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Freemasonry in the Community
Last Updated on Sunday, 21 February 2010 14:12 Saturday, 09 May 2009 18:52
Town, County & Village shows. 2009
Summer 2006. The concept of a “Masonic Display Unit”, resulted in a very professional and impressive 6m x 3m display marquee which we present at various local events. Events as varied as the “Oxfordshire County & Thame Show”, with all it’s splendour, to the “Midsummer Madness” day at Leon Park, Bletchley, which is a “families with young children day”.
Late summer 2008. I was appointed as ‘Team Leader’, to take over the day to day operation.
Our ethos is to get across to the “uninstructed and popular world who are not Masons” what we as Freemasons are about. We are not specifically a recruiting team, but if an individual shows positive interest then we have all the information to help. Freemasonry and the Province of Buckinghamshire have several new members as a result of visiting the display. An encouraging sign.
We have great and invaluable support from Brethren of many Lodges who freely and voluntarily give all or part of their Saturday or Sunday to assist in manning the stand on show days. My sincere thanks to all of you. Your contributions are an inspiration.
Summer 2009. The usual mix of comments, questions and suggestions, the overwhelming majority being very positive. So far, with four more shows to attend in 2009, over 1,200 leaflets have been taken up by the general public.
The four further events in 2009 are;
- Thursday 27th August. Bucks County Show, Weedon Park, Aylesbury.
- Monday 31 st August. Winslow Show, Winslow Hall.
- Saturday 5 th September. Chalfont St Giles Country Show, Stone Meadow, Chalfont St Giles.
- Thursday 17 th September. Oxon and Thame Show, the Show Ground, Thame.
Highs and lows.
Lows. Blistering heat for the two day Marlow Regatta which left us all dehydrated and drained, and rain at Buckingham and Stokenchurch. At Stokenchurch the discussion of the day was about the strength, intensity, type, weight and endurance of the rain, but Stokenchurch did produce the best inspirational photograph of the season.
Highs.The visit during the Marlow Regatta of the Mayor of High Wycombe with the Marlow Masonic Dragon Boat Team. A team comprised almost exclusively from Brethren who attend the “Summer Lodge of Improvement, Marlow” and the “Multi Lodge of Improvement, Slough”.
Inspiration – dedication. Brothers Andy and Dave in the rain at Stokenchurch.
Highlight. Mayor of High Wycombe and the Dragon Boat Team at Marlow.