Craft News
- 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.
- Written by: Gerry Crawford
One day in early June 2015 a lady left an unusual message on the Provincial website about a Brother in distress.
She had acquired a small stone figure of a man dressed in what she imagined was a Masons' uniform. Standing on a plinth inscribed Pro Musica Lodge No 9547, he was distinctly unhappy since he had been included as part of a job lot in a car boot sale!
The message was forwarded to the Lodge’s Secretary, WBro Eric Samler, who immediately set about repatriating our lost Brother and restoring his injured pride.
He opened negotiations with the lady. After many emails and telephone conversation with her he was finally managed to broker a deal for the lost Brother’s return.
At a discreet location in Peterborough Bro Eric was pleased to receive from her the returning brother who, would you believe, he had a smile on his face.