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squaretalk The Magazine for Freemasons in the Province of Gloucestershire Autumn 2010

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Page 1: The Magazine for Freemasons in the Province of ... · square talk The Magazine for Freemasons in the Province of Gloucestershire Autumn 2010

squaretalkThe Magazine for Freemasons in the Province of Gloucestershire

Autumn 2010

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Editor’s PageCover

I was genuinely surprised just how manyBrethren asked who the lady was on thecover of the previous issue. Everyone knewthe face, but could not place the name. Itwas TV presenter, Susan Osman, of course.Had those Brethren ventured onto page 3 ofthat issue, they would have read that shewas photographed as the guest speaker atthe Grand Officers’ mess dinner last October.

I suspect few will have difficulty, however,recognising our cover personality Bro PhilVickery of Royal Forest of Dean Lodge.The former England Rugby Union captainwas relaxing with his family at the fantasticday we had at Highnam Court. Here he issigning an England rugby ball for JoshSmith from Chippenham, whose father saidthe ball would be treasured, but he wouldnow have to buy a new one for Josh to playwith! There are plenty of photos fromHighnam to see on the centre pages.

We have a varied selection of storiesagain in this issue which will interest you.We need your stories, which should bechannelled through the CommunicationsTeam so they can then be dispersed throughthe internet, squaretalk, radio, press or justword of mouth.

Those articles with less immediacy andsuitable for squaretalk can be sent tome, together with high-quality digitalphotos at [email protected]

As we know that this magazine is alsowidely read outside of the Craft, we areconscious that we Freemasons are portrayedas leading quite normal lives within society.Occasionally, that normality can also beslightly unusual. Yours truly was privileged topick up a national award recently in respectof my day-job, commercial fraudinvestigation. Besides there coincidentallybeing two other Gloucestershire Masons inthe audience, the Master of Ceremonieslurking in the background of the photobelow, one W Bro Jim MacLeod, (see“Gavel” article page 25), provided yet afurther example. An added benefit ofreceiving the award was the cheque whichcame with it ~ naturally donated to charityof choice. This opened up an opportunitythrough articles in respective magazines offurther widening awareness, not only of theassociation conferring the award and thecharity benefitting (see BLESMA articlepage 4), but also Freemasonry in general.

Provincial website

If there is something occurring whichneeds to be covered immediately, such asadvertising a forthcoming function orreporting a newsworthy event which criesout for publicity, please consider press andradio coverage, as well as posting either inthe Public or Members’ sections of thewebsite. Whichever it is, don’t hesitate tocontact W Bro Rod Dalley, the ProvincialInformation Officer, straight away.Contact please via [email protected]

Advertising

We need advertising to help fund some ofour publications, such as squaretalk (led byW Bro Simon Waring) and the Yearbookhandled by W Bro David Ford. Contactplease via [email protected].

Keep sending the material! W Bro Dick Smith

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PGL Meeting 2010

W Bro John Gillo talks toSquare Talk

“Planning a Provincial Grand Lodge meetingstarts before the previous one has actuallyhappened. In the run-up, something may bespotted which reminds one to do itdifferently next year; just as occurs withthings on the day. We have a five-point plan:

1. It is this Province’s day when we areon view to the brethren of the Provinceand guests from other Provinces.

2. It is the most important day in theYear for the Provincial Grand Master andhis co-rulers.

3. It is the most important day,perhaps, in the Masonic lives of thosebrethren receiving appointments and onewishes to make a good and lastingimpression for them.

4. No one likes sitting too long, so weneed to ensure that proceedings runsmoothly.5. The vast majority of brethren willprobably be staying for luncheon; do we

have the catering times right?“Why Wycliffe College? And why the

Sports Hall? The Provincial Grand Master iskeen that PGL is open to as many membersof the Province as possible and that as manyas possible can dine afterwards. We havelooked far and wide to accommodate at least500 brethren for a meeting and then dine upto 300 for a luncheon, all at an acceptablecost in terms of hire and meal. We have not,so far, found any other suitable alternative.

“Over a year of preparation goes intomaking this the annual Provincial high-spotand many brethren are involved in ensuringeverything goes smoothly. For the period fromMarch to May, many will gain the impressionthat life for the Provincial Secretary and histeam is fraught. You would be correct! I doask that to help reduce any frustration, pleaserespond to deadlines on time, or ideally early.The less chasing, the less burdensome life is!”The full interview, which includes abreakdown of the many duties involved, isavailable on the Provincial website atwww.glosmason.org.uk.

RW Provincial Grand Master with his Stewards at PGL

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Previous issues of squaretalk havereported fund-raising in memory of thelate Noel O’Driscoll, WM of TyndallLodge, for British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association (BLESMA). Thefinal phase was a rugby match organisedat Cleve RFC by Bros Richard Harris,Steve Bullen and Phil Green of Tyndalland Bro Shaun Harris of KingswoodChase. Teams of ex-servicemenrepresenting Gloucester and Bristoldiplomatically fought to a draw!

In excess of 1000 programmes weresold and supporters enjoyed a marchingband complete with standard bearers, an

auction of rugbymemorabilia, saleof Noel’s militarybooks and even afun-fair for thechildren. Astaggering £4,300was raised on theday, sharedbetween BLESMAand H4H.

Somerset support!

Shaun, Phil and Rich (photo L to R) wereinvited to Portcullis Lodge in Langport toreceive a cheque for £500 to be added tothe total. It was the initiative of the WMJeffrey Dale and JW Ian Moore. Somersethospitality extended to a visit to a ciderfarm the following day!

Final figure ~ £16,818.08

The total raised for BLESMA during theyear-long drive was a wonderful tribute to awell-loved WM and it was withunderstandable pride that Pat O’Driscollhanded over the final cheque to Chris Jonesof the Gloucestershire Branch of BLESMA.

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BLESMA total exceeds expectations!

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Certificate says it all!

An idea, spawned by W Bro Roger Blakeand the late Bro Ron Maggs more than 20years ago has blossomed into an associationwhich is now known around the world. Thiscertificate identifies the objectives andsuccess of the MWA and lists all the widowswho attended the inaugural meeting. It waspresented to W Bro David Wells, Chairmanof the Staple Hill Masonic Hall.

It will be seen in the Orpheus article onpage 12 that the Provincial Grand Mastersingled out the Association for recognition.He further instructed the certificate to beplaced “next to the Queen in the bar”; thebar area at Downend being the firstmeeting room of the MWA!

“The Square” magazine, published byLewis Masonic, carried an article inSeptember 1993 (photo reproduced here)in which the founding of the MWA wasrecorded together with the progress madein the first three years. Officers having

been elected, monthly meetings were nowset up and the essential links with Provinceand lodge almoners established. Successfulbranches had already been launched.“Cheerfulness” and “optimism” werewatchwords and care and support ofmembers, particularly those newly bereavedwas paramount. (A full copy of this historicarticle is available on request to the editor.)

The Association continues to provide avital link with lodges.

Perhaps the ladies would like tocontribute an article in the next issue ofsquaretalk?

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Downend Masonic Widows Association

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Community ActionSupport Team volunteers

have been called upon to providevaluable assistance to manyworthwhile events throughoutthe Province recently.

CAST Co-ordinator, W Bro RayDrew reports that early in May,members assisted W Bro FredBeacham on the exhibition standat the Winterbourne DownStreet Carnival, meeting thepublic, and talking to thecommunity about Freemasonry.

Later in the month, in answer to a callfrom the Sue Ryder Hospice inCheltenham, fifteen volunteers gave uptheir time and sleep to act as safetymarshals during their ladies’ MidnightWalks. They were seen in action on a coldwet night in the streets of Cheltenham,providing welcome safety assistance andvocal support to some 600 ladiescompleting a 10 kilometre walk, finishingaround 3am.

They were back in action againsupporting another walk, this time throughthe historic streets of Gloucester City.

Highnam meeters-and-greeters

In June, sadly just a month before hesuddenly passed away, there was a call fromW Bro Tom Fenton, (who used to ownHighnam Court), asking for volunteers tomeet and greet the Brethren and familieson arrival, and to marshal the safe parkingof the 400+ cars at the event.

Ray said, “My grateful thanks onceagain to all the Brethren and their familymembers who generously give up theirtime to assist me and C.A.S.T in providingcaring support in the community.”

Out and about with C.A.S.T.

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ADVERTS

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Freewheelers go round in Circles84 & 95 CirclesEach November, GloucestershirePast Masters of the 1984 Circlemeet for a weekend away. Thisyear, they will be returning tothe Livermead Hotel in Torquay.It proved a successful venue forthe 25th anniversary week-endlast year, the highlight of whichwas the Gala dinner. Six of theoriginal PMs, augmented by the95 Circle, were includedamongst the 105 people who weretreated to a sumptuous five-coursebanquet. After the meal there were theusual toasts, just a couple of speeches andthen on with music and dancing.

£700 raisedLater during the evening, a raffle andauction was held and no less than £700raised for the Freewheelers EVS.

This charity provides hospitals in the southwest with an out-of-hours emergencycourier service, carrying such things asblood, patient notes, x-rays etc.

The photos are of the 1984 PastMasters Circle and of W Bro MaxHoulden of the 95 circle presenting the£700 cheque to courier Chris Vincent.Also present is the Freewheelers Treasurer,Richard Reeves.

