Doric Ride Again

By WBro Derrick Lorimer

Our Worshipful Master, WBro John Ferguson announced at his installation that during his term of office Doric Lodge will be concentrating on Fun and Charity. Little did we know how much fun we were about to have on Saturday 23^rd June 2007. All 110Km of it! At one of our committee meetings earlier in the year it was announced by our Brother Secretary that Lodge De Troffel in Hengelo, Holland, are having a meeting for St Johns Day. “It’s a Feldloge or Field Lodge, something which is a fantastic Masonic meeting in the woods to celebrate the life of St John the Baptist.” Then the Worshipful Master announced that he wanted maximum attendance and that we would be going by, BIKE!!!!, its only about 120Km. In the end it was slightly shorter, 110Km!

WBro Klaus Schäpering, who organised Doric’s last trip to the Neuhaus Installation, was tasked with finding a flat-ish route from Osnabrück to Hengelo. The Route took us to Ibbenbüren, Rheine, Saltzbergen, Schüttorf, Bad Bentheim, Guildehaus, the Dutch Border, De Lutte, Oldenzaal, then onto Hengelo.

We were cycling in aid of our Worshipful Master’s Charity, Cancer Research. WBro John’s wife Jennifer is on the mend after treatment for cancer, and we would all like to take this opportunity to wish her a speedy recovery.

We Started at 0700, the weather was cold and overcast, but soon turned to cold and heavy rain so the first 30Km we were cold, soaked and beginning to look like blue prunes. About 10Km into our trip, Bro Tim Hopkins blew a tyre on a bit of glass, Bob Garrett commented that he was trying to get out of the next 100Km, only for Bob to blow a tyre 500m later. The problem was Tim had the Tom Tom with the route in it. Not to worry, Brother Baz Prosser, the Worshipful Master and Bro Sammy Campbell knew the way. The fast group went off, which left myself, WBro Tam Nelson WBro Klaus Schäpering and Mr Paul Ferguson to trundle along at the back.

The Support Bus was driven by Mr Paul Thompson, who had a store of Mars Bars, Bananas and isotonic drinks, to revive us every 10 to 15Km, with Brother Scotty Cochrane Piping us into each stop, its amazing the lift you get when you hear the bagpipes. Bob and Tim and Bro Tony Davies, who stayed to help Tim and Bob, eventually caught us up and we all stopped at the Dutch Border for photos, my Boss wanted a photo of me at the Border before he paid!! We then headed over the Dutch Border and onto Hengelo. 7½ hours after starting we all arrived safe and sound at Lodge De Troffel.

We were met by the Worshipful Master of Lodge De Troffel Brother Gerrit Barneveld, who took us into the Lodge for some well earned coffee. We were then covertly taken to the woods by our hosts for the FeldLoge. The Brethren of De Troffel had set up a dining area, with open log fires and cauldrons of Hungarian Goulash; there was even a farmer’s trailer full of various beverages. We were greeted and introduced to all our Dutch Brethren. It was threatening to rain. 

We were called forward to the FeldLoge in honour of the Holy St John the Baptist, to a rather interesting and extremely wet explanation of the 1^st Degree Tracing Board, unfortunately the heavy rain persisted and the meeting was called off. It was a real shame, as lot of work and effort was put into the meeting by the Brethren of De Troffel. We went back to the dining area and proved that nothing can dampen the spirits of Brethren enjoying their Freemasonry, a Festive Board in the woods and each others company.

We were all presented with a white rose. The colours of roses have a Masonic meaning; red denotes wisdom, white strength and Yellow beauty. The white roses are presented on St Johns Day, to show the strength of the brethren. Hopefully the weather will be better next year, so we can visit Lodge De Troffel’s unique Masonic ceremony, but the next time we might just travel by car.

The Riders

WBro John Ferguson, WBro Klaus Schäpering, WBro Tam Nelson, WBro Bob Garrett, WBro Derrick Lorimer, Bro Sammy Campbell (Thistle and Saltire No1040), Bro Baz Prosser, Bro Tony Davies, Bro Tim Hopkins, Mr Paul Ferguson.

Admin Team

Bro Carl Whitfield (Thistle and Saltire No1040), Bro Scotty Cochrane (Bagpipes and Morale), Mr Paul Thompson (Bus)

If you would like to donate any money to this worthy cause please contact Doric Lodge Secretary who will give payment details.

Bro Carl Whitfied, (Thistle and Saltire 1040), Mr Paul Ferguson, WM WBro John Ferguson, Bro Sec WBro Bob Garrett, IPM, WBro Klaus Schäpering, Chaplain WBro Tam Nelson praying for clear weather.

At the Border and getting the Piper to pipe us in!

Frau Flach makes a donation

We reached de Troffel in Hengelo at last!