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8th March 2022, from W Bro Ian Syddall:

 

Humber Lodge No 57 met on Tuesday 8th March 2022.

On this occasion it was planned to initiate a new member, but at the last minute could not attend, however all was not lost as our very own W Bro Eddie Wildman assisted by W Bro Richard Smedley did a superb presentation about Hansel & Gretel, a Brothers Grimm's folk tale, and it's interpretation in Masonic terms.

At the festive board instead of them having their usual raffle the WM decided to ask the Brethren to donate towards the Ukraine Crisis Appeal created by The United Grand Lodge of England and the Masonic Charitable Foundation (the Freemasons' Charity)

It was agreed in open Lodge that whatever was raised by the Brethren on the night the Lodge would support by making up the funds to £1,000.00 . . .

Well, what a night, the Brethren raised £810.00 which included a donation by the Daggards, thank you.

The biggest donation however came from Brother Craig Morrison; he had bought a picture in a previous Humber Auction for £30.00, a gift for his sister. She had it cleaned, hung it in her home and after a couple of days decided she did not like it and told Craig, who suggested rather than throw it away take it to her local auction house which she did. WOW! A £200 profit was raised, which she gave back to Craig who then donated the money to our cause.

Thank you.

So, having had donations of £810.00 which, by the way, was all gift aided, it left the lodge to add £190.00 making up the £1,000.00

This money will be sent to YCNER for match funding and potentially to Grand Lodge for Match funding then into the Ukraine Appeal.

Thank you one and ALL!

Ian Syddall, ProvGChStwd

 

 

10th January 2022 from the Charity Steward:

TLC, (Teddies for Loving Care ) is locally managed by Freemasons who also volunteer their time to run the scheme. Since its inception in 2001, over 3,000,000 teddies have been introduced to hospitals throughout England and Wales. The Province of Yorkshire North and East Ridings is a staunch supporter of the scheme, which supplies teddy bears to children who are taken into hospital. To find out more, click here.

Malcolm Forbes. Charity Steward for the Humber Lodge.

14th October 2021, from the Provincial Grand Charity Steward:

(Note there are useful links in this article for those seeking further information. It is a brief but full report and gives some idea of the extent of Masonic Charitable work undertaken on a Provincial level. We are privileged in the Humber Lodge to have the Provincial Grand Charity Steward as a member, and his advice is always welcome. ERW.)

 

Report on the Charities/Almoners Information Day

The Parsonage Hotel, Escrick, York. 14^th October 2021

by Ian Syddall  ProvGChStwd

In writing this blog I have to thank Colin Hunton ProvGChStwd (Chapter) who took the minutes, of which I have used some parts.

This was my first Provincial Charity Day as ProvGChStwd: I would also like to put on record and my thanks for the time and hard work W Bro Gareth Frost ProvGStwd has put in with helping me organise this event.

The venue was well organised for our day with only one real criticism, the internet reception was poor and a number of speakers could not get Wi-Fi access, however with a few nervous moments and no leg breaks the show went ahead as scheduled.

• There were 76 recorded members present.

The meeting was opened by RW Bro J Gillyon PGM / MEGS who tendered the apologies of the APGM I Johnson who would have Chaired the day.

 

A warm welcome to all, especially those non-Masons, and thanks for their contribution to the day. These information days have proved very successful over the years as the PGM explained he was the Charity Steward of his Lodge between 1991 and 1995 and found he had much to learn.

 We would hear presentations from the following:

• AGM of FCYNER CIO:  by Mike DeV Roberts in the absence of the Chair WBro William Fisher
• Approval of the Minutes of the Annual General Meetings held on 10th October 2019 and 21st November 2020 respectively;
• Presentation of the Annual Accounts of the CIO for the year ended 31st March 2021 and the Trustees’ Report for that year (a copy of these as approved by the trustees is not included in this blog);
• Election of Trustees
• Election of Auditors;
• Any Other Business.

 

• Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team, gave a very informative talk on the work of the team and how their Grant would be applied to their work. 

• SASH, “Preventing Youth Homelessness Together” who gave an informative talk about their organisation and how their grant would be used to assist those in need. www.SASH-uk.org.uk
• Carers Plus – Yorkshire. Claire Robinson and Jacky Vasey. One of the presenters was funded by the grant from MCF. An interesting talk followed, informing all of the work they undertake and how their funding was being applied.

