Social
Ladies Gala Night
It has been a number of years since the last Ladies Gala Night at White Ensign due to amongst other things like the national lockdown due to Covid and then having a congested social program last year; so this event had to be a special night for all of the ladies.
The Ladies Gala Night took place on the evening of Saturday 13th May at the Kings Court Hotel in Alcester, folk dressed in their finest mustered for the pre-dinner drinks in the bar, time being duly called by the MC, everyone decamped into the function room for dinner. the place names on the tables also reminding us of what had been ordered some time previously. A special thanks go to Mrs Vikki Hart for providing the floral centre pieces on the tables. Ahead of the commencement of the silver service by the hotel staff, the Worshipful Master W.Bro Martin Carver spoke a few words of welcome to the captive audience. A fine three course dinner was then consumed by those in attendance and was suitably washed down with whatever was to hand. On conclusion of the dinner, the first verse of the National anthem was sung followed by the toast to the King and the Craft. The WM’s wife, Julie Carver was presented with a gift from White Ensign Lodge and she returned thanks to the Lodge.
The evenings entertainment was provided by a top Midlands singer Helen Pearson, who sang a number of hits from the 40’s, 50’s and 60′. Between her sets of songs, the customary raffle was held to raise money for the WM’s chosen charity. Everyone dug deep and it raised a total of £400, which has since been donated to SSAFA. Thanks go to W.Bro Ian Hart for organising the raffle.
Suitably oiled with either liquids or liniments on the hip/knee joints, the dancing continued into the evening. A special thanks go to W.Bro’s Les Leek and Mike Harbon for organising the evening. Hopefully we wont have to wait so long in the future for the next Ladies Gala Night at White Ensign.
White Ensign, a Triple Celebration
Why the triple celebration you ask?
Answer, St George’s Day, the birthday of the bard William Shakespeare and the start of the Worcestershire asparagus season.
On Saturday 22nd April some 37 Brethren, partners and guests met at the Masonic Centre Easemore Road for this Triple Celebration.
The Fancy Dress part was very limited with one in Kings Robes, a colourful Union Flag Waistcoat and Bow Tie, 4 Union Flag Hats and one couple being colour coordinated in red & white.
At 19:15 the acting Director Ceremonies called the assembled company to dinner and a well presented 3 Course meal was served with Table Stewards ensuring the Wine flowed.
A number of Wine Takings took place with the usual Service ones recognised and then a mini-fines session took place where the Master at Arms and Senior Warden were both found guilty of failing to wear their White Ensign Pins and were issued with hefty fines.
At the end of the meal the informal Cabaret then took place with contributions from Henry V, the family Tonkin (not Von Trapp’s more Von Boks), a tale from the graveyard, a very discontented Richard III, the story of Shakespeare and Love and then an excellent Poem to end.
This was followed by some community singing led by the Director Ceremonies, and the finding of a new singing talent in Virdell Francis who sang a beautiful song for his dearly departed Mum.
With a superb Raffle on behalf of the Stroke Association raising £400, it was a very successful evening.
The Charity Steward and Senior Past Master are visiting the local Stroke Association Group next Wednesday to present the cheque.
CHLOE 1 Takes Flight
On the 29th May 2022, many brethren from White Ensign, family and friends visited the Allied Special Forces Memorial Grove at the National Memorial Arboretum.
Mike Colton has since provided an update on the progress of the Falkland Islanders Resistance Memorial.
‘The Falkland Islanders Resistance Memorial takes flight today after being forged in fire by Bromley O’Hare at his smithy. CHLOE 1 weighs in at 60 lbs and was launched into the very fresh air of Herefordshire this morning as a trial flight. Thanks for all the generous donations towards this memorial and the next two CHLOE’s will commence after Christmas with a likely installation in the Allied Special Forces Memorial Grove in the Spring 2023’.
