Thank you for your interest in the Beda Chapter of the Widows Sons Masonic Bikers Association. The association is growing and Chapters can be found across the North, East, South and West of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
We are attached to the Widows Sons National Chapter. The Association’s objective is to enjoy our biking by arranging ride-outs and events to raise funds for chosen charities. We occasionally join in and support other WS Chapters on their rides and also other biking groups that arrange charity events.
Beda Chapter supports the Provincial Grand Lodge of Bedfordshire with events around the county at shows and fete’s and supports Provincial and other worthy charities.
During the riding season we organise one fixed ride-out a month alternating between a short run (50-80 miles) and a long run (100+ miles) and an in-person social evening in a Bedfordshire Pub. Year round, we have a monthly online quiz hosted by one of the members. Partners, friends and family members are more than welcome to attend. In fact we also have an associate membership for Non-Masons who are referred to as ‘Beda Clangers’ after the famous Bedfordshire pasty! We believe strongly in the inclusivity of our Non-Masonic members with the exception of Masonic visits they are invited to all of our events.
All events are advertised on our website beda.wsmba.uk and on Facebook, the latter being particularly useful when ‘on the spur of the moment’ rides are arranged. We are also on Twitter @widowssonsbeda.
Prior to joining it is requisite that the applicant meets up with us at a number of social events and ride-outs and gets to know us. This is as much to see that you like us as much as we no doubt, will like you! As a member you will be expected to attend rides and events whenever you can. If you cannot commit time or do not intend to attend our events, we are not the organisation for you.
Widows Sons are not tied to a specific motorcycle or manufacturer and we endeavour to be fully inclusive, making people aware that Freemasons ride all sorts of bikes, not just wear dark suits carrying cases.
Motorcycles must be road legal and be capable of holding its place in a ride (we suggest machines of 500cc or over but are flexible so long as the bike can keep with the pack). Classic motorcycles are more than welcome. All riders must hold a full motorcycle licence.
We are a Masonic Biking Association. Our members like to ride motorcycles with like-minded people. We respect other motorcycle groups and clubs. The majority of our membership live within Bedfordshire and it is in this area that our rides and events begin or take place. The Freemasons among us like to support each other by reciprocating visits to Craft Lodges, Chapters and other Orders when possible.
We DO NOT wear Back-patches of any form. Some Brothers may wish to wear front patches, others may wish to keep their Masonry private and we respect this. The patches belong to the Association and should be returned if membership lapses. Beda Clangers equally have patches and the same rules apply.
Master Masons are eligible to join as Full Widows Sons. Newly made Masons may join as Beda Clangers until they become Master Masons, when they can then transfer their membership to the Full Widows Sons. Non-Masons may join as Beda Clangers.
Annual subscriptions will be due on the 1st March yearly and should be paid no later than 31st May. Members who do not pay their subscriptions by 1st June may be excluded.
Beda Chapter WSMBA has a strong ethos about togetherness. We enjoy each other’s company. We are not a race club. We believe in riding together, staying together and arriving together. Our Road Captains will pace rides appropriately and generally speaking overtaking within the pack should be avoided. There will be times we become separated and use a corner marking system which will be briefed before each ride.