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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 22 August 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
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.
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
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
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
A great Grand Order of Water Rats night in Blackpool - produced by Duggie Chapman.
From left to right: Graham Walker, Past King Rat Chas McDevitt, Bernie Clifton, Past King Rat Wyn Calvin MBE, King Rat Kaplan Kaye, Johnnie Casson, Norman Collier and the man himself Duggie Chapman.
The Water Rats Show at the May Hall, Trent College, Long Eaton took place on Saturday 31st May 2008 and was produced by PKR Keith Simmons and 'Friend' of the Water Rats Graham Smith MBE. From left to right: (Back row) Derek Martin, Paul Squire, Past King Rat Keith Simmons, Neville King, Auctioneer Colin Young, Stuart Brown, Brendan Heally, Des Coleman, Andy Potter, King Rat Kaplan Kaye. (Front row) Ben Simmons, Louise Cendroweski, Ben Smith and Sam Mackenzie - Stuck in Second. (Lying down!!!) Graham Smith MBE. Also taking part were the Leonettes (led by 'Friend' Leon Wade), The Long Eaton Silver Prize Band (under the direction of Sharon Stansfield) and the Long Eaton Young Performers. The show raised just over £6,000 which was shared by the GOWR and the Pheonix Fund.
Sir Bill Cotton was one of the giants of BBC Television who for nearly three decades brought countless programmes to the screen which themselves became legends. ....
To read the full tribute to Sir Bill Cotton on the 'Roll of Honour' page click here
Sir Bill Cotton CBE Tribute
