On the Friday night before a thick layer of dark nimbostratus cloud hung heavily over Chertsey, a possible portent of worse to come on the day of the big event at Great Cockcrow. The advance team of Middlesex freemasons set up the gazebos on the Friday in the adjacent field to the car park which would cover the stalls of those selling hand made goods, various games of chance for charity amongst others and more importantly a beer tent and a hot food stand. Those who were in the “construction team” included Paul Lowery, Peter Lawrence, Martin Burt, Daniel Richardson, Pete Swatton, David North, Leon Hubbard, Sam Huxter and Mark Jackson, who had brought his own lawnmower as the Cockcrow site one had broken down. He mowed the whole field in the pouring rain in preparation.
The breaking dawn of the 6th July promised no respite and the overnight guard of Paul Lowery and Bill Stanton, who had slept in their cars, awoke to find that the field where the gazebos had been erected was now a lake. Paul then had to make the decision either to move everything into the car park or cancel the event. It was too late in the day to cancel so a message was sent to the 1870 Committee and a number (including Chairman Nigel Codron) turned up and the whole process of moving everything into the car park began where the ground was firmer.
Later That Day
With many crossed fingers for more clement weather the event began in earnest and people arrived in the special minibus which would ferry the guest to the main event from a village hall parking spot locally. Past and Present Provincial Grand Stewards turned up to man the two car parks. The sun did its best to come out and apart from one moment of intervention from a rain cloud, the rest of the day passed off without further meteorological calamity. Of course, the main attraction was riding on the miniature railway which came only second to Clapham Junction in track layout and number trains running through on a busy day. Queues formed and everybody got a chance to ride. The whole purpose of the day was to raise donations for the Shooting Star Hospices.
Back on dry ground there were various stalls offering an opportunity to “try your luck”. Temple of Uxbridge Lodge 7660 invited you to pick a duck and hope your number came up. Prizes galore enticed the would be punter to chance his arm, so to speak. The stall was a family run affair with Peter Swatton and his wife Liz managing to raise £200 for the charity. This included members of Liz’s family, their eldest daughter Nikita and her daughter Rosie and Alfie Swatton, who came down for the day from RAF Honnington in Norfolk where he is completing second phase training in the RAF Regiment. Others who helped were Lodge member Lee Nichols who had recently been passed, Jason Wilkinson, James Bradshaw, Tommy Lea, together with their partners.
Victory Lodge 6191 provided a novel amusement in that you were invited to select a station from the map of the London Underground/ Overground network. A pin was then stuck on your selection. Tickets at a pound could win you a prize of £50 if your station came up in the subsequent draw. The prize money had been donated by the Lodge. The winner was Steve Heynes who had chosen both Hatton Cross and Terminal 4. One of those, at least, was a winner. Very generously Steve gave his winnings to put back into the Charity Pot.
The Provincial Grand Charity Steward, Alfie Buckland, displayed a selection of Art Therapy books which are particularly aimed at those suffering with Alzheimer’s. With the support from UGLE and the MCF, over 20,000 art therapy books are being donated to care homes, hospitals and dementia charities across the UK, including RMBI Care Co. Homes. Art therapy is an evidence-based therapeutic approach that involves creative pursuits. Some noticeable benefits have been stimulating memory, boosting mood and communication skills. It is hoped that these books will engage residents and help ease any symptoms of anxiety or stress. Equally, there may be an application in a paediatric environment where youngsters may also benefit from this kind of therapy, especially those who have learning and cognitive difficulties.
Wet Sponge Board
Martin Burt manned the wet sponge board but as the weather was a bit grim for much of the time it didn’t get too much attention until Jim Mitchell and Ian Ferguson were placed in the stocks. Suddenly it was the most popular stand. It took a lot of wet sponges and the whole event was taken in good fun.
ARCHERY
David North was on hand with advice on Archery to budding Robin Hoods or William Tells.
Middlesex Cares
Representatives for the new initiative were there to promote what Middlesex Care means for the Brethren of the Province. This has been devised by Ian Ferguson APGM together with Ivan Chu, Provincial Grand Almoner, and is aimed at improving the quality of life for Middlesex Masons and their families. This would manifest itself through various initiatives. This was officially launched at the PGO Club meeting held in March 2024. (See https://middlesexfreemasons.org.uk/info-for-masons/resources/middlesex-cares/)
Acacia Club – Amongst other information available was a leaflet introducing the Acacia Club whose patron is Mrs Gillian Allan. Given that our wives and partners are part of our masonic family this enterprise sought amongst other things to maintain and strengthen the links across all aspects of the Masonic family by offering advice and support at times of emotional or personal difficulty. There is much more to report on this but more information can be gleaned by emailing acacia.club@pglm.org.uk.
Dog Rolls And Booze
Gary Early, his daughter Calomhe, Ed Smith from Harrow fed the hungry. Regrettably, the diet of large “Dog Rolls” may not have met with the approval of Weight Watchers. Liquid nourishment was provided by George Fraser.
Birthday Boy
The RW Pro Provincial Grand Master David Allan attended during the course of the afternoon. It was his birthday the following day and he was pleasantly surprised by the presentation of a cake in the Chelsea Football Club Colours of blue and white, the team he supports.
The Raffle
The Raffle offered generous prizes some of which had been donated by various parties including some Brethren of the Province. These included a bottle of single malt whisky, flights to Istanbul, afternoon tea at a selection of locations, tickets for England v Japan at Twickenham in November 2024 and many other worthwhile prizes of restaurant meals and wine not to mention a bottle of Georgian wine from the vineyard of VW Bro George Goglashvili. Bro Ahmad Hammami a member of Lodge of Fidelity No 7974 donated a prize of a mezze meal for two at the Sidra restaurant in Twickenham. The Raffle raised £1060.
At The End Of The Day
It was certainly a great event and to be able to socialise with other masonic friends and their families in a different environment. About twenty five or so people stayed on to watch the England football game which was shown on a screen set up in one of the gazebos. What might have been a wash out proved to be a whole load of fun for all who attended. The 1870 Committee are to be congratulated for putting this together for the enjoyment of all. Paul Lowery gave this thank you, “A big thank you must go to the ProProvGM RW. Bro David Allan for letting us hold the event at the Great Cockcrow Railway and also to his fantastic staff who wouldn’t normally run the railway on Saturdays but gave their time for us. Even after closing and locking up the trains, a family turned up late with two excited children wanting to ride the train, the staff saw their little faces and brought out a train and took them specially around the track.”
All good things come to an end and the whole process of putting things away took place with the able of assistance of Warren Gell, the newly appointed APGM. The gates were finally locked at around 9.00pm. Peter Lawrence had the task of coming back the following morning and return everything to the Masonic Girls School in Rickmansworth to be placed back in storage.
A thanks is also due to those Lodges who took part in the day’s events to make it a success:
Temple of Uxbridge Lodge No 7660
Circle of Friendship Lodge No 7320
Victory Lodge No 6191
Little Britain Lodge No 8101
A final total of monies for the Shooting Star Hospices will be published shortly.