Columbanus Lodge Rode To The Wall
Every year there is an event involving thousands of motorcyclists, called Ride To The Wall. The wall in question is in the Royal British Legion’s garden of remembrance for fallen service men and women at the National Arboretum, Litchfield, Staffordshire.
In Freemasonry, there are numerous specialist Lodges but there are also some clubs and organisations drawing members from different Lodges. Columbanus Lodge is a consecrated Lodge, formed in 2017 and is a proud motorcyclist Lodge. Columbanus being patron saint of motorcyclists, their banner has a motorcycle on it and their gavels are made from pistons of Triumph and Norton motorcycles. They are unashamedly bikers and proud of it, but also Freemasons.
This year they decided to make a representation to ride with the Widows Sons, who are not a Lodge, but a group of Masons from different Lodges who have many groups, or Chapters, all over the country and are also keen motorcyclists, who always organise a ride to the National Arboretum to support this fantastic event.
Kent Baxter (IPM Columbanus Lodge) contacted Mike Parnell and Harry Riff Wyvern from the Wyvern Chapter of The Widows Sons Masonic Association, and asked if he and the Columbanus Worshipful Master Rob Bullen could join them. It was agreed to meet up at Gloucester motorway services on the M5 and ride from there.
At 6.30am on 3rd October, Rob and Kent set off for the M5 from Devizes. Arriving in early they made good use of the services enjoying excellent supply of bacon rolls and coffee! Some of the Widows Sons started to arrive and everyone introduced themselves.
At around 8.30 they set off for the Widows Sons rendezvous with other Widows Sons Chapters, located at the Tamworth Masonic Hall, Litchfield, gathering many more bikers and Widows Sons members en route. It was only after arriving at Tamworth Masonic Hall that Kent and Rob realized they had actually ridden there with members of Brycgstow Chapter of the Widows Sons, who had agreed to meet at the same time and location as Wyvern!
Kent and Rob realised what had happened and eventually made contact with the Secretary of Wyvern Chapter.
As the group entered the site, the marshals split the group down, sending people off to various parking areas. The area where Columbanus parked their bikes was packed with motorbikes.
Walking to the Arboretum, it was like Oxford Street at Christmas. Shoulder to shoulder with other like-minded bikers to show support and respect to our service men and women. They day was spend attending remembrance services and making a special visit to the Masonic Memorial at the Arboretum where a Masonic remembrance service was held.
All in all, a fantastic event and a memorable day, with the added bonus of a favorable warm late sunny weather.
Columbanus would like to thank The Widows Sons Masonic Biker Association for their fraternal greetings and warm welcome, adding that they would be more than welcome to attend any of their Meetings.
Special thanks go to Riff and Mike of the Wyvern Chapter and the members of Brycgstow Chapter.
