Chingford Area Masonic Social Group

Goodwill Lodge of Instruction Christmas Dinner and Dance - 2006

The Goodwill Lodge No.7904 held its Lodge of Instruction dinner and dance on Friday 1^st December, 2006 at the Chingford Masonic Hall.   It was certainly well attended to include John Webb PGM and his good lady Diane along with many members and guests, wives and partners enjoying the dinner and festivities.  W Bro Bob Urch was on form and exuberating his familiar high energy output to make the evening go with a swing.    Everyone sat down to a meal of pate, steak and kidney pie, and baked apple, and fish or other meals for those with special dietry requirements.   During the meal, everyone were entertained by “Two’s Company”, Bro Neil Carson (Chingford Lodge No.2859) on guitar and vocals, accompanied by Deb’s a female vocalist singing the traditional Christmas songs and carols during the meal.     

Bob Urch had certainly organised the whole evening superbly even to refereeing the stewards with his whistle,  which was blown regularly to summon the appointed stewards of each table to perform tasks of selling raffle tickets, handing out festive crackers and hats, gifts for the ladies and men, and disposable cameras for each table to take photographs of the occasion. 

There was the traditional visit from Santa Claus (aka W Bro Ted Page) to hand out Christmas gifts to the ladies.   After dinner, there was a special presentation to Dougie, one of the waiters and a member of the staff of Hall’s Catering, who on reaching the age of 74 will be retiring in a couple of weeks, and the Worshipful Master of Goodwill Lodge, W Bro Nigel Guttridge made a special presentation to Dougie, who thanked everyone for their kind support and generosity during his time at the Chingford Masonic Hall.

At the Race Night on the 29^th September, 2006 held at the Chingford Masonic Hall, funds were raised for the “Brainwave Charity”, and on that evening a pledge was made to donate £1000.00 to them by W Bro Bill Gunary APGM.   

The PGM John Webb was pleased to fulfil that pledge in the form of a cheque for £1000.00 payable to The Brainwave Charity, which was gratefully received by Gerry Gould the local co-ordinator for the Charity and she responded with a few words of sincere thanks for the kind generosity shown by the members who meet at the Chingford Masonic for their donation to the Brainwave Charity.

The Worshipful Master W Bro Nigel Guttridge proposed the loyal toast followed by one to the visitors.    W Bro Nigel also thanked W Bro Bob Urch for organising such a successful evening. 

With no expense spared, the cabaret was professional magician Terry Herbert, who certainly knew how to use his magic on the PGM John Webb with a few tricks by borrowing from him a £20 note which was put in an envelope and shredded, and the PGM’s watch, at which he looked horrified when it was smashed to pieces by Terry, but like all good magicians, both the £20 note and the watch were fully restored by magic to much applause.

Terry Herbert is one of England's foremost Comedy Cabaret Magicians and was voted as such by the famous Magic Circle in London, and his cabaret spot was very funny involving plenty of audience participation.  

The tables were then moved to the sides of the hall to make room for dancing, and “Two’s Company” provided music to dance to for the rest of the evening   and not forgetting the raffle, with many prizes being donated.

All in all it was a fun packed evening, and with the cost of £28 per ticket, it was good value for money and everyone went home in a seasonal festive mood after such a well organised Christmas Dinner and Dance.

photographs top: Two's Company, left: W Bro Bob Urch, right: PGM and Gerry Gould:  bottom left: PGM and Terry Herbert.    article by W Bro Allan de Luca

Allan de Luca – Fiducial Lodge No.8753