Photo provided by W Bro Brian Barton, the founder of the NCT, with the approval of W Bro Alan Yates GLA, who established the inaugural cable tow for the 1983 festival.
In support of the Dorset Festival ’25, Loyal Manor Lodge No 6445 has achieved remarkable success with our Nautical Cable Tow (NCT) initiative. The NCT is handcrafted, fully functional, and designed to be a lasting adornment for Candidates. The Lodge has provided 700 custom-made Nautical Cable Tows to various Lodges in exchange for donations to the Dorset Festival ’25.
These Nautical Cable Tows have been distributed not only across England and Wales but also to Lodges around the globe, including locations such as Argentina, the United States, Canada, Malta, Ireland, Scotland, Hong Kong, Singapore, South and Western Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, and Germany.
While the primary goal was to generate funds for the Dorset Festival ’25, this initiative also served as an excellent opportunity to foster fraternal goodwill among the Province of Dorset and other Provinces and Lodges participating in “Festivals.” In this spirit, Loyal Manor Lodge has generously donated a significant number of Nautical Cable Tows to other Provinces involved in “Festivals,” including Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Norfolk, East Kent, West Kent, West Yorkshire, as well as individual Lodges in Durham, New Zealand, the Para District Masonic Centre in South Australia, and Staffordshire, among others.
A Project Booklet and a list of supporting Lodges can be requested through the Loyal Manor Lodge website: loyalmanorlodge.org.
Initially crafted in white to symbolize “purity and innocence,” Loyal Manor Lodge was asked to create more distinctive versions for individual Lodges. The Lodge complied by incorporating colors representing Regiments, Units, Universities, Federations, and School Lodge Councils. Every Lodge that has received their unique Nautical Cable Tow has provided glowing feedback.
Note: The Nautical Cable Tow project continues to generate funds for Loyal Manor Lodge. Inquiries and orders can be placed through the Loyal Manor Lodge website: http://www.loyalmanorlodge.org.
Loyal Manor Lodge No.6445 