Guernsey is well known for its glorious summer weather but at 3.30am on Saturday 7th June a team of Guernsey freemasons were gathering on a rather wet start to a round island walk.
The Saffrey Rotary Walk is a 39 mile sponsored walk around the entire coast of Guernsey starting in the capital St Peter Port heading south onto the cliffs for nearly 15 miles up and down 1000’s of steps with amazing views followed by the remainder heading back north on the west coast and round back to where it all started.
The team organisor Worshipful Master of Mariner’s Lodge No 168 W. Bro Steve Byrne with the Prov. Grand Secretary W. Bro Matt Polson, Bro Dan Shaw and others arrived at 3.30am to get ahead of the queue fort he 4.30am start. It was dark and rather wet and the cliffs saw very slippy conditions and very heavy down pours so a few sock changes were made at the various check points with one an very welcome breakfast provided for the 1000+ participants.
As the team neared the end of the cliffs the weather improved and by this point Steve and Matt were joined by Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies W. Bro Iain Davidson after meeting various Brethren taking part and helping volunteer along the hardest part of the event.
The sun shone as the team headed up the west coast and they enjoyed the refreshments and snacks provided kindly by the organisors and supporters of the walk and received cheers and claps from the many islanders and visitors they passed.
As the team approached the penultimate check point with the last third of the walk to go Iain, Steve and Matt were joined by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master VW Bro Simon Hamon and Bro Matt Tostevin who were all checked in by Lieutenant Governor, Lieutenant General Sir Richard Cripwell CB CBE and his wife Lady Cripwell who support many of the islands charities and events as well as members of Government House who at this point were also experiencing the change of sunshine to rain, but despite this and more wet socks the team were still full of smiles.
The last part of the walk moves from the more rural parts of the island to returning back to St Peter Port and a lovely coastal cycle and walking path with views of Herm Island and Sark which many cars passing gave cheers, clapping and tooting of horns to encourage the team in the final few miles which was well received and much appreciated.
After 39 miles the finish line was surrounded by supporters and cheering as well as Bro Eric Crolley who also took part and the team were awarded with their medals.
W. Bro Steve Byrne said “What an incredible team of freemasons we had walking the 39 mile Saffrey Rotary Walk on the 7th June in aid of 25 charities.”
“I’d like to say a huge thanks to all the team, family and friends who took part, supported and donated and currently we are top of the fund raising leader board with over £1200 raised by our Guernsey Freemason team.”
“Despite the challenges from the early start to the cliffs, the weather to the distance we had a great day and the cheers and clapping really helped keep spirits high.”
“Throughout the walk we saw many freemasons taking part not only as walkers but also volunteering at various check points and were all ready for a well earned glass to raise to all involved at the end.”
“Having just finished this incredible community event we are now looking at entering a team in the Skipton Swimarathon in October and if anyone would like to join the team in aid of other good causes please do get in touch.”
Deputy Provincial Grand Master VW Bro Simon Hamon said “It was fabulous to see so many Brethren with their family and friends take part in the Saffrey Rotary Walk which helps so many amazing charities across the Bailiwick of Guernsey.”
“Thank you to all that have donated to the Guernsey freemason team and to all involved it was a challenging day but we all enjoyed an experience helping raise funds for those charities who desperately need it.”
“Two of the team walked to entire walk, in total our team walked over 150 miles, we lost count of the sock change and we have to date raised over £1200 for the 25 charities and there is still time to donate.”
To make a donation to our team and help 25 charities please go to https://sportsgiving.co.uk/sponsorship/team/26511
To see the fundraising leaderboards https://sportsgiving.co.uk/sponsor/saffery-rotary-walk-guernsey/saffery-rotary-walk-2025/leaderboard?t=Team&s=total-desc
Video of the team walking to the finish line https://www.facebook.com/share/r/16spqZgpUe/
