MARWOOD LODGE SUPPORTS ZOE'S PLACE

The Master of the Lodge, Bro Colin Ivison, held a Ladies' Night on the 3rd February 2007, which was attended by 80 brethren together with partners and friends. The event, at the Cleveland Golf Club, raised £250 for Zoe's Place, the local Baby Hospice and proved a really enjoyable evening for everyone.

Bro Colin Ivison, Rachael Bareham (Zoe's Place) and Bro Colin Dadson (Lodge Secretary) and also on the 6th March 2007 at the Lodge Meeting in Redcar

Bro Colin Ivison presented a cheque for £210 to Bro Gordon Cameron, a member of the St John Ambulance in Middlebrough. Next to Bro Gordon is his father, Bro George Cameron.

GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND

As part of the fund raising effort promoted by Martin Stroud, during his year as Master of the Constitutional Lodge No 294, the magnificent sum of £1,000 was collected from Freemasons in Beverley and given to the local branch of 'Guide Dogs for the Blind'. Martin made the presentation at the Masonic Hall in Trinity Lane, Beverley on Thursday 1st March 2007.

In addition, the Lodge has raised a further £300 and it has been decided to donate this to 'Hearing Dogs for the Deaf'

From (left to right) Martin Stroud (Master of Constitutional Lodge in 2006), Jenny Lee (Organiser, Hull & District Branch of Guide Dogs for the Blind), Rachel Carpenter and her Guide Dog Taya

JAMES COOK HOSPITAL IN MIDDLESBROUGH IS INVADED BY LOTS OF TEDDIES (AND A FEW FREEMASONS)

Following the decision of our Provincial Grand Charity to provide Teddies to Hospital A&E Units throughout our Province, the very first recipient was a young boy by the name of Connor Pearson.

The first consignment of Teddies was delivered by Richard Anderson the Provincial Grand Master, who was accompanied by Phil Stewart the Chairman of the Provincial Charity and John Hemy who is Charity Steward of one of the many Middlesbrough Lodges.

The A&E Unit will receive regular supplies of the Teddies and Sue Murphy, the Sister in the A&E Department said “the Teddies will be given by nurses to those children who arrive in a distressed state and where they feel it will help to calm them so that treatment can be carried out”.

A Province-wide initiative to help those in our society who are vulnerable and in need of assistance. To read the full article and see the video <click> here

HELP FOR HERRIOT HOSPICE HOMECARE

On Saturday 20th January 2006, Joseph Flynn the Master of Falcon Lodge No 1416 presented a cheque for £500 to Liz Pollard Director of the Herriot Hospice Homecare, on behalf of The Freemasons’ Grand Charity.

Herriot Hospice Homecare is based in Northallerton and provides care for the wider community of Northallerton, Thirsk and Bedale.

The Falcon Lodge has regularly supported and continues to support the local community. Funds to provide window blinds for the scout hut in Masonic Lane, a foetal heart monitor for the Lambert Health Centre, activity toys to promote balance and coordination of students at the Mowbray Special School in Bedale, assisting with the purchase of fittings for disabled access to the Thirsk Community Mini Bus are just some of the many examples.

The presentation to Herriot Hospice Homecare was attended by representatives of community organisations, the Friends of Connaught Court, the Master of Beresford Pierse Lodge, members of the Provincial Grand Charity Committee and brethren of Falcon Lodge.

TEDDIES FOR LOVING CARE

Following discussions at the Annual Charities Information Day held at Escrick last October, the Committee of Provincial Grand Charity has responded by deciding to fund the supply of Teddies to Hospital A&E Units throughout our Province.

Teddies will be given by nurses to those children who arrive in a distressed state and where they feel it will help to calm them so that treatment can be carried out.

Initially, A&E Units of the following hospitals will receive regular supplies of the Teddies.

