Essex Scouts and Essex Freemasons have unveiled a £250,000 major new community project – a High and Low Rope Activity Centre. The project includes the High Ropes and Linear Courses, including the zip wire equipment and Low Rope and Wheelchair Courses to ensure that access is provided to those of any age, including anyone with mobility issues. This has ensured that the facility will be open to all and serves to raise awareness in the able-bodied community of the issues faced by wheelchair users in everyday life, the first of its kind in the country. Rodney Bass, Provincial Grand Master of Essex said: “Our 10,000 members across Essex were in full support of funding a project that would be a fitting legacy in celebration of our Tercentenary year.”
Brownsea Island Lodge
Since our last report, Brethren of the Lodge held an informal social evening in Wimborne prior to Christmas to sign off the calendar year. There have been several such events throughout the year, with the intention of introducing prospective Candidates to Members of the Lodge in an informal surrounding. This approach has resulted in two new Brothers being Initiated and two more in the pipeline and should therefore be deemed a resounding success, boding well for the future of the Lodge. Saturday 2nd February 2019 saw the Lodge Brethren gather at the Bridge House Hotel near Ferndown, Dorset, to celebrate the ‘End of Year Festival’ for our WM W.Bro. Mike Parkes. See attached photo of the WM dancing, a rare event by all accounts, also a bottle of the commemorative gin, labelled especially for the occasion. During the evening The Masters chosen Charities, Dorset Lowland Search and Rescue (DoSAR) and the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation (JTYAF), were each presented with cheques for £825.00. Saturday 9th February saw the Installation of W.Bro. Andy Belding as WM for the coming twelve months. And so, we start again. Our April Meeting will be the 100th Regular Meeting of Brownsea Island Lodge, this will see Founders and Past Masters carrying out the workings for a live1st Degree Ceremony.
Oxleas Wood Lodge held their first uniformed meeting as members of the Kindred Lodge Association on Saturday 24 November 2018. The Lodge has strong connections with uniformed youth organisations, with many members having either been cadets or currently serving with various cadet forces. The meeting involved the Raising of Bro Andy Wright, an ex RAF cadet, and saw various members attend in Mess Dress. Included in the Lodge picture are Sqn Ldr (VRT) Bull, Sqn Ldr (VRT) (Ret’d) Unthank, Capt Unthank and WO2 Beaven. Eligible members of Oxleas Wood Lodge will now attend future November meetings in uniform and would welcome any other Kindred Lodge Association members who wish to attend. For details please contact the Lodge Secretary, W Bro R Unthank at bob.unthank@gmail.com
Clive Carrol laid a wreath on behalf of the Lancashire Scouting Lodge of Allegiance and the KLA At the Scout war memorial in Nelson.
Scoutcraft Lodge 9936
Good meeting in Province of Bristol. Father watches son being initiated into the Lodge. Excellent performance by the WM Prekash Dewani.
Compass Lodge
Had a very successful 200th. Meeting on Saturday 26th January 2019. There were 29 Members and20 Non-Masonic Guests present. The Lodge was called off and the Guests joined the Members in the temple where a Talk on Craft Masonic Aprons was given by a team of 5 Lodge Members. Several Members and Non-Members commented afterwards how successful it was. The evening ended with a Burns Night Festive Board.
A wonderful evening with the W.M., W. Bro Andy Taylor at the Power Wheelchair football club at West Notts College presenting them with a much-needed donation from Walesby Forest Lodge 9674 in Nottinghamshire. The skill level and enthusiasm of the participants and coaches is phenomenal!
Date for the Diary – KLA Autumn Festival 2019
Saturday 19th October 2019. Hosted by Be Prepared Lodge No.9845 Berkshire Masonic Centre, Sindlesham.
Forthcoming Festivals, 2020 and beyond.
Any takers for future meetings? Application to the Secretary, KLA.
Lodge of Unity, Peace, and Concord No 316
The Installed Masters’ Lodge of the Kindred Lodges Association, meeting under the Metropolitan Grand Lodge of London. Warrant granted 1808 in Madras, India. currently meet at: FREEMASONS’ HALL, GREAT QUEEN STREET, LONDON WC2B 5AZ Next meeting will be Saturday 22nd June at Freemasons Hall. 1.30pm. when Paul Wong will be installed as WM.
LOCAL SCOUT WILL STANWAY WAS A SPECIAL GUEST AT THE DENISON LODGE NO. 1248 MEETING IN DECEMBER 2018, WHEN HE GAVE A PRESENTATION TO MEMBERS, FRIENDS AND FAMILIES
Along with six others from Scarborough, Will has been selected to join 29 Yorkshire scouts in attending the World Scout Jamboree in July 2019.
Duo Fraternitates
Initiated two new members this masonic year. We are supporting the following charities which includes supplying a defibrillator to Henlow Scout Camp Site.
- L&D Heart monitors. 5 items £110 each
- Quantum Dementia (Dunstable) £500
- Henlow District Scout Campsite £1,000
- L&D Cancer Care Unit £1,000 Mummy’s Star (Cancer during pregnancy) £500
- L&D Special Care Baby unit £500
We also supported the Bedfordshire PGM’s Scout Accommodation building at Bromham campsite with a donation of £1100.
We have another candidate in the pipeline and hope to have a couple more helpers at the Gilwell Reunion effort. We will also ballot for the Past APGM, W.Bro Eric Barford to become an honorary member. Eric is a former scout and has supported our Lodge extremely well.