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 19 May 2013

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

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

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

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

To all Water Rats: 'Lodge Rules' and 'Council Rules' are now available from this website...

The latest editions (updated 20 June 2012) of the Grand Order of Water Rats 'Lodge Rules' and 'Council Rules' are now available to download, through the Water Rats 'Members Area' - to access the 'Members Area' go to the Members Page

The GOWR and the Combined Theatrical Charities

The Grand Order of Water Rats is a member of the Combined Theatrical Charities (CTC).

Under the title 'Acting For Others' the CTC organises bucket collections every year in theatres all over the country; usually the last two weeks in October - one week in the West End and one in the Provinces.

Between them the fifteen members organisations of the CTC try to cover all aspects of hardship and need within our profession including backstage and front of house staff, performers and their dependants too.

For further information on the work of the Combined Theatrical Charities and 'Acting For Others' please visit: www.actingforothers.co.uk

"In Lodge there is an empty chair with collar draped thereon..."

To read the rest of the poem to Sir Norman by Water Rat Peter Goodwright. Click here

To see more photos like this click here

Welcome Ben Simmons

Ben Simmons was initiated on Sunday 6th November 2011 as Water Rat number 875.

"Following in Father's Footsteps", as the son of of current King Rat Keith, Ben is also half of the double act Simmons & Simmons with his dad, as well as being a performer, writer and director in his own right. Welcome, Ben, to the wonderful world of the Water Rats.

At the Grand Order of Water Rats Annual Ball held on 27 November 2011 - New officers of the Grand Order of Water Rats for 2012. Including King Rat Joe Pasquale and Prince Rat "Super" Jess Conrad. (Although Joe Pasquale has been elected King Rat for 2012, Keith Simmons remains in the chair until the installation lodge takes place on 22 January 2012.) To see the full list of officers for 2012 click here

Jess Conrad OBE - 2013 King Rat. To read King Rat's message click here

Welcome Ray Martin

Ray Martin, brother of Scribe Rat Mike Martin, eldest son of the late Past King Rat George Martin and nephew of the late Scribe Rat Bill Martin, initiated as Water Rat number 876 on Sunday 25th. March 2012. The Martin dynasty continues! Welcome actor / musician / writer Ray to the wonderful world of the Water Rats!

Welcome Ken Dodd

The legendary comedian Ken Dodd OBE initiated into the GOWR as Water Rat number 633 on Thursday 17th November 2011. The reason for his early number is because he passed the membership vote back in 1966 and has been too busy entertaining the nation to attend lodge for his making, until now. So, at last, welcome Ken, to the wonderful world of the Water Rats!  

Top table gathering at the making of Baby Rat Ray Martin on 25th March 2012.

Left to right: Derek Martin, Keith Simmons, Chas McDevitt, Roy Hudd, Baby Rat Ray Martin, King Rat Joe Pasquale, Kaplan Kaye, Wyn Calvin and Roger de Courcey.

"Be Lucky", the biography of Ray and Mike's father, Past King Rat George Martin "The Casual Comedian", is now available. For details of purchase please email martinmgm5@aol.com

Some months back, with the support of the Water Rats, film makers Andy Humphreys and David Neale set out to seek the support of a television company to create a programme introducing the Water Rats. To support discussions they are undertaking with TV commissioners and to help communicate the audience values of the Water Rats' message as a TV programme, the producers have created a short introductory video. Those discussiond continue but, in the meantime, you can access that video here.

Now available... Bob Potter OBE; "One Man's Dream" - our revered Companion Rat Bob's book about his amazing life and career. Contact: Lakeside Country Club for details

Lodge meeting on Sunday 7th October 2012. A visit from New York Broadway Rat Roger Rees, who won the Jester's Medal for his quick wit.

Administrator for The Grand Order of Water Rats from 1987 to 2000 and Secretary to the Trustees from 1994 to 2012.

Feelings of stunned disbelief and deep sadness swept through the Order after news of John’s death, on November 5th 2012 at the age of 74, became known. He had not appeared to be unwell, but, after a fall at his flat, he was admitted to hospital where terminal health problems were discovered. To read the full tribute to John Adrian click here

Congratulations

to our newly

elected King Rat, perennial teenager Jess Conrad.

King Rat 2012 Joe Pasquale congratulates his successor Jess Conrad at the Water Rats Annual Ball at Lakeside Country Club on 25 November 2012, surrounded by most of the newly elected officers for 2013.

Our King Rat for 2013, Jess Conrad OBE, has received a Gold Disc for 100,000 sales of "Three Steps to Heaven", a compilation album on the Universal label which was devised by Jess and features some of his hits.

Scribe Rat Councillor Mike Martin is pleased and proud to have been appointed as Secretary to the Trustees.

Mike says "I feel highly honoured to be following in the footsteps of our much missed and respected John Adrian, my dear friend and a very hard act to live up to".

For Charity requests and enquiries please contact Mike via the GOWR office.

King Rat Jess Conrad OBE, at his installation lodge night, Sunday 10th February 2013, surrounded by a bevy of Past King Rats. Left - Right: Derek Martin, Graham Cole OBE, Roy Hudd OBE, Preceptor Keith Simmons, Roger De Courcey and Dec Cluskey.

Tribute to Water Rat Norman Collier

The Grand Order of Water Rats is very sad to announce the death of Water Rat Norman Collier. He died on 14 March 2013. To read the full GOWR tribute to Norman on the 'Roll of Honour' page click here

Tribute to Water Rat Johnny Lockwood

The Grand Order of Water Rats is very sad to announce the death of Water Rat Johnny Lockwood. He died on 25 April 2013. To read the full GOWR tribute to Johnny on the 'Roll of Honour' page click here

Water Rats Ball will be taking place, yet again, at Lakeside Country Club, Frimley Green, Surrey, courtesy of Companion Rat Bob Potter OBE, on Sunday 24 November 2013, headlined “Jess Conrad’s Celebration of Showbiz!”

Last year’s Ball was a terrific success and Jess has every reason to feel confident that 2013 could be even better!

For further details and to book tickets, please go to the appropriate section of this site’s EVENTS page.

King Rat Jess Conrad OBE, is pleased and proud to announce that this year’s Grand Order of

Tribute to Water Rat Paul Shane

The Grand Order of Water Rats is very sad to announce the death of Water Rat Paul Shane. He died on 16 May 2013. To read the full GOWR tribute to Paul on the 'Roll of Honour' page click here