 

• Provincial Almoner: ProvGAlm Brian Henderson-Thynne thanked all the Lodge and Chapter Almoners for their hard work over the last 18 months. "With all our Lodges and Chapters we can be a force within our communities and offer help and assistance to those who need it," he said. He thanked his predecessor Mark Tann, plus the Almoners Team for all their work during the Pandemic. He introduced Peter Hart (ProvGAlm-Chapter) as his deputy.
• He invited all to view the Provincial website: www.yorkshirenerfreemasons.org.uk And view the “In Memoriam” page, this was a record of all the Brethren we had lost to The Grand Lodge Above.
• There was also a Webinar from MIND, a mental health presentation which lasted about 30 minutes.
• The MCF website is a very good source of information www.mcf.org.uk
• There will be a number of Almoner Workshops for 2022 at four possible locations, provisionally: 1. York, 2. Guisborough, 3. Scarborough, 4. Hull.

 

• MCF Report by Mike DeV Roberts, Mike opened by introducing himself and Malcolm Booth as the Provinces, voted in, representatives to the MCF. A short history of the MCF followed and then an introduction to the work of the MCF. (Masonic Charitable Foundation)
• Yearly some 3,000 Freemasons and their families are supported with donations of £15,000,000, along with approx. £5,500,000 in other Grants.
• An explanation of what is available via Grants from the MCF.
• In Covid alone some 607 Grants totalling some £3,200,000 were issued.
• Grants are also given outside of Freemasonry, these include, the Royal College of Surgeons, humanity relief and flood relief to name but a few.
• In our area there were 89 Grants totalling £233,000.
• Mike explained to all that he was available to give talks about the MCF to all Lodges.
• Association of the Friends of Connaught Court. Kevin Priestley, explained that Connaught Court was a Care Home, in our area, run by the RMBI, and rated as excellent.

 Although the home was run by the RMBI, there was still a need to raise monies for equipment and day trips etc. that is why “Friends of Connaught Court” are there, they make sure that at Christmas every person staying at the home receives a gift.

• The cost of a membership to the friends is £5.00 per year, and to celebrate 50 years of the home, lapel pins were available.

 

Masons Charity Packs.

Ian Syddall, ProvGChStwd, informed all that on their seats were envelopes containing Charity information for new Masons, at one time given to Master Masons on Raising, but now given to an Entered Apprentice at his Initiation.

• If any Charity Steward required more, they are available from him
• There would be a number of Workshops for Charity Stewards in 2022. To be confirmed
• There was a gift aid envelope on each chair to make your donation and raffle tickets are on sale for the 3 prizes on display. Raffle.
• The winning numbers on the raffle were: 1^st prize 123, 2^nd prize 182 and 3^rd prize 156.     
• The raffle raised £289.00

 

Wills and Power of Attorney

W Bro David Burnett. a retired Solicitor, gave a talk on Wills and Power of Attorney.

• He advised that some Solicitors were offering a free Will writing service up to 31^st October 2021. We were all encouraged to make a Will.
• If using a bank as executor in a Will there are charges to consider.
• Get advice on bank accounts and property.
• If no Will is in place, if you are not married, your spouse is entitled to nothing.
• Be aware of inheritance tax, specify burial or cremation, if a person or family member is to be left out of a will, leave a letter explain why.
• Power of Attorney forms are available from gov.uk we should all make sure a lasting power of attorney is in place in case anything should happen to you.

 

Closing remarks.

The Chairman once again reiterated that the last 18 months had been a difficult time for everyone, with some suffering personal loss. Many were still not comfortable in attending Lodge/Chapter and large meetings. The Almoners of our Lodges and Chapters were to be thanked for time and efforts over the last 18 months. All the speakers were thanked for their attendance and time in giving their presentations.

--ooOoo--

 

 9th July 2021, from the Humber Lodge Almoner:

 

Charity and the Almoner

Charity: definition:- giving voluntarily to those in need; love of fellow men; lenience in judging others.

Freemasonry’s ritual is known for its beautiful language and in our Humber Ritual the three grand principles upon which Freemasonry is founded are described as, Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.

The United Grand Lodge of England some few years ago replaced these ideals in their correspondence with more modern wording which is more easily understood in the 21st Century. These words are: Integrity, Friendship, Charity and Respect.

The United Grand Lodge of England, our own Province of Yorkshire, North and East Riding and Humber Lodge No57 provide structures which enable members to make positive contributions to their communities and many other charitable causes.

Since 2016 the Masonic Charitable Foundation has awarded £90 million in grants, which equates to £50,000 per day!

In the last four weeks Humber Lodge has provided financial assistance to the following organisations:

The Warren. The Warren Youth Project is a charity based in Hull that provides free support, guidance, training, education, counselling, employability skills/training, and creative expression activities to young people aged 14-25 years.

The Teenage Cancer Trust. The money donated is to be used at the local unit based at Castle Hill Hospital ,Cottingham.

The St Margaret’s Scout Group which is based in East Hull. During lockdown rodents gained access to their storage facility and damaged vital equipment necessary for their scouting activities. Our donation will go some way to replace necessary items, enabling the leaders to carry on with their good work with the youth of our city.

