For the 50 plus members and visitors to Staple Hill last Wednesday they might have wondered if they had travelled back in time as the lodge room was transformed into a dimly lit tavern back in 1717.
The Gloucestershire “Edward Jenner” Masonic Demonstration Team descended on Downend to give their first performance of the “Goose & Gridiron” their imagining of how Grand Lodge was formed along with its first Grand Master over 300 years ago.
Perhaps wishing that the mode of transport in this day and age was as reliable as the horse and carriage used back then, the demonstration team leader only just made it due to problems with his electric car….
Kitted out in their historical attire the team beautifully performed the play giving people an insight into that first meeting and for many they will have learnt something about that period in history too.
Prior to the demonstration the members of Staple Hill agreed to donate £1000 to the charity of choice for last years Master Shaun Finn (more details to follow) and £2000 to the Gloucestershire 2029 MCF Festival.
After the meeting the team remained in their outfits for the festive board which added to the occasion and everyone enjoyed their last meal of the year before we reconvene in January.
A further £265 was raised on the raffle and given to the demonstration for them to donate to a charity of their choice which is currently the Gloucestershire 2029 Festival, and just shy of £100 was raised on the bottle draw which was a very nice bottle of whiskey donated by Simon Twose and will be donated to Alive Activities our current masters charity.
To finish off the evening everyone took part in an energetic rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas.
Our thanks to the Edward Jenner team for their visit and would like to wish all our members, visitors and friends a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Staple Hill Lodge 6043 