James Cook Hospital, Middlesbrough

York District Hospital

Hull Royal Infirmary

Scarborough Hospital

Friarage Hospital, Northallerton

This is a Province-wide initiative to help those in our society who are vulnerable and in need of assistance.

The Scheme was originally launched in 2000 by the Province of Essex and the Masonic TLC Charity now operates successfully in over 30 Provinces. Since its inception, it has provided around 250,000 Teddy Bears to children who are severely distressed whilst attending Hospital Accident and Emergency Units.

Further information can be found at   www.tlcappeal.org

LODGE OF ST GERMAIN PLAYS ITS PART

During December, the Lodge helped locally by presenting cheques to three organisations. A total of £630 was presented to Selby Hospital, Riccall Primary School and the Riccall Scout Group by the Master of the Lodge Frank Potter.

The money had been raised through a number of social events, including a Family Christmas Lunch and a sponsored walk by the intrepid David Bryan, John Endley, Andy Squires and Frank Potter around and up Whernside which is Yorkshire’s highest peak. We suspect these brethren are normally quite active and were not just walking off the Christmas Lunch!

HOSPICE BOOST FROM MASONIC CHARITIES

St Catherine’s Hospice received a welcome Christmas boost when the Freemasons’ Grand Charity donated more than £2,500. The cheque for £2,628 was presented to hospice fundraiser Penny Campbell at Scarborough Masonic Hall, as part of the Grand Charity Hospice Grant Scheme.

Mrs Campbell said: “We are very grateful for their support and for thinking of us at this time of year. We appreciate them choosing us as one of the charities to benefit from their generous work.”

The scheme distributes grants to services that receive no more than 60 per cent of their funding from the NHS and contributes to the millions of pounds needed by hospices every year to enable them to offer the best quality of life to people in the final stages of incurable illnesses.

President of the Masonic Grand Charity, Grahame Elliott, said: “For many years, Freemasons have recognised the importance of the care provided by the hospice movement”

Bro Peter Stephenson, Master of St Nicholas Lodge No 2586, accompanied by Geoff Salter who represented the Provincial Grand Master, hands over a cheque to hospice fundraiser Penny Campbell.

Freemasons honour those who died for our freedom.

On Sunday, 12th November 2006 wreaths were laid on behalf of the Freemasons of Middlesbrough at Remembrance Day Services held at the Cenotaph, Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough and St Cuthberts Church, Ormesby.

Each year a different Middlesbrough Lodge is invited to provide volunteers to undertake these duties and this year it was the turn of Peace Lodge No. 3936.

Bro Albert Foster laid the wreath at the Cenotaph. Al, having been a Pilot Officer in 608 Squadron based at Thornaby, enjoyed the experience as he marched with old comrades to the Cenotaph.  Other members of Peace Lodge were in attendance to give support.

Bro Alan Danks, supported by the Master of his Lodge Bro John Skidmore, laid the wreath at St Cuthberts Church, Ormesby. Alan served 25 years in the Army with 417 Royal Dragoon Guards and the Ulster Defence Regiment. Even though the day was wet, Alan said it was a lovely experience.

This initiative was introduced as part of the Freemasonry in the Community Initiative and has been undertaken every year since.

CHARITABLE DONATION CHANGES PERCEPTION

In 2004 at the Freemasonry in the Community presentation event, Dundas Lodge No 7970 donated the sum of £200 to the Soldiers Sailors Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA).This is an organisation which helps Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen who have fallen on hard times, either due to, or after service in Her Majesty’s Services .

SSAFA were astounded at receiving this donation without solicitation, especially from Freemasons, as they had the preconceived idea that Freemasons generally only looked after their own.

In September 2006, an invitation was received from the local branch of SSAFA for someone to attend a luncheon they were holding on the 5th October at the TA Centre in Norton, Stockton -on-Tees.

