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SPORTSMAN’S DINNER

On 13th November 2008, the Manchester Districts held their annual Sportsman’s Dinner at FMH, Manchester.

147 Masons and non Masons were treated to an exceptional evening, with Main Speaker, Jeff Winter, on excellent top form telling some humorous and some serious stories about his time as a Professional Football Referee, to which all present acknowledged with the usual acclaim.

Jeff was ably assisted by the Comedian, Ollie Spencer, a very funny man. WBro Ken Buckley of The Woodland Lodge, No. 5478, acted as MC for the evening, and did a brilliant job, particularly with the auction prizes.

Although all figures have not yet been finalised, it appears, at first glance, that the Manchester Masons have made a profit of between £2500 and £2700, to go towards the cost of the Manchester Widows Broken Column Dinner and other Charities.

Jeff Winter Signing Books	Guests enjoying game of Heads or Tails
The 3 Wise Manchester Chairmen	Comedian Ollie Spencer entertaining
Who won the Worst Tie? - Stan Bibby of course	Martin Caller with Wayne Rooney signed ball

Afternoon Cabaret at Hewlett Court

On 10th September, the City Districts of Manchester, arranged and hosted an afternoon cabaret for the residents and staff of Hewlett Court.

Apart from being wined by the Districts with a free raffle, they were entertained by W.Bro Brian Wilson of Virtue Lodge No. 152, who opened the show playing keyboards, sang and got them involved in a good old sing-a-long. Bro Harry Robson, baffled us all with his amazing magical skills and incredible humour that had the everyone roaring with laughter. The afternoon was made complete, with the appearance of Tony Berry, of The Houghton Weavers, who had the audience shouting for more at the end of his scintillating performance.

W.Bro Brian Wilson, Tony Berry, W.Bro Philip Crumbleholme and W.Bro Ed Cheadle

In attendance, on behalf of the City Manchester Districts, was Julie Ward, the ELMC Welfare Officer, W.Bro Ed Cheadle, The Chairman of City Sykes District and the main organisers of the event, W.Bro Brian Durkin, Deputy Chairman of City Starkie and W.Bro Len Hayes Deputy Chairman of City Sykes. The Warden of Hewlett Court, W.Bro Philip Crumbleholme, thanked the City Manchester Masons wholeheartedly for organising such an event for Hewlett Court, and stated that it was the best turn out from the residents that he could remember, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Photo from the Combined District Giving Night on Friday 18th May 08

Broken Column Dinner

Monday 19 May 2008 saw Manchester Masons host their annual Broken Column Dinner at the Freemasons Hall in Manchester. About 160 widows and their escorts sat down to an excellent dinner after being received at a reception in the Goulburn Lodge Room.

The entertainment this year was provided by two of the Houghton Weavers and everyone agreed it was excellent. Apparently they have been booked for next year already.

Pictured in the centre facing the camera is Len Hayes, the organiser, and to the far left of the picture the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W.Bro Martin Caller.

An event like this does not happen overnight; a lot of work went into it. The masons of Manchester are extremely grateful to Len Hayes, Bill Pye, Brian Durkin, Keith Hatton, and all those who gave of their time to make this a truly excellent evening for our Lodge widows.

The cost of such an evening is borne by the Districts of Manchester who raise their funds through the social events they arrange. All Manchester Masons are urged to support these events in anyway they can - primarily by attending - but by donation if not. However, all Masons and their friends are invited to these events wherever they live in the Province.

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.

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

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

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