The January 2023 Whitby break, organised by the Wigan Group, raised in excess of £5,000 for charity and everyone had a splendid time in the process as follows!
Day 1 started when the group departed Bryn Masonic Hall at precisely 10am, courtesy of Ogden’s Holidays, arriving in York for lunch in good time. Traversing snowy hills and dales, the eventual arrival time at Whitby was 3:30pm. A quiet night followed punctuated by some entertainment and the odd game of bingo.
Day 2 was a day of leisure and shopping in Scarborough until 3pm, when the coach returned to the hotel. A quiet night followed punctuated by some entertainment and the odd game of bingo.
Day 3 arrived and it was time for the main event, a sponsored walk around Whitby. The avid walkers departed by coach at 10:30 to complete their arduous fund-raising task with the rest of the party following at their leisure. Following a splendid helping of fish and chips, the return to the hotel followed at 3:30pm. A quiet night followed punctuated by some entertainment and the odd game of bingo.
Day 4 commenced with a trip was to Whitby Abbey, a magnificent structure. The intrepid amongst the group made their way down the 199 steps into the town, whilst the more sensible took the coach! There was also an excursion into nearby Pickering. Thankfully all attendees were back at the hotel before the snow started!
After the bingo, a very well supported raffle was held followed by cheque presentations to each group represented on the trip by the Wigan Group Chairman John Selley.
Following thanks to David and Joan Ogden for the organisation throughout the week, and also to the drivers for their safe passage east, the entertainment continued to everyone’s satisfaction.
The money raised was split between the attending groups as follows in direct proportion to the number of attendees from each one, all for Masonic and non-Masonic charities:
Wigan Group £2,800, Swinton Group £720, Ormskirk and Bootle Group £720 and Warrington Group £360.
In addition to this, some £1,200 was raised by the sponsored walk, including around £600 by Sarah Brogan, an outstanding effort!