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Lodge Newsletters keep us posted!May Hill Lodge No 8056

Your squaretalk editor gets to hear of manyGloucestershire lodges which regularlyproduce newsletters, a constructive way ofensuring all Brethren are kept up to speedwith events, including those who may beabsent from meetings. Lodges are alsotaking advantage of posting thesenewsletters on their Provincial Websitepages. May Hill in Gloucester is noexception, with a professional publicationreflecting the enthusiasm of the lodge. Weread of W Bro Norman Sims raising amagnificent sum in his year, sharedbetween RNIB and Masonic Charity. Thelodge organised a tour of GloucesterCathedral, a weather-hit but neverthelesssuccessful garden party, a Christmas Lunchand a funfilled Olde English Night completewith serving wenches. His period in officewas rounded off with a Ladies Night held atThe Hill, Stroud. Amongst guests were LadyFreemasons from Birmingham.

W Bro Calvin Clark

Norman has nowhanded over thereins, not tomention a fullcalendar ofcandidates, to WBro Calvin Clark, a20-year US Air Forceveteran. “It is mysincere hope” said

Calvin, “that I will be remembered as aworthy Master of May Hill Lodge, that Icarry on the high standards of the lodgewith satisfaction to myself and gain therespect of the Brethren.” He has alreadygained much respect since joining EnglishFreemasonry n 1992, having been WM ofLodge of Progress, First Principal of Royal

Lebanon Chapter and MWS of St ThomasChapter (Rose Croix). He was promoted tothe 30th Degree in 2006. Following on thetheme of featuring lodge banners, May Hillwas conceived in 1965 as a “small countrylodge”, meeting at an hotel in Newent;annual subs set at 4 guineas. 200 years ago,May Hill itself, located on the border withHerefordshire, was the site of mock battlesbetween local youths dressed in winter andspring garb. Custom decreed the springcombatants victorious. To celebrate, theywould then carry off green branches andmayflowers, clearly shown on the banner.The hotel was notoriously cold and thelodge moved to Gloucester in 1979, wherea warmer welcome wasassured! (See lodgewebpage for full history.)

Editor’s comment: Ifyour lodge produces aregular newsletter andyou feel it contains anitem of wider interest,do feel free to share itwith us.

Ladies’ Night entertainment

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“Generosity by Brethren out of Gratitude...two grand winner”

Brethren will no doubt haveseen a quote on theProvincial website fromhorse-racing fan W Bro DavidDurnford, “In my fifty yearsin masonry, I’ve never seensuch a fantastic andspontaneous response. I am soproud of Hambrook Lodge!”David, who is 80 next year,was overwhelmed by a RaceNight which raised no lessthan £1,200 to be donatedto the Palliative Care Unitat Frenchay Hospital.

“Could not havebeen more caring!”

David and his wife Cora werechildhood sweethearts and were married for56 years. She fell ill on holiday in Tunisiaearly this year and had to be rushed back tothe UK. Terminal cancer was diagnosed andshe was transferred to the Palliative CareUnit where she spent her last three weeks.

In talking to his fellow lodge members,David could not express enough hisadmiration for the staff; not only in themanner in which they cared for Cora, butalso for the compassionate and practicalway they treated him and the family.

A man of the turf!

Racing is very much in David’s blood; he canregularly be seen stewarding at WestCountry race meetings.

Fittingly and without hesitation,Hambrook’s WM, W Bro Will Durman,announced that the proceeds from a charityRace Night at Stapleton would be donated

to the Unit to help with upkeep. No lessthan 75 punters, comprising brethren,their families and friends dug deep toback their horses, some nags moreenergetic than others, in enjoying a funSaturday evening. David was there andcould not believe the generosity shownby everyone.

At the end of the night, after a nail-biting, closely contested last race, theproceeds had to be counted three times.No one could quite believe the figure!

David was determined to repay some ofthe kindness shown to Cora and thefamily and, together with other donations,elevated the amount to £2,000.

Wearing one of the eye-catchingwaistcoats for which he is noted, Davidhanded over the cheque to Tilly Sheeran,the Ward Manager. Also in the photo,daughters Marie and Tina, plus StaffNurses Lisa Thompson and Debbie Pringle.

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Fifty Years to the Day!Orpheus Lodge celebrates Silver Jubilee with a new banner

On 25th June 1960, Orpheus Lodge wasconsecrated. To mark the fiftiethanniversary, a new banner wascommissioned and dedicated at a specialmeeting, exactly fifty years later.

The Provincial Team mustered atDownend, led by the Provincial GrandMaster, RW Bro Adrian Davies. He worethe very apron worn on that day in 1960 bythe late Provincial Grand Master, RW BroWR S Bathurst.

In his address to the Brethren, RW BroAdrian emphasised the need to honour andremember the founders and formermembers, adding, “You have in your handsa wonderful lodge, working for the good ofthe Craft and the advantage of humanity.”

A short history of the lodge wasproduced for the occasion by W BroGraham Phipps in which he explainedhow it was formed by members of theDownend Masonic Singers. Although theSingers were disbanded in 1994, the lodgehas upheld its musical heritage.

The first master was W Bro Col F SeymourWilliams DSO, OBE, who had spent most ofhis Masonic life in India. He was rememberednot only for his “Bombay Workings”, but alsohis alarm wristwatch which habitually wentoff at 7.30 during ceremonies!

The lodge has also maintained its linkswith Orpheus Lodge No 1706 in London,annually visiting or hosting visits.

At the Festive Board, the Provincial GrandMaster expressed his admiration for theMasonic Widows Association, founded atDownend in 1990, following the initiative ofW Bro Roger Blake and Bro Ron Maggs.The Association has since that time becomefirmly established further afield, not only inother UGLE Provinces but even internationally.

The “toast to the founders” wasappropriately proposed by W Bro JohnRobson, who as a sprightly 22-year-old wasthe lodge’s first candidate. He gave anentertaining recollection of some of the 48masters he had had the pleasure of knowing.

Here’s to the next fifty!

Members of Orpheus Lodge and the Provincial Team

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Sure to give you a Buzz!Geoff’s Bee-Day*

*No, nothing to do with W Bro GeoffDavis’ posh bathroom, but everything todo with his beekeeping hobby!

Bees Abroad

Geoff’s wife provided a cream tea duringwhich further discussion took place. Atthe end of the afternoon £40 was

collected, to go towards equipmentfor the locally-based charity “BeesAbroad”, which teaches sustainablebeekeeping in developing countries.

Geoff had just returned from aWest African gold-mining businesstrip and had taken some beekeepingequipment to the Kumasi region inGhana. Hives are built locally thereand that £40 will be enough toprovide two new ones.

Traditionally, in Africa andelsewhere, bees are driven from theirnatural comb by smoke in order totake the honey. Sustainablebeekeeping encourages the local

beekeepers to build and use a top barhive which allows the honey comb to becut off, so that bees remain in the hiveand build replacement comb.

Geoff will be out in Ghana again later inthe year. In addition to taking moreequipment he’ll be packing his Masonicregalia, accepting a lodge invitation in Accra.

Above: Probably Geoff Davis and Hugh Kilminster!Below: the brave ones are Bro Charlie Sanger-Daviesand partner Wren, plus Robin Wilson.

Members of Royal Union Lodge 246 hadexpressed an interest in a “BeekeepingTaster Day”, so with the help of a localinstructor, Geoff arranged an afternoonfor a contingent to visit his Birdlip gardenand don very necessary protective bee-suits, headgear and gloves.The weather was sunny but with a coldnortheast wind. The three hives wereprotected by a high beech hedge, so itwas possible to view each of the coloniesin turn to see how they were progressing.

The height above sea level at Birdlipis just over 960 feet, and nectarproducing flowers open that bit lateron top of the hill. So bees tend tobecome active a little later than thoseat lower altitudes. Each hive wastaken apart and workers, drones,eggs, larvae, pollen and nectar couldbe clearly seen by the bee-coveredvisitors, all of whom had the chanceto handle the bees and ask questions.

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The Stanley Moxom ShieldStanley Moxom was a Mark Mason ofmany years standing and a wood-carver bytrade and hobby. Just prior to his death,around the time of the 2003 MarkBenevolent Fund Festival, he carved inwood a replica of the Mark Gloucestershireand Herefordshire logo which compriseshalf the County Shield designs. His widowpresented this shield to the Province afterhis death and it has since been awardedannually to the Mark Lodge in the Provincewhich has raised per capita the highestamount in the year and donated the largestamounts to local charities,.

Stow-on the-Wold Lodge

This year the shield was presented by theMark Provincial Grand Master, RW BroJames Green, at the Provincial GrandLodge meeting in June at WycliffeCollege. The recipient was Stow-on-the-Wold Lodge of Mark Master Masons.

Pictured receiving the shield are the lodgeCharity Steward, W Bro Harry Limbrickand W Bro Steve Willoughby, the WM.

Masonic VeteranW Bro Edwin Howey PPrGReg

Another brother has given 60years service to his brethren.The RW Provincial GrandMaster has recognised WBro Edwin (Eddy) AlbertHowey for his commitment toFreemasonry, by awarding him the ProvincialCertificate of Service.

Born in 1926, he was initiated on 3rdMay 1948 in the St Raphael Lodge no 6261in Newcastle. He then ventured south andjoined Civitas Lodge on 23rd February1962. He was Worshipful Master in 1970and served as Treasurer and Director ofCeremonies from 1967 to 1974.

