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Latest News and Blog Posts from Wayne “Pendragon” Owens.
BBW – A Talk at St. Asaph Lodge
This evening Nev, Hugh, and myself popped along to visit St. Asaph Lodge to give a presentation on Blood Bikes Wales.
The talk was well received by everyone in attendance, with some interesting technical questions being thrown our way during the Q&A.
The Lodge gave us a fantastic donation of £300, with the members throwing an additional £40.67 in the bucket.
Blood Bikes Wales
Blood Bikes Wales is a charity that transports blood, plasma, platelets, samples, vaccines, donor breast-milk & any other urgently required medical items to hospitals at night, weekends and bank holidays. This service is provided completely free of charge, allowing the NHS to divert funds where they are needed most.
Our riders are a hardy bunch that operate in all but the very worst weather.
A Talk at The Maesgwyn Lodge of Installed Masters – The True Masonic Church
This evening I was invited to give a talk for the Maesgwyn Lodge of Installed Masters.
It was very odd because I am the secretary of the Lodge, and the Worshipful Master called me us (As the Secretary) to get me (the Secretary) to invite myself (the Speaker) to come give a talk for the Lodge.
I decided to give the talk :-
“The True Masonic Church“
This is now the third of the IM Lodges in North Wales I have given a talk at.
St Edmund's Church
St Edmund’s Church in Rochdale, is regarded as one of the finest but least known gems of ecclesiastical architecture in the country. Commissioned by the industrialist and banker Albert Hudson Royds, its interior is packed with Masonic symbolism.
The specific spark that initiated St Edmund’s might have come when on August 10, 1869, the Provincial Grand Lodge convened in the Chapter House of Worcester Cathedral to march in procession to the Cathedral where the new Masonic window that had been built in the north transept was unveiled. On this occasion, Albert Royds (who was already a member of the Supreme Council, 33rd Degree) proclaimed: “I ask you to accept this gift from the brethren of our ancient Craft and sometimes, when you look upon its mellowed light, may you be induced to say, ‘O, wonderful Masons!’”.
A Talk at Berwyn Lodge – The True Masonic Church
This evening I went along to Berwyn Lodge to give a talk under the banner of the North Wales Association of Masonic Study!
This was the first time I had given this talk, which was “The True Masonic Church“
The talk was about how while everyone has heard of Rosslyn Chapel as the ultimate Masonic building, it is in fact not Masonic at all. But there is an actual Church that was built by a Freemason, for Freemasons, and full of Masonic symbolism.
St Edmund's Church
St Edmund’s Church in Rochdale, is regarded as one of the finest but least known gems of ecclesiastical architecture in the country. Commissioned by the industrialist and banker Albert Hudson Royds, its interior is packed with Masonic symbolism.
The specific spark that initiated St Edmund’s might have come when on August 10, 1869, the Provincial Grand Lodge convened in the Chapter House of Worcester Cathedral to march in procession to the Cathedral where the new Masonic window that had been built in the north transept was unveiled. On this occasion, Albert Royds (who was already a member of the Supreme Council, 33rd Degree) proclaimed: “I ask you to accept this gift from the brethren of our ancient Craft and sometimes, when you look upon its mellowed light, may you be induced to say, ‘O, wonderful Masons!’”.
BBW – A Talk at Royal Denbigh Lodge – Blood Bikes – It’s What We Do
This evening Nev, Hugh, and Myself went along to Royal Denbigh Lodge, which is one of the oldest Lodges in North Wales to give a talk on Blood Bikes Wales.
The talk was well received (After a few technical issues) and there were some interesting questions at the end.
The Lodge presented us with £206.76, with a promise of a further donation at a later date.
And as normal, nobody could resist having a go on Buster the mini Blood Bike.
Blood Bikes Wales
Blood Bikes Wales is a charity that transports blood, plasma, platelets, samples, vaccines, donor breast-milk & any other urgently required medical items to hospitals at night, weekends and bank holidays. This service is provided completely free of charge, allowing the NHS to divert funds where they are needed most.
Our riders are a hardy bunch that operate in all but the very worst weather.
Second Chapter Promotion
Today I went along to the Provincial AGM, to receive my Second royal arch honours.
I was very lucky to get Provincial Grand Sojourner!
I am really shocked to get this, it is way higher than a normal promotion, I believe. I will also be part of the opening/closing next year and be sitting in the middle of the aisle, and be showing on the big screen for those at the back.
Amazon Best Seller
Widows Sons: Outlaw Bikers or Masonic Ambassadors.
Book Info:
We are fully recognised, and approved by the United Grand Lodge of England, even featuring prominently on the main page of their website. We have had articles about us in multiple issues of “The Square Magazine”, as well as being often mentioned in “Freemasonry Today”, and were the main part of the third episode of Sky’s five-part documentary series “Inside the Freemasons”.
Even so, until recently, not many brethren had heard of us, or knew what it is we do, they may have just seen us an Outlaw biker gang. To be fair we do have some scary looking members.
