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Film Stars to Punch and Judy Men; Pop Stars to Sporting Heroes; Comics to Dramatic Actors; Musicians to Television Presenters; Magicians to Photographers; Radio Stars to Royalty. The Grand Order of Water Rats exists as a wonderful Fraternity and Charitable Organisation.
Site last updated 1 July 2008
King Rat for 2008 Kaplan Kaye - to read King Rat's message click here
We want you to be our 'Friend'
Find out what being a 'Friend of the Water Rats' is all about. You can download a membership application form to join too. Click here
From the Eastend to King's Cross - Prince Rat John Bardon and Trap Guard Derek Martin
GOWR Functions Galore
We'd love you to get along to one of the Grand Order of Water Rats very special events, so have a look at some of our forthcoming functions. Click here
Our oldest member Past King Rat Alf Pearson with our youngest Richard Joy - Drummer with chart band 'Freefaller'. Alf was 97 in June 2007.
Raise money for The Grand Order of Water Rats just by searching the web!
www.everyclick.com is an internet search engine with a big difference - it donates half its revenues to charity!
It won't cost you or the Water Rats a penny so to find out how you can help click here
We are often asked where the money goes! Our Charities Fund - overseen by the Trustees of The Grand Order of Water Rats - gives out all sorts of sums to many deserving causes. To see just some of the organisations we have helped over the years click here
Toastmaster Rat Bryn Williams BEM has a new book out called "Red Tails in the Sunset". For every book sold through this website Bryn will give a percentage of the profit to the GOWR. For full details click here
If you are lucky enough to own one of our new brochures (Sponsored by The 'Friends' of the Water Rats and created by the Michael Ralph Consultancy) you may want to put a name to a face from that wonderful collection of pictures on the inside front cover. All will be revealed if you click here
The Key to the names of all those Water Rats in our new Brochure
For the first time in our existence a King Rat has been voted in for three consecutive years. (Not even Chas Austin did that and he was King Six Times!!). Well done King Rat Kaplan and here's to another great twelve months.
Water Rats On 'You Tube'....
You might be interested to have a look at this item on 'You Tube' which was brought to our attention by past King Rat Paul Daniels. To see this clip and other Water Rat clips we have recently discovered. click here
A big surprise at a recent Lodge when Water Rat Barry Kent paid a flying visit from Botswana, South Africa. Barry's wonderful voice graced many West End Musicals in the fifties and sixties. Barry received a standing ovation from his brother Water Rats when he was welcomed back after such a long time absence.
During a recent visit from London to Long Eaton's Devonshire Studio King Rat Kaplan Kaye, took time to meet and watch a short performance by the town's Young Performers and to speak to them and 'Phoenix Fund' organisers. To read the full 'Phoenix Fund' article click here
We are beginning the much overdue redevelopment work on our premises in Gray's Inn Road. This will include installing a lift, adding a new function room and kitchen area, changing the staircases and creating new office space. By buying a brick or two at £20 per brick you can add your name or that of a relative to the list of names that will be published in the Annual Ball Brochure each year. For a 'Buy A Brick' donations leaflet contact our Administrator on Telephone: 020 7278 3248 Email: info@gowr.net
Our past King Rat, Preceptor David Berglas BM & BAR was recently honoured by the American conjuror's magazine 'Genii'. The May 2007 issue was a special edition devoted to 'The Fabulous Life and Magic of David Berglas'. They even gave a free pair of glasses with each copy to enable viewing of the 3D pictures used in the feature.
In 1958 Paul Raymond opened his flagship members-only club, the Raymond Revuebar. It was an instant success...
To read the full tribute to Paul Raymond on the 'Roll of Honour' page click here
Paul Raymond Tribute
Jeremy Beadle Tribute
Jeremy Beadle was born in Hackney, east London, on 12th April 1948. In total Beadle hit the UK Number One ratings slot four times.....
To read the full tribute to Jeremy on the 'Roll of Honour' page click here
Past King Rats join our new Baby Rat Roger Rees for a photo call. Left to Right are Past King Rats Bert Weedon and Keith Simmons, 2008 King Rat Kaplan Kaye, Baby Rat Roger, and Past King Rats David Berglas and Alf Pearson.
Left to Right: Water Rats Derek Martin, King Rat Kaplan Kaye and Frazer Hines sharing a gag that probably doesn't belong to any of them!!!
Terry’s career as a stage and club comedian allowed him to hone his comic timing....
To read the full tribute to Terry Duggan on the 'Roll of Honour' page click here
Terry Duggan Tribute
Welcome Gerard Kenny
Songwriter/Singer/Pianist and all round great entertainer Gerard Kenny became Water Rat number 864 on Sunday 18th May 2008 at our headquarters in Gray's Inn Road, London. His proposer, King Rat Kaplan Kaye, pinned our little gold rat emblem into Gerard's lapel after the American songsmith had spoken eloquently about the GOWR and his own early career. The man who wrote 'New York, New york - so good they named it twice' received a long ovation. Welcome Gerard to the wonderful world of the Water Rats. For a full list of current Water Rats. click here
Gerard Kenny, left, receives congratulations from King Rat Kaplan Kaye on receiving his Baby Water Rats Collar. In the background - Musical Rat Don Shearman.
Baby Rat Gerard Kenny, left, with Past King Rat Keith Simmons
Welcome Graham Walker
Our new Baby Rat is Graham Walker of 'The Grumbleweeds'. He became Water Rat number 865 on Sunday 15th June. His proposer, Tony Barton, proudly pinned the emblem into Graham's lapel and the comic said how happy he was to be part of our Order. It was nice to see Mike Craig in Lodge for this making because he produced 'The Grumbleweeds' radio shows in Manchester for many years. 'The Grumbleweeds' also appeared in the Water Rats Blackpool Show, on 29th June 2008, produced by Duggie Chapman. Welcome Graham to the wonderful world of the Water Rats. For a full list of current Water Rats. click here
