Lodges formed in this country are registered by The United Grand Lodge of England and allocated a number, each indicative of the age and antiquity of each Lodge, with over 7,000 Lodges currently on that register.
In context this Lodge, No. 255, was established in 1785, just 68 years after the first (The Premier) Grand Lodge was established in 1717, but four years before the storming of The Bastille in 1789, twenty or more years before the Battle of Trafalgar (1805), formation of The United Grand Lodge of England (1813), and the Battle of Waterloo (1815).
Our founder, Thomas Dunckerley, was purportedly a ‘natural’ son of King George II and hence occupied ‘Grace and Favour’ apartments at Hampton Court Palace ...
Like most institutions of antiquity our Lodge is proud of its customs and whilst it has occasionally been suggested these ‘archaic’ characteristics should be curtailed ...
Additionally, the Lodge holds its own informal social events, often at favourite restaurants or hosted at member's homes, especially during summer which provides the opportunity for partners and friends to meet in convivial surroundings.
Therefore it is not surprising many brethren remain members most of their lives; the longest in this Lodge being 69 years.
Whilst we are extremely proud of the fact HRH The Duke of Kent has been our Grand Master for over 50 years, the Province of Middlesex is the only Province with a Prince of the Royal Blood at its head, HRH Prince Michael of Kent. Indeed it is the second time our Province has been so honoured, HRH The Duke of York holding that position until his sudden accession to the throne as H. M. King George VI in 1937. (It is interesting to note that his speech therapist, Lionel Logue, as featured in the film 'The Kings Speech', was a fellow freemason, and may well have assisted him when delivering his ritual on important Masonic occasions.)