Before even the foundation stone was laid, this building was making the history books. The story begins with the introduction of the Masonic Million Memorial Fund in 1919 to raise £1 million to build a new headquarters for the United Grand Lodge of England. It was to serve as a working building with lodge rooms, offices and a museum, but also as a memorial to the 3,000 members who died while serving during the First World War.
£825,000 (somewhere in the region of £30 million in today’s money) of the £1 million was raised in 1925 from a five-course Masonic banquet for 7,250 men with 1,600 waiters and waitresses in Olympia, London. It must have been quite a spectacle. That lunch, with a staggering 15 miles of table, still stands as Europe’s largest ever
sit-down meal.
H. V. Ashley and Winton Newman were chosen to design the new Freemasons’ Hall, the third such building on the site on Great Queen Street in Covent Garden. Construction began when the foundation stone was laid in 1927 and finished when the building was consecrated in 1933. The steel-framed Art Deco structure was initially known as the Masonic Peace Memorial but it became Freemasons’ Hall at the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939.
My expert tour guide told me that Freemasons’ Hall was the first building in London to have a steel frame; the first to have electric elevators; and, indeed, the first to have electricity. It feels remarkably solid, and so it should with 1,600 tonnes of steel and who knows how much Italian marble. I can’t recommend a tour enough. It is open most days to the public.
The largest room is the Grand Temple, which is the meeting place of Grand Lodge. A pair of huge bronze doors is perhaps its most famous feature. Each
is 12ft high, 4ft wide and 3.5 inches thick, and each weighs one and a quarter tonnes. They are so finely balanced that they can be opened with a slight push with a single finger. It is certainly fortunate that their removal for maintenance has never been necessary. Nobody actually knows how to remove them after all.
Anybody who has visited the Masonic Centre on Queen’s Road in Brighton should know that it is undoubtedly the town’s finest Art Deco structure. Likewise, Freemasons’ Hall in London is without doubt that city’s finest Art Deco edifice – perhaps the country’s 
Get in touch: robert@buildingopinions.com or www.buildingopinions.com

Earlier this year I was invited to present one of the awards at the Oska Bright Festival. Never heard of them? Well, you have now and you certainly will again.
The Oska Bright Festival is the world’s first film festival run by, and for, people with a learning disability.It’s a bi-annual event that takes place here in Brighton but draws people from all over the world and it is a thing of joy.
I first saw an Oska Bright entry a few years ago and I laughed so much I wet my pants. I told this story on stage at the final awards ceremony for the 2011 festival and the audience loved it. I loved the whole thing; the films are extraordinary, the event brilliantly run, and the sense of joy in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife. It was a privilege and an honour to be asked to present the award for Best Animation and to see talent and creativity from this collection of vibrant people being given true recognition.

Graphite tree £80, lights £18, baubles from £1.50, all www.johnlewis.com

An old fashioned Christmas

Home-made sweets, treats and decorations, paper chains, candles and mulled wine – the austerity drive means that old-fashioned Christmas craft is back in style.
And with a bit of time, some simple materials and a lot of motivation, you can do a surprising amount of decorating. Snowflake paper-chains (cut from long strips of paper), home-made fudge and gingerbread, oranges studded with cloves, home-knitted hats and socks – just like the Christmases Granny used to have. Many decorations really are simple enough to do-it-yourself, but if you’re stuck for inspiration or a dismal failure with the scissors, many stores are selling Christmas craft kits to make cards and accessories (see Marks and Spencer’s ‘Make your Own’ range, from £5 www.marksandspencer.com).
And for a traditional Christmas, surely you need a traditional tree? Around 70 per cent of tree buyers opt for a real Christmas tree, with or without roots. This year, drought conditions over the spring and reduced planting means that taller trees – over five foot – are in short supply, though. Most Christmas trees are crop-grown and sold to garden centres and shops, though it’s possible to buy direct from the growers if you visit Christmas tree plantations. Some growers (like Wilderness Wood near Uckfield) allow you to choose and dig up your own tree. Wherever you buy, look for the BCTGA (British Christmas Tree Growers Association) label, as a quality mark that the tree is of good quality and freshly harvested.

