Provincial News
- Written by: Gerry Crawford
Initiated in 2019 by Gerry McLaughlin, when he was Provincial Grand Almoner, support for the Maternity Bereavement team at Kettering General Hospital continues with a £3,000 Masonic grant.
The Maternity Bereavement team provides Rainbow Bags for for parents who are expecting a baby following a stillbirth or neonatal death. A ”Rainbow baby" is a baby that is born following a miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death or infant loss. A rainbow follows a storm (baby loss) and is seen as a symbol of hope. These parents find it hard to purchase newborn items for their baby for fear of never realising their dream, so this bag is a start for them. Previously, local families had second hand items donated from the hospital when they haven't been able to buy anything for their new baby.
Local Freemasons with the support of the national Freemasons’ charity, the Masonic Charitable Foundation, have funded the latest batch of Rainbow Bags. They contain a rainbow blanket, vests, sleep suits, hats, nappies and cotton wool.
Stephanie Fretter, Bereavement Midwife, commented
For those who have experienced the loss of a baby at birth, the idea of having another is exciting but they may be wary of stocking up on baby essentials. It’s almost like tempting fate. That’s when we developed the idea of the Rainbow Bags. We wanted to provide women with essential items that they may have been nervous to buy. We are so grateful to the Masons for enabling us to carry on with this initiative by funding the latest this latest batch of Rainbow Bags.
- Written by: Peter Robinson
The Lodge of St Paul No.6516 held a most successful `Discover Freemasonry` evening on Tuesday 11th April 2023 at York Road, Kettering, with over 80 brethren and gentlemen present.
A short regular lodge meeting for Lodge members and visitors was held to transact essential business at the start of the evening, whilst invited gentlemen and their hosts met in the lounge, before joining together in the main Lodge Room for a number of presentations under the `Discover Freemasonry` initiative led by the Provincial Grand Membership Officer, WBro. John Fergusson.
- Written by: Peter Robinson
More than 20 local families with a disabled child had a fabulous day out this week (April 2023) at a country farm, with go-karting, an adventure park and a pet’s corner, thanks to a grant from Northamptonshire Freemasons to the disability charity Contact.
- Written by: Jason Brice
Saturday 1st April 2023's Testing Event was very well attended, having been organised and manned by a number of Royal Arch Masons.
