Bovey Tracey and St Lawrence Freemasons both meet at the Masonic Centre in Ashburton where the current Master of Bovey Lodge is Martyn Brooks, pictured centre. It has been several years since the lodge last held a ‘Ladies Night’ dinner dance and Martyn was determined to hold one during his year in office to honour the wives and partners of members for their support. He worked energetically to ensure a successful occasion.
With the membership of both lodges in modest numbers, Martyn asked his good friend, Mel Thompson, a past Master of St. Lawrence Lodge, if they would like to join the event to boost numbers with the result that 80 members, relatives and friends enjoyed a very happy and memorable evening at Ashburton Town Hall on 28th June.
Such an evening also presented an opportunity to raise funds for a local charity. Thoughts turned to the sad, premature death of the partner of a member during the past year and of the tremendous support which he and his young son received from ‘Pete’s Dragons’ on their loss – a local charity (No. 1187394) which provides wide-ranging bereavement counselling.
During the evening, Kate, Martyn’s wife, gave an accomplished speech in which she thanked members for the warm welcome and the generous hospitality which the Ladies received. She also outlined the work of the charity which began at Exmouth in 2010 by CEO Alison Jordan, following the suicide of her younger brother Pete. Kate made an impassioned plea for the gathering to give generously to Pete’s Dragons during the evening. Her suggestion was warmly received as evidenced by the magnificent sum of over £2,200 which was raised from a Raffle and Whiskey Roll during the evening.
Holding the cheque are (L-R) Mel Thompson and Mrs Kate Brooks.