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FacebookOnce again the Association of Friends of Lord Harris Court held the annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday 30th November. The event was opened by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Robin Kent, seen here with the chairman of association, David Lawrenson.
A number of Lodges and Chapters provided stalls which seemed to all be kept very busy during the bazaar. The ladies on this stall were virtually sold out well before the end of the bazaar.
Robin and his wife Julie toured the stalls, buying marmalade
winning a bottle of wine
and seen here with our regular visitor Father Christmas and his two helpers, and the event organiser Ray Sharpe.
As usual Brian Bicknell provided music to sing along to in the canteen.
The association were able to raise over £2000 from the bazaar which will be put towards supporting the residents during the year, with Christmas presents, entertainment, and residents’ lunches.
Installation Meeting 2019
On Tuesday 16th April this year, W. Bro David Collis was once again installed in the Chair of King Solomon.
The Lodge was tyled at 5pm, and the installation was conducted by the outgoing Master, Bro. Peter Wells
The whole ceremony went very smoothly due to the well rehearsed brethren who demonstrated the very high level of masonic ritual practiced in our lodge
David was firmly install by Peter, and he ten went on to invest his wardens and other officers
The ceremony was followed by an excellent Festive board.
Ladies Festival 2019
The lodge held a successful Ladies Festival on March 23rd 2019. About 50 guests joined the President, Peter, and his wife Pauline to raise money for the mental health charity Mind
The meal was enjoyed by everyone and was quickly finished off ready for the toasts.
The President proposed the toast to the queen, and then the specially formed quartet, brought together for a one time only performance, sang the Song to Ladies.
Worshipful Brother Vince Pearson then proposed the toast the Presidents wife, before asking the President's granddaughter Chloe to present Pauline with a beautiful bunch of flowers.
Pauline gave an excellent reply to the toast, talking about the supported charity Mind
Then Worshipful Brother Lyn Austen proposed the toast to the President.
Peter replied to the toast, thanking everyone for attending, and providing further information about Mind. He then asked everyone to generously support the Grand Raffle
Once the toasts and speeches were over, the band struck up with Peter and Pauline leading the dancing.
Later in the evening the Grand Draw took place. It included a number of great prizes, including a case of mixed wine (Laithwaites), a luxury car cleaning kit, a £50 voucher for two meals at Zizzi's, a bottle of VAT 69 whiskey, and a magnum of prosecco. Plus numerous other of varying value
The dancing concluded at about 11:30
Old and New
Our July meeting of the Lodge had been much anticipated by many. Initially it had been planned as an initiation for Maurice Buddin (the Master's son-in-law), so there was planning for that to be considered. Who would do what, How could we ensure a meeting for him to remember. As it turned out that was not a problem. It was certainly a evening the Master would not forget.
We discovered that this would be the year that our Junior Warden, and one of the founders of the lodge, W. Bro John Rixson achieved 50 years in Freemasonry. We also needed to present a Grand Lodge certificate to Bro. James Wright, having been raised to the 3rd degree last year. So it would be a packed program.
Everyone arrived in good time to ensure everything was in place for the ceremony. Maurice remained in the bar, but both Steve Talbot, the Tyler, and Peter Keeley, Junior Warden were introduced to him as they would be responsible for him during the initiation ceremony. Before the procession of the Master and His Wardens into the Lodge, VW Bro. Peter Sands, Deputy Provincial Grand Master, was brought in and seated. He was placed beside one of our other special guess,t VW Bro. Peter Baker, due to be installed the following Thursday as Pro Grand Master and Grand Superintendant for Middlesex.The Master welcomed the visitors, and showed the Warrant, and the Lodge was opened. Then came a knock at the door, a late visitor we thought, but instead it was the Provincial DC, to announce that the Provincial Grand Master was without, and demanded entry.
A bit of shock to say the least!
Despite the unexpected, but very welcome visitor, the ceremony proceeded very smoothly through its business. The Master undertook much of the initiation ritual, only handing over the Charge in the North-East, to Bro Andrew Welborn (who did an excellant job), and the Working Tools, to W Bro Lyn Austen. Although, given that he knew how well the PGM could deliver the Charge to the initiate, having seen him giving it at the recent Lodge on Enlightenment meeting, it was with some trepidation that the Master proceeded to deliver the charge to Bro. Maurice.
Following the initiation a 50 year certificate from the Province, was presented by W Bro Peter Keeley, to W Bro John Rixson
.
Then W Bro. Ted Melber presented the Grand Lodge Certificate to Bro. James Wright.
Following the usual reports, plus a notice of motion for our next meeting, the Lodge was closed for us to retire to the bar, and then to the Festive Board.
We enjoyed a good meal of cold meat and salad, very suitable for the warm temperatures we had endured during the earlier part of the evening. The PGM replied to the toast to him, and spoke warmly of the Lodge, mentioning that this is its 40th year. Maurice also replied to the toast to the initiate with a very able few words thanking everyone, and saying how he is looking forward to getting to know more about Freemasonry. The toast to the visitors was responded to by W Bro Ray Sharp, with a very amusing and informative speech, including an exhortation to everyone to visit other lodges.
All in all and very full, enjoyable and memorable Lodge meeting
We had a wonderful sunny day on Saturday for the Strawberry Fayre at Lord Harris Court, in aid of the Association of Friends of Lord Harris Court. The proceeding were opened by the PGM, RW Anthony Howlett-Bolton OBE.
There were plenty of stall, mostly run by members of some of the lodges and chapters meeting locally.
Cakes, Whiskey raffle (with free drink of Pimms), Human fruit machine, bottle raffle, grand draw, and many more.
