Jonny Spencers Boulder Role

Jonny, a member of the Nelson of the Nile Lodge the Province of Yorkshire West Riding, on Saturday 23 May, set out from John O’Groats in Scotland on a small 125cc Honda Monkey Bike for Land’s End. In conjunction with the Chapter of Fidelity he was raising money for the 2031 Provincial Festival for the Masonic Charitable Foundation. Jonny was given significant financial support by the MCF for life-changing spinal surgery without which it was probable he would have been confined to a wheelchair. He
undertook this challenge to payback the MCF for their kindness and understanding in
supporting his surgery.

From Scotland he travelled through a number of English Provinces and met local Brethren to
share his story and hopefully receive a small donation towards this extraordinary fundraising
effort. And so, at midday on Wednesday 27 May, having travelled from his overnight stop in
the Shropshire Hills, Bro. Jonny arrived at the Masonic Hall in Midsomer Norton where he
was greeted by Connaught Lodge’s WM / Charity Steward, Chris James, along with
many Connaught Brethren, the PGM, Ray Guthrie and David Madden, our 2031 Festival Chairman.
After Bro. Jonny and Mathew, his support van driver, visited the Temple a buffet lunch was
served under our Lodge gazebo and he related his story. With no hesitation it was readily
agreed that the Province would make a donation, as would the Lodge. Bro. Jonny and
Malcolm both felt this was best reception they had received outside of their own Province
and described it as ’awesome and the Temple impressive’.

Suitably refreshed, they departed for Glastonbury escorted by a Connaught biker who is also
a member of the Columbanus Biker Lodge, and David, who peeled off part way to
head for home; and from there onto their final overnight in mid Cornwall, having completed
290 miles during the day.

And so it was at 11.30am on Thursday 28th , Jonny, escorted by some Widow’s Sons
bikers, rolled across the finishing line at Land’s End, six days after departing from John
O’Groats, having covered 1,054 miles end to end..

So why ‘Boulder Roll’? As Jonny explained, the event required a catchy name; so in one
aspect it is a homage to our Ancient Brethren who, back in their day, toiled away with
rudimentary hand tools. What’s harder and time consuming as rolling a boulder? So to Jonny the challenge of riding the little Monkey Bike felt as if rolling a boulder all the way.

One final comment from Jonny before heading for home. Meeting us was a ‘particular
highlight’ and he will definitely keep in touch with the hope of visiting one of our meetings at
some future date.

Chris James – Connaught Lodge