Well as I walked to work today the sun is baking, sky blue and sea a wonderful sight to see. A light breakfast before assuming my position at the bar with a perfect view of the pool. Yes readers I am duty pool safety person. Why they pick a non swimmer escapes me, I found out later I can shout louder than most! The Coach is picking us up later to take us to the RAOB Club for Lodge and the Investiture while the Ladies and the children go off to the market. Lodge went really well with an excellent initiation carried out by Brother Neil and copious fines paid by yours truly. The Investiture was again brilliant with the Grand Primo on fine form. A full report will be sent to the Journal Editor. The older boys attended the ceremony and I think were quite impressed. Many congratulations to Eric Hirst on his Investiture.

Once the ceremony was complete we all changed to shorts & tee shirts for the BBQ & Cabaret. We were joined by other families and friends and I felt a great sense of déjà vu taking me back to Buffalo children’s functions of many years ago the atmosphere and camaraderie was great. The children loved it and when Peter Andre’s brother made an appearance they were knocked out. There were some great performances and the show was rounded of with a performance by a female impersonator and he was very good.

We got back onto the bus full of generous spirit we had felt throughout the day and led by Jon Morris we sang all the way to the hotel.

Day 6

After yesterday we looked forward a relaxing day at the hotel and boy did we have one. I of course still working tested out the Singapore Gin Sling which I declare fit for the adults though the Barman quickly invented an alcohol free version. I must apologise for failing to mention that Alison won the Karaoke Competition the other night with some assistance from the other girls. The committee guys are picking us up tomorrow for a trip to the Blue Lagoon.

Earlier this year I was asked by the Grand Secretary if I would like to accompany the OUR,s Children and their guardians to Cyprus to be entertained by Cyprus Provincial Grand Lodge as they close in on the 50^th anniversary of the wonderful “holiday of a lifetime scheme”. Any Province who has been nominated to submit children for this scheme will attest to the value of this scheme. It was then very appropriate the Province have nominated the Children of the Journal Children’s Gift Fund (OUR,s) giving two of my favourite funds the opportunity to benefit from your generosity.

Day one saw us all meet up at Birmingham International Airport. We were to be accompanied by the Grand Primo, Brother Terry Billingham ROH and his wife Carol who were there to carry out the Investiture of the Provincial Grand Primo which is to be held while we were out there. Terry was delighted to be handing out the pocket money to the children and their guardians.

To introduce the team, the Hargreaves are led by Freda and the family are Ann Marie, Kimberley and Gary and they hail from Accrington. Jon Morris and his two daughters Claire and Allison live in Yate while Pat Stephen and daughter Leona are from Leeds. Peter Woods and his son William are from Monmouthshire and finally me Andy Baker from Harrogate and accompanying Jamie Durrant.

After an adventurous start we eventually arrived in Cyprus to be met by Chairman of the Holiday of a Lifetime Neil Tunstall and his team. This was about 1:00 am and it was warm. Off to the Hotel by bus we all felt very tired so we grabbed some sleep.

Day 2

After a lovely breakfast we set about getting to know each other and our new surroundings and soon found ourselves around the pool. Leona and William took to the water as did the Morris girls. A meeting with Neil and the Holiday of a Lifetime Committee we set about enjoying a day round the pool. The facilities here are great and there is much to do for the children, our group ranges from eight to seventeen so we have a full spectrum. We all covered up with our factor 50 and headed poolside. The children took part in water polo and really bonded together. This is an excellent start.

The evening entertainment was very good the star turn was a Michael Bubile (I hope I have spelt that right!) who was very good. The older boys Simon & Gary found a supermarket close by and are now our runners!

Day 3

All I can say now is WOW! We have just returned from visiting Europe’s largest water theme park and it was brilliant. The children loved it. We have had a small problem with sunburn but not a lot. Neil, Rick and Andy entertained us royally and were joined by Neil’s son Harry who soon took the older boys in tow and they went off looking for girls or more accurately looking at girls!

Back again! Just when I thought it could not get better it does. We have just got back from a restaurant called Blue Spice and the guys have put on a Meze, a local feast. A huge selection of seafood and meats put on the table and you just tuck in.

Day 4

A day in the complex and around the pool, brilliant lunch and fun at just about every turn. During the evening Simon got pied much to the delight of all. He took it good style and promised he would not be the last! I took to the water for the first time today but to everybody’s relief  I did stay in long. Tomorrow sees the Investiture of the PGP with Cabaret and a Barbeque. I am having a littledifficulty with photographs here but I do hope to resolve this later today.

