Saturday 1st November 2025 was a truly memorable occasion for Tollesbury Lodge No. 4738 as the lodge celebrated its Centenary and 844th meeting — a wonderful milestone marking 100 years of Freemasonry in Tollesbury.

It was a privilege for TLC Essex to be part of such a special day. Our sincere thanks go to W.Bro Rob Stone (PM) for the kind invitation to attend and to receive a donation on behalf of the TLC Teddies Appeal. Big Ted and I were delighted to be there alongside the RW Provincial Grand Master, RW.Bro Paul Tarrant, and members of the Provincial team to share in the celebrations.

The meeting also included a proud moment for the lodge when the Secretary, W.Bro Tim Whipps, received a well-deserved Field Promotion to Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden (PPSGW). Congratulations Tim — a fantastic recognition of your service.

In keeping with the spirit of the occasion, the brethren of Tollesbury Lodge showed their generous support for TLC Essex. W.Bro Rob Stone (PM) and W.Bro Graham Poulter (PM & Lodge Membership Officer) had already raised £600 for the appeal with the support of the lodge members. The lodge then very kindly added a further £500 to the total.

Not content with that, W.Bro Graham Poulter also made a personal donation of £500, asking for it to be credited to the lodge.

This brought the total donation to an incredible £1,600 — enough to fund over 750 TLC Hospital Teddies for children across Essex.

A magnificent contribution from a wonderful lodge celebrating a historic milestone.

Thank you Rob, Graham, and all the brethren of Tollesbury Lodge.