The Third Annual District Garden Party

Sunday 29th July 2018 saw the Grand Superintendent’s District Garden party, the third of such events which has very fast become one of the much anticipated highlights of the 'Masonic Off-Season'.

Whilst the gathering may not have gone off with a bang given that it had rained all day, the first rain that had fallen since early June, the ardour of all those who attended could not be dampened in the slightest! District members, their wives as well as members of other masonic orders from the Province of Surrey arrived just before mid-day and took their places in the shelter of the several gazebos placed in the picturesque surroundings of Jack’s garden in not so sunny Chilworth. A number of the more delicate souls decided to stay in the shelter of the kitchen and prepare themselves for the food with nibbles and drinks.

Once the barbeques had been lit beneath another gazebo by those renowned masterchefs, Ian Parsons and Miguel Godfrey, things began to buzz as the preparations for the meal began to take affect. Within an hour or so, the numerous and delicious salads and cold meats that had been prepared and presented in the dining room, along with venison sausages, fillet steaks and succulent pork sausages, had been consumed, as had the gateaux and desserts which followed. It’s amazing how much fifty people can consume in such a short space of time! Although the rain peristed, the intrepid visitors could not be deterred; it seemed that the food had made all present extremely thirsty!

After a good few beers more had been quaffed along with a few more cases of wine, the Grand Superintendent caught his guests at a weak moment where raffle tickets were sold. Wallets and purses were opened and an empty ice-bucket filled with money, all donations being sent to the Order’s Centenary Pillar Fund the monies for which are to fund the procurement of premises for the Order. A considerable sum was raised at the event for the Pillar Fund. The grateful thanks of the District Grand Superintendent is extended to all those who attended.

The tenacity of a number of the attendees should be recognised as, due to a charity cycle event, many of the roads between London and Chilworth had been closed. We should perhaps doff our caps to Chris Cradock whose journey included a two-and-a-half hour crawl from Fulham to Hammersmith Bridge followed by a further ninety minutes thence to the venue! All those who know Chris are aware of his tenacity and determination but this shows just how far (and how slowly) he is prepared to go to meet his obigations! Given the issues encountered with the cycle event, next year’s Garden Party has already been set for Saturday 27th July 2019 so get that date marked in your diaries and schedules NOW!

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