|
Since 1933, when Freemasons’ Hall was
completed, each Lodge and Chapter which
uses the facilities have had their regalia
and equipment stored in individual lockers.
However, due to the requirements of health
and safety (H & S) legislation, UGLE
have undertaken a review of current
working practices.
At present, Lodges and Chapters have
their regalia and equipment stored in metal
and wooden lockers which are in units up
to 15 feet high. H & S requirement would
these days state that fork lift trucks or
specialised hydraulic equipment would
have to be used to remove the locker
and trays from the higher units when the
UGLE porters transport each tray to the
designated Lodge or Chapter room.
Another problem the change of storage
system encountered was the security aspect,
because at present the individual Lodge and
Chapter regalia and equipment, although
stored in locked lockers in individual trays,
over the years a number of these lockers have
had their locks broken and not replaced.
As well as the trays being transported
by the porter staff to each Lodge or Chapter
room, these trays are left open and
unattended for some time, while specific
items are often “borrowed” for a specific
ceremony and not returned.
The new system that will replace the
current practices, provides adequate security
for each Lodge and Chapter and conforms
to the H & S needs for UGLE porters to
undertake their specific role. Each Lodge
or Chapter will have their own metal drawer
appropriately labelled, with their regalia
sealed within a locked metal lid.
Three keys will be issued to the Secretary
or Scribe, and these will be separately
numbered with no duplication for other
drawers. The individual drawer will be kept
in a cabinet containing six drawers, which
conforms to the H & S regulations as it will
only be just over six feet high. These cabinets
will be stored in a locked room environment
with access only allowed to UGLE porter and
security team. A new cabinet and drawers
will be on display in the ante-room of Lodge
Room No. 1 for Brethren to view.
This current review has also meant that
a new racking system will be installed for the
storage of banners, which will all be hung
from rails. This was not the case previously,
as several banners used to be rolled for
storage, but this new method of hanging
the banners will ensure longer life and less
chance of damage to the delicate materials
from which several of them are made.
Unfortunately, the cost of the Lodge
drawers is being increased from £25 to
£40 per annum. These are double the size
of the Chapter drawers, which remain at the
existing charge of £25 per annum. Likewise,
the banner cost remains the same as before
at £25. These charges for storage in central
London are still very cheap, but with the
added security for Lodges and Chapters.
The Lodge Liaison team, in particular
John Vazquez, will be undertaking a role
during the duration of the installation of this
project and will be available on 020 7395
9283 to answer any queries. This will ensure
that any disruption is kept to a minimum,
and he will liaise with Lodges and Chapters
regarding the issuing of keys by the UGLE
security team. It is envisaged that this new
format for Lodge and Chapter storage will
last well into the 22nd century, providing
an efficient and secure service to the users
of the facilities at Freemasons’ Hall.
Stuart Whitehead is Facilities
Manager at Grand Lodge
Nick Horlor in the
refurbished locker room
|
Copyright 2002-2007
MQ Magazine
Web site created by Mark Griffin
|
|
Next Page