Holborn Bars Lodge

On 4^th March 2026, the Grand Temple at Freemasons’ Hall was, of course, the venue to host the Craft Annual Meeting and Investiture of Metropolitan Officers.130 Active Officers were appointed, headed by Metropolitan Grand Master Warren Duke. A further 87 candidates were awarded Senior London Grand Rank at the ceremony, too. As is traditional, the ceremony was also attended by friends and families of those receiving appointment or honours, and also those taking their first steps in Freemasonry; making for a joyous and optimistic event.

Met. Grand Master Warren Duke’s address was as follows – read on to find why some remarkable efforts from senior Masons, good numbers and a certain Mrs Stubbings have much to offer us:

“Ladies, Gentlemen, Brethren and Companions,

“Good afternoon, I hope that you have enjoyed this annual investiture meeting and I am delighted to have been able to invest so many of you with Senior London Grand Rank and to appoint and re-appoint the Metropolitan Grand Officers for 2026.

“I have already extended a welcome to our honoured guests from Grand Lodge, from Provincial Grand Lodges and other Orders earlier this afternoon, and I gladly do so again – we are enjoying your company and look forward to chatting with you over drinks and dinner.

“I am also delighted to welcome once again so many Fellow Crafts and Entered Apprentices, as well as non-Masonic guests: family and friends. We are thrilled that you have been able to join us for the Investitures to support all those being honoured for their work within Metropolitan Grand Lodge. As Met, we are extremely keen to involve all of you in the hobby which we all love so much and can sometimes appear a bit of a mystery even to those nearest and dearest to us.  It is great to see this magnificent room completely packed – you are all so welcome.

“The primary reason which brings us all here today is to acknowledge the efforts of our investees for their continued commitment to Freemasonry here in London. We are rightly proud of the contribution that you have made to your Lodges and further afield in the wider community in which we live.

“Senior London Grand Rank (SLGR) is the highest rank that I am able to award our Brethren in the Craft. Less than one in ten achieves this significant milestone. It is not about tenure, though you have all served faithfully for many years. It is about the contribution which you have made and continue to make to support your units and their members, as well as the wider work of Metropolitan Grand Lodge.  I do hope you are suitably proud and enjoying a memorable day. I look to you for your continued leadership and commitment.

“I would like to make special mention of Leland Lewis who would have been appointed to SLGR today for his service to London Freemasonry.  Unfortunately, he passed away the day before he was to be specially invested in his care home.  I am delighted that Kay, his widow, is here today; Kay, you are most welcome.

“And, to those of you whom I have had the distinct pleasure of appointing or re-appointing to active office, I hope that you have a wonderful year! We must work together to serve and support our members faithfully and with humility.

“Today marks a big change in Met’s senior team as people’s tenure in office comes to its natural end.  It has been wonderful to see eight new Metropolitan Grand Inspectors, four new Assistant Metropolitan Grand Masters and two new Deputy Metropolitan Grand Masters invested today and we all wish them much success and personal satisfaction in their new, busy roles. 

“But there is also some sadness.  Today, we have said adieu, but not farewell, to a significant number of Met’s Team Leaders and Rulers. Paul King retires as Charity Steward after all his work leading our record-breaking Appeal for London’s Air Ambulance, as does Professor Ed Rochead who has brilliantly led London’s first Learning and Development Team. I also thank Tim McAndrews, Kieron Mallon, Nick Critchlow and Jonathan Randall, for all the work they have done at the coal face as Inspectors; they have certainly earned their collarettes.

“We also see Jonathan Hillman, Mark Horlock and Simon White retire today as Assistant Metropolitan Grand Masters. All three have served for many years, first as Inspectors, and then on the Executive. I am so grateful for all they have contributed in leadership and initiatives.

“But also today, we see the departure of two of Met’s long-serving senior rulers as both Chris Hayward and Matt Hampson retire as Deputies.  How Chris has manged to give so much to Met, despite being the Chair of the City of London’s Policy Committee is beyond me; while Matt has championed our membership growth team. Matt, of course, is also the President of Supreme Grand Chapter’s Committee of General Purposes and has taken a huge lead in the changes in the Royal Arch nationally.  Their counsel has been of great value to me and I will miss the day-to-day contact with them both.

“As I have said, it is not goodbye, but, please, all join with me in giving all our retirees a huge round of applause.

The assembled crowd did not disappoint, with well-earned applause for all the 2026 retirees. Bro Warren then continued:

“You all know that Darrel Palmer, the Metropolitan Grand Almoner, and his tireless team, are driving a hugely successful Mental Health initiative with over 940 Wellbeing Ambassadors and 100 certificated Mental Health First Aiders amongst our membership. Darrel’s online, zoom tearoom is always active to enable people to chat about this and many other issues. 

“I was humbled that, over the festive period, about 40 members of the team manned that zoom with confidential breakout rooms, in addition to a 24/7 helpline.  Some of the calls revealed considerable mental health issues and even thoughts of suicide. This initiative may have saved lives and did provide real support at what can be a desperately lonely time for some. 

“We should all be so proud, not only of that team who gave such valuable time when they could have been relaxing with family and friends, but also of those who had the courage to phone and seek support. Masonry exists to support us all in our personal growth, especially when times are tough. Darrell – thank you.

“I wish to thank the Met Events Team, led by John Parry and John Flain for organising the Freemasons’ National Service of Remembrance in early November at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. It was a most moving occasion and an enormous achievement, bringing together nearly all of UGLE’s Provinces, the vast majority of our Companion Orders, and both women’s Grand Lodges. W Bro Johnson Beharry VC  attended then, and we are delighted that he is also here today, not least for all that he does to support service charities, as well as his own foundation. As part of this tribute to our armed forces, you all came together to raise £140,000 in just three months for the Royal British Legion’s annual poppy appeal; I understand that this is a record for any Masonic donation to the RBL.

“The staff in the Met Office, led by the Metropolitan Grand Secretary, do an exceptional job to support us all as well, as do all the office volunteers; I rely on them on a daily basis and they always deliver.  Events like this don’t just happen without months of preparation, and Matthew’s team, supported by Kyle Alexander, our Metropolitan Grand Director of Ceremonies, has put in hours of planning, supported by the whole DC team. It is also true to say that this meeting would not be possible without our former Stewards of 9812. Thank you all so much.

“Turning more directly to membership of Metropolitan Grand Lodge at the end of 2025, it gives me particular pleasure to report that we had another increase year on year with initiations. At an average age of just 41. It is also most reassuring that resignations continue to decrease.

“This is why we are keeping our fees as low as we can, as the Metropolitan Grand Treasurer has earlier reported. Just 25 pence has been added to the subs this year, the lowest increase since Met Grand Lodge was inaugurated in 2003.  I am also delighted that due to cost savings within the Met Office and the introduction of digital systems, we have plans to make a series of price reductions for our Lodges and Chapters. This starts with Dispensations which are reduced in cost by one third with immediate effect.

“While the numbers are not yet confirmed, all the data available suggests that our overall membership has grown in 2025 for the first time in Met Grand Lodge and Chapter – with the most Initiates and Exaltees for 10 years. I thank every London Mason and, most importantly, the hard-working members of all the volunteer teams, in driving our strategy forward. 

“When the figures are finalised later this year by UGLE, if we have growth, while small, it will be unprecedented. This would be a huge achievement. However, this quickly puts enormous emphasis on 2026. We must not allow last year to be a one-hit-wonder, but rather the start of a very real trend upwards.

“So in closing this afternoon, I look to the future. I do so with the help of someone from my school days…

“At school, many of us had a teacher that really made a difference. Mine was Mrs Stubbings who taught geography. She had such a positive impact on me and I still remember her today for three reasons:

• Firstly, laughing until she actually cried on my theory on how rivers are formed. No, I am not about to share!

• Secondly, inspiring me to see the Fjords in Norway.

• Thirdly, showing me what becomes possible with the word “If”. She said to me one day “it is the most powerful word in the world”. I smile to myself each time within our Masonic Strategy these days when we say “Yes if…” rather than “no because”. Mrs Stubbings would agree!

“The word ‘if’ seems so relevant to our situation in London Freemasonry today as we look to the future:

• If… it transpires we did grow in small numbers last year, then this will give us all more belief and momentum.

• If… we continue to develop and scale our comms and marketing to men and women of all ages across London to consider Freemasonry, sharing what a wonderful hobby it can be, then our membership will continue to grow.

• If… we serve and support our Lodges and Chapters to help them engage with their members so they enjoy all that it offers, then losses will continue to decline.

“Then. . .  this is our time.

“Ladies, Gentlemen, Brethren and Companions: thank you.”

In all, 1567 attended, with 321 of those being non-Masonic guests, friends and family members, who were both warmly welcomed and enjoyed the theatre and majesty of the Grand Temple. 556 then dined at the Grand Connaught Rooms afterwards.

This article is part of Arena Magazine Issue 60 – Spring 2026.
Arena Magazine is the official online magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.

Read more articles in Arena Issue 60 here.

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