Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire
Manchester Districts News

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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)

   

Broken Column Evening

The Manchester Districts are pleased to announce the date of the Annual Broken Column Dinner for our Widows.
It will be held at FMH Bridge Street Manchester, on 19th May 2008. A reception will be held at 7pm for Dinner at 7.30pm. Entertainment will be given by Tony Berry, a singer with the Houghton Weavers Group.


Letters have already been sent to ALL Lodge and Chapter Almoners, for them to invite their own Widows, along with letters of invitation direct to Widows of our Closed Lodges. The Dinner is sponsored by our own Charitable Giving, and is FREE to our Widows. If any members who assist in the Transport of our Widows, would line to join us, then they would be welcome, but we have to make a charge of £21.00. If any Widows wish to be accompanied by a relative or Friend - usually for Transport Purposes, we will invite them as non-paying guests. Almoners, please give details as soon as possible to your District Deputy Chairman, of those attending on the reply form sent to you. If none attending, then please be good enough, to send them a ''NIL'' return.

Yours: Mike Birks

Manchester Association for Masonic Research
Founded 1909

Manchester Lodge for Masonic Research No. 5502
Consecrated 1934

Our objectives are to foster and do active research into the many facets of freemasonry and to involve as many as possible who show an interest both masons and non masons In this fascinating subject. The proceedings of the meetings along with other articles are published annually in the “Transactions of the MAMR”.

Attendance at the meetings and membership of MAMR is open to all Master Masons.

Programme for 2008:

May 28th, 6.30 pm. Association Meeting at the Masonic Hall, Congleton. No regalia worn.
“Freemasonry in Local History; the case of Congleton”, K.B. Boon, P.A.G.D.C.

September 24th, 5.45 pm. Lodge meeting.
“What I saw in Coventry”, N. B. Cryer, P.G.Chap.

November 25th, 5.45 pm. Lodge meeting.
“The Lodge Forbes Poem in its context of time and place“, G. G. Watkins, P.Prov.J.G.W.

Apart from the May meeting all the others are held in Freemasons’ Hall, Bridge Street, Manchester M3 3BT.
There is a Social Board after every meeting open to all those who attend (payment in advance: £18, cheques made payable to “MAMR Dining a/c”).
If you wish to attend a meeting and/or join please contact:
Kevin Horne, 2 Blackburn Road, Burnley BB12 8JZ.
Tel: 01282 772373; Email: kevinhorne@lineone.net

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