He was honoured by his Lodge by beingappointed an Honorary Member in 1998.

Below (L-R) W Bros Derek Manning,Eddy Howey and lodge almoner, RonThew.

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Striking New Banner for Sincerity’s 50thWeather-affectedSincerity Lodge No 7658, having beenconsecrated in November 1959, the 50thanniversary celebration had beenscheduled for January, but heavy snowscaused a delay until May.

To celebrate the occasion, the lodgeelected to have a new banner dedicated.The original banner, having been handpainted in 1971 by W Bro Doug Cudmore,it was the first to be displayed in thetemple at Stapleton. The centre of thebanner depicts the important part of ourceremony when we take our obligationand sincerely promise and swear; hence thename of the Lodge is graphically illustratedby the main feature of the banner.

Team effortThe dedication of the new banner wascarried out by RW Bro Adrian Davies, theProvincial Grand Master, accompanied byhis Deputy VW Bro Colin Bendon andAssistant W Bro Gordon Cole, and agoodly number of the Provincial Team. Thelodge was also very pleased to have thecompany of many wives and partners of themembers and visitors. They were wellsupported by members of Sincerity’s motherlodge, the Filton Lodge of Fortitude.

The Lodge was opened by the WM, WBro Mike Baker and, after the normallodge business was concluded, the ladieswere admitted in order that they couldwitness the banner dedication ceremony.

Attractive audience!

The Provincial Team, ladies and brethrenthen retired to a predictably enjoyableFestive Board. It should perhaps be notedthat when the VW Deputy ProvincialGrand Master responded to the ProvincialToast, he was able to pass comment onthe audience by saying it was a good dealmore attractive than the audiences he wasaccustomed to addressing. He also saidthat he hoped that the lodge would gofrom strength to strength, in order tocomplete another 50 years.

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Grand Charity announces new £1/4m grantSSAFA the firstbeneficiary

A new annual grantinitiative has beenannounced at TheFreemasons’ Grand Charity- £250,000 to a majornational charity.Soldiers, Sailors,

Airmen and FamiliesAssociation (SSAFA)Forces Help is to receivethe first grant. The moneyis to be divided anddistributed to branches throughout thecountry, providing funding at a local level.

Over the past year The Grand Charityhas received numerous requests fromindividual members asking for donations tosupport the Armed Forces. The Councilselected SSAFA Forces Help as the firstrecipient of a grant under the new initiativeto maintain their excellent work in helpingcurrent and former members of the ArmedForces and their families.

Local branches to decide

The members approved the grant forSSAFA Forces Help at the Grand CharityAGM in June. The aim is to support localbranches, allowing them to decide howthey spend their money. SSAFA is anational charity that supports those whoserve in the Armed Forces, and those whoused to serve. It provides health and socialservices, a confidential support line, andhelps the families of those who serve. Formore information visitwww.ssafa.org.uk.Claire Hoather, director of fundraising

at SSAFA said: “We are over the moonwith the funding. The level of supportshown by the Grand Charity is so positive

and generous. With our Armed Forcesinvolved in conflict at the moment, it is vitalthat we can support them and theirfamilies as much as possible. Our regionalmanagers will assess what services shouldto be provided to Armed Forces personnel,and ex-military servicemen. We will thenuse the money to find a solution.”Laura Chapman, Grand Charity chief

executive, said: “The immensely valuablework carried out by SSAFA Forces Help iswidely supported within the Masoniccommunity, and this latest grant is furtherevidence of our benevolent commitmentin support of the armed services.”

More than £80 million!

The Freemasons’ Grand Charity is a grant-making organisation that supports groupsin need of help. Since 1981 it has madegrants of more than £80 million.

Further information:

For questions concerning this new grantor The Freemasons’ Grand Charity pleasecontact Siobhan McCarthy on 020 73959385 or [email protected]/or Katrina Baker on 020 7395 9314or [email protected].

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A Lodge with Three Banners!Banner No 1

St John’s Lodge was consecrated on22nd February 1859 at the Old BellHotel, Dursley. Then numbered 1063, itchanged to 761 four years later.

The lodge has three banners in itspossession. The first is of a plain designshowing the squared pavement with twopillars. Early members were regrettablynot too good at keeping records, sothere is no information availablereferring to its dedication. Possibly, therewas no such ceremony. As it displays thenumber 761, however, it must havebeen produced after 1863.

Banner No 2

The second banner is a much moreelaborate affair. Again there is no recordof a dedication or even the reason for itsproduction. Nor indeed is there anexplanation for the design, which depictsthe arms of the house of Berkeleysurmounted by the three feathers of thePrince of Wales. It can only be assumedthat the design was selected due to thefact that Dursley was in the area of theBerkeley estates. As HRH Albert Edwardthe Prince of Wales was Grand Master ofthe Order from 1874- 1901, this couldconceivably be the reason for the inclusionof the three feathers and could perhapsdate the banner sometime during thisperiod. This banner hung for many yearsagainst a rather damp wall at Dursley andhad deteriorated to such an extent thatthe members of the Lodge decided that itwould have to be framed and mounted.

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Banner No 3

Consequently, in 1978, it was decidedthat a new banner was needed and thedesign and production was left in thehands of the W Bro P A Bullock, thethen secretary. A visit was made toBerkeley to view an alternative design ofthe coat of arms and the present bannershows the configuration selected withthe excluding the three feathers. Thispart of the design was replaced by theall-seeing eye. It was hand-crafted by WBro D Cudmore of the Lodge of thePerfect Ashlar. Approval obtained, thededication ceremony was carried outduring the Mastership of W Bro T GCarter with full pomp and ceremony bythe RW Provincial Grand Master, CyrilHollinshead OStJ.

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An engaging moment!Impeesa Lodge

The event . . . . the scoutinglodge’s summer lunch!The setting . . . . ideal;Eastwood Park Conference Centre nearFalfield! The June weather . . . . for oncefitted the occasion! The food . . . . superb;all to be expected! The response to theLadies’ Toast by Heather Gleed . . . . . anarticulate and traditional vote of thanks tothe scouting lodge’s Worshipful Master, WBro Paul Hill for hosting such a successfulexperience.

And then the unexpected!

Paul handed Heather a wrapped present.Revealed inside was a stunning sapphireand diamond engagement ring. Paulimmediately “popped the question”. The80 members, ladies and guests held theirbreath for only a few seconds before hereceived the answer “Yes”, amidstapplause and best wishes to them bothfrom the gathering.

“This was real icing on the cake”, guestMrs Angela Davies, wife of our ProvincialGrand Master, told squaretalk, “and itwas a delight and privilege for us all towitness such a happy event.”

Scouting activity

Both Heather and Paul enjoy their sharedinterest in Gloucestershire Scouting.Heather is an assistant Beaver Leader,working with the 6 to 8 years olds. Paul iscurrently a County Scouter and has heldcommissioner appointments in County‘Network’ (18 to 25 age range) and atDistrict level.

Impeesa Lodge meets at the DownendMasonic Centre on the first Saturday inOctober, December, February and April.Enquiries can be made to Secretary W BroFred Webb on 0117 9620164.

W Bro Richard Gillett

Photographed below: Heather and W Bro Paul with hisparents W Bro and Mrs Eric Hill.

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Seafarer’s Channel Swim

As we go to print, Bro Jamie Shattock,due shortly to become a joining memberat Seafarers Lodge, is preparing to swimthe English Channel.

Georgiana

Pictured here is Jamie’s youngest daughter,Georgiana. She was born in 2003 with anundiagnosed neuromuscular condition andspent the first year of her life in hospital.During her months in Bristol Children’sHospital, her breathing needs were assessedand she came home a month before her firstbirthday with a ventilator and the support of‘Lifetime’, who supplied regular overnightcare and daytime respite. Children’sHospice South West was also involved inhelping prepare for Georgiana’s homecomingand provide respite breaks to the family atLittle Bridge House in North Devon.

ChallengeJamie has always been one for a challengeand, following all the past and presentcare and treatment Georgiana receives,Jamie really wants to do something in

return for some of that generosity and help,particularly from CHSW, The Grand Appealfor the Bristol Children’s Hospital andLifetime Children’s Trust. In 2005, Jamie ranthe London Marathon for CHSW and raised£2,500. In 2006, he decided to take on aneven greater challenge and train to swim theEnglish Channel from Shakespeare Beach inDover to Cap Grisnez in France, a distanceof 22 miles. From this he hopes to raise£15,000 (£5,000 for each charity). Forinformation or ‘Gifts in Kind’ donations,please telephone 07765407987 or [email protected].

Grease!

This is Jamie’s thirdseason training for thismajor event takingplace around 21August, depending onweather. This is an“open water” swimwhich means all he’sallowed to wear is apair of swimmingtrunks, a swimming hat and goggles, oh,and a smothering of grease!

Jamie’s wife, Cathie, said, “This will be alifetime achievement for Jamie and if in theprocess he can raise this sizeable amount ofmoney for these very special charities, somuch the better. He is very determined andfocused on what lies ahead. It’s all aboutbeing mentally and physically prepared andtaking that first step into the English Channelknowing that everything possible has beendone to make it a successful solo swim.”

Family connections

Jamie’s father, Keith, was WM at Seafarersin 1997 and Jamie’s brother Glenn is alsodue to join the lodge this year.

