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It’s hard to tell who’s more pleased – Stewart Buckingham, on the left, because he’s passed on Mastership of the Free Wheelers Motorcycle Lodge or David Freeman because he’s taken it on.
The Mastership changed hands at a ceremony in Horncastle attended by more than 50 members and visitors.
Stuart Pearcey, in the centre of the picture, represented the Provincial Grand Master and said: “I’ve rarely been to an installation ceremony with such contrast between the seriousness of the ceremony and the fun and laughter of the festive board.
”The closeness and camaraderie shared by the members was very evident, and they’ve build a solid foundation of tradition even though they’re a relatively new Lodge.”
Members wear distinctive black and gold waistcoats. Said Stuart: “They reminded me of bees. The co-operation by the individual bees for the benefit of the whole colony is much the same as the co-operation by individual Freemasons for the benefit of the Lodge.”
As an added fundraiser, producing almost £80 for Freemasons’ charity Teddies for Loving Care, a lightning-fast game of heads and tails was organised by Chris Fletcher, left in our picture below. Ian Batchelor won £20 – but the penalty is that he had to take away the bear and bring it to the next meeting when it will be subject to another game. Straightforward enough, but the Free Wheelers insist that the bear must go with the winner even if he’s on a motorbike. Ian toyed with the idea of sitting the bear in front of him to make it appear as though he was driving…
Lodge DC Chris Jones said: “It was an emotional day for Stewart Buckingham installing his good friend David Freeman into the chair of King Solomon and the sunshine ensured that the car park was full of bikes and it was a packed house to witness the ceremony.
“The Free Wheelers Lodge begins its fifth year and continues to go from strength to strength, the banter and laughter at the festive board was very typical as this close knit bunch of guys from all over Lincolnshire Freemasons relaxed over an excellent lunch.
“£340 was raised at the raffle which started the Lodge’s five-year fundraising challenge to raise £20,000 to buy a new Blood Bike – three of our members, including Ian, help the charity as riders delivering whatever needs to be delivered.
“We’re looking forward to our June meeting in Deeping St James, then it’ll be September in Great Yarmouth and October nearer to home in Market Rasen. Why not come and join us?”
