North Hampshire Freemasons
On March 23, 1922, the town of Aldershot was granted a Royal Charter of Incorporation as a municipal borough.
The person who was instrumental in launching the bid for this status was Cllr Arthur Herbert Smith, founder and first master of Palma Virtuti Lodge.
He was chairman of The Aldershot Incorporation Committee, which included five other Palma Virtuti Lodge founders.
What a unique claim to fame – that the founding master of Palma Virtuti Lodge should, within little over a year, also become the very first first citizen of the borough of Aldershot, its mayor.
It is also interesting that the local MP at that time, Viscount Wolmer, had been the inspiration for the lodge name a year before, Palma Virtuti being the Latin motto ‘Reward is to the Brave’ of the Selborne family, of which he later became the 3rd Earl.
In a connected but wider context, Aldershot Freemasons were keen to mark the town’s incorporation in a special way, and a magnificent gold gilt and enamelled borough mace was commissioned, having been subscribed to by Freemasons of the borough.
It was presented to Aldershot Borough Council’s mayor on November 5, 1924 by John Bowers of Unity, Peace and Concord Lodge No 316.
The inscription read ‘The Gift of the Freemasons of Aldershot, Unity, Peace and Concord Lodge No 316 (2nd Bn The Royal Scots), Panmure Lodge No 723, Aldershot Camp Lodge No 1331, Aldershot Army and Navy Lodge No 1971 and Palma Virtuti Lodge No 4187’.
The borough mace became a well-recognised and distinctive feature of every civic meeting, ceremony and procession until the borough of Aldershot merged with the urban district of Farnborough to create the borough of Rushmoor in 1974, when it was adapted slightly and was again present at every council meeting.
Rushmoor Borough Council was never able to forget that its perpetual symbol had been gifted by local Freemasons, who then continued to be involved in the local community as councillors for the next 100 years, and on December 5, 2024 it held a reception to celebrate the centenary of the donation of the mace, to which a representative from each of the five original donor lodges was invited.
Duncan Lilley, who heads the local Freemasons, his area chairman, Nigel Edwards, and their lodge representatives paraded into the council chamber behind the mayor, Cllr Mara Makunura, and the official mace bearer, Chris Todd.
Mr Lilley later addressed the gathering and gave a short history of how the mace came to be donated by local Freemasons 100 years ago, including displaying one of the actual letters of thanks that were sent to the contributing lodges at the time.
The evening provided an ideal opportunity for the councillors to hear how Freemasonry had been integrally linked with the community through the service given by Freemason councillors over the years, as well as the gifted, ever-present, ceremonial mace.
Bake, Natter and Roll Farnham WI
December 19 saw the last 2024 meeting of Bake, Natter and Roll Farnham WI and the members ensured that the year ended on a high with a party that had dancing, wonderful food and excellent company.
The evening started with a quick run through of Bake, Natter and Roll business followed by the pulling of crackers so that we began our Bollywood dancing with a bang.
We were lucky to have Suzie to be our dance instructor for the evening and teach us a Bollywood dance routine.
Suzie had done research to ensure the accuracy of the Indian hand gestures and all the dance moves that she taught the members.
Through Suzie’s marvellous teaching and encouragement she somehow got us all to dance the same moves at the same time with various levels of skill and enthusiasm, but oh we had such fun.
The delicious cakes and bakes were created by Janette and Gill; Gill even did some Indian bakes, with additional cakes provided by Val and Barbara.
After the drawing of the wrapped raffle by Suzie, best wishes for Christmas were given to all, and hopes that we will all be back at the next Bake, Natter and Roll meeting on January 16 in the Small Hall, The Spire Church, South Street, Farnham, at 7.45pm for an 8pm start, when we will be visited by the team from The Hygiene Bank.
For more information please visit our website farnhamwibakenatterandroll or email [email protected]
Concord Oddfellows
A west Surrey and north-east Hampshire based friendship group is encouraging older adults in the area to try something new in later life.
Concord Oddfellows, a group of around 450 mostly retired local members, organises a variety of events and activities in and around north-east Hampshire and west Surrey.
