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Rodney Smallwood Provincial Grand Master for Herefordshire, on behalf of local freemasons, has sponsored the Marches Family Network’s Summer Play Scheme.

The charity supports families who have offspring with disabilities and special needs, by providing an inclusive play and family support service throughout the county.

At the Leominster Community Centre Rodney Smallwood presented Rachael Noble, Vice Chair of the Trustees, with cheques to the value of £1,060 to cover the cost of a day’s outdoor activity programme in the Forest of Dean area. Part of the donation was given by brethren of the Royal Edward Leominster Lodge.

The Marches Family Network aims at providing some 320 Summer Play Places during July and August for these children during eight activity days and three family trips such as that organised in the Forest of Dean.

Rachael Noble, in thanking the Herefordshire Freemasons for such generous support said that this financial backing would guarantee a much appreciated action packed visit for the youngsters and give parents some respite from their 24/7 caring routine.

The Marches Family Network also supports families at centres in Hereford, Kington, Ross-on-Wye, Ludlow and Bridgnorth.

Children pictured with Rodney Smallwood and Rachael Noble - left to right: Back row – Lucy, Matt, Vivienne, Megan. Front row – Clemmie, Michael, Arianna, Emily.

Rodney Smallwood, Provincial Grand Master for Herefordshire, has identified the next five year period of specific fund raising to supporting the Midlands Air Ambulance formally known as County Air Ambulance.

In his address to a packed annual Provincial Grand Lodge, supported by 56 distinguished visitors including 11 Grand Masters from other Provinces, Rodney Smallwood expressed his unreserved endorsement and backing of the local Air Ambulance which provides emergency cover for Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and the Welsh Border, and requested the full support of all Herefordshire Freemasons in this undertaking.

He reminded those Brethren present that Herefordshire had raised in excess of £580,000 for charity during the previous five year period. He also emphasised that the Freemasons’ Grand Charity had to date, donated £562,000 nationally to the Air Ambulance – to what is considered the busiest voluntary emergency service in the country.

On hearing about Herefordshire’s commitment, Annie Newell area fund raising manager for the Midlands Air Ambulance, said that it was “fantastic news” and praised local Freemasons for their continued support. The service receives no financial support from government, NHS or the Lottery.

The local Air Ambulance has to raise £5.6 million annually to cover the cost of its 3,500 `mercy’ missions made each year with its three helicopters - the maximum flying time to the nearest hospital from anywhere in the region is less than 15 minutes.

“All this is only possible thanks to the generosity of the public whose fund raising ensures the service continues to fly” says Annie Newell. The Provincial Grand Master emphasised the necessity of this service “bearing in mind the rural remoteness of the county and the nature of its country roads”.

Sunday after Provincial Grand Lodge, the Provincial Grand Master, accompanied by his Deputy the Reverend David Bowen, together with distinguished masonic visitors, Herefordshire Brethren and their families, attended Choral Evensong at Hereford Cathedral.

Freemasons in full regalia, having processed into the Cathedral under the banner of Cantilupe Lodge, were welcomed by the Dean of Hereford, the Very Reverend Michael Tavinor. Herefordshire Freemasons donated £3,000 towards the recent refurbishment of the St Thomas Cantilupe Shrine which is situated in the north transept of the Cathedral.

During the service, Prayers of Intercession, offered by the W Bro Edward Dilley, Provincial Grand Chaplain, included the words `Grant us, Lord, the lamp of charity which never fails, that it may burn in us and shed its light on those around us’.

The support of Herefordshire’s Freemasons for the local Air Ambulance is to be applauded.

Pictured at Strensham emergency helicopter base in Worcestershire: Annie Newell fund raising manager for the Midlands Air Ambulance and Rodney Smallwood Provincial Grand Master for Herefordshire.

Freemasons’ Lodges in Herefordshire have a long history of donating equipment to Hereford Hospital.

W. Bro. Colin Tudor, Worshipful Master of Delphis Lodge No. 7769, recently presented four chemotherapy volumetric pumps to the Cancer Unit at Hereford County Hospital on behalf of the Lodge.

W. Bro. Tudor was joined for the presentation by The Reverend David Bowen, the Very Worshipful Deputy Provincial Grand Master for Herefordshire. Both Colin and David are outpatients of the Charles Renton Cancer Unit, both receiving chemotherapy treatment at the present time.

For many years cancer patients from Herefordshire and Mid Wales have had to take long and stressful journeys to Cheltenham for cancer treatment. Now more and more facilities are being provided at Hereford, including radiotherapy treatment by the year 2012.

This improvement is the happy result of a three year campaign spearheaded by the Provincial Grand Charity Steward, W. Bro. Allan Lloyd.

A new state of the art oncology unit is being built at Hereford with the backing of Macmillan Cancer Support, and Colin Tudor’s presentation on behalf of Delphis Lodge, will not only provide much needed equipment but also give a boost for the campaign to spare local patients from having to make the tiring journey to Cheltenham and back.

