Benevolent Lodge at the BishopsPalace Wells
The recent Garden and Country Fair held at the Bishops Palace at Wells, saw sunshine, axe throwing, a baking competition, a dog display team, lots of stalls – and Somerset Freemasons!
Benevolent Lodge, complete with the Provincial Gazebo were located opposite the entrance drawbridge that crosses the moat which is closelyguarded by the infamous Swans of Wells!
The WM, Bob Paice had arranged 100 helium balloons boldly printed with the words Benevolent Lodge Freemasons and a QR code leading to the 446 pages on the Provincial website. These proved very popular with visitors to the stand, who gave them to their children.
Barry Davies produced a double-sided handout detailing the history of the Lodge and its relationship over the years with the City and the Cathedral (see below). This included photographs of two engravings in the floor at the entrance to the West Cloister, commemorating the generous gift made by the Province toward the refurbishment of the West Cloister and depicting the Standard of the Province.
Past DPGM Ben Batley was in attendance along with a number ofbrethren of the Lodge who worked in shifts throughout the day. Membership officer Adrian Ambrosini kindly arranged for the collection and return of the gazebo to Taunton MH.
The result – three potential membership enquiries – and a lot of happy children!
Luke LCO 446
