The Taurus Chapter of the Widows Sons MBA recently held its long-awaited Hog Roast evening at Hereford Rowing Club — and what a tremendous success it proved to be.

Bringing together Widows Sons members, Freemasons, friends, families, non-Masons and children, the event welcomed a full house of 120 attendees for an evening centred around friendship, community spirit and charitable giving.

The event had been in planning since February, with the chapter’s social committee working hard behind the scenes to create an enjoyable and affordable evening for everyone attending. Originally capped at 100 tickets, demand quickly exceeded expectations and, after discussions with the venue, a further 20 tickets were released. These additional places also sold out, with the event reaching full capacity four weeks before the night itself.

The primary aim of the evening was to raise funds towards a special Taurus Chapter Christmas initiative later this year, which hopes to provide 60 Christmas dinners to individuals and families within the community who may otherwise go without during the festive season.

The evening also welcomed visiting brethren from several other Widows Sons chapters and associated groups, including Celtic Knights, Pilgrims, Worcestershire, Shropshire and South Wales, alongside supporters from across the UK.

Following the hog roast meal, a charity raffle was held, raising an impressive £770 alone. Combined with ticket sales and additional fundraising throughout the evening, the event generated nearly £2,000 towards the chapter’s Christmas fundraising target.

As the formal fundraising concluded, the evening continued with music, dancing and a lively social atmosphere which kept the dance floor full well into the night.

Members of Taurus Chapter expressed their sincere gratitude to everyone who attended, donated, supported the raffle and helped make the evening such a success.

The event once again demonstrated the strong community spirit that exists within the Widows Sons and Freemasonry alike — bringing people together not only for fellowship and friendship, but also to make a positive difference within the wider community.

The Taurus Chapter of the Widows Sons recently attended the popular Bobbers & Cruisers Day at HR4K, joining bikers and visitors from across the region for what proved to be a fantastic day celebrating motorcycling and community spirit.

With excellent weather throughout the day, the venue was packed with motorcycles of all styles, including Harleys, Indians, Triumphs and many more. Cheltenham Harley-Davidson brought along an impressive display of bikes, while live music from The Road Knights helped create a lively atmosphere enjoyed by all in attendance.

During the event, members of the Taurus Chapter were proud to present a cheque for £1,300 to West Mercia Women’s Aid. The funds had been raised earlier this year through the Chapter’s Lip Sync Battle fundraising evening held in February.

Taurus Charity Steward Steve “Craiger” Craig arranged for representatives from West Mercia Women’s Aid to attend the event, where Taurus Chapter President Jim “Chippy” Turpin spoke during the cheque presentation. Sue, representing the charity, thanked the Chapter not only for the donation and gifts received over the past year, but also for the continued support shown by members of Taurus.

During conversations on the day, two representatives from West Mercia Women’s Aid mentioned that they had missed out on the pillion ride experiences auctioned during the Lip Sync Battle fundraiser, but would still have loved the opportunity to experience a ride on the back of a motorcycle. In response, Steve “Craiger” Craig and Billy “Joker” Russell were more than happy to take them out for short rides — something the ladies thoroughly enjoyed.

As the afternoon continued and more motorcycles arrived, HR4K was buzzing with activity, making it a memorable day for everyone involved.

The Taurus Chapter would like to thank HR4K for hosting another excellent event and extend their appreciation to everyone who attended and supported such a worthwhile cause.

On Sunday 21^st September, West Mercia Women’s Aid (WMWA) held their annual Symonds Yat Challenge, an ambitious fundraising event to support women and children experiencing domestic abuse. The original plan was for the team of supporters, staff, and trustees to canoe eight miles down the River Wye before tackling a three-hour hike to King Arthur’s Cave and Symonds Yat Rock.

However, due to high river levels, the canoeing section was cancelled. Undeterred, the team doubled the walk, pushing themselves even further to raise vital funds for this life-saving charity.

This year, the Widows Sons MBA Taurus Chapter were honoured to be invited to take part in a unique way. We were asked to support the finale of the challenge by riding into the finish line with the fundraisers — some even taking to the pillion seats of our bikes for the last memorable stretch.

The day began at HR4K in Hereford, where Taurus members gathered for coffee and a briefing from our Charity Steward, ‘Craiger’. From there, the group rode in formation to Symonds Yat, where they met up with the WMWA team. The atmosphere was electric as the bikes roared into view, bringing smiles and cheers from the crowd.

Five of our riders took fundraisers on the back of their bikes for the ride to the finish line, creating a spectacle that perfectly captured the spirit of solidarity and support. At the finish, our President ‘Chippy’ gave a heartfelt speech and proudly presented WMWA with a cheque for £600 on behalf of Taurus Chapter. The feedback was overwhelming — the fundraisers described the bikes as the perfect ending to their challenge.

The weather could not have been better, and the event was a resounding success. For Taurus, it was more than just a ride; it was about standing shoulder to shoulder with an organisation making a real difference in people’s lives.

Events like these highlight the values at the heart of Freemasonry and the Widows Sons alike: Integrity, Friendship, Respect, and Service. For Taurus Chapter, it was an absolute privilege to be part of the challenge, and we look forward to collaborating with West Mercia Women’s Aid on future projects.