Toasts or Toasted bread Toasts - ‘Toasting’ as a term for drinking someone’s health first came into use in the early 17th century, but its origins are unclear. The Romans did put toasted bread in their wine to improve its taste, acting like charcoal it reduced the acidity; similarly in the 17th cent spiced toast was sometimes […]

The Masonic Del Boy Masonic Del Boy - Although often accused of behaving badly Francis Columbine Daniel was certainly not a bad man; he actively supported many charities, and designed an award winning life-jacket. He was born in 1765 in King’s Lynn, and at 14 was apprenticed to a surgeon and apothecary at Wapping in London’s docklands; where in 1788 […]

SSASA Their Values: SSAFA; Commitment, Understanding, Integrity, Compassion. Their 5 strategic aims deliver their vision & mission by: What makes them unique? They understand the unique demands of service life, whether it’s on UK soil or overseas. Support is available for people at any stage in their military career; from the youngest recruit to the […]

Supporting Military Veterans Supporting Military Veterans - We're adding a new section to our website, highlighting the organisations and groups who are available to support Military Veterans. We'll be featuring charities, community groups and other organisations who offer support and services to serving and past members of the armed forces. While we will predominantly focus […]

Spitfire Flight MJ 627 - Biggin Hill My Spitfire flight was bought for me by my family for a special 40th Falkland Islands anniversary/birthday present. The basics of the Spitfire flight was; I would have 55 minutes in the air, flying from Biggin Hill airport down to Beachy Head, hug the coast for a period […]

1st Degree Charge in action 1st Degree Charge in action - At our Initiations we were charged never to lose sight of the allegiance due to our native land, and to always remember that nature has implanted in our breasts ‘a sacred and indissoluble attachment’ to the country of our ‘birth and infant nurture’. When […]

Here’s a Beauchamp Lodge Member Profile from Kieran Smith. Our team has asked him a set of routine questions that will provide you with a brief insight into his military or civilian service.We hope you find it of interest. If you are interested in joining our Military Lodge simply message us using the form provided on the contact […]

Here's a Beauchamp Lodge Member Profile from Daniel Unthank.Our Team has asked him a set of routine questions thatwill provide you with a brief insight into his military or civilian service.We hope you find it of interest. If you are interested in joining our Military Lodge simply message us using the form provided on the contact […]

Is it a fake? Fake? - Here’s a really interesting take on the subject from former Scotland Yard investigator and Metropolitan Police detective and crime writer David Videcette David writes in his blog: So what makes this particular piece of armour exceptional? This Napoleonic cuirass is pierced right through, front to back, by what appears […]