The Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire

Charity Matters

Masonic Samaritan Fund Members Meeting 2013


At the MSF Members Meeting held at Grand Lodge on 21st March 2013 Michael Jelley from Manage Health Ltd. (left) gave an informative talk on the new service launched in January 2013 by the MSF called the “Counselling Care-line”. This is a free, confidential helpline operated by trained counsellors who listen and offer professional guidance. The first four of the MSF care areas detailed below are designed to enhance our physical quality of life, and the fifth introduces support to Freemasons and their dependants in need of counselling and other talking therapies. 1. Medical – Supporting applications from a wide variety of medical treatments from hip replacements, cardiac treatments to hearing aids. 2. Dental – Where NHS clinically necessary treatments are unavailable or where costs are excessive. 3. Respite – To support carers by funding the cost of short periods of residential care or to provide regular short breaks at home. 4. Mobility – To provide grants for the supply and maintenance of mobility equipment and home adaptations. 5. Counselling Care-line – To help those experiencing emotional and psychological difficulties. Most people manage their physical health far better than their emotional well-being, leaving unresolved issues and problems that may cause long-term harm. It often helps to talk to family and friends but there will be times when they do not have the expertise to help, or where that wouldn’t be appropriate. Feelings of depression, anxiety and stress are very common and can arise from difficulties such as bereavement, redundancy, family breakdown, debt or illness. The MSF Counselling Care-line is a confidential, 24 hour, free phone helpline operated by trained counsellors who will listen and offer professional guidance. Up to six additional telephone or face-to face sessions with a local trained counsellor can also be arranged if required. The MSF Counselling Care-line is a free service offered by the Masonic Samaritan Fund without the requirement for a financial assessment. If you know someone that needs counselling support, or who just feels the need to talk to someone in confidence about personal problems, direct them to the Masonic Samaritan Fund during office hours on 020 7404 1550. The team at the Fund will confirm their eligibility to access the service and pass on the free phone helpline number to call. More information can be found at www.msfund.org.uk. Call the Fund on 020 7404 1550 and speak to a member of the team about our new service.
Wor Bro Andy Vodden MBE PPrSGW

Autumn W.A.K.E. Fund disbursement gives £20,000 from the William Alexander Kneel Endowment Fund
Right Worshipful Brother William Alexander Kneel, the Provincial Grand Master of the Devon Freemasons from 1970 until 1984, conceived the idea of a charitable fund with the aim of making annual disbursements to local charities and organisations in need of assistance. Right Worshipful Brother Robin Osborn, the Provincial Grand Master from 1999 until 2007, appealed to the brethren in 1999 to build up the fund to £1million; it now stands at about £1.5million in value. Each year approximately £40,000 is distributed amongst local charities and organisations in Devon. The programme commenced in 2001 and since that date over £400,000 has been donated to nearly 400 beneficiaries. The donations amounting to £21,000 in 2001 have now risen in 2012 to a figure of £40,000. Disbursements are made at two open evenings at Masonic halls — one in the Spring and one in the Autumn — where representatives of the charities are invited to meet Freemasons and enjoy a buffet supper. As part of an annual programme of charitable giving, The WAKE Fund has again distributed over £20,000 to 27 local charities and worthy causes. The donations were presented by the Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire, Right Worshipful Brother Michael Penny, at the Braunton Masonic Hall, Braunton on Friday evening 5th October. Whilst the individual sums may seem modest each donation is meaningful and appreciated by the charity or local organisation concerned. The Provincial Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother Michael Penny commented “I am delighted that the Freemasons in Devon are able to contribute to local causes. Many of these organisations are run on a shoestring by volunteers and these donations provide real benefit and are much appreciated”. Most of the recipient organisations were again nominated by a local Masonic Lodge, usually where a member has a connection with the organisation. W.Bro. Barry White, Provincial Grand Charity Steward, firstly thanked W.Bro Conrad Donaldson PAGDC for the many years he had hosted the WAKE evenings as the Provincial Grand Charity Steward. He then formally opened the meeting by introducing the Provincial Grand Master, Rt. W.Bro. Michael T. Penny, who then formally welcomed everyone present, including members of the Executive, the charity representatives, invited distinguished guests and members of Lodges and thanked them all for travelling to Braunton on what must have been one of the wettest evenings of the year, some from afar as Plymouth. He explained the origins and objectives of the WAKE Fund as well as informing the guests about Freemasonry and our openness to this Order as well as our own achievements in respect to the 2012 Festival. Guests and lodge brethren assembled in the Temple for the presentation were then presented by our Provincial Grand Master a cheque to each of the representative of the 27 charities in the name of the sponsoring Lodges. A photo was taken and a short speech was given by each of the Charities with an explanation of the work done or achieved by them. The Provincial Grand Master then thanked W.Bro Barry White as Provincial Charity Steward for the work he had done for the WAKE Fund along with Michael Walker, Frank Hanscombe, John Shepherd, John Smerdon and the team from Braunton Lodge No 5624 for hosting the evening and the wonderful spread they were all looking forward to, after the presentation. After the presentations of cheques and a group photo, the guests left the Temple and enjoyed the superb buffet in the Refectory.















