New Haw & Woodham Midsummer Event 2010 Three days short of Midsummer's Day, one could reasonably expect a nice warm day. Not so. Generally cloudy, but sadly lacking in sunshine between the clouds, the Midsummer Event had the Coveham Masons huddling in their fleeces and jackets, the only real warmth being that with which visitors were received. Thankfully, the rain that often threatened, never materialised. The Event took place at Heathervale Park, and the Coveham team joined dozens of others erecting tents, gazebos and marquees all over the field. Eventually the Coveham display was completed, luckily before the general public were allowed in.

  Coveham's display this time was fourfold, based loosely on that used last year at the 2009 Cobham Heritage Day, but
  with several improvements, both to the displays themselves and to the hardware involved. Last year, for instance, a
  vast, unwieldy and extremely heavy stand had been used for one display, and a sigh of relief was heard from everyone
  when a good home was found for it afterwards. Instead, a folding display some six feet square had been beautifully
  constructed by W.Bro. Alan Kirby, and used to display a variety of assorted (and colourful) Masonic regalia. This
  section included a selection of Masonic jewels which got a lot of interest.


        


  Using mostly prints from the Grand Charity's poster file, a montage was constructed round the central brochure, which
  gave some indication to the public of the large amounts of money given outside Freemasonry, including among many
  others such items of local importance as the Surrey Air Ambulance Service. Brochures were available in this section
  detailing these donations and the many other aspects of Freemasonry.


                      


  A further small section was dedicated to a collection of secondhand books, free to the public, though a donation of 50p
  per book was suggested, towards the relief of the Darfur disaster. 

         The area that attracted the most interest was the quiz section. 


                        
  

  Entry was free, and people were invited to identify eighteen famous Freemasons from their photographs and from an
  easy clue to each. The prize was not only a litre of Scotch, but the donation of £50 to the charity of the winner's
  choice. During the day there was rarely a moment when there wasn't a cluster of people gathered round the display,
  some confused, some sure of the answers, and even several small family committees.


                        

  As only the Secretary and his Assistant knew the answers for sure, the contest even had members of Coveham Lodge itself
  trying to get it all right, as with Bro. Mark Oliver, helped by his daughters.


                        


                 Many entries were received, but only one lucky winner managed to get all eighteen correct!



  Grateful thanks are due to those who contributed time and effort both in the concentrated preparations, and to all those
  who turned up to help out on the day. It was an splendid combined effort from many members of the Lodge as well as an
  excellent opportunity to meet the public and promote Freemasonry. Now we start planning the stand for the next Cobham
  Heritage Day on September 11th. See you there!




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Last updated 26 June 2010