Leigh Lodge Visit to Holker Hall

Leigh Lodge invited members, family and friends to spend a day at Holker Hall near to Grange over Sands, South Cumbria.

On Sunday 11 June, we set off by coach for the South Lakes. The age range was diverse covering from 8 to 80. Arriving around lunchtime the first priority was refreshments. For those with children, picnics were popular, whilst other headed for a full Sunday lunch in the dining rooms. Once suitable refreshed, the explorations gathered pace. Some set off for the Motor Museum, others for the great house and yet others for the gardens.

The Museum contains some 30,000 motoring related exhibits including cars, bicycles, petrol pumps, signs, and transport related items. There are in the region of 100 major exhibits spanning the 20th century. For some members of the group it was evident they had previous knowledge and experience of similar models to exhibits on display. Whilst for the younger persons there was a rare opportunity for them to see and discuss they types of transport that parents and grandparents had known and loved. There is an exhibition relating to Sir Malcolm Campbell and his son Donald. Many of these exhibits relate to the world land speed and water speed records.

The weather was ideal with the afternoon being warm and sunny so many turned to a leisurely stroll around the gardens. Informal groups set about discovering the 25 acres of formal gardens, woodlands and parklands. A great opportunity for the younger ones to burn off some surplus energy.

Sadly the day passed away all to quickly and the time arrived to depart for home. It was evident on the return trip that many were catching 40 winks, a sure sign that the day had been an overwhelming success.

MISCONCEPTIONS

Isn’t it surprising how we easily form perceptions of organisations from hearsay? It is perhaps therefore, not surprising that we sometimes get it wrong.

For example, a large percentage of the population think that a Hospice is a dark, dismal, frightening place where people go to stay until they die. Many also think that there are dozens of beds with long-stay patients. Maybe that’s your impression too, but the reality is much different.

In fact Wigan & Leigh Hospice is a bright, modern welcoming organisation offering a host of services to improve the quality of life of people living with a life-threatening illness. There are just 12 beds with the average length of stay only 10 days. Over 60% of in-patients go home and the majority of the 500-600 new patients each year never even visit the Hospice!

Similarly Freemasonry is perceived by many to be a self-centred organisation, only interested in the self-promotion of its members, with any ‘charity’ monies raised only used for the benefit of Masons themselves. Again the reality is very different.

Nationally, Freemasonry is one of the largest donors to non-Masonic charities in the UK; in the next month the Grand Charity will approve grants of around £1.5 million to a wide variety of charities and charitable organisations – such as £150,000 over the next three years to the Brain Research Trust, £200,000 for Youth Opportunities, £30,000 for the National Autistic Society, £25,000 for the Royal School for the Deaf, £45,000 for Wellchild to help care for chronically sick children, £30,000 for the Foundation for the study of Infant Deaths, £85,000 payable over two years to the Samaritans and, for 2006, £500,000 for the Hospice movement. These are in addition to hundreds of smaller donations to churches and voluntary groups throughout the country.

Locally, in the last year, Masonry has donated £3,000 to Wigan & Leigh Hospice and members are here seen presenting yet another £1000 from the Leigh Group.

All Masonic charity funds are raised from Masons, their families and those attending Masonic events. None of it is raised from the general public.

Tony Bent, Chairman of the Leigh and District Group of Masonic Lodges, says “We are delighted to be able to support our local Hospice again. The money donated today was raised from things like raffles at our monthly meetings, ladies’ socials and each lodge setting aside a specific contribution to this cause. This gift is in addition to many other smaller donations by lodges individually.”

Hospice Chief Executive Stuart Liptrot added “Over the years Wigan & Leigh Hospice has received many tens of thousands of pounds from Masonic donations. We are very grateful for their ongoing support which helps us to continue offer the nature and level of care our patients need.”