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Summer Family Day scores for 8499Fennells Farm

Bro Ted Wakefield and his wife Dot hadkindly made available the use of theirfarm at Lypiatt, Stroud to the OldMarlingtonian Lodge WM, W Bro MickAldridge and his wife Sally, in order theycould host a Summer Family Day. It proveda marvellous venue! Together with agoodly number of brethren, they allworked tirelessly for a month preparingfor the day, which comprised a Pig Roastand entertainment in the form of a JazzBand and a Bouncy Castle for the children(and some adults!)

The event was attended by some 150brethren, ladies and friends, whosuccumbed with notable generosity to thepersuasive powers of the two ProvincialGrand Wardens, W Bro Max Hart and WBro Derek Gunningham, who wereselling the tickets for the raffle. Therewere no raffle costs to absorb as all theprizes were donated by the WM, Ted and

Bro Don Gilder. As a result, a handsomeprofit of some £226 was realised.

Potential candidates

The WM provided the pig and operated thebar where Buddings Beer, Black Rat ciderand good wines were on offer. Max, theProvSGW, told squaretalk, “I’d like toexpress my gratitude and the gratitude ofthe lodge to a number of local businesses,including Bisley Leisure Hire, Stroud Breweryand The Zanzibar Band, who gave orprovided their services at cost or less. Theday was a great success and was very muchenjoyed by the brethren, their families andfriends. The success of the day was furtherboosted by two of the gentlemen guestsexpressing more than a passing interest inbecoming members of the lodge.”

The total profit on the day amountedto £1103, all of which will be donated tothe RW Provincial Grand Master’sDiscretionary Fund.

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Light & Reflection Banner

There was a turn-out of 55 at the Maymeeting of the daytime Lodge of Lightand Reflection 9736, enhanced by thepresence of RW Bro Adrian Davies theProvincial Grand Master and his Deputy,VW Bro Colin Bendon, who was theFounding Master of the Lodge.

After the formalities, VW Bro Bendongave an enlightening explanation of theLodge banner. The main feature is anopen window surrounded by a lifebelt,indicating that the lodge meets atAvonmouth, near to the sea and givingsupport to its members. The centre isdivided into four, indicating the sun,Volume of the Sacred Law, Square &

Compasses and the family. The laurelleaves and berries represent the healthyeverlasting nature of Freemasonry. Themotto “In Luce Convenimus” means “Wemeet in the light”.

New Zealand connection

The first page of the lodge bible carriesthe inscription: “This Bible was presentedat the First Regular Meeting of the Lodgeon Wednesday 14th November 2001 byW Bro C V R Bendon on behalf of hiscousin W Bro John Ernest Newman, aPast Master of Otago Kilwinning LodgeNo 417 (Scottish Constitution) meeting inDunedin, New Zealand.”

Masonic flats

The Brethren then received a talk given byW Bro John Whiteford regarding theProvincial accommodation situated atGloucester and Staple Hill for retiredmembers and their relatives. John is one ofthe supervisors looking after the residents.

The WM, W Bro Frank Crossland,presented the Provincial Grand Masterwith a cheque towards the Provincialcharities. This, added to the chequepresented at the March meeting,conveyed the generosity of the members,who in the main are past retirement age.

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Ladies, Gentlemen andBrethren . . . .

Dressed in red tailcoat, white bow-tieand waistcoat, W Bro Jim MacLeod,PM of the Royal Lodge of Faith &Friendship, is delighted to travelanywhere in the Province to explainthe “History of the TraditionalBritish Toastmaster.”

In an interview with squaretalk,Jim said “It’s a unique history andvery local in its origins. There’s nofee, but I do ask for a donation tothe Provincial Grand Master’sDiscretionary fund.”

Jim has delivered his talk to anumber of lodges holding“Gentlemen’s Evenings” and he andhis wife Barbara, the onlyprofessionally trained LadyToastmaster in the area, have alsoentertained the Downend Widows’Association at a luncheon.

Last word!

“We like to present together, especially if thelodge has ladies to the festive board, as itgives me the chance to have the last word!”whispered Jim . . . . out of Barbara’s ear-shot!

As one of the most experienced toast-masters in the South West, Jim is in greatdemand for weddings, corporatefunctions and charity events.

“I work for a number of local hotels,”he said, “especially when they haveLondon lodges for their Ladies’ Festival.They always have a toastmaster to givetheir DC the night off!”

If you would like to “brighten” up anyfuture lodge function, W Bro Jim can becontacted on:01454 778 226 /07764 196 [email protected]

“Have Gavel ~ Will Travel”

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Pied Piper

The Pied Piper Appeal is a charity forchildren and it was so pleasing to see somany enjoying themselves at this top eventat a top venue!Roger Head DL, is the Appeal Chairman

and he invited Gloucestershire Freemasonsto hold this family day in the grounds of hishome, Highnam Court in June. Manyfamilies played, listened to music, exploredthe gardens, examined a wonderful displayof Rolls and Bentley cars, discovered thecarvings in the trees and enjoyed a picnic inglorious surroundings.

The Provincial Grand Master, VW BroAdrian Davies, presented Roger with acheque for £1000 for the Pied Piper Appeal.He explained that our objective is to raise£1,000,000 to provide an endowment fundfor people of Gloucestershire and that hadso far reached £650,000. He hoped to beable to make a difference to GloucestershireCharities for years to come.

Objectives

Roger clarified the original objectives of PiedPiper, which was to provide those extras forchildren in hospital that the NHS was unableto provide. That had now expanded intoalso providing vital equipment.

Bro Phil Vickery, Vice Patron of theAppeal, was naturally one of the membersattending with his family and said, “It waswonderful to see the support for theCharity.” Event organiser, W Bro DaveSullivan added “It was great to see somany people of all ages having fun whilstraising money for Charity.”

Over 600 people attended and theprincely sum of £5,572 was raised for theProvincial Grand Master’s Charities Appeal.

Musical entertainment on the day wasprovided by The King's Harmonists, TheWye String Quartet and The Miller's Men.

Highnam Highlights

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VIP visit to Royal Union Lodge

RW Sir Bernard Ribeiro CBE

Royal Union Lodge No 246 in Cheltenhamwas honoured to host an informal visit bythe Junior Grand Warden at their Aprilmeeting as the guest of the OldDecanians, (old boys of Dean CloseSchool, Cheltenham). An Old Decanianhimself, Sir Bernard still retainsconnections with Dean Close as aGovernor of the school.

Bus-top encounter!

Bernard was originally down for DulwichCollege with his brother, but a chanceencounter on the top of a London buswas to change his destiny! His father,who was also a Mason, bumped into theReverend Douglas Graham, then theHeadmaster of Dean Close. YoungBernard’s fate was sealed!

So it was that as RW Bro Bernard hewas welcomed to the Province ofGloucestershire by the Provincial GrandMaster, RW Bro. Adrian Davies. TheBrethren enjoyed an excellent ceremonyconducted by the Worshipful Master, WBro. Mike Hanlon and his officers.

At the Festive Board, the toast to thevisitors was proposed by an OD, W Bro

Ross Cole, who was one of Sir Bernard’shouse prefects when he first came to theschool in the late 1950s and was able toentertain the Brethren with one or twoanecdotes of the time.

Royal Union Lodge, an Atholl Lodgefounded in Cirencester in 1813, is nowthe oldest Lodge consecrated inGloucestershire (though not the oldestone in the county) and meets in thehistoric Masonic Lodge in Cheltenham,purpose-built in 1822.

Sir Bernard said that he had enjoyed hisvisit and expressed a wish to be invited again.

The photo shows Sir Bernard with theOld Decanians - left to right: W BrosPhilip Jones; Ross Cole; Keith Lafford;Jonathan Wilson; Sir Bernard Ribeiro;David Mason; Adrian Davies PGM;Mike Hanlon; Tom Bence; Geoff Davisand Nick Norman.

Justly rewarded

In 2004, Sir Bernard was awarded the CBEfor his ‘immeasurable’ services tomedicine, during a career that spannedover 40 years.

He was President of the Royal College ofSurgeons from 2005 to 2008 and morerecently he was appointed Knight Bachelor.

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Masonry on Parade!

Masonic stall in demand

Bro Fred Beacham, who lives inWinterbourne Down, had the bright idea ofusing the Masonic stall at his local carnival inMay. There was no shortage of volunteers tohelp, not only from fellow-residents W BroDavid Bisp and the Deputy Provincial GrandMaster, VW Bro Colin Bendon, but also ahost of others including W Bros PeterWilliams and Ray Pearson, all the wayfrom Gloucester and Cheltenham. Itattracted wide interest, not least from acouple who engaged volunteers in deep andsearching questions . . . . the husband was

interested but wife was initially “anti”.They wandered off armed withinformation booklets and returned sometime later to enquire how hubby could goabout joining!

Charity too . . .

The carnival raised a splendid £1,300 forHelp For Heroes, plus £300 each to the twolocal churches. The event organisers werevery pleased to see Freemasonry representedand have invited us back next year.

Could your community make use ofthe stall?

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Bienvenue à la Lodge de Lyegrove

French Lodge visit

Lyegrove Lodge’s 422nd meeting wasmarked with a fraternal visit from the RLLoge Les Deux Veuves, (Lodge of the TwoWidows) No 520, Grand Loge ProvincialeDe Massila.