District secretary Steph Hopes said: “As well as our popular coffee mornings, we like to arrange things that people might not have done before.
“It’s never too late to try something new but we know people sometimes need some inspiration or someone to do it alongside.
“We’ve a ready-made set of friends who are all eager to keep life interesting by having a go at new and interesting activities. You never know – you might just find your new favourite pastime with us.”
Newcomers are invited to try one of the group’s upcoming events, which include our regular coffee and conversation sessions at The Oatsheaf in Fleet, The Bush Hotel in Farnham and the West End Centre in Aldershot.
We also have regular speakers at our monthly talks in Farnborough, we host a Camberley Dine Around each month, and provide food at our popular book club in Fleet. New events include pottery painting and tenpin bowling. Events happen in Woking and Guildford too.
Steph added: “You don’t have to be a member to try us and there’s no pressure to sign up straight away. Come and see if our group’s for you first.”
Concord Oddfellows is part of one of the UK’s oldest and largest friendly societies. It aims to improve people’s lives through friendship and support.
As well as social events, Oddfellows members can access a wide range of benefits, including care and welfare support and a travel club. There are also opportunities to volunteer and play a part in fundraising initiatives.
To receive a free information pack and a diary of Concord Oddfellows’ upcoming events email Steph on [email protected] or call 07312 115323.
Greater Alton Project
The most recent donation from the Greater Alton Project Tuesday coffee morning was made in November, the recipient being Stop Domestic Abuse.
Two project workers received a cheque for £500 from regular customer Di Wright. The money was to be spent on Christmas decorations and activities for the women and children.
Music at the Pottery
Music at the Pottery, organisers of the live music event at The Farnham Pottery in Wrecclesham, held its special Christmas show on December 20.
Run by local musicians Peter Crutchfield and Jim Cozens, the popular monthly event features the very best acts in the local area from all musical genres.
Profits from the shows are donated to Farnham charity Creative Response, which provides arts-based workshops for people experiencing mental health, learning and physical difficulties.
The organisers were pleased to present a cheque for £3,100 to Kathryn McManus, chief executive of Creative Response, at the show.
Music at the Pottery has a host of excellent musical acts already booked for its events in the new year and looks forward to continuing its association with the charity.
Farnham Theatre Association
Apologies! We are so sorry that it is some months since we sent out a Farnham Theatre Association Newsletter.
Because we need to keep you in touch with our cause for more and better theatre for Farnham, having viewed our current situation we have decided to issue regular news sheets rather than our large illustrated newsletters.
We will send these news sheets via email and these will also appear on our website at https://www.farnhamtheatre.org.uk/
On October 8 we met at the Daniel Hall for our annual general meeting and were pleased to welcome a group of enthusiastic supporters.
During the formal part of the meeting Anne Cooper was re-elected as chairman and Abigail McKern was re-elected as a director. Anne was sorry to have missed this meeting due to husband David being taken ill on the day.
Peter Hunter reported that Farnham Theatre Association’s financial situation remains stable, boosted now with the residual funds from community interest company Performers Together, which has sadly closed.
Farnham Theatre Association is now a member of the Society for Theatre Research, and our contact details have been placed on its website, with A Tale Of Two Theatres advertised.
We have produced a new leaflet celebrating the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Redgrave Theatre to accompany a similar one on the history of the Castle Theatre.
In the open session, lively discussions revolved around the humorous suggestion of ‘the drama of Brightwells Yard’ and the interminable wait for the opening of the retail area.
This prompted an article in the Farnham Herald to which we responded with a letter debunking any notion that this was a serious idea.
Nevertheless, our genuine plans for a Redgrave exhibition in the yard are on hold until the yard is finally opened.
Further debate ensued over the general standard of theatre being offered to the young, particularly in Farnham, and the lack of opportunities to present quality theatre to residents.
Anne Cooper’s chairman’s report was read by Abigail McKern and finished with this statement: “The door to the future of theatre in Farnham is open here, not closed.”