News from Rossendale District

Rossendale Districts Third Annual Giving Night

The Evenings Donations were as follows:

Active Club	£200	District
Miles for Smiles (formally Make a Wish)	£200	District
Huntingdons Disease	£300	Harmony Lodge
	£250	District
East Lancashire Scouts	£300	Abbey Lodge
	£250	District
Transport for Sick Children	£50	Royds Lodge
	£500	ELMC Grant
	£200	District
Bacup Scouts	£150	Samaritan Lodge
	£150	Roclyffe Lodge
	£100	Chapter of Strength
	£150	District
Air Training Corps (Rossendale)	£250	Cribden Lodge
	£100	District
British Polio Fellowship	£250	Tranquility Lodge
	£250	District
Flic Flacs Gymnastic Club	£100	Starkie Chapter
	£200	District
Derian House	£400	Fidelis Lodge
	£250	District
Theatre workshop Bacup	£9000	ELMC Grant
	£300	District
Rossendale Fell Rescue	£50	Starkie Lodge
	£1000	District
St John’s Scouts Ramsbottom	£50	Starkie Lodge
	£50	District
Rossendale Hospice	£1000	Grand Charity Grant
	£100	District
Rossendale Mayor Fund	£200	District

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Derian House Children’s Hospice

Two members from Fidelis Lodge, No. 8688, which held its final meeting in December 2008, visited Derian House on Monday 16 February 2009, to present a cheque for in excess of £400. This money had been raised during the evening at that final meeting of the Lodge, which had been attended by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master and the area Assistant Provincial Grand Master. In addition to the cheque thirty six teddies, as part of the “Teddies for Loving Care” scheme, were presented, to give to children who need to attend the Hospice.

Derian House is a children’s Hospice based in Chorley and has to generate extensive funds through charitable donations and other money raising events, on an annual basis, to ensure its future. During the visit, those present were afforded a tour of the building and had the opportunity to view the wonderful facilities that are available, find out more about future development plans to extend the Hospice and admire the outstanding work undertaken by the Hospice staff. This was an exhilarating but chastening experience.

The photograph shows the cheque being handed over to Miss Roya Khadem - who is a member of the Derian House fund raising team - by WBro Fred Whitworth, a Founder member of Fidelis Lodge, No. 8688 in1976, and WBro John Farrington, the Rossendale District Chairman, who was the last Master of Fidelis Lodge prior to its closure.

As reported in the previous issue of this Newsletter, most of the active members of Fidelis have now joined Huntroyd Lodge, No. 6385, which also meets at Padiham. They will continue to enjoy their Masonry in that setting.

The Rossendale District wishes all those involved with Derian House well for a successful future.

 

 

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Rossendale District Chairman receives a wonderful honour as he retires as Deputy Principal of Nelson & Colne College

Although sad to be losing long-standing staff member and Deputy Principal, John Farrington, Nelson & Colne College was delighted to recognise his contribution to its many years of success and innovation by naming their new restaurant ‘Farringtons' in his honour.

Having joined the college 40 years' ago, in September 1968, John joined the staff as an Assistant Lecturer in Catering. Since that date, John has held numerous posts within the college, including Section Leader, Head of Food and Fashion and Assistant Principal for Vocational Studies, but it was in November 1995 when he was first appointed to role of Deputy Principal. John started at the college when it was led by David Moore. Since then, he has assisted four further Principals, all of them women, which Chairman of the Board of Corporation, Andrew Buchannan, said proved John's strength of character and good humour! At a special presentation, attended by over 100 people, former Principal, Helen Gilchrist , Principal from 1989 until 1995, said that she was honoured to have had John on her management team and said “I could always turn to John for truth, judgement, advice and wise words”. She praised John's commitment and warmth. These were sentiments expressed by many visitors during the night.

Current Principal, Lyn Surgeon, was also keen to express her gratitude to John and said that though she had only known John for a relatively short period of time she knows what a special man he is.

Not only had John held the position of Deputy Principal, but he has also held the role of Acting Principal on two occasions, in 2004 and 2008. On both occasions John managed the college through some difficult periods, perhaps most notably in 2008 when he oversaw an Ofsted Inspection with very little notice, whilst the college was in the midst of its new-build; a feat he accomplished with admirable competence, securing Nelson & Colne College's “Outstanding” reputation.

However, undeniably the most moving part of the evening was when Chair of the Board, Andrew Buchannan, unveiled the new college restaurant, named ‘Farringtons' in John's honour.

John said that the naming was “a great honour”, going on to say “I can't express my gratitude sufficiently. It's very humbling to stand and listen to such kind words.” John offered thanks to many people, including his wife Christine, also a Catering Lecturer at the college, who John called his “greatest supporter and fiercest critic”. Staying true to character and thinking of others before himself, John thanked and praised the hard work of another Catering Lecturer, Geoff Horn, who was also retiring and who had likewise served the college for a great number of years. When combining their total years of service, John and Geoff have contributed 72 years of hard work and dedication to Nelson & Colne College.

There is no doubt that the loss of John will be sorely felt by both students and staff at Nelson & Colne College. However, keen to keep ties with the college, John has agreed to continue in his duties as Clerk to the Board of Corporation and we are sure that the excellent reputation of the college's restaurant will help keep John's name in our memories.

John has said that he will now concentrate on delivering Christine's "Special Projects", improving his golf and, of course, he will continue to enjoy his freemasonry.

