News

(March 2010)

Dean Waterfield Lodge has supported the Immediate Past Master W. Bro. Bob McDuff, and his nominated charity Herefordshire Deaf Direct, with a splendid donation of £1,000. At the presentation, Sue Bucknell, Centre Manager at Hereford, said that she was “truly delighted to receive the continued and much appreciated backing of Herefordshire Freemasons.”

Presentation photograph left to right: W. Bro Harold Blackburn; Sue Bucknell representing the charity Deaf Direct; W. Bro. Bob McDuff

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Arrow Lodge backing RNLI

(March 2010)

Immediate Past Master of Arrow Lodge, W. Bro. Roger Powell has received £1,000 from Arrow Lodge Masonic Charity Trust to donate to his chosen charity Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

It is proposed to make the donation at a presentation to be held at Aberystwyth detail of which will be posted on the website in due course.

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"Lift off" - Herefordshire Masonic Air Ambulance Appeal

(February 2010)

Kate Owen, one of 30 experienced paramedics with specialist training linked with the Midlands Air Ambulance, gave an illustrated presentation to Freemasons at the Dean Leigh Masters’ Lodge at Kyrle Street, Hereford.

This presentation was in response to the initiative of the Provincial Grand Master for Herefordshire in affirming his Province’s committed support over the next four years to the local Midlands Air Ambulance.

As a Registered Charity, Midlands Air Ambulance is responsible for funding and operating three Air Ambulances serving six Midland Counties and the Welsh border – a total of 6,000 sq miles. Flying its first mercy mission in May 1991, the charity is regarded as one of the longest established and busiest Air Ambulance operators in the UK with over 30,000 missions undertaken to date.

With no government money and no National Lottery funding, the generosity of the public is crucial in the raising of £5.6 million required each year to ensure the three Eurocopter 135 aircraft based at Strensham Services, RAF Cosford and Tatenhill Airfield, remain operational.

It is generally accepted that the first hour in any accident or trauma case is critical for the patient. It is referred to as the `Golden Hour’. If a patient reaches hospital during those first 60 minutes there is an increased 40% chance of survival. That is why the rapid response of an Air Ambulance is so vital in an emergency situation. The maximum flying time to the nearest hospital from anywhere in the region is less than 15 minutes.

The service claims that its fast response times have saved an average of one life every four weeks. Midlands Air Ambulance flies an average of 3,500 missions a year.

This emergency medical service operates up to 12 daylight hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days in the year, and can be airborne within two minutes. There are plans to fly even longer hours including night flying.

Freemasons are very aware that this vital and crucial emergency service will only survive by continued public financial support, hence the commitment and pledge of sustained support over the coming four year period from the Freemasons of Herefordshire.

The Worshipful Master thanked Kate Owen for the well prepared and illustrated talk and presented a cheque for the Midlands Air Ambulance on behalf of Dean Leigh Masters’ Lodge.

Photograph taken on the evening of the presentation - left to right: W. Bro. Ian Moseley, Worshipful Master, Kate Owen, W. Bro. Cliff Burkett, Senior Warden, W. Bro. David Knowles ,Provincial Grand Charity Steward.

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50 Year Certificate Presentation - W bro d potter

(February 2010)

W. Bro. Desmond Potter, PPrGPurs, residing in Cusop, was presented with his 50 Year Certificate on Tuesday 16th February 2010 at Dean Leigh Masters’ Lodge, by the Worshipful Master W. Bro. Ian Moseley.

W.Bro. Potter was Initiated into Loyal Hay Lodge on the 11th January 1960, and Exalted in Loyal Hay Chapter on 5th November 1984: he joined Dean Leigh Masters’ Lodge in 1990.

It was most appropriate that W.Bro. Moseley presented the 50 Year Certificate to W.Bro. Potter as both have been closely associated with Freemasonry in Hay-on-Wye.

In his unassuming way, W.Bro.Potter received the much applauded and worthy Certificate with quiet gratitude and characteristic modesty.