Bro Ez Watson who had suggested the donation, went along to represent Freemasons in general. He was welcomed by a Major General (retired) who has recently become a volunteer with the organisation. Also present were people from Social Services, some members of Rotary, and also shop owners who give discounted goods like televisions, furniture etc.

After thanks had been given to those present, Bro Ez was asked to give a brief talk on the merits of the Craft. He said that it wasn’t only about wearing aprons and giving funny hand shakes, and explained that money was raised at our meetings to enable all kinds of charitable organisations to receive help, both locally and nationally, often in excess of £2,000,000 per annum in total. It appeared to Ez, the only Mason present, that the attitude towards Freemasonry of the others attending the luncheon was somewhat changed.

The reason Ez had suggested that SSAFA should receive a donation was due to some personal experience of the organisation. In 1962, Ez joined the Army and became a squaddie in the Royal Signals. He was stationed in Aden in 1964 and then sent to Borneo to join the Marines and SAS on patrol in the jungle, in order to keep communications open with their base. On one occasion his patrol was being pursued by the enemy and they had to get out quick. Whilst Ez managed to get onto a helicopter, it was unfortunately shot down and upon crashing, his head was seriously injured resulting in prolonged hospitalisation and the need to have a metal plate fitted near to his brain. Needless to say his Army life was finished, but SSAFA were there to help him re-adjust to civilian life. Something he has done very successfully indeed.

The Army’s loss was Freemasonry’s gain, as Ez is a popular and active member of Dundas Lodge.

MIDDLESBROUGH FREEMASONS ON SHOW.

On a very hot and humid day members of the Freemasonry in the Community Committee for the Middlesbrough Lodges spent Saturday 22nd July 2006 at the Cleveland Show, Stewart Park, Middlesbrough promoting Freemasonry.  The heat of the day meant that the ‘normally expected’ dress code was relaxed.  Some Brethren did, however, ensure Masonic tradition was followed by rolling up their trousers (wearing shorts really) to reveal their legs!  

Members of the public at the Show, of which there were an estimated 8,000 were able to study Photographs, read Display Boards, collect Information Packs and talk to members of the Middlesbrough Lodges as they passed the Stand.  Anyone with a greater interest entered the Marquee to view the Display Boards inside.  Interest exceeded the expectation of the organisers and some members of the public requested further information.  Committee members will pursue their requests.

In addition to the Display Boards about Freemasonry in Middlesbrough there were Display Boards about Freemasonry on a Provincial, National and International perspective. The Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys provided their own display.

Contributions from all bar one of the Middlesbrough Lodges and a cheque from the Provincial Grand Master’s Discretionary Fund financed the cost of the day.

At one point in the day there was concern that the number of people in the Marquee were about to exceed the Marquee’s physical capacity.  Initially those Brethren at the back of the Marquee thought this was all due to the presence of the Provincial Grand Master and the Deputy Provincial Grand Master who were in attendance at the time.  Comments from those at the front of the Marquee however revealed that the overwhelming sudden interest was as a result of a very heavy thunderstorm not the presence of our rulers.  The support of the rulers in attending was however greatly appreciated by the organisers.

In addition to Middlesbrough residents there were visitors from other parts of the United Kingdom, South Africa and Australia.  Numerous visitors said how impressed they had been with the display and what a great idea it was.

The unanimous view of all the Brethren who had worked on the initiative, and been present on the stand, was that it had been a very successful day and one worthy of being repeated, which hopefully it will be.

Special thanks go to Brother Bob Harvey who took the photographs and produced the display boards about Freemasonry in Middlesbrough.

Having been the Chairman of a very progressive F.I.T.C. Committee for Middlesbrough Lodges for over four years W.Brother Barry Hill is now standing down to allow someone else to bring new ideas to the fore.

HULL HOMELESS AND ROOTLESS PROJECT

The Project, which is a Registered Charity, works to meet the needs of homeless people with sensitivity and understanding. They do this by offering 24 hour shelter services, basic needs, a meals programme, mental health assistance and much more. It was the chosen charity of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, during his year in the Chair of the Humber Installed Masters' Lodge.

