In June 2024 members of Holywell Lodge No. 9437 visited Reading Court, the Masonic Housing Association development at Stratford upon Avon.

Avnash Jhita (Worshipful Master), Ivan Norris (Charity Steward) and Herbie Jhita (Almoner) were welcomed by scheme manager, Alan Smith and house committee chairman, John Kisbey. 

The Holy Well team then began a tour of Reading Court and the new facilities under development.  Commencing with the coffee bar area, they afterwards took a tour of the surrounding grounds. They even tried their skills on the pool table, a new addition made possible by the Warwickshire Masonic Charitable Association and the Warwickshire Masonic Benevolent Fund. 

The visitors also viewed the developing “wellbeing” area.  Donations from both lodges in Warwickshire and residents at Reading Court have enabled land to be reclaimed and the gardening club are working on this long term project, re-greening the area and planting fruit trees and bushes.  The aim is to turn it into a place where residents can enjoy relaxation and quiet, looking over adjoining fields to the river.

All three visitors from Holy Well Lodge were particularly impressed with the work being done and wished to support the gardening club in this endeavour.  Herbie Jhita described it as “Exactly the right sort of activity for residents” in his view.  At the conclusion of their visit, they made a very generous donation to the Reading Court Charitable Association, to support the laying of pathways and a paved area for the placement of picnic tables in the wellbeing area.

At the end of the visit, Ivan Norris commented, “I’ve driven past Reading Court on many occasions, but never visited, which I now regret.  If I had, I’d have promoted it better to our brethren.  I’ve been very impressed with everything I’ve seen from arriving until the end of our tour.  If I ever feel the need to leave my current house, Reading Court is a place I’d like to be.”

House committee chairman, John Kisbey thanked the visitors from Holy Well and said “Awareness of Reading Court is something we’re trying to build, as we encourage applications from Masons or their connections. Lodges that want to visit are always welcome.”