The Gala hosts a wide range of entertainment including Knaresborough Silver Band and the Bolton Pipe Band. For the children there is an Entertainer, a bouncy castle, slide and bungee run. Throughout the day there are various stalls including Jewel makers, Face painters, Tombola, Whisky Drawer, Coconut shy, Beat the goalie and Homemade cakes and jams.

There is a BBQ, meals served throughout the day and also ice-cream. For the adults there is the Beer Tent which allows you to stay refreshed in the hopefully hot weather!

Also during the day there will be various competitions running, including the R.A.O.B. Princess competition and the Children’s mini garden which is judged by Grove House’s own gardener.

The entry cost is 50p and the grounds open from 10am with the traditional Mayor’s opening ceremony at 12pm noon.

To look forward to at the end of the day there is ‘Live on the Lawn’, an evening of live 60s music from the Diamonds, starting at 7.30pm. The perfect end to a splendid day out; kick starting your summer in style.

The room has been carefully refurbished to match in with photographs held at Grove House which show the room as it looked originally. The Grand Secretary has scoured the second hand furniture sales and the room has leather Chesterfield furniture at a very reasonable cost.
The well stocked Bar has a greater selection of drinks to suit all tastes. To follow on with the work started with improving the toilet facilities the gentlemens toilet now has a fully functional disabled suite and more capacity.


Paneled throughout and the fireplace now able to be used it is a snug and comfortable area to relax in. The Lounge is now open for guests and visitor alike to enjoy everything from a cup of tea to soup and sandwiches and of course a drink. The Lounge opens at 11:00am and you are welcome should you be in the area.


The opening of the Lounge was performed by the Mayor & Mayoress of Knaresborough Councillor Richard Hall and Mrs Hall in the presence of the Grand Primo, the Immediate Past Grand Primo, the Deputy Grand Primo and members of the Management Committee. A good number of guests from the home and surrounding areas ensured that a great night was had by all.

Pictures will be available in the Gallery section shortly

It is with deep regret we have to report the death of the Grand Waiter 2006, Brother Les Sharpe ROH.

Brother Les was a much respected figure at Grand Lodge and was a familier figure on the social circuit. One could not fail to notice the kindness of this brother and furthmore the pride he felt at his acheivements within the Order. It is also tragic that this is second death of a 2006 Officer in less than a month. Our deepest sympathy is with Suzie and the team of 2006.

A full Obituary will appear in the Buffalo Quarterly Journal.

It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Mike Simpson. Mike represented the Wrekin Province at Grand Lodge for many years.

Always a scrupulous debater his calm and concise speaker he always gained respect from his peers and was always willing to assist anyone.

His reward was to be elected as Grand Minstrel for 2005. This was especially poignant as Mike was a gifted Musician and a born raconteur and kept all team 2005 very well entertained.

Our condolences and sympathy go out to Gwyneth and the boys.

A full obituary will appear in the Quarterly Journal.

A gifted and talented man he had terrific empathy with everyone he came into contact with. His service to Order will only be fully known when the history is written. He has been many things in his life, but to me and most who knew him he will be Rob, our friend.

Rob was initiated in 1992 in the Victor Roderick Lodge 4351 in the West Cornwall Province. He subsequently relocated to Newcastle upon Tyne and joined the Sir John Jameson Lodge 3410 where he took all his degrees.  He was Provincial Grand Primo of Northumberland and North East Durham in 2002. It was around that time I first worked with Rob on the Grand Primo Appeal for 2002. Having been pals prior to that we both hit the ground running. Along with a fine team of Regional Co-ordinators we raised a magnificent £50k+ and to this day I am proud of what we acheived.

I went on to join the GLMC while Rob carried on in the background organising events and providing wonderful support and advice.

In 2005 I was lucky enough to get my collar and Rob was the fastest loser. Inevitablely Rob was elected in 2006 as Grand Constable and then to the GLMC. I had in the meantime joined the team here at Grove House and again had the opportunity to work closely with Rob. Once again the roller coaster ride was on and much more great work was done.

Universally liked and respected I am very proud to have been his friend. 

Over the last 15 years I have enjoyed the friendship of one of the best men I have ever known. His wisdom, his intellect his impish sense of humour and his ability to inspire and motivate made him a giant among the Order. His sage advice helped me on many occasions. I delighted in his company both at work and at social events. I am proud to have had him stay at my home and travelled with him to many events.

The world may have dimmed slightly at his loss, but I will recall in what remains of my journey that Rob Poat was my friend  and I am a better man for having  known him.

 Andy Baker ROH

Grand Tyler 2005