The project strives to meet the needs of those who have reached an extremely low point in their lives, often as a result of drug or alcohol addiction. In any given year, between 400 and 600 people are helped by the provision of around 8,000 bed spaces and at least 22,000 meals.

The Humber Installed Masters' Lodge, as a part of the community, is proud to have been associated with Cris Kinkead the Chief Officer and her colleagues at the Project and in just three meetings raised sufficient funds to purchase a computer for client use. Hopefully, this will help to maintain and develop skills which may make the workplace more accessible.

Another fantastic three days for Yorkshire Freemasons at the Great Yorkshire Show

A combined effort by masons from both the Yorkshire Provinces of N & E and West Ridings made our third appearance at the Show an unqualified success.

Bigger and better than ever, Stand 218 was twice the size of previous ones partially thanks to funding from United Grand Lodge.

An innovation this year was a colourful display of Masonic regalia in a new display cabinet and extra display panels for the non –Masonic Charities present every day on our stand.

Each Province made daily cheque presentations to the two charities on duty. The North & East Riding charities benefiting were Zoë’s Place baby’s hospice, the Girl Guides and the RNLI.

The now famous blue promotional plastic bags, complete with emblazoned Square and Compasses, containing information on Freemasonry and local charities supported were handed out in record numbers.

There were a good number of enquiries from potential new members and the visitor’s book contained some very positive comments.

Another tiring but, once again, an immensely satisfying week as we encouraged the general public to talk to us about Freemasonry.

TICKTON PRE-SCHOOL

Tickton Pre-School children in happy mood after Sarah Lewis-Palmer received a cheque for £600-00 from Les Jones,to help them buy much-needed equipment, including play rugs and a computertable.

The ladies are volunteers who run the Pre-school for children from two and a half years until they leave to attend Tickton Primary School. The school which meets in Tickton Village Hall, each morning and two afternoons weekly in term time, received a very good report from their last Ofsted inspection Each helper must obtain GNVQ grades and their tuition is paid for by the Pre-School who receive grants. They also raise funds from a variety of activities to help them maintain this essential village need to nuture and develop the adults of the future.

Les Jones is also the Community Liaison Officer of Wyke Masonic Lodge which meets at Tickton Grange. He received a sympathetic hearing from his Provincial Grand Charity who agreed to donate the money for equipment. The Lodge was formed in 1999 and has made donations to Tickton Junior FC, Tickton Junior Tennis Club, Tickton Primary School, and the Cubs and Brownies over the years. It will continue its efforts in the future The Lodge is a community within the community and feels it must play its part, by supporting important local initiatives.

Sarah and her team and Les and his team hope this publicity will bring more support to the Pre-school, thereby helping it to maintain its rightful place at the heart of Tickton village life.

TOTAL REACHES £50,000 GIVEN TO LOCAL CHARITIES.

The Fifth Annual Charity Presentation Evening, which is organised by the Freemasonry in the Community Committee for Middlesbrough Lodges, was held at the Masonic Hall, Middlesbrough on Thursday 18th May 2006.  Cheques in excess of £10,000 were given to representatives of local charities. In addition to the cheques, a large cuddly toy of ‘Scooby Doo’ and a smaller cuddly toy were presented to Zoe’s Place Childrens Hospice. Over £50,000 has now been donated to Local Charities by Middlesbrough Freemasons at these events in the last five years.

Those who attended the evening were:- Charity Representatives from 21 different Charities, Freemasons from the eleven Middlesbrough Lodges together with their wives, Members of the Zetland Ladies Club, the Provincial Grand Master Richard John Anderson and the Assistant Provincial Grand Master John Ridgill Trout together with their wives.

