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Visit to the National Memorial Arboretum
On Sunday 19th May a small boats crew led by the Worshipful Master, W. Bro. Les Leek, and comprising Tom Kennedy, Glyn Cardy, Mike Wroe, Andy Thurgood, Jim Crawfiord together with Ian & Irene Fothergill, visited the NMA at Alrewas for what has become our Annual Visit.
The morning began with coffee and then the party moved to the Chapel for the daily 11:00 Remembrance Service followed by a short talk on the Past, Present & Future of this National Remembrance Memorial.
On completion we then walked to the Masonic Memorial where the WM laid a White Ensign Lodge Wreath and Ian Fothergill read a Masonic Prayer.
The party then moved by Buggy transport to the Allied Special Forces Grove to meet up with the Project Manager and well-known friend of the Lodge Mike Colton, who gave the party the latest update on the Grove and its newest Installations including the Glider Pilots Memorial and the newest Moussey Memorial which is still work in progress
We then moved to an area where following our donation last Christmas to the ASFG, Mike led us to a spot where he had planted in a triangular form 3 Beam Trees, coloured Gold, Silver and Emerald. At this spot we then laid a second wreath and Ian Fothergill gave a Special Forces Prayer.
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Wishaw Christmas Luncheon
The Christmas luncheon at the Wishaw Sports and Country Club near the Belfry has become a bit of an institution at White Ensign being the 6th annual visit. The venue being first class and the food being excellent. The weekend of the luncheon saw gales battering the UK but it did not deter anyone from attending the lunch on Sunday 8th December. A table was well stocked for the raffle which was organised by Vikki and W.Bro Ian Hart and the Master of Ceremonies (MC) being W.Bro Ian Fothergill. The assembled throng sought out the required liquid refreshments before heading to the allocated tables, where pleasantries being exchanged amongst the inhabitants. Following on from the MC’s welcome, the diners were served with their starters, being swiftly consumed, they were subsequently ushered out in an orderly manner to get the main course. Deserts at the tables soon followed, while the diners were being captive to their food, the selling of raffle tickets commenced by Mel and Bro. Paul Tuckley, the total being collected was a more than creditable £670.00
Our new Worshipful Master W.Bro Les Leek spoke a few words and introduced Mike Colton the founder of the Allied Special Forces Memorial Grove at the National Memorial Arboretum who spoke about his latest project in the Grove. That being a memorial to 31 members of the SAS and over a 100 villagers from Moussey in NE France who were killed by the Nazis in 1940.
The customary Christmas Carol singing took place which was concluded by the rendition (with actions) of the ’12 days of Christmas’ each table having at least one day to perform, some having two days. The tables having two days each, their singing did not improve with the more practice. The festivities being concluded by the drawing of the raffle, some individuals and tables doing better than others. The Lodge Charity Steward, W.Bro Mike Wroe will be distributing the proceeds of the raffle to two charities in due course.
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.
