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Stone laying Ceremony, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales Court, Porthcawl, Glamorgan, Wales

Fascinating look at a Masonic stone-laying ceremony, as Earl Cadogan confirms the name of the building, lays a time capsule and conducts the ceremony.

Ceremony 1970 20 mins

From the collection of:

Logo for London's Screen Archives

Overview

“The great architect of the universe” is asked to oversee the construction of this residential home, the sixth in ten years built by the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution. The ceremony is led by Earl Cadogan, who reads a letter from the royal household confirming approval of its name, observes the burying of a time capsule and engages in symbolic ceremonies using the Prince of Wales’s old tools as the foundation stone is lowered. The Earl later opened the home in 1973.