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The first photograph was taken at the unveiling of the City of London Blue Plaque to commemorate the first meeting of the original Grand Lodge at the Goose and Gridiron Tavern on 24th June 1717. The ceremony took place on 24th June 1997, St John's Day, in the shadow of St Paul's Cathedral. Bernard Williamson (on the left) and Dave Jones congratulate each other on the achievement. However, as you will see the plaque was on an easel and the reason for this was that the building on which the plaque was to be placed was scheduled for demolition. So after the unveiling the plaque was taken away to a place of safety. Fast-forward eight years, and it was now time for the second unveiling and this time the plaque was firmly fixed to the wall of a building in Paternoster Square as close as possible to where it was believed the original Goose and Gridiron stood. So it was that at 3.00 p.m. on Wednesday 15th June 2005 a small group gathered in Paternoster Square to witness the formal unveiling carried out by The Rt. Hon.The Lord Mayor of London, V W Bro.Michael Savory, PGSwdB , who was accompanied by one of his two Sheriffs – I think it was Sheriff John Hughesdon. The Deputy Grand Master, R W Bro. Peter Geoffrey Lowndes welcomed the Lord Mayor on behalf of the Goose and Gridiron Society and thanked him for taking time out from his busy schedule to come and perform this ceremony. The Lord Mayor in reply expressed his delight at being able to be present on this auspicious occasion and he hoped that the plaque would be seen by many masons from all over the world. It is perhaps an indication of the stress of being Lord Mayor of London and the many problems therein that the Lord Mayor did refer to the Goose and Gridiron Society as the Goose and GRIDLOCK Society! G&G members had travelled from the four corners of the country to be present – Kilburn, St Albans, Saffron Walden and Cornwall and, of course I had travelled down from Liverpool (the five and a half hours each way on a coach was no fun I must say!). After the formal unveiling we went to a pub, the Paternoster – where else? – for some light refreshment. If you are in the St Paul’s Cathedral area Paternoster Square lies just to the North and the plaque is on the wall of the building on the left as you enter the Square – slightly hidden behind a pillar and next door to a snacks shop. I would recommend the Paternoster Pub which serves quite a decent pint of London Pride. In the back room there is a photo of the plaque and, immediately below it, a sketch of the original Goose and Gridiron – like many pubs and other buildings of historic interest it was knocked down relatively recently in the name of progress. It was nice to meet up with old friends such as Leo Zanelli and Dave Peabody and to meet other G&G’ers. Bernard Williamson was, sadly, unable to attend which was a pity because without Bernard’s persistence there would be no Blue Plaque. |
Bernard Williamson and Dave Jones at the First Unveiling Ceremony on 24th June 1997. 1381x1028 100_1270.jpg Buy Print |
L-R The Sheriff, the Lord Mayor, the Deputy Grand Master. 2580x1720 100_1280.JPG Buy Print |
The Deputy Grand Master welcomes the Lord Mayor. 1720x2580 100_1281.JPG Buy Print |
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The Lord Mayor responds suitably 1720x2580 100_1285.JPG Buy Print |
The plaque is now firmly affixed to the wall. 2580x1720 100_1286.JPG Buy Print |
The Sheriff, the Lord Mayor and the Deputy Grand Master. 2580x1720 100_1288.JPG Buy Print |
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Geoffry Goodman, G&G Secty. with the Lord Mayor and Deputy Grand Master. 2580x1720 100_1289.JPG Buy Print |
Dave Jones is here - again! 1720x2580 100_1292.JPG Buy Print |