Presentation of Cheques to: Faith Walter of Devon Air Ambulance Trust Sponsored by St Michael's Lodge No 8186 represented by W.Bro Robert Bailey Bideford Town Band Sponsored by The Lodge of Benevolence No 489 John & Sheelagh Gray of Bideford Town Band Sponsored by The Lodge of Benevolence No 489 represented by W.Bro Colin Lovering Angel Neil & Jeffery Niall of Youth Enquiry Service Brixham Ltd Sponsored by The Noontide Lodge No 9720 represented by W.Bro Terry Barnes Angel Neil & Jeffery Niall of Youth Enquiry Service Brixham Ltd Sponsored by The Noontide Lodge No 9720 The Revd K.P. Hooke of Ashburton Methodist Church Sponsored by The Bovey Tracey Lodge No 8698 represented by W.Bro Peter Bradley The Revd K.P. Hooke of Ashburton Methodist Church Sponsored by The Bovey Tracey Lodge No 8698 Mr Ian Roome, Chemotherapy Appeal North Devon District Hospital Sponsored by The Lodge of Good Intention No 6927 represented by W.Bro D.J.Hingston Mr C. Meheux & Mr L. Willcocks of 1st Brixton and Yealmpton Scouts Sponsored by The St Maurice Lodge No 1855 W.Bro. Roy James Mr Tim Harris of The Calvert Trust Exmoor Sponsored by The Lodge of Good Intention No 6927 represented by W.Bro. W.D. Bedworth Mr Tim Harris of The Calvert Trust Exmoor Sponsored by The Lodge of Good Intention No 6927 represented by W.Bro. W.D. Bedworth Mr Paul Naisbett of Force Cancer Charity Sponsored by The Northcote Lodge No 2659 represented by W.Bro. G.T. Archer Plymouth Judo Club Sponsored by The Lodge of Integrity Lodge No 4098 Mrs Margaret Jeffreys, Chagford Combined Charity Sponsored by St John the Baptist Lodge No 39 represented by W.Bro. Maurice E. Jeffreys Mrs D.P. Rendle, Chulmleigh Congregational Church Sponsored by Loyal Lodge of Industry No 421 Bro R. Mount Mr Chris Willis of Go North Devon Sponsored by The Lodge of Benevolence No 489 represented by W.Bro. Colin Lovering Jennifer Bateman & David Hopkins of Devon with Cornwall Lupus Group Sponsored by St Thomas Lodge No 4198 represented by W.Bro. R.C. Walsom Jennifer Bateman & David Hopkins of Devon with Cornwall Lupus Group Sponsored by St Thomas Lodge No 4198 Angie Keary & Eva Jackson of The Bridford Ward Glenbourne Unit Derriford Hospital Sponsored by Bedford Lodge No 282 represented by W.Bro. C.J.Burchell Angie Keary & Eva Jackson of The Bridford Ward Glenbourne Unit Derriford Hospital Sponsored by Bedford Lodge No 282 W.Bro C.J. Brimblecombe of Christow Parish Church Sponsored by The Lodge of Benevolence No 666 Mr Andrew Cann & 2 members of the Barnstaple Town Youth Marching Band Sponsored by North Devon Masters Lodge No 9316 Mr Andrew Cann & 2 members of the Barnstaple Town Youth Marching Band Sponsored by North Devon Masters Lodge No 9316 represented by W.Bro. M. Nagle June Saffin of St Sabinus Church Woolacombe Sponsored by St Nicholas Lodge No 6377 represented by W.Bro. David Williams WM June Saffin of St Sabinus Church Woolacombe Sponsored by St Nicholas Lodge No 6377 Cllr Pauline Murphy of Trevi House Sponsored by Western District United Service Lodge No 2258 represented by W.Bro. John Kingdom Cllr Pauline Murphy of Trevi House Sponsored by Western District United Service Lodge No 2258 Jason Dugdale of Exeter & District Scout Group Sponsored by The Scout Lodge No 9783 represented by W.Bro. Steve Wilkinson Stuart Penman & Andrea Hemmens of Friends of Woodlands School Sponsored by The Victory Lodge No 4189 represented by W.Bro Mike Duff & Bro Graham Hooper Mr Gibbs of The Salvation Army Devonport House Plymouth Sponsored by The St Simon Lodge No 6376 represented by W.Bro. Geoff Grigg Laura Bourne & Lorraine Kigongo of Lapford Pre School Sponsored by The Unity Lodge No 1332 represented by W.Bro. P.A. Bourne Angela Hammond of Children's Hospice South West Sponsored by Braunton Lodge No 5624 Mr Philip Darby of The Bank Youth Project Sponsored by The Ashburton Lodge No 2189 represented by W.bro. C.P. McCormick WM Mr Stuart Lord of Okehampton Community Recreation Association Sponsored by The Lodge of Obedience No 1753 represented by W.Bro. Darren J. Howes WM Mr David Styles of The 339 (South Dartmoor) Squadron Sponsored by The Huyshe Lodge No 1099 represented by W.Bro. K.W. Quick Mr Tom Smith & Mr Wayne Brown of The Hooklands & Broadsands Park Community Association Sponsored by St John's Lodge No 328 represented by W.Bro. George Rogers


