Funds for Children’s Hospice

The Portsmouth Lodge of Mark Masters, No.17, raised a total of £2,600 for the Naomi House Children’s Hospice located north of Winchester. Christine Billen, Fundraising Coordinator and Mary Rochford, Chair of Solent Friends of Naomi House, were invited to attend a meeting of the Lodge in order to receive the cheque. They met members of the Lodge and gave a short talk about the activities of the Hospice which is purpose built to provide both respite and terminal care together with help and support for the whole family.

Chichester Scanner Appeal

In May an Appeal to raise £1 million towards the purchase of an MRI Scanner for St Richard’s Hospital, Chichester, was launched by the Countess of March and Roxy Music’s Bryan Ferry. Among those contributing to the Appeal were members of Lodge of Union No.38, whose IPM, W Bro. Allan Gough, presented a cheque for £1000. In 1882 the Earl of March himself was Master of the Lodge.

New Tent for Scouts

The Charity Steward of Stanford-le-Hope Lodge, No. 5217, W Bro. Mike Bennett is also Chairman of the Sixth Rochford Scout Group. He received a letter of appeal explaining that the group was desperately in need of a new tent. They asked for a donation towards its cost. When he read the appeal out in open Lodge, Brethren voted to pay for a new tent in full. This tent, which sleeps six, was first used for a four-day camp. The sun shone and all the scouts had a fantastic time.

Eric Knowles at the Library and Museum

Television antiques expert, Eric Knowles, looking at some distinctive ceramic masonic figures. He was the guest speaker at the first event held for the Friends of the Library and Museum of Freemasonry. He entertained all with amusing tales of his career in the antiques business.
    In December there is an opportunity to hear about some eighteenth century masonic musicians and the evening will include musical performances. Diane Clements at the Library and Museum of Freemasonry, Freemason’s Hall, London, WC2B 5AZ. Telephone 020 7395 9258.

Wirral Masons Aid Scanner Appeal

Celebrities Ian St John and Sir Malcolm Thornton received £7,250 on behalf of the S.A.M. scanner appeal from Wirral Freemasons. W Bros. Gordon Thompson and Archie McIlveen, both Assistant Provincial Grand Masters for Cheshire, presented the cheque and received a `Gold Star’ for their generosity.

Rape Crisis and Victim Support

At the Woodbridge, Suffolk, Masonic Hall, a dinner was held to raise money for two charities, Rape Crisis and Victim Support. This was attended only by serving or retired Police Officers. The evening raised £1400. A representative of Rape Crisis said, "We were going to fold up in July due to lack of resources after many years of counselling the victims of rape. This money means that we can continue our work until the end of the year.”

£25,000 to Fight Meningitis

At the annual lunch of the Widow’s Association of Gloucestershire held in Cirencester, Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro. Peter Marsh, presented a donation of £25,000 from the Grand Charity to the Meningitis Research Fund.

Canonbury Masonic Research Centre

The CMRC announces its Third International Conference, 3-4th November, on The Visual Arts & Freemasonry. It will reflect the diversity of Masonic art; from jewels, book design, masonic certificates and tracing boards, masonic artists and photographers, to 18th century masonic lacquer ware from Japan. Experts from the United Kingdom, Portugal, Czech Republic, Israel, Germany, Canada, Holland and France, will be presenting papers. Call Carole McGilvery on 020 7226 6256 or email: mcgilvery@canonbury.ac.uk.

The Cornerstone Society: Northern Conference

The Cornerstone Society has announced its Northern Conference, The Lost Secrets, for 10 November 2001 in Manchester. It is open to all Master Masons in a Lodge working under, or recognised by, the United Grand Lodge of England. Speakers will include Matthew Scanlan, Jan Snoek, Michael Baigent, Neville Barker Cryer and John Acaster. Price £15.00. Contact "Cornerstone Conference", at 17 Park Avenue, Timperley, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 5AX with SAE. Website: www.workingtools.org

University of Sheffield: Centre for Research into Freemasonry

On 12 November at 5.15, Alec Drace-Francis, University College London, will speak on "Romanian Freemasonry and Social Change to 1848" and Robin Vaughan-Williams, University of Sheffield, on "Freemasonry in Russia at the Time of Revolution". On 12 December, Dan Weinbren, the Open University, Chair of the Friendly Societies Research Group, will lecture. For details see: www.shef.ac.uk/~crf