2010 Festival update
At Provinvcial Grand Lodge, held on the 18th October at the Guild Hall in Preston the Provincial Grand Master announced that the landmark figure of £ 3 million has been reached towards the 2010 Festival on behalf of the New Masonic Samaritan Fund
PGM congratulating the Festival Chairman
2010 Reports and Activities
Walking in the rain raises £4,000
Ron’s year ends on a high note
Peter’s book raises £1,000 for festival
TEN CHEQUES FOR CHARITY
An update from the Fylde Coast (click here)
Report from the South Fylde Group (click here)
Quadrant Lodge - Boxing for 2010 - raised £ 10,000
Climber add £ 600 to Festival Total
Report of the West Lancs Masonic Charity Festival
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL CHARITIES FESTIVAL
On Saturday, May 6th Southport’s Floral Hall was once again the venue for the eighth West Lancashire Masonic Charities Festival. This popular event, which is held under the auspices of the West Lancashire Masonic Charities Fund, takes the form of a dinner for Freemasons and their wives and partners, after which there is over two hours of entertainment.
The festival is normally hosted by one of the groups into which the province is divided but this year it was decided that the festival would be a celebration of the first year’s fund raising for the 2010 Festival in aid of the New Masonic Samaritan Fund. The chairman of the festival was W. Bro. Stuart Thornber, who is the Provincial Grand Charity Steward and who is also the chairman of the 2010 Festival.
The event was, as usual, sold out three months in advance with many of the tickets being taken by a large number of brethren who attend each year and look forward to meeting their friends at what is one of the most informal and enjoyable evenings in the Masonic calendar.
As usual, there was a four-course dinner at very convivial round, or individual tables of ten, which was served with great efficiency by the staff of the Floral Hall, no mean feat when dealing with 550 people! Tenorissimo, a superb ‘Three Tenors’ act, enthralled music lovers for the first hour and an hilarious comedian linked the final act, a Beatles Tribute band, who, as usual, had many people dancing in the aisles.
In between dinner and the cabaret the Provincial Grand Master proposed a short toast to the West Lancashire Masonic Charities Fund. Bro. Thornber, in his response informed the audience that the festival had so far achieved donations and pledges totalling £1.6 million, a magnificent sum.
Next year’s festival will be on Friday, October 3rd and the organising committee chairman urges members to book early as, once again, he expects it to be sold out early, with a long waiting list.
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Walking in the rain raises £4,000
Even the Sunday morning rain could not dampen the spirits of 34 walkers from the South Fylde Group eager to raise funds for the Provincial 2010 Festival.
With a 10k distance to cover along St Anne’s promenade, the members accompanied by families and friends set off at regular intervals when Festival Chairman Stuart Thornber and Group Charity Steward Peter Robinson dropped the white cord to start this year’s walk.
At 12.30pm the last walkers returned to The Fairhaven Hotel to enjoy a welcome lunch of lasagne and chips kindly provided by the licensee Nigel Wild, a member of Progress Lodge, Blackpool.
When all monies have been collected it is envisaged that South Fylde Lodges will have raised more than £4,000 for the 2010 Festival, for the second year in succession.
2010 Festival Chairman Stuart Thornber (left) and Group Charity Steward Peter Robinson prepare to release the white cord signalling the start of the sponsored walk.
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Ron’s year ends on a high note
Ron Dennett’s year as WM of the Lodge of Equity No 1384 ended on a high note when he was presented with the certificate to show that the Widnes Lodge had become a Patron of the 2010 Festival.
Before installing his successor, Ron presented a number of cheques to Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd and he then received the Patron Certificate.
In addition to the £400 for the Festival Ron handed over cheques for Widnes Masonic Hall (£350), Halton Haven Hospice (£300) and Ecclesholme (£100).
The Lodge of Equity is to amalgamate with Appleton Lodge No 6468. Several members of Appleton Lodge had already joined Equity including Mike Parker who was installed as WM. It was Mike’s fourth time in the Chair as he has already served as WM of Appleton Lodge on three occasions.
Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd presents a 2010 Festival Patron’s Certificate to Ron Dennett. Also in the photograph are Widnes Group Chairman, David Redhead (left) and the new WM of Equity Lodge, Mike Parker.
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Peter’s book raises £1,000 for festival
Peter Mason, a former Chairman of the Lancaster and District Group, has raised nearly £1,000 for the 2010 Festival from the sale of a book written by him about the history of Freemasonry in Lancaster.
There are 100 signed copies to be given to those who are interested in return for a donation £10 each (plus Gift Aid) with the proceeds going to the 2010 Festival. The Grand Lodge Library and Museum in Great Queen Street, London, has asked for a copy and has not only approved it but has catalogued it for future reference
The book represents many hours of research by Peter, and indeed quite a bit of searching of dusty attics. The finished article is a fascinating insight in to the beginnings of Freemasonry in Lancaster.
Peter’s interest in the subject was initially awoken by a visit to the Lodge of Fortitude’s Bi-Centenary meeting where he read that they did not know who all their founders were or where they came from. However what actually inspired him to delve further was the discovery of many old and forgotten Masonic items in the roof space of the Masonic Hall at Church Street, Lancaster when the building was being cleared out prior to the move to the new hall at Scotforth. Among these items were the warrants of St John’s Lodge No 534 (1793), and Universality Chapter No 96 (1794) both of which have long since ceased to exist.
In his subsequent research into these lodges, the Lodge of Fortitude and the names of recorded members he made many hitherto unknown discoveries regarding the backgrounds and occupations of those early brethren who established Freemasonry in the Lancaster area in the late 1700s. As many brethren were aware of Peter’s research they urged him to produce his findings in a document and as a result “The beginnings of Freemasonry in Lancaster and District” was put together.
Though the initial print run is close to being sold if there is sufficient demand there may be reprint. Anyone interested in obtaining a book should telephone Peter 01524 811244.
Peter Mason with a copy of his book “The beginnings of Freemasonry in Lancaster and District”
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TEN CHEQUES FOR CHARITY
At their recent Installation Poulton-le-Fylde Lodge No 4040 gave 10 cheques to the Provincial Grand Charity Steward, Stuart Thorner totalling £1,908.
The 2010 Festival received £630 of the amount. The donations went to: West Lancs Masonic Golfing Soc ( £15); West Lancs Clay Pigeon Shooting Society (£15); West Lancs Charity Bowling Tournament (£15); Cancer Research UK (£150); Macmillan Windmill Appeal (£150); Blackpool Fylde & Wyre Soc. for Blind (£150); North West Air Ambulance (£650); 2010 Festival (£500); 2010 Sponsored walk by Mike Lumby (£163) and Blackpool Mayor’s Appeal via Community Fund (£100).
Pictured, left to right, are:Eric Warburton (Charity Steward) David Randerson (Vice Chairman of the South Fylde Group), Stuart Thornber (Provincial Grand Charity Steward), Simon Gartside (WM), Richard Griffiths (IPM) and John Moss (Secretary).
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2010 Achievement for Jason and Blackpool Lodge of Tranquillity
A fantastic achievement for Bro. Jason Townson of Blackpool Lodge of Tranquillity No. 6554.
He was successful in climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa during 2007.
At the Lodge Installation on Monday 2l October 2007, 72 brethren attended. The Lodge gave £600 to 2010 and to other Non Masonic donations. Jason’s cheque to Brian House was for a massive £7038.08. Well Done Jason and thank you on behalf of all recipients !
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A 2010 Update from W.Bro. Edward M. Rhodes – Regional Charity Steward
for The Fylde Coast
…… ‘Within my Region there are Sportsmen's Evenings, Dinner Dances, Casino Nights, Auctions and sponsored Walks planned for the 2007- 8 Season’……
- said Ted Rhodes.
