Busy night at RPL 291 – but what a night!

With sickness and late apologies abound the members of RPL 291 started off the season in superb form. With stand ins for the SD and Chaplains Offices and a visitor conducting the secrets the meeting was still conducted in the way RPL is known for.

The night started with the Raising of Travis Miller, who answered his questions word perfectly, and was quite impressive – a superb candidate all round. (Travis can be seen sat first in on the left). Due to some late absences due to illness a special mention must go to Paul Jarvis who stood in as SD, leading Travis around the room brilliantly and to Jeff Body of the A&G Lodge who stepped in at the last minute to deliver the Charge and Secrets.

The next part of the evening was to receive the Travelling Trowel from the Master, Wardens and Brethren of the Benevolent Lodge, who took the short trip over from Wells.

Bob had brought with him a photograph taken 10 years ago when the then WM Bro Ian Evans delivered the Trowel to Benevolent Lodge, when they met at Wells Cathedral – apparently he looks exactly the same apart from a beard now!

Russ Woodland the one of the APGMs for Somerset then rose to present a Lifetime Patron of the MCF Award to the WM Malcolm Price and John Chinn the Charity Steward, on behalf of the Lodge, as they had donated £20,000 to the 2031 Festival. The bulk of the money had been received from a legacy left to the Lodge by David Foulds as well as the generosity of all the members of Rural Philanthropic.

The evening was rounded off by a lovely meal of Pate, Roast Pork (with excellent Crackling) with a Cheese Board as dessert.