Dove Lodge 8519

On Sunday the 23rd of August 2009 the Coach and Horses Pub at Abbots Bromley again played host to the members of Dove Lodge, their ladies, friends and family. It was an excellent social occasion once again organised by our present WM Mike Lewis and his lovely wife Christine. After an excellent meal a raffle was drawn which added to the total raised for Charity during Mike's year. W/Bro Paul Barrass IPM was asked to conjure up a few lines of verse to salute our WM and his lady and duly obliged. Bro David Hill Master Elect acted as wine steward and raffle supremo. So ends an excellent year under Mike's leadership and we look forward to our next year with confidence.

On Friday May 15th a large number of members’ families and friends of Dove Lodge gathered at the Hilton House Hotel. WBro Mike Lewis and his lovely wife Christine hosted an excellent early summer social evening. The entertainment was provided by five members of the Derby Magic Circle under the able direction of Clive Moore and Jean Ellison. We were also honoured by the presence of Steve Grundy the current Circle President.

During the meal table magic was performed and after a short break and charity raffle, a magical cabaret delighted all those present. Our W/M had given the officers 'the night off' but W/Bro Paul Barrass was prevailed on to sum up the evening in verse.

Presentations were made to Rainbows Hospice and the raffle organised by the W/M and our Master Elect W/Bro D.G.Hill raised £500.

To see more photos of this event, please visit our Magicial Evening Photos Page.

Honouring the Fallen

In recent years Uttoxeter Freemasons have been invited to lay a wreath at the town's War Memorial to honour the Fallen. W/Bro Mike Lewis Master of Dove Lodge is seen here laying the wreath on Armistice Day.

This is a special gala event that many Masonic lodges host each year to thank the ladies for their support and encouragement of their family who are members. The focus is on the Master's Lady to a great extent but all ladies present whether Masonically connected or not are hopefully made to feel very special. That is certainly the Dove Lodge way. Great care and attention to detail is spent over many months planning and arranging the evening and then the great day dawns.

In 2008 W/Bro Paul Barrass and Mrs Shirley Barrass were the hosts for this very special evening which was held at the Hilton House Hotel.117 people were present. Table Magicians entertained the guests whilst the excellent meal was served and there were the usual toasts and a few short speeches. There was dancing till midnight then the Worshipful Master and his friends gathered in the bar and staged an informal cabaret of monologues, poems and jokes.

A very special feature of Dove Lodge Ladies Night is the emphasis the lodge places on the red rose. This lovely flower the symbol of England has also been a traditional love token from time immemorial. It is an important part of the Dove Lodge way that this token is exchanged between the gentlemen and ladies and this takes several forms. The basket of 17 red roses presented to Mrs Shirley Barrass symbolised 17 years of happy marriage to her husband Paul. Each Lady had a miniature rose on the wrapping of their ladies gift and the rose appeared again on the Menu.

On Wednesday 16th January 2008 Dove Lodge held a very enjoyable social evening at the Plough Inn Uttoxeter. Over 50 people attended and £500 pounds was raised for Uttoxetter's St John Ambulance Division. There was an Italian themed buffet, pub quiz and various raffles and games. Like most Dove Lodge social events it was open to non-members. Families are welcomed to such gatherings and they form a popular part of the Dove Lodge Year.