News from around the Province - Provincial Grand Lodge of West Lancashire

Good News always travels fast. Here on these pages you will find a selection of news from around the Province. Many thanks to the individual Groups who have contributed news items to these pages. To see individual news stories from the Groups, see the Group News pages.

RETIREMENTS AND APPOINTMENTS
The RW Provincial Grand Master has, with considerable regret, received intimation from WBro Dennis Rudd, PSGD and WBro Edward Caulfield, PSGD of their desire to retire from office......<more>

New WLFC offices operational
The new home for the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity is now operational from its new offices in Huyton......<more>

Liverpool groups to be reorganised
The central Liverpool Groups of the Province of West Lancashire are to be reorganised with effect from May next year.......<more>

Busy weekend for membership team
Membership Officers of the Liverpool groups supported by wives along with their membership co-ordinator Peter Levick took part in the Woodvale Rally for the first time......<more>

Martin’s memorable day
It was a day to remember for Martin Stoker when he took part in the Masonic Golfing Society Championship at Shaw Hill Golf Club.......<more>

Manchester Ship Canal Cruise
Nearly 300 Freemasons, wives and friends from across the Province joined together for a fascinating cruise along the River Mersey and Manchester Ship Canal......<more>

£25,000 to help flood victims
The Freemasons' Grand Charity has been one of the first organisations to issue an immediate £25,000 to the British Red Cross Pakistan Flood Appeal......<more>

KIND invitation for Roy and Colin
As a thank you for the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity’s first donation of £5,000 to Kids in Need and Distress, Stephen Yip, KIND’s CEO, invited representatives to attend its 35th birthday party........<more>

The Federation of Police Lodges Festival 2010
Members from two West Lancashire lodges were present at the Federation of Police Lodges Festival. Both Sovereign’s Peace Lodge No 8911 and Red Rose of Lancashire Lodge No 9640 were represented.......<more>

A LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE FOR JODIE
Living at home with her mum and sister in a pleasant suburb of Wigan is one thing, but having to live along with many homeless people, black and white, young and old, in a tough area of San Francisco is another matter.....<more>

Membership team at Great Eccleston Show
The Provincial membership team commenced its summer programme of attending major events throughout the area at the Great Eccleston Agricultural Show.....<more>

Hilda is 100
The widow of a Westhoughton Freemason received a special group of visitors to mark her 100th birthday......<more>

Queen honours John Lloyd
John Lloyd has been honoured by the Queen in her Birthday Honours List. A member of the Liverpool Cathedral choir since 1938, John was awarded the MBE for voluntary service to the cathedral......<more>

SPECIAL SUPPORT
Special needs pupils at Oakfield School in Hindley Green received support from the West Lancs Masonic Charities to enable its team, the ‘Hindley 6 Ers’ to take part in a table cricket match sponsored by the Lords Taverners......<more>

NEW VISION FOR HOSPICE
Thanks to the generosity of Leigh and Wigan Freemasons, the hospice in Hindley has been presented with a giant 42” HD TV and a sophisticated portable stand and DVD player......<more>

Masonic gathering on board Queen Victoria
Woolton Group Chairman David Hawkes enjoys cruising almost as much as he enjoys his Freemasonry, so when he was asked to preside over a Masonic......<more>

Group’s £500 for Tithebarn
Mike Winterbottom, Chairman of the Trafalgar Group of Lodges has presented a donation of £500 to Laurie Scott, Chairman of the Friends of Tithebarn.....<more>

Cash help for community hospital
Freemasons have now donated more than £2,000 to Newton Community Hospital. The latest donation to be presented was for £550 which had been raised by.....<more>

£400,000 for girls and boys
Petitions presented by West Lancashire almoners to the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys have resulted in grants being made of nearly £400,000.....<more>

New restaurant opens in Ormskirk
The restaurant formerly known as “Park Hall” has reopened to the public. The bistro is now called the “Old Printworks” as it is believed......<more>

Grand Charity’s £1,132,000 in grants
A total of 23 major grants have been approved at the annual meeting of The Freemasons’ Grand Charity. The grants have been awarded to.......<more>

Ellie’s on her way to National Youth Theatre
Bispham High School student Ellie Drake is thrilled to have been given a £500 lift to her acting ambitions through support from West Lancashire Freemasons.....<more>

Woolton’s good buddies
The lodges and chapters of the Woolton Group are proud supporters of the ‘Buddy Box’ scheme, helping our Service personnel feel valued........<more>

Garden party raises £850
The 2010 North Shore Lodge Garden Party at the Wesham home of Gordon and June Thomson was attended by 70 members and friends......<more>

TREMENDOUS RESPONSE TO RECORDS SURVEY
Secretaries and Scribes throughout the Province gulped audibly when they heard that, as part of the preparations for the 300th Anniversary of Grand Lodge, they were to be asked to catalogue and record...........<more>

A new home for the charity
Since the merger of the seven Provincial charities into the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity a little over two years ago, the charity has been operating from the Masonic Hall at Hope Street in Liverpool........<more>

Grand support for Air Ambulance
Prominent Masons from the Provinces of East and West Lancashire and Cheshire gathered at Manchester's 'other' airport, the atmospheric Barton Aerodrome, to present a cheque from The Freemasons' Grand Charity.......<more>

Phil and Jim at RNLI service
Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Phil Gardner, together with Lancaster and District Group Chairman, Jim Wilson, attended the Naming Ceremony and Service of Dedication for a new Morecambe Lifeboat.......<more>

Bob is a hero of the community
Bro Bob Roe a member of Warton Lodge and a Carnforth councillor has been commended by Gordon Brown for his long term contributions to the community......<more>

Founder is made honorary member
Warton Lodge No 8411 has made WBro Brian Oddy PJGD an honorary member of the lodge in recognition of his very long service.......<more>

Jim’s special role at presentation
Lancaster Group Jim Wilson had a very interesting day when Torrisholme Lodge No 5245 made a presentation to Morecambe Branch of RNLI and he had “volunteered” to assist in the presentation........<more>

ANNUAL DINNER FOR GRAND OFFICERS
The first Monday in June signals the last engagement of the season for most of the Fylde Coast Grand Officers with the gathering of brethren from the three Fylde groups for the Annual Grand Officers’ Dinner......<more>

SUMMER FAIR SUCCESS
The Friends of Ecclesholme received a welcome boost to their funds thanks to a successful summer fair........<more>

WLFC sponsors David Bellamy School Garden Competition
As part of its aim to provide assistance for educational purposes not covered by the state or local government, and also as part of its Supporting the Community Scheme, the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity is sponsoring.......<more>

Callum regains his mobility
A few months ago, it was heard through the grapevine that a young Blackpool man named Callum, who was suffering from a debilitating symptom.......<more>

‘Canalathon’ to help MS Society
On Sunday 20 of June members of Travellers Lodge No 4679 aim to complete a 28-mile ‘Canalathon’ in aid of the Multiple Sclerosis Society........<more>

Shooting society is still on target
It’s almost 25 years since Tom Blackburn, Frank Cowburn and friends travelled up to Cumbria to compete for the first Watson Eden Trophy.......<more>

Two premier teams in Blackpool
The football world watched with great interest as Blackpool Football Club forged a path into the Premier League........<more>

FRESHFIELDS BEST KEPT SECRET
Virtually all who walk along Blundell Avenue in Freshfield are there for a purpose. It might be to run the dog on the fields to the left or to venture into the pine woods to catch a glimpse of the red squirrels on the right, but very few are aware of what lies beyond........<more>

Cruising down the Ship Canal
The Royal Daffodil will set sail from Liverpool for a special six-hour cruise along the Manchester Ship Canal.......<more>

Fast response after fire disaster
When fire devastated the equipment used by a pre-play group in a church hall West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity was quick to answer a plea for help......<more>

HISTORICAL RECORDS SUCCESS FOR WEST LANCASHIRE
The final results of the Historical Records Survey were announced in the presence of the Pro Grand Master at a meeting held in the Regent Room at Freemasons’ Hall......<more>

Quilts of Valour
Vivian Green has picked up her needle and thread with a new passion after reading an article in a quilting magazine earlier this year. Vivian was inspired by.....<more>

REGALIA SHOP TO OPEN AT HOPE STREET
By September 2010, the Liverpool Masonic Hall Building Fund Committee will have its Masonic regalia shop up fully up and running........<more>

The RW Provincial Grand Master has, with considerable regret, received intimation from WBro Dennis Rudd, PSGD and WBro Edward Caulfield, PSGD of their desire to retire from office as Assistant Provincial Grand Masters with effect from the meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge on 23 May 2011.

Bro Rudd and Bro Caulfield have offered the Province their substantial and devoted talents in a number of offices over many years and the Provincial Grand Master will seek the opportunity, during the year to come, to offer to each of them both his gratitude, and that of the Province, for what they have achieved.

Succeeding Bro Rudd as Assistant Provincial Grand Master, and with particular responsibility for the Warrington, Widnes and Woolton Groups of lodges, will be WBro Ian Boswell, PAGDC, at present Chairman of the Warrington Group.

Succeeding Bro Caulfield as Assistant Provincial Grand Master and with particular responsibility for the Leigh, St Helens & Prescot, and Wigan & District Groups will be WBro Anthony Bent, PAGDC, at present Chairman of the Leigh Group.

Succeeding Bro Boswell as Chairman of the Warrington & District Group will be
WBro Christopher Eyres, PPrGSuptWks,
and he will be succeeded as Vice Chairman by
WBro Colin Boardman PPrJGW.

Succeeding Bro Bent as Chairman of the Leigh Group will be
WBro Malcolm Parr PAGDC
and he will be succeeded as Vice Chairman by
WBro Leonard Hart PPrJGW

Following the appointment of WBro David Hilliard PAGDC as Chairman of the Woolton Group, he will be succeeded as Vice Chairman of that Group by WBro Andrew Whittle, PPrJGD.

The new home for the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity is now operational from its new offices in Huyton. All correspondence and communications should be directed there with effect from 31st August.

2 Paramount Business Park, Wilson Road, Huyton, Liverpool L36 6AW
Telephone number for applications 0151 482 4757
Telephone number for other matters 0151 482 4750

The new offices provide considerably more space than the old facility in Hope Street and are ideally situated close to the M57/M62 junction enabling easier access by the 22 team members attending each week. It will be a pleasant place in which to work and should reinforce the image of the charity as an organisation of which members of the Province can be justifiably proud.

Freemasons have been praised by Professor David Bellamy for encouraging North West youngsters to take an interest in gardening.

Professor Bellamy was speaking at Southport Flower Show after he and Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker presented two schools with £500 each to enhance their school grounds.

Professor Bellamy said that by encouraging children to become involved with gardens today it would reap rewards in the future and he thanked the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity for deciding to sponsor the competition not only this year but for the next three years.

Peter Hosker said that there had not only been a record number of entries for the competition but that the children had shown outstanding skills. “The designs have been absolutely wonderful,” he said. “The children are the gardeners of the future and will look after our environment.”

It was a day of joy and sadness for 11-year-old Kerry Anne Eakins of Penketh Community School, Warrington, for her winning garden called “The Path of Life” was dedicated to the memory of Private Tom Sephton of the 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment, who died in July from injuries sustained in Afghanistan. There to see the special garden tribute to Tom were Ian and Cath Sephton. There was spontaneous applause from everyone gathered around the winning gardens when Peter Hosker said that Ian and Cath were present to see the garden. Ian said he was extremely touched by Kerry’s decision to pay such a beautiful tribute to his son who she knew well and who was a former pupil at the school.

