Five Leicestershire and Rutland Freemasons have been selected to play in an international charity rugby match between English and Scottish Freemasons
The match is to be held on Saturday 23rd May 2015 at Gateshead Fell Rugby Ground where Bros Andrew ‘Jock’ Keenan, Joseph Maxim, Andrew Rathbone, and Michael ‘Spike’ Forster, all from Enderby Lodge No. 5061, together with Bro David Shepherd from St Wilfrid’s Lodge No. 8350, aim to assist in retaining the trophy for England.
They have already made the trip to Newcastle in April for a training camp and are now ready to take part in the big match. The event will be concluded by a black tie ball at the Marriot Hotel, Gateshead which includes a four-course dinner and live entertainment.
The international match was originally conceived by W Bro Horner of the Province of Northumberland after they challenged the Durham Masonic Rugby Football Club to a game of rugby, partly for a bit of fun but also to raise money for the charities supported by the Northumberland team.
This is the second time these teams have played each other, and Scotland are keen to avenge last August’s defeat by the English at Murrayfield. The matches are keenly fought, and are celebrated afterwards in the spirit of true masonic friendship.