From Download to Metallica… and Onward to the Prince of Wales Garden Party
If you read our recent blog, “Charity, Community… and a Bit of Rock ’n’ Roll”, you'll know that the Prince of Wales Lodge seems to have developed a slightly unexpected reputation.
We donate to hospitals, support mental health initiatives, help our communities... and then promptly disappear off to major rock concerts wearing black T-shirts and making questionable decisions involving air guitars.
Quite frankly, we're owning it.
The Summer of Rock for Prince of Wales Lodge continues, and this weekend saw another pilgrimage undertaken by two members of our ever-growing band of Masonic headbangers.
Metallica. Cardiff. 76,000 Rock Fans.
Ben BH and our Worshipful Master Giles and wife Jen joined a staggering 76,000 fans at Cardiff's Principality Stadium for what can only be described as an absolutely phenomenal Metallica performance.
For lifelong Metallica fans, it was perfection.
Hit after hit.
Classic after classic.
The kind of set list that leaves you walking away with a sore throat, ringing ears, and absolutely no regrets.
Of course, while many people travel to Cardiff to admire the castle, explore the city centre, or enjoy the local hospitality, Ben, Giles and Jen had a slightly different mission.
They needed to find the Prince of Wales Pub.
After all, if you're representing the Prince of Wales Lodge, photographic evidence is mandatory.
Fortunately, Ben's Welsh heritage and local knowledge proved invaluable, and before long we had located our destination.
Then something unexpected happened.
A local police officer spotted what they merry gang were up to, happily agreed to take our photograph, promptly removed his own helmet, placed it on Giles’s head, and jumped into the picture himself.
Absolute legend.
One of those completely unplanned moments that becomes a lasting memory.
The sort of thing you could never organise but will laugh about for years.
Even Metallica Went Welsh
As if the evening couldn't get any better, Metallica treated the Cardiff crowd to a version of "Delilah" that had the entire stadium singing along.
It was gloriously Welsh, delightfully unexpected, and went down an absolute storm.
For a few minutes, one of the world's biggest heavy metal bands became honorary members of the Welsh tourism board.
It Must Be Something in the Welsh Air…
As if one Prince of Wales Lodge connection to Wales wasn't enough, the same weekend saw Bro Jason and his wife Sarah enjoying a concert by one of Wales's most famous musical sons — the legendary Sir Tom Jones.
While Ben, Giles and Jen were joining 76,000 Metallica fans in Cardiff, Jason and Sarah were singing along to classics from a performer who has been flying the Welsh flag around the world for more than six decades.
So it seems the weekend wasn't just about heavy metal; it also featured a healthy dose of Welsh musical royalty. Whether it was Metallica performing Delilah in Cardiff or Sir Tom Jones captivating another crowd, the Prince of Wales Lodge family managed to find Welsh connections wherever they went.
Perhaps we're all honorary Welshmen at heart!
The Next Stop on the Prince of Wales Rock Tour…
And just when you thought the Prince of Wales Lodge Summer Rock Tour couldn't get any louder, the next adventure is already booked.
This coming weekend, the famous "3 + 2" expedition team — Ben, Charles, Annie, Giles and Jen — will be heading off to see Def Leppard. Another iconic band, another packed stadium, and undoubtedly another attempt to locate something connected to the Prince of Wales Lodge for an obligatory photo opportunity!
No doubt there will be plenty of stories, a few laughs, some questionable singing, and enough classic rock anthems to keep us talking well into the next Lodge meeting.
So keep an eye on the website and our social media channels, because the next instalment of our increasingly legendary summer of rock is coming soon.
The headbangers are still at it, the Prince of Wales Lodge banner is still flying proudly, and the best part is that we're making memories together every step of the way.
Def Leppard, we're coming for you... watch out for the next blog! 🤘🎸
From Stadiums to Garden Parties
But while the summer gigs are creating fantastic memories, there is one event we're particularly looking forward to.
Our Prince of Wales Lodge Garden Party on Saturday 18th July.
What better way to continue our summer of friendship, music, laughter and community spirit?
As advertised on our flyer, the evening promises:
🎵 Music and entertainment
🍔 Great food
🎯 Games and activities
🎁 Raffles and prizes
🔥 A campfire and fireworks
🤝 Friendship and fellowship
And most importantly, an opportunity to bring together family, friends, neighbours and members of the wider community for a genuinely enjoyable summer evening.
The event will also continue something that sits at the very heart of everything we do as Freemasons: supporting worthwhile causes and helping our local community.
Serious About Life
One thing these blogs seem to demonstrate is that Freemasonry isn't simply about what happens inside the Lodge room.
It's about friendship.
It's about shared experiences.
It's about creating memories.
It's about supporting one another through life's challenges and celebrating life's successes.
Whether we're presenting charitable donations to local hospitals, supporting mental health initiatives, attending a rock festival, singing along with Metallica, or enjoying a summer garden party under the stars, the common thread is always the same:
People.
Good people enjoying life together.
So, if you spot Prince of Wales Lodge members at a major summer concert somewhere across Britain, don't be surprised.
The headbangers are clearly at it again.
And while the music may get louder, the friendship keeps getting stronger.
See you at the Garden Party on 18th July.
And if you hear someone shouting "Master! Master!" across the campsite, don't worry...
They're probably talking about Metallica.
...probably. 🤘🎸🤘
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