3rd Degree ceremony

At the regular meeting of Mike Hailwood Lodge on Sept 18^th 2010, we were delighted to welcome MHL members and many visitors from far and wide, including numerous brethren of Arthur Stanley Lodge (and other Isle of Man Lodges). In addition, we were honoured to have RWBro Michael J Price visiting as an Honorary Member of the Mike Hailwood Lodge.

We were pleased to see so many brethren in the Temple to see Bro David Hailwood being raised to the sublime Degree of a Master Mason, and after opening and conducting the first part of the ceremony, WM WBro Tim Carter invited WBro Ian Quayle (WM of Arthur Stanley Lodge) to take the chair, from where he conducted the remainder of the ceremony assisted by his Isle of Man brethren, before WM returned to the Chair to conclude Lodge business and close the meeting.

As is usual practice, Mike Hailwood Lodge have a ‘white table event’ once annually, and while the brethren were in the Temple, WBro Chris Hallam kindly entertained our ladies and guests with a floristry demonstration.

More than 80 brethren, ladies and guests dined, including 15 who had travelled from the Isle of Man for the occasion. We were especially pleased to welcome Mrs Pauline Hailwood to Rugby for the first time, as well as RWBro Michael Price and his wife Dawn.

After a sumptuous Festive Board, the brethren were entertained by Bro David Thomas, a newly made brother from Stivichall Lodge and a professional singer, and due to generous gift donations and hearty support from those present, the raffle raised £369 in aid of Acorn Children’s Hospice (www.acorns.org.uk), who provide care and support for children and young people who have life limiting or life threatening conditions. Acorn is currently supporting nearly 600 children and 800 families, including those who are bereaved, across the heart of England and we are sure our donation will be well received.

A good evening was enjoyed by all, and we look forward to welcoming brethren, ladies and guests to future Mike Hailwood Lodge events.

The next regular meeting of Mike Hailwood Lodge will be in January 2011, when WM WBro Tim Carter will install his elected successor. We look forward to seeing you there.

2^nd Annual John Maris Memorial Run 2010 

The 2^nd memorial run dedicated to the memory of the late John Maris was held on Sunday 9^th May 2010. Organised by the Warwickshire branch, this annual ride to Stone in Staffordshire is proving to be popular, with an increased number of bikes this year (29), mostly Guzzis, some with pillions and members from the Mike Hailwood Lodge. We set off from The Shilton Arms with a wave from Joan Maris & ‘Bonnie’ in glorious sunshine. We think John had a word with ‘the boss’ as the weather the previous day was cold and wet!

            The route is a mix of town and country roads and one and a half hours later we arrived safely at our destination where more Guzzis were waiting to meet us. At The Star pub the votes for ‘Best Guzzi of the day’ were counted and Paula the landlady presented the John Maris Memorial shield to Guy Wain of the North Staffordshire Branch for his excellent Spada 1000. We were all made very welcome at the pub where food was laid on for us all. The collection for the Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance raised £75,well-done folks!

            A big thank you to everyone who attended for their support and an extra big thanks to Tim & the lads & lassies from the Leicester branch for their constant enthusiasm and visits to our meetings. John would be chuffed.

1st Degree ceremony

Mr. Martin Humphrey was initiated into Freemasonry in a well-performed and well-attended ceremony on Saturday 17th April 2010. We wish Bro. Martin every success and hope he enjoys Masonry and the Mike Hailwood Lodge.

Michael Adams awarded Warwickshire Provincial Honours

W. Bro. Michael Adams was made Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden at the Consecration of the Michael Price Lodge on Friday 9th April 2010. Congratulations, Mike! 

Banner Dedication

The Lodge Banner was dedicated at a special Emergency Meeting of the Lodge on Saturday 6th March 2010. R. W. Bro. Michael Price, CBE was in the Chair for the majority of the ceremony, and a good number of Provincial Grand Officers were present. Everything ran particularly smoothly and over 70 Brethren sat down to dine at the Festive Board.

Installation Meeting 2010

The installation of Bro. Tim Carter as Master of the Mike Hailwood Lodge took place on Saturday 9th January 2010. The ceremony was especially well-performed by all participants and was well attended by both the Brethren of the Lodge and numerous visitors from far and wide, including some of our friends from the Isle of Man who also became joining members of the Lodge during the ceremony. The Festive Board, also well attended, was highly enjoyable for all. We look forward to W. Bro. Carter's year in the Chair.

The Isle of Man trip

A thoroughly enjoyable time was had by all who attended the meeting of the Lodge in Douglas, Isle of Man on Saturday 26th September 2009. We were made very welcome by the Brethren of the Arthur Stanley Lodge No. 3732. David Hailwood, son of Mike Hailwood, was passed to the Second Degree in a well-attended and well-performed ceremony, and the Festive Board afterwards, attended by ladies and non-Masons as well as the Brethren, was excellent, with after-dinner entertainment from a George Formby tribute artist. Some of the Brethren had a ride around the Island on the Saturday and Sunday mornings, others of us followed (led?) on four wheels. We saw a superb collection of vintage bikes and some spectacular scenery. A very big thank you to our Brethren on the Island, and to W. Bro. Glyn Evans for organising the trip.

Report on the trip by the Worshipful Master, W. Bro. Michael Adams

How does one set out to describe what was a wonderful experience? What should one highlight when everything is worthy of mention?