All that glitters

On the other hand, in the face of the financial squeeze, a bit of glitter and sparkle might just cheer us all up. Beat the winter blues with a shiny wreath, some out-sized metallic baubles, tinsel, and glittery reindeer in shades of purple, red, gold and silver. An increasing number of people are investing in fake, re-usable Christmas trees. ‘Natural’ looking fakes that imitate the real thing will go in any setting, but there are also some glorious black, white or even red fake trees, which lend themselves well to minimal, contemporary decoration. Fake trees have a number of advantages: you can re-use them, they don’t shed needles everywhere, and there’s no mess or fuss. On the downside, this year’s colour might not be in again next year, and although you might imagine they are more environmentally friendly than their rootless cousins, many of them are manufactured in the Far East (using petro-chemicals in their transportation here), and if not re-used will end up in a landfill site somewhere. So if you choose a fake tree, make sure you re-use it. We’re pretty sure Santa won’t mind.

Just a short drive along the coast from Brighton is the increasingly fashionable town of Shoreham-by-Sea. With its pretty Norman church and striking modern river-side development it has become one of the most attractive places to live in recent years with smart bars and restaurants, a great farmers’ market and The Olive Tree.

Yes, The Olive Tree has become a one-stop shopping destination for the stylish and fashion conscious people of the city. And there is no better time to visit than now with
Christmas but a moment away.

The Olive Tree offers a stylish mix of fashion wear for women and beautiful homeware including great toiletries. The shop is not compartmentalised – the goods are cleverly grouped to great effect: pretty jewellery next to scented candles; shoes and boots with pretty tableware; and leather handbags with beautifully packaged soaps and moisturisers.

Browsing The Olive Tree is a voyage of discovery with something stylish at every turn. The range of ladies fashion is one of their strongest lines, with beautiful clothing from great jeans to evening wear and most things in between. The look is modern classic in soft tones but with bright splashes of stunning colour and the styles are chosen to suit fashionable women of all ages. And when it comes to accessorising they are second to none. For every dress and every pair of jeans they have found that perfect belt, matching handbag or piece of jewellery. There’s even a stunning range of vintage clothing where the key word is glamour!

For men in search of that perfect gift for the woman in their life The Olive Tree has the answer, and for every budget too. With bijou gifts from around £5 it’s also an ideal place for kids to find something affordable that mum will love.
With Christmas just around the corner they also have a fabulous range of sparkling seasonal decorations for the tree and the table. The Olive Tree may not have many branches but they are laden with delightful gifts for the women in your lives at prices to suit all pockets.

The Olive Tree, 5 East Street, Shoreham By Sea, Sussex, BN43 5ZE
Open Tuesday to Saturday 10.30am–4.30pm, 01273 455538,
theolivetreeshorehambysea.co.uk

We love a sprinkling of festive cheer in the home. It’s easy to achieve – whether through a gift or home bought decorations. You’ll be feeling Christmassy in minutes (we guarantee it!). If you’re looking for new fairy lights for your tree, head down to Mister Smith Interiors and see the range on offer. We love Mister Smith Interiors for their homeware gifts and accessorises too. While you’re shopping locally, don’t forget to check out Domain over in Hove. It’s convenient shopping right on your doorstep, and the perfect way to support the local economy this season.

Red silicone cookware from £2.50, large baking tray £4, Nordic tins (set of 3), sandwich tray £2.50, tea towels (pack of 2) £6, Nordic dog £8, ornaments from £1.75, Kilner preserve jars from £2.50 all www.heatonsstores.com

Button stitch cushion £6, feather cushion £10, ruffle cushion £12, fiery flower chenille cushion £8, fringed cushion £12, all from Matalan, www.matalan.co.uk

House and Home by Lisa Stickley: dog mugs, £5 each, www.debenhams.com

Gaggia espresso pure coffee-maker £199, Very.co.uk

An eclectic selection of original furniture from the ’60s to ’70s plus lighting and accessories. Domain, 100 Church Road, Hove, BN3 2EB, 01273 774899, www.domainvintage.co.uk

Essential for Xmas parties – classic cocktail book, £9.99, www.riverisland.com

Antwerp lamps: attractive, practical desk lamps in a range of colours, £89. Mister Smith Interiors, 23 New Road, Brighton, 01273 605574, www.mistersmith.co.uk

Claudius sofa, from £1,999, www.barker-stonehouse.co.uk

A range of Christmas lights available in lots of interesting designs – prices start from £23. Mister Smith Interiors, 23 New Road, Brighton, 01273 605574, www.mistersmith.co.uk

Cookie stencils, www.accessorize.co.uk

Red robin xmas tumber, £4.40, www.debenhams.com

Sainsbury’s tea pot and cosy with Taste The Difference tea £12, www.sainsburys.co.uk

Long fur slipper boots, £48, www.theglamcampingcompany.com

Opening your home to friends and family this year? For entertaining, add some comfort and style easy and effortlessly with some new cushions (perfect if you’re not ready to replace the sofa!). Matalan has some beauties that won’t break the bank.

