Grand Primo 2025 Brother Ray Hill ROH
My chosen appeal for the 2025 is SPAVO. The association for the prevention and handling of violence in the family. This is a Cyprus charity. Its mission is to provide supportive services for the prevention and intervention on domestic violence. Its main goal is to provide support, safety and protection to battered women.
All services provided operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, are free, they are staffed by professionals and are based on the principles of respect and confidentiality.
They offer support/guidance/counselling regarding relationship and family issues.
They run the only Shelters in Cyprus for women victims of domestic violence. The shelters serve as a safe temporary hosting facility for women and their children, who can stay at a safe environment and be provided with counselling and psychological support. Additional accommodation structures operate in cases that the shelters are full, and are supervised by professionals of the association. There is also a possibility of hosting male victims of violence. There is a live chat center, individual counselling and helplines.
Founded in 1990 they are a Non- Governmental Voluntary association.
I hope you will support me and my colleague’s in raising funds for this very worthwhile Cypriot organisation throughout the year. By attending the various events organised by the Grand Lodge of Cyprus. These include a Golf extravaganza, summer and winter Balls, BBQs, Race nights and many other afternoon or evening gatherings.
You will be able to keep track of the organised events and progress of the fundraising on this site or via our ever-popular Facebook page RAOB GLC
Points of Light Podcast with Stan Miller interviewing Grand Primo Nic Ashby and Grand Secretary, Gary Davis.
PREFACE
The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB) Explained
The meaning of being a “BUFF”
Q. What is Buffaloism all about?
The RAOB is one of the world’s oldest and largest fraternal organization. It is a brotherhood or society of men from all social and economic backgrounds that come together for the sole purpose of not only making themselves better men, but also try to better those with whom they come in contact, not only for themselves but, for the benefit of their families and their communities.
Q. What do Buffaloes do?
One of the primary goals of Buffaloism is self-improvement, which is a natural by-product of a member’s Buffalo experiences and membership. As a fraternal organization, bonds are formed between the members, which can result in lifelong friendships because, we share many similar values, despite coming from tremendously different backgrounds. You could be a company director or perhaps a retired refuse collector, it
makes no difference. All we want is to create harmony between brothers by enlightenment and toleration.
Q. What sort of organisation are we?
We are not a charity, but supporting charities is of prime importance to us. We have our own charitable venture, known as ‘Holiday of a Life time’ a venture that brings underprivileged children to Cyprus for an experience that they could not afford and we hope they will never forget. This has taught us to be especially mindful of those who are less fortunate than ourselves in the community. By a variety of well organised fund- raising events organised by ourselves, consideration is given to many worthwhile and good causes. The size of the beneficiaries of our events is of no importance, whether it be an individual or a substantial registered charity. Giving by stealth is enough, it gives us personal satisfaction.
Q. What does being Philanthropic mean?
Being a philanthropic organisation means we care, and back up that thought with direct actions. You are as important to us as any organisation we help. Once a member, you are part of a brotherhood. Brothers pull together, and if in need we will not turn our backs, we assist and help each other. In addition, Buffalo Lodges are often involved with a variety of charitable and community projects. The range of activities is varied and encompasses people of all ages. Should we make others aware of the good we do, we have chosen to do things by stealth. In conclusion I have to say although, as a men only body, everything we do is always planned to include our wives or girlfriends, after all they are of paramount importance to us, we love them.
Howard Passes: For the Buffs (RAOB)
The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB) is a Fraternal, Benevolent and Social Organisation World Wide. It is open to any male over the age of 18, provided he is a “true and loyal supporter of the British Crown and Constitution” and he “enters of his own free will and consent”.
The Grand Lodge of Cyprus thanks you for viewing this site and hopes that you will find the content interesting and informative.
