A great night at Admiral Blake, and a lovely reason to become a Mason.

It was a wet and cold night in Bridgwater, but that did not stop a wonderful evening at Admiral Blake Lodge. Seventeen members of the Rural Philanthropic Lodge (plus two additional guests from Portcullis Lodge) attended on their annual Christmas Fraternal Visit, where they were treated to a lovely Initiation of Andrew Smith.

Andrew wanted to become a Freemason after his daughter became poorly and had to go into hospital, where she was given one of the Teddy Bears from the TLC programme. Andrew was so touched by this that he asked where the Teddy Bear came from, when he was told the Masons, he immediately decided it was something he wished to join. Andrew visited the Somerset website, made enquiries about joining and Admiral Blake was the best fit. Andrew was an excellent candidate and should have a long and happy time in the fraternity.

Also with Rural Philanthropic Lodge was Wayne Brown, who only became a Mason on the 1st December, Wayne said how much he enjoyed that night and also his first Fraternal Visit. Admiral Blake was also honoured by the Presence of the PGM Ray Guthrie, who is an Honorary member of the Lodge, but wanted to bring George Pittaway the new WM of his Mother Lodge (Priory) and who was only installed on the 15th December.

The evening was topped off with an excellent traditional Christmas meal as well as a raffle and Charity Auction, that raised a combined total of £785, which will go to the Bridgwater Sea Cadets, an institution very dear to the heart of the WM of The Admiral Blake Lodge, Andrew Wood, as he has been involved with the Sea Cadets for a great many years.

Rural Philanthropic Lodge very much look forward to hosting Admiral Blake on their Fraternal Visit in 2024.

Visiting is one of the core elements of Freemasonry, especially Fraternal Visits, there was just under 60 people attending Admiral Blake Lodge, which not only helps to make it an enjoyable night, it helps with fund raising and for the smaller Lodges it can make the world of difference,