The David Bellamy School Garden competition has been run at the Southport Flower Show for several years but this was the first time that it had been sponsored by the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity which not only provided the prizemoney for the two top schools but also £50 each for Kerry and the other joint winner Millie Lovaine of Valewood Primary School, Crosby. Millie, aged 11, was unfortunately not able to attend to be presented with the prize as she was in America on holiday.

The competition attracted a record entry of more than 500 garden designs from schools throughout the North West and there were also £50 for the eight runners-up

The winning designs, chosen by a panel of judges, were built for real by gardeners Muddy Boots and displayed in front of more than 80,000 visitors to Southport Flower Show.

Kerry who also received an autographed copy of one of Professor Bellamy’s books, said: “Wow. It’s a bit scary! My legs went all funny and wobbly when I was told I’d won, and I couldn’t feel my feet!”

Head teacher Mark Hilton said that the school had adopted a green policy by growing vegetables, selling them and buying more seeds to plant next year. He said that retired teacher Judith Stephen had been encouraging the school’s eco projects. She had heard about the competition being sponsored by Freemasons and encouraged children at the school take part. He said that Kerry is a very talented girl who used her design skills to create the garden. The money will be used by the school to develop the pond area in its grounds.

Valewood Primary has good form in terms of producing winners of the competition. The school has been entering for four years. Entries from the school this year include a previous winner and another of this year’s entries, by Chloe Dee, was highly commended by judges.

Judith Stitchbury, Millie’s teacher, said: “She is a creative, thoughtful pupil. I’m not surprised she has won the competition. Millie is a delight to teach, and everyone at the school is so happy for her.”

Judith was there to receive the prize for the school along with Millie’s grandparents William and Rose Tulley. She said plans have not yet been made on how to spend the £500 on the school grounds as they want Millie to be involved.

Eight other entries were commended by the judges and the schools each receive £50 for their school grounds. The pupils and schools are: Jenny Corcoran of Stanton Road, Bebbington; Ariana Willey of Diggle School, Oldham; Daniel Jones of Forefield Junior School, Crosby; Lucy Cresswell of Norwood Primary, Southport; Lucy Hillier and Kristy Vidamour of St Luke’s Primary, Formby; Lucy Russell of Claremont Primary, Blackpool; Olivia Jones of Westhead Latham St James, Westhead; and Zohra Najenie of St Bridgety’s Primary, Warrington.

Kerry Eakins receives the £500 prize for her school from David Bellamy and Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker.

Millie Lovaine was away on holiday so her prize was collected by her teacher Judith Stitchbury and grandparents William and Rose Tulley.

Kerry is pictured in her prizewinning garden with Professor David Bellamy, Clair Skidmore of Muddy Boots, Cath Sephton, Peter Hosker and Ian Sephton.

Kerry dedicated her garden, “The Path of Life” to the memory of Private Tom Sephton and she is pictured with Ian and Cath Sephton.

Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker was interviewed the sponsorship provided by West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity for the garden competition by Delores Seaton of lancashireone.com while behind the camera was Mike Berry.

Among the early visitors to Kerry’s winning garden were the Mayor and Mayoress of Warrington, Clr John Joyce and Mrs Elizabeth Joyce.

Group membership officers have been busy answering questions about Freemasonry at Southport Flower Show.

The Province had a stall at the show for the second time and Provincial Membership Officers John Wingfield said the number of people visiting the stand had been very encouraging and showed an increase on the last time he was at the show.

Visitors to the stand were encouraged to take part in a free draw for which there were prizes of £250, £100 and £50.

Ken Pearson and his wife Winsen travelled to Southport from their Birmingham home to visit the Southport Flower Show and were keen to learn more about Freemasonry from Southport Group Membership Officer Peter Martin.

Jennie Connor from Widnes enters the free draw assisted by Chorley Group Membership Officer Andy Wiltshire.

Well there is now an answer which will only take up a few minutes of lodge time and will interest the inquiring or the less experienced Mason and will help to maintain interest.

Wigan Group Publicity Officer Fred Lomax, a Past Master of the Manchester Lodge for Masonic Research has put together a series of more than 50 short papers specially designed to give the answer to many common questions: Why So Mote it Be? Landmarks, what are they? Ancient Charges, are they really ancient? Cowans and Intruders to Masonry!! and many, many more. Each paper is one A4 sheet and takes no more than five minutes to read and have been used successfully in a number of lodges.

They will also be of particular interest to lodge mentors to enable them to support new members in their understanding of the Craft, its history and structure.

These papers, which are approved by the Province, are now available to lodge secretaries for a donation to West Lancashire Masonic Charities.

If you are interested contact Fred Lomax at fredlomax@blueyonder.co.uk or ring 01257 400237 for further details.

From September 2010 the papers will also appear as a regular feature in the quarterly Masonic magazine ‘THE SQUARE‘

The central Liverpool Groups of the Province of West Lancashire are to be reorganised with effect from May next year.

Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker has made it clear that he considers that the wellbeing of our Masonic Halls should be a principal focus for brethren and companions at this time, and in this context, and in view of the reducing Masonic populations in our cities generally, he believes that it would be beneficial to Liverpool Masonry, and to the lodges and chapters meeting at Hope Street in particular if he were to reconfigure the group system in Liverpool, whereby those meeting at Hope Street, and those not, could be grouped together to better advantage.

A statement issued by Provincial Grand Secretary Geoffrey Lee says: “At Hope Street in particular he believes that the Hall would benefit from the formation of a single, dedicated Group, led by a team whose interests and concerns are focused on and in that important building. He feels this would strengthen the identification of Hope Street Masons with their Masonic home, and contribute to its sense of future.

“At the same time, the Liverpool lodges and chapters which do not meet at Hope Street will benefit from being grouped together in a more identified way as Liverpool lodges and chapters with their own Group identity and leadership.

“Accordingly, from the meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge on 23 May 2011, those lodges and chapters in the present Liverpool Trafalgar, Wellington, Sandon and Gladstone Groups will be redistributed according to whether or not they meet in Hope Street. Those which do will come together to form ‘The Liverpool Group’, and those who meet elsewhere will form ‘The Liverpool Gladstone Group’. There will then be two central Liverpool Groups rather than four. (No final decision has been taken on the names of these Groups and The Provincial Grand Master will continue his discussions on this subject.)

“The Group Chairmen at present holding office in those four Liverpool Groups will be retiring from office on that date, as will the Vice-Chairman of the Sandon Group. The two other ‘Hope Street’ Vice-Chairmen will remain in place with specific new responsibilities (see later).

“Worshipful Brothers John Roberts PAGDC, Paul Shepherd PJGD, Michael Winterbottom PAGDC, John Wreyford PJGD and David Anderton PAGDC, are serving the lodges and chapters of Liverpool with great distinction, and have done so for many years. The Provincial Grand Master will be seeking opportunities during the coming year to express the considerable gratitude of the Province, and of their brethren and companions, to them for their invaluable work. Bro Roberts in particular, as Chairman of the Hall Company, has been asked to continue his important work in leading and developing the present and future plans for the building itself, to the benefit of those meeting in it.

“The Assistant Provincial Grand Master with particular responsibility for ‘The Liverpool Group’ will be WBro Stanley Oldfield, PSGD.

“The Chairman of ‘The Liverpool Group’ will be WBro David Hawkes PAGDC, at present Chairman of the Woolton Group. His Deputy Chairman will be WBro Samuel Robinson PAGDC, who is also Chairman of the 2015 Hall Appeal Committee.

“As Vice-Chairmen, Bro Roy Ashley PPrJGW will have particular responsibility for the lodges in the Group, and EComp Steven Walls PPrGSN for the Royal Arch chapters. They will also have special regard to recruitment and retention in those areas. Two Group Secretaries will also reflect this structure, and their appointments will be announced shortly.

“The Chairman of ‘The Liverpool Gladstone Group’ will be WBro William Culshaw PPrJGW, at present Secretary of that Group. WBro Keith Sanders PAGDC has intimated a preference to remain as Vice-Chairman.

“Much work will need to be done to effect these changes and to prepare the new structure for launching in May 2011, and this work is in hand.

“WBro David Hilliard PAGDC will succeed Bro Hawkes as Chairman of the Woolton Group. The Garston and Bootle Groups remain unaffected by these changes.

“EComp Clive Jefferies PAGSoj will retire as Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals on Thursday 14 April 2011. Both in Group office and since becoming an Assistant in the Royal Arch, Comp Jefferies has served the Province and in particular the Masons of Liverpool with great distinction and the Grand Superintendent will seek opportunities to offer Comp Jefferies the gratitude of the Province. He will be succeeded as Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals with responsibility for ‘The Liverpool Group’ of chapters by EComp Paul Shepherd, PGStdB.

“Responsibility for the chapters in the Woolton Group will pass to EComp Ian Fisher, PGStdB, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals.

“By these measures the Provincial Grand Master hopes that the lodges and chapters of Liverpool will benefit from greater focus and a more particular sense of identity which will assist them in their future endeavours.”

Membership Officers of the Liverpool groups supported by wives along with their membership co-ordinator Peter Levick took part in the Woodvale Rally for the first time.

Using the Provincial membership trailer they had an eventful and busy two days. Most importantly the weather was fine and when they eventually managed to secure a satisfactory site the numbers of enquiries increased substantially.

People from around the country stopped to ask for more information on becoming a Freemason with a majority coming from the Province of West Lancashire. The later are already being contacted and. progressed.

The highlight of the Saturday was the arrival of ‘Laurel and Hardy’ who proceeded to baffle all with their sleight of hand and had Paul Rattigan speechless as they distorted the fork that he was holding. He was less successful in his attempts to add two more ‘Famous Masons’ to our membership.

Provincial Membership Officer John Wingfield had an interesting encounter with an overseas brother on the Sunday who after taking copious notes of the Province’s membership project and pictures of the trailer told him he would be telling them back home how we were operating to encourage a positive approach to joining Freemasonry. He came from New Zealand!

Paul Rattigan unfortunately failed in his attempt to recruit “Laurel and Hardy” to became new members “Famous Masons”.

Masons on the move as the trailer is pushed to a better spot on the rally site.

It was a day to remember for Martin Stoker when he took part in the Masonic Golfing Society Championship at Shaw Hill Golf Club.

Martin, a member of Southport Temple Lodge, not only won the individual championship but was also a member of the Southport line-up which won the team championship.

To crown the night Martin’s name was drawn out of the hat in a very special raffle. Martin will be spending the day accompanying Nick Dougherty and his playing partners on a practice round at St Andrews on 6 October, the final practice day of the Dunhill Links Championship.

More than 130 golfers took part in the championship. A full report and a large selection of photographs appear on the society’s section of the website.

Martin Stoker is presented with the Challenge Trophy by Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker.

Nearly 300 Freemasons, wives and friends from across the Province joined together for a fascinating cruise along the River Mersey and Manchester Ship Canal. The cruise, scheduled for six hours on board the “Snowdrop” ferry boat left Leasowe Mersey Ferry Terminal and once Eastham Lock had been negotiated sailed 35miles along the Manchester Ship Canal to Salford Quays.

This event was organised by John Hammond who is the Local Care Officer for the Woolton Group, and a member of the Wigan Group, who thoroughly deserved the thanks received from Woolton Group Chairman David Hawkes on behalf of all on board for a wonderful day.

It was pleasing to note that a sum nearing £2,000 was raised, which will be channelled back to the following Groups that supported the event (in alphabetical order): Bootle, Charley, Eccles, Garston, Gladstone, Leigh, Sandon, Southport, South Eastern, Trafalgar, Wellington, Widnes Wigan and Woolton.