Colin Tudor said that “the members of Delphis Lodge deserve considerable credit for their continued generosity in raising funds for the chemotherapy equipment, especially so soon after their success in raising the highest total any lodge in the Province for the five year campaign in aid of the 2008 Grand Charity Festival”.

During the past twelve months, local Freemasons have donated in excess of £100,000 to Hereford County Hospital for new equipment and support of the cancer campaign to get radiotherapy treatment at the hospital.

Presentation at the Renton Cancer Unit: W.Bro. Allan Lloyd; Very W.Bro. The Reverend David Bowen; Kate Reed Chemotherapy Nurse at the Charles Renton Unit; Peter Davies, Lead Cancer Nurse, and W.Bro. Colin Tudor.

David Sayers, Worshipful Master of Royal Edward Lodge of Freemasons, recently presented donations to local charities and good causes at a meeting at Brook Hall, Leominster.

The donations, which were allocated by the Lodge Charity Trust, represented funds raised during his year of office as Master of the Leominster Lodge.

Five presentations were made, with a further donation to be arranged for the County Air Ambulance at a future date.

First recipient was sixteen year old Girl Guide and Kingsland Ranger Stephanie Grant of Yarpole who had been selected to represent Herefordshire on an International Tour of North Island New Zealand 20th - 30th July for which she has to personally raise the sum of £2,000.

Martin Healey, Leominster Judo Club coach, is raising funds to assist local members to partake in an International Judo Competition to be held in Slovakia later this month [May] to which the Leominster Club has been invited. Martin said that “this is a once in a life-time experience for the members of the Club and I sincerely thank the Leominster Freemasons for their support”. Young Tabatha Jones, who will be one of the junior club members to attend the Competition accompanied Martin at the presentation.

On behalf of the Leominster Priory Restoration Appeal, Geoff Bricknell received a donation towards the repair of the important 18th century Nicholson organ which had suffered water damage. Geoff Bricknell stated that already £140,000 had been raised locally for restoration work to the Priory.

Riding for the Disabled, based at the Sue Adams Riding Stables in North Herefordshire, assist children who suffer from autism, cerebral palsy, Downs syndrome and all sorts of physical disabilities and behaviour problems. Penny Corbett, who built the indoor school for the RDA, said that the donation would benefit the 26 children at present attending the centre.

Volunteers Jess McKenzie and Kath Townsend received a donation on behalf of the `About Face’ Theatre Company based at The Forbury in Leominster. The theatre group is made up of adults with learning difficulties which tours schools in Herefordshire and the neighbouring counties. Donovan Lewis was in attendance representing the members of the theatre group of players. Jess McKenzie welcomed the support which would go towards the ever increasing transport costs for the Theatre Company.

David Sayers said that he and his fellow Freemasons were very mindful of the needs of local voluntary organisations and promised to maintain such support in the future.

Pictured from left to fight: Geoff Bricknell, Stephanie Grant, W Bro David Sayers, Tabatha Jones, Martin Healey, Peggy Corbett, Donovan Lewis, Jess McKenzie and Kath Townsend.

Martin Woodford, Chief Executive Hereford Hospitals NHS Trust, visited Dean Leigh Masters' Lodge and delivered an excellent presentation and overview of the responsibilities, achievements and targets of the hospital which has an annual turnover of £105m and a staff of 1400.

Pictured: Martin Woodford thanking Herefordshire Freemasons for their much appreciated, significant and continued support, flanked by the Master and Wardens of Dean Leigh Masters' Lodge: left to right W Bro Drew Lacey Junior Warden, W Bro Rodney Bowdler Worshipful Master, W Bro Ian Moseley Senior Warden.

W Bro Michael Morris, Coningsby Lodge (centre) being congratulated on achieving 50 years in freemasonry by W Bro Brian Lambert, Past Provincial Grand Master. In attendance Bro Ferguson who 'addressed' the haggis during the evening entertainment.

HMCA has again donated medical equipment to Hereford County Hospital, in this instance for specific use on Frome Ward. The Criticare unit will be used to monitor patients suspected of having a stroke. It measures blood pressure and oxygen levels in the blood.

It is essential for such patients to be continually monitored. Frome Ward requires three Criticare units to be available at all times to monitor stroke patients.

On behalf of the Hospital Management, Sister Pauline Ellis conveyed thanks to Herefordshire Freemasons for their continued support.

Pictured with equipment left to right: W Bro Mike Hopkins HMCA Secretary, Sister Pauline Ellis, PGM

The January Widows' Luncheon was a success again this year with over 80 people in attendance.

In his welcome to all present, the PGM highlighted the fact that the Herefordshire Masonic Housing Trust intended to purchase possibly two flats in Leominster and encouraged everyone who may be interested in hearing more about these flats to contact the Almoner.