We also have a Members Only section which can be viewed by ‘clicking’ on ‘Account’ BUT, only once you have become a Member of the R.A.O.B., registered and logged-in with your unique username / password. CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS
If you are interested in the history of the R.A.O.B please select ‘About us’ at the top of the screen.
If you would like to Join the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes, please contact:
Grand Secretary Bro. Gary Davis
Email: andsecretary@raob-cyprus.org”>grandsecretary@raob-cyprus.org
Mobile: (+357) 97655156
For information and location of the most convenient Lodge for your introduction.
You must be:
Over 18 years of age.
Male
A supporter of the Crown and the constitution.
I am sure that the Grand Secretary is looking forward to hearing from you.
26.7.25 -Grand Primo Appeal, SPAVO. 2025, Race Night at Dhekelia Lodge Room. Members and 45 Guest Members only. €750 raised for good causes through the generosity of our guests. Thank you.
5.7.25 – Games Night event held at the Buffs Lodge Room Dhekelia raises in excess of €500 for the Grand Primo Appeal Fund 2025, SPAVO.
1.7.25 – A big Cyprus Buffs welcome to new members Brothers John Denton CP and Brother Jonathan Copley who joined James Mercury Lodge 8599 today. Their presentations will take place next Tuesday.
30.6.25 – The RAOB GLC launch a new marketing initiative to be known as the RAOB Cyprus Guest Membership Scheme, today and already had 10 members within an hour of the Facebook post. The benefits to the Buffs is direct communication to its, many Non-members who support our events throughout the year by email, WhatsApp, FB Messenger, text etc.… and in return the Guest members will enjoy priority ticket prices and the occasional discounts available to the full members of the Organisation.
26.6.25 – Unity in Cyprus GLE Lodge meeting saw a prestigious gathering of current and past Grand Primos of both England and Cyprus. Pictured are: L-R
Bro. Gary Dickinson RoH, GLC 2021, Bro. Stewart Read RoH, GLC 2022, Bro. Nic Ashby RoH, GLC 2023, Bro. Nof Pashialis KOM GLC 2024 and the current GLC GP, Bro. Ray Hill RoH. From Grand Lodge of England we have Bro. Chris Mason RoH and Bro. Pete Spence RoH, 2020 & 2021(the Covid 19 years).
21.6.25 – Quarterly meeting of the Grand Lodge of Cyprus at the Buffs Club, Dhekelia. Special Honorary awards presented to GLE Grand Primo Bro. Chris Mason RoH by current GLC GP Bro. Ray Hill RoH and to Bro. Pete Spence RoH GLE GP 2020 & 2021 by Bro. Gary Dickinson RoH GP GLC 2021.
7.6.25 – Grand Primo of the Grand Lodge of Cyprus, Bro. Ray Hill’s RoH, attends Grand Lodge of England Quarterly Meeting as guest of GLE Grand Primo, Chris Mason RoH. Also visited Trent Valley PGL and was made very welcome by the Officers and GLE Grand Primo 2020 & 2021, Bro. Pete Spence RoH.
17.5.25 – Grand Primo 2025, Bro. Ray Hill’s Grand Primo Appeal for the year is SPAVO, and the Buffs attended their Summer Fund Raising Dinner at the Sandy Beach Hotel, Larnaca.
24.4.25– The Cyprus Buffs in collaboration with the Polygon Larnaca Hash run their first Joint venture with a 4km walk, run, amble or however you wish to compete Hash, setting off from the Dhekelia Lodge room. The Buffs provided a very good BBQ in conclusion. The first of many?
19.4.25 – RAOB Medieval Banquet at the Lodge Room Dhekelia. 60 in attendance for a 3 course meal with soup, dessert of Rustic Apple crumble and 12 different meat courses served with roasted potatoes and a green salad. Tickets were only €15 and sold out in 7 days!!!!
29.3.25– James Mercury Lodge 8599 Games Night at the Dhekelia Lodge room on a Saturday. The event featured a bottle raffle, Sticky 13s, Bingo and Play your cards right. €575 raised on the night for the Grand Primo Appeal 2025. Home made pizzas Hot Dogs and chips available on the night.
