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The order raises money by organising shows, lunches, dinners, and other events. Its objectives of the charity are "to assist members of the theatrical profession, or their dependents, who, due to illness or old age are in need." When possible additional funds raised go to a diverse range of charities
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Membership is limited to 180 male members of the entertainment industry plus 20 Companion Rats. Some Water Rats are household names but many are not, but all must be respected and trusted by their peers. Joining the Order is a complicated process that involves finding a proposer and seconder within
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One day, as Elvin was driving the pony back to its stables in the pouring rain, a passing bus driver called out, "Wot yer got there, mate?" "Our trotting pony!" replied Elvin. Observing the bedraggled, soaked condition of the pony, the driver shouted back, "Trotting pony? Looks more like a bleedin'
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A member of the public can become a Friend of the Water Rats. There is also a small number of
Companion Rats, distinguished men from various fields of business and influence who are not performers but who have achieved recognition for their support and friendship of the Order. These include
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In 1889, two
British music hall performers, Joe Elvin, and Jack Lotto, owned a trotting pony called "Magpie". As the pony was a regular race winner, its owners decided that they would use the profits to help performers who were less fortunate than themselves.
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The Grand Order of Lady
Ratlings (GOLR), a sister organisation for female performers and wives, sisters, and daughters of male performers, was established in 1929, when
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on the left lapel of their jackets, and if one Water Rat meets another who is not wearing his emblem he is fined, with the money going to charity. Magician
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wore his while appearing on television, explaining that as current King Rat, he could be fined by any other member who saw him on screen without it.
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Newly inaugurated Bob Hope (right) emerges from ceremonies at the Hilton in London alongside grandson
Zachary Hope – August 1991
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The head of the organization is called the King Rat. The official publication of the Grand Order of Water Rats publication is
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the Order, consideration by the Order's Grand
Council, and finally a vote which needs a large majority for success.
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1058:. Published under the auspices of the Board of Directors of the White Rats of America, 1909. p. 31.
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joined in 1890 and was King Rat in 1891, 1892 and 1897. The post is usually held for one year.
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in a public house called The Magpie. Their headquarters is now at
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1118:"Inventory of the Thomas W. Sefton Laurel and Hardy Collection"
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1176:"List of Past King Rats – Grand Order of Water Rats website"
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The first King Rat, who is the head of the charity, was the
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Rick
Wakeman elected King Rat by Grand Order of Water Rats
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Grand Order of Water Rats, registered charity no. 292201
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104:"Philanthropy, Conviviality, and Social Intercourse".
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The Grand Order of Water Rats: A Legend of
Laughter
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1200:The Grand Order of Lady Ratlings: Our History
535:World Upheaval – Lodge suspended until 1927
266:The Water Rats originally held meetings in
16:British entertainment industry organization
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1029:"Elvin and the Grand Order of Water Rats"
1229:Charity Commission for England and Wales
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234:Founder Joe Elvin c. 1890
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1122:Online Archive of California
996:Grand Order of Lady Ratlings
385:Previous King Rats include:
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150:Grand Order of Lady Ratlings
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64:Professional and service
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208:charitable organisation
990:2024 Richard Gauntlett
360:Prince Michael of Kent
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783:1982 Charlie Smithers
735:1972 Albert Stevenson
621:(died) / Bud Flanagan
434:Joe O'Gorman (senior)
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88:Show business charity
1245:at Freemasonry Today
873:1998 Frankie Vaughan
531:1921 George D'Albert
525:1919 William Bankier
444:1900 Eugene Stratton
251:spelled backward is
602:1942 George Jackley
560:1932 Charles Austin
542:1928 Charles Austin
539:1927 Charles Austin
522:1918 Charles Austin
501:1913 Charles Austin
459:1904 Tom McNaughton
280:Kings Cross, London
147:Partner association
981:2022 Duggie Brown
933:2011 Keith Simmons
900:2004 Chas McDevitt
891:2002 Keith Simmons
738:1973 George Elrick
723:1969 Harry Seltzer
705:1965 Tommy Trinder
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687:1959 Johnny Riscoe
608:1944 George Doonan
528:1920 Deane Tribune
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978:2021 Duggie Brown
960:2017 Ian Richards
957:2016 Ian Richards
954:2015 Rick Wakeman
864:1996 Paul Daniels
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714:1967 Terry Cantor
690:1960 Arthur Scott
678:1957 Cyril Dowler
645:1951 Bud Flanagan
599:1941 John Sharman
593:1939 Fred Russell
563:1933 Joe Morrison
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504:1914 Fred Russell
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1100:. Retrieved
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1036:. Retrieved
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986:Chris Emmett
974:Duggie Brown
950:Rick Wakeman
938:Joe Pasquale
929:Derek Martin
905:Melvyn Hayes
887:Don Smoothey
860:Paul Daniels
812:Danny La Rue
806:Alan Freeman
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642:1950 Ted Ray
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944:Jess Conrad
923:Graham Cole
911:Kaplan Kaye
878:Gorden Kaye
869:Alf Pearson
842:Bert Weedon
830:David Lodge
761:Donald Ross
752:David Nixon
656:Ben Warriss
626:Robb Wilton
619:Teddy Brown
580:George Wood
470:Little Tich
419:J. W. Cragg
307:David Nixon
121:Publication
72:Independent
69:Affiliation
1253:Categories
1016:References
848:John Inman
836:Wyn Calvin
800:Les Dawson
746:Joe Church
568:Will Fyffe
491:Harry Tate
372:music hall
348:Bob Potter
337:Membership
320:Activities
220:Jack Lotto
214:comedians
212:music hall
204:fraternity
1185:7 October
1160:7 October
1138:874031253
1038:7 October
794:Davy Kaye
413:Joe Elvin
366:King Rats
303:water rat
245:water rat
216:Joe Elvin
1239:Archived
1180:Gowr.net
1155:Gowr.net
1120:. OAC –
1033:Gowr.net
824:Roy Hudd
788:Len Lowe
556:Will Hay
515:Lew Lake
407:Wal Pink
398:Dan Leno
380:Dan Leno
314:The Trap
139:Nickname
131:Chapters
125:The Trap
96:National
85:Emphasis
638:Ted Ray
374:singer
286:Symbols
274:pub in
226:History
181:Website
51: (
43:Founded
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255:, and
247:!" As
167:London
80:Active
77:Status
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972:2020
966:2019
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188:.gowr
101:Motto
93:Scope
1187:2019
1162:2019
1134:OCLC
1129:2022
1104:2024
1040:2019
358:and
296:love
292:vole
261:love
257:vole
253:Star
249:Rats
218:and
206:and
198:The
190:.net
142:Rats
61:Type
53:1889
46:1889
29:GOWR
316:.
278:in
186:www
171:WC1
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134:1
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