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25 years support for St Michael’s Hospice

(January 2010)

Continuing its annual programme of support, The Freemasons’ Grand Charity is donating £500,000 to hospices across England and Wales – some 225 hospices in total.

Reverend David Bowen, Rector of St Peter’s Church Lugwardine and Deputy Provincial Grand Master for the Masonic Province of Herefordshire, presented this year’s donation to Chief Executive Nicky West and Ruth Denison, Head of Fundraising at St Michael’s Hospice.

Reverend Bowen emphasised that “All donations are raised by Freemasons and their families and aim to assist hospices in their vital role in helping those affected by terminal or life threatening illness. Over the last 25 years The Freemasons’ Grand Charity has awarded in excess of £8 million to hospice services throughout England and Wales.

We fully recognise the wonderful service St Michael’s Hospice provides for our community, and we are delighted to demonstrate our continued support for this service in this way.”

St Michael’s Hospice has been awarded over £54,000 by The Freemasons Grand Charity since the commencement of this annual support in 1984.

As well as this central grant, £150,000 has been awarded nationally to Lifelites this year for the provision of educational and recreation technology for children in hospices.

Individual Masonic Lodges in the Province of Herefordshire give further support to St Michael’s Hospice.

Arrangements are in hand to invite St Michael’s Hospice to give a presentation to the Herefordshire Freemasons about the exciting and challenging new building expansion programme planned at Bartestree.

Pictured left to right: Ruth Denison, Head of Fundraising St Michael’s Hospice; Reverend David Bowen representing Herefordshire Freemasons; Nicky West, Chief Executive St Michael’s Hospice.

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“MINUTES SAVES LIVES” - FREEMASONS RESPOND

(January 2010)

Herefordshire Freemasons have supported Hereford and Worcestershire Community First Responders with a £500 donation towards the purchase of additional defibrillators.

Tony Weal, in presenting the donation on behalf of members of Palladian Royal Arch Chapter, had been informed that defibrillation is crucial in saving lives when minutes count. In the UK 135,000 people die each year to what is commonly known as a heart attack: two thirds of these deaths unfortunately happen outside of the hospital environment.

Early administration of defibrillation is critical. Every minute that a defibrillator is not used the chances of survival is reduced by as much as 10%; hence the importance of Community First Responders and the patients’ immediate access to defibrillation.

Noel Orbell, Community First Response Manager Herefordshire Locality on receiving the donation emphasised that “West Midlands Ambulance Service is committed to providing the highest standard of pre hospital care at all times, and Community First Responders play a vital role in achieving this.”

Diane Pearson, Community First Response Trainer, speaking at the Hereford Ambulance Station where the presentation took place, thanked Herefordshire Freemasons for their “continued support of this essential service”.

Tony Weal, Third Provincial Grand Principal of Royal Arch Masons of Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, said that he was committed to maintaining this important link between Herefordshire Freemasons and Community First Responders, and is hoping to invite representatives to a future meeting of Palladian Chapter at Kyrle Street, Hereford.

Photograph taken at Hereford Ambulance Station: left to right Diane Pearson Community First Response Trainer; Tony Weal representing Herefordshire Freemasons; Noel Orbell Community First Response Manager.

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'Bear therapy’ at Hereford Hospital

(January 2010)

During the past five years, Freemasons of Herefordshire have supported Hereford County Hospital by donating several thousand special soft teddy bears for distribution to children who have passed through the Accident and Emergency Department of the Hospital.

Sean Bree, Emergency Nurse Practitioner, on behalf of the A & E team at Hereford, has written to Richard Bailey, Past Provincial Grand Secretary for the Masonic Province of Herefordshire, to acknowledge and sincerely thank local Freemasons for the ongoing gift of teddy bears for the children undergoing treatment at the Hospital.

Sean’s written comments are hereby recorded for the appreciation of the readers of the Provincial website:

“The bears have become very effective members of the A & E team without being on the payroll! We use them mainly for children under ten years of age. However, older children who are in pain, distressed and frightened, sometimes regress, and also benefit from a bit of bear therapy.

