United Grand Lodge
of Antient, Free and Accepted Masons
of England


 
Province of
South Wales Eastern Division

News
Report

Freemasons are the 'driving force' behind this invaluable service!  Volunteers to a man! (left to right): Gordon Randell (Treasurer); Anthony Woodworth (Driver); Colin 'The Bank' Evans (Fundraising Co-ordinator); Doug Hibbert (Support worker); Gerwyn Thomas (Chairman); Ron Finch (Driver); Clive Jenkins (Drive OTED, or Ogwr Transport for the Elderly and Disabled, is a service run by volunteers in Bridgend County Borough. The specialist organisation has a fleet of various types and sizes of vehicles suitable for carrying passengers who are elderly and/or disabled. Based at Australian Terrace, to the north of the town centre, the vehicles are adapted for carrying people in wheelchairs (and their carers) for just about any type of journey. The rates charged are generally well below commercial rates or taxi fares. This is due to the voluntary and charitable nature of the organisation. Grants and support have come from many quarters including the Coalfield Regeneration Fund. It just so happens that a significant number of the officers and volunteers who run the organisation are Freemasons - and proud of it! Of the "Magnificent Seven", above, six are Freemasons! W.Bro. Gordon Randell, PPrGStB, is a member of the Dewi Sant (9067) and Ewenny (8485) Lodges; Bro. Anthony Woodworth is a member of Morganwg Lodge (5084); Bro. Colin Evans, PPrGStwd, is a member of Penybont Lodge (6743); W.Bro. Doug Hibbert is a Past Master of Llangeinor Lodge (4194); W.Bro. Gerwyn Thomas, PPrSGD, is a member of Morganwg (5084) and Dewi Sant (9067) Lodges; W.Bro. Clive Jenkins is currently Master of Themis Lodge (6355). Ron Finch is not a member of the fraternity - but he knows a lot of men who are! The service is available to all elderly and disabled people in the area. Trips need to be booked in advance on Bridgend (01656) 669665 or by fax on Bridgend (01656) 663397.   For a change, the Magnificent Seven take a back seat in one of OTED's superb vehicles
FREEMASONS A part of the community, not apart from the community