Tony Bent summarised by saying “Masonry, like Hospices, encourages the adoption and application the highest ideals of ethics and standards. Things are not always what they seem, and perhaps we are all sometimes guilty of forming opinions and misconceptions based on fiction, not fact. This is Freemasonry in practice – supporting those less fortunate than ourselves. Freemasons will never forget them”

Crowds applaud freemasons parading in Vancouver’s Chinese New Year celebrations

Proudly showing their banner are these Chinese freemasons taking part in Vancouver’s Chinese New Year celebrations (Year of the Dog). On January 29th.

They joined more than 2,000 other marchers representing many different organisations in a mile-long parade through the city’s China town.

Witnessing the colourful event was WBro Peter Gregory (Atherton Lodge 4488,Leigh Group, Province of West Lancashire) who was visiting friends there.

Said Peter: “The freemasons were proud to carry their banner and were well received by the crowds lining the route. They played a large role in organising the event. The city’s Mayor and other local dignitaries witnessed the parade.”

Also attending was Premier of British Columbia Gordon Campbell who on a walk about shook hands with Peter and presented him with a lucky red fortune bag: “ There wasn’t a fortune in it but a Chinese sweet. However the Premier was delighted to know I’d come from Lancashire and wished me well”, added Peter.

St.Peter’s mission keeps worshippers dry!

The hardworking parishioners of St.Peter’s Church, Westleigh are celebrating a milestone --- raising £27,000 for the church restoration fund to help keep worshippers dry!.

St.Peter’s Church, a Grade II* listed building, was built in 1880-81 and is quoted as one of the most thrilling churches in Lancashire. Extensive and urgent repairs are needed to the building.

Various fund raising initiatives ranging from dances, concerts and coffee mornings has raised the money. It has helped to meet the cost of the first phase of this major project of making the building rainproof. And helping to make things watertight was a gift of £1,000 from Lancashire freemasons.

Said the delighted Vicar of St.Peter’s, Father Stephen Pollard on receiving a £1000 cheque at their church dinner dance: “We have reached our target for the first phase of work, thanks to the hard work of many of our parishioners and the generous gift from the freemasons. But our fund raising efforts continue because we have to finance two other phases of restoration work.”

Making the presentation on behalf of the Province of West Lancashire freemasons was Eddie Caulfield who added: “We are delighted to support this worthy restoration project. Our community fund is helping many projects in towns and villages throughout Lancashire with all the money coming from lodge members themselves.” Last year lodges in West Lancashire including the Leigh Group raised £64,000 for hospices in the county with a 200 mile sponsored walk.

The Church made a successful application for a grant to English Heritage with a promise of £500,000 spread over three years. But the parish had to find an additional £27,000 during this first phase as part of the agreement.

Our photograph shows the Vicar receiving the cheque from Eddie Caulfield, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Province of West Lancashire at a Restoration fund dinner dance held at Leigh Masonic Hall.

Leigh freemasons £1,000 cheque helps Age Concern - June 2nd 2005

Leigh freemasons continuing support for organisations working within the local community was marked today (June 2nd) with the presentation of a £1,000 cheque to Age Concern.

During the past five years the Leigh Group of lodges has donated similar amounts to deserving causes. This year Atherton Lodge, one of the seven lodges in the group, nominated Age Concern to receive the contribution.

Says the Group's chairman Tony Bent: " We are very much involved in helping those wonderful organisations such as Age Concern to further their work in the community. The funds raised come from every freemasons pocket, which makes us proud of our record of support, and there are many worthy causes that can testify to this. Later this month our Masonic Hall will be hosting an event sponsored by the Rotary Club of Leigh to help schoolchildren with learning difficulties."

Age Concern's Development and Services Director Bill Melling who received the cheque from Tim Bevan, of Atherton Lodge said: "This generous gift by Leigh Freemasons is invaluable in helping us to continue our work within Leigh."

