It was a real pleasure to be present at Pudbrook Lodge Ladies Festival last night. Bear carer And Venn was a superb host and not only has he provided excellent pictures to enable a lasting record of the occasion to be published on Facebook and squarebear.org but he has also given a great account of the evening which is reproduced below. Many thanks Andy.

'After being a visitor at several lodges just lately it was a pleasure to be a guest at a Ladies Night in the c...ompany of W Bro Andy Venn & his wife Michelle. Suitably dressed in a bow tie we went to Brook House Masonic Centre where I immediately started to make new friends with the many brethren and their guests. I was made to feel very welcome by W Bro Bill Holden, Worshipful Master of Pudbrook Lodge No 8366, and his wife Sheilagh. During what was a superb evening I met brethren from Pudbrook and other lodges, together with their wives, girlfriends and partners, gathered together to thank these ladies for their support during the year.

The end to a great week last evening in Ryde with a visit to Vectensian Lodge for the occasion of their Proclamation Festival. Bro. Mick Jones was an excellent bear carer on what was a particularly important evening for him as he was installed as the lodge Junior Warden. A special privilege to visit this lodge as it is the mother lodge for APGM  Dave Perkis and the current Provincial Junior Grand Warden, W.Bo. Tim Lewis who is also the Lodge Director of Ceremonies, both of wh...om were in attendance and as the evening progressed there were photo opportunities with them both. W.Bo. Arthur Niblett was proclaimed Master of the Lodge as he commenced his second year as a fine leader. Arthur went on to install the officers of the lodge with aplomb and good humour, there was no doubting the happiness among all the brethren and guests. W.Bro. Paul Baker delivered the address to the wardens and W.Bro. Mike Davies delivered the address to the brethren. Paul was master in 2013 and Mike in 2012 so it was excellent to see the lodge involving recent past masters in such important parts of the evenings proceedings, Vectensian are certainly embracing provincial initiatives.

Yesterday, Wednesday 7th. October was an exciting day. A journey across The Solent with John Pearson and other brethren to meet a new bear carer, David Woodford for the visit to Needles Lodge. This was a special visit as it was the first meeting for Needles at their new home, the Ryde Masonic Centre. Needles is also the mother lodge of Square Bear guardian Clive Dobson. The ceremony was a first degree undertaken by past masters of the lodge. The chair was taken by W.Bro. John Martin PAGStB. He was excellent and was very well supported by an experienced team. W.Bro.  Clive Dobson was Junior Deacon and also gave an explanation of the mode of preparation to the newly initiated Brother Andrew Rothery. The Charge after Initiation was word perfect delivered by W.Bro. David Crook. Bro. Nick Sillence was declared Master Elect for the ensuing year, his installation as Master taking place on the 4th. November.

Bear carer W.Bro, John Pearson and his lady Kerry were the hosts last weekend for St. Vincent Lodge Ladies Festival Weekend which was held in Chichester. A huge amount of work was put in by Kerry and John to ensure all brethren, ladies and guests had an enjoyable couple of evenings.

Friday night was a themed event, "Pirates and Wenches". As you can see from the photos those attending really made an effort with their costumes. John made sure that even as a bear you can have an... eye patch and cutlass, great fun. Much grog was consumed and merriment was the order of the evening.