[Article can be seen on http://www.nelson.ac.uk/college-information/news-and-events/college-news/news-item/?newsStory=312]

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Fidelis Lodge 8688 closes after 32 years

On Wednesday 3rd December 2008 at Padiham Masonic Hall Fidelis Lodge No 8688 held its final meeting. It was attended by some 55 brethren including a Provincial delegation led by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master VWBro Dr Graham Nigel Bramley Haworth accompanied by Assistant Provincial Grand Master WBro James Sutcliffe and members of the ossendale District Team.

A brief history of the lodge was presented by WBro Fred Whitworth a founder member who had been Master of the lodge in 1980 and 2000. The Worshipful Master, WBro J R Farrington returning the Warrant of the Lodge to WBro Sutcliffe said the decision that the Brethren had made had been difficult, but that it was to be the correct one. Before the Lodge was closed the Worshipful Master invited four of the regularly attending members who where founders of the lodge to occupy the following positions;  WBro R Dickin, Masters Chair,  WBro D Jarvis SW’s Chair, WBro F Whitworth JW’s Chair and WBro A Young to act as  Inner Guard. Fidelis Lodge, consecrated on the 24th February 1976 was finally closed the last words belonging to those who 32 years previously had been at that first meeting.

Social Board
To celebrate this, the final meeting of the Lodge the Ladies of both Lodge members and visitors had been invited to attend the social board; 78 people dined. During the course of the evening several of the usual toasts were given and responded to. The WM in replying to the toast to his health spoke on behalf of all those who had previously had the privilege to act as Master of Fidelis Lodge and thanked all those present for their support of the Lodge during its existence, remembering particularly absent Brethren. He also paid tribute to the remaining Founders for the way in which they had led the Lodge through the recent difficult period.
On the night nearly £400 was raised for charity. Two cheques each for £500 were presented to ELMC and the Padiham Masonic Hall Building fund respectively. The remaining charity monies, including the £400 from the evening will be presented to Darien House, a children’s hospice once the account is finalised.
Whilst a poignant occasion the social board concluded with Fidelis members singing their usual visitor’s song, torture for all in attendance, reminding those present that the active members of the Lodge will now, as a group continue to enjoy their masonry, but in Huntroyd Lodge No 6385 – to the future!

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Royds Lodge 816 help Rochdale Children’s Moorland Home

Rossendale District Charity Steward David Law together with Rochdale District Chairman Eric Kirkbride and Charity Steward David Greenhalgh are pictured with last years Mayor of Rochdale Councillor Peter Evans at a presentation to the committee of Rochdale Children’s Moorland home on Thursday 6th November 2008.( See following picture).  

The meeting at the children’s  home was organised to formally present donations raised during the year and was supported not only by the two Districts of Local Freemasons but also by the Rochdale Round Table and Rochdale Style magazine. David Law presented a cheque for £1500 raised by Royds Lodge members. A further £500 per year has been pledged to the home by a new Royds Lodge member which will assist them in maintaining the excellent care that they offer to children and families from both the Rochdale and Rossendale areas.

Peter Evans a member of Royds Lodge 816 became Mayor of Rochdale in 2007. During his year in office, members from both the Rochdale and Rossendale Districts of Freemasons became actively involved in supporting Peters chosen functions to raise money for the Mayors Charity, Rochdale Children’s Moorland Home. These included a Dinner held at Rochdale Masonic Hall which was supported by APGM James Sutcliffe and Chairman of the Rossendale District John Farrington together with several other Rossendale District Officers.(See Picture on left).

 

A magnificent additional £29,000 was presented by the Mayors Charity and will now enable the home to secure much needed renovations including a new central heating system and kitchen area improvements.
Matron Barbara Morrish and Chairman Beryl Varley together with the other committee members were overwhelmed by the level of support received from the Freemasons and are extremely grateful to everyone for their contributions to the Children’s Home during the Mayors Year.

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Music Night for Bleak Holt

Rossendale District held a Music Night at Ashday Lea Masonic Hall on Friday October 17th 2008.
Organist Lesley Barlow, who gave her time free, performed a recital of popular music to some 35 members and friends which raised £250. Lesley requested that part of the monies raised be presented to her nominated charity Bleak Holt (a Charity which offers shelter and food for stray and neglected animals. The remainder will be distributed to other local charities at our next annual Giving Night.

The photograph shows Lesley presenting a cheque to the representative of her nominated charity Bleak Holt.

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£9000 for Theatre Workshop

A grant from the Community Fund of the East Lancashire Masonic Charity to the Maden Community Centre, Bacup, ensured that the Family Theatre Week ran from 18-22 August 2008. It enabled a total of 205 children and their parents to have fun together at Fearns Community Sports College which culminated in a performance on the final day. The event had grown in popularity from last year, when some 140 adults and children took part.
Assistant Provincial Grand Master James Sutcliffe, who attended on the final day, said it was great to see so many people of various ages having fun together.
The event is advertised by the centre so that anyone can sign up for the week. Families are also encouraged to attend by being referred by Lancashire County Council’s Children’s Integrated Services staff and Health Visitors. Every day from 9.00am – 3.30pm is packed full of activities and people could learn dancing, acting, singing and circus skills, to name but a few.
A party was held at the Maden Centre on October 24th to commemorate a successful Theatre Week. District Chairman, John Farrington, together with Deputy Chairman, Steve Barton, Membership Officer, John Ellis, and District Charity Steward, Dave Law, were given a guided tour of the centre by Sue Hopkinson.
This is the second year that Rossendale District Freemasons have supported this event. It is intended to carry on working closely with the centre in order to identify any key areas were further support may be offered in the near future.

Assistant Provincial Grand Master James Sutcliffe
 presenting the £9000 cheque to Susan Hopkinson
who co-ordinated the workshop.

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