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On Saturday 5th February, nine members of the Old Wilsonians Lodge 6602, led by W. Bro Richard Thorne, current WM, gathered at MMH, to join the Old Kimboltonians Lodge 7204 for their regular meeting by dispensation in London; far from their usual venue the impressive ‘Kimbolton Castle’. Their mission was to Rescue the Travelling Gavel. Both schools are members of the Federation of Old School Lodges and W. Bro. Terry Hall, Federation Membership Secretary and London Rep, had launched the Travelling Gavel initiative in order to encourage Federation member lodges to visit each other. The Old Wilsonians therefore rose to the challenge and attended a first class raising ceremony for Bro. Thomas Campbell conducted by the Past Masters of the lodge followed by a splendid festive board. After the usual toasts the opportunity presented itself to claim the Gavel and W. Bro Hall, who also happens to be the Old Wilsonians Lodge Mentor, rose to his feet to press the case.
	However, the Old Kimboltonians were not giving it up lightly and cited clause 6 that the meeting has to be a regular meeting. W. Bro. Hall being very familiar with the rules was able to win the day by reminding our hosts that their Emergency meeting by Dispensation was held on a regular basis and that any further banter on the subject would require W. Bro Hall to wear another hat being the “Overseer of the Gavel”. .
The Old Kimboltonians admitted they were always intending to surrender the gavel but wanted to test the robustness of the rules. Under the watchful eyes of The Chairman of the Federation, W. Bro. Michael Button (Taunton School Lodge No. 8215), and the Joint Secretary W. Bro. John Hubbard PSGD - (Old Brentwoods Lodge No 5342) the Old Kimboltonian’s WM W. Bro. Max Constant duly presented the Travelling Gavel to W. Bro Richard Thorne to the delight and applause of all present.
	As the Old Wilsonians prepared to leave with their trophy it was made very clear that the Old Kimboltonians would be plotting to take it back. With other Federation School Lodges looking on, where will the Gavel end up next? Raiding party left to right: W. Bro Terry Hall LGR, Bro Dan Willmott, Bro. Jeff Casserley, W. Bro. Gregory Kirby LGR, W. Bro. Richard Thorne, W. Bro. Gary Willmott, Br. Keith Joyner LR, Bro. Tom Holmes & Bro. Mark McGhee.