Each Lodge chooses its own Charities and amongst those to benefit were the Great North Air Ambulance, MacMillan Nurses, The Support Association for the relatives of the victims of Murder and Manslaughter, The Sea Cadets and the Butterwick Hospice to name but a few.  (During the last five years 67 Charities have received donations, all but two of which have no Masonic connection.)

The evening was compered by Brother Ben Doree from the Acklam Lodge who, together with his wife Sally, had organised the evening. Photographs of the evening were taken by Bro. Bob Harvey of North York Lodge.  The Photographs will be on display in the Masonic Hall, Middlesbrough and at the Cleveland Show in Middlesbrough in July, where Middlesbrough Freemasons are to have a stand to promote Freemasonry. Photographs are also given to the Charity Representatives to publish in their own ‘in house’ magazines.

The format of the evening was the same as in previous years ;- drinks on arrival, a meal, a presentation by a chosen Charity, the presentation of cheques and this year the cuddly toys to the Charity Representatives.  The evening was closed by the Provincial Grand Master who congratulated the Middlesbrough Lodges on the success of the evening. The PGM stated that he wished the whole atmosphere of the evening could have been bottled and released in other Masonic Centres as a means of establishing greater contact with their Local Communities.

Following the end of the formal part of the evening, the Meeting Room was opened and everyone attending was encouraged to look around and ask whatever questions they wished of the Freemasons in attendance.

The evening was once again a tremendous success.  Whilst it is difficult to quantify how the image of Freemasonry is improved by such an evening, it certainly is, as evidenced by the comments of the representatives of the Charities who were in attendance.  The event was reported in Middlesbrough’s local evening newspaper ‘ The Evening Gazette’, under the heading ‘Masons donate Charity Fortune’.

FREEMASONRY WORKING IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

Magic in the air

During his year in the chair of Lennox Lodge 123, Chris Nicholson and his wife Yvonne held an evening of close-up magic at their home in Middleton Tyas near Richmond to raise funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Nearly 100 people attended the event  - with about half being from non-Masonic families, who enjoyed wine and canapés whilst being entertained by a dazzling display of close up magic by Mike Donogue.

Also present on the evening was Martin Eades, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Air Ambulance who took the opportunity of the occasion to announce the prospective acquisition of a second aircraft specifically to cover North North Yorkshire.

Together with a later raffle the wonderful sum of  £1500 was raised which was presented to Martin at Leeds /Bradford airport – the ambulance’s current base by Chris and Yvonne together with Mike Clayson, Lennox’s charity steward and his wife Margaret.

Martin showed his visitors the revolutionary Air Desk where the dispatcher has access to all the regional screens of the different ambulance authorities across Yorkshire. The Air Ambulance dispatcher can thus see in real time incidents developing and has the authority to scramble the helicopter himself without waiting for a request from the ambulance authority.

This cuts the time for despatch from an average of 8 minutes down to 2 minutes – which can be vital in life and death situations!

They take more than 1000 jobs a year  -but miss 300 more; therefore the requirement for a second aircraft is urgent which will require further funding of £1.7 million!

Martin further explained that with two aircraft they are looking to site one in North Yorkshire and one in South Yorkshire and thus will be moving from their current base at Leeds/Bradford. This will increase response times even more.

Sadly and perhaps surprisingly the Air Ambulance doesn’t qualify for Lottery funding and with all the exciting new plans and developments in train it will require substantial further investment, which no doubt Yorkshire freemasons will play their part in contributing to.

Martin added, “Over the five years of its existence Y.A.A has received support from many individual Lodges throughout Yorkshire. This latest donation from the Lennox Lodge is further evidence of the growing support and awareness that saves about 1000 lives per year in our region.”

Editor’s note: despite his best endeavours Chris was unable to persuade Martin, an unattached mason to join Lennox! He will in fact shortly be joining the Beresford Pierce Lodge in Bedale as a joining member having been ‘poached’ by his old friend Les Kirby the IPM!!

We all welcome Martin into the N & E fraternity.