16.3.25 – The Exaltation of Brother Ross Thomson to the 4th Degree, Roll of Honour performed by the Cyprus Roll of Honour Assembly at the Dhekelia Lodge Room, Larnaca.
16.3.25 – The Installation of Brother Mark Thomson to Knight Order of Merit by the Cyprus Knights Chapter 262 at the Dhekelia Lodge Rooms, Larnaca.
16.3.25 – The R.A.O.B. Grand Lodge of England visit Cyprus to observe and take part in the ceremonies scheduled to take place this weekend, They are joined by the Cyprus Grand Lodge Officers, The Cyprus Knights Chapter and the Roll of Honour Assembly.
15.3.25 – Grand Lodge of Cyprus Quarterly Meeting, Dhekelia Garrison Lodge Room. Presentations Awards, Aphrodite Bitter Lake Lodge, Kypros Kypri Memorial Shield, (Recruitment), and Dhekelia Garrison Lodge, Bob Aitken Memorial Trophy (Contributions to Benevolence).
13.3.25 – Grand Primo Appeal 2024, Bro. Nof Pashialis KOM, GP2024 presents representatives from Movember with a cheque in the sum of €7964.31, being the total funds raised.
11.3.25 – We are sad to announce the passing of Bro. Nigel Graham KOM, to the Grand Link Above. Our thoughts are with his family and friends he leaves behind. Bro. Nigel was a member of the James Mercury Lodge and served as the Grand Registrar in 2024. R.I.P. Good Brother.
10.3.25 – The Buffs take part in the Larnaca 2, 2000 Hash event, in Pyla. Grand Primo, Bro. Ray Hill ROH accompanied by Grand Secretary Bro. Gary Davis ROH, his wife Bev, Grand Primo 2024, Bro. Nof Pashialis KOM and Brother Ian Stewart, member of the Dhekelia Garrison Lodge.
9.3.25– Welcome to new member Brother Colin James Puckett, who was initiated into the Order today by the Dhekelia Garrison Lodge.
23.2.25 – BBQ Buffet at Dhekelia Lodge Room to witness the ceremony of awarding Grand Primo Bro. Ray Hill ROH, with his 40 Year Recognition Jewel by Grand Secretary, Bro. Gary Davis ROH, supported by the Lodge Mascot, Master MJ Harris. The event was also a celebration for the Grand Primo’s birthday and many of his family flew over from the UK to share with him. He also took the opportunity to launch publicly his appeal for 2025, SPAVO. Good funds were raised on the day for this very helpful local Cypriot Charity. Well done to all involved.
25.1.25 – First event of 2025 and the Infrastructure Committee, and the Unity in Cyprus Lodge host the 2025 Burns Supper. 50 guests enjoyed a starter of a homemade Coq a Leekie Soup and main course supper of Haggis, Neeps and tatties with an alternative of Shepherds Pie. €442 raised on the night.
OUR MAIN CHARITY SUPPORT
We welcome pupils and parents from the Stone Bay Schools, Broadstairs Kent, to Cyprus for a Holiday of a lifetime.
Stone Bay is a very special School who look after children with autism from 4years to 18 years. The School is a former Victorian Convalescence Home situated on a cliff overlooking Stone Bay Beach in Broadstairs.
The children arrive on 7th May and depart 14th May 2025.
This Website is dedicated to Brother Kypros Kypri KOM who died in service on 7th February 2022, after losing a long battle with ill-health, During his 10 years as a member of the R.A.O.B. in Cyprus, including the period of ill heath, he was committed to H.O.A.L.T., James Mercury, Dhekelia Garrison, Unity in Cyprus and Grand Lodge of Cyprus. This Website is an example of Brother Kyp’s enterprise, He will be missed but never forgotten.