A day of mixed emotions at Severn Lodge
Saturday 24 th January 2026 will be a day always remembered by the members of Severn
Lodge, for a day filled with sorrow and celebration. The regular meeting agenda was
packed, both upstairs in the temple and downstair in the dining hall. However, news
filtered through before proceedings started that our most senior Lodge member,
Fred Webb, had passed away earlier that morning. Fred, who turned 90 last year, was
expecting to join us, along with his two daughters, Sue and Jo (who, coincidentally was also
celebrating her 60th birthday that day!) for our Burns night festivities. But he unfortunately
suffered a fall earlier in the week and had to cancel their plans to attend. He was due to be
presented with a commemorative plaque, in honour of his service as the Lodge’s dining
officer for 60 years. Fred had also held the office of Mentor, even before it was recognised
as an office, and remained so, even when he became an Honorary member a few years ago.
He was initiated into Severn Lodge in 1960, rose through the ranks, ultimately attaining the
Chair of King Solomon in 1969. He was such a wonderful, kind, easy-going personality and
loved by everyone who knew him. It would be an understatement to say that he will be
sorely missed. The Lodge will have his Eulogy at their regular meeting on Saturday 28 th
March.
The news of his passing to the Grand Lodge above had filled the room with obvious grief
and lament. However, after restoring some resemblance of composure, we commenced
with the order of business.
After opening the Lodge and announcing the sad news, we received the Travelling Trowel
from the Worshipful Master Rob Collins, and Brethren of the Gordano Lodge.
Upon receiving it from Rob, our WM James Purnell assured him that he, along with
as many Brethren of Severn Lodge as possible, would present it to the John de Clivedon
Lodge in Clevedon on the 9 th February.
The next business was to Pass Bro. Errol Thompson, who was initiated at our last regular
meeting in November 2025. Our candidate answered his questions impeccably and the
Worshipful Master was assisted by our newest members, Bro. Wesley Dixon, with
presenting the Working tools, whilst also standing in as Inner Guard. Bro. Peter Jefia, who
performed his first work for our Lodge with the observations after the Senior Warden
invested Bro. Errol with his Fellowcraft Apron. We were treated to an extended version of
The Explanation of the Tracing Board by W.Bro. Chris Richardson, whilst also standing in as
Senior Warden. Even W.Bro. Martin Slocombe joined in by performing a master class of the
Signs and Secrets of the Second degree.
With emotions of bereavement almost getting the better of some of us, we managed to get
through the rest of the agenda and closed the Lodge in harmony, in order to meet our
wives, partners, family and friends downstairs for our Burns night.
Although the melodic bagpipes of Bro. Ian Wyllie , who also gave an outstanding rendition
of the address to the haggis and the Selkirk Grace, raised the spirits of the 71 people who
were dining (of course it would’ve been 74) there still remained a flat and sombre
atmosphere during the first course of haggis, neeps & tatties, followed by the braised beef
steak main course. However, by the time the dessert came out and was being served by the
kitchen staff, who were also visibly moved by the loss of their friend, the mood in the dining
room had lifted somewhat.
Our Worshipful Master announced that the Lodge Stewards would be mingling from table
to table, to sell raffle tickets. W.Bro. Steve Wilson then gave an overview that tonight’s
fundraising was for Crohn’s & Colitis UK, due to W.Bro. Stephan Dilley suffering from the
condition without the prior knowledge of any member of the Lodge. Our Worshipful Master
then provided a ‘question & answers’ discussion of the reason why we carry out a raffle at
our meetings and where the money raised goes. The upshot of this was that, as an
organisation, we donate to a wide spectrum of large and small causes.
He then proceeded to present two cheques. The first was to our latest candidate, Errol
Thompson, to the RFU Injured Players Foundation for £170. The funds were the total
proceeds of our raffle back in November when Bro. Errol was initiated. It was noticed that,
during the ceremony, he was in some discomfort and had to be aided at times. It turned
out that he had recently returned from a climbing expedition on Mount Kilimanjaro, along
with others, to raise funds for this registered charity.
The second cheque was to our Junior Warden, Peter Flack. This was to Wickwar
Wanderers under 8’s Football Club for £517.60. This total was raised at our Christmas Party.
Bro. Peter and another couple of fathers, created and managed this age group for an
established grass-roots team in the area they live. They were looking for sports equipment
and training clothes for their 16 players.
We were then entertained by receiving a humorous version of the ‘Toast to the Lassies’
from our W.Bro. James, which was responded by his good lady wife Norma, who provided
us with an entertaining ‘Toast to the Laddies’.
We finished off the evening by revealing that this was the last social event our current
Worshipful Master’s year, as it was decided that he and Norma wouldn’t be having a Ladies
Night. Nonetheless, they would be making an effort to support and promote other Ruling
Masters’ Ladies Nights and similar events. As we had Seven (7) of them in the room, he
invited and offered each one in turn to advertise the dates and venues to our audience.
The final announcement was for James Purnell to thank everyone for their support
and to declare that the raffle raised an amazing £590 for Crohn’s & Colitis UK.