Paul Shepherd, Gladstone Group Chairman with Assistant Provincial Grand Master Michael Hill.

Mike Winterbottom, Trafalgar Group Chairman with Paul Snape, Vice Chairman of Chorley and District.

Roy Cowley (centre), Wellington Group Secretary with (right) John Roberts, Wellington Group Chairman.

Steve Walls, Trafalgar Group Vice Chairman with organiser John Hammond and Mrs Anne Hammond.

David Hilliard, Woolton Group Vice Chairman with Vic Albin, Woolton Group Secretary.

Freemasons have helped a budding actress take a major step up the ladder which could lead to Hollywood stardom.

In the face of fierce international competition 18-year-old Charlotte Rothwell won a place at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Hollywood. The problem Charlotte then faced was that the two-year course would cost £24,000 and raising all the cash was a massive problem.

An application by her to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity topped up her fund-raising efforts by £2,500.

Charlotte, who lives with her widowed mother in Scarisbrick, said she was absolutely “thrilled and overwhelmed” when she heard the news of financial support from Freemasons.

After receiving the cheque from John Smith, secretary of the Non-Masonic Grant Executive of the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity, Charlotte said: “I would like to thank all at the Freemasons for their support and for their kindness with their contribution to my funds for my studies. It is with the generosity of this organisation, friends and my mother’s family that is allowing me to take up this amazing opportunity, as well as a scholarship that I have been awarded by American Academy.”

John Smith said: “Charlotte has been given a chance of a lifetime and we are delighted to be able to help her.”

Charlotte has had her sights set on being an actress since the age of four when she started to attend the Pamela Bardsley School of Speech and Drama in addition to her normal studies at the Merchant Taylors’ School for Girls in Crosby.

She started taking part in competitions around the age of five and has played main parts in many of Shakespeare's plays for competitions and also in school.

She attended the drama school in Southport every week from the age of four and it is only since receiving the offer of a place with the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Hollywood, Los Angeles, that Ishe has abandoned her 14-year long studies with Mrs Bardsley.

Charlotte said: “This is reflective of my sheer dedication to and passion for acting. I have reached Grade 6 in Trinity Guildhall and LAMDA examinations, as well as winning the Liverpool Speech and Drama Student of the Year three times while achieving many first places in the competitions I competed in yearly. I was considered for the part of Hermione in the Harry Potter films and approached by the BBC at a young age. During my 14 year attendance with the Pamela Bardsley School, I also occasionally assisted with the teaching of younger pupils, but it has always been clear that my passion lies with becoming a successful actress myself.

“The offer of an audition in London to this highly prestigious acting academy was only made to me 36 hours before, but there was no doubt in my mind that I had to grab the opportunity and give it everything I’ve got, although I was wary that the academy was very competitive - only 20% of their 100 student intake are international students, so this is inclusive of students from all over the world and I still feel so overwhelmed and in shock that I have been given this chance. To be given this ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity with AADA will give me the high level of training necessary to succeed in the competitive world of acting and allow me to be introduced to and network with some of Hollywood’s best known acting agents and casting directors.

“AADA was attended by some of the film industry’s biggest names, such as Grace Kelly, Robert Redford, Lauren Bacall, Kirk Douglas, Kim Cattrall and Anne Hathaway, to name but a few. I am an incredibly hard-working, dedicated, enthusiastic girl, who is desperate to train as an actress in an environment that will nurture my talent and give me a world of opportunities to ensure I have a successful, fulfilling career. I am so excited to be living and training in Hollywood- the hub of the acting world, where all the action is!”

Pamela Bardsley said: “Charlotte has a great stage presence, which is always noted by adjudicators and she has a great ability to bring a wide variety of characters to life. She takes on every role offered to her with a high level of conviction.”

A toast to Hollywood success. Charlotte Rothwell is pictured with John Smith, secretary of the Non-Masonic Grant Executive of the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity after he presented her with a grant of £2,500

The Freemasons' Grand Charity has been one of the first organisations to issue an immediate £25,000 to the British Red Cross Pakistan Flood Appeal - one of the largest initial pledges the Red Cross received within the first 24 hours of opening the appeal.

The President of The Freemasons' Grand Charity, Grahame Elliott, approved the emergency grant of £25,000 to the Red Cross following extreme flooding in Northern Pakistan.

Tens of thousands of people are stranded and cut off by flood waters and an estimated 1,500 people have been killed, although this number is set to rise. Aid Agencies working in the area report that entire villages have been washed away, leaving thousands of people homeless. At least 3 million people have been affected in the worst floods to hit the region for 80 years.

The decision was taken to fund the Red Cross due to their current presence and infrastructure in Pakistan, and their ability to provide immediate aid.

Provision of hygiene kits and sanitation facilities to stem the spread of preventable diseases.
Provision of safe drinking water to flood-affected families.

As a thank you for the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity’s first donation of £5,000 to Kids in Need and Distress, Stephen Yip, KIND’s CEO, invited representatives to attend its 35th birthday party when the chief guest was HRH Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, who during her visit to Liverpool would attend the celebrations and cut the birthday cake.

Roy Skidmore, Chief Executive of WLFC and Colin Rowling, chair of the non-Masonic grant executive team joined other invited guests at the party. Amongst them was the Rev Kenneth Cox, Past Third Provincial Grand Principal, a personal contributor to KIND.

Situated in Back Canning Street, just a stone’s throw from the Masonic Hall in Hope Street, KIND is a children’s charity that works with thousands of children, young people and their families across Liverpool and greater Merseyside, pioneering new and imaginative ways to help them cope with many forms of disadvantage through education by offering learning and skill development opportunities.

The Rev Kenneth Cox is introduced to the Duchess of Cornwall by Stephen Yip (right). Also pictured, left, is Roy Skidmore.

Members from two West Lancashire lodges were present at the Federation of Police Lodges Festival. Both Sovereign’s Peace Lodge No 8911 and Red Rose of Lancashire Lodge No 9640 were represented. The Sovereign’s Peace Lodge delegation was led by the WM, Colin Rowan and his wife Ruth, accompanied by his personal guests Andy and Mrs Novak, together with other members of the lodge and their ladies. Chairman of the Federation of Police Lodges, Roger Norris, represented Red Rose of Lancashire Lodge. The events took place at the Gillingham Masonic Centre, Kent, on what proved to be a most enjoyable and productive weekend.

A large number Police Masons and their ladies travelled from police lodges throughout England and Wales and also from Harp and Crown Lodge No 60 of the Irish Constitution, making this one of the best attended festivals so far. Previous festivals have been held at Southport, Durham, St Albans and last year at Leyland. This year the festival was hosted by Watch and Ward Lodge No 8809 of East Kent and additionally sponsored by the Phoenix of the Metropolis Lodge No 9744 and the Phoenix Masonic Association of London representing the Metropolitan police lodges.

The festivities commenced on the Friday evening with a delicious “hog roast” supper and social gathering. As well as renewing old acquaintances, the delegates and ladies took part in a charity quiz and a raffle which raised several hundred pounds. The decision of the committee to award the bulk of the funds raised to the “Help for Heroes” charity was received with acclaim. The residue is to be donated to a local children’s hospice and other charities.

Saturday saw the meeting of the federation committee at the Masonic Centre followed by a meeting of Watch and Ward Lodge which was attended by all of the delegates. They were privileged to witness the initiation into Watch and Ward Lodge of an officer of Kent Constabulary. This newly-made Brother can now boast that at he was initiated into Freemasonry in the presence of the Provincial Grand Master for East Kent, Michael R Bailey, an Assistant Provincial Grand Master, a Provincial Grand Secretary, the President of the Federation of Police Lodges, Peter Hill, and that the Charge was delivered to him by the secretary of the federation, Adrian Harris.

The ladies meanwhile were entertained by a trip to a “Kent Life” exhibition, followed by a boat trip on the River Medway culminating in a shopping trip to Maidstone. They were returned to the Masonic Centre that evening to join the Brethren for the grand banquet which once more proved to be a gala occasion. Bob Fisher of Sovereign’s Peace Lodge replied to the toast to the visitors and his hilarious anecdotes and humorous asides closed the banquet and put the seal on another successful and enjoyable festival.

The next festival will be held on 4 June 2011, at Ballymena, Northern Ireland, and will be hosted by Harp and Crown Lodge. Members of Blue Lamp Lodge No 9840 of Monmouthshire have indicated a desire to hold the 2012 Festival in Chepstow. Attendance at the festivals is not restricted to members of Police lodges but would be of interest to any serving or retired Police Mason. Further information may be obtained from the Secretary of Sovereign’s Peace Lodge on application.

Living at home with her mum and sister in a pleasant suburb of Wigan is one thing, but having to live along with many homeless people, black and white, young and old, in a tough area of San Francisco is another matter. However, that is the life changing experience Jodie Clark, 18, the daughter of the late Paul Clark a Past Master of Ashton Trinity Lodge, Bryn had on a two-week trip to California, supported by the RMTGB and organised by her local church, The Living Faith (formerly Winstanley Free Methodists).

Her father Paul died of cancer 18 months ago and was a well loved and highly regarded member of Ashton Trinity Lodge.

Jodie spent two weeks in California experiencing at first hand what the many homeless of this particular area of San Francisco have to endure on a daily basis.

Many young people from different parts of the world took part in the Youth with a Mission (YWAM) project and Jodie found it quite an un-nerving experience at first, but as the first week went by she was able to support many of the homeless, most of whom were quite young people with various problems, often drug related.

Jodie and her colleagues went out on to the streets to talk to and support the many young homeless people who really appreciated this support but back at the centre she came into contact with a young man who had been orphaned at a young age, who was later abused both physically and sexually, eventually becoming addicted to ‘crystal meth’, a common drug which plays havoc with young people in the area. He eventually served several years in prison and on his release he was taken in by YWAM and is now one their best counsellors working alongside the homeless community he was once a part of.

As part of the project Jodie had to take part in the daily routine of providing food packages for the homeless who were given food at the homeless centre, but that wasn’t all. To enlighten the experience she went on a night visit onto the streets to give welcoming hot chocolate to the homeless and along with others spent nearly 48 hours, without washing or changing clothes and sleeping on the bare floor of the centre with just two dollars to survive on.

After the first eight days the volunteers were taken to the awe inspiring Yosemite National Park to experience one of the most outstandingly beautiful places on earth where they reflected on the experience they had just been through.

Jodie said: “I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. At first I was very nervous and am normally a quite and quite shy person but this has changed my life and I think I will be a better person for it.”

Her mum Pat said: “Without the support of the MTGB she wouldn’t have been able to make the trip and Paul would have been so proud of what she has achieved with the support of the Masonic charities which were so close to his heart.”

Pat also thanked Lodge almoner, Peter Chrimes for all the support he has given since Paul died and, of course, to the many members of Ashton Trinity Lodge who have always been there to help the family when needed.

The trip will in part contribute to Jodie achieving her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, which she hopes she will complete later this year.

Jodie with a homeless man named Paige who she shared a lunch with in a local park.

The Provincial membership team commenced its summer programme of attending major events throughout the area at the Great Eccleston Agricultural Show.

This programme is a vital ingredient in the Provincial Marketing and Recruitment Plan and a team of group membership officers strongly supported by volunteers were in attendance for the two days of the show.

The Great Eccleston Agricultural Show is one of the premier tractor pull contests in the country and is attended by teams from as far away as Aberdeen and Essex. There is also a wide selection of more traditional show items including shire horses, sheep and poultry.

As usual with these events the weather is a key ingredient and whilst on the Saturday after a damp start it was generally fine the Sunday was more suitable for a sub aqua festival.

