WORLD’S RECORD LUNCH

Evening Star, Issue 19062, 3 October 1925, Page 17

WORLD’S RECORD LUNCH

GREAT MASONIC FESTIVAL “ To-day marks the climax in a great era of (English Freemasonry.” So declared Lord Ampthill, Pro-Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England, on August 8, when he addressed nearly B,OUO Freemasons assembled in Olympia, London, the occasion being the great festival in connection with the Masonic million memorial fund. Thousands ol Freemasons, representing every town and county in the United Kingdom aud all our colonies overseas, rose as one man when H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught, the Grand Master, entered Olympia and took his place in the presidential chair. It was a wonderful scene which greeted the eyes of the Duke. Olympia’s great space had been transformed into a vast banqueting hall. At five miles of tables tho Freemasons were accommodated, and, looking down from the balcony, one viewed a great sea of color. A MAGNIFICENT SPECTACLE. Every Mason present wore his full regalia. The garter blue and gold of the officers of Grand Lodge, the light blue and silver of the Craft, the crimson collars of tho Grand Stewards, tho green collars of the Scottish representatives, and the green sashes of the brethren from Ireland made up a wonderful harmony of color. When the luncheon commenced an army of 2,000 black-gowned and whitecapped waitresses, threading their welldrilled way between the tables, turned the scene into a kaleidoscopic one. Mingling with the music of tho band of the Welsh Guards came the amazing clatter of 16,000 knives and forks. Tho metallic sound came in waves—a most curious effect. The luncheon has been described as tho world’s record meal. It was the first time in history that so vast a number had sat down to a banquet at one time in one hall, and it must be said that both on the part of the officials of Grand Lodge, who were responsible for the arrangements, and Messrs J. Lyons and Co., who provided the meal, the organisation was perfect. The tables were beautifully decorated with pale pink carnations, and at tho eastern end of the building a throne dais was erected with an alcove for the Grand Master’s chair, richly draped with crimson velvet. CLOCKWORK PRECISION. Everything worked with clockliko precision, From specially-arranged entrances on both sides of tho great hall, at tho signal of a bell, waitresses, provided with the viands for tho lunch, marched to their respective posts, and at another ■ sound of tho gong “ delivered the goods.” Up aloft, in the balcony, like the skipper of a ship, a caterer’s official directed_ operations by operating mechanism which flashed his orders with extraordinary precision to every part of the- great enclosure. Among the distinguished company were the Duke of York, Prince Arthur of Connaught,- Viscount Lascellcs, and Lord Ampthill. The festival marked the effort in raise a million pounds to crcet in London a building which will servo as the headquarters of English Freemasonry and a permanent memorial to Freemasons who lost their lives in the war. There was intense enthusiasm when tho Duke of Connaught, respondng to the toast of his health, said he appreciated their response to his appeal. The London lodges alone had contributed tho sum of" £417,000, _ and the grand total which had come in from tho provinces and the Dominions Overseas amounted to over £826,000. A GREAT EMPIRE LINK. The Duke thanked particularly tho brethren from overseas, the majority of whom could never hope to seo the new building. It was sometimes difficult to convince men ol their responsibilities in matters outside their immediate localities, and lie wished their overseas brethren to know how proud ho was of their co-operation and loyalty. “This spirit,” added the Duke, “ has also been exemplified by the desire of certain of our daughter Grand Lodges in the dominions to have their names identified in some way with the effort of the Mother Grand Lodge, and this I feel sure will he a source of gratification to us all. It makes one more link in tho chain of affection and regard which hinds together every portion of the British Empire. “Freemasonry already has done much to foster and deepen the unity of feeling which has existed so long among all the English-speaking peoples. In our future building there will be a greater opportunity of still further fostering this spirit, as our tew headquarters are intended to be a rallying point for brethren from all parts.” Messages were received from the King, in reply to greetings from the banquet, and from the Prince of TV ales.