We were also kept entertained with music from Pangbourne Town Band and dancing from Ellington Morris
There was a very welcome visitor in the afternoon, when Vince Pearson and his wife Lorraine arrived
The day finished with the drawing of the winning tickets for the Grand Draw, by the PGM; and a presentation of a cheque from The Reading Lodge of Union
How the Installation Went
The Installation meeting was held on Tuesday 17th April 2008
The meeting started at 5:00 pm, with W. Bro. Ian Wright in the chair, in the presence of W. Bro. Tim Lee PSGM representing the RW PGM. The whole evening went very smoothly. W. Bro Peter Keeley was the Installing Master, and firmly installed the new Master Peter Wells in the chair of King Soloman.
The new Master went on the install his new Senior and Junior wardens, W. Bro David Collis and W. Bro. John Rixson. He then thanked the officers who were remaining in their positions, W. Bro. Steve Adamek as Treasurer, W. Bro. Lyn Austen as DC, W. Bro. Ted Melber as ADC, and W. Bro. Peter Keeley as Almoner. Then he install all of the rest of the new officers:
- W. Bro David Webster as Chaplain
- W. Bro. Vince Pearson as Secretary
- Bro. Andrew Welborn as Charity Steward
- W. Bro Mike Shephard as Lodge Mentor
- Bro. Andrew Welborn as Senior Deacon
- W. Bro. Peter Keeley as Junior Deacon
- W. Bro. Rob MacKenzie as Assistant Secretary
- W. Bro. Glynn Jones as Inner Guard
- W. Bro. Steve Talbot as Tyler
A ballot was held to approve a candidate for initiation at our next meeting at our next meeting, and following reports from the Almoner, and the new Charity Steward and new Mentor, the Lodge was closed.
After a brief break for refreshment in the bar, the Festive Board was held in The Abbey Room where a good time was enjoyed by all of the brethren. During his reply to the toast, the Worshipful Master announced the programme for the coming year:
- Initiation of his Son-in-Law in the July meeting
- A White table for the September meeting
- A 2nd degree in December
- A Ladies Festival in March
W. Bro. Peter Keeley (Founder), W. Bro. David Collis, W. Bro. Peter Wells, W. Bro. John Rixson (Founder)
Installation Meeting
On Tuesday 17th April 2018, the current Master Elect, Peter Wells, will be installed as the new Master of The Lodge of Friendship & Care.
For me this is a very major step. I have been looking forward to it for some time, and it is nearly here. We have had time to rehearse so it should all go smoothly.
I have learnt, rehearsed, and probably forgotten some of, the appointment and investiture of my new officers. I am sure I can close the lodge.
I have to admit, I am slightly nervous, but I know I have a great set of officers and friends who have supported me up to this point and will be ready and waiting to do everything they can to make this an evening to remember.
Just need to decide what I will say during the Festive Board.
Christmas at Lord Harris Court is always busy with the Bazaar.
Santa was accompanied by his Elves and Cllr Bob Pitts Mayor of Wokingham Borough with his wife Val, to declare the Christmas Bazaar open, amid much applause. With great support from our ever present stallholders, including several Lodges and the Manager and staff at the home, a fabulous range of gifts, games and seasonal products were on sale.
Lodges represented included: Bearwood Lodge’s tombola, Lucky Dip from Hennerton, Friendship and Care Lodge and Chapter with the Water and Wine and the one armed bandits from Trevelyan. In addition the Berkshire Masonic Widows provided refreshments accompanied by Brian Bicknell in the Dining Room. The Tuesday shop Ladies provided a wealth of gifts, with Janet Wright’s homemade wares and Richard and Maureen’s Antiques and Bric-a-brac and for those with a warm thirst Andrew’s Mulled punch was available. Jim and Christine ran the Treasure Hunt and of course the Residents and Activities had a stall. Ted steered the Grand Draw to be one of the most successful ever.
Further images Photo Gallery
Installation Meeting
On Tuesday 18th April we installed our new Worshipful Master, W. Bro Ian Wright. The ceremony was held on the Berkshire Room at Sindlesham Court.
Those present included the Deputy Provincial Grand Master W. Bro. Anthony Howlett-Bolton OBE JGD, who gave the Address to the Brethren, and W.Bro. Lee Collins PProvDepGDC, who gave the Address to the Wardens
The Installing Master W.Bro. David Webster gave the Address to the newly installed Master.
The evening finished with an excellent Festive Board with Steak and Ale Pie and the largest Choux Bun anyone had ever seen.
As usual, a very well attended event in the grounds of Lord Harris Court.
The Strawberry Fayre is held every year to help raise funds for the home's residents, and to bring in new visitors. It was opened this year by Ian Hopgood, Most Excellent Grand Superintendent. Music at the fayre was provided by the Woodley Concert Band. With further entertainment from The Ellington Morris, from Maidenhead, led by Squire Bob Spooner, a member of Earleigh Lodge, and Foreman Dave Gibson. The fayre attracted a large number of visitor to sample the various stores, supported by many of the Berkshire Lodges. The picture shows Bro. Andrew Welborn receiving a welcome cooling off in the stocks. The fayre raised £1600 on the day, and with receipts from the raflle still to be collected in, it is expected that the event will have raised about £3000 for the home
More pictures in the gallery - Gallery Images
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Ladies Festival
Ladies Festival - held to mark the end of Vince's first year as Worshipful Master
Hosted by outgoing Worshipful Master Vince Pearson and his wife Lorraine. Ted Melbar gave an excellent rendition of the Song to the Ladies. A very enjoyable evening was had by members of the lodge and their invited guests. About £800 was raised that will go to the Friends of Lord Harris Court, and the Chemotherapy Unit of the Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Trust, both causes very close to W. Bro. Vince's heart.