Five of Nine Club Victorious in Battle again!

Saturday 9th June 2018 saw our 2nd club Annual Paintball Event at NPF Bassets Pole, Birmingham. 

It saw our members, family and friends join together in order to take on our opponents for the day. Once registration was complete, we were issued our battle gear, our ammo and then came the most essential item - our weapon of choice.  

Some of the team choosing to upgrade weapons, purchase paintball grenades and flash-bangs we could see that our team meant business and were taking no prisoners! After being assigned to the Blue team, it was goggles on and straight into the battlefield. 

The battle commenced, the blue team played very strategically, our members working together and on occasions being some of the last men standing. So it went on, battle after battle, the humid weather, the sweat pouring from us, and the sprints to the enemy base taking its toll.   

Shots were taken to the head, back, torso, legs and arms throughout the day mounted with the bruises clearly visible on our team. Being hit from a distance was painful enough but being shot at point-blank range was an experience which we would never want to repeat in a hurry. 

After a brief break in play for lunch, it was straight back on to the battlefield. Our weapons reloaded and our ammo topped up it was straight back into the action. 

The final points game saw the blue team securing its position within the Wild West area, our team member being protected from the enemy fire within the centre of the play zone. The enemy quickly being taken out until our team was the last standing. 

A resounding win from the blue team on the day with the red squad accepting final defeat. 

The last game of the day was every team for themselves, joining with other groups from the day's paintball action. 

With paintballs flying from every direction it was difficult to tell friend from foe. With smoke grenades filling the game zone and with a no-kill policy we advanced on our enemy releasing every last piece of ammunition. 

Hit with the enemy and friendly fire the casualty rate had grown at the end of the match. The marshals too being casualties from both sides. Battered and bruised walking away we reflected on a fantastic day spent with great friends. 

An experience for us all but most importantly meeting up with old friends and making new ones on the way. A brilliant day had by all and something which we hope to repeat for a future event.
 

Alderson House: Masonic Educational Event

Saturday 17th March saw the Five of Nine Club being educated! A contingent of members attended the truly fantastic Alderson House for a presentation from two very experienced Mason's. We were even joined by some fellow Brethren all the way from Lincoln.

It truly is a gem of a Temple, hidden in plain sight, on one of the main streets in Warwick. An imposing building with plenty of parking, despite the narrow streets nearby!

W. Bro Howard Smith ProvJGW and W. Bro Ian Hart PProvSGW gave excellent presentations and anecdotes on why the Lodge is as it is! They covered from why the carpet is so designed, to the various histories and workings, to the Aprons and Ranks. 

Ian especially shared his experiences of being a very long serving Tyler, both of individual Lodges and also Province. He shared an excellent overview of the roles, history and the experience that Tyler's bring. While not "in" the Lodge, they shouldn't just be remembered, but treasured!

They fielded a number of questions from the attending Brethren in an "all the things you wanted to know but were afraid to ask" session after the presentations, giving Brethren chance to widen their knowledge.

The day was rounded up with a fantastic Brunch sandwich, courtesy of the team at Alderson House. 

Our thanks both to Peter and his team and of course to the presenters Howard and Ian for their open, insightful and exciting presentations.

The 5 of 9 Club will be providing a number of these educational events throughout the year, so keep an eye out for future mailings to further your Masonic knowledge.

Dib Dib Dib: Five of Nine Club go visiting!

Saturday 10th February saw the Five Of Nine Club go visiting!

Freemasons Hall, Bristol is a truly stunning building and a real "hub" for Masonry in the area. The substantial exterior opens onto an impressive high ceiling reception area where we were greeted and made exceptionally welcome by numerous members of the Scoutcraft Lodge.  

Along with the sumptuous surroundings, it was obvious the effort and dedication of the members of the Lodge, under the guidance of W Bro Phil Wills, the Worshipful Master. With 60 Brethren in attendance, it was a superb ceremony in splendid surroundings and all from a Lodge that was only consecrated a year ago! Truly exceptional.

If you have not witnessed Bristol Workings, it would be spoiling the spectacle to reveal too much. Needless to say, there were many differences and quirks, with nods to ancient workings and a fair few surprises for even experienced Masons, let alone the candidate! 

We were honoured to be at the initiation of Brother Butters. He gave an excellent account of himself in a superbly directed and performed ritual. It was more extensive than our Warwickshire (Emulation) workings and with a greater emphasis on the Worshipful Master who conducted his team splendidly and performed some excellent work. It was wonderful to see such an obviously close-knit and dedicated Lodge welcoming their new Brethren, supported by a number of the Provincial team.

After the ceremony, we were treated to a tour of the hall and its many rooms by the Club Secretary of our Bristolian counterparts for New and Young Masons, the Dunkerleys. The respect and pride in their facilities were obvious by the fantastic commentary and history provided with a nod to the Brethren who personally assisted in the maintenance and restoration of the rooms and the furnishings. 

Along with a truly splendid and plentiful lunch (I am certain there were some passengers napping on the way back!) and fantastic speeches we were also treated to a Bristolian "Yell". The Scoutcraft Lodge hold their heritage dear and the after meeting (festive board) is no exception. 

It truly was a superb day, from the atmosphere and surroundings, the splendid Temple, presentation of ritual and the total fraternity of the Lodge, their visitors and guests.

Experiencing the Bristol workings was far more than a day out. It's a must-see and we're looking forward to a return visit on the Five of Nine Calendar.