Looking to the East...

The long awaited re decoration of the Temple has been completed during our summer recess. Your return will be into a newly refurbished brightly coloured lodge room. Long gone are the dark stains resulting from the oil filled candles. Those have also gone, replaced with battery operated and very effective candles suitably coloured to match each degree. Every thing looks bright and fresh  even the carpet which has been cleaned. Have a look at the pictures for a quick sneak preview before your next lodge meeting.



Looking to the West...

Looking to the South....

General View..

The Canopy..

Wednesday 8th September should be in your diaries for a visit to Malvern  Priory Lodge of MMM in connection with passing on the permanently invited Guest or PIG for short.

You may recall that we had every intention of doing so earlier in the year but had to call that off due to circumstances preventing a goodly number of members attending.

I have sent out info and await returns in readiness for booking us all in for dinner.

So if you have not already replied please attend..  NOW

Warm sunshine and a beautiful setting welcomed more than fifty people, mostly Masons, to a garden party in Elmley Castle.

The WM of Elmley Castle Lodge, Mike Dykes and his partner Gill accepted the very kind offer of Gill’s mother Pat and step father Brian, to make use of their garden so that the event could take place  in the village from whence the Lodge derived it’s name.

With such good support its not surprising that the event was a huge success and raised  £570 with the promise of more to come.

With home made scones jams and cakes to enjoy every one was well pleased with the afternoon.

An early start to the day for Gill baking loads of scones and thanks also to the ladies who made and donated the cakes.

True Masonic values were evident with a gift of some very fine steak from Martin Barker of Sudeley Castle Lodge, in Gloucestershire.

John Icke auctioned it together with some fine preserves that Gill had made with all the proceeds going towards the fund.

A large raffle, thanks to all who donated prizes, raised quite a sum of the total proceeds.

In all a lovely enjoyable  afternoon which helped the lodges fund raising in aid of  the 2011 Craft Appeal.

Brian and Pat also donated a short stay break in their holiday cottage in the village.

This was meant to be a raffle prize but has been held over for auction at the next meeting of the Lodge on the 15th September.

When anyone reaches 100 years of age its cause for celebration.

So brethren lets celebrate the recent attainment of 100 years by a gentleman who for many years was a very active and valued member of Masonry in Evesham.

Lawson Samuel Allchurch was born on the 9th July 1910. He became a mason, initiated into Elmley Castle Lodge No 6247 on the 16th September 1959.  He was quickly pressed into service as Secretary of the Lodge from 1964 until 1974.

Following a short break he found himself again pressed into office this time as Lodge Treasurer. An office he filled until 1985.

Lawson was an Accountant by profession and a senior partner in the firm of Allchurch and Bailey. The company still operate out of premises in the High Street, Evesham.

Lawson was living at Woodlands, Greenhill Park Road, Evesham at the time he joined masonry but moved into the village of Ashton Under Hill in 1973, just before his retirement in 1975.

Lawson was born in Brierley Hill, better know as part of the Black Country and famous for its industrial heritage.

A bright lad he won a scholarship which enabled him to attend the local Grammar School .

He made good use of his education and took up a position in a government office dealing with bankruptcy before qualifying in accountancy.

He married his wife May in 1940 and they had  two children. He now has 10 Great Grand Children.

Lawson now spends much of his time at his daughters in Bretforton.

Understanding  just how long Lawson has been alive is best summed up by the fact that he has lived under 18 different Prime Ministers, four Monarchs and survived two world wars.

He witnessed some of the earliest flights made by man, in machines made of timber and cloth. What must he have thought when Neil Armstrong took that first step on the surface of the moon.

The tram was replaced by the omnibus. Goods of all sorts were moved by horse drawn long boats on the canal network passing through Brierley Hill, winding its way toward  the famous tunnel at Dudley.

Lorries now carry everything and the quite roads and lanes have become noisy motorways.

Although Lawson decided against becoming Master of the lodge, his contribution was as valued as that of those who served the office of Master. He was a very valued member with high standing amongst his peers. Unfortunately, Lawson suffered a loss of hearing in the early 90’s  which made it most difficult for him to continue in the lodge.  Reluctantly  he found it necessary to resign from the lodge in the September of 1995, having completed 36 years.

He still enjoys music and retains his sense of humour.

The Bretforton Silver Band played at his birthday party in the village.

He puts his long life down to having a good family around him.

And the good news is he says a draught beer is part of the secret to a long life and he admits he still enjoys a tipple whenever he can.

Lawson we wish you late but sincere best wishes on the occasion of your 100 birthday.

(Hope HRH remembered the card?)

John has been showing good form on the golf course of late.

He won the nearest the pin Trophy at the Mark Provincial Golf day held recently at  Bromsgove Golf Center.

This win followed his success in the Craft Provincial Golf day in 2009 at Kings Norton Golf Club.

Most recently John shot a net 63 to win a qualifying competition on his home course The Vale Golf and Country Club. That success resulted in a four shot reduction to his handicap.

Our picture shows John with the Mark Trophy (left hand) and the Craft Silver Cup.

A large field turned out for the Annual Craft Golf day held at Kings Norton Golf Club. Arranged and managed most efficiently by Paul Battle it was a most enjoyable day although the scoring was perhaps a little down on previous years.

The province was well supported by many lodges and the evening meal was well attended. The prizes were presented by the Provincial Grand Master R W Bro Richard Goddard with his deputy V W  Bro Robert Vaughan also in attendance.

St Egwin was well represented by W Bro John Icke, W Bro Mike Gage and W Bro George Simpson.

W Bro John and W Bro Mike had the pleasure of playing with the RW Provincial Grand Master of Mark Master Masons the RW Bro Francis Charles Spencer.

Although they failed to come into the prize winning groups they had a most enjoyable day playing very creditable golf.

In the picture Mike , John and RW  Bro Frank pose prior to teeing off.

Sunshine, Scones Jam and Cream, Strawberries and Cream and Cakes galore welcomed all who attended the wonderful afternoon at Rectory Farm on Sunday.

Seldom do we see such blue skies with unbroken sun shine but boy did we have it on Sunday.

Close on eighty people attended and seventeen cars went out on the Treasure Hunt.

With 37 clues to solve and a possible 45 points to be had the winning team, The Pritchard Family, scored a very creditable 38 points just pipping Fred and Annie Halls team by 1 point.

Jenny and George put up a lovely silver  trophy for the event and George presented the Pritchard family with the trophy towards the end of the days events.

Rhianna and Georgia, George and Jenny’s grand daughters, with their friends  Willow and Amy worked hard selling raffle tickets and running guess the weight of the cake,  how many sweets in the jar, plus guess whats in the sock on Jenny’s washing line, games which we all enjoyed. Well done Girls , can we book you for next year.

Their efforts helped to make the whole day a success with £820 being raised for appeal 2015. But most of all it was a wonderful social event enjoyed by all who attended.

George presents The Pritchard's with the J & G Trophy

W Bro Richard Harper ended his year as acting Provincial Grand Sword Bearer at the Provincial Grand Lodge Meeting on Saturday 12th June at Kings Heath. He enjoyed a busy year with several engagements such as Consecrations and Banner Dedications.

Richard was advanced into St Egwin Lodge in 1994 and became Master in 2005. He was elevated into the RAM Lodge in 1996 and became Commander 2002