Social
White Ensign Ladies Night
Saturday 12th October saw the annual White Ensign Ladies Night at the Kings Court Hotel in Alcester. The evening being well attended, a cross section of members of White Ensign, family and guests. On arrival at the venue, there was a drinks reception before everyone was ushered into the room for the commencement of the evening. The proceedings being under the watchful eye of W.Bro Ian Fothergill.
A fine three course dinner being consumed and washed down with a variety of beverages.
Charity being a central tenet of Freemasonry, there was a well stocked raffle donated by the attending folk, all raffle ticket receipts then going to a nominated charity. W.Bro Ian Hart being in charge of the raffle, some £610 being raised from the raffle ticket sales, it was noted that certain tables did better than others with the raffle and in some quarters some individuals had multiple successes in the raffle.
The evenings entertainment was provided by none other than the ‘King’ himself, Elvis (aka W.Bro Phil Goalby). A number of sets where performed during the evening with such hits as: ‘The Wonder of You’, ‘Old Shep’, ‘GI Blues’, ‘Return to Sender’, ‘Moody Blue’, ‘Cant help falling in love’, ‘Jail house rock’ and a plethora of his other hits. Accompanying Elvis was a surprise appearance of ‘The Jordanaires’ in his last set, time has preserved them well. The entertainment was superb and rounded off a fantastic night.
Many thanks also go to W.Bro Glyn Cardy for his tireless efforts in organising the evening.
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.
