Old Millhillian Masonic Lodge

John Helinikakis (Murray 1976-1981) opens the door to Mill Hill’s long association with freemasonry, explains the history and values of the organisation and invites others to join him

Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest social and charitable organisations. Its roots lie in the traditions of the medieval stonemasons who built Britain’s cathedrals and castles, who went on the form the Guilds. For Freemasons, there are four important values that help define their path through life: Integrity, Friendship, Respect, and Charity. In today’s world filled with uncertainty, these principles ring as true as they have at any point in the organisation’s history.

The Old Millhillian Lodge was formed in 1938 and is thriving. Each year, all going well, there are a minimum of four official meetings, where subjects such as charitable giving and the welfare of members are discussed, plus ceremonies, when new members go through the three degrees of initiation to become Master Masons. These meetings are usually held at the Freemasons Hall in Covent Garden, London, followed by an enjoyable dinner. Members of the Lodge travel from far parts of the country to attend.

The highlight of the calendar is the Master and Lodge Officers installation meeting and dinner held at the Innholders Hall in November. Additionally, we endeavour to schedule several informal drinks meet ups at the Adam and Eve Pub in Mill Hill, including an open evening for any OM that would like to meet us and perhaps discuss joining the Lodge. While the Lodge is currently at capacity, there is usually space for one or two initiates per year through natural attrition. Contact details are on the OM website.

Along with all other OM social occasions and events, the Lodge did not escape the inevitable cancellations during lockdowns, but we did have the distinction of managing one meeting in 2019, just before the first. Thereafter, we have been in touch with each other monthly through the good services of Zoom, enjoying a little banter, the odd quiz, and perhaps a glass or two of wine – after all, traditions need to be maintained.

While the passing of OMs John Elliott (house years) and Ray Hubbard (Weymouth 1946-1951) have been noted in a previous edition of the Martlet, it would be remiss if we did not mention them here. Both John and Ray were senior, active, and respected members of the Lodge and they will be very sorely missed by friends and brother Lodge members.

Following the theme of charity, in 2020, donations were made to the Metropolitan Grand Lodge Charity for the long ladders for the London Fire Brigade and another for Alford House. We expect to make further charitable donations when formal meetings are reconvened later in the year.

Historically, the Freemasons have been a male-only guild and, while over several centuries the possibility of admitting women has been debated many times, the changes required to the ancient texts that underpin Freemasonry have proved too complex to overcome. However, there are two womenonly Grand Lodges in England, which would enable female OMs, who are already Freemasons and provided they were sufficient in number, to form a branch. This would be a positive development 46 years after the admittance of the first girls into the school. I would be happy to steer anyone interested in the right direction, so please do get in touch.

By the time that you read this, we should have held our first meet up of 2021 at the Adam & Eve on the 13 August for ‘local’ Lodge members and guests. We look forward to the year ahead when Lodge members from far and wide can get together again for first time in the best part of two years.

Any OM that has an interest in joining the Lodge, whether an existing Freemason or as an initiate, please contact the secretary, David Roe Polo@felixr.com