Charity is not just about giving money. That certainly helps! It is also about giving time to make positive contributions to our communities. It is heartening to read the statistics published recently, that 75% of Freemasons take part in civic or other charitable activities compared with 31% of non-freemasons.

It is the role of our Charity Steward to coordinate our financial giving and the distribution of the funds whilst the Almoner has a more pastoral role, caring for the membership and their dependants. It is his duty to advise, assist and where necessary seek out the help and assistance of the various Masonic and outside bodies for both possible financial help, housebound assistance and sometimes permanent residential care.

We are all almoners because we are Freemasons and we all care, show kindness and respect. If you are ever aware of a Brother who needs help never assume that your Lodge almoner is aware of the situation. He would rather hear the same story from ten Brothers than be left totally unaware of the problem!

David Malcolm Terry, Lodge Almoner

 

June 2021

As Lodge meetings cautiously begin after lockdown, collections are made for various charitable causes and despite low numbers, the Brethren gave generously. At that meeting, it was agreed that donations should be made to Children's Mental Health via The Warren in Hull, to a teenage Cancer Trust and to a Church Hall Scout Group whose equipment has been ruined during lockdown by an infestation of mice. Many thanks to the Brethren for their generosity, and to the Province for their support!

 

 

 

 

April 2021

(From the WM on the occasion of the Charity Fund Raffle Draw)

During the lockdown I’ve been enormously impressed by the Brethren of the Humber Lodge. We’ve seen newsletters boasting of how some Lodges have donated the cost of their meals, or collected 20p pieces or given their support to Charity in different ways – we’ve seen that some have been involved in making personal protection clothing for the health workers, we’ve seen the incredible support of freemasons of the province, of the country and of the world.

You Brethren of the Humber Lodge have quietly and unassumingly continued to support those in need during the lockdown – some of you physically getting out there and doing your bit – running both ways over the Humber Bridge, driving blood to hospitals, doing volunteer work, cycling, some of you by making telephone calls to our lonely and vulnerable Brethren and families, and all of you by donations. Some of you have donated raffle prizes too - thank you.

I don’t just mean the donations we automatically make when paying our subs – a portion of that, as you know, is invested by the Grand Charity and some is invested in the Provincial Grand Charity – but I’m talking about the extra contributions you’ve given to our Charity Fund. Some of you have also contributed prizes, some have spent time and energy organizing the raffle – not for recognition and a photo in an online magazine, but because you all believe in Charity and will give aid where needed. Some of you are automatically giving to Charity when buying online through the scheme promoted by W Bro Richard Smedley.

With over £700 raised earlier for the Almoner’s Fund and now over £630 for the Charity Fund, I am so proud of you all. It will be mentioned in the Humber Lodge minutes, of course, but let me say on behalf of our Almoner and Charity Steward, thank you very much.

While we are not actively seeking recognition, the work of the Humber Lodge has not gone unnoticed, and it has come as no surprise that next month W Bro Ian Syddall will be taking up the very active office of Provincial Grand Charity Steward, and I’ll like to congratulate him here on behalf of us all.

As a Lodge we are proud of him. But we should also be proud of ourselves. As master of the premier Lodge in the Province, I am both humbled and inspired by your generosity.

Sincere thanks to you all.

Congratulations to W Bro Angus Gillies (pictured) who won the star prize in the raffle - the Humber Lodge 57 Chocolate Bouquet. "I suspect," said W Bro David Terry, "he's going to be the most popular man in the village for a while!"

"Helping people by charity is the most human thing we can do." - Oprah Winfrey.

 

2021

Please see the link showing what Connaught Court has to offer on the Events and Social Functions Page!

2020

New Year's Eve 2020

Congratulations to Andrew Paulls who completed a 500km cycle ride between Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve in aid of Diabetes UK, (see 10th December below) and to all those Brethren who supported him in this worthy cause. Here are his comments:

Every year since 2010, Rapha has challenged cyclists to ride 500 kilometers between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. The Festive 500 started in the south of England, and has become a global challenge.

 I chose to undertake this challenge to improve fitness whilst generating sponsorship for diabetes uk. The motivation was due to becoming pre-diabetic for a short period in 2020. The challenge is usually completed outside during the coldest period of winter. Due to the pandemic, cyclists could now use an indoor trainer.

 I put together a plan of completing around 70km a day with potentially two 100km rides. This was completed on the roads of the Holderness in cold conditions. When it became too cold, I moved to the safety of home, ensuring that a supply of tea and bacon sandwiches were on hand. Up to now the fund generated is nearing £400 with a target of £500. Many thanks to all who have helped.

