Another episode of Royal Edward on tour.
As a follow up to a visit to Minehead in September 2022 by VW Bro Colin Bendon, W. Bro John Higgs and Bro Paul Watkins to see our old friend W. Bro John Patching a long-standing member of Royal Edward for many years, who did the chair three times as well as many other offices. He also served as the Vice-Chairman during the major refurbishing of the Temple at Avonmouth between 1998 and 2001.
Over lunch in the Duke of Wellington, the idea was born with John to arrange for a party once again from Royal Edward to pay a visit his lodge at Minehead (Exmoor Lodge) in 2023.
So, on Thursday 20th April, the advance party of VW Bro Colin Bendon – W. Bro John Higgs – Bro Jason Bamford and our excellent driver Bro Paul Watkins commenced our journey. After stopping for lunch at The Hood Arms in Kilve, we travelled on to our superb accommodation at the “Glendower House B&B” then completed our scouting mission by sampling further refreshment in the Duke of Wellington during the afternoon. We were then joined at Exmoor Lodge by W. Bro David Langley and Bro Peter Ebioke.
We were given a very warm welcome by all the members and of course they were really delighted to see W. Bro John Patching. He was given a seat next to VW Bro Colin Bendon and RW Bro Ray Guthrie, Provincial Grand Master for Somerset and a great time was had by all.
At the Festive Board the Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Ray Guthrie thanked all the attending members of Royal Edward for all their efforts in arranging this very happy event and making possible the return to the lodge of W. Bro John Patching who has been unable to attend due to health problems with his wife Ruth and latterly W. Bro John himself.
W. Bro John Higgs JP PPDSwdB