Report of the Provincial Grand Charity Steward to Provincial Grand Lodge 18th April 2011

Since the formal launch of the 2012 Festival Appeal in January 2007, the Province of Devonshire has been raising Funds for the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls & Boys (RMTGB) - a poverty charity which assists those Masonic children who find themselves without the support of one or more parents, and often in desperate need. As at 6th January 2011, the magnificent sum of £2.5m has been pledged with 1972 Brethren and ladies qualifying as Festival Stewards - approximately 30% of the Brethren. Every Lodge has a made a significant contribution to the Appeal and particularly the Loyal Lodge of Industry No.421, Unity No. 1332 and St. Thomas No.4198 who have each contributed in excess of £40,000. In addition, a further 11 Lodges have each contributed over £30,000. We are extremely grateful for the considerable support from the Provincial Grand Chapter,the District of Devonshire Rose Croix, the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons and all Lodges, Brethren and ladies who support this worthwhile cause. There are still some 4,000 Brethren in the Province who could become Festival Stewards and we must endeavour to persuade as many as possible to sign up as Stewards. The cost is not onerous being a regular commitment of £5 per month for 5 years or the equivalent sum for a shorter period. (Please note qualifying contributions can continue to be made after the official conclusion of the Appeal). A personal letter signed by The Provincial Grand Master has been posted to each brother in the hope that there will be a significant increase in Stewards during 2011. We are also encouraging Brethren to purchase the very attractive ladies brooch for their partners. We have a further £1.5m to be raised before the official conclusion of the Appeal - that will take place on Saturday 17th November 2012 at the Riviera International Conference Centre in Torquay. W. Bro. Brian Kelly, PJGD has kindly agreed to manage that event which will also see the draw for the Car being coordinated by W. Bro. David Purdie, PPrSGW and his team of Past Wardens. The success of an Appeal crucially depends on the attitude and willingness of individual Brethren to give and the abilities of the Lodge Charity to extract money from the Brethren. There are unfortunately a considerable number of Brethren who have to be persuaded to support a Festival Appeal and a vital part of the Charity Steward’s work is having the confidence and the courage to ask the Brethren to give. It is not easy but we must make the effort! Brethren and the families in the Province continue to receive benefits from the 4 central Masonic Charities - the Freemasons Grand Charity, the Masonic Samaritan Fund, the RMBI and the RMTGB. During the last year, 140 beneficiaries received £450,000 in awards and grants. Over the last 10 years, Devon Masons and their dependents have received in excess of £4.5m - this money is financed largely by other Provinces in Festival hence the importance of the 2012 Appeal. As Provincial Grand Charity Steward, I was asked at the end of 2009 by the central Masonic Charities to chair a Committee to create Guidelines to Provinces holding Festivals. After numerous discussions and drafts, a document called Festival Guidelines was launched at last year’s Festival Forum held at Grand Lodge. Copies of that document, which is also available online, have been sent to each of the 46 Provinces which hold festivals. A Guidebook for Lodge Charity Stewards is being coordinated under the chairmanship of W. Bro. Eric McConnell (Provincial Grand Charity Steward of the Province of Cheshire) and will be published later in 2011. The Province will host the Annual Court or General Meeting of the RMTGB on Tuesday 21st June at the Langstone Cliff Hotel in Dawlish when it is hoped that there will be a large attendance from the Brethren to support our PGM who is hosting that event. In addition to the Festival Appeal, I have been actively involved in the merger of the Provincial Charity funds and the annual disbursements from the William Alexander Kneel Endowment Fund - these are covered in the Benevolent Fund report. In conclusion may I thank the PGM and his Executive: the Chairman, Secretary and members of the 2012 Appeal Committee; the members of the Benevolent Fund and its Sub-Committee; and all the Lodge Charity Stewards, Brethren and ladies for their continued support and encouragement. Conrad Donaldson Provincial Grand Charity Steward