As we begin lap three of a five lap marathon it is very satisfying to be part of a team which has collectively raised in excess of £2.9 million in a little under 30 months; my Regional contribution being £574k, yet it is a sobering fact that 40% of the total length of the Festival has expired and only around 35% of the total membership have signed up for Jewels.
It feels like that once a Lodge or Chapter has achieved Patronage or, even better, Grand Patronage, many of the individual members switch off thinking that they have "done their bit."
But … there is still a way to go and much to do.
I have attended every Group meeting within my Region and have been well received at all of them.
Lodges / Chapters and Lodge / Chapter Charity Stewards are displaying a better understanding of the concept of the Festival and are continuing to strive to achieve Patronage and are displaying a willingness to undertake their own events to that end.
Within my Region there are Sportsmen's Evenings, Dinner Dances, Casino Nights, Auctions and sponsored Walks planned for the 2007- 8 Season.
I am totally confident that Lodges will continue to support 2010 at Installation time and I was heartened to hear the Rt. Worshipful Provincial Grand Master reaffirm that West Lancs. Charities are well funded.
I think it vital that this message be repeated by all Representatives to all Lodges.
I realise that Groups have their own differing ways of doing things and those ways have to be respected and balanced against our needs.
One very touching method of supporting the 2010 Festival was the family of a Brother who had signed up to purchase a valuable jewel and who sadly passed to the Grand Lodge above, asked for donations in lieu of flowers to 2010. The sum raised (£520.00) was more than enough to settle his account and the sale of his regalia is earmarked to the Festival also.
That may appear a bit drastic, but, at times, it does seem an attractive way to raise funds !!
Edward M. Rhodes P.Pr.J.G.W.
Regional Charity Steward.
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South Fylde Group Lodges and Chapters raise over £4000 for 2010 Festival
A Report from W. Bro. Peter Robinson
– Group Charity Steward
A South Fylde Group 10K Sponsored Walk took place on Sunday 29th April 2007.
The day was a great success with 57 people taking part in a walk that was led off by our APrGM Leon Tax.
It should be highlighted that Bro. Peter Wood who had only joined Freemasonry the previous month was successful in raising over £200. The first walker back was W. Bro. Gordon Robinson of Baines Lodge.
The walk started at the Fairhaven Hotel, St Annes, then went round Fairhaven Lake down to the Land Registry Offices at Lytham and back to the Fairhaven Hotel where every participant was offered complimentary Lasagne and crusty bread for their efforts, kindly donated by Bro. Nigel Wild the landlord of the Fairhaven Hotel.
The weather was very kind to us and I am pleased to report that a total of £3264.51 has been sent to the 2010 Festival (when Gift Aid is added to this amount a grand total of £4048.62 will be forwarded to the NMSF).
Well done to every one involved. All the monies raised will be credited to the individual lodge/chapter which was selected by each and every walker.
A raffle was held in the Hotel during the event by Bro. Mike James and his wife Pauline in aid of the NW Air Ambulance and a further £270 was raised for this charity. My thanks to all who took part in the event and the members of Fairhaven Lodge and all the Group Officers who helped with the marshalling.
APrGM Leon Tax and John Topping (+ dog) striding out
W. Bro. Gordon Robinson of Baines Lodge – first walker back
Bro. Peter Wood (the newest member of Fairhaven Lodge) who raised £200 …. + dog
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Quadrant Lodge - Boxing for 2010
Quadrant Lodge 8044 usually at the forefront of Festivals in the Province recently presented a magnificent cheque for £10,000 from their boxing tournament held at Ribby Hall, Kirkham on Friday 23 March 2007. They intend to repeat this popular event next year and are adding a comedian to the evening as well as the boxing and four course meal. Due to popular demand places are limited so watch this web site for further details!
Picture L to R John Hayfield, Quadrant Lodge Charity Steward; Stuart Thornber, Festival Chairman , and WM of Quadrant Lodge John Chapman.
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