The team reports that its efforts was very well received by the public and produced an encouraging number of requests for more information on Freemasonry and how to join.

The team’s thanks go to Sue, Julie and Janice for making such an important contribution to making contact with the wider public.

Dave McKee (left) and Ian Kendrick chat to a couple of visitors to the Masonic stand at the Great Eccleston Agrigultural Show.

The widow of a Westhoughton Freemason received a special group of visitors to mark her 100th birthday.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Ray Martland went along to present Mrs Hilda Mercer with a bouquet. With him were Raymond Dainty, almoner of St Bartholomew Lodge No 6071, and the local care officer for the Chorley Group Allan Farrington

Hilda is a resident of the Winifred Kettle Home in Westhoughton and was proud to show her Masonic visitors a card she had received from The Queen.

Hilda has been a widow since 1984. Her late husband was a member of St Bartholomew Lodge and was WM in 1971. He served the lodge as almoner for some years.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Ray Martland is pictured congratulating Hilda Mercer on reaching her 100th birthday. Also in the picture are Raymond Dainty and Allan Farrington.

A member of the Liverpool Cathedral choir since 1938, John was awarded the MBE for voluntary service to the cathedral.

John, who is 82, says: “I joined the choir in 1938, aged 10. At the cathedral, when boys leave the choir after their voices break, they can join what is called the ‘Cross Guild’ which is an association founded by Dean Dwelly, the first Dean of Liverpool. The aim is to maintain contact with the ex choristers and for them to continue to take part in the ceremonial and processional parts of the religious services, mainly on Sundays. It is a unique organisation. I have been a member since I left the choir, an association going back 72 years. I act as the Beadle, who carries the mace and leads the processions.”

The Cathedral remains a big part of John’s life. In his time, John has seen six Deans pass through the role. He was married to his first wife, Nancy there – she sadly passed away in 1983. His two daughters Heather and Wendy were christened and married there along with his grandchildren.

Latterly John and his new wife Mo were married at the cathedral five years ago this month.

John has been fortunate to see many large services taking place including participation by eminent and interesting people including royalty.

John met and chatted with the Queen at the Maundy Service a few years ago and on another occasion spoke to Prince Charles.

John was initiated into Liverpool Mercantile Lodge in 1977 and was WM in 1983. He was appointed PrGSuptWks in 1992 and in 1998 was promoted to be a Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.

John joined the Chapter of Perseverance in 1987 and served as its First Principal in 1994. His first Provincial appointment in the Royal Arch was in 2001 as a PPrAGDC and he was promoted to be PPrAGSoj in 2009.

John Lloyd who has been made a Member of the British Empire in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Special needs pupils at Oakfield School in Hindley Green received support from the West Lancs Masonic Charities to enable its team, the ‘Hindley 6 Ers’ to take part in a table cricket match sponsored by the Lords Taverners.

The team from Oakfields won the regional final at Old Trafford in April and went on to the final event at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London finishing third.

To enable the team to travel to London West Lancs Masonic Charities donated £280 to offset some of the cost of overnight accommodation.

The team were Elizabeth Clementson, Lee Ann Barnes, Stephen Dale and Karren Brown.

Thanks to the generosity of Leigh and Wigan Freemasons, the hospice in Hindley has been presented with a giant 42” HD TV and a sophisticated portable stand and DVD player.

Corporate director Alan Baron said: “This will be a terrific boost for us. A large mobile TV will be ideal. As well as our day hospice for showing DVDs to patients, it will be a great aid for showing training videos to hospice staff, volunteers and other health professionals who come to the hospice for specialist training.”

Tony Bent, Chairman of the Leigh Group who donated the TV said: “Wigan and Leigh Hospice provides a vital service for our community and we are delighted to be able to once again support them.”

The special stand and DVD player was donated by Ashton Trinity Lodge in the Wigan Masonic Group

Tony Clarke, Master of Ashton Trinity Lodge added: “The care provide by the hospice is second to none and in these difficult financial times we are delighted to help the staff with the best training aids to ensure the standard of care is maintained. We are also delighted if it will help patients on their visits to the hospice.”

Pictured, left to right, are: Sarah Barringer, a placement trainee, Tony Bent, Sister Yvonne Tague, Tony Clarke, Len Hart and at the rear Malcolm Parr (Leigh Group Vice-chairman) and Geoff Sheppard (charity steward of Ashton Trinity).

Woolton Group Chairman David Hawkes enjoys cruising almost as much as he enjoys his Freemasonry, so when he was asked to preside over a Masonic gathering on board Cunard’s Queen Victoria, life just doesn’t get much better!

The gathering was held at sea when brethren with wives/partners totalling 27 attended and were honoured by the presence of Captain John Wright, who was delighted to receive a donation of £185 from all present, which will go to his charity, the RNLI.

David was ably assisted by Bootle Group Secretary - Ray Barrow (far right in photograph with wife Jackie) who was by chance on the same cruise and acted as Director of Ceremonies.

Mike Winterbottom, Chairman of the Trafalgar Group of Lodges has presented a donation of £500 to Laurie Scott, Chairman of the Friends of Tithebarn The presentation took place at the annual meeting of the Friends.

Prior to presenting the cheque Mike Winterbottom and Steven Walls Secretary of the Trafalgar Group were given a guided tour of the home and grounds.

They met many of the residents and enjoyed conversations with them. The overall impression gained by the chairman was of a very happy and harmonious environment in which all of the residents enjoy their days.

In an effort to reduce costs in conjunction with future developments plans for Widnes Masonic Hall renewable energy sources are being investigated.

The first stage of this plan took place when the hall Chairman, Peter Browne, group chairman, David Redhead and Tommy Glynn of St Paul's Lodge, attended an open day at Rivington in Lancashire to examine the possibility of using a renewable energy wind turbine to offset the cost of electrical energy being used in the Widnes Masonic Hall.

The turbine in question was capable of an output of 11KW, more than enough for the needs of Widnes Masonic Hall and all surplus energy feed back into the grid system would attract a feed-in tariff of 26.7p/kwh. Unfortunately, during the discussions with Segen, the authorised distributor and installer, about the requirements and operation of a wind turbine it became clear that such a scheme would not be viable and other options need to be explored.

One such option would be the installation of solar panels to produce 7.2kw of electricity at a cost of approximately £32,000, which is around £15,000 cheaper than the cost of a wind turbine and would give a payback in about 10 years after which Widnes Masonic Hall would have no electricity bill. Surplus energy from this system would attract a feed-in tariff of 36.1p/kwh.

Peter said that we must explore all options to maintain the viability of Widnes Masonic Hall well into the future and if this means generating an income from a renewable energy source alongside developments to attract outside functions then it can only be good for Widnes Masonic Hall and its members as it will go a long way towards keeping the capitation costs down.

Widnes Masonic Hall Chairman Peter Browne (left) and Widnes Group Chairman David Redhead at the wind farm in Rivington in Lancashire. (Picture supplied by Tommy Glynn of St Paul's Lodge)

The latest donation to be presented was for £550 which had been raised by a St George’s Day event in Warrington Masonic Hall.

The cheque was presented by Warrington Group Chairman Ian Boswell to hospital matron Sue Winstanley and Florence Fairhurst who is assistant treasurer of Newton Community Hospital Welfare Assocation.

There is a strong link between Warrington Group Freemasons and the hospital as Norman Pritchard, Bob Williams and Arthur Hamblett are all members of the welfare association.

Sue Winstanley said the support from Freemason had been “magnificent” and pointed out that previously Birchwood Lodge had made donations totalling £600, Academy Lodge had given £700 and Willows Lodge and Newton Lodge had each given £100 and there had been a further £100 individual donation.

Organisers of the St George’s Day event – Alan Greggs, Peter Whalley, Dave Whitmore, Chris Eyres and Tony Kolita – select a different charity each year to benefit from their fund-raising. Because Norman Pritchard has assisted so many lodges they decided to ask him where he would like the money to go to and he selected the hospital.

The hospital is based in Bradley Road, Newton-le-Willows, and cares for 23 in patients for rehabilitation and sub acute care of people too ill to be cared for at home. It also has an out patient department as well as providing outreach services for people in the area who have been discharged from hospital.

Warrington Group Chairman Ian Boswell presents the cheque to Sue Winstanley and Florence Fairhurst.

Petitions presented by West Lancashire almoners to the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys have resulted in grants being made of nearly £400,000 in the last financial year.

A total of 161 petitions for 83 girls and 78 boys resulted in grants totalling £399,579. Of this total £384,879 was in the form of maintenance grants and £14,700 in Talent Aid.

Since 2002 the total amount of grants made to beneficiaries under the wings of West Lancashire almoners has been £4,349,213.

Some of the grants are for girls and boys who no longer live in the Province but whose petitions are handled by West Lancashire almoners. In fact, local almoners care for two families in overseas Masonic Provinces, one in Andalucia and another in Toronto.

The restaurant formerly known as “Park Hall” has reopened to the public. The bistro is now called the “Old Printworks” as it is believed the Ormskirk Advertiser previously occupied part of the site which is now the Ormskirk Masonic Hall.

The restaurant occupies the ground floor of the hall and has been opened under the management of Jim Yates and Paul Breeze, who also run their own catering business called the Thyme Out Food Company.

Jim and Paul invited guests along to an official launch night where they were served hot canapés and Pimm’s. Jim said: “The launch party could not have gone any better “As well as the hot canapés we served mini main courses, such as Lancashire Hot Pot and fish pie. The last guest left well after midnight.”

Jim and Paul first became involved in the restaurant after Freemasons asked them to become emergency caterers after the previous franchisee decided to close the business in February.

After that had gone well the Ormskirk Masonic Hall Association asked the pair to consider taking on the franchise which they were happy to do.

The Old Printworks is opposite Morrison’s Supermarket, Park Road, Ormskirk. It opens from 9.30am and serves a brunch menu which includes: smoked salmon with truffle scrambled eggs on wholemeal toast. Lunch is served from 12 noon and offers a wide range of homemade food made with ingredients that are sourced locally, where possible.

A total of 23 major grants have been approved at the annual meeting of The Freemasons’ Grand Charity. The grants have been awarded to worthwhile projects and causes in the areas of medical research, youth opportunities and vulnerable people.

The largest individual grant of £250,000 was awarded to SSAFA Forces Help as part of a new national initiative, to be distributed to branches throughout England and Wales.

A grant of £40,000 is made to the Association of Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus to fund a research project at the University of Sheffield into the use of inutero MRI scans to identify babies with abnormal brain development. Currently ultrasound scans are used, but there is evidence that in utero MRI will show more. About 1,100 spina bifida pregnancies still occur each year in the UK and the charity provides support and information for families about the disabilities caused by spina bifida and hydrocephalus. The association is based in Cambridgeshire. http://www.asbah.org/

A grant of £100,000 payable in equal installments over two years is made to fund Dr Alastair Cole’s research into the use and side affects of alemtuzumab in treating multiple sclerosis. The research project was established to create a new drug treatment for early stage MS but it is also showing interesting results relating to the development of other auto-immune diseases. The project is based in Cambridgeshire.