And for festive food, Heatons Stores has the perfect baking tins and cooking accessories to serve up the best treats. These will make the ideal gift too. And don’t forget to offer festive drinks to friends and family in style: Debenhams’ Robin tumblers will be a talking point, and for dog lovers, Lisa Stickley’s unique mugs, also from Debenhams, will go down a treat.

After all your Xmas shopping, wrapping and entertaining, you may need to put your feet up with a nice cup of tea, which is where Sainsbury’s and The Glamping Company come in – add these items to your Christmas wish list now!
Enjoy a merry Christmas at home and in style.

Built in 1833, this Regency Busby terrace has all the makings of a grand property. With double receptions separated by a gilded arch, matching chandeliers and fire surrounds, no expense has been spared.


> Waterloo Street, Brighton £800,000
• 5-storey Regency house
• 5 bedrooms
• Near Hove seafront
• Country-style kitchen
• Roof terrace with stunning views
• Courtyard garden

The cosy library has a mural on the ceiling. The huge chef’s kitchen has professional grade appliances including a lava rock grill, wine fridge and 16 kilo washer and dryer, which lead into the breakfast room. The home is a rare example of life in Regency times, yet with all the modern features for a family today.  The owners have spent the past ten years restoring the property with original features including replaced timber sash windows with curved glass, hand turned stair spindles, hand carved mahogany banisters, plaster cornicing’s, princess radiators, claw foot bathtub, original refinished hardwood floors throughout and all original Regency panelled doors.

The property also benefits from conveniences such as a replaced roof, new electrical and plumbing, CCTV, and cable lines. To express you interest in this property please contact Andrew Cooney on 01273 737673.

Massey Property Services
Sheridan House,
115 Western?Road
Hove, BN3 1DD
01273 737673
www.masseyproperty.com

Here at Latest Homes we have become concerned that comedy star and actor David Walliams is endangering his life by indulging in too much swimming in cold places: rivers, the Channel… whatever next, David? Will you really be skinny dipping of the pebbles while Zoe and Norman look on?


Well, there really is no need, we have found an ideal place for you to live and at the same time indulge all of your aquatic endeavours, albeit in a far more, dare we say it, safer setting.

This stunning new detached property in Withdean has five bedrooms, three en-suite, one of which could easily be named the Matt Lucas Suite.

But the real draw for Mr Walliams has to be the pool which is not only heated but has a wave machine that would give him at least a flavour of that wild swimming sensation he is so clearly hooked on, either that or a need to been seen in public wearing Speedos

For full details of this property call Brand Vaughan, 01273 683111,

For more properties like this go to www.latesthomes.co.uk

David Walliams stars in The Royal Bodyguard currently screening on BBC1

Did you notice that Christmas has started a little later this year. It must be a sign of the times or the fact that I am seldom home at the moment, but I seem to have missed out on the perennial moaning about Christmas coming too soon. In fact, the general opinion seems to be that it isn’t coming soon enough.

“I know, I need to get my skates on, but there’s no ice to prompt that old cliché”

The shops certainly seem to have bided their time – global recessions putting the brakes on the usual flurry of premature fake snow perhaps?

But now it is December and with a bit of luck it will finally be time to break out the thick sweaters and woolly mittens. Much as I like the mild weather I am starting to miss the chill of a real winter morning.

I am currently blaming the unseasonal weather for the fact that I have as yet not bought one present. I know, I need to get my skates on, but there’s no ice to prompt that old cliché.

I have, however, bought some new fairy lights. A flicker of memory reminded me that last year mine failed dismally only a week into the festivities. The tree remained drab and unlit until the twelfth night. Well, have you ever tried to take fairy lights off a decorated tree? I rest my case.

For the last two years my much loved, white artificial tree has been a soberly stylish black and white affair, but the new lights are pink, which I guess reflects my current state of happiness. So pink lights and a dozen new purple baubles to set them off too. It sounds rather pretty I think, that is, if they are delivered in time.

I am also celebrating a Christmas not in the kitchen. It doesn’t happen often but this year we have decided to go out to a hotel on Christmas day. We will be indulging in many courses of stylish festive fare in The Restaurant at Drakes where Andy MacKenzie I hope will be on top form as he serves us roast turkey and trimmings.
Christmas day with no cooking or washing up; life really is sweet.

