Category: News
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Local Lodges Support Girlguiding Volunteer’s India Project
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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.
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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.
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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.