Often children who are sick and injured do not have the opportunity to bring with them their own special favourite toy to the A & E Department. Although their parents or guardians may be present they still need to `cuddle a teddy’. This seems to give them a great deal of comfort. I cannot explain how it works, but I guess we have all been there. Most of us can recall our one really special soft toy from our own childhood.

Our young patients in such need become very quickly attached to the bears so donated by the Freemasons. It is not unusual for us to have to apply plaster of paris to a bear’s limb before their new owners will allow us to plaster their own injured limbs. The bears even have wound closure strips and dressings applied to them in order to win the confidence of our younger customers. Teddy may even have to sample some medicine before a child is willing to risk it. It may appear that these extra `treatments’ given to the bears may be very time consuming, but in reality it often saves a great deal of time to do it this way.

The children are often amazed and so pleased that they can actually take their bear home with them on completion of their treatment. It is always a great honour and source of personal pride for a practitioner to have a bear named after him. To me this is the most profound and reliable indicator that the children that we treat feel at ease when visiting the Department: these bears so willingly donated are incredibly powerful and influential and are of significant value to us in the treatment afforded to the children”.

This communication was accompanied by a card with a `teddy bear’ design made by Sean’s ten year old daughter Kate, whose friends have benefited from teddy bears supplied by local Freemasons. These donated teddy bears are indeed proved to be `Teddies for loving care’.

Photograph shows from left to right: Sean Bree, Emergency Nurse Hereford Hospital A & E; Richard Bailey, representing Herefordshire Freemasons; Emma Lunn, A & E Staff Nurse; Susan Marr, Student Nurse.

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DONATIONS AGREED BY HMCA

(December 2009)

At its meeting on 2nd December 2009, the Herefordshire Masonic Charities Association agreed the following donations:

Charity: Asthma Relief
Object: To provide essential Medical Breathing Equipment to Hospitals, Doctors’ Surgeries, Clinic, Hospices, Nursing Homes, Ambulances and Macmillan & Community Nurses.

Agreed to donate £1,000 to provide and maintain 7 Nebulisers

Charity: British Heart Foundation
Object: To support the Herefordshire Heartbeat Appeal in their quest to fund an Echocardiograph Machine for Hereford County Hospital

Agreed to donate £500 towards the Appeal

Charity: Children at No. 1 [1 Ledbury Road, Hereford]
Object: This charity provides respite care for children with learning disabilities. Currently respite provision is provided for 40 families in Herefordshire. The aim is to raise funds to convert a garden into an all weather adventure playground to accommodate the children.

Agreed to sponsor the cost of a Motorbike Spring Rider - £549

Charity: “Happy Days”
Object: This charity supports children with emotional, behaviour and social difficulties.
In January 2009 HMCA sponsored a visiting theatre production to be performed at Brookfield School, Hereford.

Agreed to donate a further sum of £764 to enable sponsorship of 56 children from Herefordshire with special needs or extenuating circumstances

Charity: Cumbria Community Foundation
Object: To support the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cumberland and Westmorland who are directing funds to the Cumbria Community Foundation towards the Cumbrian Flood Relief Appeal.

Agreed to donate £500 to supplement the donation of £10,000 by the FMGC

Charity: Riding for the Disabled
Agreed to the annual donation of £1,000

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The Freemasons’ Grand Charity distributes funds for Hospices

(December 2009)

Continuing an annual programme of support, The Freemasons’ Grand Charity is donating £500,000 to hospices across England and Wales. The money is an important contribution towards the millions of pounds needed each and every year to ensure these respected services can continue providing free physical, emotional, social and spiritual care to patients and their families. In total 225 services will receive a grant. In addition to this grant £150,000 was awarded to Lifelites, to provide educational and recreation technology for children in hospices.

Freemasons have been dedicated in their support for hospices across England and Wales for the past 25 years, and this year takes the total donations to the sector to more than £8 million, complementing the generosity Provincial and individual Masonic Lodges regularly show for their local services.

The 2009 donation allocated to St. Michael’s Hospice Bartestree is £2,972, making a grand total of rising £60,000 over past years.

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Unique or just manifestly unusual?

