4 minute read
242 UPDATE
I am writing this email to inform our members of the proposed investment in the Social Club initially and then the Lodge in due course. I have broken this into 3 areas to help you understand our thinking.
Challenges:
Advertisement
The existing Fire Alarm System was defective and no longer compliant with current Legislation. The Social Club had a couple of attempted break-ins, which was not helped by having no CCTV system as a deterrent. It is plain for all who still support and visit the Lodge that the very fabric of our Temple and Social
Club are tired, dated and in need of investment. The Car Park is falling into a state of disrepair and has very poor drainage, particularly at the Social
Club entrance which is often flooded. There are areas of the Cupolas on the Lodge Roof that require repair as we have water ingress. This is the same in the Office Bearers Room.
Funding:
Whilst the current COVID Pandemic has inflicted a terrible toll on Society in general, if there is to be any saviour arising from this episode in life, it is through our Social Club. Only by having a Social Club attached to our Masonic Lodge we have been able to benefit from £16,000 worth of Grants from the
Government as well as £500 / wk during the enforced closure. The very purpose of these Grants and aid is to encourage investment and keep the wheels of industry turning. Not to tuck away for a rainy day. Remember, if the Lodge did not have the Social Club we would have been entitled to no monies whatsoever. We reckon we have a figure of circa £26-£28,000 for investment.
Targets:
Prior to any of the COVID funding or indeed the existence of COVID, the Lodge had already committed to an expenditure of circa £9,000 on refurbishing the toilets. Due to the legalities of the Fire Alarm system we had again already embarked on a complete overhaul of the system to 2021 standards as well as the installation of an extensive and robust CCTV system for not only security of the Building but also for the protection of our Bar Staff. This investment has cost a further £8,000. This combined investment of £17,000 is outwith our proposed future investment stated above. We propose to install drainage gullies and new step and ramp formations at the Social Club entrance and the Adjacent Fire Escape area. We propose to renew the carpets in both the Social Club (see below) and Hall, inclusive of new underlay, vinyl etc. We propose to Have the Social Club Wall & ceiling timber panelling professionally overhauled and spray-painted to nice modern colours to brighten the place up. Likewise we propose to have all of the existing chairs & tables overhauled, new lighting and modern picture etc. We further propose to replace the existing Radiators, which are aged and failing at the welded joints.
As previously stated we have this opportunity to try our best to overhaul the Social Club with this bespoke funding and trust you will accept and encourage our endeavours. Exciting times ahead brethren and we
want you to be a part of your lodge moving forward.
Your comments are welcome as well as any donations you see fit to offer.
Thanks to the brethren of 242 for supplying all the Easter Eggs for St. Paul’s Girls’ Brigade (1st Johnstone). This has been very much appreciated by all the girls, many from Howwood Road who have found lockdown difficult. Below some eggs about to be delivered!
Dr. Gordon Brown
Bro. Dr. Frederick Gordon Brown, who practised in the City of London for many years, died at Chigwell, Essex, on January 15th, at the advanced age of 85. He was the son of the late Dr. Thomas Brown, who practised in Wormwood Street, and was born in the city, being educated at Merchant Taylors’ School and St. Thomas’s Hospital. For more than fifty-two years he was a medical officer of the City of London Union, and for over twenty-eight years was surgeon to the City of London Police. He retired in September, 1914, but acted for various younger men during the war in order to release them for war service. He was for some time medical officer in charge of the 7th Royal Fusiliers.
Dr. Gordon Brown was a prominent Freemason, being a Past Grand Officer of the Grand Lodge of England. He was also the senior Past Master of the Society of Apothecaries of London, and a former president of the Hunterian Society. He is better known for having examined the remains of Catherine Eddowes, murdered by Jack The Ripper on September 30, 1888.
To submit an article or want added to the mail list or Facebook group, contact the Editor, Grant Macleod:
