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Lincolnshire Freemasonry was well represented when Somerset Military Lodge held its latest meeting at RAF College in Cranwell.
The West Country Lodge is based at Bridgewater, but has set a target of visiting all Staff Colleges of the branches of the Armed Forces. That’s so far taken them to the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst and the Royal Naval Air Station at Yeovilton, so RAF College Cranwell was the obvious next choice!
Chris Fletcher from Ancholme and the Free Wheelers Lodges was there, and writes: “Visitors and members assembled at the Cranwell guardhouse before moving in convoy to the accommodation block, called the Daedalus Mess which has a strong link to Lincolnshire’s own Daedalus Lodge, consecrated at RAF Cranwell in 1918.
“From there, it was a short to drive to York House Officers’ Mess. The final muster point, and an iconic building on the camp, was College Hall, where we were refreshed with tea and biscuits.
“All brethren were treated to a tour of College Hall by Flt Lt Scotty Toomer. Scotty held a wealth of information about the College and provided a very engaging, entertaining and informative tour of the College, pointing out highlights such as the works of T.E. Lawrence, the desk used by “Bomber” Harris, and Guy Gibson’s cigarette case.
“The rituals associated with the officer cadets, such as not being allowed to walk on the carpet until graduation, were shared and brought the College activities to life to for the participants. A chance to explore the college unaccompanied allowed Lincolnshire members to point out pictures of their own graduations!
“Brethren then assembled in the College theatre, which had been transformed into a Lodge room. Somerset Lodge demonstrated the quality of their ritual with an exemplary initiation for Ash Shaw, a Naval Aircraft Engineer from RNAS Yeovilton. Somerset Provincial Lodge was represented by their APGM Russ Woodland, who was accompanied by Lincolnshire APGM David Bird.
“We moved to York House to experience outstanding dining in the Officers Mess! The Chef has been selected to train under Marcus Wearing, which indicates the quality we received across the four-course banquet.
“Plenty of inter-service rivalry added to a very entertaining meal. Did you know that in the RAF unstoppered port cannot touch the table, but in the Navy, it cannot leave the table!
“Members of Somerset Lodge praised the hospitality available in Lincolnshire, and we needed no further encouragement to extol the virtues of our Province!
“On a personal note, this was an example of the opportunities Freemasonry affords. When else would I be able to explore College House, so often seen from the road, and experience dining in the officer’s mess!”