(December 2009)

Coningsby Lodge 6383 in the Province of Herefordshire, consecrated in 1946, comprising forty subscribing members, witnessed an exceptional – if not unique – occurrence at the Installation of Brother N H Lossock at the December meeting.

It was not just that Brother Neil Lossock had been initiated into Freemasonry only five years previously, but that in attendance at his installation was a total of twelve Grand Officers - including the R.W. Past PGM and V.W. Past Deputy PGM - and a twenty strong Provincial Officer team led by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master V.W. Bro. The Reverend David John Bowen.

The question arises if this is somewhat unique happening, appreciating that Herefordshire, being the smallest mainland Province, is possibly more likely to experience such an occasion.

Sir Thomas Coningsby of Hampton Court Herefordshire, commissioned Hereford city’s almshouse known as Coningsby Hospital in 1614, on the site occupied by the Knights of St John in the 13th century. The Hospital was a charitable refuge for twelve “worn out” soldiers and mariners, and is still in existence.

As one of only twelve Craft Lodges in the Province, Coningsby Lodge is proud to be associated with such a noble foundation, and this is surely reflected in the support evident at the recent Installation Meeting.

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Support for local charities in Ross-on-Wye

(December 2009)

Ariconium Lodge is supporting Herefordshire Vision Links and Ross-on-Wye Age Concern's Visage Project, to assist people in the area with impaired vision.

Janet Macdonald, organiser of the Visage Social Group, with over forty members, commented "Such financial support is essential to promote social interaction and welfare of this vulnerable group of local people, and is a further example of the ongoing assistance given by Herefordshire Freemasons to Age Concern in Ross-on-Wye".

The Worshipful Master of Ariconium Lodge, W Bro Bob Ratcliffe, is seen presenting the first cheque to Sheila Taylor, Chief Executive of Herefordshire Vision Links earlier this month. Bob Ratcliffe said that he was "proud to be able to help these independent local charities in their important work within our community."

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£50,000 for Red Cross Asia Pacific Disasters Appeal

(October 2009)

The President of The Freemasons' Grand Charity, Grahame Elliott, has approved an emergency grant of £50,000 to the Red Cross, to support their relief work following the disasters across the Asia Pacific region, which have affected an estimated 3 million people.

Typhoon Ketsana hit the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, with the Philippines and Laos being particularly badly affected. 80% of Manila, capital of the Philippines and home to 15 million people, was flooded. At least 277 people were killed, but many more are missing, feared dead.

On 29 September, an earthquake measuring 8.3 on the Richter Scale hit the Samoan and Niuas Islands. It caused a tsunami which killed at least 1,000 people and affected up to 15,000. Shortly after, another earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter Scale hit the Indonesian island of Sumatra, followed by yet another. At least 500 people were killed, but it is feared that the death toll will rise substantially, with thousands still buried in the rubble.

The Grand Charity’s grant will help to fund the distribution of emergency relief items, provide clean water, sanitation, healthcare and shelter as well as help rebuild people’s livelihoods.

For full details visit: http://www.grandcharity.org/pages/asia_pacific_disasters.html

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£180,000 donation for Air Ambulance

(September 2009)

A promise to maintain support for air ambulances nationally has been kept by The Freemasons’ Grand Charity which has just awarded a further £180,000 to this vital service. This year’s generous donation is part of over £1/2 million donated by the Charity to air ambulances during the past three years.

Somewhere in England and Wales an air ambulance takes off roughly every ten minutes, flying a total of 19,000 missions every year. The money to fund this important work is met by donations from public and organisations such as the Freemasons – there is no financial support from Central Government.

Midlands Air Ambulance based at Strensham covers the area of Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire and the Welsh border. A total of £5.6 million has to be raised annually to provide this local service. At the recent Open Day, officially opened by Nick Owen principal presenter of BBC TV Midlands Today, the Provincial Grand Masters for the three Provinces presented cheques to the value of £12,000 as part of The Freemasons’ Grand Charity donation.

Such support over the years has been acknowledged by Midlands Air Ambulance by an agreement to display the Masonic Square & Compass logo on one of their three helicopters.

