On Friday evening, 2nd June 2023, at the 322nd regular meeting of the Old Wellingburians’ Lodge No.5570, a “Rescuing Party” from the Old Kimboltonians’ Lodge No.7204 consisting of The Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Mark Constant; WBro Bob Turner (Master elect) and Past Masters, WBros Robin Hitchcock and Steve Kingan successfully claimed the Federation of School Lodges `Travelling Gavel`. The OW’s had had the gavel in their care since August 2022 when they attended the annual Festival at Bradford School, beating the OK’s who were the next most represented school lodge.
OKs Past Master RWBro. Mark Constant, PGM is delighted to receive the `Travelling Gavel` from OWs Worshipful Master Philip Warr
The intention of the “Travelling Gavel” is to encourage visiting between the members of the Federation of School Lodges. At the annual festival of the Federation the Gavel is presented to the lodge that has most Brethren in attendance (other than the host). This lodge will then display the Gavel at the Festive Board of its regular meetings. Any member lodge may “rescue” the gavel by attending a regular meeting with a party of members of at least three.
Front left; WBro. Robin Hitchcock, OWs JW, WBro Jerry Higgins, RWBro Mark Constant, PGM, OWs WM Philip Warr, OWs SW, WBro. Peter Tyldesley, WBro. Steve Kingan, WBro Bob Turner
The OK’s first rescued the Gavel in 2021, at the Federation meeting in Bath hosted by Kingswood School from the Old Giggleswickians Lodge (North Yorks) who visited Kimbolton in the following December to deliver it. The Gavel was subsequently rescued by the Old Wilsonians’ Lodge (Surrey) in February 2022 at the OK’s regular meeting in Mark Masons’ Hall.
The OK’s will be taking the Gavel to Southend for the next Federation meeting in August 2023, but hoping to bring it home to Kimbolton, where the Federation meets in August 2024. It should also be noted that, our Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Mark Constant will be succeeding the Deputy Grand Master, RW Bro Sir David Hugh Wootton as President of the Federation of School Lodges at that meeting.