A REAL SPECTACLE

Bro David Greendale, the outgoing Master of the Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge No 9611 and Jeffrey Gillyon, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master with the first consignment of used spectacles for Vision Aid Overseas. These spectacles, donated by Freemasons and their families across the Province were collected by members of the Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge.

David would like to know what to do with a thousand or so empty spectacle cases? Answers please, but only on the back of a cheque made payable to the Provincial Grand Charity!

SUPPORT FOR THE AIR AMBULANCE

The Provincial Grand Master of Yorkshire North and East Ridings, Richard Anderson, has announced a major sponsorship package for the region’s air ambulance services.

Richard believes that the work of regional charities should be recognised by Freemasons across the area.

“Everyone could need the air ambulance at some point and, as it receives no government funding, it is important that organisations like Freemasonry make sure that this vital life-saving service is maintained and developed.

Freemasons recognise the need to support others in society and have a long history of giving – whether it is being one of the first to support those affected by the Asian Tsunami or to every Hospice in the country, Freemasons are always there for others.”

The announcement was made at the Provincial Meeting at York University on 19th May 2007 when the Yorkshire Air Ambulance landed in the university grounds. As well as Freemasons from North and East Yorkshire, Freemasons nationally, through The Freemasons’ Grand Charity, have also given support and Richard Anderson handed over a cheque for £10,000 to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. The Provincial Grand Master of Yorkshire West Riding John Clayton also handed over cheques totalling £10,000.

Martin Eede, Yorkshire Air Ambulance Chief Executive said:

“Freemason Lodges throughout Yorkshire have supported Yorkshire Air Ambulance since our beginning just six years ago. In agreement with the Freemasons every penny given to Yorkshire Air Ambulance will go towards our new Air Support Unit at Tockwith. This will be a state of the art building, the first of its kind in the UK and will provide a permanent site for the regions air ambulance as we safeguard the service for future generations. Since we started in 2000 we have flown over 6,200 missions. The legacy from the Freemasons support is that we will be able to continue to save lives across our region.”

Richard Anderson has asked his members, through their Provincial Grand Charity, to provide continued support for the region’s air ambulance services throughout the coming year and substantial further funding is envisaged.

For more information on Yorkshire Air Ambulance contact 0845 120 6060 or see www.yaa.org.uk

For more information on Freemasonry contact Jeff Gillyon on 07803 182 290 or see www.pgl-york.org and www.wrprovince.co.uk

BEACON LODGE ENTERTAINS

On Thursday 15th March 2007, the Beacon Lodge entertained a group of girls and two teachers from the Royal Masonic School for Girls. The girls who were on a 6th Form Geography Field Study near Malton, were collected by coach and brought along to the Masonic Hall in Pocklington, where they were provided with drinks and a hot meal. After a visit to the Lodge Room accompanied by explanations, the young ladies enjoyed a happy social evening with the brethren and their partners.

Captain Cook Lodge Supports Provincial Grand Charity

Friday the 13th creates thoughts of misfortune. Masonic historians may even associate it with the fate of and persecution of the Knights Templar.

However, Friday the 13th of October 2006 was a day of celebration for Captain Cook Lodge No 4636 meeting at Stokesley. It was the Annual Festival of Installation and all of those who attended were privileged to witness the very sincere installation of a new Master.

At the Installation Dinner, the guests and brethren enjoyed a fine meal with fraternal company all around.

The Representative of the Provincial Grand Master responded to the toast to Province and observed that our Provincial Grand Charity was actively seeking the opinion of the brethren on their preferred way forward following the conclusion of Festival 2006 on behalf of the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys.

Bro David Jackson, a member of the Provincial Grand Charity Standing Committee, proposed the toast to The Masonic Charities and it was immediately apparent that the members of Captain Cook Lodge were ready to show their support for our Provincial Grand Charity, when the Master was invited to present a cheque for £1,000.

Bro Terry Burt, the Provincial Almoner, received the cheque on behalf of the Provincial Grand Charity and in his response to the toast, observed that the Province was well aware of the distinguished contribution the Lodge had made to the Festival. Perhaps even more importantly, he recognised that the Lodge had never ceased to support Freemasonry in the Community and that every member of the Lodge had contributed to many worthy local charities in and around Stokesley. The Lodge being renowned for some interesting fund raising activities, especially their ‘Old English Night’.

The Provincial Grand Charity is pleased to thank the Captain Cook Lodge for the donation of £1,000 which will be faithfully applied.

Provincial Grand Charity

2006 Charities Information Day

One hundred and twenty five Almoners, Charity Stewards and other Brethren from across the Province came together on 12th October 2006 at the Parsonage Hotel at Escrick for this year’s event. They were all warmly welcomed by the Provincial Grand President Richard Anderson and the Chairman of the Provincial Grand Charity Philip Stewart.

The first presentation was – The Future of Provincial Grand Charity - by Philip Stewart and he explained that late in 2005, with the 2006 Festival approaching its successful conclusion, the Provincial Grand Charity had commenced a strategic review of its past and future role. He referred to activities and achievements since its formation in August 1986, to the way that it is currently organised and gave some thoughts as to how to make progress in the future. In this respect he stressed that two way communication between all of the members and the Charity was vital and that our role as part of the wider community was seen to be a very important issue.

