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We also enjoyed a very busy year for Social Events: -

The Ladies Evening
This event was very well patronised and as usual a very good night was enjoyed by all (and my apologies for having so much “trouble” with the mic when I was calling the raffle prizes I think the battery had gone!!!!), and I would like again to thank my very hard working Ladies Evening Secretary Bro. Glynn Egginton and his good lady Julie for all their help.

Ladies Informal

Although this event did not generate as much interest as I would have liked with perspective candidates and their Ladies, it was still an enjoyable evening. We also managed to raise £300.00 for the 2011 Appeal.

Weatheroak Charity Challenge,

This event was organised by the JUNIOR CABINET with a great deal of hard work put in by the Junior Brethren and especially the “two Bobs”. Although this event could have been better attended it was still a great success and I believe this was the start of a very important annual charity event for both the Lodge and the Province. Next year the date is 12 July. I hope you will all be able to attend. It really is a great day and let’s raise some serious money for the Macmillan Cancer Support.

River Boat Lunch

This event was organised by the Junior Cabinet, again this event was a “sell out” and although we never left the canal basin due the July floods it was a great day out.

Remember the Junior cabinet organises social functions, as well as contributing to our charity fund raising. We are very lucky to have such a group, not every Lodge can boast one! Please give it your support and help.

WM’s Sunday Lunch

Yet, again this was fully booked and I believe the afternoon was enjoyed by all that attended.

The above social functions are there to be enjoyed by all the Brethren of Weatheroak Lodge and their guests (Masonic or otherwise), but it also allows us to raise significant sums of money for charity, and again the Lodge had a very successful year, which I am sure the Junior Cabinet and the WM will continue.

Also, it must be broadcasted that the Widows of the Lodge are always cordially invited to all of our Social Functions.

Some of the Charities helped over the last year: -

British Heart Foundation
A cheque for £1,000 was presented on behalf of the Lodge to fund a “heart nurse” for the Children's Hospital.

The Province Appeal 2011
Two cheques of £1,000 each have presented to the Province (a total of £2,000 over a 12 month period). Our total for the 2011 Appeal now stands at £3700.00 so there is still some way to go. It would certainly be nice to see some more Stewards Medals out there.

Air Ambulance

A cheque for £300.00

Children’s Hospice

A cheque for £300.00

We must also remember that W. Bro. Brian Phillips “Guest the Mileage Competition” is still on-going so please submit your slips and money as soon as possible.

Dates for your Diary

15 Jan 08 Lodge Meeting Initiation- Worshipful Master asks, could you please bring a guest

10 May 08 Beer and Skittles, Wythall Community Club, Silver Street, Wythall

12 July 08 Weatheroak Charity Challenge

There were some sad as well as happy times in the year: -

W. Bro. Norman Shaw ascended to the Grand Lodge above, what a character and excellent Mason, never to be replaced (he only started calling me by real name when I was put into the Chair, for the previous ten years he always called me Pete!) he will be sadly missed as will W. Bro. Bill Hammond whom resigned from the Lodge and moved to Somerset to live with his daughter following the sad death of his wife.

We all give our heartfelt condolences to W. Bro. Paul Wilkes on the sad loss of his wife Val, she had always been a great and popular supporter of Weatheroak Lodge, she will be greatly missed by all.

I am pleased that W. Bro. Fred Shelly, the last remaining founder of Weatheroak Lodge is now attending the Lodge on a regular basis. Bro. Martin Scrimgeour’s (a Lewis of a Lewis), wife Anna gave birth to a baby boy weighing in at 9lbs 12 oz, congratulations to both parents. Bro. Russell James was initiated into the Lodge, and we all wish him well in his Masonic career. We also look forward to Mr. Simon Pearson joining the Lodge in January 2008!

On a personal note, some you are aware at the beginning of the year I was retired from my job due to ill health, which was somewhat of a difficult and sad time for me, but it gave me the opportunity to visit a number of other Lodges that I had not always had the time to do so whilst I was working, and must say I did enjoy it (except for the weight gain), and although I witnessed some excellent ceremonies, generally they were not up to the same standard as Weatheroak Lodge which I think says a lot for the Preceptors and Brethren of our Lodge.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of those Past Masters and Brethren that gave me so much help and support in my year in office, thank you.

W. Bro. Ray Golden, IPM, October 2007