A Yorkshire scouting group has held a ceremony to launch a new boat named after a masonic magazine

Wharfedale Scout Sailing Centre was able to purchase four boats and a trailer, thanks to a £12,000 grant from the Freemasons Province of Yorkshire West Riding. And, to thank the organisation for its financial support, the scouts named one of their boats, White Rose, after the twice-yearly provincial publication.

The centre is a Royal Yachting Association recognised teaching establishment and activity centre administered primarily by the 3rd Bingley Sea Scouts, who are recognised by the Royal Navy.

The centre, located at Reva Reservoir, near Menston, is visited by scouts from all over the country who use the boats for their activities and courses.  

The road trailer now enables young students completing their Duke of Edinburgh qualifications to take boats away on expeditions.

Roger Newhouse,  Assistant Provincial Grand Master of Yorkshire, West Riding, said: 'We are delighted to be able to support the Wharfedale Scout Sailing Centre with this grant, which has enabled them to purchase four boats and a trailer.

'Each year, the Province of Yorkshire West Riding gives grants totalling £200,000, to organisations across the region, including youth groups, charities, churches and schools. It was a pleasure to attend the launch of ‘White Rose’ and see the equipment that the grant has helped purchase and we wish the sailing centre every success for the future.'

The grant was sponsored by the Lodge of Amity No. 4148, which meets in Baildon.

A nautical charity that operates from Berwick to Hartlepool has received a new boat to assist in training its members and helping the community from Northumberland Freemasons

The Northumbria Unit of the Maritime Volunteer Service (MVS) received a new rigid inflatable boat aptly named 'Northumberland Freemason' at Newcastle’s Quayside after a £15,000 donation from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Northumberland.

A delegation of Freemasons came to watch the naming ceremony which included the Provincial Grand Master of Northumberland Ian Craigs, who christened the vessel with an appropriate bottle of Newcastle Brown Ale; right in sight of the iconic Tyne Bridge. 

The organisation aims are to keep the UK’s maritime tradition alive by training and delivering practical seamanship and engineering skills.

Angela Carrington, Head of Unit for the Maritime Volunteer Service, said: 'This is a very generous gift to our charity from the Freemasons that will benefit our members and the community too. We will be using the boat on all of the region’s rivers so she will be a common sight from the Tweed to the Tees.

'She’s a very manoeuvrable craft making her ideal to train people in seamanship and boat handling skills. In turn, we will pass on these skills to help at community events all across the region. We are very grateful and will sail her with pride.'

Provincial Grand Master Ian Craigs said: 'All of our trustees agreed that this was a very worthwhile donation as the vessel is being used on the region’s waterways doing sterling community work. We are proud to be associated with MVS Northumbria and look forward to hearing more about the 'Northumberland Freemasons' good work.'