There is a grant of £20,000 to help fund the Young Addaction Aspire pilot. The charity believes that young people who abuse drugs and alcohol respond well to treatment when it is tailored to their needs and that money is better spent on early intervention rather than expensive residential rehabilitation. The pilot will be working with young people in Cornwall and Lancashire offering a 12-week Aspire Foundation Course to cover personal development and a community project using local partners. The project is based in Cornwall and Lancashire. http://www.addaction.org.uk/

This £50,000 grant is to fund the further roll-out of the Centrepoint Partnering Project for homeless young people. The Freemasons’ Grand Charity originally funded the project as a pilot scheme. The project now operates in seven regions providing free capacity building to support voluntary sector homelessness charities and consultancy and advice to larger organisations. The project is spread across the country. http://www.centrepoint.org.uk/

An £83,000 grant is to fund the Do Something: Out of School project. The project will provide a programme of community based activities including cricket, dance, film-making etc to 2,000 smaller voluntary youth clubs and will be funded by a partnership between the Lord’s Taverner’s, The Foundation for Sport and Arts and The Freemasons’ Grand Charity. The project is spread across the country. http://www.clubsforyoungpeople.org.uk/

Funding amounting to £50,000 is given for a new Skill Force team in the Solent, covering Bournemouth, Southampton, Portsmouth and Havant. Skillforce helps young people to earn vocational qualifications and to develop life skills through structured classroom and outdoor activities in which instruction and mentoring is provided mainly by ex-armed forces personnel. http://www.skillforce.org/

A £50,000 grant is made to fund a specialist nurse advisor and head of patient services for bowel cancer. Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in the UK and 36,500 people are diagnosed each year. The charity delivers a telephone and web-based service as well as providing free informative publications and is based in Middlesex. http://www.beatingbowelcancer.org/

A £15,000 grant is made to Breast Cancer Haven to fund a clinical nurse specialist in Hereford. The charity runs havens in London, Leeds and Hereford supporting people with breast cancer. All services are provided free of charge and each year 420 cancer patients attend at Hereford. http://www.breastcancerhaven.org.uk/

A grant to fund a new Cardiac Risk in the Young vehicle to carry cardiac screening equipment for use by volunteer cardiologists at events. The charity raises awareness through a programme which screens 7,000 young people each year. One in 300 will be found to have a serious condition and eight apparently healthy young people (under 35) die of an undiagnosed heart condition each week in the UK. http://www.c-r-y.org.uk/

A grant of £20,000 is made to the Challenging Behaviour Foundation to fund the Family Support Officer who provides information and advice directly to families and provides input into national strategies, The charity supports about 1,400 families who care for disabled people who have extreme and challenging behaviour. http://www.thecbf.org.uk/

A grant of £30,000 to Connect will fund a quarterly newsletter containing information, tips and advice for people with aphasia. Aphasia is a speech and communication disorder that results from damage to the brain. Aphasia usually occurs after a stroke but it can also be caused by brain injury or tumour and 250,000 people in the UK have aphasia. NHS patients may be offered short-term speech therapy after a stroke, but do not receive any long-term help with communication disabilities. http://www.ukconnect.org/

A grant of £35,000 for the Council for Care is to support the national advice service for the elderly and part-fund the salary of a new fund-raiser. The advice line deals in detail with 2,500 enquiries plus 500 written enquiries each year and produces factsheets on a variety of relevant issues for older people. The new fundraiser will develop the charity’s capability to raise money from individual donor’s and legacies. http://www.counselandcare.org.uk/

A £25,000 grant to Dogs for the Disabled will fund a programme highlighting the benefits of a trained dog for families with an autistic child. The charity has previously provided eight trained dogs to families with autistic children with positive results but this project will help many more families and will be delivered in partnership with the National Autistic Society. The charity requires 50 enquiries of interest each week and aims to reach 320 families. http://www.dogsforthedisabled.org/

A grant of £30,000 to the Down Syndrome Education International is to fund the see and learn project. The project builds on step-by-step activities and materials to help children achieve better reading, language, number and memory skills. All programmes are available to families free of charge on-line and the website has 20,000 regular visitors. http://www.downsed.org/en/gb/default.aspx

A grant £35,000 to Music in Hospitals is to fund Making Musical Memories, a series of concerts for older people in healthcare settings. The charity uses 300 professional musicians to deliver concerts in day care centres, hospitals, nursing and residential homes improving the quality of life and well being of those attending. Most healthcare centres contribute to the cost of concerts, but when cuts have to be made cultural activities are often targeted first. The charity therefore provides 48% of its concerts free of charge. http://www.music-in-hospitals.org.uk/

PHAB is to receive a grant of £10,000 to fund Inclusive Living Experiences at outdoor activity centres for disabled children. 130 children aged 14-18 attend projects in Cumbria, Derbyshire and Hampshire. It gives parents of disabled children a respite break or allows them to holiday together as a family. http://www.phab.org.uk/

A £50,000 grant for The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution will contribute to the welfare fund. RABI is a grant-making charity which supports members of the farming community who are suffering hardship. RABI has 12 regional welfare officers who visit and assess applicants and the charity supported 1,668 beneficiaries in 2008 with £1.9m of grants, welfare advice and practical support. http://www.rabi.org.uk/

The Severn Area Rescue Association receives £21,000 to fund the extension of Chepstow Station. SARA is an independent lifeboat and land search rescue operation. http://www.sara-rescue.org.uk/

The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help receives £250,000. This is a new grant to help fund regional branches in supporting service personnel and their families. http://www.ssafa.org.uk/

A grant £15,000 is to support the children of Special Boat Service Assocation members. The Royal Navy’s Special Boat Service (SBS) is the lesser known sister unit of the British Army’s Special Air Service Regiment (SAS). The SBS is a special forces unit which carries out special operations at sea, along coastlines and on river networks but is also highly skilled on dry land. Recent operations have taken place in Afghanistan and in Iraq.

Victim Support receives £20,000 to fund training of volunteers in the south west region to enable them to support victims of serious crime. The charity provides support and information for victims of personal crime and volunteers need specialist training to help them to deal with domestic violence, sexual abuse, murder and racist cries. Each category has a tailored four day course. http://www.victimsupport.org.uk/

A grant of £20,000 to Vitalise is to subsidise respite holidays for people with Alzheimer’s Disease and their carers at a residential centre in Nottingham. The whole centre is reserved for the specialist weeks and the carers are able to socialise and go on outings while knowing that their partner is being properly cared for. The charity provides services for disabled people in five residential centres and focuses on those with high dependency needs. http://www.vitalise.org.uk/Home-Page.aspx

Winston’s Wish: £25,000
A grant of £25,000 to Winston’s Wish will fund a senior counsellor. 24,000 children in the UK are bereaved of a parent each year. The counsellor helps families bereaved through homicide or suicide and will work directly with 80 families each year. The counsellor also answers calls on the national helpline and emails on the website. The helpline supports about 3,500 families and professionals each year. http://www.winstonswish.org.uk/

Bispham High School student Ellie Drake is thrilled to have been given a £500 lift to her acting ambitions through support from West Lancashire Freemasons. Sixteen year old Ellie is the only young person on the Fylde Coast to have been successful in securing a position within The National Youth Theatre. Bispham High School - Arts College specialises in Performing Arts and had played a significant role in supporting and guiding Ellie to this stage in her life. More than 4,300 auditions were held at 32 venues across the country for a limited number of places.

John Topping, Deputy Headteacher said: “When I heard that Ellie needed £1,000 initially to get on the residential course during August 2010 I immediately put an application in to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity and stressed the youth opportunities dimension that would benefit Ellie. I asked for £500 and we got the full amount. I am confident that Ellie will give regular feedback and hopefully an ‘Ellie’s Blog’ will feature on our various websites.”

Ellie said: “I am most grateful to the Freemasons for their generous support and I look forward to raising the additional amount through various fund-raising events.”

Ellie (second from left) practising her Shakespearian Hamlet is pictured with (left to right) Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson, Mark Oliver, course director for drama and John Topping, deputy headteacher

The lodges and chapters of the Woolton Group are proud supporters of the ‘Buddy Box’ scheme, helping our Service personnel feel valued whilst serving in Afghanistan.

The scheme was started by the Province of Yorkshire West Riding and was imported to Liverpool by Woolton Group Chairman, David Hawkes, following a chance discussion with their Provincial Mentor (at a National Mentoring event at which David was representing West Lancashire).

It is a very simple scheme that can be carried out by lodges and/or individuals as required. All Lodge members have to do is put a couple of extra items into their shopping and give these to their lodge co-ordinator.

The lodge co-ordinator fills the shoeboxes, parcels them up and takes them to the local Post Office. The shoe boxes are sent via BFPO, free of charge (so long as the parcel is less than 2kg), to the address that accompanies the soldier’s details.

A Buddy Box is a shoe box or similar container, which is filled with up to 2 kg in weight, with what we would say are very day to day items, but which are in fact luxuries to these men and women.

The scheme also suggests that you include a ‘personnel letter of support’, addressed to the individual, with every box and over time we also try to tailor-make the box to the individual’s requirements. This letter of support is extremely important to the people receiving the boxes.

A pairing is made for the duration of a tour – normally about six months and people tend to send at least one box a month. If you are fortunate enough your recipient may send a reply but we have to remember these are very busy people, in a strange country carrying out a dangerous job and they may not always have time to do so.

If you are interested in supporting the scheme please contact, in the first instance, Dave Wood, the group charity steward for the Woolton Group at davej.wood@btinternet.com

The 2010 North Shore Lodge Garden Party at the Wesham home of Gordon and June Thomson was attended by 70 members and friends. Money was raised by donations, a grand raffle, ‘guess the weight of the cake’ and a balloon race .

A splendid total of £850.00 was raised - £425 will be donated to Christies Cancer and the other half to The Alzheimers Society.

Organiser Gordon Thomson said: ‘”I would like to thank Alan Burton for his gift of pies, pasties, cakes and scones. To Ray Lamb for the balloons and gas for the balloon race. To friends and neighbours for the loan of chairs and tables and to everyone for attending and making it a most enjoyable day.”

Pictured, seated in the centre, are Leon Tax seated with Nigel Tyney and stood, left to right, are Gordon Thomson, June Thomson, Diane Sims, Robert and Sims (WM).

Secretaries and Scribes throughout the Province gulped audibly when they heard that, as part of the preparations for the 300th Anniversary of Grand Lodge, they were to be asked to catalogue and record the condition of all their lodge and chapter records – right back to when they were founded!

In a Province the size of West Lancashire, this was clearly going to be a very demanding task, but a year later Fred Lomax and his team of local coordinators can only feel great satisfaction at the outcome: over three quarters of the lodges and chapters of West Lancashire cooperated with the project. As a result there is now a centrally based record of the existence of Freemasonry within our communities for some 250 years, and a priceless source of reference and information for those with a legitimate reason to research it. All achieved in one year’s very hard work by the team and, of course, by those brethren and companions who undertook the work in their lodges and chapters.

The survey brought up some very useful issues concerning the preservation of records – not least (and contrary to what we might expect) how short-lived electronic storage is felt to be. As a consequence, Fred will be chairing a seminar at Bryn Masonic Hall in September 2010 on the subject of looking after records which he hopes will be helpful now that lodges and chapters are more aware of the importance of preserving their history and heritage. More details will be published later in the year.

Fred Lomax is pictured at the special reception in conversation with the Pro Grand Master, Peter Lowndes.

Since the merger of the seven Provincial charities into the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity a little over two years ago, the charity has been operating from the Masonic Hall at Hope Street in Liverpool. Because, however, of limitations imposed by space, location and accessibility and the need to plan for the future, the charity has been considering the merits of moving to a different location.

The downturn in the commercial property market, which has made many premises available at reduced costs, coupled with extremely poor returns on bank deposits, has presented the opportunity to purchase a property better suited to the charity’s needs both as an operational base and as an attractive investment. The ability to purchase the property is yet another benefit made possible by pooling the funds of the merged charities.

