Provincial News
- Written by: Gerry Crawford
An Oundle based charity has benefitted from a Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) grant of £15,000. Volunteer Action is a small charity with one full-time and four part-time staff members and 147 volunteers. They run a community transport service and befriending scheme.
These services are open to anyone aged 65 years plus or registered disabled within the East North Northants area and combat isolation and loneliness, as well as having positive health benefits.
The charity has 800 registered users of the transport scheme, which enables people to keep medical appointments, go shopping, to the hairdresser and to social events.
The befriending scheme has 100 registered users who receive personal home visits or telephone calls.
(l to r) Trustees Valerie Chesser, Moira Froggatt, Richard Allinson, Chairman David Cashmore, Trustee Lloyd Martin, ProvGChStwd Gerry Crawford,
St Wilfrid Lodge WM David Burton, Manager Rachel Dixon, & St Wilfrid Lodge members Alan Welsh, Graham Sands & David Bland
Long-time supporter and local Freemason, John Grubb, visited Volunteer Action’s offices on 16 November 2024 with the Master of St Wilfrid Lodge, David Burton and Provincial Grand Charity Steward, Gerry Crawford, to meet Volunteer Action’s Manager, Rachel Dixon and Chairman, David Cashmore and other Trustees.
Rachel Dixon said
I heard about the MCF through local Freemasons and decided to apply for a grant. We had suffered from a perfect storm of diminishing sources of funding with a huge increase in demand for our services. This MCF grant is a lifeline for us.
David Cashmore said
This grant will guarantee the sustainability of our services in the face of a 44% increase in demand. We are extremely grateful.
Anyone who can give a little time as a volunteer can do so by contacting on 01832 275433
- Written by: Peter Robinson
The Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Mark Constant has been pleased to confirm WBro John Napper as the new Local Communications Officer (LCO) for the Huntingdon Group of Lodges.
John replaces WBro Simon Perry, who was thanked for his service in this role over several years.
- Written by: Daniel Cooke
The annual Provincial Carol Service will take place on Sunday, 10th December 2023, at Peterborough Cathedral. Tickets are available from your lodge secretary or on the door. This event is open to friends and family and really is a wonderful start to the festive season. ?
- Written by: Peter Robinson
Here is your chance to `stake your claim` with an advanced bid for one of the fantastic Auction of Promises prizes to be auctioned at the Provincial Gala Dinner on Friday 17th November 2023, by our very own Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, Roger Blason.