And to yourself, by such a prudent and well-regulated course of discipline as may best conduce to the preservation of your corporeal and mental faculties in their fullest energy, thereby enabling you to exert those talents wherewith God has blessed you, as well to His glory as to the welfare of your fellow creatures
One of the significant benefits of being a member of the Masonic fraternity, is the way in which we can engage in a variety of activities. With over 1,100 members, the range of shared interests is substantial. Not all shared interests become official clubs, for example, a Saturday afernoon at Ashton Gate will see a number of Masons greeting each other in the bar, supporting the rugby or football.
The clubs and societies on the next few pages give an insight into the benefits of being a member of the Craft.
Bristol Masonic Golf Society
Welcome to all Golfers
At present we have over 45 members of the BMGS with handicaps ranging from 1 up to 36. Some are members of local golf clubs, but some are not. This does not stop us from joining together to play in the many games that are organised from April through to October.
We arrange matches, both home and away, against other provinces, including Monmouthshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset, and Cornwall, as well as organising our own internal competitions.
We negotiate society packages at most of the clubs in and around Bristol. Although our Inter Provincial matches are for Bristol Masons, all the other competitions are open to guests and none masons.
At the conclusion of all games, we enjoy a meal together, where prizes are usually awarded.
The cost to become a member of the society is only £20, which covers administration and the cost of having the trophies engraved. Our final event of the season is always a visit to the captain’s lodge, where we might present a cheque to the Provincial Grand Master.
- Our winners so far this season have been:
- Douglas Marshman Tankard – David Elliott and Phil Nichols
- Don Foster Shield – Mark Foster
- Clive Farrow Trophy – Geoff Lambert
- Lodge Team Competition Winners were Bristol Golfing Lodge – Drew Huskisson and Arthur Grannan
- Bristol Golf Champion 25 – Geoff Lambert
- Match against Gloucestershire MGS played at Chipping Sodbury GC, was a win for Gloucestershire 4 and 3
- Match against Cornwall at Oake Manor GC which Bristol
- Match against Somerset at The Bristol
- Match against Wiltshire at Raglan GC
- Match against Monmouthshire at Raglan
We hold an annual golf competition between the neighbouring provincial counties. This year it was played at the Long Ashton Golf Club in extremely hot conditions with the winners this year being Gloucestershire.
For further information then please contact:
Secretary – Arthur Grannan
206 Down Road
Redcliff Bay
Portishead
BS20 8DG
Tel. 01275 845976
Mob – 07751195219
Bristol Masonic Classic Car Club
2025 began as always with Drive-it day, on 27 th April this year kindly organised by Chris Cook. Meeting at the Masons arms Thornbury, driving through Gloucestershire, across the Severn, heading south and ending at the White Hart Inn, Newham.
The next event was our annual visit to Higham Court on 5 th July. Organised by Gloucestershire Freemasons, this fantastic event attracts around 300 cars each year. Well supported by members of BMCCC. A great family day out with lots of attractions.
Car and Motorcycle Fest and Family Day organised by Province of Bristol took place at the Clifton Rugby Club on 17 th August. Around 175 cars attended in total, including a good number of BMCCC members. Cars, Motorcycles, food, drink and music attracted around 800 visitors. A very successful day.
Bristol Clay Shooting Association
All levels of Clay disciplines, English Sporting, Trap, Skeet, FITASC and games shooters alike are welcome.
Each year a team of unlimited members is entered by Bristol into the National Masonic Clay shooting
Society (NAMCSS), which is held at different Provinces throughout England (there is also an international held each year).
A newsletter is produced regularly detailing up and coming events, score sheets from events, Captains
column, members input, individual profiles, Items for sale, team clothing plus Q&As.
The society is continuing to grow and is free to join. Everyone is welcome to join us and enjoy the shooting and companionship including nonshotgun certificate holders who can come along and try the sport out with any of the members.
We are also in the process of trying to raise a ladies team, so if you know of any ladies who would like to shoot please let us know.
For more information please contact:
W. Bro Mike Parsons
Tel: 07850 018011
Email: mike.parsons246@hotmail.com
Bristol Masonic Widows Association
A Year of Friendship and Fun for the Bristol Masonic Widows Association
The Bristol Masonic Widows group has enjoyed a full and varied programme over the past year, filled with laughter, companionship and memorable experiences.
Highlights included a delightful day trip to Sidmouth (yes, the sun did shine on us for once!) Later in the year we received an invitation to the Area Meeting hosted by the Salisbury group. Several of our members took the scenic train journey and thoroughly enjoyed the event and the camaraderie it offered.
Our monthly meetings are always something to look forward to. We’ve had a wonderful mix of speakers who have kept us entertained with stories that were fascinating, funny and sometimes downright bonkers – but always brilliant.
VE day brought out our patriotic side, with a themed lunch, a sing-a-long that would have made Vera Lynn proud and plenty of flag waving to mark the occasion.
Looking ahead we are proud to be hosting the South West Area Meeting in Bristol this October and look forward to welcoming fellow widows groups from Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire and beyond.
We meet monthly at Park Street, beginning with coffee and conversation followed by a speaker or entertainment and finishing with lunch. Our group is built on friendship and support, and we warmly welcome any Masonic Widows who may wish to join us.
For more information, please do not hesitate to get in-touch we would love to hear from you.
Hazel McLauchlan tel: 07847588578 Email: hazel.mclaochlan@icloud.com
Jeanne Hake tel: 07817799505 Email hjeanne@hotmail.co.uk
Armed Forces Social Club and Eyes On Hands On (Commonwealth War Graves Commission) On – Masonry in the Community
The connection between Masonry and the Armed Forces has recently been highlighted recently across UGLE during the QC in Sep 2024. ‘Freemasonry and the Armed Forces in the UK share a long and intertwined history, characterised by mutual respect, shared values, and significant overlapping membership. This relationship is founded on common principles such as discipline, loyalty, service, and fraternity.
‘Freemasonry has longstanding traditions deeply rooted in its principles and history. This relationship has evolved over centuries, reflecting our commitment to philanthropy and community support. Moreover, Freemasonry resonates deeply with the concept of “Brothers in Arms”, a term that symbolises the
enduring bond shared by millions of veterans.
‘This connection highlights the profound commonality between Freemasons and the Armed Forces Community, a bond forged through shared values, experiences, and mutual respect.’ Within Bristol we are still growing our Armed Forces network, but we do feel that we are making some good connections across the local community, and we have been involved in a supporting local Veterans and the continued support for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
WBro Lee Bushby (The Saint Paul Lodge 6400) had the honour of representing the Province during the inaugural National Freemasons’ Service of Remembrance, where we laid a wreath for Bristol Province.