Pictured at the presentation (Left to Right): Leigh Group Vice Chairman Malcolm Parr, Dennis Roughley, Tim Bevan, both of Atherton Lodge, Age Concern Manager of Care Services Frances Holt, Age Concern's Development and Services Director Bill Melling, Group Secretary Len Hart, and Group Chairman Tony Bent

Day Trip to Brontë Country

On 9th April the annual day out into the countryside took place. Once again organised by Norman and Audrey Hilton this years trip was to Haworth. The day out included a ride on a steam train, for the more energetic a short walk from Oxenhope back to Haworth, or for those not wanting to walk the afternoon was free in Haworth. The day was completed with an organised tour of the Brontë Museum followed by a splendid dinner at Haworth Old Hall.

Once again a larger coach had to be booked to accommodate all those wishing to travel.

Click on the photos to enlarge

Lilford Lodges' Summer Activities

Lilford Lodge members along with members of other Lodges in the group and their friends enjoyed two excursions out during the summer recess.

Lancashire Fusiliers Museum - Bury

At the end of July a visit to the Lancashire Fusilers museum at Bury was organised. This involved a sherry reception at the Museum during which all were invited to wander around freely to view the various exhibits ,amongst which, one of the more bizarre items was the official autopsy report of Napoleon Bonaparte!!! After the museum tour it was upstairs to the Officers mess for a splendid five course dinner. With all the regimental silverware on display it was a truly magnificent setting. During the visit museum staff were on hand to answer any questions visitors might have.

Sunday Afternoon and Evening in the Fylde Countryside

The second of the summers excursions involved a trip to St. Annes for a couple of hours of free time. This was follwed by moving on to the Springfield House Hotel set deep in the Fylde countryside at Pilling. Afternoon tea was waiting on arrival. And to while away a few hours until dinner lawn sports such as pitch and putt, boulles and croquet were available. A magnificent five course dinner was laid on in the early evening ensuring all arrived back home in Leigh much the better for a wonderful day out.

Leigh freemasons ‘walk in’ with £2,900 for local hospices

Leigh Group of freemasons who took part in an 18-mile hospice-to-hospice walk have raised the princely sum of £2,900.

“It was a marvellous effort by our volunteer walkers some of whom had never taken part in such a physically demanding event. As a result of their aching feet at the end of the walk and the generous sponsorship of friends, both Wigan and Leigh Hospice and Derian House Children’s Hospice, Chorley, share the proceeds,” said Tony Bent, Leigh Group Chairman.

The walk was part of a national event organised by the freemasons to raise funds for hospices throughout England. The Province of West Lancashire to which the Leigh Group belongs, has lodges in towns and cities from Ulverston to Prescot. The total amount raised by the Province was £62,000.

The Leigh Group presented cheques to representatives of the Wigan and Leigh Hospice and Derian House and Leigh’s group chairman Tony Bent is pictured with

At Derian House

Left to Right

Len Hart Group Secretary, Tony Bent Group Chairman, Trevor Briggs Manager Derian House children’s hospice Edward Caulfield Asst Provincial Grand Master and Malcolm Parr Group Vice Chairman

At Wigan and Leigh Hospice

Left to Right

Malcolm Parr Group Vice Chairman ,Tony Bent Group Chairman, Stuart Liptrot Manager Wigan and Leigh Hospice, Alf Short, Edward Caulfield Asst Provincial Grand Master and Steve Lawson Group Charity Steward

Even on a wet, grey day in December you can’t dampen the spirits of the staff at the Wigan and Leigh Hospice or those who visit and support them in their efforts. Wigan and District and Leigh Groups of Masonic Lodges - present a cheque for £2300 from the Freemasons Grand Charity in their continued efforts to support this worthy cause.

The Hospice was also this years chosen beneficiary for the annual Group Charity Donationand, during the summer of 2003 a cheque for £1100 was presented on behalf of the seven Lodges and four Chapters in the group.

For more information on Wigan and Leigh Hospice, check out their website.

Pictured left to right Malcolm Parr , Vice Chairman of the Leigh Group, David Mills, Vice Chairman, of the Wigan Group. Irene Cieplak, Hospital Volunteer Co-ordinator, Tony Bent, Chairman, of the Leigh Group, and Len Hart, Secretary of the Leigh Group.