Vénérable Maître (WM) JacquesLamoulere was accompanied by DeuxièmeSurveillant (JW) Christophe Allois. TheDeputy Provincial Grand Master VW BroColin Bendon was also in attendance towitness a Fellowcraft ceremony for BroMike Clarke.

At the Festive Board, W Bro Roger Dando,the WM, presented each of the Frenchvisitors with a Bristol Blue firing glass and aProvincial tie to mark their visit.

W Bros Ted Purbrick and Bob Mills,members of the French lodge which islocated in Arles, Provence, had arrangedthe visit. Sadly, W Bro Ted passed away inJuly. Photograph (L to R) are W Bros TedPurbrick, Roger Dando, DS ChristopheAllois, VM Jacques Lamoulere, Bro MikeClark, and the Deputy PGM.

Honourable Ancestry

Lyegrove Lodge No 7890 was formed in1963. Not only the son of the first WM, WBro John Ashby is also a Founder. He toldsquaretalk, “Our grandmother lodge isTyndall at Downend, named after WilliamTyndall who translated the Bible whilststaying at Lyegrove House. Tyndall’sdaughter lodge is Sodbury Vale, so when asecond lodge was due to be formed atChipping Sodbury, Lyegrove was consideredan appropriate name and it is depicted onthe banner.” The motto is in two parts;Retinens Vestigia Famae, meaning “In thefootsteps of honourable ancestry” andConstat Inter Omnes, meaning “There isagreement amongst all”.

The fiftieth anniversary is due in 2013and John is determined to be there tocelebrate the event.

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“Let there be Music”It was a cold February evening when TheStuart Singers, under their conductor,Gerry Palmer, took their places inGloucester Cathedral. The nave was filledwith an eager audience who had come tohear their programme “Let there be music”.

Royal Glos Lodge initiative

The concert had been organisedby The Royal GloucestershireLodge in aid of the charitysupported during his year by thethen WM, W Bro Alan Parker.The charity is LINC, TheLeukaemia and IntensiveChemotherapy Fund, whichprovides financial andpsychological support not only forpeople receiving intensivechemotherapy in the cancercentre in Cheltenham GeneralHospital, but also their families.

Generous gesture

Remarkable sponsorship ensured thecovering of the £1000 cost of thepromotion. It came from non-Masonicindividuals as far afield as Liverpool andLondon, generous donations from Lodgemembers’ businesses and those of theirfamilies, together with posters, tickets andprogrammes printed free of charge by aLodge member. Unquantifiable, butneverthe-less a major factor, was that thechoir gave their services free in the cause ofcharity; a most generous collective gesturefrom all the members. The result was that allincome from tickets and programmes raisedthe handsome sum of £2700 for the charity.

The choir, well known for quality ofsinging, produced a superb programme tosuit a wide range of tastes, performingbeautifully. Choir-members later said howmuch they enjoyed the opportunity to

sing in such a setting. Did the audienceenjoy it? That’s best summed up by thechoir themselves who said the applause atthe end was the longest and mostappreciative they had ever received.

This is the second time the Lodge hasproduced this concert and it is verygrateful to W Bro Barry James, who is

fast becoming its impresario, for the time,effort and skill he brings to ensuring asuccessful event, well supported by “themissus”, Meg James, secretary andprovider of refreshments for the choir!

Full lodge engagement

Another benefit of the event was that itinvolved most of the Lodge members inselling tickets, sponsorship andstewarding. It was particularly rewardingtoo to have the support on the evening ofVW Bro Colin Bendon Deputy ProvincialGrand Master, W Bro John ThurstonAssistant Provincial Grand Master and WBro Laurence Keen Past AssistantProvincial Grand Master, plus their wiveswho, like the rest of us, also managed tosurvive the Cathedral temperature!

Photo by kind permission of Bill Evans

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RW Bro Alan James Hawkes-ReedWorldwide renown

Alan was known ‘worldwide’ amongMark and Royal Ark Mariners and severalother degrees of Masonry.

Following a major heart attack in Aprilat the festive board of the Craft OldPatesian Lodge, Alan was allowed homeafter surgery. He sadly died surrounded byhis family on Thursday 6th May and wascremated at St Andrews Church, SevenHampton, with family, neighbours andclose friends in attendance.

Abbey Service

A Thanksgiving Service for the life ofAlan will be held together with the AnnualChurch Service of the Mark, Royal ArkMariner, Rose Croix and Order of the SecretMonitor Orders at Tewkesbury Abbey onSunday 31st October 2010 at 3.00pm.This Service will be attended by many fromacross the country.

Alan belonged to several Craft Lodges. Hewas initiated in the Evenlode Lodge,Oxfordshire some 41 years ago. In 1996 hewas appointed PAGDC. He was a Royal ArchMason having been exalted in CotteswoldChapter some 37 years ago and was afounder of Perseverance Chapter. In 1996,he was appointed PGStdB. Alan wasperfected in the Cheltonia Chapter RoseCroix. In 2001, he was elected to the 30thdegree. He was a Member of Royal andSelect Masters with Cheltenham Council. Hewas also a Member of the Allied MasonicDegrees with the Frederick Lace Council forover 20 years and, in 2007, was appointedPGStdB. Also that year, he became foundingmember of the Provincial Grand Chapter andProvincial Grand Lodge of Gloucestershireand Herefordshire, Royal Order of Scotland.

Alan admitted his “real love” was forMark and Royal Ark Mariner Masonry. Hewas advanced into the Tewkesbury AbbeyLodge of Mark Master Masons over 35

years ago. He joined several other MarkLodges on a national level. He was ProvincialGrand Secretary for many years, appointed aGrand Steward in 1990, promoted to PGJDin 1995, appointed GSO in 2000 and in2004 to PGJW and the Rank of RW Bro. In2003, he was chairman of theGloucestershire and Herefordshire MBFFestival, raising over £536,000.

In Royal Ark Mariner, Alan was elevatedinto the Cheltenham and Keystone Lodge in1989. He became a joining member ofseveral other RAM Lodges and at the timeof his death was Scribe in three of them. Hewas appointed to RAMGR in 1993.

Tribute

W Bro Roger Blake, the Mark ProvincialGrand Secretary, told squaretalk, “Alanwas a remarkable man who devoted somuch of his life to Freemasonry and theMark and Royal Ark Mariner degrees inparticular. Whenever I was asked aquestion I couldn’t answer, I would say,‘Ask Alan ~ if he can’t answer then no-one knows!’ A lovely man who will besadly missed, but never forgotten.”

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W Bro Les Mawditt

of Kings Weston Lodge6333 celebrated his99th birthday on 26thMay. Two days later, hewas presented with his50th anniversary certificateand lapel badge by W Bro John Robson,a very good friend of the Lodge.

Twice Master

Les was initiated in 1959, became WM in1975 and again in 2003 (at the tender ageof 92) and he never once shirked fromdoing all the ceremonies! He was promotedPPrJGW in 1993, received a Certificate ofMerit in 2004, and became an HonoraryMember in 2007. He served as Treasurer formany years and was also active in Mark(PGStB) and RAM (Grand Rank).

Always a learner, Les qualifiedas a plumber after leaving school,but was persuaded by his father tostudy for a more secure career. Heattended evening courses andbecame a Public Health Inspector.Even after he retired in 1976 hecontinued his studies in order tokeep up-to-date as an Examiner inPublic Health Examinations.

“Bayleaf”

Among many other activities wereProbus, the Wine Tasting Circle(making as well as tasting) andgardening. His neighbour’schildren nick-named him“Bayleaf” after “The Herbs” TVprogramme. His garden wasalways kept so tidy with herbs,vegetables and flowers in neatrows, that the neighbours sworeeven the slugs and snails had to

die in regimented rows! He continued hisstudies, mastering the complexities of thecomputer at the age of 87 to keep in touchwith his daughter and grandchildren inCanada, visiting them for many years atChristmas- time.

Les now lives in St Monica’s NursingHome in Westbury-on-Trym after his legswere weakened following a broken pelvis,which kept him confined to a hospital bedfor three months. He has been able to visitAvonmouth several times since a stair-liftwas installed.

“An example to us all”

Secretary John Howard-Cairns toldsquaretalk, “All in Kings Weston Lodge areimmensely proud of the example Les sets inhis determination to continue his active life.”

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99 Not Out!

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Provincial Housing Scheme successFlat No 14

In July 2010, the Gloucestershire MasonicHousing Scheme was able to let its newlypurchased 14th flat at Park View Court,Staple Hill, Bristol.

Volunteer team

The Provincial Housing Scheme started in1999; the Province initially buying 9 flats inGloucester, followed in 2000 by a further 4flats in Staple Hill being purchased.

The day-to-day running of the schemerequires input from a volunteer team whichhas been administered very efficiently fromthe outset. Led by W Bro Dick Blakemore,it is supported by W Bros John Winfield(Castlemeads Court, Gloucester) and JohnWhiteford (Park View Court, Bristol). Theyalso provide valued support and assistancefor our tenants. Each flat is redecoratedwhen we have a change of tenancy andimprovements have been made over theyears by replacing furnishings andequipment and upgrading bathrooms.All flats are let at the assessed fair rent.

Having firstly made the final repayment ona loan from the Masonic HousingAssociation for the original purchases,surplus funds accrued from the HousingScheme have proved sufficient this year forthe Provincial Grand Charity to be able topurchase this additional flat. The Trusteesare very grateful for the professional adviceand assistance given by W BrosMikeBennett and David Mason in dealing withthe new purchase this year.