On 21 June the charity took possession of a three-year-old purpose-built office located at the Paramount Business Park in Huyton, East Liverpool. The property provides considerably more space, is ideally situated close to the M57/M62 junction enabling easier access by the 22 team members attending each week, has lower ongoing costs and the potential for a considerable increase in value. Unlimited access to the office by the charity’s team and facilities for visitors which have not been available at Hope Street will enable the charity to improve the service it provides.

Meeting and seminar facilities will be available for the Provincial Grand Almoner and Provincial Grand Charity Steward and their teams and as such it is hoped that the building will be regarded as a focal point for all three arms of the Province’s Care Structure.

The new home for the charity, as well as being an excellent investment, will be a pleasant place in which to work and should reinforce the image of the charity as an organisation of which members of the Province can be justifiably proud.

The charity is most grateful to the management of Hope Street for the services it has provided for the charities in the past and is pleased that during recent years it has been able to make a useful contribution to the hall’s income.

It is expected that the charity will start to operate from its new home in early August. Until further notice all correspondence should continue to be sent to Hope Street.

Prominent Masons from the Provinces of East and West Lancashire and Cheshire gathered at Manchester's 'other' airport, the atmospheric Barton Aerodrome, to present a cheque from The Freemasons' Grand Charity, on behalf of all three Provinces, totalling £12,000. This generous donation is part of the total figure of £ 0.5 million given by The Grand Charity during the past four years, providing funding to every Air Ambulance in England and Wales.

Flying more than 19,000 missions every year (averaging three a day in the case of our local Air Ambulance) and costing millions of pounds, air ambulances are considered to be the busiest voluntary service in the country. The money to fund this important work is met almost entirely by donations from organisations such the Freemasons of West Lancashire and the general public.

Speaking about the donation, Michael Hill, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, said: “Air Ambulances play an important role in ensuring people get the medical help they need as quickly as possible. For those in life-threatening situations this can dramatically improve their chance of survival. West Lancashire and The Freemasons' Grand Charity are delighted once again to be supporting our local Air Ambulance and these wonderful people who have kindly welcomed us today and who provide this invaluable service.”

Photographs show the cheque presentation to Ms Linda Brislin of the NW Air Ambulance management; a demonstration of some of the emergency kit by a paramedic to Assistant Provincial Grand Masters Michael Hill and Derek Thornhill (East Lancashire) and a happily unsuccessful attempt by Provincial Grand Secretary Geoffrey Lee to hijack the helicopter! The photographs were supplied by Chad Northcott, Chairman of the Cmmunications Committee for East Lancs

Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Phil Gardner, together with Lancaster and District Group Chairman, Jim Wilson, attended the Naming Ceremony and Service of Dedication for a new Morecambe Lifeboat and the opening of the new Hovercraft Station on Morecambe Promenade.

They were invited by the RNLI as the Freemasons of the Lancaster and District Group have, over the last few years, given generous financial support to the new home for the hovercraft.

Phil Gardner said: "Jim and I felt very proud to be representing the many Freemasons who did not hesitate to dig deep into their pockets when a call for assistance was made by the local RNLI. It is also heart-warming to see how many of our members and their families are involved with fund-raising year in, year out, for the RNLI.”

Bro Bob Roe a member of Warton Lodge and a Carnforth councillor has been commended by Gordon Brown for his long term contributions to the community.

Bob, who is on Carnforth Town Council and Lancaster City Council, was invited to a special “Heroes of the Community” reception for individuals who have contributed extensively to public life. Eighty local councillors were invited to the champagne reception at Downing Street, where they met various Members of Parliament and the then Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah.

Bob said: “Mr Brown thanked me for the work I had done in Carnforth and said he was grateful for all my efforts over the years. He was very friendly. He seemed like a very pleasant man. It was an excellent day and I was very proud to represent Carnforth.”

Bob was given a tour of Downing Street and later met Geraldine Smith, who was MP for Morecambe, as her invited guest to the Houses of Parliament.

Bob has been a member of Carnforth Town Council for 25 years and he has served on Lancaster City Council for three years. His record of service to the community is very impressive. He is a director of the Carnforth Station Trust which has successfully restored and developed the historic station at Carnforth. He was Chairman of the Carnforth Area Regeneration Partnership. He has been instrumental in preserving the Carnforth Connect bus service which is a special service running between Carnforth and the surrounding villages, and he has been heavily involved in setting up the town of Carnforth’s youth and community centre.

Pictured, left to right, are Sarah Brown, Bob Roe, Councillor Pat Woofe, Geraldine Smith and Gordon Brown.

Warton Lodge No 8411 has made WBro Brian Oddy PJGD an honorary member of the lodge in recognition of his very long service. Brian is one of two surviving founders who are both still members of the lodge and was an officer of the lodge continuously from its consecration in 1972 to 2008.

Brian was initiated into The Lodge of Friendship No 4199 in 1957, and was a founder member of Warton Lodge in 1972. He was WM of The Lodge of Friendship in 1965 and then held the office of chaplain in that lodge. He received Provincial honours in 1972, serving as Provincial Grand Chaplain and was promoted to the Grand Rank of Past Junior Grand Deacon in 1993.

Brian was born in Morecambe and schooled in Lancaster. He served as the vicar of the parish of Warton from 1964 to 1998. He is well known, and highly thought of throughout the Province.

Pictured with Brian Oddy are Past Provincial Grand Master Colin Wright and Tom Holdroyd.

Lancaster Group chairman Jim Wilson had a very interesting day when Torrisholme Lodge No 5245 made a presentation to Morecambe Branch of RNLI and he had “volunteered” to assist in the presentation.

The lodge had, after consultation with the local branch of the RLNI decided that it would provide a spinal board and a very expensive set of automatic focusing binoculars for this essential local charity to assist it in the very valuable work it does.

Jim had volunteered to be strapped into the spinal board to demonstrate its use and as can be seen from the photograph below he really enjoyed the experience. Also in the photograph are Jimmy Nisbet, Dennis Butterfield, Paul Turner (helmsman) Jim Wilson, Harry Roberts (lifeboat commander) Michael Guy (lifeboat operations manager) and Mike Taylor (WM).

A new annual grant initiative has been announced by The Freemasons’ Grand Charity - £250,000 to a major national charity.

Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help is to receive the first grant. The money is to be divided and distributed to branches throughout the country, providing funding at a local level.

Over the past year The Grand Charity has received numerous requests from individual members asking us to donate to charities supporting the Armed Forces. The Council selected SSAFA Forces Help as the first recipient of a grant under the new initiative to support its excellent work in helping current and former members of the Armed Forces and their families.

The members approved the grant of £250,000 for SSAFA Forces Help at the annual general meeting of The Freemasons’ Grand Charity. The aim of this grant is to support local branches, allowing them to decide how they spend their money. The Grand Charity believes that the people on the ground know best where to direct these funds, which will assist hundreds of servicemen and women past and present, and their families. The Freemasons’ Grand Charity is dedicated to finding new ways of grant-making, in order to provide maximum benefit to people in need.

The first Monday in June signals the last engagement of the season for most of the Fylde Coast Grand Officers with the gathering of brethren from the three Fylde groups for the Annual Grand Officers’ Dinner at the Palace Suite, Garden Street, St Anne's on Sea.

The event was founded by John Funk in 1978, as an end of season get together of all the Fylde groups’ Grand Officers to dine and further cement friendships with colleagues on the coast old and new.

This year there were 26 brethren under the sway of this year’s chairman Terry Hudson. They enjoyed a delightful evening together and happily still in the presence of the founder of this event John Funk who later in the summer will celebrate his 104th birthday and still enjoying his 78th year of membership of the Craft.

Terry concluded the evening, by thanking everyone for supporting the event again this year and welcoming two new members to the club with their appointments to Grand Rank - Peter Greathead from North Fylde and Mike Goodwin from South Fylde.

Twenty-five Investitures are held each year: one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh and the remainder at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle. If the Queen is unable to conduct the Investiture herself, she will be represented by The Prince of Wales or another member of the Royal Family. Up to 120 recipients attend each Investiture. On 2 June 2010, I had the honour to attend Buckingham Palace to be invested as an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire – in short the OBE. There are, in fact, three categories in the Order, namely, Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE) and Member (MBE).

The three guests that I was allowed to take consisted of my wife Julie, my daughter Joanne and my granddaughter Alexa. After entering Buckingham Palace, we were taken to the magnificent rooms on the first floor. The guests were shown to their seats in the Ballroom, where the Investiture was to take place, and the recipients were directed to The Picture Gallery. The Picture Gallery is situated at the very centre of the Palace and is used as a principal reception room. Curiously, although the pictures are of outstanding quality – by Holbein, Rembrandt, Rubens, Canaletto and others – they seem simply to compliment the glorious surroundings of The Picture Gallery itself.

We, the recipients, were addressed by the Lord Steward, The Earl of Dalhousie, who immediately advised us that the Queen would be conducting the investiture – this is only revealed to the recipients at the last moment. We were then instructed on protocol and procedure. At 11.00am, the recipients were led to a room on the south side of the Ballroom and placed in order in readiness for the ceremony.

The Queen entered the Ballroom attended by two Gurkha Orderly Officers – a tradition begun in 1876 by Queen Victoria. She ascended and stood on the dais at the west end of the Ballroom. On duty, also on the dais, were five members of the Queen’s Body Guard of the Yeoman of the Guard, which was created in 1485 by King Henry VII after his victory at the Battle of Bosworth Field. This makes them not only the oldest Royal Body Guard but also the oldest military corps still existing in the United Kingdom. The Queen was escorted by the Lord Steward and assisted by Officers of the Queen’s Household and the Lord Chamberlain’s Office, and the Secretary of the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood

After being formally announced, each recipient came forward, gave the Queen a bow or a curtsy and then approached the dais. As the Queen invested each recipient she spoke to them. In my case, I was particularly asked about my regeneration work in Preston.

The recipients came from all walks of life and received civil, military and service honours and awards. It was an eclectic mix of recipients who were honoured, ranging from several officers and soldiers who had served in Afghanistan, those who had served their country and their communities in various ways, and celebrities such as Star Trek’s Patrick Stewart, Simon King from Springwatch (one of my favourite programmes) and Jenson Button.

Investitures are a wonderful ‘British’ ceremonial practice in which the Monarch salutes and honours her subjects. ‘2 June 2010’ is a day that I shall never forget and I was so pleased and proud to have shared it with Julie and our family.

Provincial Grand Master Peter Hosker proudly shows his OBE after being invested by Her Majesty The Queen.

The Friends of Ecclesholme received a welcome boost to their funds thanks to a successful summer fair.

The fair, in Eccles Masonic Hall, was opened by Jim Sutcliffe, an Assistant Provincial Grand Master in the Province of East Lancashire.

When opening the fair Jim urged everyone to “spend, spend, spend”. He described Ecclesholme as “a wonderful facility” and praised the work of the Friends of Ecclesholme for providing additional facilities for the residents.

Mike Goldsbrough, Chairman of the Friends of Ecclesholme presents a bouquet to Maureen Sutcliffe watched by East Lancashire Assistant Provincial Grand Master Jim Sutcliffe who opened the summer fair.

There were bottles galore on the stall run by Ian Paisley of Bridgewater Lodge in the Eccles Group.

Friends of Ecclesholme president Gerald Bullough and his wife (pictured) always grow plants to sell at the summer fair and again they provided a splash of colour.

West Lancashire Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd and his wife, Doreen, try their hand on the “find the square” stall run by Bill Isherwood of the Widnes Group.

Malcolm Warren find a customer in Assistant Provincial Grand Master Jon Clipsham.