The trip from Rugby to Liverpool, with Phil Culverwell in Peter Wright’s Jaguar. This went smoothly thank to Peter. The Bikers had arrived shortly before us and were booking in when we arrived at the docks.

The Boat ride to Douglas, very smooth and of course we had our Bacon Butties, a bit more expensive than Louis but very acceptable.

We were met on arrival by Worshipful Brother Fred Adlem and his team. (With petrol for one Biker who had run out!!)  He advised us on Parking and arranged for a meet later for a visit to a photograph exhibition set up by one of the Island’s well known Photographers. Here we saw many very interesting photos and watched a film of early Douglas Achievements in the 1920s. I think I was the only one present who had ridden some of those models, age does have its benefits!  I also saw pictures of the Travelling Marshal’s Triumph Thunderbirds some of which I tested when at Triumph in 1956 (more later). The owner said he was sure he had some photos of me riding in the 1955 Manx Grand Prix, he would have a look!

The evening meal at the Terminus Pub was superb: reasonable price, large portions, and someone ordered an extra Large Fish! Was it Paul Wright who had a starter first! All ended well and the meal was enjoyed by all.

We went then to the Masonic Hall to see the Temple and meet some of the local brethren and were made so welcome by all we met.

There we met Andy Hare about whom I am sure each one of us has a story!

And so to bed.

Saturday.

We met at the Masonic Hall for a rehearsal, our candidate for the ceremony Brother David Hailwood was on his was to Liverpool on his Ducatti, someone said a Ducatti would probably break down but he got there!

The Ceremony and Festive Board went so well, everyone enjoyed it.

David gave us all a lapel Pin which was put on the tables before the meeting, some disappeared leaving one or two members without one. Such a shame! It is special for those MHL members who came to wear when we meet.

Half way through the Festive Board I was presented with some photos of me riding in the 1955 Manx GP (45 years ago!!) This really knocked me back, I don’t think I was much use after this surprise, I hope I didn’t say the wrong things!

I think everyone went home happy looking forward to the next day.

Sunday started with a full breakfast, Damn the Diet!  We then went to the Sound to see seals etc. following which we enjoyed a light lunch put on by the ladies.

Goodbyes were said and we went for the boat, we got there early and thought, first in first off --- no such luck we were put right at the top and were last off!!

The trip back to Rugby can be summed up in a few words.

We hate Liverpool, no road signs and those we saw were a waste of space. The trip on the motorway in Peter’s hands was again comfortable and smooth, thank you Peter.

My dog was pleased to see me!

In all, an experience not to have been missed, will there be another? Keep your eyes on Glyn Evans and Fred Adlem!

The Classic Moped Run.

Bright and early one Sunday morning not so many weeks ago I set off, with numbers 1 and 3 (having 6 it’s easier by number than name ), of my children to Buckinghamshire.

On arrival we were greeted by the ever friendly ‘Pikey’ who did the best thing he could at that time of the morning and retreated to his ‘motor home’ and put the kettle on.  We finished our beverages and after getting changed I set off on the ‘Lodge Bike’, clutching the map of the route.

After about 20 minutes I got to a junction with a very busy road and soon realised that I may have taken a wrong turn!  Just then another moped turned up, which I was quite glad about, as I was not the only person to have got lost.

Off we both set going back the way we came until we could find a sign-post.  We then, I believe were on the right road.  

It then became quite apparent that the bike wasn’t running as well as it should as this other moped was disappearing into the distance.  This was enhanced by the fact that glorified push bikes with motors were whizzing past me!!!!

On I carried until once again I was lost!   Off I got to try and work out where I was and to have a well deserved cigarette break!  (I had now been out for about an hour and a half). 

Again I set off and before long more mopeds were coming passed me, at least I was again on the right route, or we were all lost.   Once again before long these became dots on the horizon and I was alone.

After many more wrong turns I began to recognise the scenery.  It appears I missed a turn and instead of being near the end of the circuit I was actually near the start.   Frustrated, I again turned around to make my way back to the start, about a mile away.

I thought great, I’ll be back in a few minutes to have a well deserved cup of tea. 

How wrong can you be!!!!   Stutter, stutter, stutter, the bike ground to a halt.  To cap it all I had now run out of petrol.   I got off and got out my phone to make the embarrassing call only to realise I had a large amount of missed calls.   Apparently people were missing me!  

So now I am a mile from where I should be, no fuel, no signal on my phone, pushing the bike.  Eventually I got to a spot where I had a signal and made a few phone calls. One to my wife, one to Pikey and one to my dad.   Before long help arrived in the name of Dad and Michael Adams, who brought me some fuel.   Off I set again and I made it back to start.

I was followed back by the duo, at a maximum of 20 m.p.h!!!!!!!  It was then decided that none of us had a spare six hours to complete the other 2 circuits so there it ended.

To sum it up, a great experience on the Lodge Bike but a combination of a lack of sign-posts, next to useless instructions and the fact that I ran out of petrol led to a frustrating day.

My thanks must go to all of the sponsors who accepted my efforts and generously donated over £1300.

P.S.  UNLESS THE BIKE IS FIXED I WON’T BE VOLUNTEERING NEXT YEAR!!!!!!! 

 W. Bro. Paul Wright