Some improvements were carried out,including a complete refit of the bathroom,before the new flat was let in July.

Key to success!

The photo below shows the RW ProvincialGrand Master, Adrian Davies, handingover the flat keys to W Bro DesMcGuinness, who is delighted with hisnew accommodation. Both expressed theirdeep gratitude to all those brethren whocontinue to work so diligently behind thescenes to make the Provincial HousingScheme so successful.

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North Pole trek!

Above, Claire Stringer receives from RWBro James Albert Green, the MarkProvincial Grand Master, a cheque for£3200. The donation was made by Markand Royal Ark Mariner Masons ofGloucestershire and Herefordshire. Also inthe picture is the Deputy Provincial GrandMaster, W Bro Bob Clarke.

VW Bro Viv Stringer was for a numberof years a prime fund-raiser for the MarkBenevolent Fund Festival hosted byGloucestershire and Herefordshire. In 2003,in his capacity as Provincial Grand CharitySteward, the Festival raised over £536,000.

Wallace and Gromit Appeal

When Viv announced that his daughterClaire was to embark on a walk to theNorth Pole in aid of the Wallace andGromit Grand Appeal at the BristolChildren’s Hospital, Mark and Royal ArkMariner Lodges rallied round withsponsorship for her. Hence, at ProvincialGrand Lodge at Wycliffe College, thecheque was presented. More funds have

since come in, and other Lodges andChapters of which Viv is a member havenow caused the fund raised by Masonsalone to significantly exceed £4000. Thefund remains open and Claire herself ispledged to raise £22,000.

“Incredible donations”

Lauren Vincent, Community Fundraiser ofthe Wallace and Gromit Grand Appealwrote expressing sincere thanks to allMasons for their “incredible donations” insupporting Claire.

For the record books, Claire did the walkin April and it took her 15 days, 20 hoursand 5 minutes. In doing so, she lost over astone in weight. Provincial Grand SecretaryRoger Blake said, “I’m declining to matchthis tremendous feat next year on thegrounds of disliking polar bears and havinglittle wish to be confronted by one ~especially in the middle of the night.”

Claire is willing to visit Lodges and givetalks on her experience, if asked. Contactvia Roger at [email protected].

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Grand day out!

The Provincial Grand Master, RW BroAdrian Davies and the Provincial GrandSecretary, W Bro John Gillo attendedMetropolitan Grand Lodge in The GrandTemple at Great Queen Street at the endof February as guests of theMetropolitan Grand Master, RW BroRussell Race DL, on the occasion ofJohn’s brother Geoff being appointedMetropolitan Grand Superintendent ofWorks and Metropolitan InformationOfficer (Craft & Royal Arch). W BroToby Jones, our Provincial GrandMentor, was also appointedMetropolitan Grand Steward.

Gloucestershire roots

RW Bro Russell spent some of hischildhood years at Painswick when hisfather was involved with the HoffmannsBearing Factory at Stonehouse andattended Marling School. He has recentlyaccepted Honorary Membership of OldMarlingtonian Lodge and has maderegular attendances to our ProvincialGrand Lodge meetings.

The photograph was taken in the WarMemorial area outside the Grand Temple.

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Square Talk interview ~ Graham KingHRA Exchange Visits ~ “awinning formula”

So says Ex Comp Graham King, the RoyalArch ME Grand Superintendent forGloucestershire and Herefordshire.

An active Province

In an interview with squaretalk, Grahamcontinued, “The Province has been veryactive in the recent past cementing closerelationships with other neighbouringProvinces; the most recent activity beingProvincial Team exchange visits with theProvinces of Bristol andMonmouthshire.

Vasser-Smith

“In February we had the privilege towelcome the Province of Bristol led by TheGrand Superintendent Ex Comp MichaelFlynn to the Vassar-Smith Chapter inLydney; attendance at full capacity. TheCompanions of Vassar-Smith Chapterconducted an exemplary exaltationceremony which was thoroughly enjoyedby all present. Over twenty ProvincialOfficers of each Province retired to the

Festive Board together with theCompanions of the Vassar-Smith Chapterand their guests to conclude a very happyand successful evening.“Gathered for thephoto (below), we had John Robson PastDep Supt, Ted Mills 2nd Prov Principal,Graham KingMEGS Glos & Herfs,MikeFlynnMEGS Bristol, Ian Satherley ProvScribe E Bristol, Tony Weal 3rd ProvPrincipal, Alan Vaughan 2nd Prov PrincipalBristol, Dennis Noble Past Dep Supt Bristol,together with the three Principals of VasserSmith Chapter, Ex Comps P J Emery, P SWatkins and D R Beale.

Loyal Hay

“Then in March, the Province had theopportunity to welcome the Province ofMonmouthshire to The Loyal HayChapter at Hay-on-Wye, veryappropriately on Saint David’s Day. Onceagain, it was a full house. The support ofthe Provincial officers of both Provincesshows how important they consider it isto promote close relationships with otherProvinces but also build individual friendships.The Loyal Hay Chapter entertained our

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visitors with a very informative lecture inthe temple. Once more, there were overtwenty Provincial Officers of each Provinceat the Festive Board.”

Cabaret

“Finally, the Loyal Hay Companionsentertained guests by way of a very funnycabaret and the evening was finished offwith some traditional St David’s Daysinging.“Photographed on this occasion(above), we have Norman Wybron DepG Supt Monmouthshire, John Butterworth2nd Prov Principal Monmouthshire, TedMills 2nd Prov Principal Glos & Herfs,Graham King MEGS Glos & Herfs, RevMalcolm Lane MEGS Monmouthshire,Tony Weal 3rd Prov Principal Glos & Herfs,John Challenger 3rd Prov PrincipalMonmouthshire

“Foundation and keystone”Asked if there was a message he particularlywished to share with squaretalk readers,Graham concluded, “The Royal Arch isoften described as the foundation andkeystone of the whole Masonic structure.By building and cementing strongerrelationships, not only between other

Provinces, but also with individual Chaptersand other companions, we believe the specialattraction and meaning of the Holy RoyalArch and all it stands for, will continue tostimulate and inspire its members to make astrong commitment and loyalty to the Order.”

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Masonic Samaritan Fund in action“I contacted my almoner”

You may have read the letter which follows inyour copy of “In Need” magazine. Itrepresents, however, everything which theFund can do, so no apologies for repeating it.Dora Bolton, wife of Bro Peter Bolton

of Vigilantia Lodge was receiving treatmentfor her cancer when it was suddenlydecided that the antibody, Herceptin, wouldcease. Peter sought advice from Londonprofessors who confirmed that thetreatment was essential. But how to pay forit? Peter contacted his lodge almoner. TheProvincial Grand Almoner, W Bro RogerDakin, immediately escalated the matter totheMasonic Samaritan Fund and, as if bymagic, treatment resumed.

Dora’s letter:

My husband, family and I would liketo thank you from the “bottom of ourhearts” for your most generous gift.When I write the words “thank you” Idon’t know how to make these wordsexpress exactly how we really feel.

Cancer is a very frightening diseaseand when I was told my Herceptintreatment would stop due to NationalHealth rules and the funding for it, Iwas devastated and felt so lost with nohope for my disease ever having achance to improve.

There must be many people likemyself who have worked hard all theirlives to reach retirement age and fallenill then denied treatment at a criticaltime due to one rule or another madeby NICE. I am humbled to be a luckyone who by your help has been able tohave the treatment necessary tohopefully help control my cancer andprolong my life.

Throughout my illness I have beenshown love, support and kindnessfrom family and friends and nowfrom you, people that I’ve not even met.There are no words to describe ourappreciation. This strengthens mybelief that goodness prevails over thehorrors the world has to offer.

I thank you all once again andwish this “thank you” to stretch toeach and every person and fellowbrethren who has made this mostwondrous gift possible.God bless you all.Dora Bolton.

“The speed at which it all happened wasincredible,” said Peter from his Hucclecotehome. “More good news is that a cat-scanlast week shows no further deterioration.”

Footnote: Jonathan, Dora and Peter’s son,will be initiated in October!

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Regency Curry attracts non-MasonsFor a number of years RegencyLodge LOI has enjoyed atraditional “end of term” currysupper to celebrate the past yearof hard work and effort. Over thepast couple of years, the supperhas been opened up to non-Masons to join in the food andthe fun. Last year in particularproved very popular, so this yearextra efforts were put into raisingawareness about Freemasonry ingeneral and the Curry Night in particular.

Advertising

Signs were placed in shop windows inBishops Cleeve, Woodmancote andLeckhampton. We had ‘Curry Night Flyers’circulated to Lodge Membership Stewards inthe northern area, inviting them along withnew and prospective candidates. We alsomanaged to get the Assistant ProvincialGrand Master, W Bro John Thurston, toput a notice on the Provincial website for us.

The tremendous effort paid off with 38people turning up to be fed; twelve beingnon-Masons. We also had Brethren turn upfrom five other lodges, some with theirvisitors. W Bro David Crebbin fielded thephone calls and bookings, many of whichwere from people he did not know. “I alsohad to make sure we were putting on agood spread and range of curries to caterfor everyone’s taste. There’s nothing like agood nosh to fill you up and make you feelhappy!” said David.LOI Preceptor, W Bro Peter Badham said,“It’s a pity we can’t get this sort of turn outat every LOI.” Don’t talk too soon!