As part of its aim to provide assistance for educational purposes not covered by the state or local government, and also as part of its Supporting the Community Scheme, the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity is sponsoring the David Bellamy School Garden Competition at the Southport Flower Show. This competition aims to encourage primary school children in years five and six to take an interest in gardening and their environment.

Around 1,000 schools in the North West have been invited to enter the competition and have their pupils produce designs for a garden with the theme “coast”. The sponsorship will fund the construction of the two winning garden designs by a professional landscape gardener and prizes of £500 for each of the winning schools to enhance their school grounds with further prizes of £50 for other finalists.

The gardens will be seen by up to 80,000 people attending the show and Professor David Bellamy and the Provincial Grand Master, Peter Hosker, will be involved in the presentation on 19 August. The competition will generate publicity for the schools and help to promote Freemasonry as part of the community. The charity has agreed to sponsor the event for at least four years.

This year’s show will run from 19 to 22 August 2010. The charity has been able to arrange for Freemasons and family members to attend the show this year at a discounted rate for tickets purchased up to 30 June 2010.

Tickets are available at a cost of £14 each, a £2.00 discount on the standard advanced ticket price of £16.00 (children under 16 are admitted free with an adult). The full ticket price is £21 on the gate (£18.00 concessions). The discounted tickets are available quoting promotional code “freemasons” and can be purchased by phone via Ticketmaster on 0844 847 1555 or online at www.southportflowershow.co.uk. The usual handling charge will apply.

Experts are predicting an explosion of colour in Britain's gardens this year following the coldest winter in 30 years - and Southport Flower Show which is the UK's largest independent flower show will be the perfect place to celebrate and enjoy the natural spectacle.

Attracting around 75,000 visitors, Southport Flower Show is the largest independent flower show in the UK - and the most diverse. The four-day event features the very best in horticulture and garden design as well as gourmet foods and entertainment. Visitors will be surrounded by over a million blooms and the stunning grand floral marquee will be packed with spectacular displays from some of the country’s top independent growers.

Inspirational show gardens with unique features, exquisite furniture and plants will leave visitors buzzing with ideas on how to transform their own garden, whatever its size. There is also a dedicated allotment section for those who want their gardens to be productive as well as pretty.

Shopping desires will also be well served with a diverse range of exhibitors offering everything for the garden, the home, arts and crafts, clothing, footwear and much more.

Preparations for the 81st Southport Flower Show are well under way. This year’s show has the theme ‘Coast’ to celebrate the stunning seaside location in England’s classic resort.

New for 2010, the Food Village will be brimming with quality local and organic produce and fine wines. In the demonstration area, local chefs will be cooking up delicious summer recipes to tantalise the taste buds.

Celebrity garden experts and Southport Flower Show patrons Diarmuid Gavin, Sir Roddy Llewellyn, Professor David Bellamy and Professor Stefan Buczacki will be on hand to offer tips and guidance.

For a touch of glamour and a sparkling reception, there is Ladies’ Day (Friday, August 20) where broadcast journalist Rachel McTavish will compere. Nationally renowned florist Jonathan Moseley will be demonstrating the latest in floral design and Hilary Cookson of fashion store Maureen Cookson, of Whalley, Lancashire, will stage the fashion show.

The gala preview evening (Wednesday, August 18) is a unique summer event not to be missed. This black tie function is a highlight of the summer social calendar and will commence with a champagne reception in the grand floral marquee where you can view the spectacular displays immediately after the judging has taken place, making this an exclusive experience.

David Jackson, Chief Executive of the Southport Flower Show, said: “Our 2010 show promises to be full of interest, inspiration and involvement. We are working hard to ensure that there is a wealth of attractions across the four days and something for everyone to enjoy.”

With entertainment all day in the arena and at the bandstand, free entry for children, lectures, talks and demonstrations, some of the country’s favourite celebrity gardeners on hand with advice on making the most of your garden and a warm welcome the Southport Flower Show is the perfect summer event.

A few months ago, it was heard through the grapevine that a young Blackpool man named Callum, who was suffering from a debilitating symptom, had reached a stage where he could no longer physically move his wheelchair and in consequence had lost all mobility.

This lodge being a member of the Blackpool Group of Freemasons, decided to do something about the problem.

Under the guidance of Alan Davies and other prominent members of the lodge they decided to raise enough money to purchase a fully automated electric wheelchair, which could facilitate Callum’s problems.

The Freemasons of Clifton Lodge raised a magnificent sum of £1500-00p. They then wrote to all the lodges in the Blackpool Group and the sum was raised to approximately £3500 but this was still well short of the required amount.

So they applied to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity and after careful consideration the Charity committee agreed to double the amount to a staggering £7400, to allow the wheelchair to be purchased.

Presenting the wheelchair Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson said what a pleasure and honour it was to meet Callum. He hoped that Callum would have many years of pleasure from the mobility he could now experience. He thanked Carla, (Callum’s mum) and the family for bringing Callum to the hall for the presentation.

Also in attendance was the regional fund-raising manager, Ashley Westpfel, representing Whizz-kids, a national charity which helps children just like Callum.

He had made a special journey from London just for the presentation, and was returning back the next day.

Ashley said how very impressed he was with the Freemasons of Blackpool, not only with the magnificent sum raised, but as it was his first visit to the town he had felt a genuine warmth of welcome.

After the presentation, Callum’s mum, Carla said, that when Callum had lost all mobility the family was at its wits end. This new wheelchair is just amazing, for Callum to have a return to mobility has given him back his pride and just as importantly he has regained his independence. The chair is just an amazing piece of equipment. She said she cannot thank the members of Clifton Lodge, the Blackpool Freemasons and the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity enough.

After the presentation everyone was invited up to the top lodge room in the Masonic Hall, Adelaide Street, where Terry gave a short explanation of its function and the roll of Freemasonry in the community.

Callum in his new chair with the old one at its side. Also pictured are Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson, Callum’s mum Carla, and Alan Davies of Clifton Lodge.

Pictured, left to right, are Terry Hudson, Alan Davies (Clifton Lodge), Carla, Callum and Ashley Westpfel from Whizz-Kids

On Sunday 20 of June members of Travellers Lodge No 4679 aim to complete a 28-mile ‘Canalathon’ in aid of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The sponsored walk is the idea of the WM Neil Blundell who has a close friend that suffers from this condition and it was his wish during his year in the chair of the Warrington lodge to try to raise some money for this charity.

Neil will be ablly supported by lodge brethren Phil Gilgour and Barry Cocoran in the walk along the Bridgewater Canal, which starts at about 7.00am in Leigh and through Salford, Sale, Altrincham, Lymm before finishing at a watering hole about 12 hours later in Walton near Warrington.

Here family and friends can join the walkers for a celebratory meal and first aid.

http://beatms.mssociety.org.uk/netcommunity/canalathon2010

Neil is in training and has completed a 14-mile warm up and was in good form with few blisters to show.

It’s almost 25 years since Tom Blackburn, Frank Cowburn and friends travelled up to Cumbria to compete for the first Watson Eden Trophy; now an annual event. The society has always been on a firm footing from being led for many years by these two stalwarts in Freemasonry to the energetic Brian Jackson, Past Deputy Grand Superintendent of the Royal Arch, to its current chairman Eddie Caulfield, Assistant Provincial Grand Master.

The society continues to hold the Provincial Shoot each May and competes in the Inter-Provincial Shoot each October. Throughout the year there are friendly shoots at various grounds around the Province whilst every third Wednesday each month sees members shooting at Kelbrook Shooting Lodge. The society is also fortunate to be invited to field teams at high profile charity shoots like the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation and the Countryside Alliance northern heats.

Many will remember that the Province of West Lancashire started a National Shooting Competition at Hoghton Tower back in 2000. That competition is still going strong with the Metropolitan Lodges of London hosting this year’s event at E J Churchill Shooting Ground in Buckinghamshire in June.

The membership of 78 continues to support Masonic and non-Masonic charities with children’s charities in West Lancashire a firm favourite. In fact, in the last five years alone more than £46,000 has been donated to many grateful recipients with Brian House in the Fylde and Zoe’s Place in Liverpool both children’s hospices being popular choices. The society is grateful for the support it receives from the lodges and chapters throughout the Province and is also proud to be a Gold Patron of the MSF 2010 Festival.

For details of forthcoming events please see the shooting section on the Provincial website.

The football world watched with great interest as Blackpool Football Club forged a path into the Premier League.

This could only have been made possible by good management, hard work and a dedicated team, with a complete devotion to the cause. The results have spoken for themselves.

Ron goes by the title of Fylde Masonic Almoner, a position given to him by Ken Moxley as far back as 1990. This position is unique, as no other Province in the country holds a similar position.

As the Fylde Masonic Almoner the area covered is wide ranging, starting at Knott End, on the River Wyre taking in Fleetwood, Cleveleys, Blackpool, Lytham St Anne’s and then moving inland as far as Newton-with-Scales. This adds up to a total of 18 miles of costal frontage.

If we take Knott End as the furthest point North, St Anne’s as the furthest South and Newton-with-Scales the furthest point inland, then as a rough estimate, this area covers more than 140 square miles.

Also, with up to 40 widows, brethren and children under his care the immensity of the work load begins to unfold.

Christmas is a busy time for us all but even more so in Ron’s case, it takes him three weeks to get round, visit and distribute gifts to all the Fylde widows. He also makes regular visits four times a year to everyone in his care making sure that birthdays and anniversaries are not forgotten.

It could be said that Ron goes well beyond the call of duty, but luckily he is well assisted by his wife, Philomena.

Philomena is a qualified Health visitor, a SRN, a qualified District Nurse, plus a qualified midwife. The advantage of Philomena’s attendance is priceless especially if one of the widows is unwell and only wishes to discuss her problem with another woman. With Philomena’s medical knowledge the wheels of bureaucracy can be made to turn a little faster and help and a speedy relief brought about.

In many cases loneliness is a major factor and the highlight will be a visit from this dedicated couple. Sometimes they are called out in the early hours if one of the people in their care is feeling unwell, and, they respond without hesitation.

They even organise funerals when no family is available, and have successfully represented widows in legal matters.

Part of the duties of the Fylde Almoner is to prepare a regular report on all the widows, brethren and children under his care.

These reports are sent to, the Provincial Grand Master, the Provincial Grand Almoner, Assistant Provincial Grand Masters and all the group chairman in the Fylde area.

In 2009 this report covered an in-depth analysis of 24 widows, brethren and children, including their health, wellbeing, financial status and educational requirements.

For the benefit of the widows, brethren and children Ron deals with the Grand Charity, Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys, RMBI, Samaritan Fund and our own West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity.

To keep up to date Ron attends seminars on DSS Benefits and Welfare Rights. As he points out, the law is changing all the time and these seminars keep him up to speed with what is going on, so that help and advice can be offered immediately.

He also attends the Samaritan Fund AGM, and the WLFC annual meeting. Each year he attends the AGM’s of the Blackpool Group of Lodges, plus the North and South Fylde Groups of Lodges.

Ron also said that he is prepared to give talks in any lodge on his work as the Fylde Masonic Almoner and the Masonic charities, adding, that after these talks it is surprising how many lodge almoners and brethren contact him for advice at a later date.

The list of lodges and Provinces covered by Ron makes for interesting reading. There are Lodges in our own Province of West Lancs, lodges in London, South Manchester, Durham, Scotland, Yorkshire, Shropshire, Isle of Wight, Norfolk, Cheshire and even as far a field as Canada.

Twenty years ago, when Ron was offered the job of Fylde Masonic Almoner he was given a list of seven duties, but we only need look at the first two to see that this wonderful, caring and dedicated couple are working beyond any call of duty required of them.