The PGM also introduced Denise Goode of the RMBI who gave a presentation on the work of the Institution and benefits available. Several ladies took advantage of the Presentation Packs available.

W Bro Terry Neate, Provincial Grand Almoner, thanked Denise on behalf of everyone present.

Mrs Mary Thomas gave an entertaining response, thanking the Province for an excellent lunch and W Bro Peter Watkins for organising the event.

A donation of £1,900 was presented to the Riding for the Disabled Association by Nick Swan on behalf of the members of Vitruvian Lodge of Freemasons, Ross-on-Wye.

Riding for the Disabled at Holme Lacy has been generally supported by Herefordshire Freemasons since 2000. Nick Swan specifically selected this charity to support during his year as Master of Vitruvian Lodge with money raised locally which was then match funded by the Freemasons Grand Charity.

In expressing her thanks Mrs Sally Stubbs, Chief Executive of the local Association, said that the money would be used to sponsor the upkeep of 'Monty', a twelve year old skewbald pony, and the purchase of a specialist saddle and tack for the pony. 'Monty' was purchased by the local Association in 2007 and has proved to be of ideal shape and size, and with a most acceptable temperament for the job in hand.

Herefordshire Freemasons are also sponsors of the horse 'Gypsy' at Holme Lacy for Riding for the Disabled.

Picture: left to right: W Bro Martin Thorne, Lodge Charity Steward; Mrs Sally Stubbs; W Bro Nick Swan, Immediate Past Master of Vitruvian Lodge.

March 2009

John Knight, Immediate Past Master of Dean Waterfield Lodge presented a donation of £1,000 to Sense, a charity for people with deaf blindness and associated disabilities. This was match funded by the Freemasons' Grand Charity.

The money was raised by lodge members during his year of office by holding events including a pig roast and an old time music hall evening.

John Knight said: - “I chose Sense as they cater for deaf and blind people and as my own wife is in this category it felt very appropriate when I was in my year of office to support this very worthy cause”.

Sense supports people who have sight and hearing difficulties, and face huge challenges every day, and yet, given the right services and support, each individual can develop their talents and choose how they wish to live their lives.

The charity has worked with deaf and blind people and their families for over 50 years. It has set up services where they are needed, campaigned for change, and built a world-wide reputation for its pioneering work.

Pictured left to right: Brother Tim Bridgland-Taylor, Lodge Social Secretary; Mr. Shad Everett, Regional Fundraising Manager for Sense and Worshipful Brother John Knight.

FURTHER SUPPORT FROM CANTILUPE LODGE FOR MACMILLAN RENTON CANCER UNIT APPEAL, HEREFORD

March 2009

Members of Cantilupe Lodge have specifically supported the campaign to get access to comprehensive cancer facilities at Hereford County Hospital with total donations of £1,100. Herefordshire Freemasons generally have supported the appeal with a further £5,000 donated during the three years of the campaign. This support will assist in the success of the campaign in the provision of both chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment locally: such success will greatly reduce the time and distance of patients' journeys to access present cancer treatment at Cheltenham.

Pictured left to right: Allan Lloyd, leader of the cancer campaign, acknowledging the support of Cantilupe Lodge through W Bro Peter Hawkins, Lodge Charity Steward.

Herefordshire Masonic Charity Association sponsored a pantomime for 60 children at Brookfield School and Specialist College, Grandstand Road, Hereford, which provides special educational needs for 5 to 16 year olds from Herefordshire.

Oremi Evans, head teacher said that "The school was delighted that Herefordshire Freemasons were able to sponsor this year's pantomime The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which was very professionally performed and enjoyed by all."

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

HEREFORD’S ST MICHAEL’S HOSPICE BOOSTED BY FURTHER £2800 DONATION FROM FREEMASONS (December 2008)

HEREFORDSHIRE FREEMASONS SUPPORT THE BRITISH RED CROSS IN HEREFORDSHIRE (December 2008)

HISTORIC DAY IN LEDBURY - FREEMASONS CELEBRATE 150 YEARS (September 2008)

FOR THOSE LESS FORTUNATE - JOHN TUPPER WALKS FOR HEREFORDSHIRE FESTIVAL (September 2008)

HEREFORDSHIRE FREEMASONS 5 YEAR FESTIVAL APPEAL RAISED £583,679 (June 2008)

BOB BECOMES MASTER OF DEAN WATERFIELD LODGE IN HEREFORD AT 84 YRS OF AGE (May 2008)

HEREFORD’S CANTILUPE LODGE SUPPORT REFURBISHMENT OF THE CANTILUPE SHRINE IN HEREFORD CATHEDRAL (February 2008)

REPLACEMENT ORGAN AT ST MICHAEL'S CHURCH, SUTTON ST NICHOLAS (November 2007)