A cross border raid took place in December 2025 when four Surrey Freemasons from Albert Edward Lodge No 1714 crossed the Surrey-Middlesex border in a night time raid to demand the Osterley Lodge No 6430 travelling gavel.
A 4.30pm start saw the routine opening of the Lodge with an official visit by Jim Owens. After routine Lodge business a double initiation ceremony took place much to the pleasure of those in attendance. Osterley Lodge boasts a Light Blue in each of the primary Lodge offices, and they did not disappoint with Bro. Darren Webster delivering a masterly 1st degree working tools and Bro. Max Davies performing a sterling job both as Junior Deacon and also delivered a poignant charge after Initiation. Both of the initiates thoroughly enjoyed their ceremony and voiced their enthusiasm later at the festive board for their next steps. But the action was only just beginning and as item 9 on the summons was reached, four brethren made their way from the back benches in the North to assemble in the centre of the Lodge. W. Bro Richard Sutton PPJGW (Leics. & Rutland) stepped forward, saluted the WM, introduced the raiding party as Surrey Masons from the Albert Edward Lodge 1714 and like many highwaymen before him, demanded the Lodge riches, in the form of the Osterley Lodge travelling gavel which had on a previous visit been taken to Hampshire. After the gavel was released into their custody, a ransom was agreed in the form of a reciprocal visit to Camberley early in the new year to reclaim this for which Middlesex Masons are amassing in number with 10 already booked in.
A splendid evening was celebrated at the festive board with toasts all round but most importantly to the two initiates. The conclusion was a sombre reminder of those Osterley Lodge brethren who had passed to the Grand Lodge above, read out to the brethren in a respectful silence by Bro. Darren Webster who had only taken on the role of Almoner a few weeks previously. Also on display was the solid silver ‘Loving Cup’ which contained their names.
The Return Raid
There was a reciprocal visit from the Middlesex Highwaymen to reclaim the gavel on 28th Jan 2026. The picture above shows Osterley Lodge WM Robert Dodd receiving the gavel from W. Bro Richard Sutton PPrJGW (Leics and Rutland)
To add to the intrigue and coincidence, the original donor of the gavel to Osterley Lodge, W. Bro Vic Bickers, pictured 6th from the right with the red Provincial Stewards Collar, also came along and was already known to W. Bro Brian Cox IPM as Vic was a near neighbour to his late father.
A Burns menu was thoroughly enjoyed by hosts and visitors alike at the Festive Board, with the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Surrey, VW Bro Robbie Dobbie, doing the toast to the haggis against a backdrop of bagpipes and great camaraderie between the 10 Middlesex masons who had participated in the raid and the Surrey Masons present.