To help spread word about us, especially in the Province of North Wales, I wrote a talk originally called “Widows Sons – Brotherhood Squared” which I would give at Lodge meetings as a brief introduction of where we came from, who we are, and what we do.
So, who are the Widows Sons?
Are we just a group of patch wearing “Outlaw Bikers”, or if not, how can we claim to be ambassadors for freemasonry if bikers cause so much fear and concern everywhere they go?
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 1926 – 2022
Faithful God,
We remember with thanksgiving and gratitude,
the life and service of Queen Elizabeth.
We have been inspired by her dedication and Faith,
Her commitment to the welfare of our nation, and her lifelong devotion to the people of
the Commonwealth.
As we pray for her family and with our nation.
May the integrity of her public Service,
Her concern for the common good, and her steadfast commitment to
good governance, inspire all those in public office, in the United Kingdom,
the Commonwealth and across the world, to uphold the rights of all peoples,
in the pursuit of justice, and in the interests of peace. (so mote it be)
Amazon: #2 Hot New Release
Widows Sons: Outlaw Bikers or Masonic Ambassadors.
Amazon has listed “Widows Sons: Outlaw Bikers or Masonic Ambassadors” as #2 in the Amazon Hot new releases for Freemasonry.
Book Info:
We are fully recognised, and approved by the United Grand Lodge of England, even featuring prominently on the main page of their website. We have had articles about us in multiple issues of “The Square Magazine”, as well as being often mentioned in “Freemasonry Today”, and were the main part of the third episode of Sky’s five-part documentary series “Inside the Freemasons”.
Even so, until recently, not many brethren had heard of us, or knew what it is we do, they may have just seen us an Outlaw biker gang. To be fair we do have some scary looking members.
To help spread word about us, especially in the Province of North Wales, I wrote a talk originally called “Widows Sons – Brotherhood Squared” which I would give at Lodge meetings as a brief introduction of where we came from, who we are, and what we do.
So, who are the Widows Sons?
Are we just a group of patch wearing “Outlaw Bikers”, or if not, how can we claim to be ambassadors for freemasonry if bikers cause so much fear and concern everywhere they go?
Book Launch: Widows Sons: Outlaw Bikers or Masonic Ambassadors
I have spent the last few years traveling around the Province of North Wales (and Cheshire) giving various talks on the Widows Sons Masonic Bikers Association. I have even had articles on the subject published in two editions of the Square Masonic Magazine.
I am also known on Social Media as a Widows Son, and a founder of the North Wales Chapter, which is how I got pulled into a conversation that was happening on Twitter where the merits of the Widows Sons Masonic Bikers/Riders Association was called into question. The main issue was how can leather clad bikers be a good advertisement for Freemasonry, unfortunately the person who was the main opponent know of no members he could talk to and find out more.
I therefore decided to convert one of the talks I have given in Masonic Lodges across the UK into a small book to hopefully answer some questions.
And today that book “Widows Sons: Outlaw Bikers or Masonic Ambassadors” was published.
New Book Launch:
Widows Sons: Outlaw Bikers or Masonic Ambassadors.
We are fully recognised, and approved by the United Grand Lodge of England, even featuring prominently on the main page of their website. We have had articles about us in multiple issues of “The Square Magazine”, as well as being often mentioned in “Freemasonry Today”, and were the main part of the third episode of Sky’s five-part documentary series “Inside the Freemasons”.
Even so, until recently, not many brethren had heard of us, or knew what it is we do, they may have just seen us an Outlaw biker gang. To be fair we do have some scary looking members.
To help spread word about us, especially in the Province of North Wales, I wrote a talk originally called “Widows Sons – Brotherhood Squared” which I would give at Lodge meetings as a brief introduction of where we came from, who we are, and what we do.
So, who are the Widows Sons?
Are we just a group of patch wearing “Outlaw Bikers”, or if not, how can we claim to be ambassadors for freemasonry if bikers cause so much fear and concern everywhere they go?
BBW – A Talk for Rhodri Fawr Chapter on Blood Bikes Wales
This morning Nev and myself went along to the Bangor Masonic Hall to give a talk to Rhodri Fawr Chapter of Rose Croix.
The Talk was “Blood Bikes Wales – It’s What We Do!”.
The talk was well received, and they will be making a future donation, along with other chapters. The bucket collection at the festive board raised the grand sum of £160.
Photographed are Nev and the Inspector Generals of North Wales, South Wales, and Gloucestershire.
Thanks to the North West Rider for bringing a bike along.
UPDATE:
On the 24th June 2023 North Wales Rose Croix presented the years donations to Blood Bikes Wales. It came to the fantastic amount of £7000 and you can read more about it HERE!
Blood Bikes Wales
Blood Bikes Wales is a charity that transports blood, plasma, platelets, samples, vaccines, donor breast-milk & any other urgently required medical items to hospitals at night, weekends and bank holidays. This service is provided completely free of charge, allowing the NHS to divert funds where they are needed most.
Our riders are a hardy bunch that operate in all but the very worst weather.