Chairman’s Annual Report

Bro Provincial Grand President, distinguished guests and brethren.

It is my privilege to present the 18th Annual Report of Provincial Grand Charity for the year ended 31st December 2004. 

Having taken over the role of Chairman in May 2004, little did I realise the amount of energy that is generated by the standing committee of Provincial Grand Charity.

Last year, Provincial Grand Charity again held a very successful Annual Charity Information day at Escrick attended by 100 Charity Stewards and Almoners.

On that occasion we were pleased to receive an address from our own Bro John Moore, President of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution entitled ‘A look at the future for an old institution’. This was followed by Nancy Gray the Home Manager of the Connaught Court Residential Care Home here in York.  It was obvious to all who attended, her dedication to the residents in care and her sense of humour shone through and delighted the meeting.

We then enjoyed a first class buffet lunch and the opportunity to seek information from the Charity information desk and members of the standing committee.

The afternoon session commenced with Bro Douglas Wood, a case Almoner for the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys, giving a presentation ‘No Longer Treading Water’. This was an opportunity to experience and listen to the work that the RMTGB  performs unstintingly on behalf of the children of a family  who had come to their notice.

This was followed by the Treasurer of our Festival 2006 for the RMTGB, who light heartedly thanked and then encouraged us all to do more for the Festival.

The Secretary to Provincial Grand Charity ,Terry Crossley, addressed the duties of the newly appointed Charity Stewards, with particular reference to ensuring the development of information for new brethren so that none can claim ignorance of the benefits that are available, or of their responsibility to contribute.

Finally, Brother Gordon Wiles a Lodge Almoner together with Sue Palliser of Hull & East Riding Institute for the Blind spoke of their involvement with the charity.  The Hull & East Riding Institute for the Blind also brought along their resource bus which had been opened for all the brethren to see during the lunch break.

Provincial Grand Charity supported the generous gifts from Grand Charity by attending the various social functions.  The lodge of St Andrew, Hull assisted the presentation to Dove House of £3,750.

York Lodge assisted in presenting £3,.500 to St Leonard’s Hospice, York.

Bridlington Bay Lodge assisted in presenting £2,950 to St Catherine’s Hospice, Scarborough.

Marwood Lodge assisted in presenting £2,500 to Teesside Hospice.

Anchor Lodge assisted in presenting £500 to Friarage Hospice Care.

Much of what we do in our local communities goes unnoticed and unreported.  Brethren can I recommend that Lodges consider the efforts of the Middlesbrough Lodges who, over the last three years, have held an annual presentation to various local charities. Indeed, last May no less than 30 individual charities received varying cheques amounting to £11,000.  The evening was attended by members and their wives of all the Lodges including Zetland Ladies Club, together with the recipients from the charities and their partners.  It was an opportunity to show the support that Freemasonry gives to the local community. 

Provincial Grand Charity would like to see the Middlesbrough template developed in other areas of the Province. Indeed we will be including this item in the forthcoming Information Day. 

We have continued to develop the role of the Lodge Almoner and to encourage them to be more vigilant to those brethren and dependents who might benefit from our help.  We have also encouraged all members of the lodge to be involved.

We have continued with the Almoners Workshop which was held at Castlegate, York and was attended by around 20 Almoners.  The evening was again a success and provided an excellent forum for the communication of information and the exchange of ideas.

Provincial Grand Charity followed on the close association with the Connaught Court Home by holding our March meeting of the standing committee at the home.  It was a great success.  Around 20 of of the committee attended along with our Grand President.

After the meeting we enjoyed a buffet lunch.  We were given a guided tour of the home and allowed to meet some of the residents and staff.  It certainly was an encouragement to us all that our dependants and connections were being well cared for.

I believe Nancy Gray, the Home Manager received a further four applications, including one from our Provincial Grand Master. It was most rewarding to receive the waves and smiles when we were leaving and the hopes that we return. I hope that we can continue this opportunity to cement and reinforce our connections and perhaps, if the home permits, hold at least one meeting there each year.

So far as the Festival is concerned I am satisfied that the brethren have done well in raising nearly £1.6m and hope that in twelve months time we may be able to report that we have achieved the £2m as set by our previous Provincial Grand Master.

