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Ducks race to £1,275 profit
Fundraising by the 2008 Preston Masters got off to a quacking start with a successful duck race........<more>

An encouraging night at Preston Lodge of Sincerity
Following the Installation meeting of the Preston Lodge of Sincerity No 8085 which had taken place in October............<more>

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Ducks race to £1,275 profit

Fundraising by the 2008 Preston Masters got off to a quacking start with a successful duck race.

Nearly 1,200 pink, blue and yellow plastic ducks were released onto the River Darwen for the race.

The weather was perfect for the ducks and the rain did not stop about 150 spectators turning out to watch the race.

The event raised about £1,275. On the day £750 was presented to SPACE, a charity for toddlers who need sight, sound and touch stimulation and also for those with brittle bone conditions who need to play and learn in a safe environment. The remainder of the money is being retained and the proceeds of other events planned by the 2008 Masters will be added to it before deciding which charities should benefit. There are plans for a sponsored walk and a quiz night to help boost funds.

The winning duck was number 979 with Stuart Simpson collecting the £100 prize. Second price of £50 went to Neil Emmett and third prize of £25 goes to Mrs Wilcox.

John Sarti of the Lodge of Concord No 343 and Gowan O’Hagan of Ingol Lodge of St Margaret No 8544 release the ducks at the start of the race. (Photograph courtesy of The Lancashire Evening Post)

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An encouraging night at Preston Lodge of Sincerity

Following the Installation meeting of the Preston Lodge of Sincerity No 8085 which had taken place in October, the newly Installed Worshipful Master, WBro David Barlow wasted absolutely no time in placing his new team of officers to the test by requesting their assistance in Initiating Michael Brownlee at their regular November Lodge meeting. They did not disappoint and assisted their Worshipful Master in delivering an excellent ceremony. The pressure of the evening had been heightened even further by the presence of the Group Chairman, WBro Ian Greenwood and the Group Secretary, WBro David Winder, who had attended to lend their support.

What was doubly encouraging was the attendance of two other Entered Apprentices, themselves only recently initiated and who had attended to make a further advancement in their own Masonic knowledge and indeed to further support a fellow newly initiated brother.

The meeting proved to be a great success and can only be an encouragement to Freemasonry as a whole and the Preston Lodge of Sincerity in particular. Although a small Lodge in terms of numbers, Preston Lodge of Sincerity is a Lodge which is looking forward to a bright future, and Lodge members take their ritual seriously a point amply demonstrated by the excellent First Degree ceremony they performed on that night. In fact, notice was given for another candidate for initiation.

An Initiation is always an encouraging event and produces a vibrancy within the Lodge and within its members individually, which was clear for all to see. The Initiation of Bro Mike Brownlee was made even more interesting by those two especially important visitors – Entered Apprentices Nicholas Colosimo from Ingol Lodge of St Margaret No 8544 and George Vakalopoulos, a member of Ribble Lodge No 4558. In fact, Bro Curt Ingleson of Preston Guild Lodge No 4408 was also due to attend but a work commitment prevented him from doing so. For all who attended it was great to meet three young Freemasons who are looking forward to their respective futures in Masonry.

Pictured are, back row – WBro. David Barlow (Master, Preston Lodge of Sincerity), WBro Ian Greenwood (Chairman of the Preston Group), and WBro David Winder (Group Secretary). Front row - Bro Nicholas Colosimo, Bro Mike Brownlee and Bro George Vakalopoulos.

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