Craft News
- Written by: Gerry Crawford
Each year at Easter, on Maundy Thursday, Her Majesty the Queen presents special Maundy money to local pensioners in a UK cathedral or abbey in one of the Diocese in England or Scotland.
Exceptionally, for only the second time in her reign, the presentation in 2016 took place at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle on Thursday 24 March and was made to 90 men and 90 women throughout the Diocese of both Countries. One of the proud recipients was W Bro Richard Turpin OBE who said
We had a wonderful day and the presentation in the traditional Maundy Service was followed by an excellent reception in the State Apartments. I still don't understand what I have done to deserve such a high honour which is given to 'elderly' men and women for services to the Church and their local community.
Each recipient is given two purses. The red one containing a £5 commemorative coin marking the Queen's 90th Birthday and 50p coin marking the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings. The white one containing the specially minted silver Maundy coins (nine packets of 4,3,2 and 1p face value) totalling 90p to equate to the Queen's age.
Our congratulations go to WBro Richard.
- Written by: Michael Genner
The Towcester Youth Coffee House Project runs a drop in centre for children of secondary school age. It is located close to the biggest concentration of social housing in Towcester and a primary school where 20% of pupils qualify for free school meals.
The Coffee Shop exists to provide a safe environment for children and young people in which they can develop their physical, mental and social skills, reduce the instance of anti-social behaviour and underage drinking caused by lack of recreational facilities.
On Wednesday 23rd March 2016 as Freemasonry approaches its three hundred year anniversary, Towcester Freemasons presented a cheque for £1,000 to the Youth Coffee House Charity Chairman Miss Charlie Fagan and Vice Chairman Mrs Pauline Bains.
L to R
WBro Richard Stokes, WBro Graham Minett, Mrs Pauline Bains, Miss Charlie Fagan, WBro Andy Lowe, WBro Chris Mullen, at the back WBro Bob Cox.
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The Coffee Shop has always relied on raising its money from the local community and on the participation of volunteers to keep running costs to a minimum and keep its doors open. The Coffee Shop is currently raising funds for renovation and redevelopment of the facility to increase the opening times and ensuring it will remain as a volunteer based organisation whose operational costs are funded entirely from local contributions.
- Written by: John Fergusson
At the Provincial Grand Charity AGM, the Provincial Grand Master was delighed to announce the following Grand Rank appointments and promotions for brethren in this Province
Appointment as Deputy President of the MCF
VW Bro James Henry NEWMAN – Old Wellingburian Lodge no 5570
First Appointment to AGDC
W Bro Owen William Davison – Rockingham Forest Lodge No 9491
W Bro Owen Davison
First Appointments to PAGDC
W Bro Gerald Raymond Crawford – Grey Friars Lodge No 4990
W Bro Luigi Orsi – Lodge of St Paul No 6516
W Bro Gerry Crawford W Bro Luigi Orsi
Promotion to PGSwdB
W Bro Trevor Frank Boswell – Old Northamptonians Lodge No 5694 (and will become VW Bro)
Promotion to PSGD
W Bro David John Burton – Petriburg Lodge No 8767
Promotion to PJGD
W Bro John Edwin Benson – Socrates Lodge No 373
Promotion to PAGDC
W Bro Adrian John Howorth – St Wilfrid Lodge No 4453
W Bro Dr Kevin Rhydderch Williams – Trinity Lodge No 9165
- Written by: John Fergusson
On Wednesday 9 March 2016, the Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Max Bayes accompanied by the Grand Superintendent, VW Bro Wayne Williams, presented a cheque for £10,000 to Simone Enefer-Doy, CEO of Lifelites.
(l to r): VW Bro Wayne Williams, Simone Enefer-Doy & RW Bro Max Bayes
This cheque was made up of contributions from Lodges and individuals across the Province and was supplemented by Provincial Grand Charity. This donation continues the Province's association with Lifelites and builds upon previous donations from the Province in 2014 and 2015.