- To relieve distressed Freemasons and / or distressed widows of Freemasons in all cases of emergency.

- To assist in the administration of grants and annuities from other Provinces and Constitutions.

Outside of Freemasonry Ron has been a Governor of Lytham St Anne’s Technology and Performing Arts College for the past 11 years, and he was also a Fylde Borough Councillor for eight years.

Virtually all who walk along Blundell Avenue in Freshfield are there for a purpose. It might be to run the dog on the fields to the left or to venture into the pine woods to catch a glimpse of the red squirrels on the right, but very few are aware of what lies beyond. Here it becomes narrower and darker; little more than a wooded country lane finished off with two sturdy stone gate posts.

Driving through the entrance, however, an expansive area of modern, bright and airy buildings appear. These are the grounds of Saint Joseph’s Adult Services; part of the Francis Taylor Foundation, which has become a centre of true excellence for the care of adults with severe physical and mental disabilities. It is the only service of its kind operating within the North West.

The first impression one gets on entry to this haven of respite is the intense feeling of being enveloped in a large warm blanket of love, compassion and happiness. Everywhere one turns there are smiling faces – carers and cared-for alike all smiling and truly enjoying this wonderful experience.

Walking around the grounds one begins to realise the immense dedication to detail that has gone into the planning of this complex from the Aladdin’s cave-like sensory rooms to the positively tropical atmosphere of the hydrotherapy pool. All achieved to produce the maximum stimulation and relaxation therapy for all residents and day visitors. Much of this has only been achieved by the sheer determination, guts and foresight of all the staff at St Joseph’s, led by Sister Eileen and the fund-raising efforts of the Friends of St Josephs led by their co-chairpersons, Alan and Sue Pendleton.

So it was to this oasis of inspired experience that a small band of Southport Freemasons gathered for a very special event; the opening of a large new conservatory. As a Trustee of the West Lancashire Freemasons Charity, Chris Hamilton had been invited to officially open the site. Last year the WLFC made a major grant of £5,000 towards the construction of the conservatory. This was the largest single donation toward the project and Chris readily accepted the honour of this privilege on behalf of West Lancashire Freemasonry.

The large new conservatory will serve many functions from staff meetings to residents’ Christmas parties as well as a pleasant and peaceful area for parents and friends to socialise with the residents and day guests. There are also plans afoot to relocate the very popular Cathy’s Corner Café to this area.

St Joseph’s, situated in Formby Merseyside, has been open since 1912 when it was purchased by the religious order “The Poor Servants of the Mother of God”. They are still the governing body today, but now operate as “The Frances Taylor Foundation”.

In 1959 St Joseph’s specialised in supporting children with a mental handicap. Since 1987 following changes in the law, St Joseph’s has been caring for 36 adults with profound learning and physical disabilities. Also on site is a large day centre that serves the surrounding community and offers daily respite for more than 40 families. St Joseph’s is the only place within the North West that offers a service for these special people, whose very complex needs also include severe health problems.

The “Friends of St Joseph’s” which is a voluntary fund-raising group, set up some 35 years ago for the benefit of the residents and day people who use St Joseph’s Adult Services. The funds raised are used to provide additional amenities and opportunities that contribute to their quality of life.

Examples of the projects that “The Friends” have raised funds for include, garden furniture, a barbecue area within woods but accessible by wheelchair along a woodland pathway, a sensory garden, hydrotherapy pool and many other smaller treats.

This wonderful organisation depends entirely on donations and grants? Donations can be forwarded to Alan and Sue Pendleton at 29 Osbourne Road, Ainsdale, Southport PR8 2RJ or telephone 01704 577849.

Chris Hamilton opens the new conservatory accompanied by Alan Pendleton, co-chairman of the Friends of St Joseph’s.

The sheer delight and excitement is reflected on the face of David Pendleton, one of the day visitors, as he enters the conservatory for the first time.

The Royal Daffodil will set sail from Liverpool for a special six-hour cruise along the Manchester Ship Canal.

John Hammond has arranged the special cruise with all profits going to Masonic charities.

The Royal Daffodil will take up to 300 passengers and so far 200 people have booked for the trip on Saturday, 17 July.

The boat will depart from the Seacombe Ferry Terminal at 1.00pm and the cost for the trip is £30. Passengers are advised to be at the terminal at least 30 minutes before departure.

There will be a special guide giving a commentary during the trip to point out places of interest and giving the history of the canal’s construction.

There will be a fleet of buses to return passengers to their starting point at the end of the cruise.

John said: “It will be a truly memorable journey along the 35-mile stretch of canal. It includes a lively commentary giving a revealing insight into the facts, the history and the dramas of one of Britain’s major waterways. The cruise takes in spectacular scenery leaving its passengers with an awe-inspiring sense of how its construction shaped the city of Manchester and the North West of England.”

Although there is a licensed bar and snack bar on the boat, cruisers can take their own picnic baskets.

To find out more about the cruise or book a place contact John Hammond on 01257 401155 or email him on jh83@blueyonder.co.uk

When fire devastated the equipment used by a pre-play group in a church hall West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity was quick to answer a plea for help.

Now things are looking a bit better for the group which meets in the hall at St Stephen on-the-Cliffs Church, Blackpool after a cheque for £1,200 was handed over by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson.

The first thing that greets visitors when they enter the church hall is the noisy laughter of happy children in play, but this hides a sinister problem that awaits when they enter the main hall. The main hall was the scene of the fire, and on entering the strong acrid smell of smoke leaves a foul taste in the mouth.

St Stephen on-the-Cliffs provides pre-play group facilities for up to 25 children with ages ranging from two to five years.

On a fateful day in April of this year all the play equipment was carefully put away in the main hall store rooms. Who could have predicted that every item would be lost to fire?

When the fire took hold it devastated the whole end of the main hall, not only the children’s play things but the walls, ceiling and the beautiful wooden parquet flooring, which was only three years old. This loss was not only down to the flames but a lot of water damage had been caused.

The fire assessors had linked the damage to a cordless phone, which, when left unattended had caught fire.

Lost in the fire were children’s toys, educational books and learning equipment, paints and drawing materials, tables, chairs even the play group computer.

The church of St Stephen on-the-Cliffs is attended by some well known Blackpool Freemasons and a call was made to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity.

It responded immediately and a cheque for £1200 was produced to help cover the loss.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master Terry Hudson attended a meeting with Canon Andrew Sage, the children’s supervisor Vicki Horn, the rest of the helpers and children to present the cheque.

Terry was taken aback when he witnessed for himself how this small but vital community service had survived. Vicki Horn assured Terry that although everyone was very upset, they had kept running. Even that morning some new pieces of play equipment had just arrived.

Canon Sage thanked Terry and the Freemasons for all their help and also responding so quickly to the problem. The money would be put to great use. He also pointed out that as it is always the way with the insurance companies, nothing had yet had been settled, so the main hall would be left unserviceable for some time into the future.

Terry left the building to the sound of the children thanking him and the Freemasons of West Lancashire with three cheers.

Canon Sage, Terry Hudson, Vicki Horn, helpers and children with one of the new pieces of equipment.

The final results of the Historical Records Survey were announced in the presence of the Pro Grand Master at a meeting held in the Regent Room at Freemasons’ Hall.

West Lancashire was represented by the Provincial Co-ordinator Fred Lomax and he is able to report that 76.5% of lodges and chapters in the Province returned surveys.

Considering that West Lancashire started very late into the project, the figures were achieved in only seven months which can only be attributed to the hard work, dedication and commendable negotiating skills of the 18 assistant co-ordinators from across the Province.

Nationally 6021 returns were received from the Provinces in England and Wales and this vast body of data represents an unprecedented source of information on surviving Masonic records in England and Wales on their location and physical condition.

The Province submitted 431 returns which is 77.5% of lodges and 73.6% of chapters with an overall percentage of 76.5% against the national average of just 62%.

A total of 366 or 85% of the Province’s returns were sent electronically and 65 or 15% on paper. Overall the survey recorded 63% electronically and 37% paper returns.

The results of the survey will be lodged in the National Archives and will be made available for public consultation. Any enquiries for access will initially be made to the Library and Museum at Freemasons Hall, London and only when these sources have been exhausted will an approach be made to individual lodges and chapters. Any access by researchers to records held by lodges and chapters is entirely at the discretion of the individual lodges and chapters.

The records will also be incorporated into a publication celebrating the 300th anniversary of Grand Lodge.

The next phase of the project will be to advise lodges and chapters on storage preservation and conservation of their historic records. An announcement regarding these aspects will be made at the start of the new Masonic season.

Pictured are project manager Len Reilly with Fred Lomax, West Lancashire Provincial Co-ordinator at Freemasons’ Hall.

Vivian Green has picked up her needle and thread with a new passion after reading an article in a quilting magazine earlier this year. Vivian was inspired by the story of Jean Morris, of Osbaston, Monmouth who founded the UK Quilts of Valour branch of the charity after meeting Catherine Roberts at a quilting show in Houston, Texas, USA in 2007. Catherine’s son had been deployed to Iraq for a year and she set up a group honouring servicemen injured in Iraq and Afghanistan by presenting them with specially made quilts.

The main aim of the UK branch is to donate quilts to injured service men and women to show that we support them and to thank them for their service to their country.

Vivian has been appointed the West Lancashire drop off point for the quilts to then be sent on to Jean Norris in Monmouth, Wales. The quilts are then distributed to the recipients from there.

The quilts take many hours to make and all the materials have to be 100 percent cotton because of the blast injuries the troops are suffering. Because the quilts are quite expensive to produce, Vivian makes craft items such as hand bags, lap quilts, wine bottle waistcoats, peg bags, gardener’s aprons and many other items, which Vivian and her husband Ken sell at local markets.

Ken is a member of Harrock Lodge 8233, in the West Lancashire Group of Lodges. They are both members of Leyland Masonic Fellowship and Vivian regularly has a stall at the coffee mornings and other Leyland Group events in order to sell the craft items she makes in order to buy the materials for the quilts.

A total of 300 quilts have been donated so far to injured solders coming back from Afghanistan. Covering most of the Regiments in the 11th and 19th Brigades.

Anyone wishing to help with donations or materials or are interested in joining the quilting club can contact Vivian by telephone: 01772 424831 or email vivian.green@blueyonder.co.uk

Vivian with the South Ribble Mayor and Mayoress on Worden Park, Leyland over the last Bank Holiday where she had a stand to sell her crafted items to raise funds to buy the materials for the quilts and to raise the profile of the charity.

By September 2010, the Liverpool Masonic Hall Building Fund Committee will have its Masonic regalia shop fully up and running. The stock includes other items of Masonic interest as well as Craft, Royal Arch and side degrees regalia, both new and pre-owned. Whatever your requirements, please give the Hope Street Shop a chance to quote you a price.

The profit on all of the items will be donated to the Liverpool Masonic Hall Building Fund, and with few overheads, the price to you is likely to be considerably cheaper than available on the open market. This will be especially attractive to those seeking full Provincial regalia.

A small sample of some of the items available are on display in the cabinets in the lounge at Hope Street, but the main shop will be situated in the basement. Eventually, the committee hopes to have a web-page with promotions and special deals.

The committee would greatly appreciate donations of no longer wanted regalia or similar items in saleable condition. All proceeds will be sold solely for the benefit of the Hall Building Fund to maintain and improve the home of Liverpool Freemasonry. Please contact Derek Cadwallader on 0151 924 9532 for all shop enquiries.

Shop organizer Derek Cadwallader shows some of the available items to Liverpool Masonic Hall Chairman John Roberts.