The Lodge of Uniformed Services No. 9911 Trafalgar Dinner Saturday 28th September 2024.
Back in March 2024, Worshipful Brother Bob Erett, who was the Senior Warden of the Lodge of Uniformed Services, was aware that he would almost certainly be installed as Worshipful Master at the installation in the following September. He decided to commence arrangements for a rather special event. The lodge had held a mess dinner in September 2023, under the mastership of W. Bro. Chris Blackshaw, ProvGChap. That was a wonderful event and Bob knew that he would have to come up with something special to match it.
He came up with the idea that a Trafalgar Dinner might go well. He had served in the Royal Navy in his younger days, but had never experienced such an event. He was aware, however, that “out there in the big wide world,” there would be individuals and groups who would have all of the answers.
Bob put out the word that he wanted to hold this event and asked the lodge members if they would support it. He was heartened with the response and the decision was made to go ahead with the planning.
Worshipful Brother Richard Cowie was his first port of call and what an inspired call it proved to be. Richard knows a thing or to about organising events and he asks the questions that do not occur to anyone else.
So where would we hold this extravaganza? After some research and checking out, the Castle Green was selected. It was not possible to find a venue to hold the dinner at the time of Trafalgar Day, (21st October), but that didn’t matter. We took the view that we could hold it when it was convenient to us.
A booking form was distributed to lodge members and others whom we thought might be interested. Bob “found” a lady who is a serving Naval Officer through the Cumbria Armed Forces Breakfast Club. Lieutenant Commander Danielle Hopkins RN was contacted and asked if she would be interested in attending the dinner. She accepted immediately and the invitation was formally made to her and her partner, Commander Paul Maddison RN. Danielle has considerable experience of organising similar events and she readily provided a lot of extremely interesting information and advice which was gratefully received and which we followed.
Another individual was a Worshipful Brother Andrew Ellis, who lived in the South of England. Andrew is fascinated by Naval history, in particular Lord Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar. A couple of phone calls with him resulted in his making available a lot of wonderful artwork which could be used in several ways at the dinner. His artwork was very well received by those who subsequently attended.
Worshipful Brother Bob Reeves constructed a wooden mast so that we could hold the ceremony of sunset at the end of our evening. Mrs Debi Caunce supplied candelabra, and seat covers which would enhance the appearance of the dining room. Worshipful Brother Bob Wareham of Pro Patria Lodge (West Lancashire), volunteered to play his bugle and Worshipful Brother Richard Cowie would be the piper for the evening. Very Worshipful Brother Keith Young printed the table mats which were laminated by Mr Phil Wood. Keith also produced the place cards.
Eventually, after much booking in, arranging of the seating plan, the day arrived. Dinner suits and medals were the order of the day. Guests started to arrive, all looking smart and ready for a formal evening. A champagne reception provided the opportunity for old friends to meet up and for those who were new to our lodge functions to make acquaintances, which could lead to friendships.
Among the guests was our new Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Brother Nick Wilson and his wife Kate. They quickly got into the mood of the evening and they clearly enjoyed it.
The Worshipful Master and his lady, Carol, entered the dining room to the tune, “The Baren Rocks of Aden,” played by the Piper. He welcomed everyone and introduced the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master and Mrs Wilson, followed by the honoured guests from the Royal Navy. He then explained the purpose of the dinner and what would take place during the evening. Then it was time for the evening to really get going.
During the meal, vignettes of the Battle of Trafalgar were read by various diners. Miss Niamh Erett, the Worshipful Master’s granddaughter read the first part. Niamh is a third year student at Lancaster University where she is studying history. The second part was read by W. Bro. Andrew Chappell, the Senior Warden of the lodge. He served in the Royal Navy as an officers’ steward. He was followed by W. Bro. Jimmy Burgess, our unofficial military historian. During Jimmy’s reading, W. Bro. Chappell provided an unscripted recording of a broadside fired from HMS Victory. It was so effective that he did it twice. The final part was read by Brother Mike Wilde, another former member of the Royal Navy, who has served on the Royal Yacht Britannia. He did some ad-libbing as well and the general consensus was that the presentations had been delivered in fine stile.
After dinner, the loyal toast was taken seated in true Naval style. Then we all stood for the first verse of the Nation Anthem. The Worshipful Master introduced the guest of honour, Commander Paul Maddison RN. A brief resume of his naval career to date showed what an interesting individual he is. He is an engineer, with many relevant qualifications to his name. He then addressed the assembly with an interesting and witty speech which held the audience’s attention as it should. As he completed his speech, he proposed the toast “to the immortal memory.” This he did with the decorum due to the memory of Vice Admiral Viscount Horatio Nelson, the greatest naval commander in the history of this country.
Immediately following that final toast, the ceremony of sunset took place. W. Bro. Bob Wareham played “Sunset,” on his bugle and Mr Philip Wood, who joined the Navy with our Worshipful Master back in 1958, lowered the White Ensign in time to the bugle call. This brought to an end the formal part of the evening. Guests moved into the lounge area for coffee and conversation and the general consensus was that the evening had gone rather well. In fact, a message received the following day from one lodge member and his wife reads, “Last night was one of the most amazing functions we have attended.” No further comment is needed.