All three Provincial Grand Masters have also agreed to support the Midlands Air Ambulance from within their own Provinces in addition to the backing given to this emergency service by the national charity.

Speaking on BBC Radio Gloucestershire about the donation, Adrian Davies Provincial Grand Master for Gloucestershire said: “Air Ambulances play an important role in ensuing people get the medical help they need as quickly as possible. For those in life threatening situations this can dramatically improve their chances of survival. Local Masons and The Freemasons’ Grand Charity are delighted to be supporting Midlands Air Ambulance once again and so contribute to the continued provision of this excellent service.”

Pictured below left to right: Adrian Davies PGM for Gloucestershire; Richard Goddard PGM for Worcestershire; Nick Owen, presenter of BBC Midlands Today; Rodney Smallwood PGM for Herefordshire.	Pictured below left to right: Anthony Marsh CEO Midlands Air Ambulance; Rodney Smallwood PGM for Herefordshire; Annie Newell Community Liaison Officer Midlands Air Ambulance.

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Jumpstart Kidz Family Project guaranteed for a further six months

(August 2009)

"This initiative to alleviate the effects of rural isolation among young families is to be applauded." This is the view of Herefordshire Freemasons on a visit to the well attended Jumpstart Kidz Project, led by Play Leader Louisa Pearson at the Youth Centre in Ledbury.

Ledbury is just one of seven regular sessions held at various venues around South Herefordshire, organised by this charity, which provides affordable soft play facilities for the under fives, and enables parents to access information and support.

“Our focus, is on parent and family support, with parents interacting with their children and aimed at reaching children and parents most in need, especially in rural areas” said Jumpstart Kidz Chairperson Pamela Stevenson.

Mags Smith Jumpstart Kidz Development Worker, emphasised that their aim was "to advance the education of pre-school children through group play and to strengthen family bonds by raising parental confidence in their own skills and helping families to have fun together".

Jumpstart Kidz has achieved the Herefordshire Childcare Services Gold Quality Assurance Award which is a nationally recognised scheme approved by Investors in Children. The charity has also gained Approved Provider Status in a `fitness for purpose’ kite-mark.

Grant aid awarded by the Herefordshire Freemasons will guarantee this service for the next six months.

Pictured below: Deputy Provincial Grand Master for Herefordshire, The Rev David Bowen; Pamela Stevenson, Chairperson and Mags Smith, Development Worker of Jumpstart Kidz; and W. Bro. David Knowles, Provincial Grand Charity Steward for Herefordshire, together with staff, parents and children.

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Arrow Clay Day raises money for RNLI

(July 2009)

Roger Powell, Master of Arrow Lodge, together with Geoff Wilding, Gordon Williams (Vaga) and volunteer members of the Four Seasons shooting club organised a charity clay shoot at The Bage shooting ground near Madley, on Saturday 25th July.

Sixteen shooters from Arrow and other Lodges along with friends took part in an event which, for those who know about these things, comprised 10 down the line and 50 sporting clays. Nick Swan and Don Preddy tied for first place, and after a shoot-off Nick, of Vitruvian Lodge, was presented with a very attractive trophy by Roger.

All then enjoyed a convivial buffet at Brampton Golf Club. The event raised £330 for Roger’s chosen charity, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, and he especially thanked Geoff and his colleagues at the Four Seasons for all the work they put in to make it a success. Over the past three years this event has raised more than £1000 for charities and good causes.

The Lodge plans to hold another shooting day next year, and would welcome all Herefordshire masons, whether experienced shots or complete novices – who can be provided with equipment and free tuition. Look out for details on the Events page of this website. Many thanks to the Four Seasons club who once again donated the clays free of charge.

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Coningsby Lodge celebrates

(July 2009)

David Bilton representing the Midlands Air Ambulance, having accepted a cheque for £425 from Coningsby Masonic Lodge, thanks Colin Ellis Worshipful Master, and Gordon Bumfrey Social Secretary and Chef, for the much appreciated donation. The event was celebrated at a Barbecue held at Hampton Dene Parish Hall.

