Saint George at Saint Michael’s 2008.
St. George’s Night has for many years been a favourite entertainment evening at the Lodge of St. Michael and the 19th April this year again saw Dagger Lane filled to capacity with our own Brethren, visitors from sister Lodges, ladies and gentlemen convivially dining on home made asparagus soup, traditional roast beef and Yorkshire pudding (with Julie’s delightful vegetarian options for the herbivores), apple pie, cheese and coffee. W. Bro Ladd, who acted as DC for the evening, submitted the toast to St. George. No-one expected it to turn into a dramatic enactment of the Knights of the Cross who rode in, swords drawn, along with their long suffering herald (W. Bro. Lynn.) The tale was narrated by Bros. Wheeldon and Wildman, and a fearsome battle ensued with St. George (Bro. Newlove) and the awesome scaly beast (Terry again) saving the princess (Malcolm Ladd) and the city from certain destruction. The dragon’s death scene was a masterpiece which Lawrence Olivier would have envied. There was not a dry seat in the house. The audience rose spontaneously in a magnificent rendition of “Jerusalem”.
Malcolm’s nicely enunciated “Mad Dogs & Englishmen” opened the second half of the entertainment, and Terry’s “Quite English you know” with top hat and cane poked gentle fun at the eccentricities of the Brits. Chris’s “Song of Patriotic Prejudice” (with polyglot interpolations from John) so amused W. Bro Stead that he almost fell out of his chair. John Wheeldon has received several requests to perform the Master’s and Ladies’ Song following his dynamic and beautifully controlled interpretation of “The Road to Mandalay”.
The wartime medley with the traditional Quartermaster’s Stores naming selected victims from the audience was well received and other old favourites were performed by all with gusto, Eddie pedaling the electric piano furiously as he tried to keep up. Even the Air Force were represented this time (“If we must,” said Malcolm,) in song to the theme from “The Dambusters.”
The Daggards’ sketch of Nelson on the eve of the Battle of Trafalgar seen in the light of modern day health and safety restrictions caused great hilarity: I was told afterwards that Marie Proudly had wept so many tears of laughter that she had to replenish her fluid intake by drinking three pints of lager, but this is probably not true.
St. George's Night, April 21st 2007.
The dining room and bar area at the Masonic Hall, Dagger Lane, looked splendid thanks to the collective efforts of W. Bro. Eddie Wildman, Lisa, James, Ashley and Bro. John Wheeldon the previous evening. Tables were set, candlesticks polished, serviettes folded, place cards and menus positioned, seating plans arranged (and re-arranged !) and flags flown. The Dragon took up her place in the bar area (no I'm not referring to Lisa) with George overlooking proceedings in the dining room. The finishing touches were added on Saturday morning with the flowers arranged by Linda Richards arriving.
The Ladies, Gentlemen and Brethren enjoyed a traditional English menu, toasts were submitted by the Worshipful Master, W. Bro. David Whittall, to Her Majesty the Queen and by W. Bro. John Stead to St. George after which W. Bro. Stead performed his rendition of the Jabberwocky.
Fundraising events were completed before the evening's entertainment continued as the Daggard Players, W.Bro's Eddie Wildman, Terry Lynn & Malcolm Ladd, Bro. John Wheeldon and Mr Chris Newlove, performed various patriotic and nostalgic songs as well as a short sketch featuring the Mason family enjoying a traditional English day out to the seaside. The evening raised a total of £402.50.
Toast to St.George A Day Out
Eddie "the Maestro" Wildman "For he is an Englishman"
Terry "Marie Lloyd" Lynn