The partnership between Eastnor Lodge and Ledbury Rugby Football Club is celebrating the continued growth of its Services Breakfast Club, which brings together veterans and members of the Blue Light Services in a welcoming and informal setting.
With attendance continuing to rise, the club has become an increasingly valued meeting point for people to share experiences, build friendships and maintain the sense of camaraderie associated with service life.
Ledbury RFC says the partnership is about more than simply supporting a breakfast gathering for the local Armed Forces and Blue Light communities. It represents a shared commitment to bringing people together, recognising the contributions of veterans and other service personnel, and creating opportunities for community connection.
The strengthened relationship between Ledbury RFC and Eastnor Lodge Freemasons demonstrates what can be achieved when local organisations work together to support the wider community.
The Services Breakfast Club meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 9:00am, and new members are always welcome.
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.
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.