“We tried to ensure we retained aninformal mood. Last year people justenjoyed the surroundings and mixed in afriendly atmosphere and “no hard-sell’.We are blessed with a very special Lodge

building and when outsiders see that weare just normal people, it tends to breakdown the preconceptions,” said IPMGraham Bailey. “The visitors arrive andcongregate in the bar whilst the LOI isproceeding, once the LOI meeting isfinished, guests and sponsors meet upand then it’s off into the dining room forthe important part of the evening . . . ..the curry.”

The WM, David Harvey, gave a fewwords of welcome and encouraged thevisitors to mingle and ask as manyquestions as they wanted. After the foodW Bro John Jagger gave a splendiddetailed overview of the building andtouched on many aspects of Freemasonry,ably assisted by W Bro Ray Pearson. Thiswas followed by a short tour of the mainLodge room. “I developed a real taste forthis type of work following my debut onRadio Gloucester,” said John. “I suspecthe’s waiting for the BBC to approach himas a stand in for Terry Wogan . . . withhair!” added W Bro Alistair Hamill, theRegency Lodge Membership Steward.

“All in all, everyone pulled together andmade the evening as enjoyable as you couldwish”, continued Alistair. This is an eventwe intend repeating and we invite allsquaretalk readers to come along and bringnon-Masons in particular to this low-key‘awareness-raising’ evening next time.”

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Prostate: should we be concerned?Top surgeon

Top Consultant Urological Surgeon, DavidGillatt, from Southmead Hospital, took acouple of hours out of his busy internationalcalendar to attend a meeting of theGloucestershire Installed Masters’ Lodge atWotton in June at the invitation of WM, WBro Graham Phipps.

He delivered an enlightening talk in whichhe confirmed that prostate cancer remainsthe most common cancer in men. In the UK35,000 men are diagnosed with the diseaseevery year and causes over 10,000 deaths.

Clearly this was a lecture which was ofinterest to everyone in the room, only menhaving a prostate gland. It is about the sizeof a golf ball and is located in the pelvis atthe base of the bladder. The gland surroundsthe tube through which urine is passed.

Unaware?

Many men are unaware of the symptomsof prostate cancer and are unaware that adiagnostic test exists. It is important to

realise that any of these symptoms arealso caused by problems which arenothing to do with prostate cancer. Ifanyone is concerned about any symptomssuch as those described below, then adiscussion with a GP should be arrangedfollowed if necessary by a PSA Test.Possible symptoms:• A frequent need to pass urine at night-time;• A need to rush to the toilet;• Difficulty in starting to pass urine andstraining, or a long time to finish;

• A weak flow;• A feeling that the bladder has not emptied;• Pain on passing urine.

Relative risk

Men can be affected from the age ofabout 45 but this is rare. The risk ofgetting prostate cancer gets higher asmen get older. Older men of African orAfrican Caribbean origin are at particularrisk of getting prostate cancer. Men whohave had a close male blood relative,particularly a brother, diagnosed with itseem also to have an increased risk ofgetting the disease themselves.

More information is available atwww.bui.ac.uk

At the conclusion of the talk, W BroGraham presented Mr Gillatt with a donationto the BUI Prostate Cancer Appeal.

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Western Tideway turns the tide!

Lodge Banner

Continuing our features on lodge banners,here we see that of Lodge No 8119,which meets at Avonmouth and wasfounded in 1966. The pillars, VSL andSquare & Compasses speak forthemselves. The wavy lines represent theRiver Severn rising from the west, thesetting sun behind the hills of Wales.

W BroMichael Selby, the LodgeSecretary, presented squaretalk with a copyof the oration given at the consecration byBro Rev I Davies BA, RN, the Provincial GrandChaplain, in which he described members ofthe day as “those who go down to the sea inships and who occupy their business in greatwaters”; indicating the maritime connectionwith most Founding Brethren.

In a speech littered with nautical terms,Bro Davies portrayed the rise and fall ofhuman achievement. He described Man’sunceasing ebb and flow; riding the crest

of the wave of ecstasy and anon arrivingdeep in the trough of despondency; tossedand buffeted on the high seas of life.”

The oration is so inspiring that it is readout in open lodge once a year.

Two candidates a year

“Western Tideway Lodge has also sufferedthis ebb and flow,” said W Bro Michael. “Inthe early part of this decade, we struggledfor membership, to the point that it wasnecessary for several Brethren to occupy theChair of King Solomon a second time.

“But the tide has clearly turned. We arenow initiating two candidates each yearand with a fair wind, the lodge is on aneven keel, sailing with all speed into abright future.”

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There will now be a Musical Interlude!

Prestonian Lecture

W Bro Wayne Buffett Warlow from SWales Province is an accomplishedmusician and this year is a PrestonianLecturer. Unsurprisingly, his lecture is“Music in Freemasonry”, which hedelivered at a meeting of Provincial GrandStewards’ Lodge at Tewkesbury in May.

Conducting a CD-player, he ledmembers and visitors through a variety ofscores from classics to light opera to jazz;either written or performed byFreemasons through the centuries. Theaudience took in a host of performancesfrom Mozart (of course), Louis Armstrong,Sibelius, Duke Ellington. Gershwin, andCount Basie.

“Whereas Masonry has benefitted fromthe art of music, there are instances,particularly in the case of Mozart, whereMasonry inspired music,” said Wayne.“Mozart wrote pieces specifically to beplayed in lodges, including the German-

speaking Pilgrim Lodge in London, whichwas consecrated in 1779. Mozart’s lastcomposition was a Masonic cantata whichhe said was as good as anything he hadwritten. Mozart died three weeks afterwriting this piece.”

Sousa was in many Masonic orders inthe USA, including Shiners who use aTurkish Fez as part of their regalia and itwas no coincidence he wrote pieces witha Middle East influence.Gilbert and Sullivan’s last operetta, “TheGrand Duke” contains an amusing parodyof an imaginary quasi-Masonic initiationrite in the form of a song, “By the MysticRegulation”, during which the initiate isrequired to eat a sausage roll!

The lecture was concluded with arendition of “Auld Lang Syne” - the wordsof which were written by Bro Robert Burns.

Photographed are (L to R) W BrosWayne Warlow,Martin Fowler (WM ofProvincial Grand Stewards’ Lodge) andToby Jones (the Provincial Grand Mentor).

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Who said it was a secret?

Visitors to the busy Stroud Carnival onSaturday 17th July were left in no doubtthat there was nothing GloucestershireFreemasons would not talk about. OurMasonic Display Marquee had a primeposition and consisted of posters and leafletsdescribing the different aspects ofFreemasonry locally and nationally. The eventwas very well organised by W BroMarkSmith of Hicks Beach Lodge No 2407 andthe Marquee was manned by volunteerswho answered all and any questions fromvisiting Masons and the general public.

The day was a resounding success and asMark said afterwards, “The one thing thatstuck in my mind was the amount ofpeople we spoke to who didn’t know thatMasons did charity; quite amazing really.Even if we hadn’t spoken to anyone all dayour very presence and the great big“Gloucestershire Freemasons” banner sentout a strong message that we are open andthat we are proud to share the good workthat Freemasonry does, locally as well asnationally. Was it worthwhile? Definitely,can we make it better? Most certainly!

Display pilot project getsgreen light

A number of individuals and individualLodges throughout the Province have overthe past year endeavoured to bring to thegeneral public at large and Masons alike,

a greater understanding ofFreemasonry by attending villageshows, fete’s, carnivals or streetfairs displaying information postersand leaflets using various pieces oftheir personal equipment, tents,tables etc. Despite the restrictions,they have carried out someexcellent work and we are mostgrateful to them all.

Following this successful pilotprogramme, the Provincial Grand Masterhas decided toauthorise the settingup of a transportableProvincialInformation Displayas part of aprogramme toincrease theawareness ofFreemasonry in thecommunity. He has appointed W BroClive Goode of Chosen Hill Lodge 8067as the Community Outreach Coordinator.Clive will lead a five man CommunityOutreach Display Team and a full travellingShow Marquee will be available early nextyear, complete with up-to-date Masonicinformation posters and handout literatureof the highest standard.

During each event the Marquee will bemanned by volunteers from local lodgesor lodges closest to the venue with one ormore of the display team members inattendance.

For this initiative to be successful, weneed your help. Please tell us about villagefetes in your area. Send details of thelocation, dates etc to Clive. Also, if youhave any ideas, suggestions, or wish to beconsidered as a volunteer, again pleasecontact Clive at [email protected].

Colin V R Bendon DPGM

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Province’s got talentSinging for yoursupper!

Once a year, active membersof the Province are invited toan informal charity-raisingdinner at the invitation ofthe RW Provincial GrandMaster. The whole point is tohave fun and afterwards yousing a song or tell a joke ~the option is yours.

Some instantlyrecognisable faces here!

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Glosmasons.org.uk sparksProvincial Grand Mentor . . . .

W Bro Toby Jones, asks if we have allvisited our Internet home? You will find it atwww.glosmasons.org.uk.

