Province of Herefordshire

Author: Will Bevan

  • Liam’s Last Ride

    Liam’s Last Ride

    A Final Journey We Will Never Forget

    On Thursday 16th July, the biking community came together in Hereford to accompany Liam Curtis-Moore on his final journey and give him the send-off he deserved.

    In the days before the funeral, Taurus appealed for riders to join the procession. We hoped around 50 bikes might attend, but none of us knew what to expect.

    As the morning went on, motorcycles and trikes continued to arrive. Widows Sons members travelled from Chapters as far away as East Kent, Sussex, Devon, Cheshire and Bedfordshire. They were joined by the Valley Commandos MC Powys, local motorcycle groups, independent riders and members of the wider biking community.

    There were cruisers, tourers, sports bikes, 125s and trikes. It did not matter what anyone rode or where they came from. Everyone was there for the same reason: to honour Liam and support Jennifer, the children and the rest of his family.

    By the time everyone had gathered, between 115 and 120 bikes and trikes were present. It was an incredible and humbling sight.

    Taurus Sergeant-at-Arms Billy Russell welcomed the riders and thanked everyone for attending. He then handed over to Taurus President Jim Turpin, who outlined the plans for the procession before delivering the Biker’s Prayer.

    Joseph Dignam worked alongside stand-in Road Captain Steve Craig to organise the riders assisting at junctions and roundabouts. Together, they coordinated the movement of more than 100 motorcycles and positioned them near Liam’s family home, ready for the arrival of the funeral cortege.

    Billy Russell and Jim Turpin then travelled to the funeral home and had the honour of escorting Liam through Hereford. A Sargeants bus accompanied the hearse, representing Liam’s friends and colleagues.

    During the journey, the cortege passed Liam’s fellow bus drivers and a line of buses displaying the words:

    “In Memory of Liam Curtis-Moore.”

    When Liam arrived at the road where the motorcycles were waiting, bikes lined both sides of the street. As the hearse passed between them, engines were revved in his honour.

    Jennifer, Liam’s children and the family then joined the cortege, followed by the assembled bikes and trikes. As the procession crossed Greyfriars Bridge, motorcycles filled both northbound lanes, creating a sight none of us will ever forget.

    Billy Russell and Jim Turpin continued to lead Liam to the doors of Hereford Crematorium. Inside, the chapel was packed, and Liam’s family did him incredibly proud.

    For Taurus, it was a privilege to help organise Liam’s final ride and support his family on such a difficult day.

    We offer our sincere thanks to every rider, Chapter, motorcycle group, colleague and member of the public who helped make the day so special.

    It was a true display of respect, friendship and brotherhood.

    Ride High, Liam.

    You may no longer ride beside us, but you will always ride with us.

  • Local Support for Ross Community First Responders

    Local Support for Ross Community First Responders

    Vitruvian and Ariconium Lodges as well as Vitruvian Chapter from Ross-on-Wye worked together to provide funding of £1,500 for Ross Community First Responders (CFRs) which will be used towards the ongoing costs of uniforms, medical equipment and vehicle costs. This is just one example of the local support given by Herefordshire Lodges to their local CFRs.

    The Community First Responders across Herefordshire are a focus charity this year for Herefordshire Freemasons who have already donated two vehicles through the Arrive Alive charity as well as 100 bleed kits that the Herefordshire based CFRs have installed in defibrillators across the county.

  • Herefordshire Freemasons support Herefordshire Wildlife Trust’s three-year Nature Tots programme

    Herefordshire Freemasons support Herefordshire Wildlife Trust’s three-year Nature Tots programme

    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.”

  • Local Freemasons Ensure Life-Long First Aid Skills for Hereford and Worcester Army Cadets

    Local Freemasons Ensure Life-Long First Aid Skills for Hereford and Worcester Army Cadets

    Last Sunday saw the formal handover of first aid equipment to the Hereford and Worcester Army Cadet Force (ACF) at the county Training Centre in Besford, Worcestershire. This was a joint initiative between the Freemasons of Herefordshire and Worcestershire, who funded the equipment through a grant to the Hereford and Worcester Army Cadet Force Charitable Trust. The equipment will ensure all cadets have access to realistic, high-quality, and hands-on first aid training resources.  

    The equipment consists of resuscitation dolls/CPR manikins and anti-choking training aid vests, that will improve the realism and quality of First Aid training. The manikins will be distributed to detachments across Herefordshire and Worcestershire ensuring every cadet has access to practical CPR training. The choking vests will be held centrally for use during collective training events and instructor courses. There are around seven hundred cadets across Herefordshire and Worcestershire supported by around one hundred and thirty adult volunteers, who can all take advantage of the new equipment.

    First aid is a lifelong skill with real world relevance. Cadets can progress on to First Aid at Work qualifications. The importance of this training was demonstrated last year when a cadet received an award for providing life-saving assistance at a road traffic accident.

    The handover event was attended by the Heads of Freemasonry in Herefordshire, Michael Holland, and Worcestershire, Stephen Wyer, accompanied by their Deputies. They were greeted by the Chair of Hereford and Worcester Army Cadet Charitable Trust, Col (retd) D Head MC, and Lieutenant Colonel Gary Newbrook, the Deputy Commandant of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Army Cadets.

    Following a demonstration of the equipment by the cadets and adult volunteers, the formal presentation took place where Col Head spoke about the useful skills learned in the cadets that can be transferred to everyday lives and help the community at large.

    Col Head said:

    “Your generosity is deeply valued. Your support strengthens a local youth organisation rooted in service, discipline and community. Most importantly it helps young people access experiences that can shape their confidence, character and future opportunity.”

    The Head of Freemasonry in Herefordshire commented:

    “We are delighted, in conjunction with the Freemasons of Worcestershire, to provide training aids that will help the ACF Cadets gain knowledge and hands-on experience, which will enable them to build confidence and develop transferable skills that can be applied in future employment opportunities, everyday life and service within the community.”

    The formal presentation of the equipment is the culmination of the aligned vision of Freemasonry, the ACF Trust, and the Army Cadet Force, and is one of the highlights of the celebration of Armed Forces Week in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

  • Loyal Hay Chapter Donate to Hay in Wye Dial-A-Ride

    Loyal Hay Chapter Donate to Hay in Wye Dial-A-Ride

    Loyal Hay Chapter recently donated £500 to Hay on Wye Dial-A-Ride.  Established in December 1994, the charity helps overcome transport problems for their members, young or old, with disabilities of all kinds and also those who simply do not have access to a car or to public transport as long as they are living within a 9 mile radius of Hay-on-Wye.

    Their aim is to help customers maintain an independent lifestyle, reducing loneliness and social/rural isolation and enabling residents to feel part of a thriving community. They are more than just a transport service, access to health and community services is a vital part of physical and mental health and wellbeing.

    The picture shows E Comp David Gwynne presenting a cheque to the Chairman and Team of Hay Dial-A-Ride