LADIES FESTIVALS
On 12th March 1976 a Ladies Festival was held at the Paviour’s Arms, Page Street, London, SW1, with W.Bro J.D.MacGregor in the Chair as President. It is believed that this is the first occasion that the Lodge has held such a function, and as the Sister Lodges of the Public School Lodges Council do not, in the main, hold Ladies Festivals invitations were sent to the Worshipful Masters and Secretaries; in addition, W.Bro MacGregor, in visiting Sister Lodges during his year as Worshipful Master, was also able to extend invitations. The Sister Lodges were represented at the Festival by St Edwards, the Leys, Bedford, Repton, and Malvern. At the last moment representatives from the Old Alleyian Lodge, Old Westminsters Lodge, and Old Pauline Lodge were unable to be present. Messages of good wishes for a successful evening were received from thirteen other Sister Lodges.
The Lodge was represented by W.Bro J.D.MacGregor (WM), W.Bro J.B.Bramwell (Chaplain), Bro George Seddon (Steward) who acted as Toastmaster, W.Bro J.A.F.Miers, W.Bro E.P.Wilmot-Morgan (Inner Guard & Master Elect), W.Bro Seymour Robinson, W.Bro H.F.Waddy (Secretary), W,Bro T.P.Jewell (IPM), Bro M.N.B.Kipping (Steward), and Bro P.S.Hammerson (Steward). Other Old Cheltonians present were W.Bro S.P.B.Way and Mr P.M.Haines.
The guests were received by the President and his Lady, and a total of 63 sat down to dinner consisting of Coupe Florida, Filet de Sole Mornay, Saute de Poulet with Pommes de Terre Duchesse, Haricot Verts and Carottes au Beurre, Tarte aux Pommmes a la mode with Glace vanille, followed by coffee – all at a cost of £3.81 per head.
After the Loyal Toast, W.Bro J.A.F.Miers proposed the Toast to College and the first and last verses of the Holiday Hymn were sung by members of the Lodge in traditional style. An etching of College, dated about 1880, was raffled and won by W.Bro Clifford Vincent, secretary of the Old Bedfordian Lodge; every attempt to persuade him to sell the picture proved unavailing!
Every Lady received a present of a decorated glass cake dish, kindly made available by Bro M.N.B.Kipping, and the Toast to the Ladies was proposed by W.Bro E.P.Wilmot-Morgan to which Mrs Lynda MacGregor replied.
The Toast to the President was proposed by W.Bro T.P.Jewell and W.Bro MacGregor responded.
After dinner the floor was cleared for dancing to music played by the “Premier Band”, and a tombola was held for many prizes presented by members of the Lodge.
The Old Marlburian Lodge kindly loaned their set of Public School Lodges’ flags which were placed on the Sister Lodges’ tables; College ribbon decorated the other tables and the Lodge silver was placed on the top table.
The organising committee consisted of W.Bro J.D.MacGregor, W.Bro E.P.Wilmot-Morgan and Bro P.S.Hammerson, with W.Bro H.F.Waddy acting as adviser under duress.
A major success was scored by Marguerite Waddy who managed to obtain a tombola prize on her cloak-room ticket and still retrieve all the coats for the guests in the party.
A profit of £84 was achieved, and of this sum £40 was presented to the Cheltonian Society, the remainder being kept in reserve for a future Festival. Tickets were sold at £7 each or £13 a pair.
On 11th March 1977 a Ladies Festival was held under the Presidency of W.Bro E.P.Wilmot-Morgan, also at the Paviours Arms with Bro George Seddon as Toastmaster.
The menu consisted of Melon Frappé, Filet
de Sole Bonne Femme, Carré d’Agneau Roti with Pommes Croquettes and Petit Pois
au Beurre, followed by Glace Chocolat au Rhum et Raisin.
The toast to the Ladies was proposed by W.Bro H.F.Waddy, to which Mrs Wilmot-Morgan replied, and the toast to the President was proposed by W.Bro J.D.MacGregor (IPM).
On 10th March 1978 the third, and last, Ladies Festival was held, again at the Paviours Arms, under the Presidency of W,Bro Gino Bonetti, the Toastmaster on this occasion being W.Bro Seymour Robinson.
The menu consisted of Paté de Foie, Créme d’Asperge, Dindonneau Rôtie à la Chipolata with Pommes Rôties and Choux de Brouxelles, followed by Pudding à Anglaise.
The toast to the Ladies was proposed by W.Bro J.D.MacGregor, to which Miss Elizabeth Crook replied, and the toast to the President was proposed by W.Bro E.P.Wilmot-Morgan (IPM).