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Noah's Ark Trust Funds boosted

(July 2009)

Noah's Ark Trust funds have been recently boosted by a donation of £1,000 from Herefordshire Masonic Charity Association, which will be put towards Peer Mentor Training in Herefordshire High Schools.

This local charity trust, which provides free of charge support to bereaved children, young people and their families throughout Herefordshire and Worcestershire, have successfully completed a pilot study in the county, and are now in a position to offer a much needed extension to their service.

This programme will allow children in Year 9 and above to receive training within the school environment, in aspects relating to bereavement and loss, so that they will be better placed to provide support to their peers following a close and personal bereavement. Bereaved children and young people can become targets for bullying due to feelings of isolation and low esteem following the death of mum or dad or other loved one. By receiving the appropriate support and having the opportunity to talk, this situation can be averted.

Community Fundraiser, Liz Collins, commented "We are extremely appreciative of this donation and for the enthusiasm shown by local Freemasons in our Peer Mentor Training. The Herefordshire masons can be assured that their personal contribution will have an impact on local youngsters who have experienced a bereavement, in a direct and immediate way".

The photograph shows Liz Collins and Rodney Smallwood, Grand Master for Herefordshire Freemasons

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Support for the charity Megan Baker House

(July 2009)

The registered charity Megan Baker House, based at Moreton Eye, Herefordshire, set up to promote the welfare of disabled children, is the only service of its kind in the whole country offering 'Conductive Education’ free of charge to children and teenagers affected by neurological or motor disorders.

Megan Baker House provides a range of appropriate Conductive Education sessions and activities which provides disabled children a pathway towards “maximum physical independence”.

The charity is run by Jo Baker-Watson, and employs a Registered Nurse, three trained Conductors, classroom assistant, and is supported by a band of volunteers that assist within the centre and with fundraising.

Currently the Megan Baker House has 90 children, accompanied by families and carers, attending the centre 2/3 times per week.

Herefordshire Freemasons, Rodney Smallwood Provincial Grand Master, accompanied by Mike Hopkins and Allan Lloyd, recently visited the centre to give financial support for the provision of a specially designed play area on site. Rodney Smallwood said “we were extremely impressed by the work undertaken at the centre, the commitment, dedication, care and understanding; so much so that it is hoped to maintain our link with Megan Baker House – and to promote increasing public awareness of the unique work undertaken by the charity.”

Pictured at Megan Baker House: back row, left to right: Mike Hopkins, Jo Baker-Watson, Lee Gough, Rodney Smallwood; front row, Juchit Ziman with Clementine, Ben Fougle with Toby.

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MASONIC DONATION WILL HELP OLDER PEOPLE

(July 2009)

Rodney Smallwood, Provincial Grand Master for Herefordshire is pictured with staff and volunteers of Age Concern Leominster and District.

The occasion was the presentation of a cheque for £1,000 for the West Street Information and Advice service, following an appeal for funds made by Age Concern Leominster and District.

The money was donated by Herefordshire Masons and Colette Colman, Chief Executive at West Street, pictured to the left of Mr Smallwood, said “We are enormously grateful for this generous donation – funding our Information and Advice service is especially difficult, yet it is one of our most used services, helping somewhere in the region of 3,000 older people every year with enquiries as diverse as claiming the right benefits (we have helped older people in North Herefordshire to claim over £192,000 in benefits), help with dealing with the utilities and banks, right through to bereavement help. To know that we have the support of prestigious organisations such as the Masons and other groups and companies to think about us in their fund raising efforts is greatly reassuring”.

Pictured left to right are: (top row) Mike Hopkins, Secretary Herefordshire Masonic Charity Association; Colette Colman, CEO of Age Concern Leominster and District; Rodney Smallwood Provincial Grand Master for Herefordshire; Anna Egginton who heads up the Information and Advice Service at West Street helped by Veronica Wood: (front row) volunteers Dorothy Mallender, Pat Brown and Phyllis Jacks.

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For older news items, please go to the News Archive page, where the following stories will be found: