Brother Installs Brother at Clerestory
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Belated congratulations to Clerestory Lodge No 6551, whose Christmas Installation at Mark Masons' Hall was quite the event. It was a first in the history of the Lodge because W Bro James Craig installed his own brother, Bro Richard Craig.
This was proudly witnessed by their Dad, W Bro David Craig, who is, of course, Lodge Secretary.
During the meeting, W Bro Richard Craig was installed in fine form, with a word-perfect delivery by Installing Master W Bro James Craig. Our new Master, who delivered his Obligation without a fault, went on to appoint his officers in a manner that many experienced Masters would be proud of.
W Bro Richard commented afterwards: “I was nervous about the Installation and the responsibility that comes with it. But Clerestory Lodge is remarkably friendly, with a mixture of enthusiastic new and experienced Brethren on whom I can rely. I have a wonderful supporting team. My brother James will be a hard act to follow, of course, but we have a busy year ahead, and I'm looking forward to helping our Lodge grow and prosper.”
He added: “We have all the elements for success in place, based on the Members' Pathway. I see my year as an opportunity to really see our Lodge progress. I'm well aware of the proud tradition of the Lodge and that I follow many eminent Masters over the past 78 years.”
Pictured L-R: W Bro Adrian Sheridan, on his last official visit to Clerestory as Visiting Officer, WM W Bro Richard Craig, IPM W Bro Richard Craig and proud Dad, Clerestory Lodge secretary W Bro David Craig
In the Clerestory tradition, visitors played a part in the ceremony. W Bro Paul Rigler, visiting from Guy's Lodge No 395 (Warwickshire), acted as Inner Guard during the Board of Installed Masters. He also delivered the Address to the Wardens. W Bro Adrian Sheridan, our Metropolitan Visiting Officer and of Australia Lodge No 6505 (Metropolitan), delivered the Address to the Brethren. Our own W Bro Ian Crowder delivered the Address to the Master.
As social evenings go, the White Table Carvery was hard to beat. W Bro Cynthia Ramsay of the Order of Women Freemasons, wife of our late Chaplain Bro Winston Ramsay, organised a raffle and an auction for a single-estate bottle of rare Antiguan rum – raising a significant sum which, coupled with the Alms collection, exceeded £700: an astonishing achievement. This will be divided between our Master's chosen mental health charity, CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) and the charitable fund supporting essential structural repairs to Cynthia's church, St Mary the Virgin at Somers Town, Camden.
A social media post on the official Metropolitan Grand Lodge Facebook page, London Masons, soon attracted over 800 likes with many congratulatory messages.
This article is part of Arena Magazine Issue 61 – Summer 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 61 here.
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