It’s always a pleasure to visit Henry de Gray Lodge No. 6627, but this year they’ve given us more than one reason to celebrate!

Back in June, I had the honour of presenting the Lodge with a TLC Essex Patron Certificate to mark a £783 donationto the Appeal. The original donation was going to be £500 — a generous sum in itself — but when the brethren learned that their Secretary, W.Bro Barry Abbott-Trangmar, had completed a tandem skydive while on holiday, they had a whip-round and boosted the total by £283.

It didn’t end there.

When I mentioned that TLC Essex was organising a fundraising skydive, six brethren from the Lodge — including Barry — bravely volunteered to jump from 12,000 feet at Headcorn Aerodrome to raise money for TLC. Their courage and commitment paid off, with the team raising over £2,000 between them!

So it was with even greater pleasure that I returned last Saturday to witness a very enjoyable Installation Meeting, and to present the newly Installed Master, W.Bro Jamie Barton, with a Silver Patron Certificate on behalf of TLC Essex.

Their continued enthusiasm and support is a shining example of how Masonic friendship and fun can achieve real, meaningful impact — one bear (and one jump!) at a time.

Thank you, Henry de Gray Lodge. You’ve truly earned your wings. 🪂🐻