Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire
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News from Ashton and Mossley

Kay Takes Teddies To Malawi

Kay Doyle, a midwife at Steeping Hill Hospital , who was recently voted number one for Maternity in the UK is travelling to Malawi as part of an elective programme dealing with placement training. As part of the programme she had the choice to go anywhere in the world and chose Malawi on the recommendation from other students who had been there previously.

She went to Malawi , in East Africa , for a five week programme on 2nd February. The course will involve working in a maternity hospital, along with three of her friends, as well as visiting local orphanages. Kay will then qualify as a midwife two days after she returns home at which time she is hopeful of taking a position at St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester.

Kay has worked at Albert House Masonic Hall for the past seven years as a waitress whilst continuing her studies, with the past three years training to be a midwife. On hearing of the trip from Sue, the Manager at Albert House, the Lodges and District decided to donate a sum of money towards medical supplies for her trip. W.Bro. Peter Douthwaite, treasurer for TLC Fund for the Province, along with Harry Rodgers also donated a collection of teddies for Kay to take with her on behalf of East Lancashire Freemasonry. After all if the Teddies can go to Germany then why not Malawi!

Sir Alec Markham

Most of you will remember an article from 2003 about Alec Markham being appointed the director of Cancer Research UK . In this years Christmas Honours List it was announced that Alec was to be Knighted. A great achievement for a local lad who is a member of Ashton Masonic Hall.

Prof. Markham is also a past director of the molecular medicines unit at Leeds University , honorary consultant physician at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and an advisor to the Dept. of Health.

W.Bro. Markham is a Past Master of Stamford Lodge no 6427, following in his father's footsteps. Alec was initiated into the Lodge on 12th November 1979 and was later installed into the Chair of King Solomon by his father Fred in 1984. We wish Alec all the best for the future and congratulate him on his Knighthood.

Tameside Scouts Centenary

This year celebrates 100 years of scouting and 3 young people have been doing their bit to raise money for the World Jamboree. Pictured here are Vicki Cummins, Jamie Bradbury and Freya Jones. Jamie and Vicki are from the 339th Manchester Scouts based at St. Martin’s Church Droylsden, and Freya is an  explorer scout who helps with Beavers at 339th. They, along with 30 plus other will represent the scoutiung movement from this area at the Jamboree.

The 3 along with parents and friends have spent most Sundays fundraising after church, clearing Droylsden football ground after the match, bag packing at Asda, car washing at the Fairfield Arms and doing a car boot at Ashton Market.

Tameside Council , along with ourselves have given generous donations and it was through Eric Hankinson that the idea of sponsoring the scouts from St. Martin’s came about. On speaking to Eric he felt that in his experience in being a member of the Church Lads Brigade he knows how difficult it is to raise funds, and the Freemasons of Ashton and Mossley should do something to support  this special event. Eric went on to say that there are many Freemasons today who have benefited from these organisations in becoming  better citizens. Presenting the cheque was Eric Hankinson and District Charity Steward Peter Cole.

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