Herefordshire Freemasons have recently received feedback on two of the donations made in support of the Armed Forces Covenant.

Howle Hill Memorial Garden

Vitruvian Lodge from Ross on Wye recently donated funds to help maintain and upgrade the Howle Hill Memorial Garden near Ross. This included water butts to enable the plants and foliage to be watered regularly Pictured here is the Lodge Charity Steward Craig Morgan with the Project Lead Yolande Watson at the Royal British Legion AGM where the cheque was presented.  This was followed by a presentation on the local soldiers who sadly lost their lives during the World Wars.

124 (Hereford City) Squadron RAFAC visit to the Normandy Battlefields

The second donation was to 124 (Hereford City) Squadron RAFAC in support of a trip to see the Normandy Battlefields. In July 2025, 4 adults and 11 cadets from 124 (Hereford City) Squadron RAFAC undertook a trip to the Normandy Battlefields.

The objectives were to:

• introduce the cadets to the history and scale of the D Day landings
• reflect on the impact of the campaign to society and the individuals involved
• to build unit esprit de corps and contribute to cadet personal development  

For a few it was their first overseas visit, for more it was their first trip on a ferry. Time in the minibus enabled everyone to get know each other, exchange stories, tell some awful jokes, sing songs and listen to an eclectic music catalogue.

Flying Officer Andy Taylor OBE DL | 124 (Hereford City) Squadron wrote:

“I have two lasting memories of the visit:

Firstly ,the visit to Omaha Beach, the cadets almost skipped onto the sand probably thinking of previous visit to the seaside. Then, as the story of ‘Bloody Omaha’ unfolded the mood palpably changed, they became quiet, attentive and contemplative, clearly thinking of the time 81 years previously when the sand had been stained by the blood of so many men, some not many years older than they were.

Secondly everyone sat around a picnic table outside the hotel on a lovely summer’s evening, playing simple card and numbers games, everyone joining in, laughing and clearly enjoying ‘the moment’.

The cadets have all drawn something from the trip and learnt something about the enormity of the operation and the commitment and sacrifice of the individuals involved, but also thoroughly enjoyed their time making and strengthening friendships; they will have lasting knowledge, memories and experiences to take forward with them into their futures.

We are all most grateful to those that supported us – Herefordshire Freemasons, West Midlands RFCA Cadet Welfare Fund and our own Squadron’s Civilian Management Committee – a big thank you to you all”