Sopwell House provided the sumptious back drop for The Cestreham Lodge Ladies Festival last Saturday (10th November 2018).
The Brethren, their beautiful Ladies and guests assembled and partook of a fantastic meal, fine wine and partied late into the night.
Here’s a gallery of pictures from the evening. There is plenty of room, so if you have good photos, please send them to me on derek@derekarmson.com
During the superb meal the President took wine with his guests, including The Ladies, his Children and his Personal Guests and members of other Lodges.
The (brief) speeches were made during coffee.
W.Bro Andrew Mais proposed a toast to the President with W.Bro Derek Armson responding as President.
He thanked his two Sons and Daughter for attending, as well as his personal guests. He also thanked everyone for being there to support the evening and reminded the attendees of the good causes being supported by way of The Troy Deeney Foundation, The Bucks Masonic Benevolent Fund and The Stroke Association.
Derek then called all the Gentlemen to the front of the room for the purpose of seranding the beautiful Ladies. The Ladies seemed to enjoy the sentiment if not the delivery 🙂
W.Bro Lloyd Jones then proposed a toast to the Ladies and a response was requested from Madam President, Jana Armson, Derek’s daughter.
Jana thanked the organisers and the venue before delivering an amazing tribute to Derek’s wife Alison who passed away in 2016.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
The mood was quickly lightened by the band starting the first of two incredible sets. Lost in Music are a local Hertfordshire band and play cover versions.
They had everyone up dancing right from the start and after their first hour a refreshment break was definitely in order.
The rousing second half of the show including songs by Abba, The Stones, The Beatles and many other favourites.
They finished with a superb version of Bon Jovi’s “Living on a Prayer”. Not one chair was filled as everyone got on the dance floor and sang their hearts out for the final number of the night.
Carriages were at 12.30 and a lot of happy people left Sopwell House with memories of a brilliant night.
It was a fantastic night in a wonderful setting. The food was outstanding, the wine and song superb and the company even better! A good time was had by all.
At the interval between the Band sets, W.Bro Malcolm Stockely conducted the raffle.
The prizes were many and varied and included tea for two, bottles of Scotch (well, Irish actually), chocolates and also a pampering session (which was thankfully won by one of the Ladies).
The star prize, a week in a luxury Florida villa for ten people, was won by a very happy Kate Iley. It’s particularly pleasing that this amazing prize has always been won by Lodge members or close friends. Thanks to Martin Fifield for arranging via his friend Reg.
Kate, Simon and family, have a wonderful time in Florida. If there are any spare places???
A personal message from Derek:-
I would like to say some “thank yous”. Firstly, to Martin Fifield, (even though he couldn’t attend) for dealing with the fine details of organisation. He’s good at that, I’m not!
To Sopwell House for providing a superb setting, delicious food and excellent service.
To David Russell for being M.C on the night. Great job, David and kept the evening moving along nicely. We’ll borrow a gavel from Lodge next time 🙂
To Andrew Mais and Lloyd Jones for proposing the toasts.
For my amazing daughter Jana for a stunning response to the Ladies toast, I think she made a big impression. To my Sons Marc and Ross for supporting this special event – thank you.
To Malcolm Stockley for running the raffle and helping raise £654 for my charities. Thank you so much, the charity effort means a lot to me.
To Andrew Ludlow for working with Sopwell House and the Band, and Nick Holden for sorting out the often complex finances of putting the event on.
And, finally to all the Brethren and friends of Cestreham Lodge for supporting such a wonderful evening.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
Derek
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