Teddy Bears Picnic
Saturday 1st July 2017 saw Hewlett Court in Ramsbottom host the Province of East Lancashire’s Teddy Bears Picnic to celebrate the Tercentenary.
The event was opened by the Provincial Grand Master, Sir David Trippier and the comedian Jimmy Cricket. It has to be said that Jimmy Cricket has not lost his touch. He was very funny and stayed after the opening to mingle with the crowd and children.       A thoroughly nice chap.
The grounds of Hewlett Court were filled with amazing stalls for the children; name the teddy, remote control boats, sweet stalls and an enormous BBQ. Teddy bears were being given away. The fire service attended with one of their fire engines, the children from Holcombe Brook Primary School choir sang over the P.A. system and further music was provided by the Greater Manchester Police Band and the Lancashire Fusiliers Band.
All the Districts of the Province were represented along with the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Assistant Provincial Grand Masters and District Chairmen.
The grounds were packed with children, Masons and more importantly non-Masons creating a fabulous atmosphere. This, in my opinion, has been one of the events of my Masonic career that showed us at our best. An awful lot of effort was put in to organising the event and everyone mucked in from the newly initiated Masons right through to the Provincial Grand Master. It was marvellous.
Special thanks have to be given to the Secretariat and Hewlett Court staff for organising this event and to all those who were there from silly o’clock in the morning. I’m not going to start naming folk as I will miss people out but a big thank you to you all.
What a good do.
Leigh Rickett , Bury District Communication Officer