Craft News
- Written by: Michael Genner
The Festival was hosted by the Worshipful Master, WBro Michael Raine at Daventry Court Hotel on Saturday 6 June.
WBro Robin Brown gave the Toast to the Ladies and WBro John Wilkes performed an outstanding rendition of the Ladies Song. The Worshipful Master’s Lady Mrs Maureen Raine gave a most sincere response on behalf of the Ladies, followed by the Worshipful Master who said that it was an important occasion that allowed wives and partners to be honoured for their understanding and support in the brethren’s lodge duties.
The Worshipful Master thanked WBro Graham Ballinger the Festival Secretary and WBro Malcolm Payne the Master of Ceremonies for organising the event, and the 138 present for their generosity. He said that it was beyond all his expectations to have raised a total of £936 in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind and other charities.
Following the formal proceeding the evening culminated with live popular music, performed by Brothers United, comprising of WBro Graham Ballinger and WBro John Wilkes (Buckby Castle Lodge), Bro Ray Robins, (a Worcestershire Mason), Mr Terry Ballinger (Graham’s elder brother), and Mr David Hylton of Long Buckby.
- Written by: Gerry Crawford
The Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire Branch held their latest Masonic Fishing Charity event at Ringstead Island Fishery on 11 June 2015. The twenty participants came from two different schools and one care home. Sixteen excited children and four adults participated, all of whom have additional support needs. The sun shone all day and many fish of varying sizes were caught.
After a fantastic BBQ lunch, the group was joined by the High Sheriff of Northamptonshire, Ahmed Mukhtar. He is Immediate Past Master of Rockingham Forest Lodge No 9491.
Certificates and trophies were presented to the participants by a representative from the Province, WBro Gerard Dempsey ProvJGW, and the High Sheriff.
The event was sponsored by the Strangward Trust and the Douglas Compton James Trust with bait being sponsored by the local Gilders Country Sport shop.
- Written by: Michael Genner
Between the 10 and 17 April brethren from the Lodge of St George No 5978 walked 103 miles over seven days raising £1,500 for the Provincial Grand Charity and Cancer Research. Together with funds from earlier in the year, the Lodge has raised £3,000 for these two charities.
The walkers were WBro Danny Hunt, WBro William Diggins, WBro Andy Moore, Bro Richard Williams from the Lodge of St George and WBro Oliver Diggins from the Lodge of Protection, London. Mrs Sarah Moore also walked the last days 16 miles with the group.
- Written by: Michael Genner
Bro Roy Stockbridge of Fitzwilliam Lodge 2533 cycled 83 miles around Cambridgeshire in the Grand Fondo on the weekend of 6 June. Roy raised £670 through sponsorship in aid of Teddies for Loving Care.
Congratulations to Roy and his sponsors for a fantastic effort in providing support for children who need those small but important Teddies to ease them through critical moments in their lives.
For cyclists with an interest in the physical, in 4 hours 27 minutes, at an average speed of 18.6 mph, Roy turned the pedals 21,000 times, climbed 1,500 feet and lost 5 lbs in weight to burn off 3,660 calories.