| Charity Matters |
| Spring 2010 Disbursement from the WAKE Fund |
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Friday 30th April Freemasons of Devonshire distributed
donations totalling £24,000.00 from the WAKE Fund at
Teignmouth Masonic Hall to local charities.
Conrad Donaldson, the Provincial Charity Steward formally
opened the meeting by welcoming guests and members of
Lodges, the Provincial Grand Master, W.Bro. Michael Penny
then explained origins and objectives of the WAKE Fund. Guests entered the Temple for the presentation and the Provincial Grand Master presented cheques to the representatives of the 28 charities and the sponsoring Lodge. The Provincial Grand Master thanked Brian Tucker, Martin Player and the members of the Teignmouth Masonic Hall Committee, their caterers and helpers for their hospitality in staging the event. The PGM also to thanked Michael Walker, Conrad Donaldson, John Shepherd & Frank H & John Smerdon for their work in helping to run the WAKE Fund. After, the guests left the Temple and enjoyed a buffet in the Refrectory. The Lodge room was then set up and the guests were given a guided tour by members of the Benevolent Lodge No 303. Please place your mouse pointer over a picture to pause the slideshow. |
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Article and pictures - John Smerdon
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The William Alexander Kneel Endowment (WAKE) Fund was
conceived in 1970’s by the late Bill Kneel (PGM 1970 – 1984)
and re-launched by the Immediate Past PGM Robin Osborn in
1999. |
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The full list of Charities, recipients and their sponsors were: |
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Lodge of Obedience "1st Scout Zeal Scout Group" - Mrs
Nichola Glanville Queen Victoria Lodge No 2655 "Marc Anthony Memorial Fund" - Bro. Paul Jones Lodge of St Mary No 5145 "Torbay Care Trust" - Michele Glanfield Fortescue Lodge No 847 "Trip Community Transport " - Mt Neil Hurlock Lodge of Good Intention No 6927 "Exmoor Search & Rescue Team" - Mrs Sam Bryant Bovey Tracy Lodge No 8698 "Bovey Tracy Swimming Pool" - Mr M Brealey The Victory Lodge No 4189 & Semper Fidelis Lodge No 1254 "Childrens Hospice South West" - Ms Jody Pride The Bedford Lodge No 282 "St Eustachius Church Tavistock" - Mr Alan Johnson Hauley Lodge No 797 "Dartmoor Caring" - Mrs Dee Nutt The Lodge of Felicity No 5336 "Plymouth Samaritans" - Mrs Elizabeth Lewthwaite Manadon Lodge No 3033 "Plympton St Marys Church" - Rev. Margaret Cameron The Lodge of Prudence No 1550 & Charity Lodge No 223 "St Lukes Hospice" - Stephanie Cherington The St Thomas Lodge No 4198 "Broadleas Centre,Haytor" - Mr David Aggett - National Chairman Boys Brigade The Northcote Lodge No 2659 "Bramble Ward Trust" - Monica Pavey & Jen Freeman Benevolent Lodge No 303 "St Michael's Church Teignmouth" - Mr F Price The Lodge of St Peter Exeter No 5806 "Alstrom Syndrome UK" - Mr J Parkinson The Lodge of Fortitude No 105 "National Trust Fund" - Mrs Pamela Tremayne WAKE Fund Charity Cheque presentation to: "Torbay Integrated Children's Disability Service" - Mrs Judy Arnold Vale of Haldon Lodge No 7949 "Islington Village Hall" - Mr Rob Parkinson The Sir John Hawkins Lodge No 3704 "Power Pack" - Mrs Sraron Kitchen Salem Lodge No 1443 "Starcross After School Club" - Mrs Fran Jasper The Davie Lodge No 3721 "Franklyn Hospital" - Vicky Shorters The Sun Lodge No 106 "Exmouth Alzheimer's Society" - Mr Andrew Mack The St Aubyn Lodge No 954 "Horizons" - Mr & Mrs Worster & S J Weekes The Victory Lodge No 4189 "Air Training Corps 2312 Squadron" - Flt. Lt. P. Newcombe & 2 ATC Units "SAFE" - Mr Martin Huggins
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| The 2012 Festival in aid of Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys | |
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The current main focus of
charitable fundraising in the Province is, and will be over
the next five years, the 2012 Festival in aid of Royal
Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys. For all the news on the festival please click here For the latest newsletter about the Festival please click here |
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| Report of the Provincial Grand Charity Steward to Provincial Grand Lodge 19th April 2010 | |
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Province of Devonshire is just over the half way point in
its 2012 appeal for the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and
Boys (RMTGB). The RMTGB is one of the largest UK poverty
Charities. It provides financial and pastoral support to
