we had part 1 of Colin Woodcock’s “farewell tour” which was an official visit to Rose & Lily Council with a delegation in double figures and which included the District Grand Prefect Designate Scott Cargill.

It was a packed agenda, which saw an Admittance, a Knights of Constantinople ceremony and an Installation all conducted extremely well by Vinccent Fattorusso.

The candidates - David Carter and Sebastiaan Eldritch-Böersen - thoroughly enjoyed themselves and Phil Elder is now in his first AMD chair.

The Festive Board was loud with chatter and laughter, and the sense of fellowship was strong around the table. There were also heartfelt tributes to Colin for his 15 years of dedicated service to the District.

Click here to view Photos

Appointment of New District Prefect for London

Details: Published: Thursday, 18 September 2025 10:46

Please see the message below from R. W. Bro. Colin Woodcock MBE:

Brethren of London AMD,

As probably my last communication with you all, I have the greatest pleasure in announcing to you that I have received a letter from the Grand Secretary informing me that the Grand Master - M. W. Bro. Thomas Firth Jackson - has considered the succession in London and appointed V. W. Bro. Scott Cargill to the position of District Grand Prefect.

I have attached the letter for your interest and information.

This is excellent news for London AMD and for Scott who thoroughly deserves this promotion. He has worked long and tirelessly for our District, and I am sure that he will take it to further success and strength and that you will all give him your support and friendship as you have, unfailingly to me, since my own Installation. I will thus retire as your District Grand Prefect at midnight on Monday 27 October 2025 and Scott becomes, at that point, Deputy District Grand Prefect in charge and his Installation will take place at the regular District AGM on Saturday 15 November 2025. I am sure you will be there in record numbers to support him.

From me - a final massive thank you for the last few years. I have enjoyed it beyond measure and leave with so many good memories. I have two final visits and hopefully will see some of you there - so here's to our next merry meeting!

Colin

To book your place at Scott's Installation followed by the District Annual Meeting, please click here: https://forms.gle/cCu7DSriDToYpT2b7. The final date for booking is Friday 31 October.