Toby tells squaretalk, “Glosmasons waslaunched twelve months ago by a team ofyoung Masons. It’s well worth a visit ifyou’ve not looked already. You’ll bewelcomed by the Provincial Grand Masterand find a public, local view of Masonry.If you delve a little deeper, and proveyourself a Gloucestershire Mason, you’ll findLodge Summonses, the Year Book,Mentoring booklets, SquareTALK and morein the “members only” section.

“However, the Glosmasons web site isn’ta one-way broadcast. You’ll find that everypage also has a simple enquiry form titled‘Becoming a Freemason’, requesting only aname and email address from our interestedInternet visitors. You may wonder if such adiscrete form is noticed, or how enquiriesare handled. Since the launch, we havereceived nearly 50 enquiries. The firstInitiation was held as a result of thisapproach in May this year.

“Enquiries from the Glosmasons websiteare forwarded to the Provincial Office. Afurther brief form is created which offerstwo choices: personal contact or printedliterature. The full enquiry is then forwardedto me for action. So far, about one in everythree have requested personal contact, theothers receive a welcoming letter withenclosed information. This now includes thenew ‘Why Become a GloucestershireFreemason?’ brochure which was launchedat the Stroud Country Show in June.

Toby continues, “As the ProvincialMentor, I initially meet each of those whoask for personal contact. We usually meet ina pub convenient to their home address andspend a few hours talking about theirinterest in Masonry. Without exception,

every person I have met has had a seriousinterest and we’ve spent an enjoyableevening discussing Masonry. Assuming acontinued interest, (so far the case), thegentleman’s interest is developed further byintroducing him to a suitable Lodge. Therole of Membership Development AreaCoordinators, with their knowledge of localLodges, is crucial. An introduction is onlymade to one Lodge in the first instance.The Coordinator discusses broadly thepossibilities with the enquirer and may alsoget in touch with Liaison Officers, Mastersand Membership Stewards.”

‘Internet Initiates’

“It’s then down to members of the Lodgeto spend time getting to know the chapand ultimately, when comfortable,sponsors to step forward. As always, theArea Coordinator is available wherewanted to offer encouragement, supportand answer queries. It’s a rewardingprocess, but one which should not berushed. We expect further ‘InternetInitiates’ later this year.”

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Stewards to help MembershipInitiative Snowball

MembershipDevelopment

Heavy snowfall led to theabandonment of the Januarymeeting of GloucestershireProvincial Grand Stewards’Lodge in January.

Provincial Grand Mentor,W Bro Toby Jones, was to haveaddressed that meeting butreturned in May to update members andtheir visitors on the snowballing ofGloucestershire Freemasons “MembershipDevelopment” initiative.

W Bro Toby reported that the vastmajority of Gloucestershire’s eighty Lodgeshad chosen formally to appoint aMembership Steward to respond to theinitiative and that numerous Masons werenow devoting themselves to mentoring newcandidates. He emphasised,“Gloucestershire’s Lodges are pulling out thestops, so that every new Mason has the bestopportunity to make the most of their earlyMasonic experience. The R W ProvincialGrand Master keenly supports MasonicMentoring and Membership Development;the early experience of Masonry enjoyed byour newest Brethren is crucial.”

V W Bro Colin Bendon, Deputy ProvincialGrand Master and a member of the ProvincialGrand Stewards’ Lodge, affirmed that theProvince attached the highest priority to eachlodge’s membership development work andthat the Provincial Grand Master was pleasedwith the response.

W Bro Toby invited the Brethren to casttheir minds back; to draw on memories oftheir first Masonic experiences and thefirst contact with their Mother Lodges. Hesuggested Brethren might recall their ownearly emotions, suggesting that curiosity,

thrill, uncertainty, apprehension andsatisfaction would have been perfectlynormal feelings. He then challenged theassembled Brethren, many of whom hadbeen appointed as Provincial GrandStewards in Gloucestershire or elsewhere,to contrast those first feelings with theirpresent accumulated Masonicunderstanding. He asked, “With yourcollective Masonic experience andconfidence, how could the Stewards’Lodge support the healthy developmentof our Freemasonry?”

Contribution

Bro Toby explained that he had been invitedby the WM, W BroMartin Fowler, toencourage the lodge to consider its role inthe membership initiative. He drew attentionto numerous opportunities, especially thosethat might benefit from the availability ofconfident and experienced Masons, orlogistical support, “Be it at gentlemen’sevenings, open days at Masonic centres, orexhibition stands at public events.”

W Bro Martin thanked the ProvincialMentor for his passionate address andcommitted the Provincial Grand Stewards’Lodge to consider its members’ talentsand experience, finding the best way toapply these to the initiative.

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“Row, row, row your boat . . . . .”. . . gently down the Severn!”

And it will be in aid of the ProvincialGrand Master’s Discretionary Fund.

Eighteen Gloucestershire masons, someof vintage rowing experience, havevolunteered to form a crew of veteranoarsmen to row in relay down the navigablelength of the River Severn from just northof Stourport to the Gloucester basin, adistance of approximately forty miles

This will take place over a number of daysduring April next year, when hopefully theweather will be starting to warm up a littleand the water levels should be reasonablyhigh with the surrounding hills and streamsproviding a good supply from the winterrains. The Severn being tidal as far asTewkesbury, this will also be a factor in thefine-tuning of the journey.

Instrumental in organising this expeditionis W Bro Roger Hale of Via LucisLodge, who told squaretalk,“How, you may ask, do we makemoney out of such a venture? Thetwist is not by simple sponsorshipbut by a competition offeringprizes for those who guess mostaccurately how long it will take tocover the forty miles. This will bewitnessed and recorded by

If you would like to have a punt, fill in the slip below and post it together with your cheque made payable to GMCA.Cheque enclosed for .........chances at £1 each = £.......... to Peter Linge. 25 Parklands, Wotton-Under-Edge, Glos GL12 7LTTel: 01453 843522 CLOSING DATE IS 31st MARCH 2011 The result will be announced in May 2011.

Name ............................................................................................... Lodge .......................................... No .............

Address .......................................................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................... Telephone .........................................................

Fill in the number of hours, minutes and seconds the journey will take from just north of Stourport to the Gloucesterbasin. Entries cost £1 each and you can have as many chances as you like.

Chance 1. ............. Hrs ............. Mins .............. Secs Chance 4. ............. Hrs ............. Mins .............. Secs

Chance 5. ............. Hrs ............. Mins .............. Secs

Chance 6. ............. Hrs ............. Mins .............. Secs

Chance 2. ............. Hrs ............. Mins .............. Secs

Chance 3. ............. Hrs ............. Mins .............. Secs

stopwatch over each stage. As an indicationof estimated time, an average ‘club four’takes approximately four and a half hours torace the Lincoln to Boston Marathon, adistance of thirty two miles.”

Any other budding marathon oarsmenwho have rowed in racing boats and wishto be included in the team are invited tocontact Roger on 01451 851803.

Regatta reward

First prize will be four Steward’s Enclosuretickets for the 2011 Henley Royal Regatta.Other prizes will include bottles of vintagechampagne.

Photo: Colin Biggs, John Thurston, Phil Clements, FredBollard, Norman Mitchell, Allen Hale, Roger Hale, NevilleMcKay, Peter Daniels, Phil Cheeseman, Alan Burt, RichardChatham, Mike Sanger-Davies. Those unable to attendphoto call: David Frith, Clive Allport, Peter Linge, MalcolmSalway, David Tate, Andy Trotman.

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Caption CompetitionBest captions published in next edition ofsquaretalk.

Entries to [email protected] free to send suitable photos

Bro. Phil Trotman of

Tyndall Lodge with a

16lb 4oz turbot!

W Bros Wayne Pearce,

“Jack the Hat” Robson and

Tony Stock enjoying Orpheus Ladies’ Night!

Last call for the WM

at True Friendship!

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In support of the Provincial Grand Master’s Gloucestershire Charities Appeal

A special accommodation rate of £75 (standard double B&B with use of swimming pool andhealth club facilities) has been arranged which should be booked directly with the Hotel(0871) 376 9013.

GALA DINNER & AUCTION BOOKING FORM

PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY

Your Name: ……………………………………….…...…………………….. Rank: ……………………………..

Guest’s Name: ……………………….……………...………………………. Your Tel: …………………………

Address:……………………………………………………..………………………………………………………...

……………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………

Special Dietary Requirements: ……………………………………………………….…………………………….

Lodge Name: ………………………………………..…………………………………. No. ……………………...

No. tickets @ £50 each ……………………………… Cheque enclosed for: ……………..…………………...

Please enclose a S.A.E. for the return of your tickets

We regret that once accepted we are unable to offer a refund should you wish to cancelyour booking. All unsuccessful applicants will have their cheques refunded.

Please make cheque payable to: “The Provincial Grand Charity Steward's Account” andsend your application to: Philip Waring, 18 Deverose Court, Hanham, Bristol BS15 3SWTel: 0117 9605413.

Golden Valley Hotel, Cheltenham

SATURDAY 12th MARCH 2011

The hotel has recently been refurbished toa high standard and can accommodate twohundred in style. The price includes pre-dinnerdrinks, a splendid five-course meal with table wine.

Ticket Price: £50.00 – Dinner Jacket

The auction will consist of approx 20 lots including holiday homes abroad, London weekendbreak, chauffeur driven limousine with dinner for 6, unique granite garden furniture, weekendfor 2 in any Thistle hotel, water colour painting and many more. There will also be a silentauction for another 20 lots, which will include TV’s, wine and household appliances etc.