Having been appointed the official, specialist shotgun Lodge for Surrey Masons, Prince David Lodge launched the first event with a 50 bird shoot to precede the meeting in the Temple at Bisley on St Georges day. It could not have gone better!
In attendance were sixteen members and twenty six visitors including Jim Cook AProvGM, there just to enjoy a day’s shooting and Mike Neville who entertained and educated us with one of his excellent lectures which was followed by a team’s quiz competition to find out what we had learned and ensured we all paid attention!
The day commenced at 2.00pm with a group of experienced shooters competing in a 50 bird clay pigeon shoot while another group of interested novices were taken to a different location and given some useful instruction in the sport. Hopefully the latter will have enjoyed the their first experience and will go on to greater things. The competition, which included a former Olympic team member, was won by Nigel Foreman, congratulations.
Particular thanks should go to Bro. Paul Raywood for his organising of the event and hosting the newer shooters amongst us. Prince David Lodge is not just for experienced shooters, new shooters are always welcome at our events and it is a great way of finding out what shooting is all about if you have never tried it before.
At around 4.30pm we repaired to the Sit Perpetuum Temple (many thanks to their committee for allowing us to use their facilities and furniture) where the dress code allowed “smart shooting attire” in addition to the usual Masonic uniform. This leant a unique atmosphere to the meeting and worked well, some Brethren in full smart shooting attire (minus guns and dogs), some in normal Masonic dress and some who changed after the shoot.
There we welcomed two new joining members (one of whom won the shooting competition so just as well he joined), elected the Provincial Grand Master to Honorary Membership, approved our revised by laws and proposed another joining member. The lecture has already been mentioned but we also had the privilege of a delegation from Cherchefelle Lodge 6543 who passed on the Travelling Maul. This we will fill and deliver to another Lodge on its journey through the Province in support of the 2019 Festival.
The Festive Board was held at the Artists Rifles Club on the Bisley Shooting Grounds site and the catering standard was as good as any in Surrey. Thanks to Malcolm Clarke for organising the dining, an excellent job and a fine Festive Board.
Our next meeting will also include a shooting event concluding in the Temple at Godalming on 18th September, 2015. All are welcome either to compete or try their hand at clay pigeon shooting, those who have never even held a shotgun will be most welcome to come along and give it a go surrounded by Brethren and experienced instructors.
Full photo gallery available here.
Please check our web site at www.princedavidlodge.org.uk for details and any late changes.
