Busy fixture for Rugby Lodge

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Abel Morris
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Busy fixture for Rugby Lodge Profits from Masonic Regalia Sales are donated to the 2018 Festival and proprietor, Steve Dodson, presented a further cheque to the Provincial Grand Master, on this

1 Busy fixture for Rugby Lodge Profits from Masonic Regalia Sales are donated to the 2018 Festival and proprietor, Steve Dodson, presented a further cheque to the Provincial Grand Master, on this occasion for 2233, 70s Gloucester RFC star full-back, Ron Etheridge, received a cheque for 500 from WM, Roly Rogers for the Gloucester Rugby Community Charity. David McAllister, who can truly be called a rugby dad, is a missionary in the Congo, working for the Christian charity, Tearfund UK. He was presented with a cheque for 400; proceeds of the raffle. Above, Ron Etheridge is presented with a cheque by WM, Roly Rogers. Cheque presentations and guest speakers were amongst the tactical orders for an away fixture when the Adrian Davies Lodge of Rugby Union travelled to Lydney. Guest speaker for the evening was Roy Woodward, former Swansea RFC player and Deputy PGM of South Wales. He regaled the spectators with anecdotes stemming from his enjoyment of the two great passions in his life; unsurprisingly rugby and masonry. Gloucester Rugby Community Charity The charity enhances the lives of young people through sport, with a particular focus on those with social and other disadvantages and is reaching people at key times in their lives to make a positive impact. It is funded through donations, sponsorship and fundraising in general. Page 1

2 Ron was a late replacement for Adam Balding, who had reported in sick that afternoon. Like Roly, a former policeman, Ron nevertheless admitted to being more than a little nervous to be suddenly wheeled into the front line of a lodge-room, but relaxed as he realised he was amongst friends, a couple of whom had actually played both with and against him. Ron gave a brief talk about his rugby career, playing for both the cherry and whites and the police; a privilege which he said he grasped as tightly as the ball. He toured as far afield as USA, Canada, Bermuda and Hong Kong. During Gloucester RFC s centenary year (73/74), he was the second highest try scorer. Masonic Regalia Sales now raised Steve Dodson s latest cheque, so the PGM calculated, brought the total donated to the 2018 Grand Charity Festival to p, representing the profits from selling both new and recycled regalia. The seven pence is a story for another time, said Tim Henderson-Ross, but I must pay tribute to the time and effort which Steve has dedicated to the project. Mini-rugby sponsorship The Provincial Grand Master was later to praise the Adrian Davies Lodge of Rugby Union for putting into practice one of its primary founding precepts; that of helping to promote the game of rugby within the province of Gloucestershire; particularly by charitable means. The lodge was making a difference; the initiative of sponsoring mini-rugby was to be supported and applauded. Tim did reveal that as a youth in London he played for London Scottish. The level of our skill, he confessed, meant the appearance of a single spectator was a rarity and his attention was sadly shortlived! Page 2

The other rugby Woodward Roy Woodward admitted that he was in the showers at Swansea Rugby Club when he was tackled and asked if he was interested in joining Freemasonry.

My co-initiate was British Lion, John Faull, who had 12 Welsh caps. They were clearly looking for class, he quipped. is based on trust and understanding.

3 The other rugby Woodward Roy Woodward admitted that he was in the showers at Swansea Rugby Club when he was tackled and asked if he was interested in joining Freemasonry. May I point out that there was no significance in the location, stressed Roy. The brother making the approach was Barbarian, Phil Llewellyn, capped five times for Wales. My co-initiate was British Lion, John Faull, who had 12 Welsh caps. They were clearly looking for class, he quipped. is based on trust and understanding.... The Welsh don t trust the English and the English don t understand the Welsh! Finally, he presented Adrian Davies, the Past PGM, with his club tie; one into which was embroidred the emblems of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand; marking the fact that Swansea was the first club to beat all three southern hemisphere touring sides. Roy reeled out a litany of rugby stories, making the occasional reference to English-Welsh rivalry. He explained how the relationship Page 3

atrocities there. David spoke of the work he does, particularly in the Congo, on behalf of Tearfund UK; a Christian charity passionate about ending poverty.

4 Tearfund UK Lodge guests were Belfast-man, David McAllister and two of his sons. Paddy McAllister plays loose-head prop for Gloucester RFC and his brother, Phil, was instrumental in starting and promoting wheelchair rugby in Africa amongst youngsters who had been mutilated in atrocities there. David spoke of the work he does, particularly in the Congo, on behalf of Tearfund UK; a Christian charity passionate about ending poverty. He also gave harrowing accounts of the sexual mistreatment of girls and children. Despite the horrific accounts he gave, his overarching message was one of love and forgiveness. The WM, Roly Rogers, designated the 400 collected at the raffle to be donated. The top prize of 25 was won by Peter Lynch, who instinctively donated it the raffle. You can read more about Tearfund here: Page 4

5 Above: David McAllister, Adrian Davies, Philip and Paddy McAllister with Colin Henderson. Right: JW, Phil Pritchard, proposes the toast to the visitors in his inimtable way. Page 5

Laurie Fisher joins the Rugby Lodge

Laurie Fisher joins the Rugby Lodge Gloucester coach takes his first regular step WM, Peter Fray (right) was paying attention to the coach when Laurie responded to the Toast to the Initiate at the Adrian Davies Lodge of Rugby Union. I am