Supported by cadets from the 16 Hurstpierpoint Detachment, Army Cadet Force, Princess of Wales Royal Regiment and Freemasons from the three military focused Masonic Lodges in Sussex at Horsham, Brighton and St Leonards-on-Sea, Tangmere Museum provided the perfect backdrop for the event.
Addressing the gathering at the start of the ceremony, Head of Sussex Freemasons, Christopher Moore said ” Freemasonry wishes to play its part in encouraging and supporting the military, either when they are in the services or when they come out. We are a natural home for the military. We represent order, ceremony and camaraderie”
Vice Admiral Paul Bennett commented “The support that you are showing by signing up to the Covenant is enormously well received. Thank you for stepping forward to show your support for the Armed Forces”.
Speaking as she received the three millionth bear, Jackie James a Play Specialist at the hospital, said:
“The Teddies for Loving Care bears are very special to us in the Emergency Department and have a wonderful, positive impact on children who are receiving care. When a child first arrives at hospital not only are they feeling unwell but they may also be feeling scared and anxious. The little TLC teddies provide some comfort and really help make them feel at ease.
Dr David Staples, CEO of the United Grand Lodge of England, said: “I’m delighted to be able to present the three millionth ‘‘Teddy for Loving Care’. As a doctor, who regularly works with children in hospitals, I know how important these bears can be; both for the children who receive them and the staff who give them”.
The Consecration saw 122 visitors from numerous Sussex Lodges and from various other motoring Lodges, including including Hampshire’s Chequered Flag Lodge, Oxfordshire’s Sir William Morris Lodge, West Kent’s Motoring Lodge and Warwickshire’s Square Wheels Lodge.
‘Classic Motoring’ might bring to mind images of beautifully preserved cars from a long bygone age, but as the Lodge’s new Master Jeremy Knight outlined, that would be a long way from what is intended.
Jeremy explained “It’s called the Classic Motoring Lodge because we wanted to include classic commercial vehicles and motorcycles, but not in competition with the Sussex Motorcycling Lodge Lodge of course”. He went on “There are a number provinces with Lodges called Classic Car and we wanted to keep it simple and broad. Our membership is a mixture of people with a common interest in classic motoring. Ownership of one or more such cars is not necessary. Some are collectors, some have mechanical skills, others have none, some are racers, others just like to look”.
And the road ahead for the new Lodge has already been set out. Jeremy explained “Our plan is to have four meetings a year, the Installation and then three peripatetic summer meetings in May, July and September. We intend to hold our meetings during the day so that we can comfortably travel to and from places that can accommodate plenty of cars. The idea is to try where possible to meet where other motoring enthusiasts are congregating for rallies or car shows so that we can spread the Masonic word and encourage new candidates. This will also allow for wives and partners to accompany us and meet socially while we have our Masonic meetings. We also plan purely social meetings jointly with car clubs, fetes etc. We have already had and will have more such events during this summer”.
With all that and an introduction of a new member already scheduled, it’s looking to be a busy and successful first year for Sussex’s newest Lodge.
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