The Old Berkhamstedian Lodge

about the discovery of the 15th century buckle, found when the Acacia Tree in the Gravel Quad was felled in August. Several groups have been across to look at the piece on display, possibly for inspiration? We shall see. Mr Harrison is compiling an anthology of a selection of the fi nished work for the Archive. The Graham Greene Festival returned to the School at the start of October and the fi rst Sunday saw a group tour the Chapel, Old Hall and Exhibition Room.

Now to an update on the story of Barbara Wagstaff (left 1909) and Mercie Lack, who in August 1939 captured more than 400 images of the fi rst excavations by Basil Brown that led to the discovery of one of the largest hoards of Anglo-Saxon artefacts at Sutton Hoo. Lack’s great-nephew donated the collection to the National Trust, who have in turn digitised the fragile photographs and albums. They can now be viewed at nationaltrust.org.uk/sutton-hoo

And fi nally, the following three titles have been added to the Archive category, books written by or about Old Berkhamstedians: a slim volume of poetry entitled Still Further by CJ ‘Jonty’ Driver (Headmaster 1983-1989); a children’s book entitled Starboard by Nicola Skinner (’92); and the authorised wartime history of the Special Boat Service from the secret SBS archive entitled SBS: Silent Warriors, by Saul David. Roger J A Courtney (Up 1919) was the founder of the SBS. Lesley Koulouris (Hon) School Archivist

To begin, your author is the same as last year! Still in place as Worshipful Master of the Old Berkhamstedian Lodge 4903 for a second year. Owing to the cancellation of a key Lodge meeting, my successor could not be installed. The only other time in the history of the Lodge when cancellation occurred was during WWII. Yet, in spite of the Covid pandemic, a meeting was held earlier in 2021 under the so called ‘rule of six’ at Ashwell House in St Albans that saw the advancement of an Old Boy of the School within the Lodge. A further meeting was recently held at the School to admit another Old Boy into Masonry under less restrictive rules that allowed a more numerous but still socially distanced attendance.

The Old Berkhamstedian Lodge is a member of the Federation of School Lodges and as such we have close relations with the Old Albanian and Old Verulamian School Lodges. At the time of writing, Plan A is in operation, which has allowed invitations that were previously cancelled to be taken up this year. So, a benefi t of being in the chair for a second year is the chance to accept these off ers to dine with Old Boys from other Schools, helping to support the connection, not just between Lodges themselves but also Schools and their Lodges. This is a link that is treasured and not taken for granted by all School Lodges. Indeed, it bears repeating that it is not only Old Berkhamstedians that are eligible to join the Lodge – new members with a connection to the School such as parents, teachers, support staff and partners of those connected are all welcome to join us.

Charity is always central to the Masonic outlook and in a diffi cult year for charities generally the Old Berkhamstedian Lodge has still raised contributions to allow us to make donations to several of them. In particular, donations were made by the Lodge to the Masonic Covid NHS Appeal, the Liberty Tea Rooms in Hemel Hempstead – helping to release people from poverty and isolation – and the School’s ‘Go Make a Diff erence’ initiative based in Tanzania that (Covid permitting) would see gap year students and volunteers embark on a school trip