On Sunday the 21st May 2023, members of the Widows Sons Quarrymen joined in on the Bournemouth & Poole Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride. The day started early with us all meeting ahead of riding to the start, on Poole Quay, intending to grab a full english before to fuel for the ride. We also had some non members or masons join in with us to increase the numbers, with wives also joining in. As with last year, we were right at the front to the line for the ride start.
All fuelled, we posed for the standard group photo and even bumped into the Deputy Provincial Grand Master for Dorset whilst we were all lined up waiting to start. This year had a new event host but the numbers were up from last year with a rumoured 925 riders registered to ride on the day. making this the second largest ride in the whole of Europe. It was a great atmosphere and the sun shone brightly. We even got chance to talk to a couple of people about the QM and the craft, the promotion of which is one of our key objectives as a group.
The ride was awesome, with all the riders tooting their horns and waving to the families and children that lines parts of the route to wish us well. This event really does help you to see the good in your fellow human beings. The support and love was greatly appreciated.
We had a stop at Bournemouth Pier approach for more chatting and speaking to members of the public about this worthy cause and the people riding in it, before riding along the sea front for the second half of the ride.
As well as being a great day out, this is also a global fundraiser to raise money for charities relating to mens mental health and prostate cancer. (find out more here). We are happy to say that the Quarrymen, at the time of the ride, have raised £1571 for this cause, and that figure us before gift aid which adds an extra 25%.
This is the second time the Quarrymen have supported this event and it is likely to be a regular fixture in the diary. the event wrapped up at Destination Triumph in Christchurch. It took a while to get there courtesy of a broken down truck on the route, but we made it in the end. A great atmosphere was also present here, with so many like minded people enjoying the event and raising over £65000 on our ride alone.
