Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire
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Care in the Community

City Manchester Districts – Derby : Starkie: Sykes.

Decorating is on the agenda in Manchester  

Brethren from Manchester Lodges have completed the first part of a Care in the Community Project for local charity ADAS (Alcohol and Drug Abstinence Service ) which involved redecorating a house in Levenshulme to provide accommodation for three of the Charity's clients – as part of an ongoing commitment of support with regular practical assistance from Manchester Freemasons.

ADAS was formed eleven years ago to provide programmes of treatment for those who have suffered from addiction problems relating to alcohol and/or drug misuse. The Charity, staffed by professional counsellors and assisted by full time and part time medical and administration staff, achieves above average success rates for clients completing programmes and returning to full time education and /or employment. Key to this success is the ability to provide residential accommodation for clients who otherwise would be homeless or living in an environment not conducive to treatment and so in 2007 the Trustees embarked on an aggressive programme to increase the number of residential places available by renting and buying additional houses.

Late last year, Manchester Masons learned that the Charity was aiming to acquire one new property per month but that their maintenance team (of one) was struggling to keep pace with the work required in making the homes comfortable and ready for occupation. The Three Manchester Districts agreed to support the Charity by providing volunteers to refurbish and redecorate. Our picture shows some of the 25 th November team enjoying a well deserved coffee break.

 

ELMC has also made a grant of £5,000 to furnish and refurbish two properties and Manchester Districts allocated £500 for white goods. Martin Caller, APGM for Sykes and Starkie Districts, called in on the ADAS Staff Christmas Party on 3 rd December to present cheques and to thank the Charity for its worthwhile contribution to the Manchester community. Martin is shown in the photograph with (L to R) Wynn Parry, ADAS Director of Programmes, Martin Caller, APGM, Lynn Barker, ADAS Finance and Administration Manager and John Hopkins, ADAS Development Manager with other members of ADAS staff in the background.

 

A big thank you to a total of 25 volunteers who have come forward so far. It is our intention to add at least a further 10 brethren to this number. If you are a member of a Manchester Lodge and would like to join us please contact your Manchester District Secretary:-

( Derby : Keith Hatton; Starkie: David Cowen; Sykes: Mike Birks)

   

Sportsman's Dinner at Freemasons Hall, Bridge Street

On 8th November 2007, the Manchester Masons held their annual Sportsman's Dinner at Freemasons Hall, Bridge Street, Manchester. Over 150 Manchester Masons and their Guests attended, and were treated to an exceptional meal and fabulous entertainment provided by the Main Speaker, Mike Watkinson, and Comedian, the ex Haughton Weaver, Norman Prince. Both were exceptional entertainers.

The function, supported by the Manchester APGM's , is organised to raise funds for the Manchester Masons Widows, in the form of a ‘Broken Column Dinner'. A success it was, and although, at the time of writing, final figures are not in, it is estimated that about £3200 to £3300 was raised through raffle and Auction Prizes. A massive thank you to all who attended and participated. The next Sportsman's Dinner will be on 13th Nov 2008, with the Main Speaker being advised shortly.

Once Again, thanks for your fabulous support – But we have another function shortly, named :-
‘NOT ANOTHER SPORTSMAN'S DINNER – BUT COMEDIANS ONLY'
The Evening will be on THURSDAY 10TH APRIL 2008, at Bridge Street, Manchester. Again proceeds are towards our Widows ‘Broken Column Dinner'.
The evening will be hosted by JAMES H. REEVE, the Radio Personality, Ably assisted by Comedians AUSTIN KNIGHT and BERNARD WRIGLEY (THE BOLTON BULLFROG)
The Cost of the Evening will be £29.50, a small cost for a big night of entertainment. For further details please contact Brian Durkin on 01925 766655 or Len Hayes on 0161 643 3152

Broken Column evening - 21st May 2007

Manchester Masons held their annual Broken Column evening for the widows of Manchester Lodges on Monday 21 May at Bridge Street.  Pictured are W.Bro Warwick Davenport with two widows from his Lodge, King Edward the Seventh.  To the right of Warwick is Mrs Vera Muir, accompanied by her nephew, and to his right Mrs Irene Wardley. The evening commenced with a reception in the Gouldborn Lodge Room followed by dinner in the adjacent dining room.  Entertainment was provided by a string trio who played later in the evening. Invitations to the dinner were accepted by over 80 ladies and along with their escorts and Masons the room was filled.  Naturally many of the ladies recounted happy experiences in the building from earlier days and I am sure for some the evening was inevitably tinged with sadness as they remembered lost merit.

The Ladies Of Bridge Street

The Ladies Of Bridge Street wanted to raise money for the ELMC, having seen at first hand the tremendous support that the ELMC gives to its Beneficiaries, Young People and the help and assistance that is given to both Masonic and non-Masonic charities. In May 2006, Susan and Julie, together with Maria Wood, the afternoon receptionist at Bridge Street and their mutual friend, Alison Lyon, they started their own walking group. They entered themselves in this year's Manchester Great Run which took place on Sunday, 20th May 2007 and covered a distance of 10K through the streets and surrounding area of Manchester.

The four athletes completed the run in great style and their official recorded time was :
1 hour 28 minutes and 41 seconds!

Many congratulations to the ladies and now, the best news of all, thanks to many, many offers of sponsorship the Monies pledged so far exceeds £8,000.00

Alison Lyn, Maria Wood, Julie Ward and Susan O'Neill