children of Freemasons who have lost one or both parents or
where the family is in a desperate financial situation. By the end of January 2010, the magnificent sum of £2.1 million has been achieved thanks to the generosity of Lodges, The Holy Royal Arch, The Mark Degree, Rose Croix Chapters, other Masonic orders, the Devonshire Masonic Charities and above all the individual efforts of Brethren. 1683 Brethren have qualified as Festival Stewards – this requires a commitment of no more that £5 per month for 5 years or a one-off donation of £300. There are potentially another 4,900 Brethren who could become Festival Stewards so for those who haven’t given then please dig deep and support the Festival! Two editions of the Festival Newsletter have been issued and were sent to all Charity Stewards on our electronic database to keep them up to date about the Festival and also provide information for them to keep their Lodge members regularly informed. The latest Newsletter can also be downloaded from the Festival’s web-site www.devonfestival.org my thanks go to the editor, W. Bro. Richard Ebrey Provincial Grand Orator for producing such superb copy. We will be re-launching the Appeal at a series of events, hosted by the Provincial Grand Master at the end of March when it is hoped that each Lodge will send two representatives. The events will be held on 29th-31st March in Plymouth (Mount EdgeCumbe), Barnstaple (Trafalgar Lawn) and Teignmouth (Holland Road) respectively – please make sure your Lodge is represented! We have raised £2 million – with your help we may be able to double this amount or possibly more. A major review of the three Devonshire Charities (Benevolent fund – BF, Devon Masonic Educational Fund – DMEF and the Widows & Fortescue Fund – W&FF) was undertaken during 2009. In view of the 2006 Charities act and the Charity Commission’s Guidance on best practice, it was recommended that the BF be enlarged to include both the DMEF and W&FF. The relief given by these two Charities will be continued by the BF through separate designated funds thus preserving the spirit of both DMEF and W&FF. The Brethren will see little external change other than in the management structures. At the time of writing, these proposals are to be discussed at seperate EGMs of the 2 Charities. Should these proposals be accepted, then W. Bro. Colin Gale will manage the technical process whereby the 2 Charities will dissolve with their respective assets and liabilities transferring to the BF. This will involve consultation with Charity Commission, production of final accounts and he implementation of the new management and administrative structure. The Province was represented at both Provincial Grand Charity Stewards’ conference in June (hosted by the Grand Charity) and the Festival Forum in October (organised by the RMTGB). These were valuable opportunities to share knowledge and experience with other Provinces and ideas about communication and fund raising skills. 2009 was a significant and memorable year for the Province in many respects. Mention must be made of the Garden Party at Ugbrook House, superbly managed by W. Bro. Clive Eden at the home of Lord and Lady Clifford. The weather, for once, was kind with over 450 people present who witnessed £8,000 being donated to various charities including SENSE (for blind / deaf children) and the Royal Marines Benevolent Fund which does so much to help our troops in Afghanistan, Iraq and other trouble spots. An interview with the PGM at the Garden Party was shown on BBC Spotlight News. Also, Devon hosted a general meeting of the Freemasons’ Grand Charity at Dawlish in October. Numerous cheques were presented, including to the Devon Air Ambulance and Exeter Cathedral. This even proved very popular with Brethren and their families – a happy and enjoyable occasion masterminded by the Deputy President of the Charity – our very own W. Bro. Brian Kelly. May I conclude by thanking the Provincial Grand Master and his executive, the members of the 2012 Festival Committee, the Area Managers, the Festival Chairman W. Bro. Bill Daw and Assistant Secretary W. Bro. Frank Handscombe together with the Website Manager, W. Bro. Alan Cockman, the Festival Newsletter Editor W. Bro. Richard Ebrey, W. Bro. Mike Walker for his assistance on the WAKE Fund and W. Bro. John Smerdon who manages the Festival Merchandise Stall and produces the Lodge Certificates. Above all, may I thank the Charity Stewards and individual Lodge Members for their continued support and enthusiasm for the cause of Charity – a fundamental tenet of Freemasonry. Conrad Donaldson Provincial Grand Charity Steward |
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