Each time I return to the University of Sussex, I get the distinct impression that Sir Basil Spence may well be Brighton’s most under-appreciated man. Most Sussex students are unaware of his work and most of those who do notice simply write him off as another insensitive Brutalist brute. One person who does love Sir Basil is campus-based art historian Alexandra Loske-Page.

“With an oast house-like exterior, its rural roots are not forgotten”

Alexandra recently introduced me properly to the freshly-painted Meeting House, a multi-faith building with a heavenly interior. I am not sure who sanctioned the painting of this university building though, but it does appear to be a schoolboy error. Exterior concrete, or brick for that matter, should never be painted, especially when it belongs to a Grade II* Listed structure.

Painting aside, the exterior of the building is in good shape. Its gargoyle-like gulley outlets direct rain away from the copper roof and into the moat below. Aluminium windows have a bad reputation but this is probably because many were used inappropriately as replacements on Victorian buildings. In the right setting, such as this, their clean lines are most apt.

Upon climbing either of the two curved flights of steps within the lobby, visitors are deluged with coloured light from the many different panes of glass that occupy the spaces between the concrete blocks from which the building is constructed. There is a real mix of colours which vaguely divide up as red and orange in the west, yellow in the north, and green and blue in the east. The upstairs room is huge and has to be seen to be believed.

The Meeting House opened in October 1966 on the site of Tenantlain Barn at a time when the campus was still rather barren. With an oast house-like exterior and a dovecote-like interior, its rural roots are not forgotten.
I know that when I was studying at Sussex I didn’t understand the architectural merit of the buildings around me but, thinking back, I didn’t really care. I mainly recall being frustrated that the moat within the Falmer House courtyard was empty (it still is). Since leaving, I have been getting to know and appreciate Spence’s work. Alexandra calls it “love at second sight”. 

Get in touch: robert@buildingopinions.com or www.buildingopinions.com

No, we’re not off to Narnia, well not yet anyway. But finding a wardrobe with enough space to keep everything –whilst still being able to close the doors – well, that might require a bit of magic. However organised we are, and however strict with our purchases, wardrobe storage never seems to be quite big enough. Having the space to put things away neatly makes rooms feel bigger and brighter, and helps to keep clothes and accessories in top condition. If your cupboards are so full that you wouldn’t reach Narnia for the coats and boxes, relax – this week, Latest Interiors looks at what’s best in fitted and walk-in wardrobes.

Stanley wardrobe, M&S www.marksandspencer.com

York wardrobe, M&S www.marksandspencer.com

Wardrobe and Globe system Design Interiors 58 Western Road, Hove East Sussex, BN3 1JD 01273 206123 www.design-interiors.com

Hinged doors Design Interiors 01273 206123 www.design-interiors.com

Polish laquer wardrobe Design Interiors 01273 206123 www.design-interiors.com

Fitting it in

Well-designed, fitted wardrobes are an excellent way of making the most of your clothes storage space. Whether you go
bespoke or buy off-the-peg modular units, a fitted system should integrate itself (or ‘disappear’) into the room, providing as much storage space (preferably floor-to-ceiling) as possible.

Fitted systems are very flexible: You can opt for different storage modules to suit your needs, combining full – and half-length hanging space, shelves, and shoe-storage. Like anything, you get what you pay for – and investing in the best kit will really make a difference. Smooth push-click or silent door mechanisms, sock drawers that

light up on opening

(so you can find that missing sock! Bliss…), automatic tie racks and revolving hangers – there’s something almost James Bond about a really hi-spec wardrobe.
Once you’ve got the inside sorted, pay attention to your doors – you can ‘loose’ bulky storage by blending door and wall colour, or add light and space to a room with glossy lacquer or even glass. Sliding doors will help keep space requirements to a minimum. Good off-the-peg systems start at around £1000, expect to pay upwards of £2000 for a good-sized bespoke system.

Walk-in & wonderful

If space (and money) is no object, invest in a walk-in wardrobe. Nursery rooms or single bedrooms are easily – and usefully – converted into wonderful, floor-to-ceiling walk-in storage, complete (if you’re lucky) with full-length mirrors and dressing-room lights. A loft conversion should also lend itself to a walk-in dressing and wardrobe area, without seeming to eat into the space – short storage and drawers can be tucked neatly away into the eaves. Ensure the space is well lit – especially if natural light is scarce – and that you can easily see and reach items in all areas.