On 13 March 2023, the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton’s Executive Officer, Commander Jamie Dible, and Base Warrant Officer WO1 Steve Payne RM, hosted Ray Guthrie, the Provincial Grand Master for Somerset, and a group of Somerset Freemasons who are serving or are former members of the Armed Forces, at the base’s Wardroom.
Ray Guthrie thanked Jamie and the Air Station’s Commanding Officer, Commodore Niall Griffin MBE, for the support shown to Somerset Freemasons by hosting them that day and for allowing the formation ceremony of the Somerset Military Lodge to be held at the base in May 2022.
It had been a long-held desire of the Province of Somerset to form a Military Lodge specifically for those who have served or who are still serving in the Armed Forces, to aid them with the transition from service life to civilian life, to be a place of comfort, and to be an environment that understands them and their family’s needs.
This meeting was also an opportunity to meet Lisa Hawkins, Central Fund Manager of the Central Amenities Fund (CAF), and to present to her £3,000 that had been raised by the Somerset Military Lodge on its formation. Lisa thanked Ray and informed him that the money would be put to good use in supporting junior rates and their families in various activities both on and off the base.
The signing of the Armed Forces Covenant publicly sets out the commitment by Somerset Freemasons to the Armed Forces Community in Somerset.
