Stonecutters Update - 20 April 2024
2024 started with a conveyor belt like series of storms, bringing very dangerous road conditions to the South West of England. A few of our members managed to travel to The Green Dragon for our first Natter Night of the year, however, most members were unable to safely travel due to the flash floods caused by the storms. The Chapter Officers all managed to attend their planning meeting. We have some interesting rides and events planned for 2024, which will be anounced at our next Natter Night.
Although the weather has curtailed our riding, it has not impacted our Freemasonry. On 25 January, members of the Stonecutters visited New Temple Lodge No. 8435 in Swindon, to see one of our Masonic Cornerstones, "Princess" being passed to the Second Degree. On 26 January, members of the Stonecutters visited Highworth Royal Arch Chapter No. 9009 to see "Spanner" being exhalted into Royal Arch Freemasonry, while the non-Royal Arch Freemasons and our partners met for our monthly quiz night.
On Sunday 21 April 2024, the Stonecutters will be meeting at Devizes Masonic Hall for our "Great Provincial Rideout." We plan to visit every Masonic Hall that is currently in use. We will be stopping at each Masonic Hall to take a group photograph as "proof" of our visit. The route is approximately 160 miles long and is expected with photo stops, breaks and fuel stops to take somewhere between five and seven hours. The "Great Provincial Rideout" is in support of the Wiltshire 2028 Festival Appeal. Kind donations can be made at http://tinyurl.com/stonecutter-2024 or by using the QR code to our GiveTap page.
The Stonecutters held our Annual Easter Egg Run on Saturday 9th March, where we delivered Easter Eggs to Julia's House Children's Hospice in Devizes. It was great to see all our friends at Julia's House. The following weekend, four of our members travelled to Duncarron Medieval Fort, the home of the Branded Widows Son. The were privileged to be nominated to be Branded as Widows Sons during the Annual Branding Ceremony which is run by Widows Sons Scotland. The weather at Duncarron was very cold and wet, but that did not detract from the ceremony itself.
The Chapter assembled in the early hours of 24th March to meet up with members of our daughter Chapter, the Quarrymen (from Dorset) for a ride to Loomies Motorcycle Cafe. When we arrived, we were met by members of most Widows Sons Chapters that are based in the South of England. We had a great catch up over a bacon and egg butty and a tea or coffee. Finally, our Immediate Past President, "Ozzy" presented a cheque for £150 to the Dan Payne Memorial Fund which is a small, local cancer support charity.