Although being formed as a Somerset lodge,” said Assistant PGM Derek Gunningham, “we shall be drawing members from the neighbouring provinces including my own Gloucestershire and beyond. Already, we’ve had a wonderful response, with thirty-six brethren wishing to become founders and three joining members.”“The idea is the brainchild of Roger Penny, who has been a Somerset mason since 1995,” said Derek. “St Columbanus is the patron saint of motorcyclists; hence the name. Roger will be the ‘primus’ (first) Worshipful Master when the lodge is formed.”Derek is one of two Grand Officers who will join Roger as the ‘primus’ Principal Officers; Derek as Senior Warden and Michael Holland as Junior Warden.
Teddy Bear Run
As the coordinator supplying Teddies for Loving Care at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, Roger’s first duty was to organise a Teddy Bear Run. This morning, we held our inaugural founders’ meeting at Keynsham,” said Roger; one of the 15 bikers to later take the scenic route over to the A&E Dept at the RUH. “The founders have kindly donated today’s supply of ‘Teddies For Loving Care’, which masons have been supplying to hospitals for a number of years now.”“We’ll now take a two hour ride around the Mendip Hills,” said Roger (below), “and, if we don’t get lost, we’ll be in time for tea at the Midsomer Norton Masonic Hall
Special interest lodges”
The concept of forming a lodge for brethren with an interest in motorcycling,” writes Roger, “was an idea that came to me nearly twenty years ago. I had become aware that special interest lodges existed and, having been a committed motorcyclist since I was old enough to ride, the notion naturally appealed.“I was, however, very young in masonic service, so I had no idea how to go about progressing it.“Rolling the clock forward some fifteen years, I then considered forming a riding group in Somerset and started the Somerset ProvincialAssociation of Motorcyclists in 2012. Each year, I organised a selection of rides to various venues such as Lyme Regis, Poole and Weston-Super-Mare and through this project I met many Somerset riders whom I found were unashamedly keen to form a lodge. When I realised that there was sufficient support, I approached the PGM for Somerset, RW Bro Stuart Hadler. He invited me to progress the idea and establish viability. I am hopeful that when I report back to the PGM, he will give us the green light.”Consecration . . . . . May next year?“If the lodge is approved, then we plan to hold the consecration at Keynsham in May 2017,” continued Roger. We would then meet by dispensation in June at Weston super Mare, in July at Devizes and in September at Stroud. This will allow brethren to ride to lodge; hopefully meeting up in groups for the journey, with alate afternoon meeting and Festive Board. That will enable us to ride home in daylight.It is not intended to be merely a ‘hobby lodge. We are hoping that this will provide an entry into masonry for good men who might otherwise not have come across the Craft. With that in mind, we are keen to attract new blood and hope to initiate at least one candidate each year. I am always pleased to hear about possible candidates. Once the lodge is established, our initiates will be invited to visit the mother lodges of other members on a regular basis in order that they will be able to pursue their masonic activities all year round. Fraternal visits will be encouraged and we hope to build liaisons with interested lodges who will return to us in the summer months.
An message from Oz!
We already have some Glos Masons interested and we’ve even had a message of support from a brother in New South Wales,” said Derek. “Ross (Roo) Jackson is the WM of Lodge Highway No 837.”In his email, ‘Roo’ says, “We are a masonic motorcycle lodge with a travelling charter which allows us to ‘perform’ as a lodge anywhere in NSW & ACT. We started six years ago and are thriving. There does seem to be no shortage of ‘masons on wheels’ out there. I do hope your lodge goes forward. We can combine this love of bike-riding with masonry. It’s ‘win-win’ for all who partake!”
Contact“I am confident that we have the makings of a strong and well supported lodge which will move forward and grow.” concluded Roger.Interested brethren should contact Roger at: [email protected].
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