It has been another busy period for The Prince of Wales Lodge 951 in Stow. Firstly, during the VE remembrance week our Charity Steward as a member of The Cotswold Classic Car Club was invited to visit a local care home and let the residents view and sit in the wonderful cars. About a dozen of the drivers and cars made the journey and they were very well received.
The convoy met for a coffee at the large car park at Seven Springs, and it was here that one of the Club members turned up in a hearse!! Having been told that the next stop was to the care home, and that his car could cause a panic with the residents, he decided to finish his coffee and not join the convey!!
Secondly we welcomed the Return of a Lost Treasure to the Lodge - W. Bro L.J. Farnworth’s Jewel Found Its Way Home during our regular May meeting. In a heartwarming tale that bridges the rich history of The Prince of Wales Lodge No.951 with its vibrant present, a long-lost piece of our heritage has made its way back home thanks to the sharp eye of W. Bro Rob Dewbery and the dedication of our Senior Warden Bro Giles Russell.
During a quiet evening browsing online Masonic memorabilia, W. Bro Dewbery came across a listing that made him pause. There, gleaming with timeworn dignity, was a Worshipful Master’s jewel engraved with a name familiar to our Lodge: W. Bro L.J. Farnworth, 1962, one of our very own Past Masters. With immediate recognition of its significance, W. Bro Dewbery alerted the Lodge. The response was swift and decisive. Bro Giles Russell, soon to take the Chair as Worshipful Master, stepped in to secure and purchase the jewel, ensuring that it was not lost to time or to collectors unfamiliar with its true value.
This jewel, once proudly worn by W. Bro Farnworth during his tenure in 1962, had somehow found its way into the wider world. Now, over 60 years later, it has returned to where it rightfully belongs, home at The Prince of Wales Lodge No. 951.
It will once again be worn with pride, a symbol not only of W. Bro Farnworth’s contribution to the Lodge, but also of the unbroken thread of Masonic brotherhood that links our past to our future. The jewel serves as a tangible reminder of the reverence we hold for those who came before us and the importance of preserving our traditions.
As Bro Giles Russell prepares to be installed as Worshipful Master, it is especially fitting that this treasured jewel should return under his guardianship. It stands as a beacon of continuity, fraternity, and respect for the rich legacy we all share.
Welcome home, W. Bro Farnworth’s jewel, you were never forgotten.
And thirdly, at our May meeting we were joined by the WM and members of St Nicholas Lodge Bristol. All of our visitors had the pleasure of witnessing the Past Masters of and in the Lodge conduct a third degree ceremony for Bro. Blaine Knight - An exemplary display of ritual by all of the Past Masters - very well done and congratulations to our newly raised Brother Blaine.
Whilst May is our last regular meeting prior to the summer break, The Prince of Wales Lodge has a busy period already planned for the summer months. 14th June 2025 will see us have another HillTop Joint Lodge of Instruction, 12th July 2025 we will have a HillTop Open Day, 27th July 2025 is our HillTop summer BBQ and 6th September 2025 we will have a stand at the Moreton in the Marsh Agricultural Show.
Please check in with us over the summer to read the details about these events.
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