The accounts and the grants to Masonic and non Masonic charities having already been passed and approved, I can confirm that during the year Provincial Grand Charity made payments of £21,000  to the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys and £8,198 to Non-Masonic charities.  All of which are detailed in the report sent to each lodge.  I would like to thank Bro John Stainthorpe who again so effectively organised the Christmas card sales.  I am also able to report that during the year the value of the Charity’s investment portfolio rose by £50,420. 

Can I express my personal thanks to all the standing committee and the trustees.  To Bro Charles Rivis who continues to look after the needs of the brethren and their dependants with confidentiality.  To Bro Mike Graham who so ably looks after the finances.  To our auditors Ingham & Co who so ably produce the report and financial statement.  To Bro Terry Burt for his support in different capacities, not least of course for his diligence and care as Secretary of Festival 2006.  But most especially to Bro Terry Crossley for the many hours he does in maintaining the secretarial work up to date and for keeping me informed of all that is happening in the office.

Finally can I express my thanks to you brethren and the members of your lodges for the continued support of Provincial Grand Charity.

CURRENT LODGE MASTERS DINE WITH THE PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER

By virtue of the fact that most masons go through the chair of a Lodge only once during their life, this dinner which is held annually, provides a unique opportunity for them to dine with the Provincial Grand Master and his Executive. 

No less than 57 availed themselves of the opportunity and enjoyed a splendid meal in  convivial surroundings at the Masonic Hall in Bridlington on Friday 8th April 2005. After the meal, a lively question and answer session ensued with the Provincial Grand Master taking questions on a wide range of masonic topics from the assembled audience. 

If you are likely to be in the chair of your Lodge in April 2006, watch out for details of next year’s dinner on the Future Events Page.

PROVINCIAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE 

The first area meeting for Lodge Information Officers was held at Roman Road in Middlesbrough on Saturday 22nd January 2005, when 16 Lodges from the Dales and Middlesbrough were represented.

After some Opening Remarks from the Deputy Provincial Grand Master there were  presentations on both internal and external communications, the value of Lodge Newsletters and the role of the Area Information Officer. The session came to a  conclusion with  a lively Question and Answer session.

On Saturday 19th February 2005, the Area Information Officer for Beverley and Driffield arranged an informal meeting for Lodge Information Officers at The Beverley Arms Hotel. The Deputy Provincial Grand Master attended the meeting and was greatly impressed by not only the enthusiasm, but also the forward thinking of the delegates.

A further meeting following the same format was held at Scarborough Masonic Hall on Saturday 5th March 2005 and Lodge Information Officers from York, Ryedale and Hull will have a similar opportunity shortly.

Watch this page for details of three Area Workshops in the Autumn dealing with External Communications

St Leonard’s Hospice York

In the most historic of settings, the library of York Lodge 236 at Duncombe Place, the Worshipful Master Ken Lippett and his wife Anita welcomed guests to the annual Christmas celebration and drinks reception.

The Principal guest was Cyril Reynolds representing St. Leonard’s Hospice. The purpose of his visit was to receive a cheque from The Grand Charity of Freemasons of England and Wales.

In his address Ken also welcomed the Chairman of the Provincial Grand Charity of Yorkshire North and East Ridings Clive Gregory, the Provincial Charity Steward Terence Crossley and their wives Carole and Shelagh.

Ken went on to describe the contribution made by The Grand Charity to the Hospice movement in general and to Hospices in this Province in particular. Since 1984 in excess of £5 million has been donated by The Grand Charity to the Hospice movement, and £125,000 of that total to Hospices within this Masonic Province.

Receiving a cheque for £3,500 Cyril Reynolds expressed his deep appreciation on behalf of the beneficiaries of the donation and assured those present that it would be well applied. Over a period of year ST. Leonard’s Hospice York has received £39,750 in donations from The Grand Charity.

The photograph shows the principal guests at the reception, with Ken Lippett and his wife on the left of the group.

Saturday 19th November 2005 saw our second Lodge Consecration in little over a month, when the Myton Lodge No 9808 was constituted in Hull to cater for brethren wishing to attend a daylight Lodge. The ceremony before a packed masonic hall was followed by an excellent lunch, during which a total of £1,000 was donated to Festival 2006 by only 100 brethren. Yet another very special occasion.