Taunton SMFA November Meeting Report

The Taunton branch of the Somerset Masonic Friendship Association (SMFA) met in Taunton Masonic Hall on the 5th November. Their meeting theme this month was ‘Soup and Sweet’ – it does what it says on the tin. 5-Star Karen made the diners 3 different soups and no less than 5 desserts, PLUS cheese and biscuits! Huge shout out to the Taunton Masonic Hall staff, Hayley (Taunton Hall manager) had arranged three tables on the diagonal which gave a cosy feel to the event. What was great was that Karen, Hayley and Debbie were able to sit down and join in too, like a big family meal.

This was the best turn out ever, with 30 members in attendance; some had seconds of soups and desserts and still managed to do justice to the cheese and biscuits, coffee and mints. As well as 30 members, the Taunton SMFA was able to recruit three new members. Lindsay Edmunds of Queens College Lodge won the Heads and Tails and pocketed a crisp (are the new plastic notes ‘crisp’?) £20 note. Well done and a big thank you for those members who helped to clear up afterwards.

The next Taunton SMFA outing is on Wednesday December 3rd, where they will visit and then have lunch at The Blue Diamond Garden Centre (aka The Blackdown Garden Centre). They have reserved several tables but diners will need to pre-order a few days before. There will be plenty of time to look around the Christmas displays and maybe do some Christmas shopping; those young at heart may even visit Santa’s Grotto! Car sharing is always a good idea on such outings, so do contact Sandra Wilson (details below) as needed.

However, there won’t be the usual 1st Wednesday meeting in January 2026. Instead, they are having a Sunday lunch on the 18th (flyers later), followed by a concert by Gregory and Ellen Steward which will include songs from opera and the big musicals. Gregory and Ellen studied music at degree level. Donations from Lodges help to subsidise the costs of hiring speakers and singers and the Taunton SMFA are eternally grateful to the Taunton Lodges who have kindly made donations. If anyone would like to join the Taunton SMFA members on either of these events, which will be popular, get your name down speedily. Please contact: Sandra Wilson, Secretary : sandrawnf@gmail.com or via 077 143 45608. 

Report by: Charlie Barker