 

 

December 2020

As Christmas approaches Lodges are aware that their usual contributions to particular causes are likely to be somewhat diminished as we have not met for a substantial amount of the year, and the usual raffles and collections have not taken place. The Humber Brethren have nonetheless given generously, and we have received thanks from different organisations. including the WM's particular charities this year, Dove House in Hull and the Candlelighters - supporting children with cancer in Hull. Aside from the efforts of our Charity Steward, Brethren have been busy (see below) but  our Almoner and Charity Steward have combined forces to raise money for the Almoner's Fund, lending support to our widows and those in need. To this end (and with the kind assistance of a donation from the Province) a Christmas Hamper has been purchased, to be raffled along with other prizes on the date of our December meeting (a Zoom presentation - see the WM's Diary) and up to now (25th November) over £600 has been raised. Watch this space!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR BRETHREN! £775.00 RAISED FOR THE ALMONERS FUND! WELL DONE EVERBODY - GOD BLESS YOU EVERY ONE!          (8th December 2020.) 

 

10th December 2020

Bro Andrew Paulls has taken on the challenge of cycling 500KM from Christmas Eve through to the New Year in aid of Diabetes UK: a message with the "Just Giving" link has been sent to the Humber 57 Brethren. Good luck, Andrew!

 

 

Bro Mark Lindsay, Royal Arch Representative for the Lodge, expressed his grateful thanks for the support and good wishes of all the Brethren of the Humber Lodge when he completed the challenge of crossing the Humber Bridge (both ways) to support St Alban's Church in a project for Christian Aid). The weather was terrible - driving rain and high speed winds, but Mark and his oldest son carried on regardless. The Daggards http://thedaggards.co.uk/?Your_Contributions_2020 (some of whom are also members of the premier Lodge in the Province) were delighted to be able to contribute. Mark suffers from acute arthritis (which has prevented him from participating in the London Marathon) and the wearing of a mask in recognition of those who have lost their lives through Covid-19 added to the demands of the run, but eventually, wet and weary after seven kilometres of blustery autumn winds, the dynamic duo completed the task, raising funds for the support of those less fortunate than ourselves. Well done both!

 

As the covid-19 pandemic has severly curtailed attendance at the cenotaph for the annual remembrance and laying of wreaths, the Brethren have elected this year to send a donation to the NGVFA, the National Gulf Veterans and Families Association, which became a registered charity over twenty years ago Like many other charities, this Hull-based organisation has suffered during the ongoing crisis, but is now again supporting those Veterans of the Gulf Conflicts, Iraq and Afghanistan who have health and social problems since their return. The charity's mission is to provide a safe haven for the Veterans and their families, enhancing their quality of everyday life through support, information, advocacy and counselling, and to increase awareness thereof to the public and health care professionals. Many thanks to W Bro Ian Syddall, who is well au fait with the NGVFA and who gently pointed out that while doubtless the Brethren will be purchasing their poppies to support the national appeal, this worthy charity is not so well known and on our very doorstep.

 

 

W Bros Richard Smedley and Ian Syddall have enrolled the Humber Lodge Charity on Amazon Smile so that Lodge members with an Amazon account can log in through  https://smile.amazon.co.uk/ and start shopping, registering purchases to The Humber Lodge Charity Fund. Then each quarter, Amazon donate 0.5% of our purchases to our charity. It costs us absolutely nothing extra to purchase through this route, but the Humber Charity could benefit considerably.

Richard asks "Could I call upon you all to register your accounts to this system and hopefully the charity will benefit."

 

 

Freemasons practise Charity on many different levels. Every subscribing member annually donates to the Grand Charity (which is huge: apart from the National Lottery, Freemasons contribute more to charitable causes than any other organisation) and to the Provincial Charity. However, there is charity work done by each Lodge, the Master (assisted by his Charity Steward - this year W Bro Malcolm Forbes for the Humber Lodge) may select particular causes to support, and during his year of office, other causes, local, national or international might require assistance from the Brethren. Nor is it all about giving money: the Lodge Almoner (W Bro David Terry) is active, visiting the widows of Brethren who have passed away, checking on the health of those who are ailing; sometimes exhorting the Brethren to assist with lifts or simply giving up some of their time. There are some Masonic groups dedicated to supporting charitable causes: The Daggards (of whom several Humber Brethren are members) put on lectures, presentations and entertainment to help the homeless and others in need of assistance.

Click the link here to find out about the Grand Charity. 

The Masonic magazine Freemasonry Today has a number of articles about different charities, including the Royal Masonic Trust for Boys and Girls: click the link to find out more. The Masonic Charitable Foundation explains something of the long history of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth , the precepts upon which the Organisation is founded.

Click on the logo to find out about the Daggards.

The Worshipful Master's selected Charities for 2019 - 20 are the Candlelighters (Hull) concerned with children's cancer and the Hull Dove House Hospice. Contributions have been made to both these organisations throughout the year.