Leominster families with pre-school age children will be welcomed to the new programme of nature play sessions beginning this summer at nearby Queenswood Country Park & Arboretum thanks to a grant from Herefordshire Freemasons to Herefordshire Wildlife Trust.

The £41,386 grant will support Herefordshire Wildlife Trust’s three-year Nature Tots programme, run by their WildPlay team, which will run weekly term time sessions for families with children under the age of five, living in Ridgemoor, Grange, Gateway and Barons Cross areas of Leominster. In these areas, where families can be economically marginalised, some children can face impacts such as poorer or delayed development, limited opportunity for physical activity (including time outdoors in nature) and barriers to outdoor play.

The sessions will include physical and sensory activities such as playing with the mud kitchen, den building, bug hunting, woodland walks and making mobiles, crowns or tree decorations from natural materials. There’ll be nature-themed storytelling and healthy snacks cooked on the fire at each session.

The programme will support development of social skills like making friends and teamwork, alongside personal skills like attention, problem-solving and curiosity. The Trust follows the principle of child-led play and staff will respond to the children and families’ interests and develop the programme accordingly.

The funding will make a significant difference in the lives of children and their families by supporting the children with improving social skills and personal/independent skills, improved confidence and being more physically active. It will allow enable parents to grow their confidence in playing with their child outdoors.

The grant from Herefordshire Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.

Herefordshire Wildlife Trust’s Nature Tots officer Rosa Fernandez said:

“We’re very grateful to Herefordshire Freemasons for their generous grant. Research shows that a poor socioeconomic position can lead to inequalities from an early age. This project will give families a chance to connect with nature, play together as a family and community and develop skills that will support them throughout their children’s early years.”

J Stuart Jones Deputy Head of Freemasonry in Herefordshire said:

“I’m really pleased we’ve been able to help the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust with their hugely important project. In today’s world many children simply don’t get experience of the natural world and all the advantages that come with it. The Trust is introducing them to nature study, exercise and all the fun that can be had playing in the countryside.”

Members of the Widows Sons Masonic Bikers Association, including brethren from the Taurus Chapter in Herefordshire, were proud to support a memorable charitable initiative in aid of Comic Relief.

Radio 1 presenter, Greg James, undertook an extraordinary challenge for Red Nose Day, cycling approximately 1,000 kilometres across the United Kingdom over eight days on a tandem bicycle. His journey commenced in Weymouth on 13th March and will conclude in Edinburgh on Red Nose Day itself.

On Saturday 15th March, the Widows Sons MBA were invited to assemble at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, to form a guard of honour to welcome Greg James as he arrived at this stage of his journey. In response, approximately 100 motorcycles gathered, representing numerous Chapters from across England and Wales.

Despite the date coinciding with Mother’s Day, the Taurus Chapter was well represented, with six members in attendance, including the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master for Herefordshire, RW Bro Michael T Holland, who is also a member of the Chapter.

The Taurus contingent assembled in Hereford before riding to Ross-on-Wye, where they paused briefly at Wilton Garage for refreshments, before continuing on to Malvern. Upon arrival, they were joined by brethren from Chapters including Worcestershire, Meridian, Hallstone, Oxonians, Merlin, Wyvern and Brygstow, together with others from further afield.

As is so often the case within the Widows Sons, the atmosphere was one of immediate camaraderie, with both familiar faces and new acquaintances coming together in a shared spirit of friendship and brotherhood.

At the appointed time, members formed a guard of honour along the entrance roadway, mounted on their motorcycles with engines running and red noses in place. Greg, unaware of the reception awaiting him, was visibly surprised and delighted as he passed through the assembled riders, greeted by the sound of engines and horns in a fitting and enthusiastic welcome.

Following his arrival, members gathered near the temporary studio, where photographs were taken and a cheque presentation was made. This was conducted by the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master for Herefordshire, RW Bro Michael T Holland, alongside the Deputy Provincial Grand Master for Worcestershire, W Bro Del Padmore, and W Bro Greg Kirby, National Chairman of the Widows Sons Masonic Bikers Association.

After further informal interaction with Greg James and the Radio 1 team, members returned to their motorcycles to escort him out of the showground as he continued his journey north.

The event was a resounding success and clearly enjoyed by all involved. It served not only to support a most worthy charitable cause, but also to highlight the strength of fellowship within the Widows Sons and the wider Masonic community.

At its core, the Widows Sons Masonic Bikers Association remains firmly grounded in Freemasonry, with brotherhood, charity and mutual support at the heart of all it undertakes.

The Taurus Chapter extends its best wishes to Greg James for the remainder of his journey and congratulates him on his efforts in support of Comic Relief.