These were to form the primary themes for the day and those attending then divided up into 5 discussion groups to address “Where should your money go?” Delegates were initially asked to fill in a brief questionnaire on their initial thoughts and priorities and then lively discussions ensued until the groups were asked to feedback their thoughts to the meeting as a whole. The initial perception of this feedback was that many important points were made and there was a high level of consensus on priorities. Clive Cooper, chairing this, session explained that the Committee would take away and thoroughly analyse all of the data that this session had made available to assist with “The Way Forward”

Before lunch there were two very practical sessions with the demonstration of a modern defibrillator and an explanation of the Pensions Service.

Equipping our buildings with a defibrillator is a natural progression from the first aid training which was commenced earlier this year and after a very impressive and entertaining presentation, Richard Wright explained that he had negotiated an extremely good bulk purchase rate with the equipment supplier for the latest equipment as demonstrated. Purchase to be co-ordinated by Terry Crossley in the Provincial Charity Office. (see below)

Claire McIntosh outlined the role and responsibilities of The Pensions Service in the community at large and how their service could and would be happy to help Almoners and other Brethren in this important and complex area. (more info1 more info2)

The afternoon session commenced with a presentation “Reaching out into the Community” by Les Jones, Community Liaison Officer, Wyke Millennium Lodge No.9696 who outlined what he saw as his role and the benefits and difficulties of making it work. Discussion groups were then again formed to consider if this concept should and could be adopted across the Province. Again following some interesting and lively debate the groups reported back with general support for the concept, but with comments including the following:

• Different approach required for small towns and larger communities and cities
• Need for groups of Lodges to avoid duplication & confusion
• Some brethren felt that their Information Officers were already doing much of this role
• Important not to be prescriptive
• Requested by most groups that Les’s presentation be circulated to all present and to all Lodges
• To be done well the role requires individuals with sustained initiative, enthusiasm and energy – Les was seen to have these qualities in abundance.

In an addition to the programme, John Woolway spoke briefly of the Provincial Christmas Cards and stressed to Charity Stewards that they had responsibility not only to sell the cards but to encourage entries to the painting and photography competition and to present feedback to him and the Provincial Charity Committee as to how this years cards were received by the brethren and their families.

The final presentation of the day was by Mike Woodcock and Les Hutchinson of Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys who briefly outlined what the Trust is doing with our money, but more particularly wished to bring to the Province and the Brethren the thanks of the Trustees, the Executive and the 2,000 children that they are currently supporting, for the successful 2006 Festival.

An impression was gained that most of those attending found the day interesting and enjoyable. However, if for any reason that was not the case, or if anyone had ideas how it could be made better next time, they were encouraged to contact the Provincial Grand Charity Committee, through Terry Crossley or any other committee member. 

An Automated, External Defibrillator in Every Masonic Hall

At the recent Charity Information Day representatives of St John Ambulance explained to those present the importance of having quick and easy access to a defibrillator and demonstrated the modern equipment that is now available to us. Under the ongoing first aid and resuscitation programme they have now trained around 200 Brethren within the Province.

There are around 300,000 heart attacks in the UK each year, which directly result in around 150,000 deaths. It is important to realise that resuscitation (CPR) alone will not start a heart that has stopped but it does buy vital time for further treatment because survival chances reduce by around 10% for every minute that passes after the attack.

It is believed that a majority of the above deaths might be saved if only their heart could be defibrillated (shocked back into rhythm) within five minutes. An Automated External Defibrillator - with a trained operator - at the site of a sudden cardiac arrest can raise the chance of survival from 5% to 80%

No one could be failed to be impressed by the equipment demonstrated. It incorporated technology which continuously monitors the patient’s heart and a host of automated features which safeguard against inappropriate and ill timed use. The equipment requires no maintenance, has inbuilt self testing procedures and is guaranteed for 7 years (4 years for the battery).

Further information including costs can be obtained from Terry Crossley at Castlegate.

The St John Ambulance web site is available at -  www.sja.org.uk

GIVING TO NON-MASONIC CHARITIES WORKING IN THE COMMUNITY

The donations to this Province this year from the Grand Charity are part of a total of £500,000 to Hospices across the country. The total amount given to Hospices through the Grand Charity Hospice Project over the past 20 years is now nearly £6m.

This year our Province is again fortunate to have secured grants totalling £11,800 for all six Hospices within North and East Yorkshire that submitted applications.The Hospices are: Teeside, Zoe's Place(Redcar), St Catherine's(Scarborough), Dove House (Hull), St Leonard's (York) and Herriot Hospice Homecare (Friarage Hospital, Northallerton). This is the first year a grant has been secured for Zoe's Place.

It is now a well-established and accepted fact that the four Masonic Charities combined are second only to the National Lottery in charitable giving. Grand Charity is not the only Masonic Charity which gives to non-masonic charities. The RMTGB, once it has provided for children with Masonic connections, gives to non-masonic charities. This is made clear in its mission statement and the annual report details the grants made. This must surely be a matter of great pride to all Freemasons".