Monday the 4^th September 2006
W.Bro. A.J.Close, a member of the Combermere Lodge of Union 295 is also a senior member of The Grand Master’s Lodge No 1. He invited five Combermere Lodge members including the Provincial Grand Master of Cheshire,  Rt. W. Bro Timothy Raymond Roper Richards to London in order

Note
In addition to the five brethren pictured from The Combermere Lodge of Union, a sixth, W.Bro David Staines, who, at the time of the taking of this photo, was off 'hob-nobbing' with the rich and famous and so missed his chance of being featured on this article.  Sorry David..........

The magnificence of the occasion was surpassed only when the whole assembly rose to greet The Grand Master, His Royal Highness, the Duke of Kent and other high-ranking Masons including The Pro Grand Master, Viscount Northampton, Lord Farnham, and many other distinguished guests.

A superb dinner was served in the magnificent Egyptian Hall and the evening was rounded off by witty speeches, and humorous observations by many illustrious brethren.

Right: The Provincial Grand Master, is seen enjoying the grandeur of the Mansion House with brother Masons from Macclesfield; (left to right) W.Bro Len Wood, The Provincial Grand Master, W.Bro. Anthony Close, (of No I Lodge), W.Bro. Colin Taylor and W.Bro Geoff Wood all from the Combermere Lodge of Union No 295.

to celebrate the 250^th anniversary of the formation of the premier Lodge in England.
The Lord Mayor of London gave his permission for the 250^th celebration meeting and the formal dinner afterwards to be held in his official residence, The Mansion House which is one of the grandest surviving Georgian town palaces in London.